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This study aims to investigate, for the first time in Algeria, the effect of seasonal climatic changes on the hematological profile of Holstein dairy cows as an indicator for their physiological status assessment. The study was conducted between November 2018 and October 2019 and was performed on a lot of 14 dairy cows. Blood samples were collected quarterly during this study period. The data regarding seasonal changes in hematological parameters were not significant concerning red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). However, variations were significant for hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and blood platelets (PLT). The percentage of HCT was higher in autumn (27.99%) and spring (28.58%) compared to winter (26.52%) and summer (26.75%), (p

Body size and testicular measurements were found to be important parameters for the evaluation of the breeding quality. A study was therefore carried out on Arabia bucks (n = 180) to record normal testicular characteristics and to evaluate the effect of age on body (BCS, BW, WH, CG, AC, CS, and BL) and testicular (SC, TW, EW, TL, TD, and TL) measurements. Animals were classified into three age classes (less than or equal to 12 months, from 12 to 24 months, and over 24 months). The BW, BCS, testicular, and body measurements of the 3rd age group were significantly higher than those of age groups 1 and 2 (p

Body size and testicular measurements were found to be important parameters for the evaluation of the breeding quality. A study was therefore carried out on Arabia bucks (n = 180) to record normal testicular characteristics and to evaluate the effect of age on body (BCS, BW, WH, CG, AC, CS, and BL) and testicular (SC, TW, EW, TL, TD, and TL) measurements. Animals were classified into three age classes (less than or equal to 12 months, from 12 to 24 months, and over 24 months). The BW, BCS, testicular, and body measurements of the 3rd age group were significantly higher than those of age groups 1 and 2 (p 0.01). Male age had a significant effect (p 0.01) on BW, BCS, and body measurements. Indeed, the parameters of the 3rd age group were significantly higher than those of the 1st and 2nd age groups (p 0.01). The same was true for testicular measurements (SC, TL, TW, EW, and EL) except for testicular diameter (TD) where the results of the first two age groups had no significant difference. The highest correlation coefficients were recorded between BW and all body (r = 0.7-0.9) and testicular traits (r = 0.72-0.85), BCS and body measurements (r = 0.73-0.89), and scrotal circumference and testicular measurements (r = 0.77-0.85). In conclusion, it was found that the use of BCS is readily measurable in live animals and is expected to be the best indicator of testicular and epididymal measurements. These results, particularly the predictive models developed, could be useful in the selection of males for reproduction.

La prévalence de Cryptosporidium spp. et de Giardia spp. a été étudiée dans 13 élevages bovins laitiers de la région de Sétif au nord-est de l’Algérie. Au total, 634 prélèvements de fèces ont été réalisés dont 302 chez des veaux et 332 chez des adultes. Cryptosporidium spp. a été identifié dans neuf élevages (69,2 p. 100) et dans 22 p. 100 de l’ensemble des animaux. Le parasite a été observé dans toutes les classes d’âge avec une prévalence plus élevée chez les veaux de 4 à 30 jours (p < 0,01). L’excrétion d’oocystes de Cryptosporidium spp. a été très significativement associée aux diarrhées, notamment chez les veaux âgés de moins de 30 jours (p < 0,001). D’autre part, Giardia spp. a été identifié dans 53,8 p. 100 des élevages et chez 13,8 p. 100 de l’ensemble des animaux. Contrairement à Cryptosporidium spp., l’infestation par Giardia spp. a semblé plus élevée chez les veaux plus âgés (4–12 mois) (p < 0,05). Aucune association significative n’a été signalée entre l’excrétion des kystes de Giar­dia spp. et le type des fèces. L’association des deux parasites a été trouvée chez 10,2 p. 100 de l’ensemble des veaux diarrhéiques. Ce travail montre l’importance de Cryptosporidium spp. et, pour la première fois en Algérie, de Giardia spp. chez les bovins laitiers de la région de Sétif.

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in cattle was studied in 13 dairy farms in the Setif region of Northeastern Algeria. A total of 634 fecal samples were col­lected from 302 calves and 332 adults. Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in nine farms (69.2%) and 22% of animals. The parasite was observed in all age groups but with a higher prevalence in calves aged 4–30 days (p < 0.01). Cryptosporid­ium spp. oocyst excretion was highly significantly associated with diarrheas, with a higher prevalence in calves under 30 days of age (p < 0.001). Giardia spp. was identified in 53.8% of farms and 13.8% of animals. Contrary to Cryptosporidium spp., infection by Giardia spp. seemed higher in older calves (4–12 months) (p < 0.05). No significant link was established between Giardia spp. cyst excretion and the type of feces. The presence of both parasites was revealed in 10.2% of diarrheic calves. This work shows the importance of Cryptosporidium spp. and, for the first time, that of Giardia spp. in dairy cattle of the region of Setif.