Background: The prolonged retention of progesterone-infused intravaginal sponges in estrous synchronization protocols, results in alteration of vaginal microflora, disturbance of vaginal pH, and increased vaginitis in goats. These changes lead to the growth of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which need antibiotics to treat this condition. Probiotics have recently been suggested as an alternative method for the maintenance of vaginal health and improving animal fertility. Aim: To investigate the effects of probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum and L. acidophilus), in compared with enrofloxacin and a control group, on vaginal microflora, vaginal pH, vaginitis incidence, and fertility in Black Iraqi goats synchronized with the progesterone intravaginal sponges. Methods: Thirty adult black Iraqi goats, aged (2-4) years, were randomly divided into three separate groups, each group (n= 10). The first group received progesterone sponge only (control). The second group received progesterone sponges combined with 50 mg of intravaginal enrofloxacin. The third group received progesterone sponges combined with probiotic suspension (2×109 CFU/sponge L. plantarum and L. acidophilus). Vaginal swabs were collected prior to sponge insertion (Day 0) and immediately after sponge removal (Day 14), for bacterial isolation, pH measurement and cytological evaluation of vaginitis. Pregnancy diagnosed by ultrasound 28±3 after mating. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and chi-square tests. Results: The incidence of vaginitis was significantly increased (P<0.05) in all groups, observed 80%, 60%, and 50% in the control, enrofloxacin, and probiotic groups, respectively. The mean vaginal pH increased significantly in all groups (P<0.001) was highest in the control group (8.1±0.16) and lowest in the probiotic group (6.9±0.12) (F2, 27=9.73; P<0.05) after sponge removal. Escherichia coli was most predominant in all groups; it increased 90% in the control group and declined to 30% (P<0.05) and 40% (P<0.05) in the enrofloxacin and probiotic groups, respectively. Lactobacillus spp. increased to 70% in the probiotic group though not significantly (P>0.05). The pregnancy rates were 50% in the control group and 80% in both treated groups, with a highly significant difference among groups (χ²= 57.6; P<0.01). Conclusion: The application of the intravaginal probiotic modified vaginal microflora, maintained vaginal pH, decreased vaginitis and improved animal fertility. The probiotic efficacy was comparable to enrofloxacin without destroying beneficial bacteria.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), a leafy plant used for fresh food, medicinal purposes, and aromatic purposes (including the extraction of volatile essential oil and active compounds), was the subject of a worker experiment at the College of Education for Pure Sciences Ibn Al-Haitham / University of Baghdad during the 2023 growing season. The experiment aimed to determine the effects of spraying the basil plant’s vegetative system with aqueous extracts of watercress and parsley on the plant’s growth characteristics and the production of active compounds. The experiment included two factors, the first factor, the aqueous extract of the watercress plant in three concentrations (0, 5, 10
A hydroponic experiment was carried out at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad during the fall season of 2019-2020 in order to improve the quality traits of broccoli grown hydroponically under the modified Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), using an internationally approved standard solution and alternative solution, the plant was enriched with ozone and the foliar application of organic nutrients. The Hydroponic study included two experiments with the standard solution (Cooper's solution) and the alternative solution (ABEER). Both experiments were implemented within the Nested Design with three replications, and both included the gas type in the main plot, which were oxygen and ozone, while the sub-
... Show MoreThe present study was carried out on forty eight epididymis of sexually mature dogs to elucidate light microscope features and the presence of testosterone receptors inside epididymis in different seasons. Twenty four dogs aged 3 years were used during the periods from 1/2/2015-1/2/2016. The epididymis were carefully dissected from the testis after orchidectomy operations and fixed, dehydrated, clarified and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid schiff. As well as, paraffin embedded cytoimmunochemistry technique was used for detection of testosterone receptors. Muscular coats showed no significant differences during different seasons or among segments. Epithelial heigh
... Show MoreHypertension is one of the leading causes of the global burden of disease, which causes serious health problems. The aim of this study is to investigate the lipid profile levels in sera of Iraqi hypertensive patients by measuring Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) and kidney function levels by measuring uric acid, urea and creatinine. Seventy five individuals of Iraqi adults (Males) were divided into three groups: 25 hypertensive patients with duration of disease (1-10) year (group 1), 25 hypertensive patients with duration of disease (11-30) year (group 2) and 25 normal individuals as control group (group3). The findings indicate that serum (TC, TG and LDL) levels were significantly elevated (
... Show MoreCitrus fruit contain variety of flavonoids such as Hesperidin (the principal flavonoid in oranges and grapefruit). Hesperidin is found in high concentration in fruit peel of oranges and in substantially lower concentration in juice of these fruits. Hesperidin was extracted from oranges peel by treating the peels with calcium hydroxide. HPLC technique was used to determine hesperidin. Hesperidin was saperated and purified in a purity of about 90.1-95.7% and yield about 1.5 %w/w from oranges peel dry powder. Both hesperidin and oranges peel extract showed significan antibacterial activity. Sensitivity to hesperidin and oranges peel extracts were not similar for the chosen bacteriaCrude orange peel extract gave a various antimicro
... Show MoreProstate cancer is an important and potentially fatal disease in humans. Both genetic and environmental risk factors are associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among Asian pop
This study applies a discourse analysis framework to explore the portrayal of women in Maysloon Hadi’s novel (The Black Eyes) (2011), using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Norman Fairclough’s tri-dimensional model (1989) as the analytical foundation. It investigates the roles and challenges women face in the novel. While there is growing interest in the portrayal of women in literature, Iraqi literature—especially from the perspective of Iraqi women writers remains underexplored. Hadi’s *The Black Eyes* provides a unique case to examine this intersection. Despite the novel’s rich narrative, which offers insight into Iraqi women’s lives, there is a lack of comprehensive CDA to understand how its language constructs
... Show MoreThe chemical bath deposition technique (CBD) is considered the cheapest and easiest compared with other deposition techniques. However, it is highly sensitive to effective parameter deposition values such as pH, temperature, and so on. The pH value of the reaction solution has a direct impact on both the nucleation and growth rate of the film. Consequently, this study presents a novel investigation into the effect of a precise change. in the pH reaction solution value on the structural, morphological, and photoresponse characteristics of tin monosulphide (SnS) films. The films were grown on a flexible polyester substrate with pH values of 7.1, 7.4, and 7.7. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the grown films at pH 7.1 and 7.4 confirmed
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