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Neospora caninum infection is a major cause of abortion in dairy and beef cattle in many countries. Fast and accurate diagnosis of neosporosis is still the best disease control strategy. Thus, Np6 and Np21 primer sets were employed for the detection of N. caninum in the blood of 139 aborted cows and tissues of 25 foeti during a wave of abortion in five dairy farms in Egypt. The results revealed a 47.5% overall prevalence of N. caninum infection in aborted cows and a 64% overall prevalence in foeti. Two farms were PCR negative for the infection, and the other farms presented 45.7%, 87.0% and 90.9% molecular prevalence. The majority of PCR-positive foeti were aborted in the fifth month of pregnancy. The most common PCR-positive fetal tissue was the brain, followed by the heart, liver, stomach contents, and then the lung. The histopathological lesions in 5-month-old aborted foeti were microgliosis in the brain meninges and submeningially and myocarditis in heart tissue. At 7 months of abortion, multifocal necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration, and neuron degeneration were observed in the brain. Heart tissue showed hemorrhage and necrotic changes. A tissue cyst was observed in the heart of 5-month aborted foeti and the brain of 7-month-old foeti. The sequenced amplicons from aborted cows and foeti were 100% identical to each other. As far as we are aware, our investigation is the first to sequence isolates of N. caninum from cattle hosts. The sequences were submitted to GenBank with the accession numbers OR939832.1 and PP708713.1. Multiple sequence alignments revealed variation between the study isolates and other published isolates from different regions and hosts. Phylogeny revealed clustering of our sequences with sequences of isolates from South Korea, China, and Italy. The sequences were distinct from sequences previously isolated from camels in Egypt.

Antimicrobial-resistant-microorganism (AMRM)-infected or contaminated food that leads to livestock losses and disease/death in humans is estimated to put 31 million people at risk of food insecurity in Nigeria by the last quarter of 2024. This study aimed to explicate the roles of food-industry stakeholders/laboratorians in preventing food contamination and animal/human infection by AMRMs. The objectives were to determine what food/food system, food security, and stakeholders in the food industry are; investigate the occurrence of AMRM in food; and elucidate preventive measures to be implemented to avoid AMRM in food. A structured questionnaire was administered to stakeholders and baseline information from published literature/established international standards was used to achieve this purpose. The majority (88%) of the respondents were from the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ilorin; all (100%) participants from the laboratories stated they knew the meaning of food security, while 56% of respondents that were ≤25 years old stated that AMRM could contaminate food. Only 52% of university-educated respondents agreed they were stakeholders in the food industry while 60% were veterinarians/medical practitioners. Reported contamination of food by AMRMs from harvest to consumption, especially in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria was by antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Proteus spp., Salmonella spp., and Clostridium spp. This was largely enhanced by the unrestricted use of antimicrobial agents in food animals, especially as growth promoters, leading to the production of unwholesome food, outbreaks of zoonoses, loss of livestock, and human diseases that were foodborne. Compulsory antimicrobial susceptibility tests should be done for isolates from food/food products to determine their suitability for use and the presence of AMRM. The diffusion method of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) should strictly follow the International Standard Organization (ISO) protocol, which includes using pure colonies, overnight culture of 0.5 McFarland turbidity, and interpreting zones of inhibition using the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) recommended breakpoints. Only certified safe and wholesome food/food products should be passed to the public for consumption. Universities and researchers should carry out more extension work outside establishments’ walls to disseminate research results in food-AMRM.

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is one of the most common pathogens affecting sheep, causing significant economic losses due to high mortality rates. The aim of this study is to isolate and identify C. perfringens from lambs that had recently died from enterotoxemia and study the histopathological changes in their intestines, livers and kidneys. A total of forty-eight samples (16 swabs from each of the intestines, liver, and kidneys) were collected from the lambs. All the collected swabs from the internal cavity of the small intestine, liver or kidney were placed in sterile tubes prepared with thioglycolate broth. Tissue samples were also taken from the intestine, liver and kidney and placed in 10% formalin (NBF) containers. The samples were transferred to the scientific research unit at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Hama University for bacteriological and histological testing. All swabs underwent bacteriological examinations by both conventional and molecular techniques for the detection of C. perfringens. The cpa, cpb, etx, and ia genes were also investigated. The total isolation percentage was 79.16%, and the highest isolation percentage was recorded in intestine followed by liver and kidneys at 33.33%, 22.92%, and 22.92%, respectively. The study also revealed the presence of cpa, cpb, etx and ia genes at rates of 44.73%, 21.05%, 34.21%, and 5.26% among isolates. The results of the histopathological examination revealed that all the intestinal sections, liver and kidneys had various pathological lesions. This study provides an opportunity to know the pathogenic types in lambs that died as a result of C. perfringens infection and could serve as a useful control element for the development of vaccines to reduce and control this economic loss in lambs.

In the last years several countries suffered from unusual heat waves in summer. High temperature and the related heat stress (HS) diminish the productivity and reproductivity of dairy cows. The aim of this study is to compare the productive and reproductive parameters in dairy cows (n = 250 Holstein cows) supplemented with a phytogenic feed additive (Herb-AllTM COOL in a dose of 12 g/cow/day) with the non-supplemented group (control) (n = 250 Holstein cows) in hot seasons. In the present trial, phytogenic feed additive (PFA) supplementation restored the animals' normal physiological feeding and rumination patterns in Italy (the temperature humidity index “THI” ranged between 77 and 81). It enabled a significant increase in milk production (P ≤ 0.05). This beneficial effect could even last two months after the supplementation was discontinued. In spite of the increase in milk volume, the concentration of the main milk components (milk fat and proteins) remained unchanged. The cows supplemented with PFA were healthier and expressed fewer postpartum complications, requiring fewer medications (-28.5%) and reducing the need to cull high-producing cows later (-40.3%) (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, PFA enabled significant improvements in fertility parameters (the period to confirmed pregnancy was reduced by 21.3%, the success rate at first insemination was more than doubled (+106.9%), and the total success rate after insemination was improved by 41.4%, where more than 68% of the cows were successfully inseminated) (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, PFA supplementation of dairy cows was capable of restoring both reproductive and lactational potential to thermoneutral levels.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of three commercial semen extenders, Modena, Zorlesco, and Vim on boar sperm quality during liquid storage in tropical Tanzania. Semen was collected from six healthy boars, representing three breeds (Large White, Duroc, and Dupi), and analyzed for motility, viability, acrosome integrity, morphology, and bacterial contamination. Ejaculates with a concentration of ≥40 million sperm/mL and ≥80% motility were selected for the study. Each ejaculate was split and extended with the three extenders, then stored at 17°C, with sperm quality assessed every 24 hours for up to 7 days. Modena demonstrated superior performance across all parameters, particularly in large white boars, maintaining sperm motility at 95.00±3.50% initially and 40.00± 5.67 % by 120 hours. It also preserved viability at 97.00± 0.65 % at 0 hours, decreasing to 37.50±8.67 % by 120 hours. Additionally, Modena was free from bacterial contamination across all breeds, significantly outperforming both Zorlesco and Vim. In contrast, Zorlesco exhibited the poorest performance, with sperm motility dropping from 92.00±4.30 % at 0 hours to 31.50±5.87 % by 120 hours in Large White. It also had the highest bacterial contamination, particularly with Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., and affected all breeds, with Dupi being the most contaminated. Vim showed moderate performance, particularly for Duroc and Dupi, where motility started at 85.00±13.67 % and 80.00±10.00 % but dropped to 20.00±2.67 % and 25.00±1.30 % respectively, by 120 hours. Microbial analysis revealed that Staphylococcus spp. is the predominant contaminant (42.86%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. (33.33%). These findings highlight the importance of selecting semen extenders tailored to breed-specific needs and challenging environmental conditions, particularly in tropical climates where bacterial contamination and temperature fluctuations pose significant challenges to semen preservation.

In the last few years, the poultry sector in Batna has faced the emergence of atypical diseases. Many professionals suspect unusual viral infections like Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and avian influenza. These diseases are often associated with colibacillosis and salmonellosis, both of which have developed atypical, multi-drug resistance. combat Escherichia (E.) coli superinfections, a study targeted broiler chickens from 80 flocks and two slaughterhouses in the Batna region. Researchers collected organ samples, including neck skin, from both sick animals and those intended for slaughter, isolating 100 E. coli strains—50 from flocks and 50 from slaughterhouses. antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli isolated from livestock were 62.5% (50/80), revealing moderate resistance rates to several antibiotics. Specifically, resistance was noted for tetracycline (62%), doxycycline (56%), enrofloxacin (44%), ampicillin (46%), amoxicillin (40%), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (34%). Resistance to colistin showed a lower rate of 20%; amoxicillin-clavulanate and ticarcillin-clavulanate had a resistance of 12% and 8%, respectively. While gentamicin and chloramphenicol had even lower rates at 8% and 6%. Notably, 94% of strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol, and 92% were sensitive to gentamicin. Additionally, 28% of strains were resistant to three antibiotics, and 18% were resistant to four. Escherichia coli isolated from the slaughterhouse was 83.3% (50 / 60) demonstrated higher antibiotic resistance than those from herds. These isolates were resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, enrofloxacin, and doxycycline, at 82%, 80%, 78%, and 74%, respectively, and had moderate resistance to nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SXT), and amoxicillin; resistance rates for colistin, gentamicin, and TTC were lower. In terms of multidrug resistance, 42% of the slaughterhouse strains were resistant to five antibiotics, 18% to four, and 14% to two. Nevertheless, these strains remained highly sensitive to colistin and gentamicin.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Teriparatide on liver and kidney tissues in rats and to examine the relationship between these effects and the gene expression of caspase-9 focusing on the mechanism of apoptosis. The experiment included 20 male rats divided into a control group and a Teriparatide-treated group, and administered 10 µg/kg subcutaneously daily for 30 days. Histological analysis revealed significant pathological changes in the liver including portal vein congestion, increased fibrous tissue, bile duct hyperplasia, degeneration, hepatocellular necrosis and sinusoidal dilation. In the kidneys were observations of glomerular atrophy, Bowman’s space dilation, hyaline casts in the tubular lumen, vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of the tubular epithelial cells, along with hemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltration. TUNEL assay showed high levels of apoptosis in the liver and kidney tissues of the teriparatide-treated group. Regarding Caspase-9 gene expression, all positive samples indicated the presence of the gene at the 153 bp site, suggesting its activation in liver and kidney tissues. There was a substantial increase in Caspase-9 gene expression in the liver and kidneys compared to the control group. The study also showed that high doses of Teriparatide have severe side effects on the liver and kidney tissues of rats, where there was a clear activation of the intrinsic caspase-9 apoptotic activation pathway and with TUNEL analysis. The kidneys and liver were also impacted to a greater extent.

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease typically transmitted through animal bites. It affects all mammals, domestic and wild, as well as humans. The primary cause of the disease is the multiplication of a neurotropic rhabdovirus in the central nervous system, which almost always leads to fatal encephalomyelitis. This study aimed to describe a canine rabies outbreak in Ksour Municipality, province of Bordj Bou Arreridj (Algeria), and its impact on public health. The epidemiological investigation revealed that a stray local dog breed had bitten multiple people and domestic animals. Seven people, 5-76 years old, were bitten. However, children under 15 years old accounted for 28.57% of the cases. Males were the most commonly bitten (85.71%). All victims sustained severe category III injuries, predominantly located on the upper extremities (85.71%). Seven domestic animals were bitten, including six dogs and one donkey. The direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and the mouse inoculation test (MIT) were both positive when applied and tested. The injured people received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with rabies immunoglobulin and vaccination. Rabies remains endemic in the study area, with stray dogs acting as the primary transmission vectors through bites. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration among the national veterinary authority, human health services, political authorities, and local communities has been proven effective in rabies control.

Serratiopeptidase exhibits therapeutic efficacy in a variety of disease models; in addition to its ability to mediate anti-inflammatory action, it is also responsible for regulating several biological activities by targeting different signaling pathways. Our study aimed to evaluate the central nervous effect of serratiopeptidase on neurobehavioral activities and to eliminate anxiety manifestations in mice. Male mice were subjected to neurobehavioral tests, including open field, negative geotaxis, head poking, and swimming tests, in addition to methods of screening for antianxiety, such as elevated pulse maze and light-dark box tests, after one hour of serratiopeptidase at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg orally. Serratiopeptidase at 20 mg/kg produced a significant increase in the number of squares cut and rearing compared to the control group. Serratiopeptidase at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg resulted in a decrease in the time required to correct the position of mice in comparison with the control group in negative geotaxis, and there was an increase in the number of stockings compared with the control group. Serratiopeptidase (20 mg/kg) significantly increased the duration of time spent in the open arm and significantly decreased the amount of time spent in the closed arm compared with the control group and the light-dark box test. Serratiopeptidase at 20 mg/kg significantly increased the time spent on the light side of mice and significantly decreased the time spent on the dark side. Serratiopeptidase at 20 mg/kg demonstrated superior effects to the group treated with sertraline in reducing anxiety-like behavior in both tests. In conclusion, serratiopeptidase has a stimulatory effect on the central nervous system, and a high dose may produce anxiolytic-like effects.

Morphometric characteristics of the head and neck are distinctive breed features in Egyptian Arabian horses, yet their heritability patterns remain incompletely characterized. This study investigated ten morphometric traits in 91 purebred Egyptian Arabian colts, one year old, at El Zahraa stud. The colts were progeny of 13 sires that were also found in El Zahraa stud. The measurements of the head and neck were obtained using calibrated tape to estimate ten measurements, encompassing seven head measurements (head length, muzzle circumference, left ear length, forehead length, eye-to-mouth length, jaw length, and jaw width) and three neck measurements (neck length, throat latch, and neck base circumference). This study aimed to investigate the influence of Arabian sires on the inheritance of head and neck traits in their foals and to estimate some genetic parameters such as heritability, genetic and phenotypic variance, and correlation among different head and neck traits of yearly Arabian colts. Results revealed a significant effect of sire component on specific morphometric traits, which allowed the identification of better breeding stock for specific trait improvement. These findings provide valuable insights for developing selective breeding strategies aimed at preserving and enhancing characteristic head and neck features in Egyptian Arabian horses. Moreover, this approach will further enhance understanding of Arabian horse genetics and improve breeding program outcomes.

The incorporation of antimicrobials in poultry production systems has been linked with the development of resistant bacteria that spread to the environment, transmit to humans, and consequently induce a serious risk for public health. Therefore, searching for natural antibiotic alternatives could help in minimizing the harm to food safety, environmental contamination, and the overall health hazard. Phytobiotics are effectively used as antimicrobial feed additive alternatives worldwide. Many phytochemicals found in herbs, spices, plant extracts, and essential oils have demonstrated potential bioactivities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea is included in the list of phytogenic substances with numerous health benefits. Green tea (GT) (Camellia sinensis) has more than 200 bioactive compounds and 300 different substances, including polyphenols, alkaloids, volatile oils, amino acids, polysaccharides, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. In poultry production, the dietary GT and its derivatives (extract, leaves, by-products, polyphenols, and flowers) are supplemented for improving performance, immunity, and blood parameters; alleviating stressors and reducing microbial infections. Therefore, this article was designed to investigate the different influences of using GT as a feed additive in the poultry production system regarding its effects on the production performance of broilers and layers, carcass characteristics, oxidative stressors, blood parameters, immunity, and microbial balance.

This investigation aimed to assess the dose-dependent impact of the pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on the in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes and the effect of combining the best dose with the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is a cost-effective substitute for FSH and LH hormones. The study was planned as two experiments that included 1134 oocytes to study the impact of varying concentrations (0, 10, 20, and 40 IU/mL) of PMSG addition (1st experiment) as well as the influence of hCG, PMSG, or their combination (2nd experiment) on the ovine’s oocyte in vitro. The experimental groups of the 2nd experiment were control (G1), 20 IU/mL hCG (G2), 20 IU/mL PMSG (G3), and 20 IU/mL PMSG plus 20 IU/mL hCG (G4). The first experiment demonstrated that the polar body (PB) rate was increased (P < 0.01) by all treated groups, being 13.33, 17.76, and 15.70 in G2, G3, and G4 versus 9.87% in G1, respectively. The mitochondrial fluorescent intensity recorded 7.61, 11.92, 12.43, and 12.35, while the lipid fluorescent intensity was 9.88, 29.98, 40.05, and 25.66 for G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively, being higher (P < 0.05) in treatment groups than in the control one. The results of the 2nd experiment showed that the PB extrusion was higher (P < 0.01) in G2, G3, and G4 than in G1 (12.60, 14.91, and 14.75 vs. 6.92%, respectively). The mitochondrial fluorescent intensity recorded 8.82, 12.30, 17.58, and 13.36 for G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively. The lipid fluorescent intensity was 10.16, 6.98, 13.83, and 49.68 for G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively. In conclusion, the addition of PMSG and hCG to sheep oocyte maturation media improved the oocyte maturation.

This study aimed to examine how varying concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, and 4.0%) of nano-L-α phosphatidylcholine (nano-L-α-PC) affected the quality of post-thawed buffalo bull semen compared to the same concentrations of L-α-phosphatidylcholine (L-α-PC), while 20% egg yolk (EY) was used as a control. Ejaculates (n = 72) were collected from fertile buffalo bulls (n = 12) for 6 weeks. The ejaculates were pooled and divided into 11 groups (3 aliquots per group) extended with 20% EY (Group 1 without supplement), 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, and 4.0% nano-L-α-PC (Groups 2–6), and 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, and 4.0% L-α-PC (Groups 7–11) in tris buffer. After cryopreservation procedures, semen samples were thawed at 37 °C and then evaluated for sperm kinematics, acrosomes, plasma membranes, and DNA integrities. The seminal plasma was analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reduced (GSH), and catalase (CAT). Results demonstrated that extended semen samples containing 1.0-3.0% nano-L-α-PC and 1.0-4.0% L-α-PC showed high total motility compared to control, whereas at 0.5–4.0% of nano-L-α-PC and L-α-PC showed high progressive motility. Significant (P< 0.05) wobble levels were seen at 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0% nano-L-α-PC, and distance average path and velocity average path at 2.0% L-α-PC. Acrosome and plasma membrane integrities were markedly elevated (P< 0.0001) at 2.0% nano-L-α-PC and 4.0% L-α-PC. High DNA integrity metrics were noticed at 0.5–1.0% nano-L-α-PC, as well as 3.0% and 4% L-α-PC. Low MDA and high (SOD, GSH, and CAT) levels were observed at 2.0% nano-L-α-PC and 4.0% L-α-PC. In conclusion, the optimum concentration of nano-L-α-PC that improved semen quality was 2.0%, which is roughly equivalent to the effect of 4.0% L-α-PC.

Endosulfan (ES) is an organochlorine insecticide that has been extensively used in agricultural production. Despite being banned globally, the production and illegal use of ES continue in certain countries, raising concerns about their impact on the environment and human health. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ES on the fertilization, hatching, and survival rate of the lemon fin barb hybrid (LFBH; Hypsibarbus wetmorei × Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) eggs and larvae. A pair of LFBH was used as the broodstock. The sperm and eggs harvested via the stripping method were mixed and exposed to different concentrations of ES (0 ppm, or control; 0.01 ppm, 0.1 ppm, or 1 ppm). The fertilization and hatching rates were evaluated in vitro at 3 and 18 hours post-exposure, respectively. The survival rate of the larvae was assessed at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-hatching. The fertilization and hatching rates of the LFBH eggs treated with 1 ppm ES (44.24±4.6% and 18.54±2.8%, respectively) were significantly lower (p < /em>

Abstract Background Many ecologically and commercially important species occur in the epipelagic marine environment and have been observed to spend a considerable amount of time associating with surface structure. The bottom depth of this habitat often exceeds transmission (~ 500-1000 m) and receiver (500–750 m) range specifications for commonly used acoustic telemetry methods that rely on an array of receivers deployed on the seafloor with overlapping fields of detection to provide positioning of acoustically tagged individuals. This poses logistical challenges for tracking the fine-scale movements, behaviors, and associations to moored and free-floating structure of these species. Acoustic telemetry can provide high resolution positioning data for tagged animals within an array of receivers with overlapping fields of detection; however, this technique has not been applied in deep open-ocean environments off the benthos. Results Herein, we detail the development of a novel vertical acoustic telemetry array that can be mounted on, or suspended from, various moored and free-floating structures in the open ocean, thus facilitating high resolution tracking of structure-associated epipelagic animals. This new ‘vertical acoustic array’ (VAR) allows for the calculation of a transmitter’s distance from the array and depth with average error around these metrics ranging from 16.2 to 54.8 m (distance error) and 8.6 to 61.5 m (depth error) within the tested range (~ 500 m radius around the array, ~ 300 m deep). We also validated the ability of the VAR to inform the association of an epipelagic species to surface structure by calculating fine-scale positioning for a great barracuda around a fish aggregating device (FAD), which on average was 27.9 ± 2.9 m away at a depth of 9.3 ± 0.4 m over a 9-day tracking period, demonstrating high association with the structure. Conclusions This new array is able to provide two-dimensional (distance away and depth) animal behavior data around natural and anthropogenic moored and free-floating structures in open-ocean environments where bottom depths often exceed transmission (~ 1000 m) and receiver (~ 500 m) range specifications of traditional bottom moored positioning arrays. This array can also be used to quantitatively assess associations of epipelagic species beyond presence/absence using a single receiver, advancing the potential to improve understanding of the interactions between pelagic fauna and anthropogenic structures such as wind turbines, oil rigs, and fish aggregation devices.

Abstract The collection of wildlife tracking information throughout a species’ entire life cycle is important for comprehensive ecological elucidation and the establishment of practical protected areas. Although streaked shearwater (SS) is a seabird species for which biologging techniques are highly developed, there have been no reports of successful global positioning system (GPS) tracking during the early breeding and non-breeding seasons, when recapture is difficult. In this study, we succeeded in long-term GPS tracking, obtaining highly accurate tracking data during the non-breeding season from November to March and the early breeding season from April to July. We discuss the relationship between prey distribution and the marine environment to understand the species’ foraging habitat preferences. In September 2018, we attached GPS tags to birds breeding on Toshima, in the Izu Islands, and recaptured two birds in August 2020 and 2022. The tags worked for 277 and 549 days and fixed 23,510 and 37,233 positions, respectively. During the early breeding season, the foraging area had low sea surface temperatures (SST) and high chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations and moved northward as the season progressed. During the non-breeding season, one bird wintered in the South China Sea and the other off northern New Guinea. In the South China Sea, SS preferred sea areas with an average SST of 26 °C and high Chl-a concentrations (> 0.8mg/m3), whereas off northern New Guinea, SS preferred an area with an average SST of 29 °C. The foraging area used during the early breeding season depended on the optimal water temperature zone for their primary prey—Japanese Anchovy. The foraging areas used during the non-breeding season matched the optimal water temperature zones of the main fish distributed in each sea area. The GPS tracking data obtained in this study, while not a statistically sufficient sample size, are valuable and provide new insights into the environmental preferences of SS during early breeding and non-breeding seasons; life stages for which little information is available.

Here, we review the processes involved in producing and assessing the quality of recombinant spider silk proteins (spidroins) and the challenges associated with their synthesis and spinning into robust fibres. We provide an overview of the techniques used to produce the proteins, from gene synthesis to expression in various host organisms. Evidence suggests that the N- and C-terminal regions of spidroins are of utmost importance for fibre assembly and the repetitive domains are responsible for the unique mechanical properties in both native and recombinant versions of spider silks. We describe the role of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in spidroin assembly and its importance in subsequent fibre formation. Recent developments in recombinant spidroin production and co-expression strategies for improving yield and scalability are highlighted. Techniques such as mass photometry and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for analysing protein purity and assembly behaviour are thereupon detailed. Finally, we address the role that predictive computational methods play in the future of designing novel and high-performing materials inspired by spidroins.

The journal retracts the proceedings paper, titled “Biodiversity Loss with Habitat and Risk of New Diseases” [...]