Effects of cryopreservation on performance and fertilizing ability of sperm from Kerai (Puntius daruphani)

Puntius daruphani broodstocks bought from fishermen in Temerloh, Pahang, conditioned in the Hatchery Unit of Universiti Putra Malaysia were used for all the experiments. In this study fresh and cryopreserved sperm of P. daruphani were analyzed for their physical characteristics (motility, motile period, live sperm count and abnormality), morphology, fertilizing ability and hatching rate. Kurokura medium and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were used as extender and cryoprotectant, respectively in the cryopreservation of the sperm. The percentage of motility, live sperm count and time of motile period after activation of frozen-thawed sperm were significantly lower than that of fresh sperm. Whereas the percentage of abnormality for frozen-thawed sperm was significantly higher than fresh sperm. ANOVA showed that there was no significant different (p>0.05) between fresh samples for all the parameters, whereas results among frozen-thawed samples using different concentrations of DMSO (10 - 15%) were significantly different (p0.05) among frozen-thawed samples. The entire testis with total length ranged from 9.8 to 11.3cm, were categorized as the anterior, middle and posterior parts. The anterior, middle and posterior parts were creamy in colour and having soft tissue. Anterior and middle parts involved in the production of spermatozoa. Posterior part as glandular testis is only displayed some ducts with smooth muscle layer and produce seminal fluids. P. daruphani sperm consisted from three parts head, midpice and flagellum, measuring 2.19±0.01, 0.955±0.02 and 17.08±0.05 μm respectively. In the first experiment, the results on the physical characteristics (motile period, motility, abnormality and live sperm count) were significantly different (p0.05) between the cryopreserved sperm samples of 1 and 3-month for all the parameters above. However, there were significant different (p<0.05) for all the physical characteristics (motile period, motility, abnormality and live sperm count) between cryopreserved (1 and 3 month) sperm samples using 10 and 15% DMSO. These results are supported by the observation on the sperm morphology showing that by using 15% DMSO produced less damages on the sperm membrane, cytoplasmic mitochondria and flagellum as compared to 10% DMSO

Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Newcastle disease virus in backyard chickens in Tripoli, Libya

Background: Newcastle disease (VD) is a viral disease that affecting many avian species all over the world. Aim: ND has been successfully controlled by vaccination of commercial poultry in Libya. However, there was a lack of information about the situation of ND in backyard chickens. Therefore this study determined the prevalence of ND in backyard chickens in different locations of Tripoli. Methods: A total number of 280 cloacal swabs (190 in summer and 90 in winter) and 412 sera were collected from non-vaccinated backyard chicken flocks in different geographical locations within the area of Tripoli namely Qasr Ben Ghashier, Al-Sawani, Souq Al-Gomaa, Tajourah, Ein Zara, and Janzour. Cloacal swabs and sera were tested by real time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Results: The prevalence of NDV infection in backyard chickens in different locations of Tripoli during summer and winter was 45% using rRT-PCR. Except in Qasr Ben Ghashier, the prevalence in summer season was significantly higher than in winter (X2=46.13, P0.00001). ELISA test revealed 218 positive out of 412 tested samples with total prevalence of 53% across the city of Tripoli in all regions. Obviously, Qasr Ben Ghashier had significantly (X2=74.09, P0.00001) the highest prevalence (82%) of NDV specific antibodies followed by Tajourah (68%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the situation of ND in backyard chicken highlighting the necessity of a comprehensive vaccination plan for backyard chickens