Background and Aim Prophylaxis and disease prevention is an essential strategy among biorisk management in poultry farms that stimulate and maintain the birds' immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic, and immune-stimulant influence of Nigella sativa Linn. in broilers under biological stress. Materials and Methods A total of 250 1-day-old (ross) chicks were divided into 5 groups; four of which were supplemented with 1.4%, 2.8%, 4.2%, and 5.6% N. sativa Linn., respectively. The four supplemented groups were challenged with Escherichia coli O157:H7 1.5×108 at a 14th day old. A total of 1050 samples (150 serum, 150 swab, and 750 organ samples) were collected and examined. Results A highly significant increase (p<0.01) in 5.6% N. sativa Linn. supplemented group in performance traits (body weight, weight gain, and performance index), biochemical parameters (proteinogram, liver enzymes, and creatinine), immunoglobulins concentration, and immune organs' weight. Meanwile, liver showed improvement of histoarchitecture without fibrosis. Heart showed a mild pericarditis with a mild degree of hydropic degeneration. Bursa, thymus, and spleen showed lymphoid hyperplasia. Conclusion A concentration of 5.6% N. sativa Linn. in broiler's feed can improve the immune response and subsequent resistance of broilers against diseases.

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Prophylactic and immune modulatory influences of Nigella sativa Linn. in broilers exposed to biological challenge.

The risk factors and impact of retained fetal membranes (RFM) on productive and reproductive performance of crossbred cattle, Zebu cattle, and Murrah buffalos were evaluated using data spread over 12 years. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors and to quantify their odds ratio (OR). Overall incidence of RFM in crossbred cattle, Zebu cattle, and Murrah buffalos were 26, 16, and 13 %, respectively; and significant risk factors for RFM in crossbred cattle were abortion (OR = 3.9), dead calf (OR = 4.1), dystocia (OR = 4.3), pluriparity (OR = 1.5), and shorter gestation length (OR = 4.3). In Zebu cattle, abortion (OR = 4.0), dead calf (OR = 3.7), dystocia (OR = 3.9), lower birth weight of calf (OR = 1.6), and shorter gestation length (OR = 6.4) were significant risk factors for RFM. In Murrah buffalos, abortion (OR = 19.2), dead calf (OR = 4.4), dystocia (OR = 4.7), pluriparity (OR = 1.7), shorter gestation length (OR = 12.7), and calving during summer season (OR = 1.8) were the risk factors for RFM. Although the occurrence of RFM did not affect fertility parameters, a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in 305-day milk yield and total milk yield was observed in RFM-affected crossbred cattle. Taken together, it may be concluded that increased parity, abnormal calving, and short gestation length were the main risk factors for RFM in dairy bovine.

Risk factors and impact of retained fetal membranes on performance of dairy bovines reared under subtropical conditions

Retained placenta is an economically important reproductive disorder which occurs at the end of the reproductive cycle and has repercussions on the next. The study was conducted a total 1205 dairy cows from 9 upazila and 4 Metro Thana of Rajshahi during the period from July 2010 to June 2011. To evaluate the incidence of retained placenta in relation to breed, age, parity and body condition score of dairy cows. A questionnaire was prepared including information viz. name and address of farmer, breed, age; parity and body condition score for achievement of the study. The overall prevalence of retained placenta was 13.4%. The influencing factors including breed, age, parity, body condition score had significant effect (P 3 years age, 1st parity and fair body condition group of cows, respectively. From this study, it might be concluded that local breed, ? 3 years but less than 5 years age group, 3rd parity had least risk for retained placenta. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i1.10878 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(1): 15-20

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Incidence of Retained Placenta in Relation with Breed, Age, Parity and Body Condition Score of Dairy cows

Background: The aim of this study was investigation of the effects of Nigella sativa (NS) seeds on hypothyroid pregnant rats and their progenies. Materials and Methods: Hypothyroidism was induced by propylthiouracil (PTU) 0.03% in drinking water. Female rats were divided into seven groups: control, PTU, PTU-NS (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and NS (100 and 400 mg/kg). All treatments were done 20 days before mating and during pregnancy. The weight of rat dams and progenies, number of progenies and serum T4, estradiol and prolactin (PRL) levels in rat dams were measured for all groups. Results: Serum T4 in all PTU-NS groups before mating was significantly increased versus PTU group. Body weight of rat dams before mating in all groups of PTU-NS was increased versus PTU group by P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively and in NS 100 and NS 400 was increased versus control group (P < 0.001). The number of offspring was significantly decreased in PTU and PTU-NS versus control group. The weight of progenies in NS 400 was higher than control group (P < 0.001) and was increased in PTU-NS 200 and PTU-NS 400 versus PTU group by P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively. Serum PRL level in rat dams in control, PTU, and PTU-NS groups were not statistically different between groups but significantly increased in NS 400 group when compared to control group. Estradiol levels were not significantly different in rat dams at 5 days after delivery. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that feeding of rat dams with NS extract before mating has positive protective effects on progenies. These effects may be due to antioxidant properties of NS in reducing oxidative stress and thyroid damages induced by PTU.

The Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Nigella sativa Seeds on Serum Estradiol and Prolactin Levels and obstetric Criteria due to Hypothyroidism in Rat.

An ethnopharmacological survey was carried out among 224 informants to collect the information on medicinal plants used for the traditional treatment of female infertility in the Fes, Meknes and Boulemane region. In total, 63 plant species belonging to 29 families were used against female infertility. The most frequently cited plants were Lavandula officinalis (26.33%), Mentha pulegium (13.83%), Mentha suaveolens (11.16%), Rosmarinus officinalis (10.71%) and Petroselinum sativum (8.03%). Furthermore, the present study represents a useful documentation for the preservation of this knowledge about medicinal plants and for the amelioration of women reproductive health.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Traditional Treatment of Female Infertility in Fez Region, Morocco

The study was conducted on 76 Friesian-Holstein cows suffered from RFM, that presented in Al- Fayha station out of 822 cows. The cows included in this study aged 3-7 years and calved 1-5 times. The cows were divided into four groups; the 1 st group (20 cows) treated with PGF 2� 22.5mg/ i.m., the 2 nd group (20 cows) treated with oxytocine 50 I.U/i.m. plus Estradiol Benzoate 4mg/ i.m., the 3 rd group (16 cows) treated by manual removal with antibiotic therapy (oxytetracyclin 20mg/kg/ B. W), the 4 th group (20 cows) received no treatment and serve as a control group. The results showed that the incidence of RFM was 9.2%. RFM were more likely to occur following; male calving, calf death, abortion and dystocia. The incidence of RFM was greatly affected by the age of animal, number of calving and season. The results of treatments showed that injection of PGF 2� was more effective in treatment of RFM in comparison with the other regimen of treatments that used in this study.

Retained fetal membranes in Friesian-Holstein cows and effect of some treatment methods

Objectives The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa on hormone reproduction and thyroid function in female rats. Methods Twelve females rats were used and divided randomly into two groups (6 animals for each) first group served as treatment and gave Nigella sativa oil (1ml /kg BW/day ) orally according to body weight for a period of 30 consecutive days. While other group drenched with normal saline at same dose that above mentioned and served as control. Results The result revealed significant increase in levels of LH, Estrogen T3 and T4 and significant decrease in level of TSH. Histological sections of thyroid gland revealed presence vaculation in colloid of thyroid follicle. Conclusion In conclusion, the Nigella sativa oil caused the elevation of thyroid hormones as well as LH and estrogen but still within normal value.

http://www.jocms.org/index.php/jcms/article/download/75/50

Study the effect of Nigella Sativa on thyroid function and reproductive hormone of female rat

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of swim-up and glass wool as sperm separation techniques with adding vitamin E and superoxide dismutase (SOD) to Tris extender on improving some post-cryopreserved semen quality for Holstein bulls. Low and good of semen were extended using Tris extender. Good semen quality (GSQ) was divided into 3 groups (L1; Tris extender, L2; 2 mM vitamin E, L3; 200 IU SOD) Low semen quality (LSQ) was divided into two main groups, and subdivided into 3 sub-groups (L4; Tris extender, L5; 2 mM vitamin E, L6; 200 IU SOD). In the second main group, swim-up and glass wool techniques were used with adding vitamin E and SOD and subdivided into 3 sub-groups with each technique, and referred to L7, L8 and L9 for swim-up technique and L10, L11 and L12 for glass wool technique. Improving sperms’ cell motility and live sperm and reducing total sperms’ abnormalities percentages of low semen quality were noticed using swim-up and glass wool techniques were used with adding vitamin E and SOD.  In conclusion, glass wool filtration separates out dead, abnormal and immotile sperm cells, a good sperm harvested by this technique.  

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Effect of swim-up and glass wool techniques, with adding antioxidants to tris extender on improving post-cryopreserved some semen attributes of low semen quality for holstein bulls

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Mayada S. Hassan

Papers

Retained fetal membranes in Friesian-Holstein cows and effect of some treatment methods

Study the effect of Nigella Sativa on thyroid function and reproductive hormone of female rat

Effect of swim-up and glass wool techniques, with adding antioxidants to tris extender on improving post-cryopreserved some semen attributes of low semen quality for holstein bulls

Study the Effects of Follicular Size on some Biochemical Follicular Fluid Composition in She Camel (Camelus Dromedarius)

Effect of Progesterone and GnRH treatment on non-functional ovaries in Holstein cows after calving in Babylon province