Histomorphometry aspect of thyroid gland and biochemical profile in pregnant and non-pregnant dromedary camels

Modulation of body physiology and metabolism is a prerequisite for successful pregnancy in camels, which is about a year and few months. The present study was carried out to verify the effect of pregnancy on histomorphometry and functional traits of thyroid gland, as well as some biochemical indices of liver and kidney functions and mineral profile in one humped camels, under Egyptian climatic conditions or desert conditions. The thyroid tissues were fixed in 10% formalin solution and processed following routine histological techniques after gross examination and biometric assessment. Serum levels of thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine, thyroxineand thyroid stimulating hormone), serum blood metabolites (total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), liver enzymatic activity (aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)), and minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus) were estimated in pregnant (n=30) and non-pregnant (n=30) camels. There were no significant differences between the right and left thyroid lobes between pregnant and non-pregnant camel. Pregnant status in camels had insignificant influence on histological and functional traits of thyroid as well as serum blood metabolites, liver enzymes and minerals levels, as compared with non-pregnant animals during the first six months of pregnancy. Therefore, reproductive status (during early pregnancy) has no substantial effect on camel physiological mechanisms or metabolic activity.Key words: Biochemical, dromedary, histology, thyroid gland, thyroid hormones

Effect of epidermal growth factor on buffalo frozen spermatozoa biometry and metabolic activity

Objective: To assess the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the Egyptian buffalo bull frozen semen, EGF was incorporated at 0 (control), 50, 100, 200 and 400 ng/mL of extender (Bioxcell®).Methods: Semen features, spermatozoa biometry, total liberated amounts of enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase) and lipid peroxidation markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, nitric oxide, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were determined in the spermatozoa-free extracellular extender.Results: Spermatozoa membrane integrity significantly (P<0.05) increased, but DNA integrity decreased with EGF 200 ng/mL. Spermatozoa head (dimensions, area and perimeter), but not shape, as well as acrosome and midpiece measures substantially differed with regard to EGF. Principle piece length and volume markedly decreased (at 100 and 200 ng/mL), while total tail/flagellum length increased (at 50 ng/mL) after EGF supplementation. EGF 50 ng/mL was associated with the decline of nitric oxide levels and catalase enzyme activity, but EGF 100 ng/mL significantly decreased the total liberated amounts of enzymes (aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase) as well as lipid peroxidation markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and malondialdehyde).Conclusions: EGF in vitro supplementation would affect the semen characteristics of buffalo bull with 100 ng/mL counteracted the freezing mediated oxidative stress indicated with the lowest enzymes leakage and lipid peroxidation

Genetic characterization of FSH beta-subunit gene and its association with buffalo fertility

Objective: To study genetic variation in buffalo follicle stimulating hormone beta-subunit (FSHB) gene and its association with fertility.Methods: In this experimental study, blood samples were collected by standard methods using EDTA anticoagulant and transrectal ultrasound examination was conducted on fertile (n=74) and infertile buffaloes with a history of anestrum (n=30) or repeat breeding (n=12). The genomic DNA was extracted for PCR followed by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. DNA sequencing was performed for the determination of single nucleotide polymorphism of FSHB gene.Results: The study results showed that there was genetic polymorphism with two different single strand conformation polymorphism patterns, AA and AB. The former pattern was associated with fertility in Egyptian buffaloes. Pair wise alignment of the two patterns sequences revealed that FSHB pattern II (AB) has C nucleotide insertion as SNP at the site of 208 bp of sequenced fragment.Conclusions: FSHB is polymorphic in the Egyptian buffaloes, suggesting its practicability as a candidate marker for female fertility