Prof. Dr. Mohamed Sabry Medan

SCVMJ, XX(1): 117-133.

SCVMJ

This study was carried out to monitor serum cortisol level in pregnant ewes and comparing it with the non-pregnant values under field condition. Also, cortisol levels were monitored in single-fetus bearing and twin-fetus bearing ewes. This study was carried out during the breeding season on 31 pregnant and 5 non-pregnant ewes. Pregnancy and fetal numbers were determined through trans rectal ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected every two weeks starting at day 30 of pregnancy until day 135 of pregnancy. Blood samples were collected in parallel from non-pregnant ewes as a control group. Cortisol was measured using ELISA. The results showed that serum cortisol levels increased gradually in pregnant ewes until day 90 of pregnancy reaching the highest level at day 135. Serum cortisol level was 4.26 ± 0.16 ng/ml at day 135 of pregnancy, while its level in non-pregnant ewes was 1.85 ± 0.15 ng/ml. Cortisol level was little bit higher in primiparous than pluriparous ewes, however, the difference was not significant. Regarding the effect of fetal number on cortisol level, twin-fetus bearing primiparous ewes had the significantly highest level. In addition, twin-fetus pulriparous ewes had a higher cortisol level than single-fetus bearing ewes. In conclusion, cortisol level increased gradually during pregnancy until day 90 reaching the highest level at day 135 of pregnancy. In addition, cortisol level was significantly higher in twin-fetus bearing ewes than single-fetus bearing ewes. This indicates that twinning increases stress on the pregnant ewes specially in primipara which need more care and attention. (Suez Canal Vet. Med. Journal, 2015; XX(1): 117-133) .

American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences 2014, 9 (4): 211-216

American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

The objective of the present study was to treat ovarian inactivity in mares during the breeding season by using three protocols. Mares (n = 52) kept under field condition in the Green Mountain area, north of Libya were examined transrectally by ultrasound during the breeding season. They were assigned to have inactive ovaries which was confirmed by measuring serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations. Mares were treated with either PMSG/hCG (n = 32), PMSG alone (n = 10) or GnRH (n = 10). Estrus was detected by stallions and mares in estrus were allowed to be mated two times 2 days apart and examined for pregnancy by ultrasound one month later. The results showed that in the PMSG/hCG group, 19 (59.4%) mares out of 32 exhibited estrus, while 6 (60%) and 5 (50%) mares out of 10 exhibited estrus in PMSG and GnRH groups, respectively. Also the results showed that 16 mares (50.0%) ovulated in PMSG/hCG group compared with 4 mares (40.0%) in GnRH group. However, there was no ovulation in PMSG group. Conception rate was 37.0 and 30.0% in PMSG/hCG and GnRH groups, respectively. Hormonal analysis showed that estradiol and progesterone concentrations were basal at start of treatment. Thereafter, estradiol concentration increased dramatically during estrus in all treated groups. Moreover, progesterone concentration increased 10 days post-mating in PMSG/hCG and GnRH groups while still low in PMSG group. Finally, we conclude that PMSG/hCG and GnRH can be used to treat ovarian inactivity in mares and induce follicular growth and ovulation. On the other hand, we cannot recommend PMSG alone to treat ovarian inactivity in mares.

Res Vet Sci 2013 Oct 17;95(2):374-80. Epub 2013 Apr 17.

Division of Biochemistry and Food Science, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP 243122, India.

SCVMJ. 2012, 17(2): 129-138

SCVMJ

The effects of vitamin E & selenium were evaluated on 27 heat-stressed New Zealand white rabbits. After induction of heat stress, rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (9 rabbits of each). The first group (control group) did not receive any supplementation of vitamin E or selenium. The second group was injected subcutaneously with 0.2 ml (5.05 mg) vitamin E & selenium per animal weekly. The third group was injected subcutaneously with 0.4 ml (10.10 mg) vitamin E & selenium per animal weekly. Heat stress was induced through exposure of all groups to a temperature of 35 °C daily for 6 hours and continued for 35 days. Rectal and skin temperatures were recorded 1 hour before and at the end of heat stress. Blood samples were collected from the ear vein into heparinized vacutainer tubes and plasma was separated for estimation of glucose, urea, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, albumin and globulin. The rectal and skin temperatures increased significantly (P<0.05) after induction of heat stress. The results showed that supplementation of vitamin E & selenium complex decreased both rectal and skin temperatures in heat-stressed rabbits. Plasma glucose and cholesterol were significantly higher in all treated groups compared to control group. Regarding the effect of vitamin E & selenium dose, there was no significant difference between the two treated groups. From these results we can conclude that vitamin E & selenium complex could be used to alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress in rabbits.

J Reprod Dev 2009 Oct 14;55(5):523-8. Epub 2009 Jul 14.

Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

J Reprod Dev 2008 Feb 18;54(1):84-9. Epub 2007 Dec 18.

Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Endocrine 2006 Oct;30(2):151-60

Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.

J Vet Med Sci 2006 Oct;68(10):1069-74

Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

J Reprod Dev 2006 Aug 12;52(4):503-10. Epub 2006 May 12.

Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, China.

J Reprod Dev 2006 Aug 7;52(4):543-50. Epub 2006 Jun 7.

Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.

J Reprod Dev 2006 Apr 16;52(2):219-28. Epub 2006 Jan 16.

Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Japan.

Endocrine 2006 Apr;29(2):345-50

Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.

Theriogenology 2006 Mar 15;65(4):691-702. Epub 2005 Jul 15.

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

J Reprod Dev 2006 Feb 18;52(1):107-13. Epub 2005 Nov 18.

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan.

Endocrine 2005 Nov;28(2):171-9

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, 72205-7199, USA.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Oct 21;51(5):559-66. Epub 2005 Jul 21.

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan.

Exp Anim 2005 Oct;54(5):451-4

Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.

Gen Comp Endocrinol 2005 Sep 8;143(2):161-7. Epub 2005 Apr 8.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Aug;51(4):455-63

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Aug;51(4):521-6

Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, China.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Jun 22;51(3):299-304. Epub 2005 Feb 22.

Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, China.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Jun 28;51(3):399-404. Epub 2005 Feb 28.

Department of Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Japan.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Jun 11;51(3):341-6. Epub 2005 Mar 11.

Embryo Transfer Center, Hokkaido, Japan.

Endocrine 2005 Jun;27(1):75-81

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Jun 11;51(3):353-8. Epub 2005 Mar 11.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205-7199, USA.

J Reprod Dev 2005 Apr 7;51(2):247-52. Epub 2005 Feb 7.

Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, BeiJing Forestry University, China.

J Reprod Dev 2004 Dec;50(6):705-10

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

Reproduction 2004 Oct;128(4):475-82

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

Endocrine 2004 Oct;25(1):7-14

Labortory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

Domest Anim Endocrinol 2004 Aug;27(2):115-24

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, 183-8509, Japan.

Endocrine 2004 Jul;24(2):115-9

Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

Biol Reprod 2004 Jul 17;71(1):236-43. Epub 2004 Mar 17.

Biol. Reprod.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of passive immunoneutralization of endogenous inhibin on ovulation rate and embryo development in vivo and in vitro to establish a new alternative superovulation method in the adult rat. Female adult rats of Wistar strain were superovulated with a single injection of inhibin antiserum (inhibin-AS; 100 or 400 microl) or an injection of 20 IU eCG followed by an injection of 10 IU hCG. Untreated animals served as controls. Embryos were collected from oviducts or uteri on Days 1-5 of pregnancy, and the number of embryos and implantation sites were observed. On Day 1 of pregnancy, the two-cell-stage embryos were cultured and embryos from the 100-microl inhibin-AS group and the control group were transferred to recipient females to determine developmental competence. There were no significant differences between groups in fertilization rate. The numbers of normal embryos in the inhibin-AS-treated groups were significantly higher than the control and the eCG-hCG-treated groups throughout Days 1-4 of pregnancy. The number of implantation sites observed on Day 5 of pregnancy in the inhibin-AS-treated groups was significantly higher than both the control and the eCG-hCG-treated groups. Furthermore, the rate of blastocyst development in vitro in the inhibin-AS-treated groups and posttransfer viability in the 100-microl-inhibin-AS group were comparable with those of the control group. These results indicate that immunoneutralization of endogenous inhibin is a new practical alternative for induction of superovulation as a substitution for eCG-hCG method in the adult rat.

Biol Reprod 2003 Jul 5;69(1):57-63. Epub 2003 Feb 5.

Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Reproduction 2003 May;125(5):751-7

Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

J Endocrinol 2003 May;177(2):287-94

J. Endocrinol.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of active immunization against inhibin on hormonal levels and the ovulation rate in goats. Ten adult Shiba goats (Capra hircus) in two groups were used in this study. The first group was injected with inhibin vaccine (immunized, n=5) and the second group was injected with Freund's adjuvant (control, n=5) followed by three booster injections at 4-week intervals. After the third booster injection, three consecutive periods of oestrus were induced using prostaglandin F(2alpha) at intervals of 11 days. Blood samples were collected at 2-6 h intervals and the ovaries were monitored using B-mode ultrasonography. All inhibin-immunized goats generated antibodies that bound (125)I-labelled bovine inhibin and their FSH concentrations were significantly higher than corresponding values in the control group. Also, inhibin-immunized goats had significantly higher preovulatory oestradiol-17beta (P<0.01) and higher concentrations of progesterone in the luteal phase (P<0.05). Immunization of goats against inhibin resulted in a significant (P<0.01) increase in ovulation rate (control: 1.7+/-0.3 vs immunized: 7.6+/-1.1). These results demonstrate that active immunization against inhibin enhances ovarian follicular development and ovulation rate by promoting an increase in pituitary FSH secretion. Therefore, immunization against inhibin may be a useful alternative to the conventional approach of superovulation in goats.

J Vet Med Sci 2002 Jan;64(1):83-5

Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Open Veterinary Journal

The objectives of the present study were to determine the time of uterine involution and ovarian activity using ultrasound examination and progesterone assay. Weekly progesterone levels were measured starting one week postpartum until two weeks after the 1st postpartum estrus in Barbary ewes lambed during winter in AL-Bayda city, north of Libya. A total of 15 Barbary ewes were used in the present study distributed in three groups according to the month of lambing as group1 (lambed in January), group2 (lambed in February) and group3 (lambed in March). Ewes were examined weekly by trans-rectal ultrasound to check involution of the uterus starting one week after lambing until complete uterine involution. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein, serum was separated and stored at ˗20 ºC until measuring progesterone using ELISA. The results showed that uterine involution completed at day 35 postpartum in groups 1 and 2, while it occurred at day 28 in group 3. Also, the results showed that the mean progesterone level was basal (less than 1ng/ml) for a long period and started to increase at days 119, 99 and 77 postpartum in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. One ewe did not show estrus at all during the period of study in group2 and there were no growing follicles on their ovaries. The obtained results indicate that, uterine involution as determined by ultrasound completed earlier in ewes lambed in March than those lambed in February or January. Also, progesterone level and ultrasound examination showed that there was no ovarian activity for a longtime after parturition indicating that reproduction in Barbary ewes tends to be seasonal in AL-Bayda city, north Libya.

Agricultural Research Journal; Suez Canal University

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography for determination of the fetal gender and also to study the effect of fetal gender on the maternal serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and iron. Twenty four cyclic ewes were used in the present study. Estrus was detected two times daily at the morning and evening and the ewes detected in estrus were mated with fertile rams 3 times 12 hours interval. Blood samples were collected from each ewe on the day of mating and every 15 days until lambing or 150 days after mating for determination of calcium, phosphorus and iron. For detection of fetal gender, ultrasonographic examinations were performed transrectally or transabdominally using a real-time B-mode scanner equipped with a multiple-frequency (5, 7.5 or 10 MHz) transducer. Ultrasonographic examinations confirmed pregnancy of all ewes at day 30 post-mating and then all ewes examined two times weekly until taking decision of fetal gender type. The results showed that ultrasonography is a reliable method for pregnancy diagnosis in ewes with accuracy 100% at day 30 post-mating. Fetal gender identification was possible at day 50.95 post-mating with accuracy 92.3% for males and 87.5% for females. There were no significant effects of fetal gender on blood (calcium, phosphorus and iron) levels. On the other hand, there was a significant (P≤0.01) drop in calcium level from mid- to late gestation, and a significant elevation (P≤0.05) in iron level during the last month of gestation.In conclusion, trans-rectal or trans-abdominal B-mode ultrasonography was efficient in pregnancy diagnosis and determination of fetal gender in ewes. There was no obvious effect of fetal gender on the maternal serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and iron.

Journal of Advanced Research

Ultrasound techniques are becoming increasingly important in animal reproduction, offering both a mean of diagnosis and a useful therapeutic tool. Accordingly, understanding the use of ultrasound technology is critical in contemporary animal sciences, since ultrasound examinations are now a routine component of diagnostic workups in reproduction. Ultrasound technology offers the assessment of pregnancy status and foetal viability early post breeding in order to identify animals that fail to conceive, improving reproductive efficiency; early identification of animals carrying twin foetuses, allowing for the implementation of differential management strategies to avoid the negative effects of twinning on general health of the mother animal and also at parturition; and the visualisation of ovarian and uterine pathologies not accurately detected via rectal palpation, allowing appropriate therapies to be implemented. In addition, determination of foetal sex in utero can be done by ultrasonography. The new information that has been generated through ultrasound has thrown light on therapeutic uses, thereby opening up new areas for research. Moreover, ultrasound-guided interventional techniques can be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. In this review, advances and applications of ultrasonography in domestic animal reproduction are reviewed.