Inherited disorders are one of the reasons of infertility and economic losses for the equine industry. The detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities is rising due to the use of sex chromosome linked molecular markers. Here, a rare sterile five-year-old Arabian mare with XY male chromosomes is presented. The phenotype was corresponded to female with normal external genitalia. By transrectal ultrasound, there were hypoplastic ovaries and aplasia of uterine horns. Chromosome analysis was accomplished on blood samples using conventional, and G-banding techniques and confirmed by PCR and hormonal analysis. Although the karyotype (2n = 64, XY) revealed a typical male arrangement, it was SRY gene negative and amelogenin gene positive for X and Y chromosome. Hormonal analysis showed slight estrogenic activity of the ovary, but low progesterone and anti-mullerian hormones levels. In conclusion, this case of sex reversal mare (SRY-negative 64, XY) was recorded using cytogenetic, genetic, and hormonal analysis. Cytogenetics and molecular screening could be used as a fast approach for reproductive disorders evaluation in equine to save money, effort, and time of breeders.

Influence of IBR vaccination timing on ovarian and uterine statuses and circulating progesterone and estradiol 17β in synchronized crossbreed heifers

T HE present study aimed to clarify the alternations in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), phosphorus (Ph), calcium (Ca), and metabolic hormones (Growth hormones (GH), insulin, and thyroid gland hormones) in singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancy in goats. Animals were examined for pregnancy ultrasonographically during mid-pregnancy (6-14 weeks of gestation), and were classified conferring to litter size into singleton (n =55), twin (n=25) and triple (n=6) pregnancy, and non-pregnant status (n=64). Blood samples (5 ml) were collected before ultrasound examination and serum was separated for analysis of alpha-fetoprotein, phosphorus, calcium, and GH, insulin, T3, and T4. The current data showed that the fetal numbers markedly influenced AFP, Ph, Ca, GH, insulin, T3 levels, but did not affect T4 and Ph/Ca ratio. AFP levels were higher in twin (P< 0.05) and triple (P< 0.001) bearing does than in non-pregnant does (56.00±5.00 and 87.00±1.90 vs 3.80±.051 ng/ml). Phosphorus and Ca levels declined with pregnancy, with the substantial decreased in multiple feti compared with non-pregnant does. Growth hormone imminently raised in twine and triple fetuses than non-pregnant does. Insulin levels elevated in triple compared to non-pregnant and singleton (P< 0.005). Serum free T3 levels were lower in single and twin bearing does than non-pregnancy. In conclusion, fetal number markedly influenced the dam metabolic profile and mineral homostatis through altering AFP and metabolic hormones levels during pregnancy in goats.

The aim of the present study was to buildup equation (s) for an intra-uterine fetal aging in Egyptian local sheep and she-goats breed using ultrasound. This study was carried out on a total number of 110 Baladi sheep and 74 she-goats under the field condition of Qalyubia governorate, Egypt. Ultrasound examination was conducted through trans-rectal and/or trans-abdominal routes. Throughout the gestation cycle between Day 26 and 112, Crown rump length (CRL) and biparietal diameter (BPD) were measured at least three times per test for each animal for accurate judgment. The correlation coefficient (R2) of BPD was higher than CRL in sheep and she-goats (0.9601 and 0.9598 vs. 0.898 and 0.903, respectively) at 39 to 112 days. Statistical analysis showed that no differences (P=0.258) between the BPD slopes represent ovine and caprine fetal growth rate. In conclusion, the use of ultrasound estimation in foetal biometry is useful to estimate the gestational age in sheep and she-goats with particular focus on BPD at all stages of pregnancy after breeding beyond Day 39.