Sperm motility parameters of Barbus barbus callensis throughout the reproduction season: Computer aided semen analysis and gametes motility duration

The present study investigated the existing relationship between computer assisted semen motility parameters and gametes motility duration, known to express semen quality and fertilizing capacity in fish. The objective was particularly to identify computer aided semen analysis (CASA) parameters that could be used as potential fertility predictors. Semen samples were collected from the beginning to the end of the spawning season of Barbus barbus callensis, a freshwater fish abundantly distributed throughout North Africa. Semen was simultaneously analyzed using optical microscopy including semen motility duration (SMD) measurement, by the aid of a computer-assisted semen analyzer. The measured CASA parameters were: straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), beat cross frequency (BCF), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), linearity and straightness. The results showed that motility duration evolved in a similar manner as several CASA parameters. Significant correlation coefficients expressed these relationships with r = 0.74, 0.32, 0.16 and 0.45 for VSL, VAP, VCL and BCF, respectively. No correlations were observed when studying relationships between motility duration, STR, LIN and ALH, with r = 0.08, 0.06 and 0.006, respectively. The present results showed that CASA motility parameters are strongly related to motility duration. VSL was revealed as the main parameter being highly correlated to motility duration (r = 0.74). This quantitatively and objectively measured parameter is revealed to be a useful indicator of semen quality and could serve as a potential indicator of fertility outputs in fish

THE INTEREST OF HYPEROSMOLAR EXTENDERS IN ROOSTER SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION

The aim of the present study was to investigate thepotential benefit of hyperosmolar extender during the freezing-thawing process in rooster sperm. The goal was to minimize the amount of intracellular water and reduce the impact of intracellular icecrystal during the freezing process. A total of five 45-week old Hubbard commercial broilers were subjected to bi-weekly semen collections. Collected sperm was pooled and divided in three aliquots. The control aliquot was diluted with Tris-extender without further supplementation at 300 mOsm (Control). The two (2) other aliquots were diluted with Trisextender at 300 mOsm containing vitamin E (Vit E) or with Tris-extender without Vitamin E but at osmolarity of 450 mOsm (Hyper). After incubation at 22 °C for 15 min, all aliquots were cooled and then frozen in liquid nitrogen. A Computer Aided Semen Analysis (CASA) was used to investigate the impact on different motility parameters. After thawing, Hyperosmolar (Hyper) and vitamin E extenders showed the highest values in terms of sperm motility preservation. Hyperosmolar extender (Hyper) showed particularly the highest values in terms of VSL velocities and progressive motile spermatozoa, known as indicators of sperm quality. In conclusion, the present results revealed that a significant impact was observed when using extenders at osmolarity of 450 mOsmin rooster sperm, in the same manner and even better then when using vitamin E. The positive impact is probably related to the reduction of intracellular ice formation

Ressources génétiques animales en Kabylie (Algérie)

La Kabylie est une région côtière montagneuse du nord-est algérien. Ce poster présente les principales espèces et races élevées dans cette région. Les ovins sont représentés par la race Tazegzawt, répertoriée récemment. Elle est reconnaissable à ses tâches noires à reflets bleuâtres, son nom kabyle signifiant bleu. Son poids peut dépasser 30 kg à 6 mois. La population locale de chèvres n’a pas fait l’objet de descriptions. Toutefois, la chèvre locale est adaptée aux massifs montagneux. Elle est de petite taille avec un poids vif d’environ 25 kg. Elle présente de longs poils et différentes couleurs de robe. La race bovine locale est issue de l’adaptation de la race brune de l’Atlas à un climat tempéré. Elle possède un petit gabarit (de 250 à 300 kg) et une robe grise ou allant du fauve brunâtre au rouge-brun. Par l’industrialisation de la production de volailles, les poules locales ont subi une érosion génétique sévère. Elles présentent ainsi une grande variabilité phénotypique et sont de taille moyenne (autour de 1,5kg). Le lapin local connaît une situation similaire et présente un poids de 2 à 3 kg. Il existe une tradition apicole importante en Kabylie. Les types d’abeilles exploitées ne sont toutefois pas encore caractérisés. Toutes les races citées ici sont menacées par le croisement ou l’abandon. Leur caractérisation génétique et zootechnique est nécessaire pour l’amélioration des systèmes de production familiaux, plus particulièrement en régions montagneuses, et la conservation de la biodiversité

Rosemary essential oil as a natural disinfectant in Japanese quail Eggs (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica): effect on the bacterial load and hatchability characteristics

peer reviewe

First analysis of the faecal microbiota of the Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) reveals differences between a wild group and a tourist-provisioned group in the region of Bejaia, Northeast of Algeria

peer reviewedLe microbiote intestinal joue un rôle très important dans la physiologie et la santé des animaux. Malgré l’existence de plusieurs études sur diverses espèces de primates, le microbiote intestinal du macaque de Barbarie (Macaca sylvanus) reste inexploré. Notre étude vise à caractériser pour la première fois le microbiote fécal de cette espèce et étudier l'impact de l'approvisionnement alimentaire par les touristes sur celui-ci. Un total de 12 échantillons de matières fécales a été collecté dans deux groupes de M. sylvanus dans la région de Bejaia en Algérie. Le premier groupe est fréquemment approvisionné par les touristes dans le Parc National de Gouraya tandis que le second groupe dépend uniquement des ressources alimentaires naturelles dans la forêt de l’Akfadou. Après extraction de l'ADN, la composition du microbiote fécal a été analysé par séquençage de l'ADNr 16S. Un suivi du comportement alimentaire a également été réalisé pour évaluer le taux d’approvisionnement alimentaire du premier groupe. Nos résultats ont révélé d’une part la présence de 209 genres bactériens de 17 phyla dans le microbiote fécal des macaques de Barbarie. Les Firmicutes étaient le phylum bactérien le plus abondant, suivi des Bacteroidetes et des Verrucomicrobia. D'autre part, la comparaison entre le microbiote fécal des deux groupes d'étude a montré que l'activité touristique influençant le régime alimentaire était associée à un changement significatif du microbiote fécal de M. sylvanus. Le régime alimentaire potentiellement pauvre en fibres sur le site touristique a eu une influence négative sur la prolifération de genres bactériens présents en abondance dans le groupe sauvage, tels que les Ruminococcaceae. Une telle altération du microbiote fécal peut avoir des impacts négatifs sur l'état de santé de ces animaux en augmentant le risque d'obésité et de maladie et appelle des mesures de gestion particulières pour réduire les pratiques d'approvisionnement dans les zones touristiques

First Descriptive Analysis of the Faecal Microbiota ofWild and Anthropized Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus) in the Region of Bejaia, Northeast Algeria

Previous research has revealed the gut microbiota profile of several primate species, as well as the impact of a variety of anthropogenic factors, such as tourist food supply, on these bacterial communities. However, there is no information on the gut microbiota of the endangered wild Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus). The present study is the first to characterize the faecal microbiota of this species, as well as to investigate the impact of tourist food provisioning on it. A total of 12 faecal samples were collected in two groups of M. sylvanus in the region of Bejaia in Algeria. The first group—a tourist-provisioned one—was located in the tourist area of the Gouraya National Park and the second group—a wild-feeding one—was located in the proximity of the village of Mezouara in the forest of Akfadou. After DNA extraction, the faecal microbiota composition was analysed using 16S rDNA sequencing. Statistical tests were performed to compare alpha diversity and beta diversity between the two groups. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) was applied to visualize biodiversity between groups. Behaviour monitoring was also conducted to assess the time allocated to the consumption of anthropogenic food by the tourist-provisioned group. Our results revealed the presence of 209 bacterial genera from 17 phyla in the faecal microbiota of Barbary macaques. Firmicutes was the most abundant bacterial phylum, followed by Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia. On the other hand, the comparison between the faecal microbiota of the two study groups showed that tourism activity was associated with a significant change on the faecal microbiota of M.sylvanus, probably due to diet alteration (with 60% of feeding time allocated to the consumption of anthropogenic food). The potentially low-fibre diet at the tourist site adversely influenced the proliferation of bacterial genera found in abundance in the wild group such as Ruminococcaceae. Such an alteration of the faecal microbiota can have negative impacts on the health status of these animals by increasing the risk of obesity and illness and calls for special management measures to reduce the provisioning rate in tourist areas

Effects of incorporating 3% and 6% nettle powder on zootechnical performance, oxidative status and physicochemical characteristics of commercial turkey meat

editorial reviewedThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of incorporating nettles (Urtica dioica L.) on the zootechnical performance, biochemical and physicochemical parameters of the meat and the oxidative status of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reared under intensive conditions. The evaluation of the potential of this ingredient was carried out by comparing two rates of dietary incorporations, 3 and 6%, of nettles powder in three commercial feeds corresponding to three growth phases, during 12 weeks of rearing. The feed was distributed ad-libitum during the whole rearing phase. A total of 72 one-day-old turkeys were assigned to 3 dietary treatments, consisting of three replicates of eight birds each. Results showed that nettle leaves significantly improved the growth performance, with live weight at 12 weeks of age (P<0.05), which is higher in the group fed with 3% nettle powder (NP3%) than in the groups fed with 0% (NP0%) and 6% (NP6%) nettle powder (NP3%: 10534g; NP0%: 9829g; NP6%:9233g; P<0.05). Over the rearing period, the NP0% group recorded a better feed conversion ratio (NP0%: 2.86; NP3%: 3.03; NP6%: 3.06; P=0.03). Mortality was similar between the three groups (8% average). Oxidative status was significantly affected by supplementation among the three groups (P<0.001). The antioxidant capacity, measured by the way of Total Antioxidant Capacity, Glutathione Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Malondialdehyde, was linearly improved with the level of incorporation of nettle powder (P<0.001). No significant differences were recorded between the 3 groups for the chemical composition (water, protein, Fat and ash) and physicochemical parameters (pH24, WHC, Cooking loss, Redness, yellowness and brightness) of the meat

Effect of olive leaf incorporation in animal feed on broiler turkey (<i>Meleagris gallopavo</i>) growth performance, welfare, oxidative status, and blood and biochemical serum parameters

peer reviewedAbstract. This work investigates how incorporating olive leaves (OLs) (Olea europaea) into turkeys' (Meleagris gallopavo) diets affects their performance, welfare, blood biochemical parameters, and oxidative status of those reared in intensive farming conditions. The potential of this ingredient was assessed by comparing two dietary incorporation rates of olive leaves, 3 % and 6 %, in three commercial feeds corresponding to three growth phases over 15 weeks where feed was provided ad libitum. A total of 270 animals (broiler medium strain) were used. They were divided into three groups: the OL0, OL3, and OL6 regimens with OL incorporation rates of 0 %, 3 %, and 6 %, respectively. Animals were allocated to three pens of approximately 15 m2 of surface area; each pen had 30 animals, with a density of three turkeys per square meter. Throughout the rearing period, the diet had no effect on bird mortality. Olive leaves boosted growth rates. Indeed, after the experiment, the OL3 group had significantly higher weights than the OL6 and OL0 groups, which had the lowest feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, after bleeding, the weights and evisceration was significantly (p 0.05) in carcass yield or gizzard or liver weights. OL supplementation improved oxidative status but had no effect on animal welfare or blood biochemical parameters, with the exception of the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), which was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the OL3 group than in the OL0 and OL6 groups. Except for the mean cholesterol level, which was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the OL3 and OL6 (1.29 g L−1) groups compared to the OL0 group, and the albumin level, which was higher in the OL0 group compared to the OL6 group, no significant effect was observed on biochemical serum parameters. Thus, a 3 % OL supplementation in the turkey diet appears promising for improving the bird's growth performance

Characterization of the Hamra sheep breed in western Algeria

editorial reviewedThe present work is a part of a National Research Project (PNR Algeria 2022) dedicated to the development of the Hamra sheep breed in his cradle western Algeria. The aim of this study is to characterize the morphology, growth and reproductive performance of this ovine breed. A sample of 15 rams and 30 ewes were used for the morphological characterization versus a total of 1,328 head for the growth and reproduction performance carried out at the technical livestock institute in Saida area located in the western Algeria. Hamra sheep breed is small compared to other Algerian breeds. It has a dark brown (mahogany) head and legs, a blackish-blue tongue, white wool, spiral horns, and a fine, medium-length tail. Total body length is 124.5 cm for males and 110.5 cm for females, with a trunk length of 78.6 cm for males and 67.7 cm for females. Depth, width and circumference of chest are respectively 40.3 cm; 30 cm; 116.4 cm for males, and 34.2 cm; 22 cm; 99.8 cm for females. Growth monitoring showed an average birth weight of 3 to 3.6kg, depending on sex (male or female) and litter size (single or double). Live weights reached an average of 17.9kg for males and 16.2kg for females at 90th day of age. The ewes' reproductive performances are as follows: 82.2% for fertility, 97% for fecundity and 118% for prolificacy at birth and weaning. In conclusion, the Hamra breed has shown promise performances in terms of growth, but its butchering potential needs more assessments. Further studies are required to establish a conservation strategy becoming urgent by the uncontrolled introduction of genetics from other sheep breeds.PNR- Algérie12. Responsible consumption and productio