The incidence of Salmonella species was determined in 1050 eggs including balady hen’s eggs, farm
hen’s eggs and duck’s eggs (350 eggs each represented by 70 samples as every 5 eggs constitute one
sample) and in 90 samples of egg-based products including mayonnaise, cream cake and custard (30
each) were collected from different localities in Assiut city, Egypt. Salmonella was recovered from 8.58,
5.72% of balady hen’s egg shells using Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) agar and Salmonella Shigella
(SS) agar, respectively and could be isolated from egg content in a percentage of 1.43% by XLD agar.
Different serotypes of Salmonella were isolated from shells of balady hen’s eggs including S. typhimurium,
S. anatum, S. infantis, S. kentucky while, S. enteritidis was the only serotype that recovered
from both shell and content. In case of farm hen’s eggs, S. kentucky and S. infantis could be identified
from positive shell and content samples, respectively at same percentage of 1.43% by using XLD agar.
On the other hand, Salmonella could not be detected on SS agar from both shell and content of all examined
samples. Concerning duck’s eggs 4.29 and 1.43% of shell samples were contaminated with Salmonella
by using XLD and SS, respectively. While, 2.86 and 1.43% of examined egg content samples
were positive using XLD and SS agar, respectively and S. typhimurium was the predominant serotype
which isolated from both shell and content samples. While, S. infantis was recovered from shell only
and S. kentucky was isolated from content only. Salmonella species were existed in 2 (6.66%) and 1 sample
(3.33%) of the examined cream cake using XLD and SS agar, respectively while, none of the examined
custard and mayonnaise samples were positive for Salmonella on both media. S. kentucky, S. shubra
and S. enteritidis were isolated from the positive cream cake samples with an equal incidence of 3.33 %
for each. Although XLD agar was found to be comparatively better in recovering Salmonella species
than SS agar, the two media were found to be complementary to each other for recovering different
Salmonella serotypes. Detection of common invA gene in all isolated Salmonella serotypes by PCR assay
showed positive amplification of 284 bp fragment specific for the invA gene with total percentage of
100%. Screening of 12 isolates of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis, which were the most prevalent
serotypes in the positive samples for stn, hilA and fimH virulence genes by multiplex PCR revealed varying
distribution pattern. The public health hazards and the recommended measures required to prevent
contamination of eggs and its based products by Salmonella were discussed.

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.

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal
(MLM) as a substitution for soybean meal on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, rumen enzyme
activity, blood metabolites, growth-related hormones, and growth performance of buffalo calves. Thirty
buffalo calves eight to nine months of age with an average body weight of approximately 153.7 ± 0.97 kg
were randomly distributed through three dietary treatments (ten calves/treatment). MLM inclusion rates
were 15% (M15) and 20% (M20), replacing soybean meal by 50 and 75% in the concentrate mixture,
respectively. The results indicated that, digestibility of dry matter, organic matter (OM), and crude fiber
(CF) increased significantly (p < 0.05) with MLM inclusion, while the digestibility of crude protein (CP)
and ether extract (EE) reduced significantly (p < 0.05) with MLM addition. Dietary supplementation with
MLM significantly affected (p < 0.001) rumen fermentation by reducing ruminal enzymes, ruminal
ammonia-N, total protozoa, and acetate/propionate ratio and increasing acetic, propionic, and butyric
acids and total volatile fatty acid concentrations (p < 0.001). Furthermore, dietary inclusion of 15%
MLM significantly improved (p < 0.001) final body weight, dry matter intake of feed, daily weight gain,
feed conversion efficiency, blood metabolites, and plasma insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I). It can be concluded
that MLM is a multi-purpose protein supplement that provides some nutritional and therapeutic
advantages when replacing 50% of soybean meal. Dietary supplementation of 15% MLM improved rumen
fermentation, growth performance, blood metabolites, plasma IGF-I and mitigated ammonia and
methane without any adverse effects in growing buffalo calves.

Background: Diseases of the central nervous system are a well-recognized cause of morbidity and mortality in equine. Collection and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) give information about the type and stage of degenerative and inflammatory diseases in central nervous system (CNS). The present research aimed to assess the clinical complications of CSF collections and to establish range values of cytological and biochemical parameters of CSF in adult healthy donkeys (Equus asinus). The CSF samples were collected from fifty healthy donkeys at the lumbosacral (LS) and atlanto-occipital (AO) sites.

Results: Hypothermia, tachycardia, ataxia and recumbency may develop post-puncture. Erythrocytes were noticed in 35 of 50 CSF samples. Total nucleated cell counts ranged from 0 to 6 cells/µL, and lymphocytes predominated the cells (61%). The concentration of glucose (1.2 to 5.3 mmol/L) was lower than that of serum (P<0.05). The CSF sodium concentration (123 to 160 mmol/L) was approximately like that of serum, but potassium (1.5 – 3 mmol/L) was lower than that of serum (P<0.01). Urea concentrations (1.1 – 2.9 mmol/L) were markedly lower than serum (P<0.001). Concentrations of CSF total proteins, and albumin ranged from 0.1 to 0.6 gm/dL, and from 0.002 to 0.013 g/dL, respectively. The albumin quotient ranged from 0.06 to 0.56.

Conclusions: Transient hypothermia, tachycardia, ataxia and recumbency may develop as clinical complications of CSF puncture procedures. The collection site has no impact on the constituents in CSF. Furthermore, the present study presented the range values for normal cytological and biochemical constituents of CSF in donkeys (Equus asinus) that can provide a basis in comparison when evaluating CSF from donkeys with neurologic diseases.

Many studies have been carried out to investigate the occurrence and distribution of telocytes (TCs) in many
organs. However, their morphological development is still unclear. This study was performed to demonstrate
the morphological development of TCs in rabbits' lung from fetal to postnatal life using light-, electronmicroscopy,
immunohistochemistry, morphometrical and statistical analysis. During the fetal life, these cells
formed an extensive network of telopodes (Tps) which were in close contact with developing alveoli,
bronchioles, stem cells and many other interstitial components. In addition, the TCs' number was significantly
increased around the neocapillaries in fetal lung. In the fetal life, TCs were stellate in shape and characterized by
large cell bodies and many short Tps that contained abundant rER, mitochondria, and ribosomes. By gradual
increasing of ages, TCs were spindle in shape with two Tps contained a massive amount of secretory structures
(exosomes, ectosomes, and multivesicular bodies). Moreover, TCs in postnatal lung showed a significant
decrease in number and diameter of their cell bodies and a significant increase in the length of Tps compared
with those in fetal life. The TCs contributed with pneumocytes and endothelium in the formation of air-blood
barrier. The TCs' immunohistochemical profiles for CD34, vimentin, c-kit, connexin 43, vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF), and neuron- specific enolase (NSE) differed between ages during the lung development.
This study provided an evidence that TCs contributed to angiogenesis, the formation of the air-blood barrier,
lung organization, and development.

Fifteen adult Soay rams were employed in this study to investigate the effect of melatonin on the
scrotal skin using histological, histochemical, and morphometrical analysis. The results revealed
that the melatonin treated group showed a significant increase in the thickness of the epidermis, the
cross-sectional area of blood capillaries and nerve fibers compared with the control one. In addition,
obvious hypertrophy and hyperplasia were detected in the sebaceous glands in association with a
significant increase in the number and diameter of apocrine sweat glands with well-developed secretory
activity. S100 protein and cytokeratin-19 strongly stained the basal cells of sebaceous glands in the
melatonin treated group incomparable to the control group. Moreover, the nerve fibers were intensively
immunoreacted for S100 and cytokeratin proteins in the melatonin treated group in contrast to the
control one. A high number of telocytes (TCs) could be identified in the treated group around the
nerve fibers and blood vessels in the dermis. The number of Langerhans cells showed a significant
increase in the melatonin groups that were identified by MHC II and PGP 9.5 within the epidermal layer.
Furthermore, a significant increase in the number of dendritic cells was identified in the melatonin
group, which were distributed within the dermis, around hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat
glands and were strongly expressed PGP-9.5, MHC-II, VAMP, SNAP, keratin-5, and cytokeratin-19
immunoreactivity. Notably, Merkel cells showed a significant increase in the number in the melatonin
group that could be stained against nestin, SNAP, and VAMP. On the other hand, the secretory
granules in sweat glands were exhibited a strong positive reactivity for synaptophysin in melatonin
group. The current study showed that the administration of melatonin induced a stimulatory effect on
keratinocytes, non-keratinocytes, sebaceous and sweat glands, hair follicles, as well as the vascular,
neuronal, and cellular constituents of the dermis.

This study investigated the histomorphological features of developing rabbit respiratory acini during the postnatal period. On the 1st day
of postnatal life, the epithelium of terminal bronchiole consisted of clear cells which intercalated between few ciliated and abundant nonciliated
(Clara) cells. At this age, the rabbit lung was in the alveolar stage. The terminal bronchioles branched into several alveolar ducts,
which opened into atria that communicated to alveolar sacs. All primary and secondary inter-alveolar septa were thick and showed a doublecapillary
network (immature septa). The primitive alveoli were lined largely by type-I pneumocytes and mature type-II pneumocytes. The type-
I pneumocytes displayed an intimate contact with the endothelial cells of the blood capillaries forming the blood–air barrier (0.90 ± 0.03 μm in
thickness). On the 3rd day, we observed intense septation and massive formation of new secondary septa giving the alveolar sac a crenate
appearance. The mean thickness of the air–blood barrier decreased to reach 0.78 ± 0.14 μm. On the 7th day, the terminal bronchiole epithelium
consisted of ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The non-ciliated cells could be identified as Clara cells and serous cells. New secondary septa were
formed, meanwhile the inter-alveolar septa become much thinner and the air–blood barrier thickness was 0.66 ± 0.03 μm. On the 14th day, the
terminal bronchiole expanded markedly and the pulmonary alveoli were thin-walled. Inter-alveolar septa become much thinner and single
capillary layers were observed. In the 1st month, the secondary septa increased in length forming mature cup-shaped alveoli. In the 2nd
month, the lung tissue grew massively to involve the terminal respiratory unit. In the 3rd month, the pulmonary parenchyma appeared morphologically
mature. All inter-alveolar septa showed a single-capillary layer, and primordia of new septa were also observed. The thickness of
the air–blood barrier was much thinner; 0.56 ± 0.16 μm. TUNEL assay after birth revealed that the apoptotic cells were abundant and distributed
in the epithelium lining of the pulmonary alveoli and the interstitium of the thick interalveolar septa. On the 7th day, and onward, the
incidence of apoptotic cells decreased markedly. This study concluded that the lung development included two phases: the first phase (from
birth to the 14th days) corresponds to the period of bulk alveolarization and microvascular maturation. The second phase (from the 14th days
to the full maturity) corresponds to the lung growth and late alveolarization.

The present study aims to investigate the histological, histochemical and electron microscopic changes
of the caecal proximal part of Japanese quail during both pre- and post-hatching periods starting from
the 2nd embryonic day (ED) until four weeks post-hatching. On the 2nd and 3rd ED, the primordia of caeca
appeared as bilateral swelling on the wall of the hindgut. On the 7th ED, the lamina propria/submucosa
contained the primordia of glands. On the 8th ED, rodlet cells could be observed amongst the epithelial
cells. On the 9th ED, the caeca began to divide into three parts with more developed layers. With age,
the height and number of villi increased. On the 13th ED, immature microfold cells (M-cells) could be
identified between the surface epithelium of the villi. The caecal tonsils (CTs) appeared in the form of
aggregations of lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and different types of leukocytes. Telocytes
and crypts of Lieberkuhn were observed at this age. On hatching day, the crypts of Lieberkuhn were
well-defined and formed of low columnar epithelium, goblet cells, and enteroendocrine cells. Posthatching,
the lumen was filled with villi that exhibited two forms: (1) tongue-shaped villi with tonsils
and (2) finger-shaped ones without tonsils. The villi lining epithelium contained simple columnar
cells with microvilli that were dispersed with many goblet cells, in addition to the presence of a high
number of intra-epithelial lymphocytes and basophils. Moreover, the submucosa was infiltrated by
numerous immune cells. CD3 immunomarker was expressed in intraepithelial lymphocytes, while CD20
immunomarker showed focal positivity in CTs. In conclusion, the caecal immune structures of quails at
post-hatching were more developed than those in pre-hatching life. The high frequency of immune cells
suggests that this proximal part may be a site for immunological surveillance in the quail caecum. The
cellular organisation of the caecum and its relation to the immunity was discussed.

The current investigation was carried out to record the final stages of the development of both middle and distal parts of quail ceca,
Coturnix coturnix japonica to understand the role of ceca in digestion, immune system, and absorption. The cellular and subcellular structures,
including epithelial cell height, microvillus surface area, the proportion of goblet cells, the thickness of muscle layer, and cecum diameter
showed great variations during the development. An undeveloped smooth muscularis mucosa was observed for the first time on the
ED5. Primordia of glands were observed on the ED7. On the ED15, the middle part exhibited two shapes of mucosal villi: tongue-shaped
villi and U-shaped. The plicae and crypts of Lieberkühn were demonstrated on the hatching day. The lymphatic tissues appeared in the wall
of both parts of the ceca at the 4 weeks of age. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a great difference in the mucosal surface between
different regions. Telocytes were observed in-between the muscle fibers and formed a network during the post-hatching period. Because
of fermentation and other bacterial or chemical processes that have been shown to occur in the ceca, this study supports two hypotheses:
the cecal development is related to diet and the cecal epithelium act as a site for primary absorption of nutrients or for re-absorption of
electrolytes or amino acids derived from the urine.

Many studies have been carried out to investigate the histological structure of the trachea in many species of birds. However, the
cellular organization of the trachea in the mallard duck is still unclear. This study was performed on 12 sexually mature maleMallard
duck to demonstrate the cellular organization of the trachea using light and electronmicroscopy. The tracheal epithelium is considered
the first line of defense against airborne pathogens. The mallard trachea was lined by a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
that contained many morphologically distinct cell types: ciliated, non-ciliated, basal cells that encircled by a population of subepithelial
immune cells, fibroblasts, and telocytes (TCs). Telocytes were first recorded in duck trachea in this study and showed a
wide variety of staining affinity. They presented two long telopodes that made up frequent close contacts with epithelium, tracheal
cartilages, and other neighboring TCs, immune cells, blood capillaries, and nerve fibers. TCs express VEGF and S-100 protein. The
immune cells include mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and dendritic reticular cells. The ciliated tracheal
epithelium was interrupted by numerous intraepithelialmucous glands and solitary goblet cells. Thismucociliary apparatus constitutes
the major defense mechanism against inhaled foreign materials. The cellular organization of the duck trachea and its relation to the
immunity was discussed.