Embryonic toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin (LCH) and the mitigating properties of extra virgin olive oil (EVO) and vitamin E were investigated in golden black variety of chick embryos. Fifty fertilized eggs distributed in 5 groups received their respective group treatments at zero days of incubation were recovered after 14 days of incubation and fixed in fixative for 48 h for further studies. Results showed that treatment with LCH caused embryonic death, growth retardation and developmental abnormalities such as limbic developments, reduced muscular growth, and embryonic cataract. Post treatment with vitamin E and EVO alone significantly improved all these developmental defects. Morphometric readings also showed that embryos treated with combined dose of vitamin E and EVO had more resemblance towards the control group embryo. These findings suggested that the use of vitamin E and EVO together during pregnancy have the potential to curtail these accidental, environmental and work place exposures of LCH.

The aim of the present study was the validation of the already reported Bos taurus SNPs in the Sahiwal breed. A total of nine SNPs of the casein gene were studied. Out of nine, seven Bos taurus SNPs of casein protein genes were found to be significantly associated with milk productivity traits. The genomic DNA was extracted from the mammary alveolar endothelial cells of a flock of 80 purebred Sahiwal lactating dams available at Khizrabad Farm near Sargodha. New allele-specific primers were designed from the NCBI annotated sequence database of Bos taurus to obtain 100 nt-long PCR products. Each dam was tested separately for all the SNPs investigated. Animals with genotype GG for the SNPs rs43703010, rs10500451, and 110323127, respectively, exhibited high milk yield. Similarly, animals with genotype AA for the SNPs rs11079521, rs43703016, and rs43703017 showed high milk yield consistently. For the SNP rs43703015, animals with genotype CC showed high milk productivity. These above-mentioned SNPs have previously been reported to significantly up-regulate casein protein contents in Bos taurus. Our results indicated SNPs that significantly affect the milk protein contents may also significantly increase per capita milk yield. These finding suggest that the above-mentioned reported SNPs can also be used as genetic markers of milk productivity in Sahiwal cattle.

Male infertility has become a global health issue nowadays. Insecticides damage the male reproductive system but can be rescued via the use of medicinal fruit extracts (MFEs). A number of experimental studies have shown that MFEs ameliorate testicular histopathologies induced by environmental (toxin) exposure in albino mice. MFEs show good capacity for testicular rehabilitation because of the presence of phytochemicals, especially phytosterols and natural antioxidants. Additionally, we have recently reported better survival rates and fertilizability of cryopreserved spermatozoa on the fortification of semen extenders with MFEs. On the basis of these findings, it is concluded that chemicals and insecticides are potential disruptors of spermatogenic activity and testicular microarchitecture in vivo, whereas the MFEs have shown excellent rehabilitative potentials in these contexts. Moreover, MFEs have also been shown to contribute to the post -hawed semen quality parameters.

The developmental abnormalities of the in-ovo exposure of Fluoride ions (F-ions) and Bifenthrin (BF) on the embryonic chick eye were investigated. 165 fresh fertilized eggs of zero day and 40–50 g weight were divided into three groups (55 eggs each) on the basis of inter-vitelline treatment of eggs on zero day of study: 1) Control group (CG); 0.1 ml of 5 % DMSO aqueous solution 2),3) Fluoride group (FG), and Bifenthrin group (BFG); 0.01 mg/kg F-ions (from NaF) and 0.01 mg/kg BF in 0.1 ml of 5 % DMSO aqueous solution respectively. After incubation for 14 days at 37 ± 0.5 °C embryos were externalized. Eyes of each embryo were removed for micro-anatomical, micrometric and histopathological studies. The histological sections have shown denser and enlarged marginal mitotic region of the developing eye lenses in FG and BFG. In vertical sections of the eye lenses the nuclei of the crystalline cells in FG and BFG show a highly depressed bow shaped arrangement. Moreover, the nuclei of the core crystalline cells of the lens were apparently smaller in FG and BFG than CG. Out of the six anatomical layers of the retina the nuclear and the plexiform layers were highly enlarged in FG and BFG, similarly the three corneal cell layers (endothelial, parenchymal and epithelial) were enlarged in FG and BFG than CG. The morphometric, histometric and micrometric estimations also show significant variations in FG and BFG than CG. The results indicate subtle developmental anomalies of the eyes attributable to the F-ions and BF exposure indicating their developmental neuro-optic disruption potentials. Results further revealed higher toxicity of BF as compared to F-ions.

Lead (Pb) is a widespread environmental toxicant and potent teratogen known to disrupt embryonic development in various animal models. Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12), a biologically active form of B12, is reported to exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study aimed to assess the teratogenic effects of lead on chick embryos and evaluate the protective role of methylcobalamin. A total of 200 fertilized golden black chick eggs were randomly divided into four groups: control, lead acetate, methylcobalamin, and lead acetate + methylcobalamin. Eggs were treated on day 0 of incubation and maintained for 14 days. Morphological and morphometric parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed post-incubation. Embryos exposed to lead showed significant growth retardation, reduced body weight and crown–rump length, and multiple morphological anomalies, including microcephaly, limb deformities, and exophthalmos. Co-administration of methylcobalamin markedly reduced the severity of these anomalies and improved growth parameters, indicating a protective effect. The findings demonstrate that lead exposure induces notable teratogenic effects in chick embryos and that methylcobalamin effectively ameliorates these developmental abnormalities. This study supports the potential application of methylcobalamin as a protective agent against heavy metal-induced embryo toxicity in avian models.

Environmental contamination through heavy metals poses significant health risks and cause detrimental effects on embryonic development of humans and animals. This study investigates the teratogenic effects induced by lead – one of poisonous heavy metals, and rescuing potential of combined dose of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 in golden black breed of domestic chicken embryos. Experiments were carried out on 200 fertilized eggs. Eggs were weighed and distributed into four groups (50 eggs each). 1. Control group 0.1 mL of patent drinking water 2. Vit-B6 + Vit-B12 combination group 0.05 mL of 0.1 mg/kg vitamin B6 solution + 0.05 mL of 0.1 mg/kg vitamin B12 solution in patent drinking water. 3. Lead acetate group 0.1 mL of 5 mg/kg lead acetate solution in patent drinking water. 4. Lead acetate and Vit-B6 + Vit-B12 combination group 0.1 mL of solution containing 5 mg/kg lead acetate, 0.1 mg/kg vitamin B6 and 0.1 mg/kg vitamin B12 solution in patent drinking water. Recovery of embryos was performed on 14th day of incubation and embryos were preserved for further studies. Significant teratogenic effects were observed in lead treated group compared to control group. Microcephaly, exopthalomus eye, abnormal beak development, skewed spine, reduced neck length and torticollis were observed in lead treated group. Appendicular abnormalities include forelimb and hind limb amelia, meromelia in hind limbs. In some chick embryos agenesis and irregular development of claws was noted. Mortality rate was higher in lead group compared to control group. This study highlights vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 ameliorative effects against lead induced developmental abnormalities in chick embryo.