Bovine subclinical mastitis was one of the most important health problems facing dairy industry, its impact exceeded the economic aspects and extended to potential negative effects on human health. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of E. coli as an important mastitic pathogen and identify some of its most important virulence gene as well as their antimicrobial resistance profile. In the present study E. coli was isolated and biochemically identified whereas out of 100 subclinically mastitic milk samples was nine samples were positive for E. coli with 9% prevalence rate. Serotyping of these isolates declared that 3 isolates were serotype O26:H11, 2 isolates in serotype O91:H21 and 1 isolate in each of serotypes O55:H7, O128:H2, O146:H21 and O124. Antimicrobial resistance profile of the obtained isolates showing that all the isolates were 100% resistant to both erythromycin and streptomycin, while 88.9% (8/9) were sensitive to gentamicin. The presence of 3 important virulence factors including shiga toxin1(stx₁), shiga toxin 2 (stx₂) and intimin (eae) genes, among the obtained isolates was reported using PCR. Molecular investigation revealing that 2 isolates contain all studied virulence genes (stx₁, stx₂ and eae), 3 isolates contain (stx₁ and stx₂), while stx₁ was detected solely in 2 isolates, also 1 isolate contain only stx₂ and lastly 1 isolate was negative for any of the studied virulence factors. In a conclusion, there was a 9% prevalence rate of E. coli in subclinically mastitic milk samples in the current study, indicating its importance as a mastitic pathogen. The shiga toxin genes (stx₁ & stx₂) are widely distributed among E. coli isolates, while the intimin (eae) gene is less prevalent in comparison to shiga toxin genes. Also the recorded high multidrug resistance rate among the isolates posing threat to human health though entrance of these strains into the human being food chain whereas the isolated E. coli strains had the highest resistance to erythromycin and Streptomycin (100%), followed by Clindamycin (77.8%), Nalidixic acid (66.7%), and Gentamicin (11.1%) was the lowest.

Background and Aim: Measuring blood progesterone (P4) concentration has become an essential diagnostic tool in small animal reproductive medicine. Methods enabling precise and rapid on-site measurements are in high demand, especially for the optimization of breeding management in bitches. This study aimed to compare two commercial on-site methods (Speed™ P4, Virbac [M1] and mini VIDAS®, bioMérieux [M2]) and a well-established radioimmunoassay (RIA), which was used as a reference method. Materials and Methods: Comparative measurements were performed on 52 blood serum samples collected from 45 clinically healthy bitches of different breeds. The dogs had been presented to determine the estrus cycle stage and predict the time of ovulation. Each sample was divided into three aliquots. In aliquot 1, P4 was measured immediately applying M2. Aliquots 2 and 3 were stored at −20°C until analysis was performed using RIA and M1. The consistency of the three methods was investigated by pairwise linear regression analyses. Results: In RIA, the P4 concentrations ranged between 1.1 and 25.4 ng/mL. Regression analyses revealed highly significant (p<0.0001) positive correlations between the three methods applied (M1 vs. RIA: R=0.94; M2 vs. RIA: R=0.98; and M1 vs. M2: R=0.91). Conclusion: The results show that the two commercial on-site methods tested exhibit approximately equal, high consistency with the radioimmunological reference method and can, therefore, be used beneficially in a clinical setting. However, biological interpretation of data must be performed in a method-specific manner0

This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral supplementation of rumen-protected
L-arginine on semen quality, testes, and accessory genital glands biometry in rams.
Ten apparently healthy and fertile rams were randomly divided into two equal groups;
control, and rumen-protected L-arginine (20 mg/Kg body weight for 30 days) treated
group. In all rams, ultrasonographic measurements of the testes and the accessory
genital glands and blood sampling were performed at day (D)10, D20, and D30 (D0 is
the start of supplementation). Semen ejaculates were collected twice/week and semen
quantity, and quality was examined. Our results showed that, in the L-arginine treated
group, there were significant increase in the ultrasound biometric measurement of right
seminal vesicle (RSV) and right Cowper’s gland (RCG) at D10, both testes, tail of the
epididymis (TE), SV, and CG of both sides at D20, and of both testes, RTE, RSV, RCG,
and LSV at D30. Semen quality and quantity parameters were significantly improved in
L-arginine treated group. Moreover, testosterone level in the L-arginine treated group
was significantly higher than that in the Control group. Serum thyroxine and glutathione
peroxidase concentrations were significantly higher in the L-arginine treated group. The
present study concluded that oral supplementation with rumen-protected L-arginine is
beneficial in improvement of rams’ fertility.

Decreasing male fertility encouraged the investigators to innovate accurate diagnostic non-invasive methods for detection of changes in the testicular parenchyma. Ultrasonography (US) has the potential to be used in this manner for decades, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is still of limited application in animals for this purpose. The current study was designed to describe appearances and quantitative MRI attributes of the normal testes, epididymis besides angiography of testicular artery in camels. About 30 apparently healthy male dromedary camels aged 8–14 years were slaughtered during the rutting season. Immediately after slaughtering, the male gonads (n = 30 pairs of testicles and epididymis) were subjected to morphometric evaluation using a Vernier caliper and ultrasound scanning. Epididymial sperms were evaluated for motility, vitality and abnormality. MRI was performed for testes (n=16) by using a 1.5T Excite-II MRI apparatus of Sigma. Radiography and angioarchitecture of testicular artery (n=24) were done. Camel testicular length, width, and depth showed non-significant differences between a Vernier caliper or sonar. The MRI results revealed that both the testis and epididymis have homogenously intermediate signal (T1) and testes have hyperintense signal, with slightly lower signal in the epididymis (T2). In conclusion, both the ultrasonography and MRI techniques, with each respective computer-assisted imaging, could be used to detect the histomorphological changes of the camels' testicles. However, US imaging remains the first diagnostic technique for evaluating the reproductive health in men for its lower cost and accuracy. MRI is beneficial when the sonograms are inconclusive and/or equivocal. It shows the examined tissues in greater anatomical details compared to ultrasonography. Further studies are needed to compare between characteristics of US and MRI of normal testes and epididymis with testicular artery angiography in living camel during rut season and non-rut season and between normal healthy and affected diseased genitalia.

Retained placenta is a pathological condition defined as failure to expel foetal membranes
within 12–24h after parturition. It instigates important financial losses tothe dairy industry causing considerable economic loss. It is a multifactorial disorder.Although different hypotheses have been proposed, contradictory results and no single factor explains the development of the disease. This indicates that there are overall significant gaps in our knowledge about the various factors affecting the aetiopathology and pathobiology of the retained placenta. Thus, it will be of great interest to investigate the potential contributing factors that influence the occurrence of RP which provide us with the mechanisms to avoid the occurrence of the disease. In addition, different predictive indicators of RP should be a part of our research, thus providing the essential procedures applied to deal with the disease and the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic strategies in its management. Furthermore, lately, the molecular role takes attention to understanding its effect in the occurrence of the disease. Such information might help dairy scientists in the future to design better management and preventive practices for RP in dairy cows.

The study objective was to evaluate the potential reproductive toxicity of sulfoxaflor (SFX) insecticide in male Sprague Dawley rats. To attain these objectives, forty male Sprague Dawley rats of 10–12 weeks old were randomly divided into four equal groups; the 1st group was used as a control group; the other three groups were exposed to 25, 100, and 500 mg/ kg body weight SFX by oral gavage for 4 weeks. Relative testicular weight, testosterone, FSH, LH, MDA, and GPx levels, sperm viability, sperm morphology, sperm DNA damage, and histopathological changes in testes, epididymis, and seminal vesical of these rats were investigated after 4 weeks. The results showed that SFX exposure resulted in a significant increase in FSH, LH, MDA, and GPx levels as well as the percentage of dead and abnormal sperms and DNA damage in rat sperms.
Histopathological examination of testes established testicular degeneration with coagulative necrosis as well as the proliferation of interstitial connective tissue infiltrated with inflammatory cells with congestion of intertubular blood vessels in epididymis and degeneration of lining epithelium of seminal vesicles

Background: The current study aimed to determine the most strongly correlated variable of pelvimetry with the
parity in our native breed Egyptian buffaloes.
Methods: The study was conducted on 36 female buffaloes (nullipara, n=14, primipara n=6 and pluripara, n=16 with 2-4
births) aged between <15 months, n=15 and 65 months, n=21. The internal and external pelvic measurements were
obtained using the rice pelvimeter and Freeman’s measuring tape.
Results: Strong positive linear relationships were found for the distance between ischiatic tuberosities and the distance
between sacral tubercles with the correlation coefficients of 0.64 and 0.62, respectively. The conjugate diameter
increased progressively with the age and number of births, with a correlation coefficient of 0.96. The pelvic area had a
very strong positive linear relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.89. The linear combination of the predictor
variable (conjugate diameter), to predict the number of birth was developed successfully.
Conclusion: The strong relationship between the conjugate diameter and the number of births could be employed to
predict the dystocia and estimate the age of female buffalo. Furthermore, these findings could be aid paleontologists in
studying buffalo fossils.

Background and Aim: Estrus detection plays a crucial role in the success of animal reproduction. It was previously reported
that body temperature changes during estrus. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vaginal temperatures
(VTs) measured by a data logger, ovarian activity, and hormonal cyclic changes in camels.
Materials and Methods: Six mature, healthy, non-pregnant dromedary, and 10-12-year-old camels were included in the
study. The ovarian activity was monitored with ultrasonography, and estrus behavior was evaluated using an active and
virile male camel. Animals were inserted with a blank controlled internal drug release device attached with an intravaginal
data logger. Every hour, the ambient temperature was recorded by another data logger. Blood samples were collected, and
sera were used to measure estradiol and progesterone levels.
Results: The whole follicular cycle lasted 25.41±1.36 days, and the maximum sizes of the dominant follicle in the first and
second follicular waves were 1.63±0.27 cm and 1.94±0.42 cm, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation
between the follicular diameter and estradiol-17β level (p<0.01, r=0.397). There was no correlation between the follicular
diameter and progesterone level (p>0.05, r=0.038), which remained low during the whole period of the experiment. The
mean daily VT was significantly correlated with the diameter of the dominant follicle (1.7-2.2 cm, p<0.01, r=0.52).
Conclusion: Measurement of VT will improve the accuracy of estrus prediction. Further studies are recommended to
validate VT in camel reproduction.

The aim was to elucidate the effects of short-term, high protein diet on ovarian activity and metabolic status in synchronized Ossimi ewes. Fourteen Ossimi ewes divided into a high protein (HPG; n = 7) and a control group (CG; n = 7). Estrous synchronized using two doses of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) that were administered 10 days apart. For the five days before the second dose of PGF2-α, a high protein diet consisting of 20% crude protein was fed to the HPG and the CG was provided a maintenance diet. The estrus period was significantly longer and the ovulation rate was significantly higher in the HPG as compared to the CG (P < 0.05). A significantly longer ovulation time and larger diameter ovulatory follicles were observed in the HPG (P < 0.05). A high protein diet had a significant effect on the number of recruited follicles and the diameter of the ovulatory follicle (P < 0.05). Significantly higher levels of estradiaol-17β, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, blood urea, and glucose detected in the HPG as compared to CG ewes (P < 0.05). It is concluded that short-term, high protein flushing may improve estrus expression, ovarian activity, and metabolic status in PGF2α analog synchronized Ossimi ewes.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are frequent contaminants of staple foods such as maize. Oral exposure to these toxins poses health hazards by disrupting cellular signaling. However, little is known regarding the multifaced mitochondrial dysfunction-linked toxicity of FB1 and AFB1. Here, we show that after exposure to FB1 and AFB1, mitochondrial respiration significantly decreased by measuring the oxygen consumption rate (OCR), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The current work shows that the integrity of mitochondria (MMP and ROS), that is the central component of cell apoptosis, is disrupted by FB1 and AFB1 in undifferentiated Caco-2 and HepG2 cells as in vitro models for human intestine and liver, respectively. It hypothesizes that FB1 and AFB1 could disrupt the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and break the balance of transferring H⁺ between the mitochondrial inner membrane and mitochondrial matrix, however, the proton leak is not increasing and, as a result, ATP synthesis is blocked. At the sub-toxic exposure of 1.0 µg/mL for 24h, i.e., a viability of 95% in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells, the mitochondrial respiration was, however, stimulated. This suggests that the treated cells could reserve energy for mitochondrial respiration with the exposure of FB1 and AFB1, which could be a survival advantage.