This study was carried out to detect polymorphisms in the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) genes and their association with reproductive traits. Blood samples of 126 animals from three Egyptian sheep breeds were collected. DNA was extracted and subjected to PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using the RsaI and SmaI enzymes. Two alleles (C and T) and three genotypes (CC, CT and TT) for MTNR1A and for AA-NAT (A and G; GG, GA and AA) were detected. The alleles C and A and the genotypes CT and GA showed the highest frequencies for the MTNR1A and AA-NAT genes, respectively. Association analysis of the MTNR1A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with ewe reproductive traits revealed significant associations in the Ossimi and Rahmani breeds with age at first lambing, and the C allele seemed to be the favorable allele. The results for the AA-NAT SNP demonstrated significant correlations in Ossimi with age at first lambing and litter size and in Rahmani with lambing interval; the G allele seemed to be the desirable allele. In the first conception season, ewes carrying CT exhibited a significantly lower age of first lambing in the unfavorable season. Additionally, GG ewes exhibited a significantly lower age of first lambing in the early favorable season, followed by the unfavorable season. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of these associations in Egyptian sheep breeds. In conclusion, the polymorphisms revealed in this study could be used as genetic markers to improve reproductive efficiency during the unfavorable season, and the obtained desirable genotypes could be considered in new genetic selection schemes.

This research was intended to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of single or combined administration of nanoparticles of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), chromium oxide nanoparticles (Cr 2 O 3 NPs), and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), on genetic and metabolic insult in fructose/streptozotocin diabetic rat model. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by feeding sixty adult male albino rats with a high fructose diet accompanied by a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were divided into 6 groups (10 rats/each) and the doses of nanoparticles were 10 mg/kg b.wt for ZnONPs, 1 mg/kg b.wt for Cr 2 O 3 , and 0.4 mg/kg b.wt for SeNPs. The results displayed that diabetes significantly decreased bodyweight, serum insulin, C-peptide, adiponectin levels, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, serum superoxide dismutase activities, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total antioxidant capacity while causing a substantial increase in serum glucose, C-reactive protein, atherogenic index, HOMA–IR, malondialdehyde, lipid profile, interleukin-6 levels, and liver function and kidney function parameters. Furthermore, the findings showed a decrease in insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) hepatic mRNA expression level and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) adipocyte mRNA expression level in type 2 diabetic rats. DNA damage was confirmed by performing the comet assay. Moreover, histological observation of pancreatic and hepatic tissues was performed, which were consistent with the biochemical results. The present study confirmed that oral administration of ZnONPs, Cr 2 O 3 NPs, SeNPs, and their mixture improved all the biochemical and genetic parameters toward normal levels and ameliorated the diabetic consequences that were manifested by restricting cellular DNA damage which maintaining pancreatic and hepatic tissues from oxidative damage. The best reported antidiabetic effect was observed in the mixture administered group.

No abstract

Objectives of current study were to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in heat shock protein70 (HSP70) promoter gene of bulls (cattle and buffalo) and its association with semen quality traits and some enzymatic, hormonal and lipid parameters during winter and summer seasons. Semen samples of 37 animals (Cattle n=21 and buffalo n=16), were used in the study. Biochemical Parameter and hormonal profile were estimated. Qualities of some of fresh and frozen-thaw semen were evaluated. PCR-SSCP was used to detect SNPs and different patterns were sequenced. The study demonstrate all the measured biochemical parameters and hormonal profile of cattle and buffalo were significantly different (P<0.05) in winter as compared to summer. Results of PCR-SSCP and sequencing detected a new synonymous SNP 812 T>C transition was the same in both species and could clear two genotypes TT and TC. Association analysis revealed significance difference (P<0.001) with all the fresh and some of frozen-thawed semen traits in cattle population and T allele seemed to be the favorable allele. Regarding to buffalo population, different genotypes has significant difference in term of fresh motility, frozen motility at 1h and viability index. The results of association between biochemical and hormonal parameters there were no significance except for Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) in cattle population and T 3 level in buffalo population and C allele appeared to be the favorable allele. This the first study concerned with the association of HSP70 polymorphisms and semen quality, in winter and summer seasons in buffalo population. Conclusion: High temperature has negative impact on semen quality. Biochemical and hormonal profile can be used as good indicator for semen value. Polymorphisms in HSP70 gene can affect semen quality. We suggest to be used in artificial insemination programs as marker assisted selection for anti-heat stress and good reproductive bulls.

The objectives of the study were to detect toxins and antiseptic resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cows with subclinical mastitis in Egypt. A total of 400 quarter milk samples (QMS) were collected from different dairy herds in which quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) had been used as a disinfectant for more than 3years. The collected samples were subjected to bacterial investigation. S. aureus was successfully isolated confirmed by duplex PCR targeting 16S rRNA and nuc genes. Also determined their antibiogram and sensitivity to disinfectant. Genes of QAC(qacA/B), enterotoxins (Sea, Seb) and exfoliative toxins (ETB) were detected by simplex and multiplex PCR. Results of bacterial investigation revealed 103 (25.75%) S. aureus isolates. Results of antibiogram demonstrate that the most microbial antibiotics resistance were recorded for Penicillin G (85.7%) and Tetracycline (54.2%). While Gentamycin, Neomycin and Amoxicillin+ clavulanic acid show moderate resistance (21.4%, 10% and 7.1%) respectively, although Norfloxacin and Cephradine exhibited seldom resistance with high sensitivity of 95% and 94.3% respectively. Regarding the results of QAC sensitivity, only 8 isolates (7.76%) were resistant to benzalkonium chloride (BC) versus to 13 isolates (12.62%) harbour QAC gene could be detected by PCR with specific amplicon of 220bp corresponding to qacA/B. The results revealed Positive amplification of 102 bp specific for Sea gene in 19(18.44%) isolates and 164bp specific for Seb gene in 13(12.62%) isolates while there is no amplification was detected for etb gene. In conclusion, Antibiogram, as well as the identification of toxigenic and QAC genes in this study, may open another perspective in planning some alternative therapeutic strategies against multi resistances S. aureus mastitis. Monitoring crossresistance between antibiotics and antiseptic should be further investigated.