گوسفند

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that causes an important opportunistic infection in humans and ruminants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis infection based on some epidemiological factors in stockmen and sheep in Bukan county. In this study, conducted from July to December 2018, 218 fecal samples were collected from sheep and 200 fecal samples from stockmen in Bukan county, Iran. After preparation, the samples were stained using the Modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain method and examined microscopically at 100X and 40X magnification. In total, six stockmen (3%) and 25 sheep (11.46%) were diagnosed as infected with Cryptosporidium. In the present study, the highest prevalence was observed with a significant statistical difference in the age group of 1-7 years (20.83%), among people with clinical symptoms (26.32%), and among those who consumed home-grown vegetables cultivated with animal manure (18.52%) (p<0.05). No significant statistical difference was observed in other studied parameters (p>0.05). Additionally, there is a statistically significant relationship between the level of infection in sheep with Cryptosporidium and their age group (p<0.05). Further investigations revealed a statistically significant relationship between the sex of sheep and the infection in Bukan county (p<0.05).

Aflatoxin intoxication has been reported in most species; however, it is infrequently documented in sheep. In this report, three 7-month-old Romane ewe lambs were found with severe icterus, tachypnea, slight fever, diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy. Two of them were culled, and one recovered after treatment. Necropsy findings showed jaundice, ascites, diffuse hemorrhage on the peritoneum, gall bladder enlargement, and alteration in the color and texture of the liver and kidney. Histopathological evaluation revealed hepatocellular necrosis, megalocytosis, centrilobular to bridging fibrosis in the liver, and hemoglobinuria without nephrotic degeneration in the kidney. The polymerase chain reaction test for leptospirosis as the main differential diagnosis was conducted, and the result was negative. Similarly, the Warthin Starry special staining for spirochetes was negative. Clinical signs and characteristics of microscopic lesions were suggestive of aflatoxicosis in the lambs described in this investigation. As sheep flocks with intensive rearing systems are becoming more common in Iran, the emergence of aflatoxicosis due to fungi-contaminated feedstuff can be a serious health concern in such farms.

Anaplasma sp. is a blood protozoon that causes economic damage to the livestock industry. Therefore, studying this disease’s epidemiology and distribution pattern in different regions is essential. 

This study aimed to investigate the variety of infections of the Anaplasma sp. in the sheep population of Khuzestan Province in Iran.

A total of 200 sheep blood samples were randomly collected and examined using specific nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene. 

The prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was 17%, and infected sheep had no clinical signs. The effective risk factors in the spread of infection in Khuzestan Province include sheep aged 3-5 years, low sanitation, high-density farms, use of acaricides in the field, and hot season (P≤0.05). There was no significant association between the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum infection and variables of altitude, farm type, vectors, distance from other farms, and sex.

Since the infection often has no clinical symptoms, identifying the risk factors and epidemiology is essential to develop control and prevention planning.

It is desirable in estrus synchronization in sheep to avoid intravaginal devices and to shorten the program from 14 to 6 days. Moreover, replacement of eCG with safe, cheap, and efficient gonadotropin is in worldwide demand.

This study investigates the possibility of replacing eCG with human recombinant FSH (hrFSH) and CIDR with progesterone injections for estrous synchronization in ewes.

Assaf and Lacaune ewes (n=170) were divided into two groups and synchronized with either progesterone injections for 6 days or CIDR for 14 days. Ewes assigned in the injection group, received progesterone (37.5 mg; SC) and GnRH analogue (7.5 µg Alarelin acetate; IM) on day 0 of the experiment. On days 3 and 6, ewes received 25 and 12.5 mg progesterone (SC), respectively. On day 6, ewes in both groups received prostaglandin F2α (250 µg Cloprostenol; IM), and were divided into two subgroups to receive either hrFSH (75 IU Follitropin alfa; SC) or eCG (400 IU; IM). On day 7, fertile rams were introduced to ewes for 21 days. Data were analyzed using GLM and Glimmix.

There was no difference in the respective lambing rates, prolificacy, and fecundity between CIDR (71.1, 1.63, and 1.16%) and injections (66.7, 1.55, and 1.03%); between eCG (71.4, 1.60, and 1.14%), and hrFSH (66.3, 1.58, and 1.05%, P>0.05).

In conclusion, 6-day progesterone injection-based protocol produced similar results to 14-day CIDR program and hrFSH could be an effective alternative for eCG during estrus synchronization in ewes.

With the increase in human population, the consumption of livestock products such as sheep meat has also increased. Sheep are the reservoir and shedder of Escherichia coli that can be transmitted to humans.

Characterization of fecal E. coli isolated from sheep in slaughterhouse.

Stool specimens were collected from 30 apparently healthy sheep from different flocks in Shiraz industrial slaughterhouse. The resistance of E. coli isolates against 10 antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion method. The presence of three major extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes and five tetracycline resistance genes as well as seven virulence genes were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Using the microtiter plate method, the biofilm formation ability of E. coli isolates was investigated.

The highest frequency of resistance was to amoxicillin (100%) followed by tetracycline (25%). All E. coli isolates were susceptible to gentamicin and nitrofurantoin, and only one isolate was resistant to the tested third-generation cephalosporins. Multidrug resistance phenotype was observed in 16.7% of the isolates. blaTEM (25%) was the most prevalent ESBL gene and tetA (62.5%) was the most prevalent tetracycline resistance gene in the isolates. crl, csgA, fimH, and bcsA genes were present in all isolates, and the prevalence of papC and afa genes was 95.8% and 83.3%, respectively. In total, 62.5% of the isolates were biofilm producers.

According to the concept of One Health, the presence of virulent antibiotic-resistant biofilm producing strains of E. coli in sheep is a risk to public health.

Semen contamination is a detrimental factor in decreasing fertility. Seasonal changes may affect the contamination, too. 

This study was designed to detect semen contamination in ovine and caprine during different seasons. 

Six fully mature male sheep and goats were subjected to electro-ejaculator collection twice monthly from February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023 (Spring, February 1, 2022-April 30, 2022; Summer, May 1, 2022, July 31, 2022; Autumn August 1, 2022, October 31, 2022; Winter November 1, 2022, January 31, 2023), for studying the seasonal effect. A total of 288 semen samples were collected from both species (36 samples from each per season). All samples were subjected to bacterial isolation and identification. 

The results indicated that sheep semen had 4 different types of bacterial contamination with a higher number in contaminated samples than goat, which showed 5 different bacterial isolations. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in bacterial contamination with regard to different seasons. 

Different seasons appear not to affect bacterial contamination of semen in sheep and goats. Meanwhile, isolating all bacteria types was considered normal flora in both small ruminant species.

Dictyocaulus filaria is a threadlike worm that lives in the airways of the lungs in sheep and goats and can lead to pneumonia. In November 2022, a report of emaciation, anorexia and, weakness with frequent coughs in a flock of 145 sheep (including 30 males and 115 females) located in the city of Miyaneh (East Azarbaijan province) was reported to the private sector veterinary clinic.

During the necropsy of two dead sheep, and by cutting the air ducts and lung tissue, a large number of milky white worms were observed in the bloody secretions of the pulmonary ducts, and the smaller ducts became inflamed due to cellular infiltration and the ducts were filled with bloody exudate. The isolated worms were placed in 70% alcohol and were examined morphologically in the laboratory using an optical microscope.

Dictyocaulus filaria worms were diagnosed. Male worms were 5.4-6.8 cm and females were 7.5-8.4 cm long. The uterus of the female worm was full of eggs containing larvae, approximately 95-110 ×52-65 μ. Infected sheep were treated orally with levamisole at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg.

The present article is the first report of contamination and loss of sheep due to Dictyocaulus filaria in the field in East Azarbaijan province, Iran. Regular and strategic antiparasitic therapy should be performed using broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs in small ruminants.

 In many areas of the world, copper deficiency may occur in livestock. This is not only dependent on the total concentration of copper in the diet but also on the effective factors in the absorption and acquisition of copper. This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin in sheep in Kazerun City, Iran.

 This study measured serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin of sheep in Kazerun city in four regions of Konartakhteh, Kuhchenar, Baladeh, and Central. Sixty sheep were randomly selected (15 sheep in each region), and their blood was sampled. After separating the serum, an atomic absorption device was used to check the serum concentration of copper and ceruloplasmin. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Pearson and Chi-square correlation tests.

 The results showed that the highest and lowest average copper serum level was 65.25±0.3 µg/dl in the Konartakhteh and 40.38±0.5 µg/dl in the Central area. The highest and lowest average serum levels of ceruloplasmin were 9±0.01 mg/dL in the Baladeh and 8.5±0.03 mg/dL in the Central region. Also, the overall average results showed that the average copper serum level was 55.97±19.57 µg/dl and the average ceruloplasmin was 8.875±0.5 mg/dL, that the copper serum level was in a subclinical deficiency status. The ceruloplasmin level was in a favorable state. The statistical analysis of the correlation between the serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin in sheep showed a correlation of r=0.892 and a significance level of P=0.05. A statistical correlation was observed between the serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin and respectively, the highest and lowest serum levels of copper were 94 and 30.55 μg/dL, and the highest and lowest serum levels of ceruloplasmin were 30.55 and 7.8 mg/dL.

 In sheep from different regions of Kazerun city, the serum level of copper was subclinical deficient, and the serum level of ceruloplasmin was in a favorable condition. It seems that adding copper supplements to the ration of sheep in these areas is necessary.

The efficiency of ovine in vitro embryo production remains low yet.

The present study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of gamma (γ)-oryzanol in maturation or culture media on in vitro ovine oocytes and embryo developments.

Morphologically normal COCs were aspirated from ovine ovaries, subjected to maturation media supplemented with 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 μM γ-oryzanol, then processed for conventional in vitro fertilization and culture to assess their potential to cleave and develop to blastocyst. Another group of COCs was matured and fertilized. Presumptive zygotes were subjected to culture in drops of media supplemented with 0, 2.5, 10, 20, and 50 μM γ-oryzanol, and the developments of embryos were assessed under 7% and 20% O2 levels. A control group of no supplementation was included in each experiment.

The expansion of cumulus cover and survival rate tended to decrease with concentrations of 20, 50, and 100 μM in maturation media, suggesting an overdose effect. The cleavage and total blastocyst rates were significantly higher for oocytes matured at 5 μM γ-oryzanol. The presumptive zygotes cultured in supplemented media showed significantly higher cleavage and total blastocyst rates with concentrations of 5 and 10 μM γ-oryzanol (P<0.04) in both 7% and 20% O2 levels.

These results represent the first study showing a significant positive effect of the γ-oryzanol supplement on in vitro ovine oocyte and embryo development, at optimal concentrations of 5 μM in maturation, and 5 and 10 μM in embryo culture media.