The epididymis, a key component of the male reproductive system, controls spermatozoa's maturation, fertility, and storage. The objective of this study is to evaluate the histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical variations in the epididymis of donkeys that occur throughout the year. During the breeding season (spring) and nonbreeding seasons (summer, autumn, and winter), 20 epididymis were collected from adult, clinically healthy donkeys. Compared to non-breeding seasons, the epididymal duct displayed a more active lining epithelium and more sperm in the lumen during the breeding season. The epithelial height is the lowest and the lumen is the widest during the breeding season. Furthermore, the epididymal epithelium in the tail region exhibits undulations with polyps-like projections. The epididymal epithelium is composed mainly of the principal, basal, and dark cells. Tight junction between adjacent principal cells is more obvious in the breeding season as compared to the non-breeding seasons. However, intraepithelial lymphocytes, phagocytic, and other immune cells are more frequent in non-breeding seasons. β-catenin, which is a component of the adherent junctions between adjacent PCs, exhibits more immunoreactivity during the spring. On the other hand, iNOS, an indicator of oxidative stress, reacts positively during the summer. Additionally, during non-breeding seasons, autophagy was detected within the epididymal epithelium which may be linked to stress adaptation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of the epididymal epithelium are more active during spring compared to other seasons of the year. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The study aimed to evaluate the histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical variations in the blood epididymal barrier (BEB) and epididymal epithelium of donkeys that occur throughout the year. In comparison to non-breeding seasons, the epididymal duct displayed a more active lining epithelium and more sperm in the lumen during the breeding season. The epithelial height is the lowest and the lumen is the widest during the breeding season. The epididymal epithelium in the tail region exhibits undulations with polyps-like projections that increase the surface area. β-catenin, which is a component of the adherent junctions between adjacent PCs, exhibits more immunoreactivity during the spring. On the other hand, iNOS, an indicator of oxidative stress, reacts positively during the summer.

The present study aimed at analysing the effect of Khat plant extract on rat testicular development. Thirty-two weaned male albino rats (4 weeks old) were divided into four groups consisting of eight animals each. While control animals received normal saline, rats of groups I, II and III received 100, 200 and 300 mg Khat extract per kg body weight dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 8 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were collected in separate heparinized tubes by cardiac puncture from each rat and processed for measuring plasma levels of reproductive hormones LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin. Five-µm sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscope. Some sections were immunostained for protamine-1 representing a biomarker for intact sperm differentiation. The present study clearly demonstrated that Khat extract has a pronounced effect on testicular maturation of developing albino rats at both the morphological and functional levels. Khat-treated groups revealed a significantly low serum testosterone level and severe impairment of spermatogenesis when compared with control animals. The current findings also verified, for the first time, that the final stages of sperm maturation (spermiogenesis) were strongly impaired after administration of Khat extract to experimental rats particularly at a higher dose (300 mg/kg body weight). This was proved by the very weak, if any, expression of protamine-1 in the maturing spermatids in Khat-treated rats.

1Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan, KSA; 2Exploratory Center of Science and Technology, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, KSA; 4Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 5Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan, KSA; 6Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt; 7Endocrine Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 8National Institute for Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 9Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 10Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, KSA; 11Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 12Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a widely distributed disease that affects large

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a widely distributed disease that affects large population worldwide. This study aimed to verify the role of Ginkgo biloba (GB) extract and magnetized water (MW) on the survival rate and functional capabilities of pancreatic beta-cells in type 2 diabetic rats. Materials and methods: T2D was induced by feeding the rats on a high-fat diet (20% fat, 45% carbohydrate, 22% protein) for eight weeks followed by intra-peritoneal injection of a single low dose of streptozotocin (25mg/Kg). Forty rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=10 rats) as follows: non treated control and three diabetic groups. One diabetic group served as a positive control (diabetic), while the other two groups were orally administered with water extract of GB leaves (0.11 g/kg/day) and MW (600 gauss) for four weeks, respectively. Results: The beta-cell mass and insulin expression in these cells increased markedly after both treatments, particularly in GB treated group. In addition, the immune-expression of the two antioxidant enzymes; glutathione and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the pancreatic tissue demonstrated a down-regulation in GB and MW treated groups as compared with the diabetic group. Conclusion: A four-week treatment of GB and MW protected pancreatic beta-cell cells and improved their insulin expression and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic rats.

AIM:The present study was carried out to investigate the morphological and histomorphometric characters of choroid in donkeys, buffalos, camels and dogs.RESULTS:The findings of the study revealed that, macroscopically, the choroid was consisted of two areas in all studied animals, except in camel which consists of one area. Histologically, the choroid consists of five layers. Interestingly, the anterior borders of all investigated animals were free of pigments except in camel. Morphometric analysis revealed significant species differences in the mean total thickness of the choroid and its different layers. In addition, significant differences were also found between the ratios of the means of different layers to the total thickness of the choroid.CONCLUSION:In conclusion, these variations might be related to the different lifestyles and visual behavior of the investigated animals.

We aimed in our current study to explore the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba (GB) and magnetized water (MW) against nephrotoxicity associating induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rat. Here, we induced diabetes by feeding our lab rats on a high fat-containing diet (4 weeks) and after that injecting them with streptozotocin (STZ). We randomly divided forty rats into four different groups: nontreated control (Ctrl), nontreated diabetic (Diabetic), Diabetic+GB (4-week treatment), and Diabetic+MW (4-week treatment). After the experiment was finished, serum and kidney tissue samples were gathered. Blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, creatinine, and urea were markedly elevated in the diabetic group than in the control group. In all animals treated with GB and MW, the levels of urea, creatinine, and glucose were significantly reduced (all P < 0.01). GB and MW attenuated glomerular and tubular injury as well as the histological score. Furthermore, they normalized the contents of glutathione reductase and SOD2. In summary, our data showed that GB and MW treatment protected type 2 diabetic rat kidneys from nephrotoxic damages by reducing the hyperlipidemia, uremia, oxidative stress, and renal dysfunction.

Catha edulis Forsk leaves (Khat) is a flowering plant. A high proportion of the adult population in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa chews it for its mild stimulant effect. The aim of the current study was to investigate the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of the Khat extract using 60 female pregnant rats. These were divided to a Khat extract-treated group and a control group. Methanolic extract of Khat was orally given to the treated group 4 days before mating and up to day 16 of pregnancy with a dose of 100 mg/kg. Our results showed that significant number of embryos of the Khat-treated mothers were malformed and different in size and shape compared to embryos from the mothers of the control group. At day 8 of pregnancy, malformed embryos had ill developed primitive layers. By day 10 of pregnancy, neural tube and the somite were not formed compared to the control embryos. At later stages of pregnancy, embryos of the Khat-treated mothers appeared severely abnormal with opened neural groove and visceral pouches. Disrupted normal neural tube development, undifferentiated brain vesicles, incomplete closure of the brain flexures were also observed in these embryos. Highly significant increase in the number of the resorbed embryos of the Khat-treated mothers were observed (P < 0.01). The resorbed embryos appeared as a cellular collection in their placenta with some of their decidua had no visible embryonic tissues. In conclusions, Khat induced embryotoxic effects as well as severely affected the early normal embryonic development in rat.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/1785614.].

Catha edulis Forsk leaves (Khat) is a flowering plant. A high proportion of the adult population in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa chews it for its mild stimulant effect. The aim of the current study was to investigate the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of the Khat extract using 60 female pregnant rats. These were divided to a Khat extract-treated group and a control group. Methanolic extract of Khat was orally given to the treated group 4 days before mating and up to day 16 of pregnancy with a dose of 100 mg/kg. Our results showed that significant number of embryos of the Khat-treated mothers were malformed and different in size and shape compared to embryos from the mothers of the control group. At day 8 of pregnancy, malformed embryos had ill developed primitive layers. By day 10 of pregnancy, neural tube and the somite were not formed compared to the control embryos. At later stages of pregnancy, embryos of the Khat-treated mothers appeared severely abnormal with opened neural groove and visceral pouches. Disrupted normal neural tube development, undifferentiated brain vesicles, incomplete closure of the brain flexures were also observed in these embryos. Highly significant increase in the number of the resorbed embryos of the Khat-treated mothers were observed (P < 0.01). The resorbed embryos appeared as a cellular collection in their placenta with some of their decidua had no visible embryonic tissues. In conclusions, Khat induced embryotoxic effects as well as severely affected the early normal embryonic development in rat.

In this investigation, the postnatal morphologic and morphometric characteristics of Leydig cells and testicular interstitial tissue in 20 healthy donkey testes were studied. The volume percentage of the interstitial tissue was about 87.24% in neonates and decreased gradually with postnatal age reaching about 21.56% in mature animals. The Leydig cell population underwent evident morphologic and morphometric changes during the postnatal life. Morphologically, there were two discrete types of Leydig cells, which recognized side by side in the testis of neonatal and suckling animals. The first type (steroidogenic fetal Leydig cells), was large, contained partially shrunken nucleus together with vacuolated granular cytoplasm. This cellular type, were predominant in neonates, underwent degeneration and decreased gradually until being very few at two months of age. The second type (non-steroidogenic) was small, few at birth and contained large central nucleus. This type develops from undifferentiated fibroblastic elements and underwent gradual increase in number with age, where it dominated in the late suckling period. Some of these cells were degenerated and the remaining became transformed into the adult type of Leydig cells. The volume percentage and absolute number of Leydig cells displayed the same pattern of undulation during postnatal development, which being very high in late suckling animals. The volume percentage of the vascular components of the interstitial tissue displayed a slight decrease between neonatal and early suckling periods (from about 8% to about 7% of the interstitium); however, they increased steadily through premature and mature animals (about 12% and 20% respectively). The present study provides baseline information for further experimental or quantitative studies exploring the normal development of the Leydig cells in donkey testis and other related species.

SummaryThis study was made on 24 camel fetuses of crown‐rump vertebral length (CVRL) ranging from 10.5 cm to 105 cm CVRL (94–352 days old). These camel fetuses were classified into three groups representing the three trimesters of prenatal life. During the first trimester (94–142 days), lingual papillae (circumvallate and lentiform papillae) were demonstrated on the lingual root, but lingual body and the apex were almost free of papillae except for some scattered epithelial projections especially near the lateral borders of the body. In the second trimester (152–229 days), the lentiform papillae covered the entire root of the tongue except for areas occupied by the circumvallate papillae. Taste buds with clear pores were observed for the first time in areas between the circumvallate gustatory furrow and surface epithelium of the tongue. In addition, short numerous filiform papillae were observed on the rostral part of the lingual body and the lateral parts of the apex. Fungiform papillae, however, were demonstrated amidst the filiform papillae. In this trimester, taste buds were also seen on the top of the fungiform papillae. In the third trimester (256–352 days), all lingual papillae were clearly demonstrated on the dorsum of the root, body and apex of the tongue. Both types of gustatory papillae (circumvallate and fungiform) had well‐developed taste buds. Mechanical papillae (filiform and lentiform) were well developed. Lentiform papillae occupied most of the dorsal aspect of the Torus linguae; they were larger in size with semicircular apices. Filiform papillae, however, were numerous and demonstrated heavily on the lateral and rostral parts of the body as well as on the apex of the tongue.

The aims of the current study were to establish a system of culture for induction of paralysed chondrocytes and to investigate if these cells are really dying. Chondrocytes were isolated from the growth cartilage of fetal equines, centrifuged and cultured as pellets in either 10% fetal calf serum or 10% horse serum for 28 days and processed for light and electron microscopy. Different cell types were counted and expressed as a percentage to the total cell number. Growth kinetics including the pellet weight and thickness and the cellular density were evaluated. After 7 days in culture, paralysed chondrocytes with similar morphology to those described in the rabbit growth cartilage could be identified in pellets in each serum type, however, the proportion of the cells was different. In pellet cultured with 10% fetal calf serum, more than 50% of the cells were paralysed chondrocytes but in 10% horse serum, less than 10% of cells were of paralysed type. At day 14, about 50% of the cells in pellets cultured in either serum type differentiated into hypertrophic dark chondrocytes and the proportion of paralysed cells was markedly decreased. After 21 days in each culture, more than 70% of the cells were hypertrophic dark chondrocytes and no paralysed chondrocytes could be observed. The paralysed chondrocytes may be not dying and they likely to be an immature form of hypertrophic dark chondrocytes. It is better to use the term immature dark chondrocytes instead of paralysed cells. This culture system will be useful for further molecular studies on paralysed chondrocytes and to explore the functions of these cells.

The wastes produced in the University campus like shredded paper, used teabags, vegetables, etc. were to be sorted and used for the production of vermicompost.Earth worms used in this study were collected from six locations in and around Jazan.The three major species found in Jazan area were Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea longa and Lumbricus rubellus.All the sps.belong to the family Lumbricidae and found to be adapted to the environmental conditions of Jizan.They were found to be active in during the vermicomposting experiments.The vermicompost showed increase in its constituents of primary nutrients {Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)}, secondary nutrients {Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg)} and micro nutrients {Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn)} in comparison with the control soil.This study is a precursor to a scientific approach in finding out how more steps need to be taken to utilise the organic waste produced in each province for the production of vremicompost in Jazan.

The early prenatal development of the tongue of the dromedary resemble in general outline that previously described in other mammals, however species specific differences have not been recognized yet. So the aim of this study to describe the early stages of tongue development in camel by using light and scanning electron microscopes. The current study was carried out on camel embryos ranging from 1.9cm to 10.5cm CVRL (71-94 days of pregnancy). In 1.9cm CVRL embryo, four prominent pharyngeal swellings appeared protruding in the primitive oral cavity representing the four branchial arches. The oral part of the tongue (anterior two thirds) developed from the first branchial arch as the latter gradually overgrew the second one, while the pharyngeal part (caudal third) of the tongue developed from the rostral part of the third branchial arch as demonstrated in 2.4cm CVRL embryos. The first sign of lingual papillae was demonstrated on the surface of the lingual root at 4.7cm CVRL and then after visualized on the body and apex of the tongue at 8.2cm CVRL. Up to 10.4cm CVRL, the investigated lingual papillae included lentiform and vallate papillae on the Torus linguae and fungiform papillae on the body and apex of the tongue, but filiform papillae were not yet developed as visualized by light and scanning electron microscopy. In conclusion, the present work presents the first report regarding the very early prenatal development of the tongue of camel.

Induction of sex reversal in O. niloticus by diethylstilbesterole (DES) and its effect on growth promotion was studied at two different hormone doses, 50mg and 100mg/kg of feed for two different feeding durations of 25 and 40 days. Treated and control groups were sexed using standard gonadal squash technique and sex ratio was calculated. The basic structure of both testis and ovary at the time of sexing was microscopically studied in semithin sections. The testis was found to be composed of lobules separated by connective tissue septa. Each lobule contained spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The ovary displayed the presence of many ovarian follicles at different stages of development in addition to some oogonial cell nests. Both DES levels and feeding durations led to significant increase in female percentage in comparison to control group. The highest female percentage was obtained by using 100mg DES/kg feedfor 40 days feeding duration. In addition, the oral administration of DES variably affected individual fry weight, specific growth rate (SGR) and percentage of survival. [N. T. Hamdoon, F. Ibrahim, A. M.Kelany, Hanan F. Elshazly, and A. E. Zayed. Hormonal sex reversal in Oreochromis niloticus by oral administration of diethylstilbesterole. Life Sci J 2013;10(2):2123-2128] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 298

This work was carried out on 22 eyeballs collected from two animal species namely donkey and buffalo (11 from each) to elucidate gross anatomical, light and scanning electron microscopical features of the iris in addition to some morphomet- rical characteristics. The iris constitutes a variable relative surface area (in relation to uvea) being the highest in the donkey. Breadth of the iris varies topographically. In buffaloes, the dorsal and ventral parts are wider than the medial and lateral ones with a subsequently oval pupil. In donkeys the breadth of the iris is nearly uniform encircling a semicircular pupil. The dorsal side of the pupillary border of the iris carries several variably- sized black masses (

The present work was carried out on 20 testes and epididymis of sexually mature camels to elucidate the gross anatomical, morphometerical, light microscopical and scanning electron microscopical features of the epididymis in different seasons. Anatomically, the epididymal duct of a camel consists of three parts head, body and tail. Histomorphologically, the epididymal duct is subdivided into initial, middle and terminal segments, of which the middle segment is further subdivided into proximal, intermediate and distal parts. There is a gradual decrease in the epithelial height of the epididymal duct from the initial to the terminal segments. This mechanically facilities passage of the sperms toward the terminal segment. High epithelium in the initial segment may indicate a more absorptive power of the epithelium in this segment. The seasonal reproductivety of the epididymal duct in the camel expressed by variations in the weight and volume of the epididymis, total diameter of the epididymal duct, epithelial height, length of the stereocilia, thickness of the muscular coat and cellular distributions in different segments. The spring months offer ideal circumstances for maximal reproductive activity in this species. The cellular components of the epididymal duct epithelium of the camel displays important morphological changes from season to another showing signs of increasing activity during spring in comparison to decreasing activity in other seasons. PAS positive granules are demonstrated in different segments of the epididymal duct and intraepithelial glands in different seasons. These granules are relatively more numerous in spring. The lamina propria surrounding the epididymal duct contains a layer of the elastic fibers which is very thick in winter, thick in spring and thin in other seasons. This increase in thickness of the elastic fibers predisposes for the increase in the total diameter of the epididymal duct in spring. It was conclude that the muscular coat of the middle and terminal segments is the thickest in spring that may be helpful for powerful ejaculation.

The present work was carried out on 20 testes and epididymis of sexually mature camels to elucidate the gross anatomical, morphometerical, light microscopical and scanning electron microscopical features of the epididymis in different seasons. Anatomically, the epididymal duct of a camel consists of three parts head, body and tail. Histomorphologically, the epididymal duct is subdivided into initial, middle and terminal segments, of which the middle segment is further subdivided into proximal, intermediate and distal parts. There is a gradual decrease in the epithelial height of the epididymal duct from the initial to the terminal segments. This mechanically facilities passage of the sperms toward the terminal segment. High epithelium in the initial segment may indicate a more absorptive power of the epithelium in this segment. The seasonal reproductivety of the epididymal duct in the camel expressed by variations in the weight and volume of the epididymis, total diameter of the epididymal duct, epithelial height, length of the stereocilia, thickness of the muscular coat and cellular distributions in different segments. The spring months offer ideal circumstances for maximal reproductive activity in this species. The cellular components of the epididymal duct epithelium of the camel displays important morphological changes from season to another showing signs of increasing activity during spring in comparison to decreasing activity in other seasons. PAS positive granules are demonstrated in different segments of the epididymal duct and intraepithelial glands in different seasons. These granules are relatively more numerous in spring. The lamina propria surrounding the epididymal duct contains a layer of the elastic fibers which is very thick in winter, thick in spring and thin in other seasons. This increase in thickness of the elastic fibers predisposes for the increase in the total diameter of the epididymal duct in spring. It was conclude that the muscular coat of the middle and terminal segments is the thickest in spring that may be helpful for powerful ejaculation.