This study was performed to explore the effect of drenching propylene glycol (PG) and calcium propionate (CP) as a source of energy to primiparous Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis) on milk production and some blood biochemical parameters. Eighteen primiparous buffalo cows (8 weeks before calving) with an average live body weight (LBW) of 500±25kg and aged 35±5 months were used. Animals were classified to three comparable groups (6, each) based on (LBW), body condition scores and expected calving date. Animals in the 1 st group served as a control (C), were drenched 3L of saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) without any additives, the animals in the 2 nd group (PG) were drenched 300 mL of propylene glycol dissolved in 3L of a saline solution. In the 3 rd group (CP), animals were drenched 335g of calcium propionate dissolved in 3L of a saline solution. Milk production and milk composition of primiparous buffalo cows were measured. Blood samples were collected from all buffalos for biochemical analysis. Results showed significant effects on average daily and total milk yield but no significant difference on milk composition. All blood biochemical parameters revealed no significant variation between treated and control groups except for plasma beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB) and both T 3 and T 4 hormones concentrations. The overall mean of BHB in treated (PG) and (CP) was also lower (17.67 and 14.67 vs. 26) than control group. Overall mean of T 3 concentration hormone was the lowest in control group represented 3.13 vs. 5.28 and 4.99 ng/ml) for (PG) and (CP) treated group. The highest overall mean of T 4 concentration hormone was recorded in (CP) treated group represented 19.55 ng/ml. Concisely, the present results indicate that drenching (PG) and (CP) have a positive effect on the productive traits of primiparous Egyptian buffalo cows while, did not affect the blood biochemical parameters.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamins AD3E administration during different seasons of the year in Egypt on physiological thermoregulatory response, blood components and semen characteristics of Damascus bucks. Thirty Damascus goat bucks aged 14-15 months and weighing 32-35 kg were divided into three similar groups (10 bucks in each). The first group (Control, G1) was kept without treatment (injected by saline solution ) , while the second (G2) and third (G3) groups were injected intramuscularly biweekly with vitamin AD3E at levels of 2 and 4 ml/buck, respectively. Thermoregulatory parameters, some Blood component and hormones, Semen characteristics, semen storage ability and Scrotal measurements were measured biweekly. The treatment period lasted during different seasons for one year.Results showed that hair, skin, rectal, scrotal skin, and ear temperatures were the highest (P<0.05) in summer and the lowest (P<0.05) in winter, but these traits were not affected by vitamins injection.Concentrations of total protein (TP), albumin (A), Ca and P decreased (P<0.05) in summer compared with other seasons, while globulin (G) concentration increased (P<0.05) in summer and autumn compared with winter and spring. Concentrations of TP, G, Ca and P increased (P<0.05) by vitamins injection. Concentration of testosterone was the highest (P<0.05) in autumn and the lowest (P<0.05) in summer. The highest (P<0.05) T3 and T4 levels was in winter . Cortisol concentration was highest (P<0.05) in summer and the lowest (P<0.05) in winter and autumn. Concentration of testosterone, T3 and T4 increased (P<0.05), while cortisol concentration decreased (P<0.05) by vitamins injection. No significant changes in scrotal circumference were observed due to change of season or due to vitamins injection. The highest testicular length was in bucks injected with 4 ml vitamins while the lowest testes length was in control bucks. Testes size increased (P<0.05) by increasing level of vitamins injection. The lowest (P<0.05) number of ejaculate and semen volume were in summer, while the highest values were in autumn. Number of ejaculate, libido and semen volume increased (P<0.05) by vitamins injection and the opposite trend was observed in pH value. The highest motility percentage and the lowest dead sperm, abnormality Habeeb, A.A.M.et.al 720 and acrosomal damage percentages were during autumn while the lowest motility percentage and the highest dead sperm, abnormality and acrosomal damage during summer. Semen characteristics including percentages of mass motility, dead sperm, abnormality and acrosomal damage improved (P<0.05) by vitamins injection. The best semen storage ability was in autumn.From these results it can be concluded that vitamins AD3E injection improved semen quality of heat stressed goats bucks, especially at a level of 4 ml/buck.

Forty mature Barki ewes at late pregnancy , 3-4 years old and 45.2±0.47 kg live body weight (LBW) divided into equal four groups were used in this work. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding Acacia (AC) Acacia saligna , Atriplex (AT) Atriplex halimus, Cassava (CA) Manihot esculenta. compared to berseem (Trifolium Alexandrinum) hay (BH) on yield, chemical composition and rheological properties of milk, hematological and biochemical blood parameters of ewes, and growth performance of their offspring's. Ewes were fed control diet in G1 consisted of : concentrate feed mixture, rice straw plus BH at levels of 60:10:30%, respectively. Only BH in (G1) was replaced by AC in (G2), or AT in (G3) or CA in (G4) stems and leaves planted in the salt soil. All animals were kept under the same managerial conditions. Results showed insignificant effect of dietary treatment on LBW of ewes. Ewes fed AT in (G3) showed higher (P<0.05) milk yields than in control group (G2), while ewes fed CA (G4) showed the highest (P<0.05) milk yields, ewes fed AT (G3) did not differ than those in control group (G1). Milk fat, lactose and ash contents in milk were not affected by dietary treatment during all lactation weeks. Protein content was higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1 and G4 at all lactation weeks. Total solids (TS) content was lower (P<0.05) in G4 than in other groups during the 1 st six weeks of lactation, being the highest (P>0.05) in G1 at the 7 th lactation week. Atriplex treatment was accompanied by high level of ca and p .Calcium and phosphorus content were affected significantly (P<0.05) by dietary treatment, being significantly (P<0.05) higher in milk of ewes of G3 than in G1, G2 and G4 at all lactation weeks. The differences were significantly (P<0.05) between G2 and (G1 and G4) at all lactation weeks, although no significant different of Calcium content between G1 and G4 except in 6 th an 7 th week, however, no significant differences of phosphorus content between G2 and G4 although there were no significant differences between them and G1 at all lactation weeks. Slight differences were detected in acidity, pH value, density and freezing point of milk, ranging from 0.16 to-0.20%, 6.62-6.81, 30.47-36.27% and from-0.49 to-0.64%, respectively. Rennet coagulation time (RCT) values were the lowest through 6 lactation weeks in G2 (98-125 s), and the highest in G4 (143-154 s). Curd tension (CT) was the highest in G2, and the lowest in G4 at 2 and 7 lactation weeks. Trend of Whey Syneresis values of all treatments was opposite to that of Curd Tension. The highest values was recorded with Cassava. Red blood cells (RBCs) count did not differ in G2, G3 and G4 than that of G1. White blood cells WBC's count, Ht,% and Hg, g/dl concentration were higher (P<0.05) in G4 than in G2 and G3. Concentration of total protein (TP), urea-N, Ca and Ca/P ratio increased (P<0.05) in G2 compared with G4, while both groups did not differ from those in G1 and G3. Concentration of creatinine, triglyceride (TG) and Total cholesterol (TCh...

This study aimed to evaluate supplementation effects of four types of medicinal herbs on productive and reproductive performance of Zaraibi goat does. Thirty fife pregnant does (38.2±0.58 kg LBW, 3 years old) during the last two months of pregnancy were allocated to fife treatment groups (7 in each). All groups were fed similar basal diet consisted of concentrate feed mixture (CFM), berseem hay and rice straw. Does in the 1 st group was fed on basal diet without supplementation (control), while CFM in diets of the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th group was supplemented with 100 mg/kg LBW, of ginger powder (GIN), curcumin or turmeric powder (TUR), oregano leaves crushed (ORE) or crushed Nigella sativa seeds (NSS). Live body weight of dams were recorded during pre-and post-partum, milk yield and composition were recorded during suckling period. Postpartum 1 st oestrus was detected; litter size and viability of kids were calculated at birth and weaning. Blood components of does were estimated at weaning. Results showed insignificant differences in LBW of dams during pre-partum period. LBW of does increased (P<0.05) in all treated groups as compared to control, being higher (P<0.05) in ORE, TUR and NSS than in GIN group, respectively. Similar trend was found after kidding, but the difference in LBW of does between GIN and control group was not significant. Total litter weight at birth/doe was higher (P<0.05) only for TUR and NSS as compared to control. The differences in LBW of does during different months of the suckling period were not significant. During the suckling period, total and daily milk yield were the highest (P<0.05) in NSS. There were insignificant differences in milk contents among all groups during suckling period. Litter size at birth was the highest (P<0.05) in TUR, modest in GIN and ORE and lowest in control. Litter size at weaning was the highest (P<0.05) in GIN as compared to other groups. Does in NSS showed the highest twins (71.4%, P<0.05), while GIN showed the highest triples (57.14%, P<0.05). Only does in ORE and TUR produced quartets and six partite types (14.29% for each). There were insignificant differences in average LBW of kids at birth among groups. Does in GIN and ORE showed the shortest (P<0.05) interval from kidding to 1 st oestrus and interval from weaning to 1 st oestrus. Does in TUR showed the shortest (P<0.05) oestrus duration vs the longest duration for does in ORE group. During the breeding season, does in GIN showed acceptable periods of birth and weaning as well as appropriate date of 1 st oestrus incidence. Does in NSS had the shortest period of birth and weaning. Both GIN and TUR groups showed the highest (P<0.05) haematological parameters and concentration of total proteins, albumin and globulin. Concentration of urea-N increased (P<0.05) in GIN and decreased (P<0.05) in ORE groups. Glucose concentration increased (P<0.05) in NSS group, but creatinine concentration was not affected by treatment. Contents of studied minerals in blood plasma of does were EL-Gohary, E. S. H. et...