Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the prenatal effects of sodium valproate (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, in pregnant rabbits. Ten adult female rabbits were classified into treatment and control groups. The drug was administrated to the treatment group as oral doses of 400mg/kg of VPA for 15 days starting from the 6th day after mating until the 20th day of pregnancy, while the control group received water at the same volume and period. The pregnant rabbits were euthanized on the 29th day of pregnancy. The fetuses were collected, and the crown rump length and weight were taken. No gross or microscopic abnormalities were seen in the control group. Gross examination of the treatment group showed reduction in size and length of the fetuses and resorption of fetuses as well as retarded ossification, abnormal growth of the ribs and missing sternebrae. However, no abnormalities were seen microscopically. It was found that the use of VPA during pregnancy resulted in intrauterine growth retardation manifested by decreased fetal body weight, length, and skeletal abnormalities.
Keywords: Fetus, Prenatal, Rabbit, Valproic acid.

Abstract
This study was designed to isolate and characterize the pathogenicity of the most common bacteria causing enteric diseases in broilers in some Egyptian governorates. Enteric bacterial organisms like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonellae, and Clostridia perfringens (C. perfringens) were isolated and identified from 100 dead and diseased broilers in Giza, El-Kalubia and El-Sharqia governorates. The samples were subjected to conventional isolation as well as biochemical and serological identification techniques. Molecular and toxigenic detection of C. perfringens were performed on one selected isolate by multiplex PCR. The pathogenicity test of some isolated bacterial strains was done on 80 a-day-old broiler chicks. The clinical observation, performance parameters, bacterial re-isolation and histopathological examination were carried out after bacterial challenge. The results revealed isolation of E. coli, Salmonella and C. perfringens in rates of 17, 11 and 39%, respectively. Serological identification of E. coli revealed that O78 (35.2%) and O1 (23.5%) were the highest isolated serotypes, while O117 (17.6%), O91 (11.7%), O112, and O146 (5.8% each) were the lowest ones. Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) was the most prevalent (36.3%) followed by S. kentucky, S. larochelle (27.2%, each) and S. inganda (9%). Multiplex PCR of C. perfringens strains revealed presence of both cpa and cpb genes that encoding to alpha (?) and beta (?) lethal toxins, respectively. The pathogenicity of E. coli O78, S. enteritidis, and C. perfringens were tested in broiler chickens. The results showed that E. coli O78, S. enteritidis and C. perfringens were pathogenic strains. It was concluded that enteric bacterial pathogens especially E. coli O78, S. enteritidis, and C. perfringens type C are widely distributed in Egyptian broiler chicken flocks and still causing severe losses because of mortalities and decreasing in production.
Keywords: E. coli; Clostridium; Broiler; Egypt; Salmonella.

Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease of public health significance caused by Coxiella burnetii affecting animals’ productive and reproductive capabilities. This study aimed to compare seroprevalence of anti C. burnetii IgG and IgM antibodies (Abs) in cows and buffaloes in Egypt. Total of 314 serum and 282 milk samples were collected from 546 cows, and 50 buffaloes located in Assuit, Bani-Swif, Dakahlya, Fayoum, Giza, and Minya Governorates from 2015 to 2017. Animal reproductive status was recorded. Anti-Coxiella Abs were detected using Immuno-Fluorescent Antibody assay (IFA). In addition, seropositive samples were subjected to qPCR targeting isocitrate dehydrogenase-deficient (icd) gene. Differences in seropositive IgG and IgM in serum and milk samples among animal species, Governorates and animal reproductive status were investigated. In this study, overall seroprevalence of C. burnetii Abs was 31.5% (188/596). Considering sample type, IgG positive exceeds that of IgM in both sera and milk. IgG seroprevalence was significantly higher in serum (25.5%) than in milk (14.2%). In addition, within serum, IgG was significantly higher than IgM (12.1%). No significance was found between Governorates in IgG or IgM neither in serum nor in milk. However, significant higher seropositive IgG over IgM was observed in Assuit, Beni-Swif and Minya with 21.7, 24.5 and 23.9%, respectively. Regarding animal species, seroprevalence in cows (20.9%) was higher than in buffaloes (12.0%). IgG seroprevalence of cows was significantly higher in serum (26.0%) than milk (14.8%). In addition, within serum, seropositive IgG was significantly higher than IgM (12.5%). Both IgG and IgM seropositive were significantly the highest in abortion. Also, IgG seropositive was significantly higher in repeat breeder than apparent healthy. In buffaloes, only IgM seropositive was significantly the highest in abortion. In cows’ sera, significant higher IgG over IgM was observed in all reproductive status. While in cows’ milk samples, only abortion showed significant higher IgG over IgM. In buffaloes, no significant difference was observed between IgG and IgM neither in sera nor in milk. The icd gene of C. burnetii was detected only in 6 milk (8.6%) and 2 serum samples (1.7%). (In conclusion, the study revealed a wide distribution of infections over the study area. To set a preventive and control strategies of Q fever, further epidemiological studies are recommended. The study recommends using IgG in studying Q fever seroprevalence).
Keywords: Coxiella burnetii, IFA, IgG, IgM, Cows, Buffaloes, Egypt.

Abstract
Swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is important livestock by farmers at Kalimantan Island for meat production and drought purposes. This research was carried out to classify buffalo (about 3.5 years of age) based on their morphometrical measurements. The animals in this study were collected from North Kalimantan (NK), East Kalimantan (EK), and South Kalimantan (SK) regions. A Total of 50 animals (25 males and 25 females) were collected from each region. Thus, eight morphometrics of withers height (WH), body length (BL), chest girth (CG), shoulder width (SW), chest depth (CD), rump height (RH), rump width (RW), and rump length (RL) were measured in this study. Research findings showed that four morphometrics of WH, RL, CG, and BL were described as the discriminating variables. According to the Euclidean distance, the buffalo from EK and SK were grouped into a similar cluster. Meanwhile, the buffalo from NK was grouped into a different cluster. Therefore, the observed morphometrics in this study was capable to classify buffalo at NK (100%), EK (66%), and SK (70%) into their original population group. In conclusion, the buffalo at EK and SK regions have an imminent genetic relationship. Moreover, a study to classify buffalo using cranial measurements is important to support this finding due to mtDNA analysis.
Keywords: Buffalo, Canonical analysis, Euclidean distance, Kalimantan, Morphometrics.

Abstract
The aim of this work is to throw more light on using some recent techniques as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and contrast radiography in examination of the kidney of Balady rabbit. The current work was carried out on 23adult healthy Balady rabbits. Topographical, morphometrical and radiographical examination on kidneys were occurred. Ultrasonographically, the animal was examined in both dorsal and lateral recumbency. Both kidneys were scanned in longitudinal and transverse planes. The different ultrasonographic measurements of both kidneyswere recorded.The rabbit was positioned in ventral recumbency and CT images were taken without contrast medium using multi-slices CT system. The right kidney was slightly anterior to the level of left one by its length. The right lobe of liver separated the right kidney from the stomach cranially. The left kidney was separated from the stomach and spleen with the ascending duodenum and jejunum. By contrast radiographs, both kidneys appeared clearly as dense soft tissues with distinct borders against the neighboring vertebrae and ribs. In the longitudinal ultrasonographic scanning plane, the medulla revealed anechoic nearly circular areas represented the peri-pelvic columns which separated by hyperechoic secondary septa. The main pelvic septum appeared hyperechoic. We could easily distinguish between the cortex and medulla in both longitudinal and transverse scanning plane. Therefore, we hope to contribute to clinic and histopathological diagnosis of kidney diseases.
Keywords: Kidneys, Cortex, Medulla, Ultrasonographic, Computed tomography (CT) scan, X-ray, Echogenicity.

Abstract
This study was performed to detect the antibiotic residues in marketed fresh and frozen liver samples using microbiological bioassay method. One hundred fresh and frozen beef liver samples (50 samples for each) were examined by microbiological bioassay for antibiotic residues, 20 fresh samples (40%) react positive and 2 frozen samples (4%) were positives. Tetracyclines residues were found in all positive fresh and frozen liver samples with an average of 28.7±5.5 and 14.9±5.7µg/g for fresh and frozen liver samples respectively. Aminoglycosides (Gentamycin) residues were found in 1 fresh liver sample (2%) with a concentration 35µg/g while not found in frozen liver samples. The HPLC technique was used for all positive samples for detection of oxytetracycline residue. All positive samples were above the permissible limit according to (National Organization of Food Safety Resolution (13/2020). Effect of cooking has a great effect on elimination of oxytetracycline while freezing has lower effect on oxytetracycline.
Keywords: Antibiotic, Oxytetracycline, Liver, Residue, Bioassay.

Abstract
This study aimed to determine the occurrence and diversity of flies’ species in an intensive and extensive farming system. The flies were collected from October to December 2019 by sweeping net in two cowsheds (intensive and extensive farming system) on a private Bali cattle farm in Badung regency, Bali province, Indonesia. A total of 4125 flies belonging to 4 species (Stomoxys calcitrans, Musca domestica, Haematobia irritans, and Hippobosca sp.) were obtained. At the intensive breeding system, the most collected flies were Stomoxys calcitrans (42.58%) and the rare ones were Hyppobosca sp. (3.25%). At the extensive breeding system, the most collected flies were Stomoxys calcitrans (33.86%) and Haematobia irritans were the least abundant (11.36%). Stomoxys calcitrans were observed abundance in Mengwi district, whereas Musca domestica were highest in South Kuta district. It was concluded that the abundance of flies during the study period was affected by farming system, temperature, humidity, and rainfall.
Keywords: Diversity, Extensive farm, Flies, Intensive farm, Bali cattle.

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate yeast species associated with subclinical bovine mastitis in dairy farms. It is based on isolation using Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) followed by identification of isolates using HiCrome Candida agar and ITS-PCR-RFLP. Out of 405 milk samples, 31.6% were positive for yeast isolation on SDA. Based on HiCrome Candida agar and ITS-PCR assay, isolates were classified into 90 pure isolates and 38 mixed cultures. Only pure isolates were subjected to species identification and virulence evaluation. By HiCrome Candida agar media, the most frequently isolated species were C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and C. albicans (13.3% for each) while C. guilliermondii was the least isolated Candida species (1.5%). ITS-PCR-RFLP identified 67 isolates which included non-albicans Candida (NAC) species and Trichosporon assahii. Neither C. albicans nor C. galabrata were identified. Twenty-three isolates could not be identified by ITS-PCR-RFLP. Difference between the results of HiCrome Candida agar and ITS-PCR-RFLP methods was obvious. Considering slime production, 83.6% were slime producers while 16.4% were not. All strains of C. krusei, and C. tropicalis were slime producers. Regarding biofilm production, 80.6% of isolates had the ability to form biofilm ranged from strong (6%), moderate (14.9%) to weak (59.7%) while only 19.4% were non-biofilm producers. In vitro antifungal susceptibility of isolates displayed different susceptibility and resistance patterns. Conclusively, yeast mastitis in dairy cows demonstrates a growing problem. The diagnosis must rely on accurate laboratory diagnostic tests. The significance of NAC and other yeast genera specifically genus Trichosporon and their role in the etiology of mycotic mastitis should be emphasized.
Keywords: Yeast, Bovine mastitis, PCR-RFLP, Biofilm formation, Slime production, Antifungal susceptibility.

Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate Gram-negative bacterial pathogens isolated from liver affections in broiler chickens. The antibacterial effect of some essential oils (EOs) and their effects on isolated bacteria’s biological and phenotypic criteria were also investigated. One hundred and twenty liver samples were subjected to bacterial isolation, biochemical and molecular identification of the isolated bacteria. The antibacterial effect of cinnamon, oregano, clove, turmeric, and eucalyptus EOs at different concentrations was evaluated using the agar dilution method. Pre-and Post EOs treatment biological activity (motility, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence gene detection or expression) were evaluated in selected bacteria. Results revealed 85% prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Mannheimia haemolytica (M. haemolytica), Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) and Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis). Most isolates were multiple antibiotic resistant, including quinolones and fosfomycin antimicrobials. A 0.1% concentration of cinnamon and oregano EOs effectively inhibited the growth of 80-100% and 50-100% of the tested bacterial spp, respectively; however, clove, turmeric, and eucalyptus EOs had no effect. Interestingly, after treatment with oregano or cinnamon oils, few of the resistant S. enteritidis, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa isolates were susceptible or intermediately sensitive to some antimicrobials. Similarly, the motility of S. enteritidis and, to a more extent P. aeruginosa was significantly reduced. Both EOs had no significant effect on S. enteritidis biofilm-forming ability; however, they inhibited the biofilm-forming ability of 10% and 100% of the tested E. coli and P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively. Standard PCR and real-time quantitative PCR did not reveal any significant change of either detection or differential expression of selected genes in the treated isolates. In conclusion, EOs are promising alternatives to minimize synthetic antimicrobials against multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Finally, the antibacterial activity of EOs are mainly attributed to the induced structural disturbances in the treated bacteria.
Keywords: Broiler chickens, E. coli, Salmonella, Essential oils, Cinnamon, Oregano.

Abstract
The heritability estimates, biometric and allometric traits of the F1 progenies of Nigerian local turkeys were evaluated from 0 to 8 weeks of age. Mature local turkeys (n=21; 7 males and 14 females) were used to generate 65 poults during the study. Bi-weekly body weight (BW) and linear body measurements (body length, BL; breast girth, BG; shank length, SL; thigh length, TL; and keel length, KL) were taken for the 8 weeks. Results showed that sire significantly (P<0.05) affected the BW of progenies at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age, and BL of the turkey progenies at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the BG at weeks 0 and 4, KL at week 0; and KL length measurements at weeks 2 and 6 of age. The heritability (h2) estimates for BW ranged from a low value (0.14) at day-old, to a high value (0.47) at 8 weeks. At weeks 6 and 8, the h2 values for BW, BL, and BG were all high, and positive, while h2 values for SL, TL, and KL were low to moderate at week 8, and at week 6, the h2 values for SL and TL were negative. It was concluded that the biometric traits of Nigerian indigenous turkeys showed high heritability values, hence, may respond to selection. To this end, such potentials can be exploited in the genetic improvement of the Nigerian local turkeys.
Keywords: Body weight, Body length, Breast girth, Estimates, Heritability, Growth, Local turkeys.

Abstract
External digestive exo-enzymes are enzymes used in simplifying animal food components and are now considered one of the most important top issues in the veterinary world. Introducing these exo-enzymes is believed to enhance increase in animals’ body weights and help in reaching the maximum levels of digestion and absorption. The current research aimed to evaluate the safe use of the exo-enzyme ?-mannanase extracted from the mutant fungal pathogen Penicillium citrinum Egy5 LC368457 before applying its use in animal feed. This was achieved by injecting daily different doses of the enzyme intraperitoneally to female rats and observing the change in body weights in addition to the determination of some hematological and biochemical parameters and the performance of histopathological examinations in rats’ organs. The results showed significant retardation in body weight gain and significant changes in platelets and some immune cells count for different enzyme injected doses. An observed increase in serum ALT enzyme level was found in the high dose injected group compared to the control group. Histopathological examinations displayed the harmful impact of the high and the low doses of the injected enzyme on most of the body organs especially the liver, the kidneys, and the brain. Consequently, it can be concluded that using safe and non-pathogenic microorganisms in the extraction of exo-enzyme such as ?-mannanase is an important aspect. Extraction of ?-mannanase from the mutant Penicillium citrinum Egy5 LC368457 cannot be used for animal consumption but can be used for industrial purposes.
Keywords: Penicillium citrinum, ?-mannanase, Animal feed, Body weight gain, Biochemical analysis, Histopathological examinations.

Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Matrouh governorate, Egypt from July 2019 until March 2020. A total of 500 farm animals including cattle (n=50), sheep (n=180), and goats (n=270) were examined serologically for brucellosis using Rose Bengal plate (RBPT) test, buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT), and Complement fixation (CFT) test. Multiplex PCR was carried out as a further confirmatory test for the detection of specific genes of Brucella. Statistical analysis was applied using Chi2 and SPSS 16.0 statistics. The overall prevalence of brucellosis in examined farm animals by RBPT, BAPAT, CFT, and PCR were 11.8, 10.2, 9.4, and 8.6%, respectively with a statistically non-significant association between recorded rates. Based on the results of RBPT, it was found that the highest prevalence was recorded in goats (14.81%), followed by sheep (8.89%) and lastly cattle (6%). In addition, it was observed that females were more affected than males and older sheep were more susceptible to infection while younger goats and cattle were more susceptible than adult. Conclusively, brucellosis is alarming in Matrouh Province particularly within goat flocks. There was an urgent need for conducting a proper brucellosis control program and a greater focus should be placed on improving the animal health delivery system in large provinces that share borders with other countries. The public health importance of brucellosis was discussed, and it is always urgent to put in place an integrated strategy to fight against humans and animals’ infectious diseases.
Keywords: Brucellosis, Ruminant, Serology, PCR, Seroprevalence.

Abstract
The prolactin (PRL) gene influences the commencement of incubation and brooding behavior and egg production, particularly in native birds. In this study, the first experiment was performed to screen the PRL candidate gene for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in four different morphological types of Nigerian chicken, and to evaluate their molecular evolutionary changes. To achieve this first objective, a 130-base pair (bp) fragment of PRL was sequenced in 40 different Nigerian chicken types namely, 13 Heavy Ecotype (HE) cocks and hens, 13 Light ecotype (LE) cocks and hens, 7 Frizzled Feathered (FF) cocks and 7 Naked Neck (NN) cocks. In the second experiment which aimed to associate the SNPs of the LE PRL with egg traits, 13 LE cocks and hens from the indigenous flock were screened. Three SNPs were identified in the Nigerian chicken ecotypes (A=Adenine, G=Guanine, C=Cytosine, and T=Thymine), namely G > T, T > C and A > C having allelic frequencies of 7 in NN, 10 in HE and 4 in both FF and LE chickens. Comparison of the chicken PRL (cPRL) sequence gave 98% homology with White Leghorn (Accession No. AB013783.3). The Tajima “D” test of neutral molecular evolutionary rate was 2.79, suggesting balancing selection in the cPRL. In associating the SNPs with egg traits of LE, three SNPs were identified in the LE chickens namely G > T, T > C and A > C having allelic frequencies of 4, 3 and 4, respectively. The cPRL genomic sequence consisted of 154 bp long. The T > C polymorphism showed significant (P<0.05) negative association with egg number and egg size. The findings in the second experiment showed that the homozygous TT genotypes showed better egg weight and egg number performances than the TC individuals.
Keywords: Nigerian chicken, prolactin, SNP, evolutionary, mutation, ecotypes.

Abstract
On a field level among poultry flocks, the efficacy of the most common antibiotics against Mycoplasma species was decreased, Hence the traceability of the new updates about the minimum inhibitory concentration becomes very important for veterinarians in fighting antibiotic resistant strains circulating among birds. In the current study the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the common anti-mycoplasma drugs as enrofloxacin, difloxacin oxytetracycline, doxycycline, chlortetracycline, tylvalosin, erythromycin, tylosin, tilmicosin, spiramycin, tiamulin, lincomycin, spectinomycin and dihydrostreptomycin against MG and MS isolates of broiler and layer chickens in Egyptian farms and recorded in GenBank. The recovered results showed that till now the tylvalosin macrolides is the most efficient drugs in the control of mycoplasmas as it has the lowest MICs value against local M. gallisepticum and local M. synoviae as tylvalosin at dilution rate of 0.001-2?g/mL, showed the lowest values among the studied antibiotics as MICs value were 0.001,0.005 and 0.008?g/mL against MG and 0. 2,0.25 and 0.5?g/mL against MS strains.
Keywords: Minimum inhibitory concentrations, M. gallisepticum (MG), M. synoviae (MS), Macrolides, Tylvalosin, Broiler chickens, Layers chickens.

Abstract
The scientific literature does not discuss how the oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent mechanisms of bactericidal activity of peripheral blood phagocytes relate to each other. For example, does oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent bactericidal mechanisms act by themselves and independently? Or do they interact, potentiating each other’s action? This work aimed to study the cooperation (clarification of the participation) of oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent bactericidal systems of peripheral dog’ blood neutrophils in the phagocytosis process. The mechanism of oxygen-dependent bactericidal activity of neutrophils was visualized in the NBT test. Study of the oxygen-independent bactericidal activity mechanism of neutrophils flowing through bactericidal proteins by Pigarevsky. Cytological preparations had been examining under immersion objective. Obtained results confirmed the well-known fact that a certain amount of peripheral blood granulocytes contains substances responsible for oxygen-dependent and bactericidal activity. These two mechanisms of bactericidal activity, responses different cells. In phagocytosis, bactericidal substances gradually accumulated around the phagocytosed material and, after a while, completely impregnated it. In addition, particles phagocytosed by leukocytes containing cationic proteins were also gradually enveloped by the latter. However, in the research process, it was not established that these proteins penetrate deeply into phagocytosed particles. In the studied preparations, several such variants of the interposition of NBT-positive phagocytes and phagocytes containing cationic proteins are visualized, suggesting that these cells can interact in phagocytosis. It was found that different granulocytic cells have oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent bactericidal activity. Also, bactericidal activity is exposed to bactericidal action by leukocytes, responsible for the oxygen-independent activity.
Keywords: Phagocytosis, Superoxide anion, Cationic proteins, Granulocytes, Cytoplasm, NBT-Test.

Abstract
Clostridial infection is associated with significant health problems in poultry today, as its enteritis affects intestinal integrity in poultry flocks and may cause considerable losses, which caused by Clostridium perfringens that found all over the world, so fighting this infection is a continuing challenge for the poultry sector. Preventive actions using dedicated products are a valuable solution to maintain healthy gut flora. In this study the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens was detected in different chicken flocks at a rate of 32%. Also, toxin-typing showed presence of cpa, cpb, etx, iap and cpe toxins among the isolates which mainly associated with necrotic enteritis cases. Net-B toxin is a novel toxin that had been recently identi?ed in virulent avian C. perfringens isolates and it presence potentiate the necrotic lesions and destroy the enterocytes. Antimicrobial patterns showed high resistance against most common antibacterial drugs as ?-lactams, aminoglycosides, macrolides and tetracyclines. NetB toxin harboring isolates, originating from diseased broiler, layer and breeder chickens showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration MICs values for the penicillin from ?-lactams and tylvalosin from macrolides.
Keywords: Clostridium perfringens, Net-B toxins, Chicken flocks, MICs, Penicillin.

Abstract
This paper describes a case of canine visceral Leishmaniasis resistant to Meglumine Antimoniate plus allopurinol treatment in a canine patient from Colombia. A one-year-old castrated dog of the schnauzer breed was referred for veterinary consultation for showing a 2-month history of dermatological lesions on the back of the body and tail. Clinical examination revealed circular and ulcerative alopecic lesions delimited by a high relief border. Based on the clinical examination and laboratory analysis, canine leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum was established as a diagnosis. The patient was treated with Glucantime? (50mg/kg subcutaneously twice daily for 4 weeks) plus Allopurinol? (10mg/kg twice a day orally for 10 months). Eight weeks after began treatment lesions had disappeared. However, two months later there was a clinical relapse. To our knowledge, it is the first report of resistance of canine Leishmaniasis to Glucantime? plus allopurinol in Colombia.
Keywords: Canine; Colombia; Leishmania infantum; Meglumine antimoniate.