فصلنامه دامپزشکی ایران
سال نوزدهم شماره 81 (زمستان 1402)

Waterfowls are one of the hosts for Avian influenza virus (AIV) H4 subtypes. In fact, the importance of domestic ducks as reservoirs in the distribution of this virus has been previously proven. Also, the live poultry market could be a significant place in spreading and transmission of influenza virus among the birds and animals. Identification and molecular determination of HA and NA genes of the H4N2 avian influenza virus was isolated from this group of birds in live bird markets of Iran. From 962 cloacal samples, collected from domestic ducks and geese, the NA and HA genes sequences revealed the emergence of this virus in Iran for the first time. Phylogenetic analyses of the HA gene showed high homology to the Eurasian lineage of H4N6. On the other hand, the cleavage site of the HA genes showed a PEKQTR/GLF motif, an indicator of LPAI. Also, the NA gene showed high homology to those belonging to AIV N2 subtype. This is the first study regarding the detection and identification of AIV H4 subtypes from domestic ducks in Iran. It recommends a continuous monitoring of the avian influenza viruses in Iran in order to study the evolution and identify new strains with pandemic potential because such information will be helpful in controlling of the disease.

Streptococcus uberis is a Gram-positive bacterium and the major cause of mastitis in dairy cattle. This bacterium is one of the most important causes of economic losses in dairy herds with no ordinary monitoring program for mastitis. In order to evaluate the presence of this agent in the bulk tank milk of dairy cattle farms in Isfahan province and to find out its relationship with the total bacterial and somatic cells count, 100 tank milk samples were collected. The total bacterial and somatic cells were detected in the samples and the level of infection to S. uberis was evaluated by conventional culture and RT-PCR methods. The results of RT-PCR and culture showed infectivity of 20 and 16 samples to S. uberis, respectively. All culture positive samples were also positive in RT-PCR, but 6 samples were only positive in RT-PCR, indicating that RT-PCR is more sensitive than culture. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between the infectivity to S. uberis and the total somatic cells, but the presence of this bacterium had no significant effect on the total number of bacteria in milk samples. It can be concluded that S. uberis is usually present in dairy farms of Isfahan province and it is necessary to pay more attention to the methods of monitoring and controlling the mastitis cows.

Oestrus ovis (sheep nasal bot-fly) is one of the important zoonotic parasites of small ruminants. Human ophtalmo- nasopharyngeal myiasis caused by O. ovis larvae have been reported in Iran and other countries. In this study, excretory-secretory (ES) and somatic (S) antigens of O. ovis larvae were evaluated for serodiagnosis of the infestation in goats by indirect haemagglutination (IHA). After tagging and blood sampling of goats in the slaughterhouse, the third and second larval stages of O. ovis (L2 and L3) were collected from their cut horns. For the preparation of somatic antigens (SL2 and SL3), the larvae were homogenized separately in test tube with a homogenizer, then centrifuged and the supernatant was collected. For the preparation of ES-antigens (ESL2/ESL3), the larvae were separately incubated in RPMI media with antibiotics for 48 hours. With 30 positive sera (from infested goats), 30 negative sera (from kids) and the antigens, the IHA method was evaluated for diagnosis of O. ovis infestation in goats. Based on IHA tests performed on ESL2 and SL2 antigens, sensitivity and specificity rates were 91% and 85%, and 82% and 96%, respectively. Based on the IHA results, using Sl3 and ESL3 antigens, the sensitivity and specificity were 86% and 100%, and 23% and 92%, respectively. A total of 206 sera samples from goats in Behbahan (Khuzestan) were tested for serodiagnosis of O. ovis infestations by IHA using ESL2 and ESL3 antigens. Results of IHA using ESL2 and ESL3 showed seroprevalences of O.ovis infestation in the animals at 59.7% and 43.2% respectively. According to the results of this study, IHA with ESL2 and ESL3 antigens can be used with indirect hemagglutination as a rapid, inexpensive detection method, especially in goats for treatment and control, minimizing their economic losses, as well as in humans for reducing myiasis.

The essential oils are a combination of volatile oils that are made into plants as a secondary metabolite. Anise essential oil is known for its antimicrobial activity to several bacteria pathogenic. Bacterial pathogens are one of the important factors in the aquaculture industry. The aim of this study was to identify the bacterial pathogens in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fish and also to investigate antibacterial activity of anise essential oil on these bacteria. In this study, two pathogenic bacteria in fish including Streptococcus iniae and Lactococcus garviae were isolated from head kidney then purified from fish and identified by PCR; then, the antibacterial activity of anise essential oil against these pathogens was evaluated by macrodilution broth method. According to the findings PCR results indicate high prevalence of Streptococcus iniae and Lactococcus garviae in rainbow trout culturing ponds. The effect of essential oil anise on bacteria showed a minimum growth inhibitory concentration for Streptococcus iniae about 0.19 µl/ml and this amount was 0.312 µl/ml for Lactococcus garviae. The diameter of the growth inhibition zone under the influence of essential oil of anise on these gram positive bacteria was compared with the diameter of the growth inhibition zone under the influence of common antibiotics the results showed a significant difference in anise essential oil compared with antibiotics. The result also showed significant potential of anise to inhibiting growth of these bacteria. so, identification by molecular methods can be an effective role in the success of aquaculture.

Proper treatment and wound healing, as well as preventing it from becoming infected from increasing the speed of recovery, have always been considered by humans, therefore various methods have been used to achieve this goal. This study aims to compare the effect of tranexamic acid on open wound healing in rat skin.Forty healthy male rats with an average weight of 200-250 grams were selected and randomly divided into two main groups of 20: Group 1 - treatment group (creating an open wound and using tranexamic acid) and group 2 - control group (creating an open wound and medicinal vehicle without tranexamic acid); each of the main groups was divided into four sub-groups (3, 7, and 14-day time groups) and 21). For the histopathological investigation of the healing process, the wounds of the mice of the subgroups in both main groups were removed in total thickness and with a diameter of 15 mm (10 mm of the wound, plus 5 mm of healthy tissue margin) and were examined for histopathological histological studies. To observe the healing process, after histopathological sectioning, with two qualitative staining methods, i.e. hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome, the study groups and the obtained information were converted into quantitative information and subjected to statistical analysis. The healing process was highlighted based on eight histopathological parameters including epithelial tissue defect, flesh bud, angiogenesis, collagen fibers, number of fibroblast cells, inflammatory response, necrosis length, and thickness of the newly formed epithelium at the healing site. Using tranexamic acid improved the epithelial tissue defect, fleshy bud, average collagen fibers, number of collagen cells, and inflammatory response. In addition, the use of tranexamic acid significantly improved the average length of necrosis, the thickness of the newly formed epithelium, and the histological condition. The findings suggest that tranexamic acid drug helps to heal the open wound in rat skin.

leaping mullet is one of the valuable and economic species that accounts for a significant part of the bony fish catch in the Caspian Sea every year. In this study, prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections were investigated as one of the possible reasons for the decrease in stocks and the amount of catch of this fish. A hundred and fifty nine leaping mullets were sampled from Feb 2021 to April 2022 on the southwestern coasts of the Caspian Sea. Wet mounts were prepared from gills, skin and fins and monogenean parasites were fixed by glyceirn gelly. In order to investigate the digistive parasites, the contents of digestive tract after dilution were examined with a light microscope. Identification of parasites was done after photographing, drawing and measuring different organs and comparing with identification keys.  In all, 6 species of parasites, including two monogenean species, Ligophorus szidati and Solostamenides mugilis, three species of terematodes, Saccocoelium obesum, Saccocoelium tensum and Diplostomum spathaceum, and one protozoan species, Trichodina sp. were isolated and identified. Based on the results, S.obesum with 51.29% prevalence index was the most dominant parasite in the intestines of these fish. In this study, two monogenean species, Solostamenides mugilis and Ligophorus szidati, were reported for the first time from leaping mullet in the Caspian Sea. In general, the parasitological examination of mullet fish showed that the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections in them is very limited. Therefore, the current situation of parasitic infections is not considered a threat to leaping mullet fish health.

This study aimed to evaluate the sizes and dimensions of fetuses and uteruses in under-four-month pregnant river buffalos through ultrasonography by determining their standard values. For the ultrasonographic evaluation of uteruses in under-four-month gravid cows, 24 uteruses of eight age groups were collected from a slaughterhouse and then transported to a laboratory. Each uterus was placed inside a 40-liter water bowl (water bath) and then examined with probes of 6.5 and 8 MHz. The fetal eyeball diameter, skull diameter, lateral and dorsal cotyledon diameters were reported 0.55±0.30 cm, 1.25±0.50 cm, 1.50±1.33 cm, and 1.00±1.10 cm, respectively, in a 47.79±3.41-day-old fetus. The fetal eyeball diameter, skull diameter, lateral and dorsal cotyledon diameters were reported 0.65±0.12 cm, 2.35±1.20 cm, 2.30±1.21 cm, and 2.50±0.65 cm, respectively, in a 76.34±3.4-day-old fetus. The fetal eyeball diameter, skull diameter, lateral and dorsal cotyledon diameters were reported 1.60±0.12 cm, 4.50±1.80 cm, 3.08±0.50 cm, and 3.03±0.75 cm, respectively, in a 105.7±3.2-day-old fetus.  In general, the research results indicated the critical role of ultrasonography as an early diagnostic method for determining the sizes and dimensions of fetuses and uteruses in under-four-month pregnant river buffalos and obtaining their standard values.

Despite the medicinal properties of Aloe vera, several active compounds found in the plant raise concerns about its safe consumption and application, particularly concerning the male reproductive system. Previous studies on the impacts of Aloe vera on male reproductive hormones were limited to testosterone and gonadotropins, with conflicting results. To date, no research has been conducted on the effect of Aloe vera on the hormones, such as inhibin B and anti-mullerian, which could shed light on the plant's effects on the male reproductive system. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera gel extract on serum levels of hormones including inhibin B, gonadotropins, testosterone, and anti-mullerian hormone. For this purpose, 18 adult male rats were divided randomly into three groups (one control group and two treatment groups). The rats in the first and second experimental groups received the Aloe vera hydro-alcoholic extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, for 60 days. In the end, the levels of reproductive hormones were measured in the serum samples by the ELISA method. Treatment of rats with two doses of hydro-alcoholic Aloe vera extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) resulted in a non-significant decrease in the levels of testosterone and LH and a non-significant increase in the levels of FSH, inhibin B, and anti-mullerian hormones in adult male rats. Therefore, it was concluded that long-term consumption of hydroalcoholic extract of aloe vera gel has no significant effect on the level of pituitary-gonadal hormones in adult male rats.

Environmental pollution, especially oil and gas pollutants, has devastating effects on maternal and fetal health. In this study, the direct effects of petroleum gases on the development and function of the immune system during prenatal and neonatal periods in rats were investigated. Pregnant rats (N=36) were divided into two groups: one exposed to pollutants and one serving as the control group. The group of pollutants was exposed to oil vapors in the vivarium compartment for 5 hours per day starting from the first day of pregnancy. Fetal spleen samples were taken on day 20 of embryonic life to investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon beta-1 (IFN-β1), alpha lymphotoxin (LT-α), and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1) genes. The total serum immunoglobulins and antibody titer to sheep red blood cells were evaluated when the neonates were 45 days old. Innate immune responses were investigated in terms of serum bactericidal, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, anti-protease, and complement activity. The expression of the mentioned genes in newborns was also evaluated at the ages of 15 and 30 days compared to the control group. The results indicated a significant decrease in the activity of lysozyme, complement, and myeloperoxidase, as well as a non-significant reduction in the serum bactericidal activity and humoral immune response of the pollutant group compared to the control group. The expression levels of LT-α and IFN-β1 were reduced, while the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-10 were elevated in the embryos exposed to pollutants. An age-related increase in TNF-α and TGF-β1 was observed in the offspring of the pollutant group. In conclusion, petroleum vapors have been shown to have a destructive and significant effect on the innate, humoral, and cellular immune responses of fetuses and neonates. The mechanisms involved in these destructive effects can be investigated in future studies.

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between aflatoxin levels and pathological lesions observed in poultry liver.  Out of 50 liver samples including 10 samples with healthy appearance and 40 samples with pale appearance from 10 herds in Ahvaz slaughterhouses were randomly selected. One part of the selected liver was evaluated for histopathological lesions after staining by hematoxylin & eosin and periodic schiff method, and the other part was frozen to measure different types of aflatoxins by HPLC technique. The results showed that none of the 10 liver tissue samples with healthy appearance and 2 of 30 liver tissue samples with swollen and pale appearance were infected with aflatoxins B1, G1, B2 0.19 ± 0.01 , 0.17 ± 0.04, 0.075 ±.007 μg kg, respectively. In liver tissues with healthy appearance and with swollen and pale appearance, histopathological lesions were often observed in the form of hepatocellular swelling and vacuolar degeneration. The results of this study showed that there was no significant relationship between histopathological lesions of the liver and aflatoxin contamination in the relevant samples and these general lesions also occur under the influence of other pathogenesis factors, so the effect of other factors affecting the growth of broilers should be studied.

Brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis is one of the important health and economic diseases in Iran is very important to pay attention to it as a zoonotic disease. The aim of the study was to investigate B. melitensis infection in a kennel dog and also to compare different laboratory methods to diagnose Brucella melitensis infection in dogs. In this study, the whole blood samples (for PCR and culture), vaginal swabs samples (for PCR tests) and serum samples (for Rose Bengal, Wright and 2 mercaptoethanol tests) were obtained from 14 bitches at a kennel, in which a bitch had been aborted due to Brucella melitensis infection. Also, the whole blood sample and semen sample were obtained from the only male dog of this kennel for PCR test. Finally, the data obtained from these tests were analyzed by calculating the sensitivity and specificity as well as the Kappa coefficient. Bacteriological culture results of all blood samples were negative. The PCR results of seven blood samples (%50) and eight vaginal swab samples (%57.1) obtained from 14 bitches were positive. By using PCR primers, B. melitensis were identified in all positive samples. In the serological test, out of 14 sera obtained from bitches for the Rose Bengal screening test, eight positive samples were observed, but only one positive sample was observed in Wright and 2 mercaptoethanol tests. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of PCR test in vaginal swab samples was 100% and there is an excellent performance (kappa coefficient = 1) between the results of the Rose Bengal test and PCR of vaginal swab samples in the diagnosis of Brucella melitensis in dogs. In dogs suspected of brucellosis, at first it is recommended to take a sample of the animal's blood to perform the Rose Bengal test, and if the result is positive, to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the strain of Brucella, then a vaginal swab sample should be taken to perform the PCR test.

Increasing uses of nanoparticles such as iron oxide and its many fields of applications, on the other hand, lead to their discharge into an aqueous environment and may interfere with physiological processes for aquatic organisms. On the other hand, Spirulina with antioxidant and therapeutic properties is used as a dietary supplement in aquaculture. The aim of the present study was to evaluate histomorphological effects of kidney and serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid of oral administration of iron oxide nanoparticles and the therapeutic effects of spirulina platensis in Mugil cephalus. After two weeks of adaptation, 72 fish gray mullet (Mugil cephalus) weighting (22.79± 1.14 g) and with length (12.322±0.194 cm) were divided into 11 groups in 40-liter aquariums. Treatments included 3-day (short-term) and 60-day (long-term) groups receiving 15 mg/kg iron oxide nanoparticles, 300 mg/kg spirulina platensis, and a combination of both. Histological and histomorphometric changes were performed, including the diameter of the lumen of distal and proximal tubules, the height of epithelium of distal and proximal tubules, the diameter of the renal corpuscle, the diameter of the glomeruli, and the size of the urinary space (Bowman capsule). Serum levels of urea, uric acid, and creatinine were then measured.Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26, One Way ANOVA and Tukey post test. The results indicated that iron oxide nanoparticles for 60 days led to significant changes in all factors (except for diameter of the renal corpuscle) compared with the control group. In contrast, Spirulina platensis caused a significant decrease in diameter of the lumen and an increase in height of epithelium of distal and proximal tubules, which was a significant increase in the distal tubules. Spirulina platensis decreased no significant diameter of urinary space. The results showed that spirulina acts against effects induced by iron oxide nanoparticles; in other words, it could neutralize the damage caused by the nanoparticles. It was observed that iron oxide nanoparticles cause a slight decrease in serum urea level, but spirulina increases the amount of serum urea, which was not significant. Spirulina prevented a large increase in serum creatinine and a large decrease in uric acid caused by nanoparticles and therefore had a compensatory function.

Pregnancy toxemia, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies are common metabolic and nutritional disorders that occur at the end of ewes' pregnancy and cause economic losses in animal industries. Their co-occurrence in ewes increases the likelihood of their effectiveness and relevance. One hundred and twenty-seven ewes at the end month of pregnancy were selected and the relationship between serum concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and NEFA, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, Cu and Zn was determined at different BHB thresholds. Following confirmation of pregnancy, 5 ml of Jugular blood was prepared and serum was used to evaluate the parameters. The mean BHB concentration was 0.75 and ranged from 0.13-1.39 mmol/l. Frequency and percentage of ewes with BHB <0.79 mmol/l was 72 (56.7%), 0.8-0.99 mmol/l was 48 (37.8%), 1-1.19 mmol/l was 6 (4.7%) and 1.2-1.39 mmol/l was 1 (0.8%). The mean concentrations of NEFA, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, Cu and Zn were 0.42 mmol/l, 50, 55.9, 29.3 mg/dl, 98.6 and 76.9 μg/dl, respectively. Mean concentrations of NEFA, glucose and Cu were significant among ewes grouped with less than 0.79 mmol/l BHB. This comparison was significant between ewes with a threshold of 0.8 and 1 mmol/l BHB only for NEFA and cholesterol. There were correlations between BHB/NEFA (r=0.31) and Cu (r=0.42) at the threshold of <0.79 mmol/l BHB and at the 0.8-0.99 mmol/l BHB between BHB/glucose (r=-0.55), glucose/Cu (r=0.38), cholesterol/triglyceride (r=0.33), cholesterol/Cu  (r =0.27), cholesterol/Zn (r=0.26) and Cu/Zn (r=0.42) and the same as for 1.2-1.39 mmol/l. In conclusion, the incidence of subclinical ketosis in pregnant ewes at the threshold of 0.8 mmol/l BHB was 37.8% and 1 mmol/l BHB was 4.7%. Serum Cu and Zn concentrations of ewes were in the normal range and no deficiency was observed. BHB was not correlated with Cu and Zn but was effective in NEFA, glucose and cholesterol concentrations. Finally, 4.7% of ewes were suspected to subclinical ketosis and Cu and Zn were not influenced by BHB values.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease in domestic and wild animals worldwide. This disease is caused by different species Babesia, including Babesia microti, which is zoonotic and can be transmit between humans and animals due to their ability to be transmitted from blood. Limited information is available regarding the presence of Babesia microti in ticks in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Babesia microti in ticks of Khuzestan province and to determine their molecular and genotypic characteristics. The present study was a field-descriptive-cross-sectional study that was conducted for 16 months from June 2017 to September 2018 in Khuzestan province. The ticks (No = 620) were collected from cows, sheep, goats and horses in Khuzestan province and their characteristics were determined using valid keys. The presence of Babesia microti infection and its genotype in collected ticks were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 18S rDNA gene, amplifying a PCR product of 149 bp in length. A total of 620 salivary gland samples collected from ticks included Rhipicephalus turanicus (150), Rhipicephalus sanguinus (60), Hyalomma anatolicum (310) and Hyalomma exquavatum (100). Ten samples were pooled as one sample for DNA extraction. The results of PCR showed that the infection rate of Babesia microti in Hyalomma anatolicum species is 64%. The results of the sequencing of 4 PCR positive samples of Babesia microti from 4 regions of Khuzestan province (Ahvaz, Behbahan, Elahaye and Lali) showed that there are 2 mutations at position (A>G) 465 and (A>C) 517 in Ahvaz isolate. The results of this study also showed the presence of Babesia microti infection in the ticks of domestic animals in Khuzestan province, which should be considered in terms of transmission to humans.

Yersinia enterocolitica is one of the most important pathogens transmitted through the digestive tract of pets (dogs and cats) to human. This bacterium is the causative agent of enterocolitis in human. The present study was performed on one hundred dogs (fifty clinically healthy and fifty affected to diarrhea) referred to Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. All characteristics of dogs such as age, gender, breed, gastrointestinal status for diarrhea and characteristic of diarrhea (heamorrhagic), history of raw meat consumption and dog origin were recorded. Then, two stool specimens were taken using sterile glove and swab of the rectum area. The samples were also examined for direct culture and enriched culture (in the buffered peptone water at temperature of 4° C). In cases that the grown colonies were suspected to Yersinia, initial tests (catalase, oxidase and gram staining) were performed and identified with biochemical tests. The probable isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica were recognized by PCR technique and then foxA gene was used to identify bacterium and determine the virulence with ail gene (pathogenicity). Three suspected isolates from one hundred samples (one case of healthy dogs and two cases of diarrheic animals) were included in the results of direct culture. Results of enriched culture were composed of six suspected isolates from one hundred cases (three out of healthy dogs and three other cases of diarrheic animals). Finally, out of the nine suspected isolates to Yersinia, only one sample was confirmed for Yersinia enterocolitica that was negative for ail virulence gene. The positive sample was belonged to a healthy, male and ten-months-old Pit bull terrier imported dog that was fed with raw meat. The results of this study showed that the dogs of this area cannot be considered as a potential reservoir for transmission of Yersinia enterocolitica. Further studies are necessary to determine the status of the disease, with more emphasis on the imported and rural dogs.

Successful blastocyst implantation requires a suitable uterine environment. Ovarian hormones are responsible for endometrial maturation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of steroid hormones on collagen fibers and the diameter of endometrial glands in the endometrial stroma of ovulated mice. In this study, mice were divided into five groups after stimulation of ovulation and pregnancy: 1) Control 2) Experimental control 3) Estrogen 4) Progesterone, 5) Estrogen with progesterone 5 days after pregnancy, mice were killed by cervical vertebral dislocation and their uterus was sampled and prepared for light microscope. The results obtained from this study showed that progesterone administration reduces the thickness of collagen fibers in the endometrium, while injection of estrogen with progesterone can cause the growth of collagen fibers in the endometrium and increase the diameter of glands compared to progesterone. Also, histomorphometric results obtained from this study showed that the size of glandular diameter between groups was significant except in the estrogen and estrogen with progesterone groups. The results of this study also showed that progesterone compared to the control group cannot provide a suitable environment for implantation and the addition of estrogen to progesterone can create a better situation for implantation in the luteal phase.

Myrtle essential oil (MEO) has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Especially, tannins and flavonoids in MEO have antioxidant properties. So, it can be expected that MEO can affect the immune system of broilers. Therefore, in this research, the effect of MEO on the gene expression of cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) in the tissues of the small intestine of broiler chickens was investigated. For this purpose, 120 Ross 308 broiler chicks in a completely randomized design with 2 treatments, 5 replicates and 12 chicks were used in each replicate. The treatments included: 1- control diet, 2- basal diet plus 250 mg / kg MEO. After 42 days, at the end of testing one chickens each replicate were slaughtered and their tissues were excised quickly and transported with liquid nitrogen to the laboratory. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of the cytokines. Analysis of variance showed that the addition of 250 mg/kg of the myrtle essential oil (MEO) in the diet of broiler chickens had no significant effect on IL-2 and IL-10 gene expression. While the expression of IL-1 and IL-4 genes had a significant effect. These results indicate that the myrtle essential oil can play a role in the cellular immune response in the small intestine of broiler chicken by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. So, the anti-inflammatory aspect of MEO could be used by adding it to the diet of broilers.

Effects of dietary soy lecithin on the growth performance and serum biochemistry parameters of Asian Sea bass Lates calcarifer with initial fish weight of 50.36±7.69 g were investigated in a 60 days experiment. 6 diets in the present study in the almost isoproteic and isoenergitic (45% protein and 15 kj/g) were made from a combination of 2 oil sources including fish oil and a mixture of vegetable oils with three levels of zero, 2 and 4% soy lecithin. For this purpose, experimental diets were formulated in the form of diet 1 (fish oil), diet 2 (fish oil + 2% lecithin), diet 3 (fish oil + 4% lecithin), diet 4 (mixture of vegetable oils (soybean oil and Canola oil in equal proportion)), diet 5 (mixture of vegetable oils) + 2% lecithin) and diet 6 (mixture of vegetable oils + 4% lecithin). Checking and comparing the amounts of fatty acids in the diets showed the positive effect of adding soy lecithin to the diet on the increase of n-3 LCPUFA fatty acids. The results showed that growth performance increased with increasing dietary lecithin (P<0.05). Among the biochemical parameters, adding soy lecithin to the diet increased cholesterol and ALT enzyme but has no effect on ALP level. The results of this research showed that, inclusion of 4 % of soybean lecithin in diet for Asian sea bass is optimum for improving growth performance parameters in this species.

Tendons and ligaments in palmar/plantar aspect of metacarpus/metatarsus are always exposed to injuries resulting from traumas and diseases of limbs. Ultrasonographic evaluation enables measureing the thickness of tendons and ligaments as an important indicator in the health assessment of soft tissues in the limbs of a horse. This study was conducted on 5 healthy Dareh-shori horses with a Mean age of 11.2±3.5 years and height of 131.6±10.2 cm. After clipping and washing, the area between accessory carpal bone and fetlock joint was divided into 6 zones and 2 levels in sagittal and 4 levels in transverse view. Ultrasonography was performed with a linear transducer 12 MHZ Frequency on both front limbs in full weight bearing. Measurements of tendons and ligaments such as Superficial digital flexor tendon, Deep digital flexor tendon, Inferior check ligament and Suspensory ligament were done both in sagittal (1 and 2) and transverse (1, 2, 3 and 4) view. Transverse ultrasonogram was made to get the thickness of tendons and ligaments. Echogenicity and fibrillary pattern of tendons and ligaments were assessed in longitudinal images. In the front and hind limbs, the lowest thickness was related to the inferior check ligament while the greatest thickness in the front limbs was related to the deep digital flexor tendon. Moreover, the greatest thickness in the hind limbs was related to the suspensory ligament. There were no significant differences between the results obtained from the thickness measurements of the tendons and ligaments in the left and right front and hind limbs of sound dareh- shori horses.

Brucellosis is one of the most important diseases common to humans and animals worldwide, both economically and publicly. Cattle brucellosis is usually caused by Brucella abortus and is one of the most important diseases in many countries of the world because of its economic importance. Generally, risk factors for brucellosis can be divided into four groups of management factors (herd size, etc.), animal factors (age, sex, etc.), factors divided by rancher (rancher age, etc.) and geographical area (such as weather conditions, etc.). Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between some risk factors of brucellosis at the animal level. This case-control study was performed on 843 cows including 281 seropositive (case) and 562 seronegative (control). Data were analyzed using Stata 14 software and conditional logistic regression. Being pregnant (OR= 0.44), lactating (OR= 0.43) and having a good vaccination history (OR= 0.09) reduced the risk of infection and being born in another farm (coming from another farm) (OR= 2.04) and having a history of abortion (OR= 3.77) increased the risk of brucellosis infection in dairy cows. Appropriate vaccination and no displacement of livestock is recommended.