Biochemical studies on ionic homeostasis in diabetic and insulin-treated albino rats [with 2 tables]

In the present study, copper, magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium homeostasis as well as blood glucose and liver glycogen were investigated in untreated and treated diabetic rats. The ionic alterations in plasma and liver were concomittant with those fluctuations occurring in blood glucose and liver glycogen through all the periods of investigation. In treated rats, insulin injection was able to maintain, for a large extent, the ionic homeostasis. It seems that the endocrine imbalance was responsible for the alterations in both transport and metabolism of those ions. Also, it is possible that alterations in plasma and tissue levels of those ions may contribute to the development of liver complication

Effect of rifampicin as enzyme-inducing agent on some fertility parameters of male ablino rats

The effect of rifampicin " as enzyme-inducing agent " at intraperitoneal dose [25 mg/kg body wt.] for 3 successive months on plasma testosterone level and some seminal parameters were studied in adult male rats. Plasma testosterone concentration was significantly increased at the end of the 1[st] 2[nd] and 3[rd] month of rifampicin administration. An improvement in sperm cell concentration and sperm motility% were also recorded. The results of the present study indicate that rifampicin "as enzyme-inducing agent" may have an improvemental effect on some male fertility parameters which might be due to induction of testosterone biosynthesis and/or an increase in sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG] level

Anti-sperm antibodies and seminal characteristics in dogs with testicular biopsy and epididymal aspiration

This study was done to examine the effect of two diagnostic procedures, testicular biopsy and epididymal aspiration, on the production of sperm bound antisperm antibodies [ASA] and semen parameters. The assessment of auto-antisperm antibodies was performed by the fluorescence activated cell sorting [FACS] machine after preincubation of sperm cells with labeled anti-dog IgG. The results showed that ASA was detected on the sperm cells 15-22 days after biopsy and 47 days after HC in a dog with EA. The production of ASA was seen only in treated dog. It was concluded that both procedures led to production of auto-antisperm antibodies on the sperm cells of treated dogs which might affect male fertility even for a period of time. Thus, monitoring and following up of male fertility after performing such procedures should be taken in consideration

Effect of flunixin meglumine on fertility of male rats

The effect of flunixin meglumine [FM] in doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg b. wt. on reproduction in rats were studied. The tested doses were given daily intramuscularly to male rats for 65 days. Sex organs weights, anal semen picture, testosterone, FSH and LH hormone levels as well as mating performance were the criteria used to evaluate the reproductive efficiency of treated rats. Prolonged i.m. administration of FM for 65 days to male rats, significantly decreased the weights of most genital organs, sperm cell concentration, sperm motility and live sperm% associated with an increase in the percentages of dead and morphological abnormal spermatozoa of treated rats. A decrease in plasma testosterone level and increase in plasma LH and FSH levels was observed in the treated groups. Administration of the tested drug to male rats decreased their ability to mate females. Moreover, the number of viable feti in some pregnant rats was significantly decreased as compared with that of controls

Changes in hemostatic mechanism of broiler chickens in response to overcrowdness

The present investigation was done to study the effect of overcrowdness as a stress factor on the hemostatic mechanism in broiler chickens. Birds were allocated into 2 groups. The first group acted as control [100 baby chicks/m 2] and the second was crowded group [200 baby chicks/m 2]. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture from birds of both groups every week for 7 successive weeks. Some blood coagulation parameters were determined including prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT], activities of clotting factor 8 and 9, fibrinogen concentration and platelet count. The results revealed that no changes in the tested blood coagulation parameters were recorded during the first three weeks of experiment except a significant increase in the platelet count that occurred between the 2nd and 5th weeks of the experimental period. No changes were recorded in PT all over the experimental period. Activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen concentration were significantly decreased from the 4th and 5th weeks till the end of the experimental period, respectively. Activities of clotting factors 8 and 9 were significantly increased from the 4th week till the end of the experiment. So, it is clear that overcrowdness may affect the hemostatic mechanism of broilers in the form of enhanced intrinsic blood coagulation pathway that detected after the first three weeks of life. This may lead to intravascular coagulation that considered as a possible cause of increased mortality in stressed chickens

Effect of Coloured light environments on some behavioral patterns, physiological aspects and performance of broilers

The present investigation was done to study the effect of different coloured light environments on some behavioural patterns, physiological aspects and performance. Thus 64 one day old chicks were divided randomly in to four groups exposed to different coloured light environments [yellow, red, blue and white]. The results revealed that: 1- the red, blue and white coloured environments were the suitable media for the proper performance during the first 3 weeks of the rearing period, respectively. 2- The yellow colour environment was the most comfortable medium during the last four weeks of the rearing period of chickens that reflected positively on the ethology, physiology and performance of the birds

Some physiological studies on the blood cellular elements of camel with reference to certain immunological properties of lymphocytes

The present study was planned to clarify some blood parameters of camels including erythrocyte count, haemoglobin estimation. ESR, total and differential leucocytic count. The effects of age and seasons [summer and winter] on these values were recorded. In addition some of the immunological properties of lymphcytes were also studied including separation of lymphocytes, preparation of antilymphocyte serum and detection of the prepared anti-lymphocytic serum either by studying their effect on human erythrocyte sedimentation rate or by using agglutination test against camel, human or sheep blood. The results revealed that: 1. The RBCs count increased proportional to age and it was higher in winter than in summer. This was clear at old ages [more than 2.5 years old]. Band cells percentage was higher in summer than in winter and it was clear in ages between 2-5 years old. Other blood parameters showed no significant changes. 2. The ESR of human blood showed no significant change except after incubation of the human blood at 33 C/3 hrs, it was significantly decreased after 24 hrs. 3. Agglutination test of anti-camel lymphocyte serum using camel, human or sheep lymphocytes revealed clear positive results. In conclusion, it is clear that there is compatability of camel anti-lymphocyte to the human lymphocytes. This gives us the clear light to proceed this work and open the gate for the use of camel lymphocytes when tissues and organs implantation are required