No abstract

Trichophyton verrucosum is a zoophilic dermatophyte that causes skin inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the redox status in the blood of sheep clinically infected with T. verrucosum. According to clinical and mycological investigations, 48 juvenile male Balady sheep were selected in their natural habitat and divided into four groups depending on the lesion size: mild (MID), moderate (MOD), severe (SEV) T. verrucosum infection, and healthy control groups. Compared to the controls, plasma superoxide anion increased (P < 0.05) in both MOD and SEV but total peroxides (TPx) gradually increased (P < 0.05) in MID followed by MOD and SEV. Superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were higher (P < 0.05) in MID and lower (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV than in controls, but SEV showed lower TAC than MOD. Malondialdehyde (MDA, a lipid peroxide marker) increased (P < 0.05) in SEV than in controls, but protein carbonyl (PC, a protein peroxidation marker) was augmented (P < 0.05) as lesions progressed from mild to severe. The oxidative stress index (TPx/TAC ratio) progressively increased (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV. The correlation of PC was positive with TPx and negative with TAC (P < 0.01). In conclusion, sheep infection with T. verrucosum is characterized by increased TPx and decreased TAC in plasma depending on the lesion area. The redox status is shifted towards the oxidizing state, particularly in MOD and SEV cases. This results in a condition of OS, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.

Mineral imbalance in water and forages inhibit livestock production in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. This study aimed to determine trace element concentrations in blood serum of healthy and unthrifty calves and their relation with the surrounding environment including the trace element content in the soil, in addition to food and water allowed to these animals. A total of 20 yearling ill-thrift crossbred calves (group A) were chosen from El-thawra village (area A), where unthrifty calves occur. A similar number of healthy crossbred calves were chosen from El-Sabat area (area B) as a control group (group B). Results revealed that the area A soils have higher Fe and Mn (P < 0.001) and lower Cu and Zn (P < 0.003 and 0.004, respectively) than the area B. The area A forages have higher Fe and Mn (P < 0.001) and lower Cu and Zn (P < 0.2 and <0.001, respectively) than the area B. Both areas have higher Fe and Mn and lower Cu and Zn in water than the recommended levels. Values of serum Fe or Mn for both groups were within the published reference ranges. However, 10% and 55% of calves had lower Cu, and 15% and 60% had lower Zn in the groups B and A, respectively, than the reference ranges. On the other hand, blood serum of group B had significantly lower Cu (P < 0.001) and Zn (P < 0.001) than that of group A. It can be concluded that soil, forages and water in some localities in El-Kharga oasis are deficient in Cu and Zn and contain high concentrations of Fe and Mn. These mineral disturbances may directly affect the health of calves reared in these areas.

Thyroid hormones have been recognized to be important in establishing the animal performance as, growth, maturation, reproduction, production and adaptation. The aim of this work was the estimation of triiodothyronine (Tӡ) and parathermon (PTH) hormones concentrations and their relations with some serum biochemical levels in buffalo calves. A total number of 50 male buffalo calves divided into two groups according to their age, 20 animals (3 to 6 months age) and the other 30 ones (6-9 months age). These animals were apparently healthy male buffalo calves selected from a privet farms at Assiut governorate. Blood serum sample were used for determination of triiodothyronine (Tӡ) and parathermon (PTH) hormones concentrations and the total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. The results indicated a significant decrease of both blood serum hormones (Triiodothyronine (Tӡ) and Parathermone (PTH) concentrations in the older age group of buffalo calves were collected. There were a significant difference between the two age groups in both cholesterol and glucose levels. The mean values of calcium and magnesium showed significant difference between the two age groups. The correlation coefficient (r) between the estimated blood serum Triiodothyronine (Tӡ) concentrations and the different biochemical parameters only showed significant changes for glucose and cholesterol levels. Also, there was negative correlation only between parathermone (PTH) and, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium levels. Based on the current study, it could be concluded that the recorded biochemical parameters found to be lower than that recorded by other studies and this may attributed to many factors. The nutritional factor could be controlled for buffalo calves in Assuit province by giving balanced ration to improve such parameters and consequently improving animal performance.

Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic mycotic infection of the skin caused by dermatophytes. The present study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress (OS) and redox status in blood of sheep clinically infected with the dermatophyte, Trichophyton verrucosum. According to clinical and mycological investigations, 48 juvenile male Balady sheep were selected in their natural habitat and divided into four groups depending on lesions size: mild (MID), moderate (MOD), severe (SEV) T. verrucosum infection and healthy control groups. Compared to the controls, plasma superoxide anion increased (P < 0.05) in both MOD and SEV but total peroxides (TPx) gradually increased (P < 0.05) in MID followed by MOD and SEV. Superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were higher (P < 0.05) in MID and lower (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV than in controls, but SEV showed lower TAC than MOD. Malondialdehyde (MDA, a lipid peroxide marker) increased (P < 0.05) in SEV than in controls but protein carbonyl (PC, a protein peroxidation marker) was augmented (P < 0.05) as lesions progressed from mild to severe. oxidative stress index (TPx/TAC ratio) progressively increased (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV. The correlation of PC was positive with TPx and negative with TAC (P < 0.01). In conclusion, sheep infection with T. verrucosum is characterized by increased TPx and decreased TAC in plasma depending on the lesion area. The redox status is shifted towards the oxidizing state especially in MOD and SEV cases resulting in a condition of OS, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.