The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene is a member of the group of somatotropin axis genes that play a significant role in cell proliferation and growth of muscles. Here, we searched for polymorphisms in buffalo IGF1 and found two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), G64A and G280A, in the noncoding sequences of exon 1 and exon 4, respectively. Statistical analysis of different genotypes showed that the individuals with GG genotypes had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) than those with other genotypes at ages of 3-6 months in G64A SNP and 6-9 months in G280A SNP. The combined genotypes of these two SNPs produced three haplotypes, GG/GG, AG/AG, and AA/AA, which were significantly associated (P<0.0001) with BW and ADG at an age from 3 to 12 months. Buffaloes with the homozygous GG/GG haplotype showed higher growth performance than other buffaloes. The two SNPs were correlated with mRNA levels of IGF1 and IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) in semitendinosus muscle as well as with the serum concentration level of IGF1. Also, buffaloes with GG/GG haplotype showed higher mRNA and serum concentration levels. The data revealed that these two SNPs could be valuable genetic markers for selection of Egyptian buffaloes for better performance in the population.

This study aimed to evaluate effect of stage of feed restriction on performance and productivity of pregnant does. New Zealand white female rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Control group was provided daily with 185 g of food increased to 200 g from the 15th day of gestation. R 1 was offered daily a restricted amount of food (60% restriction, 111 g) for the first half of pregnancy and then offered 200 g of food daily till parturition. R 2 was provided with 185 g of food daily through the first half of pregnancy and then offered daily a restricted amount of food (60% restriction, 120 g) for the second half. After parturition, food was provided adlibitum. Maternal body weights, litter size, litter weight, and average body weight of kits at kindling of R 1 showed no change, whereas R 2 showed significant reduction in the weights of does at the 4th week of pregnancy and at kindling. The birth weight and weaning weight of R 2 were significantly reduced. The highest mortality was recorded in kits of R 2. No significant differences in blood parameters or serum prolactin were observed. The serum protein was significantly reduced R 2.

The objective of the current work is to investigate the possible beneficial effects of forced feeding of fenugreek to rabbit does on their milk composition, milk yield, anemia screening parameters, immunity and the growth performance of bunnies. Twenty white New Zealand female rabbits were randomly assigned into 5 groups: normal control and 4 treated groups (vehicle (molasses), fenugreek powdered seeds + molasses, sprouted fenugreek + molasses, and fenugreek oil + molasses). All treated groups took the given doses orally for two days before parturition and 13 days after parturition for 2 successive pregnancies. Blood samples were collected from each doe on the 13 th day of lactation for determination of hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. Milk samples were taken for evaluation of milk composition. All rabbit does and their bunnies were weighed for calculation of the milk yield. The fenugreek seeds and oil administered groups (G 3 & G 5 ) recorded the highest percent values of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solid not fat contents of the rabbits' milk in both 1 st and 2 nd lactation periods relative to other tested groups. At the beginning and mid of lactation periods, the milk yields recorded non-significant differences either between tested groups or between 1 st and 2 nd pregnancy in the same group. Whereas, at the end of lactation, germinated seeds (G 4 ) and oil (G 5 ) treated groups recorded significantly higher rates of milk yield relative to control and fenugreek seeds groups. Bunnies' body weights suckling from dams of group III (G 3 ) recorded the highest weights relative to other tested groups in both 1 st and 2 nd pregnancy. During the 1 st lactation period, all experimental groups showed significant reduction of white blood cells, while, G 3 and G 4 recorded significant elevation during 2 nd lactation period. Rabbits treated with fenugreek seeds powder (G 3 ) showed a signifiHow to cite this paper: Abdel-Rahman, H., Fathalla, S.I., Assayed, M.E., Masoad, S.R. 1277cant raise of phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. Fenugreek seeds group (G 3 ) and germinated one (G 4 ) showed significant red blood corpuscles and packed cell volume raise relative to other groups during both 1 st and 2 nd lactation periods.

Obesity is a serious public health issue worldwide. Finding safe and efficacious products to reverse obesity has proven to be a difficult challenge. This study showed the effects of Coffea arabica or green coffee bean extract (GCBE) on obesity disorders and the improvement of obesity-induced insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. The active constituents of GCBE were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography. Twenty-four male albino Wistar rats were divided into two groups. The first group (Group I) was fed a control diet, whereas the second group was fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks till obesity induction. The second group was equally subdivided into Group II, which received HFD, and Group III, which received HFD + GCBE for another eight weeks. The body and organ weights of the animals were measured, and blood and adipose tissue samples were collected for analysis. The results indicated that the administration of GCBE significantly decreased the body and organ weights. Furthermore, it had an ameliorative effect on serum biochemical parameters. It dramatically reduced total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels. In addition, an improvement in homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance and an enhancement of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed compared with the HFD group. In addition, the group treated with GCBE exhibited a marked increase in serum levels of adiponectin (an anti-inflammatory adipokine). In addition, a considerable reduction in adipocyte hypertrophy was found following GCBE treatment. Remarkably, the administration of GCBE resulted in a remarkable decrease in the expression of RBP4 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine), whereas an increase in GLLUT4 expression was observed in the adipose tissue. This improved insulin resistance in GCBE-administered HFD rats compared with other HFD rats. Our study showed that GCBE exhibits anti-obesity activity and may be used as a natural supplement to prevent and treat obesity and its associated disorders.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a commercial prebiotic (Hemicell ®) as a growth promoter on growth performance, intestinal morphometry and IL-1 and IL-2 gene expression in spleen of Japanese quail. A total number of 360 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups. Group 1(control group) fed on the basal diet that not supplemented with prebiotic, group 2 fed on basal diet supplemented with 0.5 g Hemicell/kg diet, group 3 fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.0 g Hemicell/kg diet and group 4 fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.5 g Hemicell/kg diet. To evaluate growth parameters, 30 birds from each group were weighed weekly for six successive weeks. Spleen tissues were collected at 21 and 42 days after supplementation from all quail groups (control and experimental groups). At the end of the experiment, the results of the current study revealed that, feeding Japanese quails on diet supplemented with Hemicell resulted in improved growth and growth performance as indicated by increased body weight and weight gain. Also, intestinal morphometry revealed an increase in height and base width of intestinal villi in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, Real time PCR indicated upregulation of the IL-1 and IL-2 genes expression in a dose and time dependent manner. In conclusion, addition of β-mannanase in Japanese quail diets would have beneficial effects on performance and immunity in birds.