Background: Embryonic biotechnology is an application used in animal production to expand the number of livestock animal species, provide animal products for global demand and preserve endangered species to improve reproduction, maintain biodiversity and genetic diversity and reduce the interval between generations. This animal production will supply goods and services for the human population&rsquo;s well-being leading to economic growth. This biotechnology encompasses the use of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) like in vitro fertilization and nuclear transfer using somatic cells. This study compared the relative expression of some genes between the embryos that were fertilized in vitro (IVF) and cloned embryos by nuclear transfer of bovine (SCNT-B) and Arabian Oryx (SCNT-O). 
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Methods: The oocytes were matured, then fertilized and cultured for the IVF technique, while for the SCNT technique, the matured oocytes were enucleated to recipe the donor cells for bovine and Arabian Oryx then cultured, the embryos for both techniques were used for the gene expression of the studied genes. 
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Result: The expression of each studied gene (OCT4, DNMT1, BAX, GLUT1 and HSP70) was assessed in the early and late cleavage stages of the embryos produced by IVF in bovine, SCNT in bovine and SCNT in Arabian Oryx; this gene expression was compared between the three types of embryos. There was a non-significant difference in the relative expression between the embryos produced by the techniques mentioned above.

Comparison of Gene Expression between Bovine Embryos Produced in vitro and Cloned Arabian Oryx Embryo from Bovine Ova

<div>Background: Embryonic mortality is one of the major factors leading to reproductive failure, decreased fertility and delayed pregnancy in cattle. 
 
Method: The study was aimed for investigating the incidence of embryonic mortality(EM), differentiate embryonic development and mortality based on color Doppler ultrasonographic characteristics. Different characteristics correlated were corpus luteum(CL) vascularity, embryonic development&nbsp;and EM features, monitored on day 21 post-insemination.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The overall incidence of EM was recorded to be 25%, with 15% and 10% mortality occurred between days 21-28 and 28-35 of gestation. Color Doppler analysis stated that, the CL in pregnant cows had a higher percentage of luteal tissue with positive Doppler signals on initial examination (day 21) differing significantly (P&lt;0.01) from non-pregnant and consistently increased till the end of the examination. However, cows with EM had a significantly lower CL vascularity than pregnant (P&lt;0.05) but significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than non-pregnant cows on day 21. Embryos from pregnant cows (detected by 28 days) increased in size along the days of examination. However, cows diagnosed with EM showed signs (day 28), which included reduced intra-uterine allantoic fluid, absence of embryo proper with an embryonic heartbeat, hyperechoic free-floating embryonic debris in the uterus and distorted allanto-chorionic membrane. In conclusion, the present study firmly supports color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosis of pregnant cows based on CL vascularity, visualizing the different characteristics signs of EM, and detecting non-pregnant animals undergoing EM as early as day 21.</div>

​Color Doppler Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Embryonic Development and Mortality in Dairy Cows

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present study was designed to assess the teratogenic effects of Chlorantraniliprole on chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus). Different doses of commercial Chlorantraniliprole (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5&micro;l/1000&micro;l/egg, in four experimental groups B, C, D, and E respectively) were injected into the yolk sac of eggs before incubation. Embryos were recovered at day 12 of incubation. The mortality rate gradually increased from lower to higher doses. A total of twelve morphometric parameters viz., wet body weight, crown rump length, anterior posterior head diameter, eye diameter, beak length, neck length, humor length, radius and ulna length, metacarpus length, femur length, fibula length and metatarsus length were recorded and compared with control group. These quantitative parameters indicated significant (p&lt;0.05) decreases in all treated groups compared to control group. While the qualitative anomalies such as microcephaly, hydrocephaly, edematous swelling, hematoma formation, abnormal body coloration, microphthalmia, deformed beak, agnathia, micromelia, amelia, omphalocele and ectopia cardis were also observed in treated groups as compared to untreated groups. Therefore it is concluded that Chlorantraniliprole has potentially harmful effects on the development of avian embryos even at very low dose concentration. Hence, due to toxicity of this pesticide it can be used with utmost caution.&nbsp;</div>

Teratogenic Effects of Chlorantraniliprole on chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus)

<div>The present study was designed to assess the teratological effects of Indoxacarb on chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus) by administering different doses of commercial Indoxacarb (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5ml/1000ml/egg, in three experimental groups B, C and D) injected into the yolk sac of eggs before incubation. Embryos were recovered at day 12 of incubation. The mortality rate gradually increased from lower to higher doses. A total of twelve morphometric parameters viz., wet body weight, crown rump length, anterior posterior head diameter, eye diameter, beak length, neck length, humerus length, radius and ulna length, metacarpus length, femur length, fibula length and metatarsus length were recorded and compared with control group. These quantitative parameters indicated significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease in all treated groups compared to control group. While the qualitative anomalies such as microcephaly, hydrocephaly, edematous swelling, hematoma formation, abnormal body coloration, anophthalmia, microphthalmia, deformed beak, agnathia, wry neck, micromelia, amelia, omphalocele and ectopia cardis were also recorded in treated groups as compared to untreated groups. Therefore, it is concluded that Indoxacarb has potentially harmful effects on the development of avian embryos even at very low dose concentration. Hence, due to toxicity of this pesticide it must be used with utmost caution.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Teratological Effect of Indoxacarb on Chick Embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus)</div>

<div>Background: Corticosterone is a major glucocorticoid hormone in the plasma of birds. It is produced in the adrenal gland and transferred to the eggs after 1-2 days of circulation in females by distributing within the yolk. So, this study aimed to evaluate Iraqi native chicken hatching eggs with different levels of corticosterone hormone on embryonic development. 
 
Methods: Three hundred Iraqi native hatching eggs from 30 weeks old breeds were utilized in this research. Eggs were divided into five treatments and three replicates (20 eggs for each). Eggs were injected with different levels of corticosterone hormone as follows: Control group without injection, Sesame oil group: Injected with 5 &micro;l of sterile sesame oil only, Group 1: Injected with 0.25, Group 2: Injected with 0.5 and Group 3: Injected with one ng of corticosterone hormone dissolved with sterile sesame oil. The embryonic test was checked after 72 hours, 7 days, 14 days and 18 days of egg incubation. After hatching, hatchability from fertile eggs, early, intermediate and late embryonic mortality, life and dead pipped eggs as a percentage of fertile eggs were measured. 
 
Result: Results showed a significant increase (P&le;0.05) in embryo length for Group 1 and a significant decrease (P&le;0.05) in amniotic fluid and amniotic weight percentage for Group 2, a significant decrease (P&le;0.05) in amniotic fluid, amniotic sac membrane percentage, hatchability early embryonic mortality percentage for Group 3 compared with a control group. In conclusion, a high concentration of corticosterone hormone in Iraqi native chicken hatching eggs causes an increase in embryo length, amniotic fluid and amniotic weight percentage. Also, it causes a decrease in amniotic fluid, amniotic sac membrane percentage, hatchability and early embryonic mortality percentage.</div>

Corticosterone in ovo Injection Effects on the Development of Iraqi Native Chicken Embryos

<div>Background: Vitamin A has potentially harmful effects on the development of chick embryos even at very low dose concentration. Vitamin A different doses cause embryotoxic and teratogenic effects on the developing of the chick embryo. Hence, due to teratogenicity of this vitamin it can be used with utmost caution during pregnancy. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
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Methods: Fertile chicken eggs (obtained from local hatchery) were injected with three doses of Vitamin A (15 IU/ml, 30 IU/ml, 75 IU/ml) into the center of the egg yolk. Morphometric parameters as mortality rate, body weight (g), crown rump length (mm) of embryo and Frequency % of different anomalies gross malformations were measured. Whole chicken samples were taken by 4th, 8th and 18th incubation day. Daam, Hox and Tbx genes expression profile were analyzed. 
 
Result: Dose-dependent defects and embryo lethality in the chick embryos developed when exposed to higher concentrations. Our study record for the first time the duplication in the heart, brain and eye. Also showed duplication of the neck forming S-shaped showed in some malformed chick embryos. The three investigated genes showed different fluctuations confirming the malformations detected.</div>

<div>Impact of Vitamin A on the Expression Profile of Development-Controlling Genes in Chick Embryos</div>

<div>Background: The pre and post-weaning mortality in broiler rabbit limits the production potential and lower the income generation through rabbit farming. Therefore, mortality pattern of animals in a farm is very essential clue for future strategy to combat the incidences of various diseases and prevention. Considering the above fact the present study was undertaken to find out the incidences of various rabbit diseases and mortality in an organized institutional farm. 
 
Methods: ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna was maintaining a broiler rabbit farm with 364 rabbit comprising Newzealand White (194) and Soviet Chinchilla (170) rabbit breed. During the three years (October, 2011 to September, 2014) study period in total 364 rabbits were under observation. The seasonal variation viz. (pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter, in regards to &nbsp;mortality, disease incidences, young and adults, sex variation, breed, housing system etc were recorded. The incidences of disease and mortality of rabbits were diagnosed through pathological examination and postmortem findings. The descriptive statistics and &divide;2 test were used to explain the statistical significance. 
 
Result: During the three years study period out of 364 broiler rabbits (Soviet Chinchilla and Newzealand white) in total 63 rabbits (17.31%) were died due to various diseases. The coccidiosis (3.02%), green slime disease (2.20%), haemorrhagic tracheitis (1.92%), enteritis (1.65%), pneumonia (1.37%) and peritonitis (1.37%) were affected more than the other diseases. Apart from these the other ailments that affected broiler rabbits were ear cancer (0.82%), gastroenteritis (0.82%), stomach infection (0.82%), cardinogenic shock (0.55%), stomach impaction (0.55%), kidney infection (0.55%), limb injury (0.27%), ascites (0.27%), cystitis (0.27%), abscess in abdominal cavity (0.27%), rupture of liver and gall bladder (0.27%) as well as injury of eye and blindness (0.27%). The Soviet Chinchilla rabbits were less (7.14%) affected than the Newzealand white (10.16%). It was observed that mortality of male rabbits (6.04%) were less than the female rabbits (11.26%) and &nbsp;mortality of young were higher (11.54%) than the adult rabbits (5.77%). The seasonal variations in mortality of broiler rabbits were observed in present study. In monsoon season mortality was maximum i.e. 6.32% whereas, in post-monsoon it was 5.49%, pre-monsoon 3.02% and in winter season mortality was only 2.47%. The Soviet Chinchilla rabbits were less susceptible and comparatively better performer in regards to disease resistance. It may be concluded that in broiler rabbit farm coccidiosia is a major concern along with other parasitic and bacterial diseases. However, proper hygiene and sanitation along with periodic treatment with coccidiostat and deworming reduces mortality of rabbits.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Mortality Pattern of Broiler Rabbits in an Organized Farm in Bihar, India</div>

An efficient regeneration was developed using mature and immature embryos by using Maize (Zea mays L) variety &nbsp;MU 2092. Mature embryos are removed from surface sterilized seeds, slice them into halves and immature embryos are detached from seed endosperm. Both are used as explants to initiate callus on N6 medium supplemented with 2,4 D @ 4.0 mg.L-1. The induction frequency of primary calli i.e embryogenic callus was 90% in maize. The embryogenic calli on N6 medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) @ 0.5 mg.L-1 and kinetin @ 0.5 mg.L-1 was more effective in producing shoots. The culture expressed maximum plant regeneration potential with eight shoots per embryo on regeneration. Green shoots thus developed were successfully rooted within 20 days on MS media containing IBA (Indole-3-Butyric acid) 1mg L-1. Over 86 % of rooted plants grew well and produced seeds normally when transferred to green house. The important advantage of this improved method is shortening of regeneration time by providing an efficient and rapid regeneration tool for mature and immature embryos.

Plant regeneration through callus initiation from mature and&nbsp;immature embryos of maize (Zea mays L.)

<div>Background:&nbsp;High mortality of goat kids due to infectious and non-infectious diseases negatively impacts goat husbandry.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: To study the influence of genetic and nongenetic factors on preweaning mortality of goat kids, three years&rsquo; data (July, 2015 to June, 2018) of breeds maintained at Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Goats (ICAR-CIRG) viz. Barbari, Jamunapari and Jakhrana was analyzed to find effect of breed, parity, birth weight, litter size, season of birth, sex and kid&rsquo;s age on mortality. Postmortem findings as entered in the record have been considered to arrive at the cause of mortality.&nbsp; 
 
Result: A preweaning mortality rate of 2.59% was recorded in kids of all the three breeds studied. Mortality rate of Barbari, Jamunapari and Jakhrana kids was found to be 2.15%, 3.39% and 2.13% respectively. Kids birth weight, sex or age had no effect on mortality. Highest mortality was observed in kids born as triplet/quadruplet (4.49%) followed by that in twins (2.88%) and singlets (2.01%). Highest mortality was observed in kids born to primiparous dams (3.95%) followed by kids born to dams having =/&gt; 5th parity (3.01%) and least in 2nd to 4th parity (1.82%). Most of the kids died due to enteritis (38.3%) followed by pneumonia (28.3%), debility and anemia (11.7%) septicemia (10%) and others in remaining 11.7% cases.</div>

​Risk Factors Associated with Preweaning Mortality of Barbari, Jamunapari and Jakhrana Goat Kids

An efficient Agrobacterium mediated transformation system, from which transgenic tropical maize plants was directly generated without previous crosses with laboratory or temperate lines was established in present study. Experimental evaluations are focused on two main issues: i) Establishment of appropriate tissue culture conditions, which induced somatic embryogenesis from the immature embryo cells, and ii) The delivery of T-DNA toward these cells. &nbsp;A high rate of embryogenic calli, generated from immature embryo was obtained when 2-4 D (4mgL-1) was added to the MS based induction medium. Regeneration rate was observed upto 19 plants per gram in the calli by using BAP and KIN at 0.5mgL-1. &nbsp;Regarding the Agrobacterium strains evaluated for their transformation capability on the tropical maize line MU-2092 used, best results are obtained from the strain when applied at OD 550nm= 0.5-1.0. Physical micro-wounds before the Agro-infection proved to be an excellent way to promote both the T-DNA transfer toward the immature embryo and the acceleration in rates of transient GUS expression when compared with particle bombardment. The highest frequencies of transient GUS expression corresponding to the embryos as well as the regeneration of whole transgenic plants emerged from them, was obtained using immature embryos wounded by bombarding at 80 lb/in2. Analysis of the progenies confirmed the sexual transmission of the introduced genes and their stable expression.

Comparison of Gene Expression between Bovine Embryos Produced in vitro and Cloned Arabian Oryx Embryo from Bovine Ova

Color Doppler Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Embryonic Development and Mortality in Dairy Cows

Teratogenic Effects of Chlorantraniliprole on chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Teratological Effect of Indoxacarb on Chick Embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Corticosterone in ovo Injection Effects on the Development of Iraqi Native Chicken Embryos

Impact of Vitamin A on the Expression Profile of Development-Controlling Genes in Chick Embryos

Mortality Pattern of Broiler Rabbits in an Organized Farm in Bihar, India

Plant regeneration through callus initiation from mature and immature embryos of maize (Zea mays L.)

Risk Factors Associated with Preweaning Mortality of Barbari, Jamunapari and Jakhrana Goat Kids

An efficient regeneration and genetic transformation of maize through Agrobacterium and particle bombardment in immature embryos