Spermatogenesis in teleosts is essential for reproductive function; however, it varies considerably among species. The testis of the viviparous molly fish (Poecilia sphenops) was examined using both ultrastructural and immunohistochemical methods. The testis displays a restricted lobular type, where germ cells develop synchronously within Sertoli cell-forming cysts. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed all stages of spermatogenesis. Mature sperm are at the apex of the cysts and migrate toward the sperm ducts. Sperm duct epithelium is lined by cuboidal cells joined by tight junctions, with apical cilia and desmosomal complexes contributing to transport and structural integrity. The sperm ducts showed strong Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive expression among negative stained spermatocysts. Centrally, a cavity serves as a storage area for spermatozoa that are organized into unencapsulated bundles known as spermatozeugmata. Sertoli cells exhibited extended cytoplasmic processes that supported developing germ cells, whereas Leydig cells occupied the interstitial tissue, contributing to hormonal regulation. Immunohistochemical labeling demonstrated strong vimentin expression in Sertoli cells and telocytes, indicating their mesenchymal origin and structural role. Calretinin expression was confined to Leydig cells and certain ductal epithelial cells, supporting its use as a marker for steroidogenic and secretory functions. These findings provide new insights into the testicular specialization of P. sphenops, highlighting key somatic–germ cell interactions, ductal adaptations, and marker expression patterns that underlie male reproductive success in viviparous fish.

ROBIOTIC consumption is recognized as being generally safe and correlates with multiple and
valuable health benefits. Food exposure to mycotoxins is a major concern for public health
officials and regulatory authorities globally. Aflatoxins (AFLs) and ochratoxin A (OTA)
contamination of meat products can happen anywhere along the production process, from farm to
fork. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration of AFLs and OTA residues in some
beef products and evaluate the effects of different probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Bifidobacterium lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on AFLs and OTA in semi-dry fermented beef
sausage that has been contaminated in an experiment stored for seven days. The study found that the
AFLs were present in 86.7%, 60%, 80%, 70%, 76.7%, and 70% of the meat products under
investigation, while the OTA residues were present in 83.3%, 56.7%, 80%, 73.3%, 63.3%, and 76.7%
of the burger, minced beef, luncheon, basterma, kofta, and sausage, respectively. Burger (13.89 ±
2.62 ppb) and sausage (12.67 ± 2.37 ppb) had the greatest AFLs residues (ppb), followed by kofta
(11.38 ± 2.15 ppb) and luncheon (11.26 ± 2.72 ppb). Basterma (3.31 ± 1.85 ppb) and minced meat
(5.47 ± 1.55 ppb) had the lowest values. Luncheon had the greatest OTA residues (2.76 ± 0.43 ppb),
followed by burger (2.64 ± 0.14 ppb), sausage (2.32 ± 0.57 ppb), and kofta (1.78 ± 0.74 ppb), while
basterma (1.23 ± 0.65 ppb) and minced beef (1.56 ± 0.12 ppb) had the lowest concentrations. The
findings reveal that the levels of AFLs in some examined samples exceeded the legal limits (˂ 20
ppb), while the levels of OTA were within the acceptable range (˂ 5 ppb). The data shows a positive
association between the use of probiotics and the reduction of AFLs and OTA in all samples studied.
The results indicate that probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and
Saccharomyces cerevisiae can potentially serve as decontaminants in the food industry as well as can
replace chemical preservatives in producing organic foods and reduce the levels of mycotoxins in
beef products intended for human consumption.

This study aimed to assess the values of one of the harmful food additives used in food production, monosodium glutamate (MSG). A total of 60 random samples of some frozen meat products included beef burger, sausage, beef kofta and chicken nuggets (15 for each) collected from different supermarkets in Assiut City, Egypt. The samples were subjected to sensory evaluation, physico-chemical and microbiological quality. The findings revealed that the examined beef kofta samples have the lowest scores of sensory attributes, compared to beef burger and chicken nuggets samples, which recorded the highest scores. Concerning MSG, the results revealed levels were 1.415 mg/gm. in beef burger; 2.28 in sausage; 2.18 in beef kofta and 3.34 in chicken nuggets, respectively. Moreover, pH determined, and the mean values were 6.37 in beef burger; 6.22 in sausage; 6.45 in beef kofta and 6.27 in chicken nuggets, respectively. Also, the mean values for total volatile basic-nitrogen (TVB-N) (mg/100gm.) and thiobarbituric acid number (TBA) (mg MAD/kg) were 9.52 and 0.35 in beef burger; 12.13 and 0.27 in sausage; 8.87 and 0.4 in beef kofta and 11.11 and 0.23 in chicken nuggets, respectively, which within the permissible limits and all accepted according to the Egyptian standard specifications. Moreover, the bacteriological examination showed that mean values (cfu/g) of TBC and Total Y&M Count were 1.03x105±5.12x104 and 1.33x104±7.12x103 in beef burger; 1.43x105±6.63x104 and 3.73x104±1.66x104 in sausage; 6.75x104±3.01x104 and 3.2x104±1.04x104 in beef kofta and 5.33x104 ±3.35x104 and 1.98x104±9.67x103 in chicken nuggets, respectively. Furthermore, E.coli 0157:H7 identified serologically in two of both beef burger and sausage were (13.33%) and in one of chicken nuggets was (6.67%). In conclusion, application strict hygiene practices along the meat production process is important to prevent low quality products and food-borne diseases.

The iris has several unique structures that are determined by its embryonic origin. Therefore, this research aimed to demonstrate the morphogenesis of the albino rabbit iris. The development of the rabbit iris began at mid-gestation and was completed postnatally. Consequently, we used 36 embryos and 12 neonatal rabbits. The iris originated from the tip of the optic cup. The epithelium of the iris began to differentiate on day 15 of pregnancy, forming a single layer of epithelial cells. The constrictor muscle began its differentiation on day 27 of pregnancy in the area around the pupil, while the dilator muscle differentiated on day 30 as a protrusion from the anterior epithelial cells. The stroma of the iris differentiated from the periocular mesenchyme into fibroblasts, telocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages. The tyrosinase enzymes expressed in the albino rabbit's iris were inactive and at low levels, with melanocytes lacking melanin pigment. Vimentin immunohistochemistry expression was observed in all layers of the iris. Desmin was expressed only in the constrictor muscle and stroma. Explaining the developmental process of the albino's iris is vital for advancing our knowledge of this tissue.

The lingual apparatus of the birds was used to determine the food type of the birds. The tongue of the Japanese quail showed great plasticity in morphology, histology and function. Although little literature spoke in details about the developmental anatomy of the Japanese quail tongue and its attachment during embryogenesis and the post‐hatching period, our data were carried out on 85 healthy random specimens arranged on 45 Japanese quail embryos with ages from the 5th day of incubation to hatching day old and 40 quail chicks with the age of 7, 14, 30 and 60 days old. Those investigations found that the primordium of the tongue arose from the oropharyngeal floor primordium as a clear elongated projection supported by basihyale at the 5th and 6th days old of the embryonated egg. The tongue primordium was attached by a thin layer of epithelium (frenulum linguae primordium). With age advancing, the tongue took different shapes, starting from a ‘U’ shape to a triangular elongated shape. Consequently, its parts were fully developed into a lingual apex that was supported by the paraglossale apical process and paraglossale corpus and the lingual body supported by both the posterior part of paraglossale and basihyale. Besides that, (ala linguae) primordia became more prominent as two oval projections with caudal serrated borders at the 10‐day‐old embryo which were supported by posterior processes of os paraglossale. But at 13 days old, the transverse papillary crest primordium began to appear, which consisted of caudally directed finger‐like papillae. Those papillae were developmentally variable in number, shape and length. The lingual muscle primordia could be noticed: ceratoglossus, hypoglossus anterior and genioglossus muscles at 5, 6 and 7 days old of incubation, respectively. However, the genioglossus muscle showed a degenerative process at the 11‐day‐old embryo. Lingual glands were compound tubular and tubulo‐alveolar end pieces, which its primordia appeared at the 7 and 8‐day‐old embryo. Histochemically, the glands showed different reactions to AB and PAS, and combined stains, which the developmental stains reaction ended with a slightly alcinophilic reaction.