مجله تحقیقات دامپزشکی
سال هفتاد و سوم شماره 2 (بهار 1397)

Today ticks usually develop resistance to pesticides, it is therefore necessary to search for alternatives to those currently available. In the meantime the active principles of plants with acaricidal properties are a promising alternative for the control of ticks and other arthropods. The main aim of this work was evaluation of the effect of Matricaria Chamommila extract on larval and adult stages and mortality rate of Argas persicus and determination of the tick sensitivity to this plant extract. In this study immersion method was used in order to
determine of efficacy of extract on larval stage and mortality of ticks. To determine the lethal concentration, 3 suspensions 8%,2%,0.5% and 60% ethanol as control group was used from this extract. Tick immobility after turning them on their back was used as a viable or non-viable criterion. This extract showed considerable pesticide effects in comparison with control group (p<0.05%).
Mentioned extract showed 60% mortality in 0.5 % concentration and 100% mortality in other used concentrations while the effect of extract was 0% in adult ticks. Our result showed that extract of Chamomile has considerable pesticide effect on larval stage of Argas, while against adult tick has no effect.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite, which is widely prevalent in sheep throughout the world. Parasite infection can occur pre- or post-natally. Congenital ovine toxoplasmosis occurs following a primary infection in a pregnant ewe and leads to abortion and stillbirth of the fetus causing important economical losses to sheep industry. The present study was conducted to evaluate the presence of T. gondii DNA in brain samples from fetuses of slaughtered ewes in Khorramabad, west of Iran. In total, 60 brain samples of ovine fetuses were collected. Examined fetuses were categorized in three age groups (4 months). Fifty grams of each sample was homogenized by mortar and pestle. DNA extraction was performed using a DNA isolation kit (MBST, Iran). A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which targets the repeated element (RE) of the organism was used for tissue samples. Brain samples were considered T. gondii-positive if the expected band size (529 bp) appeared. T. gondii was detected in 4 out of 60 (6·7%) examined fetuses. No case was recorded in the age group

Phytogenic products are considered as nonantibiotic feed additive which may exert their possible appreciate effects on poultry performance and health through stimulated digestive secretions. This study was conducted to examine the effect of dietary Satureja khuzistanica powder (SKP) on pH of intestine contents, bile secretion and composition, and liver as well as blood lipids in Isfahan native breeder cocks. Thirty-six 40-wk-old Isfahan native breeder cocks were individually caged and randomly allotted to three groups of 12 birds each and fed with diets containing 0 (control), 20 or 40 g/kg SKP for 10 weeks. At the end of experimental period all birds were killed and used for data collection on dry weight and pH of intestine segments, liver, bile and blood variables. Mean pH value in ceca contents was lower in the birds received diets containing 40 g/kg SKP compared with control cocks (P>0.05). Addition of SKP in diet at 20 g/kg significantly decreased liver lipids compared with the birds fed on control diet and the diet containing 40 g/ kg (P<0.05). Liver score based on external appraisal of the organ was improved in the cocks fed with SKP-supplemented diets compared with control birds (P <0.05). It was concluded that supplementation of diet with SKP could improve liver health and function in breeder cocks through reduced total lipids accumulation in liver. However, SKP does not exert cholinergic effect in cocks.

Replacement of natural materials with synthetic drugs in order to increase production and safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of feed supplemented with ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract on the growth, biochemical and hemato-immunological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish with an average body weight 14.1±0.2 g were fed diet for 8 weeks with 0.5% and 1% ginger extract and with unsupplemented commercial diet as the control. Blood samples were collected from caudal vein from apparently healthy fish at the end of trial. Growth (weight gain, specific growth ratio and condition factor), hematological (RBC,WBC, Hb, Hct, monocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil), Biochemical (glucose, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, AST, ALT, LDH and ALP) and immunological (lysozym activity, ACH50,IgM, and SOD) parameters were determined. The results showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in growth, hematological, biochemical and metabolic enzymes between fish fed control and ginger extract supplementation. The lowest level of cortisol was observed in 0.5% ginger extract (p<0.05). Lysozyme activity was significantly increased in 0.5% ginger extract fed fish (p<0.05). The results suggest that by using 0.5% ginger extract there will be an improvement in growth and immune function of rainbow trout

Reducing the detrimental effects of free radicals, in biological and food systems by antioxidants is important, thus providing antioxidants is necessary in community health and food safety. The aim of the present study was to determine antioxidant and antiradical activity of alcoholic and aqueous extract of Grape leaves in vitro. Grape leaves were extracted using the solvents: distilled water, ethanol and methanol and the antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH, β-carotene-linoleic acid, total phenolic compounds and total flavonoid compounds assays. IC50 for DPPH radical-scavenging activity in water, ethanol and methanol extracts were (71.90±0.714, 37.38±0.318 and 46.66±0.481µg/ml) and also the percentage of inhibition free radicals in  β-carotene-linoleic acid were (86.51±1.84, 97.08±1.30 and 88.20±1.27).
These parameters for BHT in DPPH
test and β-carotene linoleic acid test
are 13.58±0.000 µg/ml and 94.56±0.62 %. Total phenolic compounds and
flavonoid compounds were calculated (158.02±1.39, 201.60±1.55 and 180.19±2.26
mg/g) and (37/16±1.64, 54.74±0.83 and 46.07±0.18 mg/g ). According to the
results in this study, the highest radical scavenging effect was observed in
ethanol, then methanol extract and water extract had the lowest activity. It seems the ethanolic extract could be considered as a cheap, easily
accessible and potential source of natural antioxidants for food and
pharmaceutical purposes

The induction of triploidy is an effective strategy for the production of sterile fish for aquaculture and has usually been reported to be accompanied by modifications in physiological characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of triploidy induction on growth performance and amino acid profiles in rainbow trout. Eight female (total weight 1600 ± 246 g) and six male (total weight 1393 ± 186 g) four-year-old healthy rainbow trout were used in this study. Triploidy was inducted through the application of heat shock of 28 ºC for 10 min to eggs 10 min post fertilization in an aquarium equipped with a heater. During the 38 days of rearing period, the fish were fed a rainbow trout commercial diet (BioMar, France) 12 times a day at the rate of 7% of their body weight. Fish ploidy level was determined by erythrocyte size measurement. Based on red blood cell analysis, the overall triploidization success level was 87.1%. Growth performance was significantly higher in diploids as compared to triploids (p<0.05). The levels of non essential amino acids increased and the levels of essential amino acids decreased as an effect of triploidy induction. Triploidy induction in rainbow trout affects growth performance and amino acid profiles in rainbow trout.

In aquaculture the fast growth, high feed efficiency and increased resistance against pathogens are favorable. One of the suitable approaches for improving the growth indices and resistance against pathogens is the application of probiotic bacteria. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nano/microencapsulated Lactobasillus bulgaricus by nano alginate/chitosan on the growth rate and feeding efficiency of great sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles. This experiment was conducted in a completely random design in four groups and group (5) with triplicate. 375 fish weighing (27.28±2.86 gr mean±SD), were randomly divided in to five equal groups in triplicates. The test groups were as follows: fish in T1 were fed with alginate/chitosan without bacterium, fish in T2 were fed with encapsulated bacteria with emulsification method, fish in T3 were fed with encapsulated bacteria with Ionicgelation method, fish in T4 were fed with only bacteria and control group. The fish were fed 3% of body weight per day. The results showed the highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was measured in T3 (1.64±0.11) and the lowest was observed in T4 (1.14±0.06).The highest values of SGR, PER, FER in T4 were seen among the treatments at days 30 and 60. According the result, nanoalginat/Chithosan used for encapsulation of probiotics can be lead to decrease in growth performance compared to the other treatments.

Different breeds of horses have distinct and specific metabolic profiles which reflect the health status of horses. The present study was performed to determine the circulating metabolic biomarkers and their correlations in Darehshori horses. Blood samples were taken from 56 Darehshori horses (5 to 7 years old). They were divided into 2 groups containing 26 non-pregnant and non-lactating mares and 30 stallions. Sera were separated and assayed for glucose, insulin, beta-hydroxybutiric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low density lipoproteins. Serum concentration of beta-hydroxybutiric acid in stallions was significantly higher than in mares. The remaining metabolic biomarkers showed no significant differences between the two studied groups. There were negative and non- significant correlations between insulin and glucose in both sexes. Insulin was negatively correlated with cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low density lipoproteins in studied groups. The negative relationships were seen among glucose and cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low density lipoproteins in mares and stallions. In both groups, non-esterified fatty acid and beta-hydroxybutiric acid were negatively correlated with serum lipid profile. The results of the present study provided a general pattern for normal values of metabolic profile biomarkers in non-pregnant mares and stallions of Darehshori horses. These values also help veterinarians to diagnose metabolic abnormalities of this breed. However, season, age, management, nutritional and different physiological states may alter the values of these biomarkers and in interpreting the changes, these conditions should be considered

Avian influenza virus H9N2 subtype and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) causes histopathological lesions in birds. Yet, there is not any study on tissue lesions caused by these pathogens co-infection in specific pathogen free (SPF) chicks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the type, severity and extent of histopathological lesions induced by co-infection of H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in SPF chickens. Sixty, one-day-old SPF chicks were divided randomly into three groups of twenty. At 21 days, the chicks in the first group were infected with H9N2 subtype AI virus and the second group was inoculated with H9N2 subtype AI virus and ORT simultaneously. The third group was inoculated with PBS as control. Then, three birds from each group were randomly selected and euthanized and autopsied at 2 till 16 days post-inoculation (DPI). The tissue samples were collected from trachea, lungs, liver, spleen, thymus, kidneys, cecal tonsil and bursa of fabricius. They were cut into 5 to 6 μm thickness sections using paraffin embedding method and were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). The severity of histopathological lesions in the second group was higher than first group. Tissue changes were not observed in control group. The results of this study showed that infected chickens with H9N2 subtype AI virus and ORT simultaneously cause exacerbated histopathological lesions compared to H9N2 subtype of AI virus

A clean bowel preparation prior to X-ray examination is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis. This study was performed to compare the effect of senna and polyethylene glycol on the bowel preparation of dogs before abdominal radiography. Six adult healthy mongrel dogs from each sex ranging in age from 18 to 30 months received either 4 or 8 g/kg polyethylene glycol or 20 mg/kg senna through an orogastric tube 3 weeks apart. Food was withheld approximately 12 hours prior to drug administration. Radiography was performed 12 hours after bowel preparation. Only water was given ad libitum to animals during the day before radiography. Radiologist who was unaware of the method of bowel preparation, reviewed the standard radiographs and graded the feces and gas in the colon and rectum, fecal radio-opacity and quality of radiographs on a scale of 0 to 3 (0=inadequate to 3=excellent). Dogs were observed for any drugs side effects up to two weeks after administration of the laxatives. The cleanliness scores of colon for the 4 and 8 g/kg polyethylene glycol and senna groups were similar, 2.17±0.41. Also, the cleanliness scores of rectum for the 4 and 8 g/kg polyethylene glycol and senna groups were 2.50±0.55, 1.83±0.75 and 2.50±0.55, respectively. Both polyethylene glycol dosages and senna significantly improve bowel cleansing score in dogs (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to colon cleansing scores, fecal radio-opacity and quality of radiographs (p≥0.05). 8 mg/kg polyethylene glycol significantly reduces feces impaction in rectum versus 4 mg/kg (p<0.05). There were no clinical differences between the two groups for any of the side effects. It is concluded that 8 mg/kg polyethylene glycol and senna are safe and effective methods of colon cleansing, well tolerated by dogs.

Metabolic bone disease is a common disease in the pet reptiles. Early diagnosis of this disease has an important role in the treatment and prevention from complications. Since metabolic bone diseases causes bone density to decrease, it is assumed the CT scan can be used as a suitable method to diagnosis early changes in the bone density. The aim of this study was providing a range of cortical and trabecular Hounsfield Numbers of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in the healthy green iguana by the aid of computed tomography which can be used as a reference. Twelve healthy green iguanas were included in this study and based on the body length were divided into three groups. Complete information about maintenance including maintaining environment and nutrition conditions were recorded in questionnaires designed for this study. Lateral and dorsoventral radiographs were obtained using digital radiology to confirm the health of the skeletal system. To achieve CT plans, the animals were restricted by warping method. After obtaining topogram, with the aid of Osteo Protocol, cross sectional images were acquired from random thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. CT images were subsequently evaluated in Syngo MMWP VE40A Medical Software. The results were analyzed using SPSS statistic software. According to statistic results, the mean Hounsfield Number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were presented due to the body length of the green iguana. Since the cortical bone density of lumbar vertebrae in all three groups varied meaningfully and only variable “body length” was considered influential on cortical mineral bone density of lumbar vertebrae. Cortical bone density of lumbar vertebrae can be used as a reference for detecting the early bone density changes in green iguana. Computed tomography can be an excellent alternative for early detection of the MBD in pet green iguanas.

Ambient temperature has a significant effect on the thyroid gland function. Thyroid gland can be assessed by ultrasonography and measurement of thyroid hormones. The aim of this survey was normal ultrasonographic findings of thyroid gland in cat in warm (July) and cold (February) seasons. The study was conducted on 30 native, adult healthy cats. Thyroid hormones including T3 and T4 were measured in each cat before ultrasonography. After finding thyroid gland, echogenesity, length, width and height of each lobe (right and left) were measured. Both thyroid lobes were scanable and symmetrical on each side. In sagittal plane it had a fusiform shape and in transverse plane it appeared as an oval or roughly triangular structure. The thyroid parenchyma was homogenously echogenic. The echogenecity of the gland was more than the neck muscles and no difference was seen between cold and warm seasons. Dimensions of each lobe were slightly larger in cold season than warm season. The differences in width and volume were significant (p<0.05) but the differences were not significant in length and height (p>0.05). The mean of the length, width, height and volume of both lobes were in normal range for cat with the same weight. Total means of length, width, height (mm) and volume (cm3) of both lobes were 17.2, 2.6, 2.7, and 0.07 in two seasons respectively. Also, the difference was significant in concentration of T3 and T4 hormones between cold and warm seasons, so that thyroid hormone concentrations were higher in cold season than warm season (p<0.05). It seems that the reduction in air temperature has an extraordinary effect on increasing thyroid gland size and thyroid hormone concentrations in native adult cats in Ahvaz district. This effect can be due to the influence of cold in the increase of body metabolism and thyroid gland function.

Betaine is a derivative of three methylates of glycine amino acids, found in the body of many animals. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of betaine supplementation in the diet on gene expression and activities of lipogenic enzymes, and lipid levels of blood and liver in broilers. A total of 320 broilers were evaluated (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates, with the diets consisted of the control treatment which did not use the betaine supplementation. The second, third and fourth treatments contained 0.05, 0.08 and 0.11% betaine hydrochloride 98%, respectively. Betaine supplementation to the diet has no significant effect on lipoprotein lipase gene expression, and the activities of enzyme Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase (p> 0.05). Betaine supplementation caused a significant decrease in liver cholesterol and triglyceride chicks fourth treatment (containing betaine hydrochloride 0.11 percent) compared to the control group (p<0.05). In general, the results show that in broilers lipoprotein lipase gene expression and the activities of enzyme Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase are less influenced by betaine.

Cryptorchidism is a congenital anomaly in which one (unilateral cryptorchidism) or both (bilateral cryptorchidism) testes fail to descend into the scrotum. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical and histological structure of the inguinal testis in the adult donkey. In this study, after examination of the 59 donkeys, three of them with unilateral cryptorchidism in inguinal region were identified. These animals were euthanized, and their testicles were removed and evaluated biometrically. Then, the samples were fixated in 10% formalin solution and after sectioning, were stained with Hematoxylin-eosin and PAS, and examined under a light microscope. The results showed that the inguinal testes were stiff, epididymis was not determined and their size and weight were less than scrotal testes. The difference between the weight of cryptorchid and healthy testicles was statistically significant (p<0.05). Seminiferous tubules had lost their natural shape and inner cavity tubes did not have germ cells, and only a limited number of Sertoli cells could be seen. Remaining seminiferous tubules were only visible in the mediastinum. The cortical and subcapsular regions were without tubes and were occupied by loose connective tissues. Results indicated that the inguinal testes in adult donkeys lost their natural structure and more connective tissues and blood vessels are substituted.

Diarrhea is a common disease in the neonate calf which imposes significant economic burden on cattle industry around the world. During the first week after birth, Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC) strains carrying F5 fimbria are one of the most important pathogens causing calf diarrhea. F5 fimbria is involved in early stage of pathogenesis and is responsible for attachment of bacteria to enterocytes; this attachment is mediated by FanC protein of F5 fimbria. Antibodies directed against F5 fimbriae play a significant role in prevention and control of the disease. Evaluation and expression of recombinant expression of F5 Fimbriae of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli associated with calf diarrhea. In the present study, the fanC region of F5 fimbria was cloned in a pET28a plasmid. The recombinant construct was confirmed by sequencing and protein production in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) was evaluated by western blotting procedure. Based on our findings, the recombinant FanC protein or the BL21 (DE3) strain are suitable candidates to develop an effective vaccine against calf colibacillosis or use in a diagnostic kit for F5+ ETEC.