PREGNANCY-ASSOCIATED GLYCOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS IN NON-PREGNANT COWS: A CASE STUDY

The aim of the present work was undertaken to describe three cases of the bPAG concentration measure by three RIA systems during the post-partum period in non-pregnantcow. Three Holstein-Friesian cows of mixed age and parity were diagnosed as non-pregnant. Blood samples were removed from the coccygeal vessel into EDTA-coated tubes. Samples were collected every 2 days during a stabling period of two months in the absence of males. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation immediately after collection and was stored at -20 C until assay. Plasmatic PAG concentration was measured by radioim-munoassay technique with some modifications. In RIA-780 and RIA-809, there were high peak of PAG concentration that reached 2.56 ng/ml and 0.89 ng/ml, respectively. These peaks lasted longer than 3 days (two successive samples were positive). The other RIA systems gave the values of PAG concentrations below cut-off of pregnancy diagnosis (> 0.8 ng/ml) and remains always non-pregnant. Our data shows clearly that there is another source of glycoproteins expression (e.g. ovarian) apart from the placenta in cow. The present study could be a field for future larger studies on the same subject by exploring deeply other extra structures placental

Cezayir, Bejaia'daki mezbaha verilerine dayanan tüberküloz hakkında i̇lk rapor: Geriye dönük 10 yıllık bir araştırma

Tuberculosis (TB) is a widespread and endemic disease of ruminants in Algeria posing a significant threat to public health. A retrospective abattoir study was conducted in Bejaia province (Algeria) from 2009 to 2018 to estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle, sheep, and goats using detailed meat inspection procedure. The overall prevalence of tuberculosis was 2.06% (4092/199 077) in cattle, 0.007% (11/168 796) in sheep, and 0.008% (11/164 986) in goats. The annual prevalence rate of the disease showed intermittent increase in levels over the ten years period of the study. However, monthly fluctuations of tuberculous lesions in slaughtered cattle were recorded throughout the study period with detection rates ranging from 1.77% and 2.36%. In addition, the variation in seasonal prevalence in cattle and goats is not significant (P > 0.05). Our analysis has revealed the magnitude of TB in the study area and warrants further systematic investigation on the transmission of the disease in Algeria.Tüberküloz (TB), Cezayir'de halk sağlığı için önemli bir tehdit oluşturan ruminantların yaygın ve endemik bir hastalığıdır. Bejaia'da (Cezayir) sığır eti, koyun ve keçilerde tüberküloz prevalansının ayrıntılı bir et muayene prosedürü kullanılarak tahmin edilmesi için geriye dönük bir mezbaha çalışması yapılmıştır. Tüberküloz prevalansı sığırlarda % 2.06 (2.092/199 077), koyunlarda % 0.007 (11/168 796) ve keçilerde % 0.008 (11/164 986) idi. Hastalığın yıllık yaygınlık oranı, çalışmanın on yıllık dönemi boyunca aralıklarla artmıştır. Ancak, kesilen sığırlarda aylık tüberküloz lezyonlarındaki dalgalanmalar, çalışma süresi boyunca % 1.77 ile % 2.36 arasında değişen tespit oranlarında kaydedilmiştir. Ayrıca sığır ve keçilerde mevsimsel prevalanstaki değişiklik anlamlı değildir (P> 0.05). Analizimiz, çalışma alanındaki TB'nin büyüklüğünü ortaya çıkarmıştır ve Cezayir'de hastalığın bulaşmasına ilişkin daha fazla sistematik araştırmayı garanti etmektedir

Bioactive compounds and in vitro antioxidant and anticoccidial activities of Opuntia ficus-indica flower extracts

The objective of the present study is to identify the biochemical compounds extracted from OFI flowers using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant activities and anticoccidial effects on the destruction of Eimeria oocysts isolated from naturally infected chickens. A domestic microwave was used with a refrigerant to condense the vapors generated during the extraction. The flavonoid and phenolic compound contents of the OFI flowers were determined according to standard methods. DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging capacities were used to assess the antioxidant activity. Regarding the anticoccidial activity, the Eimeria spp. oocysts used were isolated from the fresh feces of infected broilers and were determined in triplicate by incubation at an ambient temperature for 24 h. The results highlighted the considerable influence of the optimized acetone concentration, ratio, irradiation time, and microwave power parameters on the phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Our results revealed significant matches between the predicted and experimental values of the models. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of several biophenol classes such as quercetin, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside. OFI flower extracts inhibited sporulation and damaged the morphology of Eimeria oocysts compared with normal sporulated Eimeria oocysts containing sporocysts. In conclusion, the optimized conditions were validated and found to fit very well with the experimental values. These findings suggest that the flowers of OFI should be considered sources of antioxidants. The results of the present study revealed that OFI flower extracts have anticoccidial activities against Eimeria-spp.-induced infection in broiler chickens

Nouvelles investigations sur les protéines trophoblastiques, hormones hypophysaires et gonadiques durant le premier trimestre de la gestation chez le bovin

RÉSUMÉLes protéines associées à la gestation (PAGs) constituent une grande famille de protéinases aspartiques exprimées dans les cellules épithéliales de la couche superficielle du placenta des artiodactyles et plus précisément dans les granules des cellules binucléées. Des investigations par biologie moléculaire (clonage et séquençage) ont permis de montrer que les protéines de la gestation font partie de la grande famille des protéases aspartiques tout comme le pepsinogène, la pepsine, la chymosine, les cathepsines D et E, et la rénine. La détermination des concentrations en PAG par radioimmunoassay dans le sérum ou dans le plasma est actuellement employée comme méthode sérologique spécifique pour le diagnostic de gestation chez le bovin dès le 28e jour après la conception. Au-delà de ce délai, les dosages des PAGs peuvent également être utilisés pour assurer le suivi de la gestation notamment dans le cadre de l’étude de la mortalité embryonnaire précoce ou tardive et de la mortalité fœtale.Au moment d’entreprendre nos investigations expérimentales, une attention particulière a été portée à notre maîtrise des systèmes de dosages radioimmunologiques notamment dans les zones des faibles concentrations de PAG caractérisant le premier trimestre de la gestation chez les bovins. C’est ainsi que les deux premières études sur lesquelles repose ce travail de thèse ont visé à tester de nouveaux antisérums dirigés contre la PAG et à comparer leurs performances en milieu sérique ou plasmatique. Ensuite, cinq différents systèmes de dosages (utilisant différents antisérums) ont été comparés quant à leur sensibilité, spécificité, exactitude des diagnostics positifs et exactitude des diagnostics négatifs, sur des séries de plasmas provenant de femelles non gestantes et de femelles gestantes durant le premier trimestre de la gestation. Dans une troisième étude, les concentrations de PAG, LH et prolactine ont été interprétées en fonction d’une classification basée sur le niveau de progestérone mesuré chez les femelles à jour 21.Dans la première étude, l’objectif a été de déterminer les paramètres de limite minimale de détection, reproductibilité, exactitude, spécificité et parallélisme des dilutions caractérisant les cinq systèmes radioimmunologiques différents : RIA-497, RIA-706, RIA-780, RIA-809 et RIA-Pool. Ensuite, leur capacité à distinguer les femelles non gestantes et gestantes prélevées au 30e jour suivant l’insémination artificielle a été analysée dans le détail. L’étude a été menée sur un effectif de 40 femelles de race Holstein-Frisonne d’âge et de parité mélangés dont la gestation a été confirmée par exploration rectale réalisée entre le 2e et le 3e mois après l’insémination. Un groupe contrôle composé de dix vaches maintenues en stabulation entravée confirmées non gestantes par examen échographique et exploration rectale a été utilisé simultanément. Les caractéristiques générales des différents systèmes étaient satisfaisantes. Leur spécificité était excellente à l’exception du système RIA-809 ayant montré une très légère interférence de l’acide syalique et de l’hCG. Les concentrations mesurées dans le plasma des femelles non gestantes sont restées inférieures à 0,5 ng/mL excepté celles qui étaient mesurées dans les systèmes RIA-780 et RIA-809. Seuls les systèmes RIA-497, RIA-706 et RIA-Pool ont fourni des valeurs de sensibilité, spécificité, exactitude des diagnostics positifs, exactitude des diagnostics négatifs égales à 100%.Dans la deuxième étude, les cinq systèmes de dosage ont été utilisés pour déterminer les concentrations de PAG dans le plasma aux jours 30, 45, 60 et 80. Les corrélations ont été calculées entre les systèmes ainsi que les rapports de concentrations mesurées par chacun d’eux : les systèmes RIA-706, RIA-780, RIA-809 et RIA-Pool ont révélé des valeurs plus élevées que le RIA-497 à tous les stades étudiés.La troisième étude a visé à vérifier une hypothèse formulée à plusieurs reprises par différents auteurs : le niveau de concentration en progestérone atteint en début de gestation est-il susceptible d’interagir avec les concentrations de protéines trophoblastiques, de LH et de prolactine mesurées plus tard durant le premier trimestre de la gestation ? Dans cette étude, nous avons déterminé les concentrations de l’ensemble des paramètres sur les prélèvements correspondant aux jours 0, 21, 30, 45, 60 et 80 de 37 femelles gestantes. Les femelles ont été réparties en deux sous groupes : celles dont la progestérone au jour 21 était inférieure à la moyenne (Low-P4) et celles dont la même progestérone était supérieure à la moyenne au jour 21 (High-P4). Lorsque les deux sous groupes ont été suivis aux périodes ultérieures (jours 30, 45, 60 et 80), il est apparu que les concentrations de PAG ont eu tendance à être plus élevées dans tous les systèmes chez les vaches du groupe High-P4. Une différence significative est atteinte en utilisant le RIA-497 au jour 80. Les concentrations en LH et prolactine ont eu tendance à être plus faibles à toutes les périodes chez les vaches faisant partie du groupe High-P4. La différence a été significative pour la LH à jour 60 et pour la prolactine à jour 21.Dans leur ensemble, les résultats de ce travail montrent que le diagnostic de gestation peut être amélioré (sensibilité, spécificité, exactitude des diagnostics positifs, exactitude des diagnostics négatifs) en sélectionnant soigneusement les antisérums et en les mélangeant de façon appropriée. Ces systèmes sont utilisables pour suivre les concentrations de PAG durant le premier trimestre de la gestation, les résultats étant fortement corrélés tout en montrant des profils différents.Associées au dosage de la progestérone, de la LH et de la prolactine, les investigations sur les PAGs permettent de progresser dans l’étude des régulations qui relient l’hypophyse, les gonades et le trophoblaste durant le premier trimestre de la gestation. SUMMARYPregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) constitute a large family of aspartic proteinases expressed in the outer epithelial cells layer of the placenta of eutherian species and more precisely in the granules of the binucleate cells. Investigations by molecular biology (cloning and sequencing) showed that the PAGs are part of the great family of the aspartic proteases like pepsinogen, pepsin, chymosin, cathepsins D and E, and renin. The determination of the concentrations in PAG by radioimmunoassay in serum or plasma is currently used as specific serological method for the diagnosis of gestation at day 28 after conception. Beyond this time, PAGs assays can also be used to ensure the follow-up of gestation in particular during the study of early or late embryonic mortality and early foetal mortality.When we started our experimental investigations, a special attention was paid to our control of radioimmunoassay systems especially in the zones with low concentrations of PAG which characterize the first trimester of bovine gestation. Thus the first two studies on which this work was based, aimed testing new antisera raised against PAG, and comparing their performances in seric or plasmatic medium. Then, five various assays (using different antisera) were compared as for their sensitivity, specificity, exactitude of the positive diagnoses and exactitude of the negative diagnoses, on series of plasmas from nonpregnant and pregnant females during the first trimester of gestation. In a third study, the concentrations of PAG, LH and prolactin were interpreted according to a classification based on the progesterone level measured in females at day 21.In the first study, the objective was to determine the parameters of minimal limit of detection, reproducibility, exactitude, specificity and parallelism of dilutions characterizing the five different radioimmunoassay systems: RIA-497, RIA-706, RIA-780, RIA-809 and RIA-Pool. Then, their capacity to discriminate non-pregnant and pregnant females investigated at day 30 after artificial insemination was also analyzed in detail. The study was undertaken on 40 Holstein-Friesian females of different age and parity, and whose gestation was confirmed by rectal exploration carried out between the second and the third month after insemination. A control group of ten cows maintained in stabling, confirmed non-pregnant by ultrasonography and rectal exploration, was used simultaneously. The general characteristics of the various systems were satisfactory. Their specificity was excellent except for system RIA-809 which shown a small interference of syalic acid and hCG. The concentrations measured in the plasma of non-pregnant females remained lower than 0.5 ng/mL except those which were measured in systems RIA-780 and RIA-809. Only the systems RIA-497, RIA-706 and RIA-Pool provided values of sensitivity, specificity, exactitude of the positive diagnoses, exactitude of the negative diagnoses equal to 100%.In the second study, all five systems were used in order to determine the concentrations of PAG in plasma at days 30, 45, 60 and 80. The correlations were calculated between the systems as well as the ratios of concentrations measured by each one of them: systems RIA-706, RIA-780, RIA-809 and RIA-Pool revealed higher values than the RIA-497 at all the studied stages.The third study aimed to check a hypothesis formulated by various authors: is the concentration level of progesterone reached at beginning of gestation likely to interact with the concentrations of trophoblastic proteins, LH and prolactin measured later during the first trimester of gestation ? In this study, we determined concentrations of the whole parameters on samples corresponding to days 0, 21, 30, 45, 60 and 80 of 37 pregnant females. The females were divided into two groups: those whose progesterone at day 21 was lower than the average (Low-P4) and those whose progesterone was higher than the average at day 21 (High-P4). When both groups were investigated at later periods (days 30 and 80), it appeared that the concentrations of PAG tended to be higher in all systems in the cows of the High-P4 group. A significant difference was raised by using RIA-497 at day 80. The concentrations in LH and prolactin lead to be weaker during all the periods in the cows of the High-P4 group. The difference was significant for LH at day 60 and for prolactin at day 21.In conclusion, the results of this work show that the diagnosis of gestation can be improved (sensitivity, specificity, exactitude of the positive diagnoses, exactitude of the negative diagnoses) by selecting the antisera carefully and by mixing them in a suitable way. These systems are usable to follow the concentrations of PAG during the first trimester of gestation, the results are strongly correlated while showing different profiles.Combined to assays of progesterone, LH and prolactin, the investigations on PAGs make progress in the study of the regulations between pituitary gland, gonads and the trophoblast during the first trimester of gestation

Investigation of Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA), Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS), and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Variants in a Cohort of Three MENA Region Horse Breeds

Genetic disorders in horses are mostly fatal or usually cause significant economic losses for breeders and owners. Here we studied a total of 177 Arabian, Barb and Arab-Barb horses from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) using Sanger Sequencing and PCR-ACRS (polymerase chain reaction—artificially created restriction site) approaches to examine the genetic disorders in the studied horse breeds. We identified the genetic variations related to Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA), Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) occurrence, and the studied population was free of the mutant allele determined Lavender Foal Syndrome (LFS). Overall, presented data showed that 15 of the studied horses are carriers of two genetic disorders; the investigated horse population showed that five Arabian horses were heterozygous for the CA-associated SNP (rs397160943). The SCID-deletion TCTCA within PRKDC was detected in ten horses (nine Arabian horses and one Arab-Barb horse). This investigation shows the importance of testing these breeds for genetic disorders to avoid further spread of deleterious variant

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae feed supplementation on haematology and reproductive parameters for Algerian rabbits

This study aims at investigating the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) supplementation on reproductive performance, haematological parameters and fertility of rabbits under Algerian conditions. The animals were divided into three groups and received the same feed ration during the experimental period. The control group received a basal diet without feed additives (Group#0) and the two yeast SC groups received 0.3 and 0.6 g/day per head (Group#1 and Group#2, respectively). Semen and blood samples were collected for determination of semen parameters and haematology. The weights of rabbits treated with SC 0.3 g/day were statistically significantly different (P< 0.05) from the control groups and group treated with SC 0.6 g/day. There were significant differences between the treatment groups for (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values, with higher values in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day, compared to those in the control group. The scrotal diameter did not differ between the dietary treatments. When compared with the control group, feeding rabbits graded levels of SC resulted in an increase in the average semen volume, mass motility and individual motility at day 51 of the experiment. On the other hand, the sperm concentration was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day during the two months compared to that in the control group. The spermatozoa mortality rate was lower for the rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day (15.7% and 11.4%, respectively), compared to that in the control group (24%). In conclusion, this study has shown that inclusion of SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day in the diets of rabbit has positive effects on body weight and sperm analysis. Moreover, it increases the level (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)

Determination of the optimal time of vaccination against infectious bursal disease virus (Gumboro) in Algeria

This study was conducted to determine the effect of maternally derived antibody (MDA) on live vaccine against infectious bursal disease. A total of 140 chicks selected from vaccinated parent stock were used in this investigation. In a preset vaccination schedule, blood samples were collected to check for the actual effect. It was noticed that on day 1 the chicks contained a high level (6400.54 ± 2993.67) of maternally derived antibody that gradually decreased below a positive level within 21 days (365.86 ± 634.46). It was found that a high level of MDA interferes with the vaccine virus, resulting in no immune response. For better immune response, it is suggested that the chickens should be vaccinated at day 21, as the uniformity of MDA is poor (coefficient of the variation [CV] > 30%), and boosted at day 28. Indeed, two vaccinations are necessary to achieve good protection against infectious bursal disease virus of the entire flock

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism infections in cattle of Bass Kabylie area: Case of Bejaia province, Algeria

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, identification of species and the dynamics of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites during humid and dry seasons in local cattle of different ages. The study was carried out in the Province of Bejaia, Algeria from December 2013 to June 2014. A total of 143 fecal samples were collected from different cattle herds. Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using flotation and sedimentation microscopic techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. 63% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more parasite species. Our results revealed that the eggs of Eimeria spp. are predominant (43.87%) followed by Strongylus spp. (30.32%) and Fasciola hepatica (12.25%). Eggs of Strongyloides papillosus, Moniezia benedeni, Paramphistomum daubneyi. and Toxocara vitulorum represent 1.29%, 1.93%, 1.93% and 6.45%, respectively. There is a significant difference between the sex of the animal and the prevalence rate of Strongyle spp. and Eimeria spp. (P< 0.01). As for the body condition score, there is a statically significant (P< 0.01) difference between the prevalence rate of GI parasite and the nutritional status of cattle. In conclusion, our preliminary investigation demonstrated highly prevalent and that abundance of the polyparasitism nature of the disease in Bass Kabylie area. Also, there was a relationship between the distribution of GI parasitism in cattle and the factors analyzed (body condition score, age and sex). Further studies are need for planning future research and to design rational and sustainable locally GI parasites control programmes

Evaluation of norgestomet Crestar® on oestrus synchronization and reproductive performance of dairy cows in Algeria

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of norgestomet Crestar® for synchronization of oestrus and its effect on pregnancy rate in cows. Methods: after a waiting period (∼90 days postpartum), Holstein-Frisian females kept in different dairy farms were inseminated for the detection of estrous behavour (n =133). Females were allocated randomly to treated (n =69) or control (n =64) groups. The treated animals received the Crestar® treatment during 9–10 days. After implant removal, the treated animals were artificially inseminated (AI) for the detection of standing estrous behaviour. Blood samples were collected on Days 0, 21 and 30 after service. Plasma progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) levels were determinate by radioimmunoassay. Results: the study showed a higher rate of heat synchronization in the treated group (94%) compared to the control group (86%). Out of 133 cows inseminated, thirteen (4 treated and 9 control) had a plasma progesterone concentrations higher than 1.0 ng/mL at service. The plasma PAG levels at Day 30 after AI were significantly lower in the treated group (7.13 ± 2.29) compared to the control group (8.37 ± 2.30). Pregnancy rate was 28% (16/57) and 42% (23/54) for treated and untreated group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the pregnancy rates of different parity in both groups. Conclusion: The norgestomet Crestar® treatment carried out during 9–10 days did not improve reproductive performance in dairy cattle. However, these data demonstrate that this hormonal protocol can be used to obtain high oestrus cow rates to initiate correct timing of insemination

Effect of <i>Peganum harmala</i> Total Alkaloid Extract on Sexual Behavior and Sperm Parameters in Male Mice

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of the total alkaloid extract of Algerian Peganum harmala seeds on sexual behavior and male reproductive function. After two weeks of acclimatization, the male mice were randomly divided into four groups (seven mice in each group). For 35 days, the extract was administered orally at dose levels of 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg body weight per day to the respective groups of male mice (n = 7) and normal saline daily to the control group. On day 28, sexual behavior parameters were recorded. At the end of the trial, reproductive organ weights, sperm quality, seminal fructose, and testosterone hormone levels were evaluated. The three treated groups were compared with the control using statistical variance analysis (one-way ANOVA, p P. harmala alkaloid revealed the MF and IF parameters to be the lowest compared to the control group (p P. harmala compared to the control group (p P. harmala recorded a higher time than the control group. Moreover, an increase in the gonadosomatic index was noticed in all groups compared to the control group. However, there was a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the sperm counts of the groups treated with 12.5 mg/kg and 6.25 mg/kg. However, there was no significant difference in the motility, membrane integrity, and total antioxidant capacity of sperm cells compared to the control. The extract treatment also brought about a non-significant increase in fructose content of the seminal vesicle and serum testosterone level. The findings of this study demonstrate that the extract acts in a dose-dependent manner, and it has varying effects on the reproductive parameters of male mice