Interspecific Nuclear Transfer Blastocysts Reconstructed from Arabian Oryx Somatic Cells and Domestic Cow Ooplasm

Cloning, commonly referred to as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), is the technique of enucleating an oocyte and injecting a somatic cell into it. This study was carried out with interspecific SCNT technology to clone the Arabian Oryx utilizing the oryx’s fibroblast cells and transfer it to the enucleated oocytes of a domestic cow. The recipient oocytes were extracted from the cows that had been butchered. Oryx somatic nuclei were introduced into cow oocytes to produce embryonic cells. The study was conducted on three groups, Oryx interspecific somatic cell nuclear transfer into enucleated oocytes of domestic cows, cow SCNT “the same bovine family species”, used as a control group, and in vitro fertilized (IVF) cows to verify all media used in this work. The rates of different embryo developmental stages varied slightly (from 1- cell to morula stage). Additionally, the oryx interspecies Somatic cell nuclear transfer blastocyst developmental rate (9.23%) was comparable to that of cow SCNT (8.33%). While the blastula stage rate of the (IVF) cow embryos exhibited a higher cleavage rate (42%) in the embryo development stage. The results of this study enhanced domestic cow oocytes’ ability to support interspecific SCNT cloned oryx, and generate a viable embryo that can advance to the blastula stage

Evaluation of the Maturity and Gene Expression of Sheep Oocytes and Embryos Cultured in Media Supplemented with Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) Extract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of marjoram extract on oocyte maturation and gene expression in sheep oocytes and embryos. The first experiment studied the effect of the extract as an antioxidant to improve the in vitro maturation media used for sheep oocytes; the oocytes were matured in a TCM199 medium supplemented with 1 or 10 µg/mL of marjoram extract or the control, 0 µg, for 24 hr. Then, the maturation was estimated, and the gene expression was measured by using qPCR. The second experiment studied the effect of the extract on the development of sheep embryos produced in vitro; the fertilized oocytes were cultured in a SOF medium supplemented with 1 or 10 µg/mL of marjoram extract or the control, 0 µg, for 7 days. Then, the gene expression was measured using qPCR. The results showed that the marjoram extract did not improve nuclear maturation or the blastocyst rate. There was a significant increase in the level of GDF-9 gene expression in mature oocytes in the treatment groups. An increase in the expression of BCL-2 and EGR-1 genes was observed for the blastocysts in the 10 µg/mL group. We concluded that the marjoram extract did not improve nuclear maturation, but it did affect the expression of some genes in sheep oocytes and embryos

The impact of the yttrium oxide nano particles Y2O3 on the in vitro fertilization and in vitro culture media in a mouse model

Introduction: Oxidative stress has a critical role in affecting in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. The yttrium oxide nanoparticle (Y2O3 NPs) known as free radicals’ scavenger. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) has an essential role in the pathological effect of oxidative stress. The study aimed to evaluate the Y2O3 NPs effect on the in vitro fertilization media and in vitro culture media in mice as a mammalian model. Methods: The NPs of Y2O3 tested in two different concentrations, 25 μg/ml, and 50 μg/ml, to examine nanoparticle effect on cleavage rate and blastula rate by exposing the gametes cell for 6 h during the fertilization and 5 days on culture media till embryos reach the blastula stage. The Y2O3 NPs cubic shape, and the sizes used to be in the range of 18 ± 5 nm as measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 11.14 nm as measured by X rays diffractions (XRD). The results showed that the rate of blastocyst was significantly higher in the in the treated by adding the 25.ug/ml Y2O3 NP and the control groups than the higher treated group with 50ug/ml NP, group by the ad of Y2O3 nanoparticles. While the cleavage rate was unaffected by the Y2O3 nanoparticles. In conclusion the treatment of the Y2O3 in the IVF and early embryo development have no side effects except in higher rate in the blastula stage

Assessment of patient-controlled analgesia versus intermittent opioid therapy to manage sickle-cell disease vaso-occlusive crisis in adult patients

Background: Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is one of the acute complications of sickle-cell disease (SCD). Treatment mainly relies on hydration and pain control by analgesics. The specific aim of this study was to assess potential health outcomes within the first 72 h of admission between intermittent and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) by opioids among VOC patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted to determine SCD patients with VOC. Using the hospital electronic system, the following data were collected: patient's age, gender, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and pain score on admission and daily for 3 days as well as the cumulative opioid analgesic dose for 72 h which is reported as morphine equivalent. Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were screened over a period of 5 years. Of those, 99 (84.6%) met the study inclusion criteria, and 18 patients (15.4%) were excluded from the study. During the first 72 h of admission, a significant reduction in pain score was observed in patients on intermittent intravenous (IV) administration compared to those in the PCA group (P < 0.0004) where the mean pain scores were 3 and 5, respectively. The total amount of morphine administered over 72 h of admission was significantly higher in PCA group (777 ± 175 mg) as compared to the intermittent IV administration group (149 ± 74 mg) (P < 0.000003). Clinically significant hypotension or respiratory depression was not observed in both groups over the 72 h of admission. Conclusion: During the first 72 h of admission, intermittent IV administration of morphine was more effective than PCA infusion in pain control

Feeding barley and corn hydroponic based rations improved digestibility and performance in Beetal goats

The current trial aimed to determine the impacts of fed goats with hydroponic fodder-based maize or barley rations on nutrient digestibility, growth and efficiency of consumed feed, and some blood constituents. Twenty-four post-weaned growing Beetal male kids (3 months of age with an initial body weight of 12.4 ± 0.03 kg) were randomly allocated into six equal groups (n = 4, each one). Each group was offered one of the following dietary treatments: T0, fed 100 % basal diet (BD; containing 80 % Lucerne hay and 20 % wheat straw); T1, fed 80 % BD + 20 % Hydroponic fodder Maize (HFM); T2, fed 80 % BD + 20 % Hydroponic fodder Barley (HFB); T3, fed 60 % BD + 40 % HFM; T4, 60 % BD + 40 % HFB; T5, 60 % BD + 20 % HFM + 20 % HFB for 90 days feeding trial period. Animals were kept under the same hygienic, rearing and environmental conditions. The dry matter and crude protein intake results revealed significant increases in all hydroponic-based rations, with T4 and T5 reporting higher values when compared to the control and other treated groups. Whereas, the T1 group had the maximum fiber intake compared to the other treated and non-treated groups. At the same trend, the T5 group recorded the highest final weight, weight gain, and total weight gain values and the lowest feed conversion ratio compared to the other experimental groups. In addition, goats fed a diet containing two types of hydroponic-based fodder (T5) exhibited a highly significant improvement in all nutrient digestibility and total nitrogen balance compared with other experimental groups. Furthermore, feeding goats hydroponic maize and barley-based rations had no significant influence on blood biochemical and hematological parameters, except that the lymphocyte percentage increased considerably in T2 and T3 groups compared to other experimental groups. In conclusion, in arid and semi-arid regions where most feeds are imported and resources of both land and water are scarce, feeding animal diets incorporating hydroponic fodder might improve growth and production while filling a feed supply gap