Many studies have been carried out to investigate the morphological structure of the syrinx in many bird species. However, the cellular organization of the syrinx in the fowls and pigeons is still unclear. The current study revealed that in fowl and pigeon, the syrinx is formed of three main parts including tympanum (cranial) part, intermediate syringeal part, and bronchosyringeal (caudal) part, in addition to pessulus and tympaniform membranes. A great variation in the structural characteristics of syrinx of fowl and pigeon was recorded. In fowl, the tympaniform membranes showed a characteristic distribution of elastic and collagen fibers which increase the elasticity of tympaniform membranes. Moreover, the bony pessulus helps the medial tympaniform membranes to be stiffer, vibrate more strongly so that louder sound will be generated. In pigeon, the lateral tympaniform membrane is of greater thickness so that the oscillation of this membrane is reduced and the amplitude is lower. Moreover, the pessulus is smaller in size and is formed mainly of connective tissue core (devoid of cartilaginous or bony plates), resulting in the failure of stretching and vibrating of the medial tympaniform membranes, that leads to the generation of deeper sound. Electron microscopic examination of the syringes of fowls and pigeons revealed numerous immune cells including dendritic cells, plasma cells, mast cells, and lymphocytes distributed within syringeal mucosa and invading the syringeal epithelium. Telocytes were first recorded in the syrinx of fowls and pigeons in this study. They presented two long telopodes that made up frequent close contacts with other neighboring telocytes, immune cells, and blood capillaries.

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are found in the environment due to their use in industrial and manufacturing activities. Exposure of the population to bisphenol A (BPA) and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is significant because they are present in many consumer products. EDCs target the reproductive tract because they express high levels of steroid hormone receptors, which act as transcriptional factors to regulate reproductive development. In the present study, timed-pregnant Long-Evans female rats (n = 8–10) were administered BPA and DEHP by oral gavage at 2.5 or 25 μg/kg body weight and 5 or 50 μg/kg body weight, respectively. Exposures to chemicals were limited to the period between gestational days 12 and 21 followed by assessment of testicular development in male offspring in the postnatal period. Leydig cells and Sertoli cells are the two major somatic cells present in the testis. The 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) steroidogenic enzyme is a marker for Leydig cell maturation, whereas transferrin is a marker for Sertoli cell differentiation. At day 10 post-partum, testes were obtained from cohorts of control and chemical-exposed male rats and processed to measure 17β-HSD and transferrin expression levels in western blots. Compared to control, 17βHSD enzyme protein was increased in BPA-treated rats but levels were decreased in animals exposed to DEHP (P 0.05). Transferrin protein was decreased in male rats exposed to both BPA and DEHP compared to control animals (P 0.05). To assess qualitative cellular changes within the spermatogenic epithelium, testes were obtained from separate cohorts of male rats at 35 days of age and processed for histopathological analysis. Results showed that prenatal exposures of male rats to BPA and DEHP caused disruption of the spermatogenic epithelium evident as disorganization and atrophy of seminiferous tubules as well as desquamation of germ cells into the tubular lumen. Together, results from the present study support the view that developmental exposures to environmentally relevant levels of BPA and DEHP are associated with disruptions of testicular cell development, which have implications for endocrine and exocrine functions of testis

In order to evaluate the influence of reproductive activity on the functional role of the epididymal epithelium in the Egyptian dromedary camel, Connexin-43 (Cx-43), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity in the epididymal epithelium and the fine structure of the principal, dark, basal, apical, and halo cells were investigated. The secretory activity of the principal cells was amplified in the breeding season, while its endocytotic function became more active in the nonbreeding season. This was evidenced by punctate strong immunoreactive signals for Cx-43, which appeared to be more intense in the apical region of these epithelial cells, and the extremely long slender stereocilia (microvilli) with multiple junctional complexes. The nonbreeding principal cells revealed granular immunoreactive signals for VEGF scattered in the apical and basal cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally, both extreme vacuolation and several multivesicular inclusion bodies were observed in their cytoplasm. Dark cell size greatly diminished in the nonbreeding season and their nuclear morphology greatly changed from oval to lobulated shape. The plasma membrane of the apical cells expressed several infoldings (microvilli) in the breeding season. However, it was almost smooth in the nonbreeding season except for a small microvillus that appeared as a bleb-like projection. In some regions, a strong dense immunoreactivity for VEGF could be recognized in the cytoplasm of the apical cells and some basal ones. Halo cells with numerous multivesicular inclusions occupying most of the cytoplasm and a lobulated eccentric nucleus were detected in the nonbreeding season. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the reproductive activity has a significant impact on the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural profiles of the epithelial cells lining the Egyptian dromedary camel epididymis.

The severe and pervasive effects of multispecies foodborne microbial biofilms highlight the importance of rapid detection and diagnosis of contamination risk in the field using epifluorescence-based techniques (EBT) combined with automatic image-counting software. This study screened the hygiene quality of the environment, the carcass and the slaughtering equipment in the El-Kharga abattoir, New Valley Province, Egypt, to assess possible contamination during slaughter process. In addition, biofilm was assessed, and bacteria was enumerated by epifluorescence microscopy. Using both conventional and EBT, the highest bacterial counts were observed for the slaughtering equipment (6.6 and 5.2 cfu/cm2, respectively), followed by different parts of the carcass (4.1 and 4.4 cfu/cm2, respectively) and environmental samples (3.9 and 4.1 cfu/cm2, respectively). A high prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was observed on the slaughtering equipment (25%), which also led to carcass (1%) contamination. Moreover, Enterobacteriaceae members were detected during examination, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Raoultella ornithinolytica. Despite the relatively good hygiene quality of the abattoir environment, there is also a high risk associated with biofilm formation by pathogenic microorganisms on the slaughtering equipment. Moreover, EBT showed different structures of the biofilm, including those formed at different maturation stages, such as voids, microbubbles, channels and mushroom shapes. (EBT) microscopy combined with image-counting software could be a candidate substitute to estimate efficiently, precisely and rapidly the microbial aggregation and exposure risk in field than the conventional counting techniques.

Two experiments were conducted in this study to assess the role of ram effect prior to mating on ovarian follicular dynamics and reproductive performance of Ossimi ewes. In Expt. 1, fourteen Ossimi ewes 3–6 years old were used. The first group (n=7), ewes were exposed with two trained teaser rams (REG), whilst, the second group (n=7) remaining ewes were isolated of rams (CG). The number and size of all follicles ≥2 mm and corpus luteum were monitored by ultrasonography. Expt. 2, including two mating season, 70 Ossimi ewes (3-6 years old) were selected from 115 ewes in each mating season, multiparous, non-lactating and clinically healthy. The first mating season (n=70), ewes were kept in the presence with teaser rams (REG) during the estrus detection and mating for two consecutive estrous cycles (45 d). The second mating season (n=70), ewes were remaining isolated of rams (CG) except at the time for detection of estrus. Ewes were mated after detection of estrus. While, ewes return to estrus, were mated again. At lambing, birth dates and the lambs born number per each ewe were recorded. All ewes isolated of males for three months before the beginning of the experiments. There were significant (P 0.01) increases in the small (2-2.9 mm) and medium (3–5 mm) follicles number on ovaries of ewes in REG compared to CG. Moreover, the size of maximum ovulatory follicles and subdominant follicles (next largest follicle) were larger (P 0.001) in ewes of REG compared with those of CG. In addition, the ovulation rate mean was higher (P =0.05) in the REG than that of the CG (Expt. 1). The lambing rate was higher (P 0.01) in the first mating season (REG) compared to the ewes in the second mating season (CG). At the same time, the mean number of fecundity and litter size were higher (P 0.01) in the REG compared to the CG. Moreover, twining lambing rate was higher (P 0.01) in the REG. by contrary, the percentage of single lambing was lower (P 0.01) in the first mating season (REG). The percentage of ewes lambing at first service was higher in the REG than in CG but the difference was insignificant (Expt. 2). In conclusion, these results show that, ram introduction prior to mating season increased the ovarian activity and reproductive performance after period of isolation of Ossimi ewes.

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of testicular artery angioarchitecture on the spermiogram parameters in Egyptian Buffalo bulls. Eight adult buffalo bulls aged between 2 - 8 years were used for semen evaluation. For anatomical studies, the masculine gonads were collected after slaughtering 30 adult bulls and prepared for injection by different masses (Urographine®, Latex and Epoxy) through the testicular artery. The mass activity of the ejaculate was assessed immediately after collection. The sperm motility in fresh bull ejaculate was more than 80%. The overall mean percentage of sperm abnormalities was less than 18%. The recorded sperm abnormalities was mostly secondary one including distal protoplasmic droplet, fragmented tail, detached head, detached galea capitis and bent tail. The highest percentage of sperm viability was recorded just after sperm collection (alive > 85%). The results revealed that testicular artery can be divided into three parts (abdominal, funicular and marginal parts) along its course. The coils of the funicular part forming a cone-like structure with its base fixed to the head of the testis. Two epididymal branches to the head and tail of epididymis emanate from the funicular part which continues as pars marginalis on the lateral surface of testis before its division into the lateral and medial testicular arteries on approaching the tail extremity of the testis. The increase in the length of the testicular artery with increase in the size of the testes played a great role in the degree of complexity of the architectural vascular patterns. The degree of complexity is affected by the number of coils formed by the vessel. The increase in the convolutions of the vessel will reduce the speed of blood flow to the gonads. Thus in turn will enabling the thermoregulatory mechanism to work more efficiently and will affect the semen value.

Background and Objective: Generally, abortion cause enormous economic losses in livestock animals. The most important pathogens involved in the abortion of ewes are Brucella melitensis, Campylobacter fetus, Salmonella abortus ovis, and Chlamidophilaabortus. Materials and Methods: In Assiut governorate, five flocks of mixed breed ewes showed unexplained high percentage of abortions (33.3%) and the etiology of abortions wasn't well understood. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to estimate the cause of late abortion in that flocks in Assiut governorate (Upper Egypt). A total number of 94 recently aborted ewes and 47 aborted fetuses with related placenta were examined and we correlated its possible association with Brucella melitensis, which is the most important abortive diseases in sheep. Serum samples were tested by Rose Bengal and ELISA for brucellosis. The infected tissues and serum were also used in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for detection of DNA of Brucella spp. Results: the results revealed that serological tests were positive in (21.28%) of examined cases, while Brucella spp. DNA was detected in (34.04%) of serum samples and in (25.5%) of tissue samples. Conclusion: It concluded that there was an association between brucella infection and abortion in sheep in Assiut governorate, PCR could be accurate method for diagnosis of Brucellosis, thereby could control the infectious diseases in sheep and minimize reproductive losses.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of feeding aflatoxins on some reproductive hormones and on the composition of buffalo milk. Forty lactating buffaloes fed total mixed rations (TMR), part of which was contaminated by fungi secreting aflatoxin. The animals were divided into two equal groups: aflatoxin high group (AHG), animals were fed TMR containing aflatoxin > 21.2 ppb, and aflatoxin low one (ACG), buffaloes were fed on TMR containing aflatoxin 5 ppb. Blood concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, estradiol 17ß, cortisol, and prolactin were assayed. The physiochemical indices of milk samples including fat%, solid not fat (SNF%), Slats%, protein%, total solids%, and pH were measured. The aflatoxins detected in dietary ration and milk of the buffaloes were aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) respectively. The mean concentration of AFM1 in raw buffalomilk was (0.42 ± 0.043 ppb) in AHG, while there was (0.04 ± 0.002 ppb) in the ACG; the difference was significant (P 0.05). Animals in AG, revealed a highly significant (P 0.001) decrease in FSH, LH, and progesterone concentration compared with control animals. In contrast, estradiol 17 ß and cortisol increased significantly (P 0.01) in AHG compared with ACG. Prolactin concentration showed a slight elevation with a non-significant difference. There were no significant differences in the milk parameters between the two groups. Aflatoxins disturb some endocrine functions of the reproductive organs, which could adversely affect buffalo’s productivity.

Abstract: Heat stress causes economic losses via decreasing feed intake, nutrient digestion, weight gain, feed conversion, immunity, carcass quality and increasing mortality in broilers. The aim of the study was to assess the ability of dietary additive combinations to ameliorate the detrimental effect caused by chronic heat stress (32 ± 2ºC for 24 h per d) on performance, carcass traits, metabolic status and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. A total of 420, one-day old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were assigned into seven treatment groups (n=60) of five replicates. Each replicate contained 12 unsexed chicks. The control groups did not receive any supplementation to the basal diet (thermoneutral control (TNC) and heat stress control (HSC) groups). The other groups received control diet supplemented with 1 % cumin plus 1 % turmeric powders (T1); 1.5 g/kg potassium chloride plus 2 g/kg sodium bicarbonate (T2); 1000 ppm propolis plus 15000 IU vitamin A (T3); 1200 ppb chromium plus 500 ppm vitamin C (T4) ; 1200 ppm betaine plus 500 ppm vitamin E (T5). The results indicated that at 42 d of age, all dietary additive combinations improved the growth performance indices, carcass traits, concentrations of serum antioxidant enzyme biomarkers, stress biomarkers and economic efficiency in comparison to HSC group. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation with betaine and vitamin E followed by chromium and vitamin C combinations offers a good management practice for alleviating heat stress related depression in the performance of broiler chickens

Abstract: Heat stress causes economic losses via decreasing feed intake, nutrient digestion, weight gain, feed conversion, immunity, carcass quality and increasing mortality in broilers. The aim of the study was to assess the ability of dietary additive combinations to ameliorate the detrimental effect caused by chronic heat stress (32 ± 2ºC for 24 h per d) on performance, carcass traits, metabolic status and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. A total of 420, one-day old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were assigned into seven treatment groups (n=60) of five replicates. Each replicate contained 12 unsexed chicks. The control groups did not receive any supplementation to the basal diet (thermoneutral control (TNC) and heat stress control (HSC) groups). The other groups received control diet supplemented with 1 % cumin plus 1 % turmeric powders (T1); 1.5 g/kg potassium chloride plus 2 g/kg sodium bicarbonate (T2); 1000 ppm propolis plus 15000 IU vitamin A (T3); 1200 ppb chromium plus 500 ppm vitamin C (T4) ; 1200 ppm betaine plus 500 ppm vitamin E (T5). The results indicated that at 42 d of age, all dietary additive combinations improved the growth performance indices, carcass traits, concentrations of serum antioxidant enzyme biomarkers, stress biomarkers and economic efficiency in comparison to HSC group. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation with betaine and vitamin E followed by chromium and vitamin C combinations offers a good management practice for alleviating heat stress related depression in the performance of broiler chickens