Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:6 Issue: 2, Spring 2012

Gallstones are concretions that form in the biliary system. There are two major types of gallstones (pigment and cholesterol), which seem to form due to distinctly different pathogenic mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and chemical composition of gallstones in goats. Bacteriologic analysis and pathological findings were reviewed. The study was carried out on 411 goats at Juneghan abattoir in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province of Iran. Gallstones were found in the gallbladder of 5 goats (1.2%). Biliary calculi were more frequent in adult goats (p<0.05). No significant difference was seen between male and female goats with gallstones. Chemical analysis of the gallstones revealed 4 goats with pigment (bilirubin) stones and 1 goat with cholesterol stones. Chemical composition of bile in these goats was evaluated. Bacteriologic analysis of the bile in the affected goats revealed bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.) in 3 goats. Microscopic examination of gallbladders revealed cystic glands, necrosis and atrophy of mucosal layer, edema, focal and diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes in submucosal layer, and hypertrophy of smooth muscles in goats with gallstones. It was concluded that the prevalence of both types of gallstones in goats are low. Cholelithiasis can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder but it is not likely to become clinically significant

The use of IgYs in a variety of methods in different areas of research, diagnostics, medical application and biotechnology should be considered widely. Development of antibodies against extra cellular domain of influenza M2 (M2e) protein in egg yolk of laying hens. A Fusion construct harboring C-terminal of bovine heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and influenza M2e coding genes was injected to laying hens. Serum and egg yolk antibodies were screened for thepresence of anti-M2e antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-M2e antibodies were detected in egg yolks and sera of injected hens from 13 and 7 days post injection (PI), with the peak titer detected on 41 and 35 days PI, respectively. Anti-M2e IgY titers could be an index for expression potential of pcDNA3.1-M2e-HspCterminal construct in laying hens. This construct could be considered as a promising tool in production of anti-M2e polyclonal, monospecific IgY antibodies. Such anti-M2e antibodies could be exploited for influenza diagnostic and therapeutic measures

Some of metal ions as environmental pollutants show estrogenic activity. This xenostrogenic compounds can be caused carcinogenicity in organs. The mechanism of carcinogenicity of metal ions is not clarified. In this study, we investigated the Transcriptional effects of variety of metal ions on the bovine oxytocin and the thymidine kinase-ERE promoter by estrogen receptor αin MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line. Cells were plated into flask (75cm2) at 1.3 density or into 12- well plates (Nunc) at a density of 100000 cells per well and were transfected with a total of 3 μg of plasmid DNA using calcium phosphate coprecipitation. Oestrogen and some metal ions were used for stimulation of transfected cells. Our results showed that copper and cadmium ions activating specifically the oxytocin promoter, and cobalt and possibly, mercury ions activating specifically the ERE-controlled promoter and the majority of the ions did not affect transcriptional activation significantly. The study revealed that some metal ions show estrogenic activity by classical or non-classical mechanisms as well as some metal ions exhibit estrogenic activity by undetermined mechanisms in transfected MDA-MB 231 cell line.

Fat replacers are ingredients that can replace fat in many foods, therefore,many consumers have limited their dietry intake of fat and calories due to diet and health concerns. The present study investigated the effect of modified starch on some physico-chemical and sensory properties of low fat Hamburger. In this research, modified starch potato, tapioca (Acetylated distarch adipate) and waxy maize (Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate) at 0.5, 1.5 and 3% levels were used as the fat replacers. The amount of fat was reduced from 20% to 10% in control. Physical (cooking losses), chemical (e.g. moisture, protein, fat, ash) and sensory characteristic were assessed compared with control one. Results showed that moisture content in samples containing starch was decreased and there was a significant difference between samples containing starch and the control (p<0.05). Among the samples by increasing the amount of starch and reduced added water, the moisture content was decreased. Ash and protein showed no significant difference between starch samples and control. The sensory analysis showed, the panelist group nominated the sample containing 1.5% tapioca modified starch as the best specimen. Cook loss revealed that the cooking losses of the control sample were more than the samples containing starch. This study shows that modified starch can be used successfully as a fat replacer in ground meat product.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum, a liver trematode of herbivores, and man is very prevalent among ruminants of Iran, resulting in causing significant economic losses. Recently its phenotype polymorphism has been found in Iran, a phenomenon that may affect the protein profile of the parasite. The aim of this study was to determine the somatic protein profiles of D.dendriticum in different ruminants in Iran. Adult worms were collected from infected livers of sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo and camel. Somatic antigens were prepared separately by centrifugation of the homogenized adult worms and their patterns were determined using SDS-PAGE. Our findings revealed 18-20 protein fractions in somatic proteins of D. dendriticum of sheep and goat and 12, 11 and 10 in that of buffalo, cattle and camel respectively showing similar molecular weights of 14.4 to 116 kDa. Similar protein bands were seen in sheep and goats samples; but not for in other samples. The results showed polymorphism in the somatic protein patterns of D.dendriticum isolated from different hosts. Adifferent number of protein bands with similar molecular weights of somatic antigens of D.dendriticum are described for the first time in the present study

Infectious Bovine Rhinotrachitis (IBR) caused by Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BoHV-1) was first, observed in one of the Tehran Industrial cattle breeders, with importation of cattle in 1965. Later, the isolation of bovine herpes virus approved the existence of the disease in the most of the provinces of the Iran. Presence of antibodies against BoHV-1 was evaluated in young bovines of north, south and central provinces of Iran. Bovines with age 1 to 4 years old, non-vaccinated and without clinical symptoms were included in the study. 558 serum samples were collected equivalent to 10% of the population in each farm. The sera were tested by ELISA and micro serum neutralization (MSN) in monolayers of MDBK cells using BoHV- 1 reference strain. The results of ELISA showed that 56% (314/558) were positive and 44% (244/558) were negative for BoHV-1 specific antibody. Whoever MSN assay showed that 48% (269/558) were negative and 52% (289/558) were positive. These positive sera demonstrated that 54% had serum neutralization titer between 4-16, 35% on 32 to 64 and 11% on 64. Results suggest that the virus is actively circulating and transmitting in young herds and is a constant source of infection in the herd

Ca is the most important minerals in the body that plays a key rols in the physiological activities, anzymatic reaction and the regulation of myocardial contraction and relaxation. Ca deficiency causes the heart failure and decrease cardiac contractility. To determine the effects of long-term dietary calcium deficiency on the heart function of layer hens based on the electro- and echocardiography. Ninety Hyline W36 hens were kept for 21 weeks and fed by rations with different amounts of calcium. At 20, 28 and 36 weeks of age, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and post-mortem left ventricular parameters were assessed. S wave amplitude was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the Ca-deficient group II (in lead II) at 36 weeks of age in compared to control. There were also elevations of the QRS wave amplitudes in 28 and 36 weeks of age at two Ca-deficient groups (leads II, III, aVR, aVL and aVF) but were only significant (p<0.05) in Ca-deficient group II (leads II and aVF) in compared to control. Left ventricular free wall diameter at end-systole were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the Cadeficient group II at 28 and 36 weeks of age compared to the control group. Inter-ventricular septal diameters at end-systole were decreased in two Ca-deficient groups at 28 and 36 weeks (p<0.05). Left ventricular free wall diameter at post-mortem were significantly (p<0.05) increased in two Ca-deficient groups at 36 weeks of age compared to the control group. From these results, it can be suggested that long-term dietary calcium deficiency alters in electro- and echocardiographic parameters, which could reflect pathological left ventricular hypertrophy in the laying hens.

Increasing of oxygen consumption in fastgrowing broiler chickens is associated with the more pronounced occurrence of right ventricular hypertrophy and ascites. While, rearing of susceptible chickens in dark condition could reduce the metabolic rate of birds and hence the incidence of ascites. The present study was designed to investigate a comparative study on the influence of different dark-length schedules on the incidence of ascites and metabolic parameters in fast growing broiler chickens. Atotal of 1000 day-old (Pure Sir Broiler Line Arian) chickens were obtained and subjected to four different lighting programs. Dead birds were autopsied for the lesions of ascites. Weekly growth performance of chickens was determined and blood samples were taken, on days 7, 12, 21, 28, 35 and 42 of age for hormonal analysis. The incidence of ascites was clearly higher in birds subjected to normal lighting program compared with those of dark exposed chickens. Control chickens showed significantly higher body weight compared to the dark exposure group birds at day 21 of age, while it did not differ at days 28, 35 and 42 of age. Such differences was accompanied with the lower levels of plasma T3 and T4 concentrations in dark group chickens than to control chickens at the earlier age (days 12 and 21). This phenomenon indicated a reduction of metabolic rate and oxygen consumption in dark group chickens that had been led to reducing of ascites incidence. Our data proves that increasing dark-length instead of continuous lighting may be beneficial for rearing of broiler chickens, especially, when the risk of ascites incidence is higher

Cutaneous round cell tumors have been classified as mast cell tumor (MCT), histiocytoma (HCT), lymphosarcoma, undifferentiated round cell tumors and occasionally rhabdomyosarcoma in veterinary medicine. An adult cock (Gallus domesticus) showing a large solitary integument mass raised on dorso bilateral of cervical part, extending to intercapsular and cranial mid part of the back was referred to the birds clinic of the faculty of veterinary medicine at the university of Tehran. Microscopic examination revealed sheeted cells with large, round to oval nuclei with each one containing one or more prominent nucleoli with scant cytoplasm. The myofibrils of the neck were degenerated by aggressive tumor cells. The condition was differentiated from other round cell tumors by electron microscope, histochemical staining, as well as the application of a large panel of antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction failed to confirm the involvement of both Marek's disease virus and avian leukosis virus subgroup-J. It was concluded that the tumor cells were consistent with both B-cell lymphocytes and histiocytes that unusually covered the entire dermal layer of dorsal neck skin. This unusual cutaneous lymphoma was named as lymphoblastic histiocytoma

Ewe abortion and neonatal mortality are serious problems to sheep farmer. The objective of this paper was to report isolation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from aborted fetuses in a flock in Tehran, Iran. Abortion occurred in 10% of ewes in the flock. The fetuses were well developed and pinpoint, necrotic-like lesions were recorded on the placental cotyledons, whilst the intercotyledonary areas appeared normal. E. rhusiopathiae was isolated in pure culture and heavy growth were seen in abomasumal fluid, lungs, heart and liver of fetuses and vaginal discharge of the aborted ewes. The grown bacteria were identified using conventional bacteriological technique and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was confirmed. On the basis of the available evidence, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae might be one of the ovine abortion causes in Iran