Search

Lornoxicam is a potent oxicam-class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. Its impacts on many biological functions are not fully understood. We measured various biomarkers in male albino rats provided an oral aqueous ginger extract before IM administration of therapeutic and 2× the therapeutic doses of lornoxicam. The aqueous ginger plant extract was characterized by mass spectroscopy, and its effects were determined by examining free radical scavenging activity, blood parameters, renal and hepatic function, semen quality, proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidant markers, and histopathology. Rats administered lornoxicam had significantly higher liver and kidney function biomarker values, TNF-α, interleukin-6, and sperm abnormalities than the control rats. The overall erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, prostaglandin, and sperm counts were all considerably lower in the experimental animals. Histological changes were found in the liver, spleen, and testes of rats administered lornoxicam alone. In rats, pretreatment with ginger extract reduced the majority of the negative effects of conventional and high dosages of lornoxicam.

The activity of three glycosidases (β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α-L-fucosidase) were estimated in the uterine fluid and serum throughout the follicular cycle of 24 slaughtered dromedary camels. These camels had ovaries bearing different size follicles (0.5-20mm) that grouped into group I (5-10 mm), group II (11-15 mm) and group III (16-20 mm). β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α-L-fucosidase were determined in the uterine fluid and serum samples using ELISA kits. Results indicated that mean concentration of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase in uterine fluid was 3.33 ± 0.26, 2.73 ± 0.15, and 6.43 ± 1.41 ng/ml in Group I, II, and III, respectively. The level of α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase in uterine fluid was 3.21 ± 0.27, 2.22 ± 0.14, and 7.24 ± 1.45 ng/ml in Group I, II, and III, respectively. α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase concentration showed statistical differences (P

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary linseed oil, sunflower oil, and their supplementation with Amphora coffeaeformis (AC) on growth performance, carcase characteristics, fatty and amino acid profiles, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups (five replicates per group, 9 birds per each replicate pen). Birds in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 fed diets containing 3% sunflower oil without AC (SFO 3%), 3% SFO with 1 g/kg diet of AC (SFAC), 3% linseed oil without AC (LSO 3%) and 3% LSO oil with 1 g/kg diet of AC (LSAC), respectively for 32 days. Final weight and weight gain were increased whereas fat pads were decreased in birds fed diets containing SFAC or LSAC compared to other groups. The values of omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, and antioxidants were increased while saturated fatty acids (SFA) declined in the meat of birds fed diets supplemented with AC (SFAC & LSAC) compared to other groups. Lysine levels in the meat of birds fed AC and/or linseed diets were inversely related to hepatic L-carnitine levels. Breast meats of different broiler groups did not differ significantly in quality traits. However, broilers fed AC-containing diets had relatively lower yellowness, redness, and Chroma values. Conclusively, dietary combinations of AC with either SFO or LSO improved the performance, fatty and amino acid profiles, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens.Highlights Supplying Amphora coffeaeformis (AC) to broiler sunflower (SFAC) or linseed oil (LSAC) diets improved performance. Dietary AC, 1 g/kg, improved the meat nutritional value of broilers fed SFAC or LSAC diets. Dietary AC, 1 g/kg, improved the meat oxidative stability of broilers fed SFAC or LSAC diets.

This study was aimed to investigate the green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus). The effects of AgNPs on selected microbial species including their own pathogens in vitro were examined. In addition, experimental infection in a healthy she camel was done by culture of Trichophyton verrucosum isolate from the natural infection. The animal was kept in a separate pen until the development of skin lesions. Afterwards, prepared fungal AgNPs was applied topically to cover the whole infected area. The treatment was done twice daily for six days. The current findings revealed that, AgNPs biosynthesis was fast and formed within 7 and 10 minutes for A. fumigatus and E. coli, respectively. Photometric analysis of the liquid media obtained from both microorganisms containing silver ion showed a peak around 430-450nm and 420-450nm, respectively. TEM micrographs indicated formation of well-dispersed AgNPs ranged from 3.4-26.4nm and 64.9nm for A. fumigatus and E. coli, respectively. Zetasizer analysis indicated that AgNPs produced by A. fumigatus and E. coli average was 125.3 nm and 182.9 nm, respectively. Inhibition zone diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs produced by A. fumigatus was larger and lower, respectively than that of AgNPs produced by E. coli and relevant antibiotics and antifungal for all studied microorganisms. Experimental infection with Trichophyton verrucosum induced alopecia, erythema, numerous small subcutaneous nodules and brownish blackish crusts with hyperkeratosis of infected she camel. The treatment with current prepared fungal AgNPs induced a pronounced relieve and disappearance of lesions. The current study concluded that fungal and bacterial synthesised AgNPs have antibacterial and antifungal effect even against their own pathogens. However, A. fumigatus AgNPs was more efficient than that of E. coli due to smaller particle size and subsequent higher penetrating ability. The fungal AgNPs led to disappearance of skin lesions that resulted from experimental infection with Trichophyton verrucosum. Long term studies are recommended to investigate the most effective dose of fungal AgNPs against different fungal infection.

Twelve ejaculates were collected from 6 adult healthy dromedary camels during the rutting season to study the effect of heparin, caffeine and calcium-ionophore on the induction of capacitation in dromedary spermatozoa. Each semen sample was evaluated (sperm progressive motility % and sperm concentration × 106/mL). Nine ejaculates out of twelve were diluted with Shotor buffer to obtain 15 aliquots of 5-10 × 106 motile spermatozoa/ 990μl. Five aliquots were mixed with 10 pl of heparin in concentrations of 0 control, 10 IU (2.5 μl/mL), 25 IU (5 μl/ mL), 50 IU (10 μl/mL) and 100 IU (20 μl/mL). Caffeine (10 μl) was added to another 5 aliquots in concentrations of 0 control, 2.5 mM (0.00485g/mL), 5 mM (0.0097 g/mL), 10 mM (0.0194g/mL) and 20 mM (0.0388g/mL). The last 5 aliquots were mixed with 10 pl of calcium-ionophore A23187 in concentrations of 0 control, 0.05 mM (3.75 μl/mL), 0.1 mM (7.53 μl/mL), 0.2 mM (14.95 μl/mL) and 0.3 mM (20 μl/mL). All aliquots were incubated at 38°C in a 5% CO2 atmosphere and 90% relative humidity for 60 min. Aliquots from replications were taken at 0, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min and evaluated for percentages of sperm motility, live sperm and spermatozoa with reacted acrosomes using eosin nigrosin and Chlortetracycline staining. Results revealed differences in viability indices (VI) between camel semen incubated with calcium-ionophore and both semen incubated with heparin and caffeine. Heparin 100 IU, caffeine 5 mM and calcium-ionophore 0.05 mM were the best capacitating factors. A marked increase existed in B (capacitated and acrosome intact) and AR (capacitated and acrosome reacted) patterns cells accompanied with a large decrease in F pattern (uncapacitated and acrosome intact) cells in aliquots with the capacitating factors than in control. In conclusion, heparin (100 IU), caffeine (5 mM) and calcium-ionophore A23187 (0.05 mM) are convenient capacitating factors for dromedary camels' semen. CTC fluorescent staining technique can be used for assessing capacitation status and acrosome reaction in dromedary camels.

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) prepared from leaf extract of Petroselinum crispum compared to those prepared using a chemical method in lead-acetate-induced anemic rats. Twenty rats were divided into four groups (five rats each). Throughout the experimental period (8 weeks), the rats in group 1 were not given any therapy. The rats in groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 400 ppm lead acetate orally for 2 weeks to make them anemic. Following that, these rats were either left untreated, given 27 ppm of chemical IONPs orally or given 27 ppm of natural IONPs orally for the remaining 6 weeks of the experiment. TEM analysis indicated that the chemically and naturally prepared IONPs had sizes of 6.22–9.7 and 64–68 nm, respectively. Serum ferritin and iron concentrations were reduced, whereas the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ALT, AST, urea and creatinine were significantly increased in the non-treated lead-acetate-induced anemic rats compared to those of the control. In addition, congestion, hemorrhage, necrosis, vacuolation and leukocytic infiltration in the kidneys, liver and spleen were observed in non-treated lead-acetate-induced anemic rats compared to the control. The effects of lead acetate were mitigated by IONPs, particularly the natural one. In conclusion, IONPs produced from Petroselinum crispum leaf extract can be used as an efficient and safe therapy in lead-acetate-induced anemic rats.

Three different diets were formulated with three levels of metabolizable energy (ME) (optimum, 2900, restricted, 2800 and low, 2700 kcal ME/kg diet) without or with (0 and 0.15%) betaine supplementation in 2 &times, 3 factorial design to evaluate the effect of six experimental diets on performance, proteins and lipids profiles, bioenergetics, peroxidation and meat quality of Japanese quail. Therefore, 360 quails allocated into six groups in a 23-day experiment. Dietary betaine and ME levels did not affect the performance, meat energy indices (ATP and AMP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of Japanese quail meat. Dietary betaine and/or ME levels induced significant changes in serum triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterols (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), meat total lipids and cholesterol of Japanese quail. Optimum and restricted ME levels reduced total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) whereas dietary betaine increased ecosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) and glutamine concentrations in breast meat of Japanese quail. Dietary betaine and low energy diet improved cooking loss, thawing loss (ThL) and water holding capacity (WHC) in breast meat of Japanese quail. Conclusively, dietary betaine improved meat quality of Japanese quail fed diets containing either restricted or low ME by enrichments the meat with omega-3 fatty acids and reduction of lipids levels.

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 51, 2, 267

The current study investigated effects of garlic (Allium sativum) and/or ascorbic acid on growth performance, feed utilization, biochemical body composition, and hemato-biochemical parameters of juvenile Asian sea bass. A total of 600 fish (43.14 &plusmn, 0.23 g body weight) were divided into four groups. Fish in the first group were fed basal diet and served as a control group. Fish in groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed a basal diet mixed with garlic (40 g/kg diet), ascorbic acid (1.5 g/kg diet), or garlic (20 g/kg diet)/ascorbic acid (0.75 g/kg diet) mixture, respectively, for 12 weeks. A significant (p &lt, 0.05) increase was observed in growth performance, feed utilization, and chemical body composition in fish fed garlic alone in comparison with the control and other treated groups. All hematological indices, biochemical parameters, and survival rate were not changed significantly (p &gt, 0.05) in all groups throughout the experimental period when compared with the control. Total cholesterol and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p &lt, 0.05) decreased in fish fed garlic alone in comparison to the control and other treated groups. Conclusively, dietary supplementation of garlic alone (40 g/kg diet) was highly effective in improving most of the studied parameters in comparison with that of ascorbic acid alone or a mixture of garlic (20 g/kg diet) and ascorbic acid (0.75 g/kg diet).

Background The use of zinc oxide in the form of nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) is of great benefit due to its potent effectiveness and higher bioavailability compared to zinc oxide. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary inclusion of different doses of ZnO-NPs on selected serum biomarkers, lipid peroxidation and tissue gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and cytokines in Japanese quail. Eighty Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) (45 days old) were randomly divided into four groups (20 birds for each) with 4 replicates (5 birds each). Birds in the first group were fed a basal diet alone and served as a control (C). Birds in groups 2–4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with ZnO-NPs at doses of 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg for a period of 60 days. At the end of the experiment, all birds were sacrificed to collect blood in a plain vacutainer, whereas liver and brain tissues were stored frozen at -80 °C. The obtained sera were used for the analysis of selected biochemical parameters, whereas tissue homogenates were used for the estimation of zinc, oxidative stress biomarkers and gene expression of selected antioxidant enzymes and cytokines. Results ZnO-NPs (30 and 60 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease in serum triacylglycerol (TAG) compared to the control. ZnO-NPs did not affect the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin and tissue zinc concentrations but reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the control. The liver retained a higher zinc concentration than that of brain tissue. In a dose-dependent manner, ZnO-NPs upregulated the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase: SOD1; catalase: CAT; glutathione peroxidase-1: GPX 1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon α: IFN-α; interleukin 6: IL-6) in liver and brain tissues. Conclusion The current study suggests the inclusion of ZnO-NPs, particularly 60 mg/kg, in the diet of Japanese quails to improve antioxidant and immune status.

The study used 96 broiler chickens to evaluate the impact of three species of microalgae on performance, profiles of fatty and amino acids, antioxidants, and meat quality of breast muscles. Birds were divided into four groups (24 birds/each) with 4 replicates (6 birds each). Birds in the first group were fed basal diet and served as a control (C). Birds of 2&ndash, 4 groups were fed basal diet mixed with same dose (1 g/kg diet) of Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Spirulina platensis (SP), and Amphora coffeaformis (AC). At the age of 36 days, performance parameters were reported, and breast muscle samples were collected and stored frozen at &minus, 80 &deg, C. AC shared CV in the superiority of increasing final body weight and body weight gain compared to SP and control. AC shared SP in the superiority of increasing the level of essential fatty and amino acids and decreasing the microbial growth in breast muscle compared to CV and control. All studied microalgae reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels, cooking loss, and aerobic plate count (APC) and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in breast muscle compared to control. The current study indicated that studied microalgae, notably AC, can be used to enhance performance and meat quality in broilers chickens.

The higher bioavailability, lower toxicity, and lower potential environmental risks of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) compared to traditional sources of zinc (Zn) encouraged researchers to use it in animal diets. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary low ZnO NPs levels supplementation on the meat yield of Shami goats using ultrasound examination. A total of thirty healthy female Shami goats with an average body weight of 38.43 ± 1.94 kg at 2–3 years old were randomly distributed into three equal groups (10 goats/group). The first group was fed a basal diet (control), while the second and third groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 11.25 mg/kg (T1) and 22.50 mg/kg (T2) dry matter (DM) of ZnO NPs, respectively, for 12 weeks. Longissimus dorsi muscle ultrasound evaluation at both the thoracic and lumbar regions revealed denser transverse process-related acoustic shadowing (TS), rib-related acoustic shadowing (RS), and muscular shadowing (MS) in goats supplemented with ZnO NPs, T1 and T2, compared to goats fed a control diet. Furthermore, ultrasound measurements of the thoracic and lumbar longissimus dorsi regions of goats supplemented with ZnO NPs at both levels revealed greater fat thickness, depth, perimeter, and area compared to animals fed a control diet (p

Magnetic nanoparticles represent a new paradigm for molecular targeting therapy in cancer. However, the transformative targeting potential of magnetic nanoparticles has been stymied by a key obstacle-safe delivery to specified target cells in vivo. As cancer cells grow under nutrient deprivation and hypoxic conditions and decorate cell surface with excessive sialoglycans, sialic acid binding lectins might be suitable for targeting cancer cells in vivo. Here we explore the potential of magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with wheat germ lectin (WGA) conjugate, so-called nanomagnetolectin, as apoptotic targetable agents for prostate cancer. In the presence of magnetic field (magnetofection) for 15 min, 2.46 nM nanomagnetolectin significantly promoted apoptosis (~12-fold, p value

Data regarding semen collection and characteristics in Arabian oryx are not available so far. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate scrotal circumference, testicular dimension and semen characteristics in four age groups of this species. Eleven male Arabian oryx bulls were divided into four groups according to age: group 1: 3 years old (n = 2); group 2: 4 years old (n = 2); group 3: 5 years old (n = 2) and group 4: 10 years old (n = 3). After immobilisation, scrotal circumference, testicular dimensions, volume and weight and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were estimated for each animal. Semen was collected from each male on a weekly basis for 3 weeks. Immediately after collection, semen was evaluated for volume, pH, osmolality total motility (TM), forward progressive motilities (PM) using a phase microscope. Furthermore, TM, PM, progressive velocity (PV), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and pathway velocity (VAP) have been evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analyser (CASA). Sperm concentration was evaluated using a haemocytometer, whereas sperm morphology was detected using phase contrast microscopy and staining methods by eosin-nigrosin and Spermac stains. Sperm viability was assessed using eosin-nigrosin stain under light microscopy and Sybr14/PI stain under fluorescence microscopy. The current findings indicated a positive correlation between body weight versus scrotal circumference, testicular weight, testicular volume and GSI. However, age did not have a positive association with percentage of normal sperm in Arabian oryx. Conclusively, the current findings provide a valuable data for future use of artificial insemination, which will be crucial for propagation and conservation of Arabian oryx.

Detection of pathogens in the semen of camels has not been completely elucidated. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the association of some economically important pathogens with infertility in 94 male infertile camels through molecular detection and estimation of selected biochemical parameters in serum of these animals compared with a control non infected fertile animals (n=40). PCR analysis of semen samples of infertile camels indicated that, four potential pathogens namely Mycoplasma spp., Leptospira spp., Brucella melitensis, and Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were detected in 50 semen samples of infertile camels whereas, 44 semen samples of infertile camels were free of pathogens and all tested semen samples were negative for bovine herpes virus 1, Salmonella spp. and Trypanosoma evansi. Single and mixed infection was detected in 88% and 12% of the infected semen samples, respectively. Mycoplasma spp., Leptospira spp., Brucella and Bovine viral diarrhea virus infection represented 66%, 27.2%, 4.5% and 2.3% of the single infected semen samples. Mycoplasma spp.+Leptospira spp. and Mycoplasma spp.+Brucella spp. were detected in 83.3% and 16.7% of mixed infected semen samples, respectively. Testosterone concentration decreased significantly in infertile infected camels compare to both control and infertile non infected animals that remained comparable. The current findings reported the molecular detection of mixed infection in camel semen for the first time. Mycoplasma spp. is the most widely recognized microorganism in the present study and together with Leptospira spp., Brucella spp. and Bovine viral diarrhea virus, might be associated with infertility in dromedary camels.

Background In broilers chickens, the molecular bases for promoting muscle development and growth requires further investigation. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of daily thermal manipulation (TM) during embryonic days (ED) 12 to 18 on body, carcass and internal organ weights as well as on the expression of muscle growth markers genes during late embryogenesis and post-hatch days. 1500 fertile Cobb eggs were divided into five groups. The first group was a control group and incubated at 37.8°C. The other four groups were thermally manipulated (TM) and exposed to 38.5°C (TM1), 39°C (TM2), 39.5°C (TM3) and 40°C (TM4) daily for 18 h, respectively, with a relative humidity of 56%. Body weights (BW) from ED 12 to 18 and on post-hatch days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 were recorded. mRNA expression levels of muscle growth factor genes (IGF-1 and GH) and muscle marker genes (Myogenic Differentiation Antigen; MyoD), Myogenin, Pax7, and PCNA) during ED 12 to 18 and on post-hatch days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 were analyzed. On post-hatch day 35, the carcass and internal organ weights have been also evaluated. Results TM during certain days of embryogenesis (ED 12 to 18) did not affect the BW of broilers during their embryonic lives. However, TM, particularly TM1 and TM2, significantly increased BW, carcass and internal weights of hatched chicks near to the marketing age (post-hatch days 28 and 35). Most of TM protocols induced up-regulation of muscle growth factor genes (IGF-1 and GH) and muscle marker genes (MyoD, Myogenin, Pax7, and PCNA) during embryonic life (ED 12 to 18) and on post-hatch days. Conclusion Among the various TM conditions, it seems that,TM1 and TM2 induced a significant increase in BW, carcass and internal weights of hatched chicks near to the marketing age. This increase in BW induced presumably via up-regulation of muscle growth factor genes and muscle growth markers genes during embryonic life (ED 12 to 18) and on post-hatch days. Both protocols (TM1 and TM2) can be used in real-world applications of poultry industry for maximum benefit.

Data regarding determination of pesticide residues and toxic elements in edible tissues of different animals particularly in the camels in Eastern region of Saudi Arabia are scarce. Therefore, current study aimed to evaluate levels of forty-five pesticides and heavy metals (lead (Pb); cadmium (Cd); Arsenic (As)) in muscle and liver tissue samples that collected from forty-two animals; sheep (n=21), cattle (n=11) and dromedary camels (n=10) admitted to Al-Ahsa abattoir, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. Seven of forty-five pesticides residues were detected in tissues by gas chromatographic mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The detected pesticides were organophosphorus (diazinon, profenofos and coumaphos), pyrethroid (cypermethrin, permethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin) and acaricide (amitraz). Diazinon has been detected in both muscle and liver tissues of all examined carcasses. However, other detected residues distributed according to species. All toxic metals have been detected in both muscle and liver tissues of all tested animals. The heavy metal loads were species independent. The concentrations of Pb and As in liver tissues were comparable to that of muscle tissues of all tested animals. However, the concentrations of Cd in liver were significantly higher than that in muscles of all tested animals. All values of detected pesticide residues and heavy metals were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs). In conclusion, pesticide residues and toxic metals were detected in meat and liver tissues of sheep, cattle and dromedary camels that admitted to Al-Ahsa abattoir, Saudi Arabia. The detected pesticides residues and toxic metals were well below MRLs; thereby no risks are associated with its human consumption. Key words: chromatography; residues; toxic elements; meat; pesticides; animals

Effects of thermal manipulation during broiler chicken embryonic days 12-18 on body temperature (T(b)) and mRNA expressions of Hsp108, Hsp70, Hsp47 and Hsf-3 in muscle, heart and brain tissues during subsequent thermal challenge (TC) were investigated. Fertile chicken eggs were divided randomly into four groups (n=375): eggs in the control group were maintained at 37.8°C and 56% (RH). Eggs in TM1 group were subjected to TM at 39°C for 9h during ED 12-18. Eggs in the TM2 and TM3 groups were subjected to the same protocol of TM1 except for increasing the period of exposure to 12h and 18h, respectively. During TC (43°C for 6h) at days 10 and 28, T(b) of TM chicks was significantly lower compared to controls. Furthermore, significant changes in mRNA expressions of Hsp108, Hsp70 and Hsp47 in muscle, heart and brain tissues were observed.

Influence of heat or cold stress in sedated animals is unclear and requires further investigations. The present study aimed to evaluate the season's effects on some clinical, hematological parameters and blood cortisol level in sedated Arabian horses with xylazine. Therefore, seven Arabian horses were used to investigate heart and respiratory rates, and capillary refill time and serum cortisol level were recorded before (0) and at 5, 15, 60, and 180 minutes postsedation. Heparinized venous samples were collected before (0) and 3 hours postsedation for analysis of hematological analysis. Arterial blood samples were collected before and 1 hour postsedation for arterial blood gases and electrolytes analysis. Repeated analysis of variance was performed (P.05). Significant decreases have been observed in heart and respiratory rates at 5, 15, and 60 minutes postsedation in summer and only at 5 minutes postsedation in winter. Arterial oxygen pressure and arterial carbon dioxide pressure showed a significant decrease and increase, respectively at 1 hour postsedation in summer and winter. The serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in summer than in winter at 5, 15, and 60 minutes postsedation. In summer, the postsedation concentrations of cortisol did not change significantly than its values before sedation. However, in winter, the cortisol concentration decreased significantly at 5, 15, and 60 minutes postsedation compared with their value before sedation. The present study suggests that these season's effects on the sedated Arabian horses could take into consideration in xylazine-sedated Arabian horses.

In Jordan, the Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is considered among the most important wild ungulates. The Arabian Oryx is listed as vulnerable species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Based on author’s knowledge, estrus synchronization in the Arabian Oryx has never been investigated. Therefore, the current study aimed to validate a Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) estrus synchronization technique for the first time in 7 Arabian Oryx females. Prior to CIDR application, animals were subjected to transabdominal ultrasonic examination twice, two weeks apart to exclude pregnancies. A single CIDR was inserted (Day 0) for a period of 7 days. At the time of CIDR removal (Day 7), animals were administered a single injection of prostaglandin F2α (PF2α) and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Blood samples were collected from all animals before, during and after CIDR removal for progesterone (P4) analysis. Animals were monitored for estrus behavior for 8 days starting 24 h after CIDR removal. All animals were considered to be anestrous at the start of the study as defined by having blood progesterone

Background Limited data are available about the kinetics of mRNA expressions of Heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heat shock factors (HSFs) in the thermally manipulated (TM) broiler chicks during acute heat stress. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate effects of thermal manipulation (TM) of broiler chicken during embryonic days (ED) 12–18 on the basal and dynamics mRNA expression of heat shock proteins (HSP108 and HSP90) and heat shock factors (HSF-1 and HSF-2) in the muscle tissue during late embryogenesis, first week of life and during heat stress (HS) on post-hatch days 14 and 28. One thousand and five hundred fertile Ross 315 broiler eggs were randomly allocated to five groups: control group (37.8 °C), TM1 (38.5 °C for 18 h), TM2 (39 °C for 18 h), TM3 (39.5 °C for 18 h) and TM4 (40 °C for 18 h). Chicks from each treatment group were then randomly sub-divided into two further treatment groups, naïve and thermal challenged (TC). On post-hatch days 14 and 28, thirty chicks from each TC group were subjected to heat stress (41 °C for 6 h), while naïve chicks of each group (n = 30) were kept under regular conditions. The response of chicks to heat stress was investigated by evaluating the change in mRNA expressions of HSP108, HSP90, HSF-1 and HSF-2 in muscle tissue after 1, 3 and 5 h of heat stress. Results When compared to the control group, TM resulted in significant increases in the basal mRNA expression of HSPs and HSFs during embryogenesis and altered their dynamic expressions in the muscle tissue after heat stress on post-hatch days 14 and 28. Conclusion the current study indicated short- and long-term enhancement of HSPs and HSFs gene expression which was associated with acquisition of improved thermotolerance in thermally manipulated chicks.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the extent of stability of corticosteroid hormones against the bacterial actions and their enzymatic activities that are naturally occurring in faeces. Materials and Methods: Faecal samples were freshly collected from each of 10 cattle and 10 sheep. Each sample was immediately incubated in a water bath at 38°C with either 1 μg of cortisol or corticosterone. The incubations were then run at time interval of 4, 8 and 24 h (in cattle) and at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h (in sheep). The samples were extracted with methanol and the aliquots were taken after centrifugation from their supernatants and analyzed for measurement of cortisol and corticosterone by Enzyme Immunoassays (EIAs). Results: A dramatically decline in the concentrations of the added cortisol and corticosterone was observed in cattle faeces. Only about 20% of the starting levels of both hormones after 4 h in contrast to almost no cortisol with about 10% of corticosterone after 8 h and about 5% of corticosterone after 24 h was detected. Prolonged incubation of faecal samples of sheep decreased the immunoreactive substances measured by the 3-hydroxy, 11-oxoandrogens EIA (11-oxo-A-EIA), whereas with the 11, 17 dioxoandrostanes EIA (11, 17 DOA-EIA), the values were increased. Conclusion: Cortisol was heavily metabolized by faecal flora being quicker in its metabolism than corticosterone in the faeces of ruminants. In addition, the present study provides a powerful evidence to the absence of native cortisol in the faeces of ruminants.

Searching for new or additional biomarkers is an essential step toward the control of metabolic diseases such as ketosis. Acute phase proteins (APP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were used successfully as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for many animal diseases. However, their use in the diagnosis of ketosis in dairy cows in the postparturient period has not been completely elucidated. Therefore, 25 cows suffering from ketosis in the postparturient period were used in the current study, together with 20 healthy cows who served as a control. Blood samples were collected from both diseased and healthy animals, and the harvested serum was used for determination of APP and proinflammatory cytokines. The obtained results indicated that there was a significant (P≤0.05) increase in the levels of β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), APP, namely: haptoglobin (HP), Serum Amyloid A (SAA), Fibrinogen (Fb), ceruloplasmin (Cp), α1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AG), and proinflammatory cytokines, namely:, interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in dairy cows affected with ketosis compared to the control. A positive correlation was observed among traditional biomarkers (BHBA, NEFA) and suggested biomarkers (APP and cytokines) in cows affected with ketosis. Conclusively, APP and pro-inflammatory cytokines could be used as promising biomarkers for ketosis in dairy cows in the postparturient period., Pronalaženje novih ili dodatnih biomarkera bitni je korak u kontroli metaboličkih bolesti kao što je ketoza. Proteini akutne faze i proupalni citokini uspješno se koriste kao prognostički i dijagnostički biomarkeri za mnoge životinjske bolesti. Ipak, njihova primjena u dijagnostici ketoze u mliječnih krava u postpartalnom razdoblju nije u potpunosti razjašnjena. Stoga je u ovo istraživanje bilo uzeto 25 krava oboljelih od ketoze u postpartalnom razdoblju, zajedno s 20 zdravih kontrolnih krava. Uzorci krvi bili su prikupljeni od bolesnih i zdravih životinja te su uzorci seruma bili pretraženi na proteine akutne faze i proupalne citokine. Dobiveni rezultati pokazali su da se u krava s ketozom u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu značajno (P≤0,05) povećala razina β-hidroksibutirata (BHBA), neesterificiranih masnih kiselina (NEMK), proteina akutne faze i to haptoglobina (HP), serumskog amiloida A (SAA), fibrinogena (Fb), ceruloplazmina (Cp), α1-kiselog glikoproteina (α1-AG) i proupalnih citokina kao što su interleukini (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12), faktor tumorske nekroze alfa (TNF-α) i interferon gama (IFN-γ). Pozitivna korelacija utvrđena je između postojećih biomarkera (BHBA, NEMK) i novih predloženih na osnovi ovog istraživanja (proteina akutne faze i citokina) u krava oboljelih od ketoze. Zaključuje se da bi proteini akutne faze i proupalni citokini mogli biti obećavajući biomarkeri ketoze u krava u postpartalnom razdoblju.

Twenty-eight rats were examined in a 5-week experiment to investigate the effect of curcumin on gene expression and activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in rats intoxicated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The rats were divided into four groups. Rats in 1–4 groups served as control, oral curcumin treated (15 mg/kg body weight), single i.p. dose of AFB1 (3 mg/kg body weight) and combination of single i.p. dose of AFB1 with oral curcumin treated, respectively. AFB1 Liver damage and oxidative stress were evident in untreated AFB1-intoxicated rats as indicated by a significant elevation in hepatic transaminases, elevation in lipid peroxide biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS), reduction of reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes namely catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and down-regulation of gene expression of these antioxidant enzymes compared to control. Liver sections of rats intoxicated with AFB1 showed a disrupted lobular architecture, scattered necrotic cells and biliary proliferation. Administration of curcumin with AFB1 resulted in amelioration of AFB1-induced effects compared to untreated AFB1-intoxicated rats via an up-regulation of antioxidant enzyme gene expression, activation of the expressed genes and increase in the availability of GSH. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Although creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST), cytokines, and oxidative stress parameters were shown to be useful biomarkers for diagnosis of equine rhabdomyolysis, additional biomarkers of the disease may be of interest to indicate prognosis of the disease. Therefore, the present study investigated acute phase proteins and trace elements as additional biomarkers of ER. Sixty male horses (4-6 years old) of 2 equal groups were used. Horses of the first group were clinically healthy and served as a control group, whereas horses of the second group were ER-diseased animals. Harvested sera were used for estimation of the activities of CK, AST, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), copper, iron, and zinc, whereas plasma samples were used for determination of fibrinogen. The present findings revealed a significant ( P ≤ .05) increase in values of CK, AST, and LDH in diseased horses compared to those in control values. In addition, a significant ( P ≤ .05) increase in SAA (162.6 ± 5.32 mg/L), Hp (3.6 ± 0.54 g/L), Cp (39.32 ± 2.31 mg/L), and copper (28.36 ± 1.23 μmol/L) along with a significant ( P ≤ .05) reduction in levels of iron (9.32 ± 0.23 μmol/L) and zinc (8.65 ± 1.02 μmol/L) was recorded in diseased horses compare to that in controls (11.3 ± 2.2 mg/L, 0.8 ± 0.2 g/L, 24.23 ± 1.32 mg/L, 18.41 ± 1.03 μmol/L, and 14.2 ± 0.42 μmol/L, respectively). In conclusion, SAA, Hp, Cp, copper, and zinc were useful prognostic biomarkers for the diagnosis of ER in Arabian horses.

This study was designed to investigate enzymatic antioxidants’ activity and nonenzymatic antioxidants’ levels in seminal plasma of stallions and to relate them with season, age, and fertility of stallions. Fifty ejaculates were collected from six healthy Arabian stallions, 4-22 years old. Ejaculates were evaluated by conventional methods. Five milliliters of each semen sample was centrifuged, and the supernatant seminal plasma was stored at −20°C. Five antioxidants, in addition to osteopontin (OPN) and testosterone, were determined in stallion seminal plasma by using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results revealed that uric acid, ascorbic acid, OPN, and testosterone concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in stallions’ seminal plasma were high (P 70%) than in fertility group I (

The current study was carried out to compare some biochemical and hormonal constituents in follicular fluids from oversized follicles, preovulatory follicles, and serum in camels (Camelus dromedarius). Follicular fluids from oversized follicles (N = 10), preovulatory follicles (N = 10), and sera were harvested from 20 dromedaries. The follicular fluids and sera were subjected to biochemical and hormonal analysis. The results indicated no significant differences in the concentrations of ascorbic acid, glucose, cholesterol, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase between follicular fluid from oversized follicles and preovulatory follicles. In addition, there were no significant variations in the level of ascorbic acid, glucose, cholesterol, and acid phosphatase in the serum of animals with oversized follicles and those with preovulatory follicles. Serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in camels with oversized follicles. The concentrations of estradiol-17β (E2) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the follicular fluid of oversized follicles were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that from preovulatory follicles. There were no differences in the concentrations of progesterone, tri-iodothyronine, and thyroxin between follicular fluid from oversized follicles and that of preovulatory follicles. The concentrations of E2, progesterone, tri-iodothyronine, thyroxin, cortisol, and IGF-1 were not different in the serum of camels with oversized follicles and camels with preovulatory follicles. The current study revealed that the significant differences of biochemical and hormonal constituents between follicular fluids from oversized follicles and preovulatory follicles were restricted on E2 and IGF-1. Relaying on the aforementioned outcome we can suggest that oversized follicle phenomenon is a form of follicular atresia of anovulatory follicles.