This study was performed to explore the effect of drenching propylene glycol (PG) and calcium propionate (CP) as a source of energy to primiparous Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis) on milk production and some blood biochemical parameters. Eighteen primiparous buffalo cows (8 weeks before calving) with an average live body weight (LBW) of 500±25kg and aged 35±5 months were used. Animals were classified to three comparable groups (6, each) based on (LBW), body condition scores and expected calving date. Animals in the 1 st group served as a control (C), were drenched 3L of saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) without any additives, the animals in the 2 nd group (PG) were drenched 300 mL of propylene glycol dissolved in 3L of a saline solution. In the 3 rd group (CP), animals were drenched 335g of calcium propionate dissolved in 3L of a saline solution. Milk production and milk composition of primiparous buffalo cows were measured. Blood samples were collected from all buffalos for biochemical analysis. Results showed significant effects on average daily and total milk yield but no significant difference on milk composition. All blood biochemical parameters revealed no significant variation between treated and control groups except for plasma beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB) and both T 3 and T 4 hormones concentrations. The overall mean of BHB in treated (PG) and (CP) was also lower (17.67 and 14.67 vs. 26) than control group. Overall mean of T 3 concentration hormone was the lowest in control group represented 3.13 vs. 5.28 and 4.99 ng/ml) for (PG) and (CP) treated group. The highest overall mean of T 4 concentration hormone was recorded in (CP) treated group represented 19.55 ng/ml. Concisely, the present results indicate that drenching (PG) and (CP) have a positive effect on the productive traits of primiparous Egyptian buffalo cows while, did not affect the blood biochemical parameters.

Key words:Clinical mastitis, Reproductive Performance, Dairy CowsThe objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of clinical mastitis (CM) in relation to some risk factors and its impact on reproductive performance of Holstein cows. Lactation records (n = 1875) were obtained from Dina farms covering the period between 2013 and 2016. One third of cows (647/1875) had contracted at least one episode of CM throughout the entire lactation. Frequency of CM decreased progressively with the month of lactation, and approximately half of the cases occurred within the first three months postpartum. Incidence decreased (P<0.001) with level of milk yield, but increased (P<0.001) with parity. CM significantly (P<0.05) increased calving to first estrus (+ 7.7 days), and to calving first insemination intervals (+6.5 days) compared to non-affected ones. Furthermore, cows contracted CM before conception required 31 days more and +0.47 inseminations to conceive than cows without mastitis. In brief, CM has a negative impact on reproductive performance of Holstein cows, and its occurrence is associated with level of milk yield, lactation order and stage of lactation.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamins AD3E administration during different seasons of the year in Egypt on physiological thermoregulatory response, blood components and semen characteristics of Damascus bucks. Thirty Damascus goat bucks aged 14-15 months and weighing 32-35 kg were divided into three similar groups (10 bucks in each). The first group (Control, G1) was kept without treatment (injected by saline solution ) , while the second (G2) and third (G3) groups were injected intramuscularly biweekly with vitamin AD3E at levels of 2 and 4 ml/buck, respectively. Thermoregulatory parameters, some Blood component and hormones, Semen characteristics, semen storage ability and Scrotal measurements were measured biweekly. The treatment period lasted during different seasons for one year.Results showed that hair, skin, rectal, scrotal skin, and ear temperatures were the highest (P<0.05) in summer and the lowest (P<0.05) in winter, but these traits were not affected by vitamins injection.Concentrations of total protein (TP), albumin (A), Ca and P decreased (P<0.05) in summer compared with other seasons, while globulin (G) concentration increased (P<0.05) in summer and autumn compared with winter and spring. Concentrations of TP, G, Ca and P increased (P<0.05) by vitamins injection. Concentration of testosterone was the highest (P<0.05) in autumn and the lowest (P<0.05) in summer. The highest (P<0.05) T3 and T4 levels was in winter . Cortisol concentration was highest (P<0.05) in summer and the lowest (P<0.05) in winter and autumn. Concentration of testosterone, T3 and T4 increased (P<0.05), while cortisol concentration decreased (P<0.05) by vitamins injection. No significant changes in scrotal circumference were observed due to change of season or due to vitamins injection. The highest testicular length was in bucks injected with 4 ml vitamins while the lowest testes length was in control bucks. Testes size increased (P<0.05) by increasing level of vitamins injection. The lowest (P<0.05) number of ejaculate and semen volume were in summer, while the highest values were in autumn. Number of ejaculate, libido and semen volume increased (P<0.05) by vitamins injection and the opposite trend was observed in pH value. The highest motility percentage and the lowest dead sperm, abnormality Habeeb, A.A.M.et.al 720 and acrosomal damage percentages were during autumn while the lowest motility percentage and the highest dead sperm, abnormality and acrosomal damage during summer. Semen characteristics including percentages of mass motility, dead sperm, abnormality and acrosomal damage improved (P<0.05) by vitamins injection. The best semen storage ability was in autumn.From these results it can be concluded that vitamins AD3E injection improved semen quality of heat stressed goats bucks, especially at a level of 4 ml/buck.

Animal feeding research has revealed a close relationship between the chemical composition and nutritional value of cow rations, the number of rumen bacterial communities and animal productivity. Our present research aimed to investigate the outcome of inclusion of different levels of protein concentrate in rations of Ayrshire dairy cows in relation to the rumen microbiome, reproductive traits and economic value. Forty-five Ayrshire cows were divided into three groups (15 in each). The first control group 0 AM was fed the basal ration, while the second 1 AM and third 2 AM groups were fed the basic ration with the sunflower cake replaced by different levels of protein concentrate Agro-Matic (1 and 1.5 kg/head/day, respectively). Ruminal fluid samples, reproductive parameters and economic value were studied. During the early lactation period, 120 days in milk (DIM), the number of pathogenic microorganisms decreased in both the 1 AM and 2 AM groups when compared with the control group 0 AM; moreover, a significant decrease in Peptococcus bacteria was recorded in the 1 AM group, while Fusobacterium decreased in the 2 AM group. At the end of lactation, the total number of cellulolytic bacteria increased with the use of protein concentrate in animals of the 1 AM group when compared with the control group. Regarding undesirable bacteria, the 2 AM group recorded the highest value for Lactobacilli and Actinobacteria when compared with the 0 AM group (0.18 and 8.90 vs. 0.04 and 4.24), and the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The insemination index and the duration of the days open period decreased in the 2 AM group, while the differences were p > 0.05. The profitability of milk production increased by 2.76% and 6.28% in both supplemented groups, and the differences compared to the 0 AM group were significant. We conclude that the supplementation of Agro-Matic caused no deviations from the normal standards of cellulolytic, amylolytic, transit and pathogenic bacteria, no impact on reproductive functions and significantly improved the profitability of the milk production process of Ayrshire dairy cows.