Background: Embryo production in vitro requires three steps: in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC). The first step in the in vitro maturation of oocytes is germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), followed by completion of the 1st meiotic division and formation of the 1st polar body. These parameters are critical during ovary and oocyte selection. This study aimed to evaluate bovine ovary and oocyte collection for IVM. Methods: Ovaries collected from cows in a 0.9% NaCl saline solution at the central slaughterhouse were divided into two normal and abnormal ovaries according to their morphological appearance. The morphometric dimensions of bovine ovaries, such as weight and deamination (length, width and volume), were recorded. The oocyte was extruded and its deamination occurred before and after culture in maturation medium. Result: The mean ovary weight, volume, length and width were not significantly different between the two ovary types. Additionally, the dominant and subordinate follicle diameters in both ovary types showed no significant differences. Furthermore, the oocyte number per ovary of the normal and abnormal oocytes showed no significant differences. The mean cumulus oocyte complex before maturation showed no significant difference (52.73±7.23 mm for the normal ovary vs. 43.015±5.41 mm for the abnormal ovary). However, after maturation, a highly significant difference was found (P less than 0.001) between the normal ovaries before and after maturation (178.10±15.36 µm) and abnormal ovaries (10.45±7.99 µm). Additionally, data analysis of oocytes with or without 1st polar bodies revealed a highly significant difference (P less than 0.001) between oocytes of the normal ovary with (32.15±4.19) and without (10.95±1.59) 1st polar bodies and oocytes of the abnormal ovary with (7.0±078) and without 1st polar bodies (3.3±0.32). Thus, the critical point at which the normal ovary produces better in vitro matured follicles with good oocyte quality and produces the 1st polar body determines developmental competence. Therefore, the best selection of normal ovaries will enhance in vitro maturation for subsequent experiments, such as in vitro fertilization or cloning and in vitro embryo development.

The provision of plentiful good-quality food is a primary issue in the modern world. This work was planned to study the influence of packaging atmosphere and oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil addition [(vacuum packaging: T1 or modified atmosphere packaging or T2 (CO₂/N₂ = 4:6) or T3, T2 with oregano essential oil (T2 + EO)] under various storage temperatures (0, 5, 10, and 15 °C) on the control of survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and associated spoilage flora in sliced smoked turkey meat. The pathogen increased by only <1.0 log colony-forming unit (CFU)/g under all packaging and temperature combinations. Moreover, T1, T2, and T3 exerted practically similar inhibitory activity against the pathogen and dominating bacteria, with a relatively low growth of E. coli O157:H7 in sliced smoked turkey during the shelf life under all storage regimes compared to the control. However, the pathogen survival was highest on the sliced smoked turkey under T1, decreasing by only 0.67, 0.74, 0.63, and 1.30 log CFU/g within 37 days if kept at 0, 5, 10, and 15 °C, respectively. Under T2 and the same condition, E. coli O157:H7 in the product declined by only 0.31, 0.50, 0.72, and 1.10 log CFU/g within 37 days of storage, respectively. In the T3 samples, the pathogen was reduced by only 0.33, 0.67, 1.72, and 3.46 log CFU/g through 37 days of storage, respectively. Under T3 were E. coli O157:H7 populations in smoked turkey eliminated (negative by enrichment) under all conditions (after 129, 95, 95, and 43 days maintained at 0, 5, 10, and 15 °C, respectively) compared with other packaging temperature combinations. Thus, T3 contributed to developing ready-to-eat smoked turkey with enhanced product quality and eliminating the pathogen.

Purpose: To evaluate the utilization of diagnostic tools such as the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and milk pH and colour assessments for detecting subclinical mastitis (SCM). Method: A total of 60 milk samples were collected from 60 apparently healthy local dairy cows in Dhamar City, Yemen, to investigate the incidence of SCM. The samples were subjected to California Mastitis Test (CMT) as well as tests for pH and colour. Results: According to CMT results, 45 % of the cows had SCM. The rate of prevalence in (+), (++) and (+++) CMT results was 17 (28 %), 7 (12 %) and 3 (5 %), respectively. In terms of milk pH, 27 (45 %) of the samples had a pH between 6.6 and 6.8, indicating no signs of SCM. However, 20 (33 %) of the samples exhibited a pH < 6.6, reflecting increased acidity, while 13 (22 %) had a pH > 6.8, indicating alkaline milk, a marker of severe inflammation and tissue damage. The assessment of milk colour showed that 34 (57 %) of the samples had normal white milk, indicating no mastitis, while 17 (28 %) were yellow, suggesting mild to moderate inflammation or infection. Finally, 9 (15 %) of the samples were pink, indicating the presence of blood and severe inflammation with udder damage. Conclusion: These findings underscore the reliability of CMT, pH and milk colour assessments as effective diagnostic tools for detecting SCM in dairy cows, thus providing valuable insights for early intervention and management strategies.

Cloning, commonly referred to as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), is the technique of enucleating an oocyte and injecting a somatic cell into it. This study was carried out with interspecific SCNT technology to clone the Arabian Oryx utilizing the oryx’s fibroblast cells and transfer it to the enucleated oocytes of a domestic cow. The recipient oocytes were extracted from the cows that had been butchered. Oryx somatic nuclei were introduced into cow oocytes to produce embryonic cells. The study was conducted on three groups, Oryx interspecific somatic cell nuclear transfer into enucleated oocytes of domestic cows, cow SCNT “the same bovine family species”, used as a control group, and in vitro fertilized (IVF) cows to verify all media used in this work. The rates of different embryo developmental stages varied slightly (from 1- cell to morula stage). Additionally, the oryx interspecies Somatic cell nuclear transfer blastocyst developmental rate (9.23%) was comparable to that of cow SCNT (8.33%). While the blastula stage rate of the (IVF) cow embryos exhibited a higher cleavage rate (42%) in the embryo development stage. The results of this study enhanced domestic cow oocytes’ ability to support interspecific SCNT cloned oryx, and generate a viable embryo that can advance to the blastula stage.

Background: It has become important to provide advice and education to herbal remedies users to increase evidence-based awareness of their potential side effects. This research explores the side effects of the Ziziphus spina-christi (ZSC) aqueous extract on biochemical indicators and histopathological changes of the liver, kidneys of female rats. Methods: Fifteen female rats (five in each group) were orally administrated with the extract of ZSC at dosages of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg bw/day for 14 days. Five other females were considered a control group, given only water. Clinical observations of toxicity were recorded during fifteen days. The biochemical biomarkers of liver (ALT and ALP enzymes) and kidneys (creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen) were evaluated in blood serum. Result: In addition, the histopathological alterations in organs were evaluated. The results did not show any clear toxicity on the animal’s weight or body organs. The alkaline phosphatase was elevated in female rats who received 50 mg and 100 mg of ZSC aqueous extract in comparison with the control group. The results did not show any significant changes in the serum glucose, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase levels in female rats who received ZSC extract for 14 days. In conclusion, the results showed indications of side effects of the ZSC extract on liver enzymes after treating female rats with ZSC extract for 14 days.

Background: This study evaluates the efficacy of large animal feed as an economical alternative to standard laboratory rodent diets in Wistar rats, with a focus on body weight, feed and water intake and reproductive health outcomes. Methods: Three groups were observed over four weeks: 1st a control group on standard rodent diets feed) C), 2nd T1 group on large animal feed and 3rd T2 group on large animal feed supplemented with raisins. Result: Body weight analysis showed that standard feed (C) supported higher overall weight gain, while T1 promoted elevated feed and water consumption, indicating its adequacy in maintaining growth. Interestingly, the addition of raisins (T2) led to decreased feed and water intake compared to T1, suggesting potential satiety or palatability effects. The sperm analysis assessments revealed that T2 enhanced sperm motility, particularly in rapid and progressive velocity, which may benefit reproductive efficiency. These findings underscore the potential of large animal feed, supplemented with raisins, to maintain essential physiological parameters, providing a viable alternative for certain laboratory settings.