Effect of natural shading on some adaptive traits of hydrated and dehydrated ewes during breeding under semi-arid conditions

This study aimed at testing the relief effects of trees shadow, as a low cost accommodation, on both hydrated and dehydrated ewes during breeding in the hot months of summer. Fifty-two crossbred Barki x Merino ewes, raised in Western Coastal Desert of Egypt, were divided into two groups, one kept under trees and the other exposed to sun. Each group was divided into two sub-groups, one of them was intermittently watered every four days and the other watered daily. The adaptive responses of ewes, in terms of changes in some hematological parameters and body fluids, were examined for 2.5 months where ewes were in early embryonic stage

Seasonal rhythms of cutaneous and respiratory water losses as mechanisms for thermoregulation by desert sheep and goats

The present work was initiated to examine the seasonal rates of evaporative water loss [through skin and respiration] on 5 adult Barki rams and 5 bucks in relation to body temperature regulation. From this study it appears that sheep and goats are able to cope with diverse thermal conditions maintaining a heat balance over the whole year. The two species possess both cutaneous and pulmonary evaporative cooling mechanisms. Due to the different nature of body coat and size, sheep may have to use more physiological evaporative activities, while goats presumably depend on physical means of heat exchange for thermoregulations

Effect of prolonged drinking saline water on the blood picture of growing lambs

Twenty-four male Barki lambs, at an average 10.4 +/- 0.1 months of age and 26.0 +/- 0.8 kg body weight, were equally divided into two groups, one of which was used as a control [fresh-water treated] group while the other one was used as a saline [13.1 g/TDS] treated group. Drinking saline water was prepared by daily dilution of sea water [39.3 g/TDS]. The experiment extended from December 1992 to September 1994 [21 months]. Anticoagulated blood samples were collected pretreatment [zero-time], thereafter, at monthly intervals for six months and every three months during the rest period of treatment. The results reflected that successive growth of fresh-water treated lambs was accompanied by a tendency of increasing in red blood cells [RBCs], segmented neutrophils [SN], eosinophils [EOS], basophils [BAS] and lymphocytes [LYM] counts. Packed cells volume [PCV] and hemoglobin concentration [HB] showed the same trend by advancing age. However, monocytes [Mon] counts showed a reverse trend where it tended to decline by advancing age

Growth and nutritional status of rural preschool children in El-Minia governorate

The study included 744 rural preschool children 1-71 months of age. All studied children were subjected to full history, clinical examination, and anthropometric measurements. Children were both lighter and shorter than children of similar ages studied in Assiut, Lower Egypt, some developing countries as well as developed countries. The weight, height, and head circumference of males were not significantly different than those of females. The prevalence of malnutrition [weight for age] was 72.2%, the highest prevalence was in the age group 6-23 months [83.7%]. The prevalence of wasting was 31.6% and the highest prevalence was in the age group 6-23 months [62%]. The prevalence of stunting was 76.5% and the highest prevalence was among children aged 24-35 months [87.4%]. Low socioeconomic status, increased birth order, recurrent diarrhea, and non-breast feeding were high risk factors for prevalence of malnutrition among the rural preschool children