Ayman Abdel-Aziz Swelum

Clinical and laboratory findings associated with naturally occurring babesiosis in dromedary camels

Abstract Clinical, haematological, and biochemical changes induced by naturally occurring babesiosis in dromedary camels were described. Of 258 dromedary camels studied, 34 camels suffered from fever, appetite loss, weakness, depression, and reluctant movement; abortion and/or infertility were also observed. Parasitological blood examinations were performed using Giemsastained blood smears. The clinically affected animals were diagnosed with babesiosis, with 13.17% overall morbidity. Camels that suffered from babesiosis were subjected to haematological and biochemical analyses and the affected group was compared with a control group containing 34 healthy camels. The affected animals showed a highly significant (P<0.001) reduction of the total red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (HGB) concentration, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) as well as a highly significant reduction (P<0.01) of haematocrit (HCT) and a significant reduction of (P<0.05) mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Additional, highly significant increases (P<0.01) in white blood cell (WBC) count and plateletcrit (PCT) percentage were detected. However, other haematological parameters were not significantly altered. There was a very significant reduction (P<0.001) of the blood iron level and a very significant increase (P<0.001) in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the affected camels. Additionally, significant increases in total protein, albumin, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin were observed in the affected camels. It was concluded that babesiosis highly affects the haematobiochemical parameters of dromedary camels, including the liver, kidney, and muscle functions. These results represent novel findings concerning natural babesiosis in camels.

Use of fluorogestone acetate sponges or controlled internal drug release for estrus synchronization in ewes: Effects of hormonal profiles and reproductive performance

This study was carried out using 300 multiparous Najdi ewes during breeding season to compare the effects of fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges and controlled internal drug release (CIDR) dispensers to synchronize estrus on reproductive performance and hormonal profiles. Ewes were equally and randomly allotted into group A (FGA) and group B (CIDR); intravaginal progestagen was administered for 14-day period with intramuscular administration of 600-IU eCG at withdrawal time. Estrus was detected using a vasectomized ram starting 12 hours after progestagen withdrawal and repeated every 12 hours up to 84 hours. Blood samples were collected at the time of progestagen withdrawal (0 hour), 24 hours, and 48 hours. Follicle-stimulating hormone, LH, estradiol, and progesterone serum concentrations were measured using commercial ELISA kits and microtitrimetric plates. Timed laparoscopic insemination was performed 48 hours after progestagen withdrawal. Pregnancy and the number of fetuses were diagnosed by ultrasonography on Day 23 after insemination and confirmed on Days 35 and 60. The results revealed that the retention, vaginal discharge, and drawstring breakage rates after progestagen removal were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in the FGA group (94.00, 98.58, and 9.22, respectively) than those in the CIDR group. On the other hand, pregnancy, fertility, twinning rates, and fecundity were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in the CIDR group (77.86, 75.57, 34.34, and 1.02, respectively) than in the FGA group. Estrus responses in FGA and CIDR groups increased gradually to attain their significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher percentages after 48 hours of progestagen withdrawal (91.49 and 92.37, respectively); thereafter, they decreased. The overall estrus responses and prolificacy did not differ between the FGA and CIDR groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly higher in the FGA group at 24 and 48 hours after progestagen withdrawal, whereas LH was significantly higher in the CIDR group at 48 hours after progestagen withdrawal. Estradiol and progesterone were significantly higher in the CIDR group at 0, 24, and 48 hours after progestagen withdrawal. These results indicated that although FGA and CIDR devices are efficient in synchronizing estrus in ewes, CIDR provided higher pregnancy, fertility, twinning rates, and fecundity than FGA.

Thermoregulation of Female Aardi Goats Exposed to Environmental Heat Stress in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of heat stress on the thermoregulation in Aardi goat. The present study was conducted for 35 days in summer and 35 days in winter. Ambient temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH) inside the pens were recorded continuously every 6 hours (4 time/day) and temperature humidity Index (THI) was calculated. Ten healthy Aardi does, aged 6-7 months were used. The experiment started in summer, followed by winter (control). The thermoregulation of animals under heat stress was evaluated every five days for 35 days in summer (n=8) and in winter (n=8) from 10:00-11:00 am. Measurements, including skin temperature (Tskin), coat temperature (Tcoat), rectal temperature (Trectal), vaginal temperature (Tvaginal), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), were recorded. In addition, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and Cortisol serum concentration were calculated. The results revealed that Ta, THI, TCoat, Tskin, TVaginal, TRectal, HR, RR and serum cortisol concentration values were significantly (P

Wet feed and cold water as heat stress modulators in growing Muscovy ducklings

&NA; In an attempt to alleviate the deleterious effects of high summer temperatures, the present study investigated the effects of wet feed and cold water on the growth performance, carcass and meat quality, leg problems, physiological responses, and blood parameters of growing Muscovy ducklings. A total of 180 4‐week‐old ducklings was randomly divided into 6 experimental groups in a 3 × 2 factorial design that included 3 feed systems (AD: ad libitum dry; DW: diurnal wet; and AW: ad libitum wet) and 2 systems of water (TW: tap water; and CW: cold water). Access to wet feed and cold water affected the growth performance, dressed carcass, gizzard, meat quality (tenderness, juiciness, and susceptibility), tonic immobility, body temperature, and blood parameters [albumin: globulin (A: G) ratio and levels of glucose, alanine transferase (ALT), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA)] of the ducklings but had no significant effect on plumage condition, shank length, keel bone length, leg problems, or breast blisters. The body weight (BW) of the DW group was 1.97 and 3.12% greater than that of the AD and AW groups, respectively, and the BWG of the DW group was 6.91 and 10.72% greater than that of the AD and AW groups, respectively. Therefore, providing access to wet feed and cold water is highly recommended when raising Muscovy ducks in open houses under high‐temperature conditions.

110 EFFECT OF MELATONIN TREATMENT ON LIBIDO AND ENDOCRINE FUNCTION OF DROMEDARY CAMEL BULLS OUT OF THE BREEDING SEASON

The reproductive performance of camels is poor and has remained a major obstacle to the growth of dromedary populations. The limited breeding season is one of the most important causes of the poor reproductive performance. In seasonal animals, melatonin is the chemical messenger that allows the perception of daylight length changes. Commercial melatonin products have been developed for the manipulation of seasonal breeding in animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of melatonin implantation on libido, serum melatonin, and testosterone concentrations in dromedary camels during the non-breeding season (June and July). Ten camel bulls were used in the 35-day-long trial; 5 of them were implanted with 30 Melovine® implant (Ceva, Libourne, France) subcutaneously on Day 0, whereas the other 5 camel bulls remained untreated as a control. Libido was evaluated weekly in response to oestrous-induced female camels treated with oestrogen (1mL Oestrocon; oestradiol benzoate 5mgmL-1) 2 days before assessment of libido. Libido was scored as follows: 0=not interested: the male did not show any libido; 1=low interested: the male went near the female and showed low frequency of sniffing and flehmen; 2=interested: the male went near the female, it showed sniffing, flehmen, grinding of teeth/whistling, yawning; 3=high interested: the male went near the female and was very agitated, it showed sniffing, flehmen, grinding of teeth/whistling, yawning, urination, and tail raising. It stood with open legs, and poll gland secretion and neck rubbing were observed; 4=excited, like 3, but the male showed blatering and dulaa extrusion, was very excited, stood with open legs, high poll gland secretion and neck rubbing were observed. Blood samples were collected weekly. Serum melatonin and testosterone concentrations were evaluated using commercial ELISA kits. Comparisons among groups were evaluated using repeated-measures ANOVA, using SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). A difference was considered significant at the P<0.05 level. The results revealed that at Day 0, all camel bulls in 2 groups had no libido and there was no significant difference in the melatonin or testosterone levels in the 2 groups. The libido increased gradually in the melatonin group and reached the maximum (3-5) at week 4 and week 5. The control group had low libido (0-1) along the trial. Statistically, the libido was significantly higher in the melatonin group than control group. Additionally, testosterone levels were significantly higher in melatonin group than control group, especially in the fourth week of the present trial (565.07±33.04pgmL-1 and 458.49±25.36pgmL-1, respectively). In conclusion, melatonin implantation in the non-breeding season significantly improved the libido and the reproductive performance of dromedary camel bulls. Therefore, it may be possible to improve the reproductive efficiency of camels by extending the breeding season through treatment with melatonin during the non-breeding season.

Effect of different feed restriction regimens on lamb performance and carcass traits

Fifty Najdi ram lambs weighing an average of 38.1±0.5 kg were utilized in this study to determine the effects of feed restriction level with or without subsequent realimentation on lamb performance and carcass composition. Lambs were allotted randomly and equally into five groups. The groups were fed a control diet ad libitum; two groups fed 0.90 and 0.80 of ad libitum intake throughout the eight-week period of the trial (R), and two groups fed 0.90 and 0.80 of ad libitum intake for a six-week period followed by two weeks of realimentation (RR). All lambs were slaughtered after eight weeks of experimentation. Average daily gain (ADG) for the 0.90 and 0.80 ad libitum groups decreased by 7.6 and 26.9% during restriction, whereas the lambs during realimentation period had 35 and 30.5% faster ADG and 27.5 and 21.8% better feed:gain ratios than the control, respectively. At the end of the trial, final, empty and hot carcass weights and overall ADG of the 0.90 ad libitum RR group did not differ from control. Feeding performance values of the 0.80 ad libitum R group were the lowest among the treatments. The studied feed restriction regimens depressed the weights of empty stomach, tail fat, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat; however, two weeks of realimentation were not enough to induce complete weight recovery in these tissues. The 0.90 ad libitum RR restriction routine can be adopted as a nutritional management practice for fattening Najdi lambs.

The vital roles of boron in animal health and production: A comprehensive review

Boron (B) has many beneficial functions in biological, metabolic and physiological processes for plants and animals. It plays a vital role in maintaining animal health and preventing nutritional disorders. Boron deficiency has been correlated with low immune function and high incidence of osteoporosis which increases mortality risk. Extraordinary boron level causes cell damage and toxicity in human and different animal species. In the past few years, attention has been paid to clear the pleiotropic effects of boron including activating of immune response, antioxidant detoxification activities, affecting bone metabolism, enhancing animal performance and modulating various body systems. Furthermore, the role of boron as anti-heat stress agent has been identified in plants and suggested in animals. Liver metabolism also shows significant alterations in dairy cows in response to the dietary supplementation of boron. Likewise, adding boron to animal feed enhances bone density, wound healing and embryonic development. Additionally, boron has a potential impact on the metabolism of numerous minerals and enzymes. In view of the information about boron benefits, high or low level boron merits the concern. As well, researches are required to do more in-depth investigations on boron influences, and to adjust its requirements in different animal species.

Effects of melatonin implants on the reproductive performance and endocrine function of camel (Camelus dromedarius) bulls during the non-breeding and subsequent breeding seasons

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin implants on the reproductive performances and hormone levels of dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) bulls during the non-breeding and subsequent breeding seasons. Fourteen mature dromedary bulls were divided into a control group (n = 7) and a group that was implanted with melatonin (n = 7) twice, at the beginning of the study and 35 days later. The trial started on the 17th June and continued for 10 weeks during the non-breeding season. Reproductive performances of animals in the control and melatonin groups were evaluated weekly during the non-breeding season [control non-breeding (CNB) and melatonin non-breeding (MNB) groups, respectively] and evaluated again during the subsequent breeding season [control breeding (CB) and melatonin breeding (MB) groups, respectively], which started on the 6th December and continued for 10 weeks. MNB bulls had greater (P ≤ 0.05) scrotum circumference and testicular volume, sexual desire, reaction time and mating ability scores, and serum melatonin and testosterone concentration values (24.91 ± 0.26 cm, 271.00 ± 7.81 cm3, 2.31 ± 0.13, 2.03 ± 0.22, 2.26 ± 0.09, 23.90 ± 0.05 pg/mL and 2764.51 ± 137.02 pg/mL, respectively) than the CNB group (23.63 ± 0.05 cm, 199.21 ± 3.27 cm3, 1.00 ± 0.00, 0.00 ± 0.00, 1.00 ± 0.00, 9.46 ± 0.08 pg/mL and 1872.41 ± 264.89 pg/mL, respectively). The scrotum and testes, reaction time score, proportion of bulls refusing to mount, and serum melatonin values were significantly higher in MB than CB bulls (P ≤ 0.05). Progressive motility (PM), average pathway velocity, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity (VCL), linearity, straightness (STR), wobble, beat cross frequency (BCF), livability, and DNA integrity were significantly higher in MB than CB bulls (P ≤ 0.05). PM, VCL, STR, amplitude of lateral head displacement, BCF, and livability were significantly higher in MNB than CB bulls (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, melatonin implants improved the reproductive performance of bulls during the non-breeding and subsequent breeding seasons.

Dietary supplementation of Yucca schidigera extract enhances productive and reproductive performances, blood profile, immune function, and antioxidant status in laying Japanese quails exposed to lead in the diet

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the toxic impacts of lead (LD) on the productive and reproductive performances of Japanese quails and the role of Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) in reducing these impacts. A total of 360 mature Japanese quails (at 2 months of age) were used and the experiment was lasted for 8 wk. The birds were divided into 6 equal groups as follows: control (basal diet), basal diet + 100 mg LD/kg diet, basal diet + YSE (100 mg/kg diet), basal diet + YSE (200 mg/kg diet), basal diet + LD (100 mg/kg diet) + YSE (100 mg/kg diet), and basal diet + LD (100 mg/kg diet) + YSE (200 mg/kg diet). LD resulted in a significant decrease in feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and egg production of birds compared with the control group. Supplementation of YSE (100 or 200) to LD containing diet could significantly improve the quail performance parameters to be comparable with the control values. Fertility and hatchability % were decreased by LD, whereas YSE at both levels (100 or 200) separately or in combination with LD showed fertility and hatchability percentages comparable to that of control. Triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL contents in LD plus YSE100 or LD plus YSE200 groups were significantly decreased than LD alone group. LD significantly decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the serum with no effect on reduced glutathione content. Co‐exposure to YSE100 or YSE200 with LD significantly increased the catalase activity and numerically increased the superoxide dismutase activity than LD alone. YSE100 or YSE200 decreased malondialdehyde contents than LD alone group. LD plus YSE100 or YSE200 groups exhibited significant improvements in the level of immunoglobulins. Co‐exposure to YSE with LD significantly decreased the LD residues in egg than the LD group. The obtained results showed that YSE exhibited a potential modulatory role against the LD‐induced inhibitory effects on the productive and reproductive performances of Japanese quails and YSE at 200 mg/kg diet was more effective than 100 mg/kg diet in reversing the LD‐induced alterations.

Shortened daily photoperiod during the non-breeding season can improve the reproductive performance of camel bulls (Camelus dromedarius)

The effects of a shortened photoperiod on the reproductive performance and hormones of mature dromedary camel bulls (Camelus dromedarius) were evaluated. A group of 6 bulls were blindfolded to induce a daily photoperiod that was ∼2.55 h shorter than the natural day length (10.83L:13.17D), whereas 6 others served as the control group. The trial started in June and continued for 10 weeks during the non-breeding season. The reproductive performance of all animals was evaluated weekly during this time and also during the breeding season, starting in December and continuing for 10 weeks. Camel bulls in the treatment group showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in testicular volume, scrotal circumference, sexual desire, reaction time, and mating ability scores, and serum melatonin and testosterone concentrations, relative to the control group, during the non-breeding season. In addition, sexual desire and reaction time and mating ability scores were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the treatment group than in the control during the breeding season. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in both seasons and the control group in the breeding season regarding semen volume, sperm cell concentration, total motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, and viability. Shortening the daily photoperiod by blindfolding can improve the reproductive performance of dromedary camel bulls during the non-breeding season and the following breeding season. This simple, inexpensive, and easily applicable method can enable breeders to collect semen of acceptable quality during the non-breeding season.