Background and Aim: Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica are two commonly reported liver flukes that cause fascioliasis in ruminants. Among the members of the genus Fasciola, F. hepatica was identified in the study area. Fascioliasis is a major disease that affects the production of livestock by causing liver damage. F. hepatica has developed advanced mechanisms to trick, elude, and alter the host immune response, similar to an extrinsic stressor. These mechanisms consequently affect the animals' physiological and metabolic functions in vivo and postmortem changes, which have significant influences on animal welfare and meat quality development. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the current prevalence of cattle fascioliasis at abattoirs in El-Kharga city, New Valley Governorate, Egypt, and to investigate the changes in serum biochemical and immunological parameters and oxidative stress factors due to Fasciola spp. infection in terms of meat quality and immune response. Materials and Methods: A total of 226 cattle were inspected for the presence of Fasciola spp. The liver of each cattle was examined by making several incisions for detecting adult Fasciola spp. in El- Kharga . The blood samples were collected to analyze the changes in serum biochemical and immunological parameters and oxidative stress factors. Results: Of the 226 cattle, 38 (16.81%) were positive for F. hepatica at the postmortem examination. Cattle infected with F. hepatica had highly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase, urea, and creatinine levels. Immunological cytokine profiles showed significantly increased serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-beta levels and a significantly decreased interferon-γ level. Furthermore, oxidative stress profiles showed significantly increased serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and significantly decreased total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione level. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that F. hepatica infection alone is an oxidative stress factor that affects slaughtered animals, leading to biochemical and metabolic alterations in the early postmortem period.

Background and Aim: Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases that threaten livestock production with subsequent considerable economic losses. This study was conducted to diagnose Anaplasma and Babesia infection using molecular techniques in imported Aberdeen Angus cattle imported from Uruguay to El-Kharga Oasis in New Valley, Egypt, and to investigate the effects of disease on some serum biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 31 cattle, 21 diseased and ten apparently normal, of varying ages and sex. The blood was used for the preparation of blood smears, polymerase chain reaction assay, and separation of serum for biochemical investigation. The experimental production farm at the Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, was infested with ticks and variable clinical manifestations during the period from December 2017 to March 2018. One calf died of a suspected blood parasite infection. Results: The blood film examination revealed infection by blood parasites in 21 samples. Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bovis were identified in 12 and 14 samples, respectively. A total of 14 samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to make these identifications. Biochemical parameters showed significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin (T. Bil), and urea in blood from parasite-infected female cattle and male calves compared with controls. Increased serum total protein, globulin, and creatinine were recorded only in infected female cattle. The blood glucose level was significantly decreased in infected female cattle and male calves compared with controls. Furthermore, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio was significantly reduced in the infected female cattle. Oxidative stress profiles of infected animals showed a significant increase in serum nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, and both total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly reduced in comparison with control animals. Conclusion: The incidence of A. marginale and B. bovis infection is high in imported Aberdeen Angus cattle in New Valley Province. PCR methods provide a short-term assessment of disease. An extensive epidemiological survey, employing serology together with molecular genetic methods, monitoring of abundance and distribution of tick vectors, availability of vaccination programs, and tracking of animal transport is also needed for control of blood parasites.

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Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the main cause of liver damage mediated by the excretion of toxic active drug metabolites. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects that could offer protection against oxidative stress and liver damage. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of omega-3 and vitamin C alone as well as in a combined form in methotrexate- (MTX-) induced acute liver injury in mice. Male ICR mice of seven groups (7 mice per group) were used. Groups 1 (control group) and 2 (MTX) received 0.9% saline/day (po) for 9 days. Groups 3 and 4 received 100 and 200 mg/kg bw/day omega-3 (po), respectively, for 9 days. Groups 5 and 6 received 100 and 200 mg/kg bw/day vitamin C (po), respectively, for 9 days, while group 7 received omega-3 (100 mg/kg bw/day) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg bw/day) (po) for 9 days. All animals in groups 2 to 7 received 20 mg/kg/day MTX (I.P.) once on the 10th day. Our results revealed that MTX significantly induced the elevation of transaminases, alkaline phosphates (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malonaldehyde (MDA) while depleting the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) when compared to the control group. Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin C significantly attenuated the antioxidants and biochemical alterations in a dose-independent manner. Our molecular docking study of ligand-receptor interaction revealed that both ascorbic acid and omega-3 docked well to the binding cavity of LDH with high binding affinities of –5.20 and –4.50 kcal/mol, respectively. The histopathological features were also improved by treatment with omega-3 and vitamin C. The combined form of omega-3 and vitamin C showed a remarkable improvement in the liver enzymes, oxidative stress biomarkers, and the histopathological architecture of the mice. Conclusively, the combination of omega-3 and vitamin C demonstrated a synergistic therapeutic effect against MTX-intoxicated mice, hence representing a potential novel strategy for the management of drug-induced liver disorders.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of different housing management systems on behavior, blood metabolites and hormonal balance in male dromedaries during the rutting season. Forty-eight adult male dromedaries were stratified in a two by three factorial experiment design, testing effects of social contact (single and group) and movement control (tied, fenced and exercise). During a ten-week experimental period, male dromedaries were filmed weekly for 20 min three times per day to evaluate their behaviors. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum metabolites and hormones. Both animal social contact and movement control significantly affected maintenance, posture and sexual behaviors. Male dromedaries housed in groups expressed higher frequencies of sexual desire-related behaviors (teeth grinding, open legs, tail flapping, dulla “soft palate exteriorization”, blathering and urination) than those individually housed. Animal movement control significantly affected sexual behavior; fenced and exercised male dromedaries expressed higher frequencies of sexual desire-related behaviors than tied ones. Male dromedaries housed in groups and allowed to walk around had significantly higher frequencies of ruminating, standing, walking and sexual-related behaviors than those housed individually or tied. Movement control had significant effects on blood serum metabolites and hormone concentrations. Fenced and exercised male dromedaries had higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of blood serum transaminases, free radicals, glucose, cholesterol and testosterone (2.91 and 2.09 ng/mL, respectively) and lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of cortisol (44.12 and 53.52 nmol/L, respectively) and triiodothyronine (1.68 and 1.91 ng/mL, respectively) than tied male dromedaries. In conclusion, animal social interaction is of particular importance for maintaining physical, psychological and sexual behaviors. Allowing walking-around exercise for captive animals improves their metabolic status and decreases captive stress effects. Housing systems that guarantee social interaction and physical activity are the most suitable housing management systems for captive male dromedaries during the rutting season.