Al-Anbar Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which may infect any nucleated cell in mammals. This parasite infects over two billion individuals worldwide, and while only a tiny fraction of infected persons may develop significant disease, the parasite's ubiquity makes it one of the highly dangerous zoonotic infections in the world. This disease can cause serious encephalitis in immunocompromised persons, miscarriage or congenital malformations in the new-borns if infected during pregnancy, and significant ocular illness even in immunocompetent people. The illness has a complicated aetiology, as it is caused by the ingestion of oocysts shed in the faeces of definitive feline hosts that pollute water. In this review we demonstrated the current insight into zoonotic aspect of toxoplasmosis in humans, and animals providing a complete discussion of the environmental mechanisms via which T. gondii oocysts, and tissue cysts might infect animals and humans, such as contaminated foods, water, animals’ meat or soil. This review also included mode of transmission and preventative strategies outlining fundamental control measures for lowering the threat of oocyst direct contact, as well as chances for future collaboration and new studies possibilities targeting reducing oocysts load and tissue cyst-borne of toxoplasmosis in people, farm and wild animals. Conclusively, the infection occurs in both humans and animals, causes abortion in women and serious economic losses in animals. Transmitted to humans horzontally by injestion of food and water contaminated by oocysts, also meat of infected farm animals or vertically through placenta. Cats get infected through ingestion of intermediate host containing tissue cysts. Heating, salting, freezing and radiation are the main ways enforced to reduce tissue cysts burden in animals meat used for human consumption

Metabolites of oxygen are called reactive oxygen species (ROS). They are constantly synthesized by healthy cells and are a consequence of aerobic respiration and are necessary for proper cellular function. These species (ROS) cause oxidative stress as result generation exceeding the capabilities of the antioxidant system to neutralize it. It is a bifurcating factor in controlling the reproductive system of female, as it can influence various physiological activities or contribute to infertility in female. The current review notes that a number of ovarian function processes, including as reactive oxygen species have a major impact on follicular formation, ovulation, and corpus luteum function. Scavenging mechanisms also occur. However, the review concentrates on the detrimental impact that elevated ROS production has on the female reproductive system. This review concludes that free radicals play a variety of roles in ovarian function and that excess have negative effects on the female reproductive system.

Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative organism that causes abortion, or "enzootic abortion of ewes", which is characterized by causing economic loss in sheep breeding. Chlamydia abortus spread could be stopped, and monitoring efforts could be more successful by gathering data on the condition of the disease. This ground-breaking study focused on the phylogenetic analysis and certain risk factors of Chlamydia abortus in ewes in Nineveh governorate, Iraq. 52 placenta samples were collected, representing 52 flocks (8660 ewes) who suffered from abortion in various Nineveh provincial locations between August 2022 and January 2023. Two local sequences were submitted to GenBank and assigned the accession numbers OR334580 and OR334581. The Chlamydia abortus 16S rRNA sequences were analyzed using the GenomeNet multiple sequence alignment tool (CLUSTALW), an online resource. After that, the sequences were compared to other Chlamydia abortus sequences that were accessible in the GenBank using NCBI BLAST (BLASTn) of NCBI. The Tamura-Nei model in the MEGA11 software program was used to create the phylogenetic trees. Results indicate that 15.38% (8/52) of the ewes had positive results for Chlamydia abortus, which was significantly affected by the increase in herd size and interspecies farming. Two sequences were put through individual sequence analysis, which revealed new Chlamydia abortus sequences, which were recorded for the first time in the governorate of Nineveh. We concluded that a higher risk of infection occurs in farms that contain more than 100 ewes and are mixed with other species of animals.

This present investigation was done for the Isolation and Molecular confirmation of Staphylococcus aureus from Bovine mastitis-infected cows in various Tamil Nadu, India locations. Two hundred milk samples, ranging from 15 to 20 ml, were collected aseptically from cows in farms in and around Tamil Nadu and surrounding areas after discarding the first few streaks of milk from 2021 to 2023. We used the CMT test to check the milk samples. Following a thorough mixing of the milk samples delivered to the laboratory, one loop containing the infected milk sample was plated on Nutrient agar and incubated at 37 ˚C for 18 to 24 hours. To identify the Staphylococcus aureus, the isolated bacterial colonies were preliminarily identified by Microscopic examination (Gram staining and Motility test), Plating in Selective medium (Mannitol Salt Agar) and Biochemical tests. The DNA of the bacteria was extracted and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was done to detect the presence of the nuc gene. Of the 200 milk samples obtained from nursing cows, 37.5 % were from Mastitis positive animals; of these, 61.3 % were in the sub-clinical stage, while 38.7 % were in the clinical stage. Only 33 (16.5 %) of the 200 milk samples tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 26 out of 75 animals (34.7 %) with Mastitis, and 7 out of 125 animals (5.6 %) without Mastitis. Fifteen (57.7 %) of the twenty-six Staphylococcus aureus isolates found in cows with mastitis were from clinical cases, whereas eleven (42.3%) were from sub-clinical cases. All of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates examined contained the 279 bp nuc gene, according to the conventional PCR findings. In conclusion, the research has shown that sub-clinical mastitis is more common than clinical mastitis, and that Staphylococcus aureus was substantially more often isolated from mastitis milk, particularly in clinical instances.

The novel semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide dalbavancin has enhanced antibacterial action against a wide range of gram-positive bacteria. This current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dalbavancin in treating pathogenic Staphylococcus infections in Wistar rats. The experiment included 20 animals, divided into 2 groups, a control group and an experimental group. All rats were anaesthetized and had a Kirschner wire plus clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolate placed into their proximal tibia. The experimental group (10 rats) were treated with a loading dosage of dalbavancin (20 mg/kg) administered throughout 4 weeks following the induction, while the control group (10 rats) were left untreated. Microbiological analysis was performed on tibial bones and Kirschner wires within 24 hours after the last dosage was given. In comparison with the control group, the dalbavancin-treated group showed improvement in quantitative bacterial cultures of osseous tissue. After four weeks of treatment with dalbavancin, there were no signs of induced glycopeptide-/lipoglycopeptide-resistant strains. In conclusion, this study confirmed that treatment with dalbavancin was effective in the treatment of experimental implant-related MRSA osteomyelitis. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of dalbavancin in treating S. aureus infections still needs further investigation; ideally, it should be studied in conjunction with biofilm-active medicines.

The present study aimed to investigate the frequency rate of ovine brucellosis in Kalar district, Iraqi Kurdistan Region and to identify Brucella species in the milk of seropositive ewes via DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Blood samples were collected from 300 ewes and subjected to the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), and milk samples of the seropositive animals were collected and underwent a PCR assay using genus- and species-specific primers. Eventually, the positive PCR products were processed for nucleotides sequencing and single-gene phylogenetic analyses. The RBPT revealed a high percentage (11.33%) of seropositive ewes (34 out of 300), and the PCR assay revealed 35.3% (12/34) Brucella genus-positive DNA templates. At the species level, 58.3% (7/12) of templates were positive for the melitensis-specific primers and negative for the abortus and ovis - specific primers, whereas the other five were negative for all species-specific primers used in this study (abortus, melitensis and ovis). The nucleotides sequence of Brucella strains detected in this study showed a 99-100% homology with eight GenBank-published B. melitensis strains, and the single gene phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship between these strains and the B. melitensis biovar 3 strain NI, China. The high percentage of seropositive ewes showed that brucellosis represents a major obstacle to the animals’ production improvement and a major risk to public health in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and the single gene phylogenetic analysis confirms its transboundary spread and attracts attention for more strict control programs.

In vitro embryo production (IVEP) encompasses a series of three basic steps, namely in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and in vitro embryo culture. IVEP approach has shown to be a valuable tool in advancing our comprehension of early mammalian development and expediting genetic enhancement in livestock. The aim of this research was to compare the impact of small and large follicles on the total number of oocytes recovered through the IVEP process. Therefore, 305 Ewe genitalia were collected at the Al-Fallujah abattoir in the Al-Anbar province. The follicles were identified, and their diameter was measured using an automated vernier calliper. Subsequently, the oocytes were classified into three distinct groups, namely excellent (A), acceptable (B), and poor (C). The results of maturation rate large follicles were 43.9% (51/116) and small follicles 30.7% (20/65). There was a statistical difference in maturation rate (p<0.05). Fertilization rate of matured oocytes collected from large follicles were 60.7% (31/51) and 50% (10/20) from small follicles. There was no statistical difference. The results of Blastocyst production rate. showed a higher percentage 58.06 (18/31) of Blastocyst produced from large follicles as compared a percentage of 30% (3/10) of Blastocyst production from small follicles. There was a statistical difference (P<0.05). It was concluded from current study that the size of follicle has an effect on IVM, IVF and IVC.

This study has been done to investigate the histopathological changes in a rat model of diabetic neuropathy. The 24 male rats used in this research, were splinted randomly into two groups of 12 animals each. The first group (G1; consisted of healthy control rats), was administered with normal saline, while the second group (G2; STZ treated animals) received a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared streptozotocin (STZ), at a dosage of 60 mg/kg, to induce a diabetes-like state in the rats. At the third day after STZ injection, a digital glucometer was used to measure blood glucose levels of 12-hour fasting rats; the hyperglycemia state was considered if the fasting blood glucose level (FBG) was greater than 250 mg/dl. To assess neuropathic pain, cold allodynia was calculated by counting some times the foot withdrawal occurred in response to cold stimuli applied to the back of the hand. The sciatic nerve was carefully removed when rats were sacrificed (after 2 months) and preserved in 10% formalin for histopathological investigations. Normal blood glucose levels were maintained in the control rats throughout the study. However, G2 exhibited much greater FBG levels than healthy animals. In the 2-month study period, the G2 maintained FBG levels above 250 mg/dl. The score for the severity of STZ on sciatic nerves showed a significant difference between the STZ-treated group (G2) as compared to non-treated (G1). No paw reactions were seen when intact animals were subjected to plantar surface acetone. The experimental groups did not show any notable reactions to acetone on the tenth day after the diagnosis of diabetes. On days 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 after diabetes confirmation, there were significant differences in paw withdrawal frequency between the G1 and G2 (p<0.001). Within the control group, nerve fibres were found to be regularly arranged and there was no evidence of axonal swelling. However, in the G2 animals, nerve fibres were found to be significantly disorganized, and there was a notable increase in the number of Schwann cells in the sciatic nerves, suggesting damage, in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, the present study confirmed different neuropathic effects on sciatic nerves in rat models of diabetic neuropathy. In addition, the histopathological changes of the nerves, including severe lipoid degeneration of axons, could be related to the chronic hyperglycemic state or to the toxicity of STZ on the peripheral nervous system, which requires further investigation.

This study aims to investigate the effect of using vitamins A, E, and D3 with or without omega-3 on the productive performance and some physiological characteristics of local Iraqi female lambs. Twelve female Iraqi Awassi lambs with an average body weight of 16.737 ±2.08 kg and ages ranging from 90±7 days were used. Three groups, each with four lambs, were randomly selected from among the experimental animals. As the control group, (T1) had not acquired any treatment at all. The second group (T2) acquired intramuscular injections of vitamins A, D3, and E of 1.5 ml supported with omega-3 of 1.5 ml and the 3rd group (T3) acquired intramuscular injections of the same vitamins, (on the 15th of December, first of January, 15th of January, first of February and 15th February, five times with a fifteen-day gap between each injection). The animals were nourished on a concentrated diet consisting of 1.5% BW (mixture of barley grains and wheat bran) water, minerals bloke supplement, and alfalfa hay had given ad libitum. The result of the experiment showed That group 2 (T2) had significantly increased (P≤0.05) compared with group 1 (T1) in the second period (p2) of the experiment average of life body weight. group 2 (T2) had significantly superior (P≤0.01) compared with group1 (T1( and group 3 (T3) at p2 in chest girth, estrogen hormone and white blood cell (WBC), while group 2 (T2) had significantly increased (P≤0.05) compared with group1 (T1( in red blood cell (RBC) at third period (P3), whereas group1 (T1( and recorded a significantly increased (P≤0.01) as compared with group 3 (T3) at P2 in haemoglobin concentration. In conclusion, treating female lambs with omega-3-supplemented vitamins A, E, and D3 improved their body weight gain and some physiological characteristics.

Fish meat is more susceptible to pathogen contamination than other protein-rich foodstuffs due to its high deterioration. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered one of the most common microbial strains responsible for the deterioration of fish and seafood products. the study's goals are to detect virulence variables of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and estimate the level of contamination in a fish sample, In this research, 120 fresh fish samples, were gathered from the local Diwaniyah city market local fish meat sample. including (60 marine fish and 60 common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The isolates were subjected to numerous biochemical, microbiological, and molecular analyses, and the results showed that about 26 samples were contaminated with Pseudomonas spp. performed on 21.6% of the total sample. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify 539 bp, 511 bp, and 495 bp, for 16S DNA, Tox A, and Tox S respectively. A total of 21 Tox A genes were identified in 26 P. aeruginosa isolates, whereas the ToxS gene was detected in 17 of the same isolates. According to the results, Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from fish samples contains multiple virulence factor genes, indicating high pathogenicity, which may affect consumer health because these variants exhibit the capability to increase the pathogenesis of the microorganisms with the severity of the infection and cause economic losses

This study aims to estimate the role of sorbitol consumption in diabetic rats. Sixty male rats were purchased, acclimatized and divided into four groups; negative-control rats were received distilled water, positive-control rats were administered glucose orally, experimental-1 diabetic rats were administered sorbitol 100 mg and experimental-2 rats were administered sorbitol 200 mg orally. After 60 days, sera were collected and tested quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Glucose elevation was seen in experimental-2 but not in experimental-1; while, insulin was increased significantly in rats of both experimental-1 and experimental-2 but decreased in rats of positive-control when compared to those of negative-control. Although, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were decreased significantly in experimental-1, experimental-2 and positive-control, malondialdehyde was elevated significantly in these groups when compared to values of negative-control. For lipid profile, lower high-density lipoprotein were showed in experimental-1 and experimental-2 and more severely in positive-control than negative-control group; while, values of low- density lipoprotein were elevated significantly in positive-control but not in experimental-1 and experimental-2 when compared to negative-control. Values of triglyceride were varied insignificantly in experimental-1 and experimental-2; however, they increased significantly in comparison with negative-control but not to positive-control. For our knowledge, this experiment represented the first in vivo study to evaluate the effect of sorbitol on biochemical and biomarkers of diabetic rats. Our findings revealed the safety of sorbitol at low dose but the risk might increase at the higher dose. Therefore, it was necessary to investigate the effects of sorbitol consumption in healthy and diseased individuals.

The (BMPR-1B) gene is one of the main genes for ewe fertility. This study was conducted to check the association between BMPR-IB gene polymorphisms and some traits of Awassi. This study was made in Anbar Governorate - (Agricultural Research Department) Al-Dawar. Date of experience collected from 34 ewes at the age of 4-6 years. Next, DNA was extracted and a PCR reaction was performed to amplify blood samples taken from the ewes to confirm the presence of the BMPR1B gene. The sequence was determined using Sanger sequencing technology. The data were then analyzed and compared between sample sequences to determine SNPs, genotype frequencies, allele frequencies, their association with reproductive and growth traits. The results showed mutations in the heteroplasmy site rs410310346 (T>C) and rs592447725 (G>A). The results indicated that the TC genotype at the mutation site rs410310346 (T>C) was significantly superior (P≤0.05) in ewes whose rates of fertility and body length were higher compared to the CC genotype. The genotypes haven’t got an important effect on the proportion of twins, fertility rate, chest circumference, front height, ewe birth weight, and lamb weight at birth. The relationship of genotype GG and GA at the mutation site rs592447725 (G > A) showed a very significant effect (P≤0.01) on the percentage fertility rate and a noteworthy result (P≤0.05) on body length, height at the front and birth weight of lambs, but there isn’t a big impact. In the percentage of twins, fertility rate, chest circumference, and birth weight of ewes. Therefore, the effect of the BMPR1B gene can be used as a genetic marker to select ewes with good genotypes to improve herd performance.

This review article aims to cover the some published research of the ticks of the genus Hyalomma that is endemic in Iraq, and known of its direct and indirect impact on both human and animals. About 13 species of the ixodid tick of two genera Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma are recorded in Iraq that transmits a wide range of etiological agent. Being a multi-host species, ticks considered the major challenge for enhancing livestock health and productivity especially around in development countries. The Hyalomma spp. assign of their veterinary significance as the high ability for transmit haemoprotozoan parasite of Babesia and thieleria species. The manuscript cover some regional and local medical studies of tick borne diseases (TBD) caused by either viruses or bacteria, that impact human which receintilly gained additional attention. Various confirmed cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in 2022 over governorates in the southern of Iraq mainly, Dhi Qar and Maysan, which considered the largest outbreak recorded since the disease was first reported forty years ago. The diagnosis and identification of tick usually, depend on the morphological characterizations however, Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) found to be more accurate for identifying a variety of ticks genus and species. The use of the chemical acaricides are the fundamental strategy of ticks control, however these traditional method start to be ineffective, and switched to alternative tick control after the successful development of vaccines against cattle tick

Surgeries are strenuous for the animal patient regardless of the procedure type. This study aimed to compare the surgical time that required to perform a traditional ovariectomy vs a laparoscopic ovariectomy. To achieve this; ten adult Jennies were divided equally into two groups, group A underwent ovarian lift by traditional surgery, while group B got an ovarian lift by laparoscopy. Surgical time evaluated from the scalpel incision till the last suture stitch. The finding showed a significant differences at the level of (P≤0.01) between the two groups, traditional ovariectomy group took from 50 to 70 minutes, while the laparoscopic group took from 120 to 158 minutes. In conclusion the duration of Jenny's laparoscopic ovariectomy operation is greater than that of the traditional ovariectomy surgery, and it gets shorter as additional surgeries are performed.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the role of Avena sativa L. (oat) seeds ethanolic extract on osteoporosis in female rabbits treated with methylprednisolone, by studying the bone mineral density(BMD), serum Ca and P, Vit. D, PTH, and histopathological alterations of femur bone. Fifty female rabbits were used, were randomly divided into five equal groups, each group contains 10 adult female rabbits. Control negative group(G-ve),Control positive group(G+ve) (Meth-Pred) received S/C methylprednisolone of 0.2 mg/kg per day for 30 days then received orally 1ml/kg normal saline per day for two months, Group3 (Meth-Pred+As) received similar dose of Meth-Pred then treated with 600 mg/kg Avena sativa seed extract orally per day for two months, Group4(Meth-Pred+Alend) received similar dose of Meth-Pred then treated by alendronate 3.6 mg/kg BW orally weekly for two months, Group5 (Meth-Pred+ Alend + As) received similar doses of Meth-Pred then treated by Alend then treated with Avena sativa seed extract. This study persisted for three month and till after one week of the medicine’s withdrawal. The results showed that the BMD, serum Ca, phosphorus, Vit. D, a significantly declined (p≤ 0.05), as well as a significantly high ( P≤0.05) in serum PTH of the animals after two month of treatment, and after one week of withdrawal of treatment in control(+ve) and alendronate group compared with control(-ve), but when treated rabbits with Avena sativa ethanolic extract in third group, showed an improvement in the parameters above return to its normal values and produced excellent results. Histopathological alterations of the femoral bone of control (+ve) group including abnormal histological appearance of the bone, showed widening in the Haversian canal, large cavities, erosion cavity containing osteoclasts, and lacunae appear without osteocytes. Whereas treated with Avena Sativa seeds ethanolic extract in third group were effective in arresting histopathological alterations and normal architecture compared with the control (-ve) group. This study concluded that the ethanolic extract of Avena Sativa seeds has an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of osteoporotic bone loss.

This study was designed to explore and assess the status of nematode infection of sheep based on the prevalence, identification genera and species of detected eggs, age and sex of infected sheep, type of infection (single, double, mixed), type of sheep breeding (outdoor/indoor husbandry) and intensity of infection (light, moderate, heavy). One hundred and eighty-five fecal samples were microscopically examined which were randomly collected from different locations of Mosul and Erbil cities. The sheep of the study were of different ages and both sexes and were carried out during the period from January until the December 2020. Conventional helminthic examination methods were applied including the examination and description of genera and species of the egg worms. The findings indicated that the total infection rate was 46.49%. In all sheep of both areas, the highest infection rates were observed in adults and older sheep (2-3 years and >3 years). There was no significant difference between infection rates of males and females. It was found that "light" type of intensity of infection (50-800) egg/g was the most predominant in both sheep representing 63.6% and 59.5% of Mosul and Erbil cities, respectively. It can be conducted that the infection with a single type of nematodes was generally prevalent in the examined sheep of the two cities .According to the degree of infection concomitant to the management of housing, indoor type of breeding is better that outdoor type of Mosul sheep, while the outdoor type of had the worse influence in Erbil sheep city. Although, the predominant type of intensity of infection was light (50-800 egg/g ) among all sheep investigated, those sheep need to be regularly and continuously administered with effective and suitable anthelmintics.

Contamination of meats with different species of microorganisms pose significant threats not only to the human health but also to the animal production. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of bacterial contaminants in raw meat of livestock. A total of 75 random samples were collected (included 50 cow samples and 25 goats samples) from several butcher shops and slaughterhouse stores in Basrah governorate. The samples were subjected into the biochemical tests using Enter system 18R to confirm preliminary bacterial diagnosis and subsequently cultured using a selective media (MacConkey agar). The outcomes demonstrated Escherichia. coli was the dominate bacterial isolated species in the cow and goats with the percentage estimated at (30%) and (28%), respectively. Other important isolations were also found Enterobacter cloacae in was a rate (20%) Cow meat and Klebsiella pneumonia in goat meat with a rate estimated at (20%), while the lowest isolations rate was Salmonella spp (8%) in cow meat. Staphylococcus aureus (14%) in cow meat and (12%) in goat meat. In conclusion, meats are representative the source of infection with foodborne pathogens carry hazard to public health transmitted to the humans due to mishandling and improper hygienic condition of meats. The results showed biofilm production were high percent for Staphylococcus aureus 5 (50%) strong biofilm producer, follow Klebsiella pneumonia 4 (30.76%) strong biofilm. As other isolates were biofilm producer and production of biofilm is related to the resistance.

This investigation was carried out on privately owned dairy farms situated in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq, extending from June 2022 to March 2023. The objective of our study was to compare the calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and conception rate at first service (CRFS) between timed artificial insemination (TAI) within ovulation synchronisation protocols and AI at estrus detection. Total cows (n = 80) 50–60 days postpartum were randomly divided. (1) AIED group (Control, n = 40) untreated cows were received AI at the first observed estrus according to the a.m. /p.m. rule. (2) OVS group (n = 20) was treated with an classical Ovsynch protocol. (3) The PG+G group (n = 20) underwent presynchronization with PGF2 and GnRH at the same time 7 days later, then underwent an Ovsynch protocol. Pregnancy was confirmed using trans-rectal ultrasonography on day’s 30-35 post-insemination. The results of this study show thatmean days of CI and DO for the control group were significantly longer than those in both the OVS group and the PG+G group (P < 0.01). Among all groups, the CRFS showed a significant difference (37.5%, P < 0.05). Separately, the CRFS for the control group was similar to the OVS group (respectively, 27.5% vs. 30%, P > 0.05). Whereas, the PG+G group had a 65% CRFS, which was significantly higher than the control (P < 0.01) and OVS (P < 0.05). In summary, ovulation synchronization protocols enable TAI earlier in the postpartum period, eliminating the need for estrus detection and resulting in shorter CI and DO. Additionally, the PG+G protocol increased the CRFS compared to both the OVS and the control groups.

To evaluate the probable protective effect of vitex agnus castus extract on sperm characteristics in hypothyroid male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats (200–250 g) were divided into 4 groups, 10 rats in each group. Negative control (First Group) got normal saline every day. After hypothyroidism, groups 2–4 received vitex agnus castus extract and/or levothyroxine (L-T4). (Second Group) received normal saline as a positive control, (Third Group) received vitex agnus castus extract (300 mg/kg body weight), and (Fourth Group) received L-T4 (0.1 mg/kg/day). HYPO (positive) increased TSH but decreased T3 and T4, while HYPO+ THYROXIN and HYPO+V.A.C decreased TSH and increased T3 and T4 compared to the HYPO (positive). THYROXIN and V.A.C decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA), but HYPO (positive) increased it. Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased in the HYPO (positive) group compared to the control treatment and increased in THYROXIN and V.A.C treatments compared to HYPO (positive) group. Indicators of sperm characteristics showed that the HYPO (positive) treatment caused a significant decrease in (sperm count, general motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology) compared to the control, while both treatments of HYPO, whether with THYROXIN or V.A.C, increased all five indicators significantly despite the lack of difference between them and control in terms of impact. Vitex agnus castus' antioxidant characteristics make it a potential preventative measure against hypothyroidism's deleterious impact on sperm quality and antioxidant testicular levels.

To evaluate the probable protective effect of vitex agnus castus extract on sperm characteristics in hypothyroid male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats (200–250 g) were divided into 4 groups, 10 rats in each group. Negative control (First Group) got normal saline every day. After hypothyroidism, groups 2–4 received vitex agnus castus extract and/or levothyroxine (L-T4). (Second Group) received normal saline as a positive control, (Third Group) received vitex agnus castus extract (300 mg/kg body weight), and (Fourth Group) received L-T4 (0.1 mg/kg/day). HYPO (positive) increased TSH but decreased T3 and T4, while HYPO+ THYROXIN and HYPO+V.A.C decreased TSH and increased T3 and T4 compared to the HYPO (positive). THYROXIN and V.A.C decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA), but HYPO (positive) increased it. Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased in the HYPO (positive) group compared to the control treatment and increased in THYROXIN and V.A.C treatments compared to HYPO (positive) group. Indicators of sperm characteristics showed that the HYPO (positive) treatment caused a significant decrease in (sperm count, general motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology) compared to the control, while both treatments of HYPO, whether with THYROXIN or V.A.C, increased all five indicators significantly despite the lack of difference between them and control in terms of impact. Vitex agnus castus' antioxidant characteristics make it a potential preventative measure against hypothyroidism's deleterious impact on sperm quality and antioxidant testicular levels.

The aim of the study was determination of the relationship between pregnancy age and placentome measurement by using an ultrasound technique. This study was conducted in some private farms in Sulaimani province. A total of seventy-two Maraz does were checked by using transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonic transducers for pregnancy status, 47.2% (34/72) of these goats were pregnant. Twenty-seven non-pregnant does were synchronized for estrus by using vaginal sponges for 11 days followed by injection of 500 IU of PMSG hormones after withdrawing the sponges and naturally served to obtain pregnancy. 63% (17/27) of the synchronized goats became pregnant, all synchronized goats were scanned every seven to ten days beginning from day 35 to 140 of gestation transabdominally (TA) with sector-probe (4-5MHz) and transrectally (TR) with linear-probe (7.5-9 MHz). The placentomes width and height increased significantly (P≤0.05) with the progress of the gestation period, and the first observation of placentomes were in 32 and 42 days by depended (TR) and (TA) respectively. The width and height were 10.2 mm and 9.8 mm respectively during 40-50 days of gestation and maximum sizes were 45 mm and 38 mm in 130 days of gestation period. There is a little significant difference (P≤0.05) between single and twin pregnancy just in 61-70 and 81-90 days of gestation period. In conclusion, there is a strong relationship between the size of placentome and the progress of pregnancy, there are no serious differences in the size of placentomes in single and multiple pregnancy goats, and using transrectal scanning is useful for early detection of pregnancy

Nitrosamines are toxic substances that induce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the formation of free radicals (ROS) and their removal from the body and is a direct or indirect cause of a variety of diseases. The research aimed to assess vitamin E's potential protective role against nitrosamine-induced defect of testicular tissues . A total of forty Albino mice, weighing between 20 To25 grams and aged 25 to 30 weeks, were employed for the study. These mice Which are divided to five groups, each consisting of eight individuals. The initial group served as control, second group received a daily oral dosage of 0.05 mL/ g body weight of nitrosamine over one month. The third group was orally administered 0.1 mL/g of vitamin E. Groups IV and V were provided with vitamin E doses of 0.1 and 0.2 mL/g body weight orally Daily for a month, followed by a nitrosamine dose of 0.05 mL/g. Post the treatment period, blood samples were obtained, and the testis and epididymis tissues were subjected to examination. The study findings revealed notable alterations, encompassing the inhibition of spermatogenesis, reduction in diameters of seminiferous tubules within the testis and epididymis, as well as epithelial cell thickness. Additionally, severe necrosis and germ cell erosion were observed. In contrast, results from the vitamin E-treated animals exhibited favorable changes in the testicular and epididymis tissues when compared to the nitrosamine-exposed group and the control group. Moreover, histological assessments of animals administered a preventive vitamin E dose (0.2 mL/g) alongside nitrosamine indicated enhanced spermatogenesis, evidenced by augmented seminiferous tubule diameters and increased epithelial cell thickness within the testis and epididymis.