Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:15 Issue: 1, Winter 2021

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) majorly infects the poultry, and despite high rates of vaccination, it is still circulating in different geographical regions. Due to the high mortality rate, the economic loss of Newcastle disease (ND) is enormous.

The molecular characterization of NDV isolates from chicken farms in Northern Iran, during 2017-2018, was the main goal of this study.

We isolated and characterized five NDVs from commercial broiler and backyard chicken farms during severe disease outbreak. The partial coding sequence of fusion (F) genes of isolates was determined and compared with those of other published NDVs.

Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the isolates were grouped into sub-genotype VII.1.1 (formerly known as VIIl). All isolates carried multi‐basic amino acid residues at the cleavage site of fusion protein, typical of virulent strains. Studied NDV isolates had high homology with the prevalent genotype NDV strains that currently circulate in China and Republic of Korea (96.94%).

Our results suggested that NDV sub-genotype VII.1.1 (VIIl), circulating among chicken farms, may be a dominant sub-genotype. Considering the genetic variation between the used vaccine strains (B1, LaSota, and Clone 30, all belonging to genotype II) and circulating NDVs, it is recommended that a contemporary homologous virus should be developed as the vaccine strain to avert the outbreaks of genotype VII viruses.

Fracture healing is one of the important issues in medicine and veterinary. Therefore, finding new tech-niques with fewer side effects and faster healing is taken into consideration.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the composites of micro ostrich eggshell (μ-OES) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite on the healing of bone defect in rat calvarium.

Defects of 7 mm were made by a trephine in the calvaria of 45 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups and the defects in each group were filled with micro-composites that contained ostrich eggshell or HA or were left empty. The animals were euthanized at three different time points of 14, 28, and 42 days post-operation. Histological and serological assessments, such as measuring alkaline phosphatase were carried out at the same time points.

Significant differences were observed in the granulation tissue formation of the treatment and control groups 14 days post-operation (p ≤0.05). The difference between μ-OES and HA treatment groups was not statistically significant (p >0.05). On days 28 and 42, there were no significant differences between the groups. However, in the center of the defect, the mean of healing in the μOES group was higher than the two other groups.

In conclusion, the results of this study indicated the potential efficacy of μOES as a bone substitute in a rat calvarial defect model.

Avian Metapneumovirus (AMPV) causes mild to acute contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract in turkey and chicken with different mortality rate.

This study was aimed to molecular detection and subtyping of AMPV infection in broiler flocks using RT-PCR method in Semnan province on samples from 2016 to2020.

Sampling was carried out from the upper part of the trachea, choana, and sinuses of broiler chickens from the 85 broiler flocks. All flocks were more than 3 weeks of age. In total 10 swabs were taken from each flock, while each 5 were pooled as one sample (total two samples per flock). The samples were transferred to the laboratory for RNA extraction and RT-PCR amplification.

Out of 85 tested broiler flocks, 30 (35.3%) were positive for AMPV using the Nd/Nx primer set. In addition, 28 positive samples were found to be of subtype B using the Ga/G12 primer set and 2 remaining positive samples were non-subtype B, probably A, C or D subtypes.

Since AMPV vaccination was not performed in Semnan province, it can be concluded that some cases were infected with the natural viruses. Therefore, vaccination could be effective in controlling AMPV-induced respiratory distress.

A large part of our country's waste is organic matter, so researchers are studying fertilizer production from organic waste in various ways, including compost and vermicompost. On the other hand, glycolipoprotein extract of Eisenia fetida (G-90) has been defined to show numerous biological activities, e.g., anticoagulation, fibrinolysis, and anti-oxidative, etc.

The purpose of the present study was to determine phylogenetic relationship of the Iranian isolate of Eisenia fetida (E. fetida) with the other available taxa and to determine the G-90 protein complex for evaluation of its biological activities.

A piece of 1×1cm clitellum was separated and used for DNA extraction after homogenate preparation (by two different methods). The second internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA-ITS2) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA-COX1) from adult E. fetida were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Subsequently, PCR products were sequenced and their phylogenetic relationships were determined. Further-more, The G-90 protein complex was extracted from adult worms and electrophoretic pattern of proteins was obtained by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

The electrophoretic pattern of glycolipoprotein G-90, a protein complex, showed 10 bands with molecular weights of 14-130 kDa. ITS2 and COX1 sequences were 516 bp and 277 bp long, respectively. The amplified DNA sequences from both ribosomal and mitochondrial sequences had 88%-99% and 99% similarity to relevant sequences in GenBank, respectively.

mtDNA-COX1 showed no considerable sequence variations as compared to other isolates in Gen-Bank, while rDNA-ITS2 exhibited more variations, in comparison with other isolates, indicating more variations among some of these isolates. Our results revealed that rDNA-ITS2 of our E. fetida was in a separate subclade, showing the greatest similarity with EF534709.1 isolate (99%) provided in GenBank, followed by JX531618.1 (94%), and KU708469.1 (88%). Our COX1 sequence demonstrated the high similarity of 99% when compared with five isolates from GenBank (MH475674.1, MH475673.1, MH475672.1, MH475670.1, and MH475666.1). The G-90 glycolipoprotein showed different proteins that can be assessed for their potential biological activities in medicinal properties

Timed breeding programs are essential to implementing extensive artificial insemination (AI) programs in sheep.

This study aimed to evaluate whether application of pre-synchronization and controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) before and during fixed time AI protocol, respectively, could enhance estrus synchronization and fertility of ewes.

A total of 120 ewes were randomly assigned into four experimental groups (n=30 in each group) considering age, weight, and body condition score (BCS). All ewes received GnRH (25 μg of alarelin acetate), and five days afterwards, PGF2α (75 μg d-cloprostenol) plus eCG (400 IU). In the control group, ewes received no additional treatment. In Pre-synch group, ewes received two injections of PGF2α at 9-day interval three days before GnRH administration of main estrus syn-chronization protocol. In CIDR group, ewes received 5-day CIDR between GnRH and PGF2α of main estrus synchronization protocol. In Pre-synch-CIDR group, ewes received both two injections of PGF2α at 9-day interval and 5-day CIDR. Blood serum progesterone concentrations were measured in all ewes prior to injection of PGF  2α (day 5). All ewes were subjected to fixed time laparoscopic AI 48 hours after administration of the last PGF  2α.

No interaction was found between CIDR and pre-synchronization protocols (p >0.05). Progesterone concen-tration was higher in the CIDR groups than in groups without CIDR (p <0.0001). Estrous cycle was not affected by pre-synchronization and CIDR (p >0.05). The estrus was earlier in ewes with pre-synchronization compared to ewes without pre-synchronization following the last injection of prostaglandin (p =0.022). Pregnancy rate, lambing rate, prolificacy rate, fecundity rate, lamb weight at birth, and lamb gender were not significantly different between the treatment groups (p >0.05).

In our study, estrus rate and reproductive parameters showed no significant differences between dif-ferent groups, although pre-synchronization advanced onset of estrus expression.

Cytokeratins are non-contractile intermediate filaments engaged in anchoring and structural functions forming a network to support cytoplasm. Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) expression in human breast carcinomas has proved to be a useful differentiation marker, but its expression in canine mammary gland tumors is poorly understood.

Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) expression in human breast carcinomas has proved to be a useful differentiation marker, but its expression in canine mammary gland tumors is poorly understood.

This research was based on the immunohistochemical study of CK7 in 17 cases of canine mammary gland neoplasms obtained from the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. Masson’s trichrome staining was performed to differentiate between collagen fibers and smooth muscle.

CK7 protein was detected in both epithelial (1 benign mixed tumor, 1 fibroadenoma, 1 complex carcinoma, and 1 carcinoma mixed type) and myoepithelial (1 fibroadenoma, 1 benign mixed tumor, 3 complex carcinomas, 1 ductal carcinoma, and 1 carcinoma mixed type) cells. Fine and thick collagen fibers were observed in the sections stained by Masson’s trichrome.

Despite using CK7 as a differentiation marker in human breast cancer, CK7 had a controversial ex-pression in the epithelial and myoepithelial cells in canine mammary gland neoplasms. Based on the results, CK7 could not be considered as an independent marker for the canine mammary glands epithelial cell detection and a prognostic factor in canine mammary gland neoplasms

Frequent drug dosing and animal handling are usually required in conventional antimicrobial therapy but sustained release formulations can improve compliance.

This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of a novel sustained release enroflox-acin (ENR) hydrogel in comparison to a conventional ENR formulation in rabbit animal model.

A total of 20 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups and received a single dose of ENR or blank by subcutaneous (SC) injection as following: Group 1 (n=8) received ENR (10 mg/kg) using a conventional product (Enrovet®); Group 2 (n=8) received ENR (33.3 mg/kg) using a hydrogel formulation; and Group 3 or control group (n=4) received equal volumes of a blank hydrogel formulation. Blood samples were collected at different time points post-dosing. ENR concen-trations in plasma were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method and PK parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental analysis.

The ENR hydrogel released the drug in a sustained manner with mean residence time (MRT) of 78.4 ± 15.3 h, which was significantly more than that of the conventional formulation (7.39 ± 2.37 h, p <0.05). However, maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) for ENR hydrogel (1.41 ± 0.76 μg/mL) was significantly less than that of the conventional product (2.86 ± 0.79 μg/mL). The relative bioavailability (Frel) was not significantly different between the two formula-tions.

The hydrogel formulation significantly increased the MRT of ENR. Hence, it could be a promising delivery system to prolong the pharmacological activity of ENR in animals and enhance compliance.

Gentamicin is an effective antibiotic with some important side effects, such as nephrotoxicity. There is evidence of renoprotective effects and antioxidant properties for camel milk.

In this study, the impact of camel milk on the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin was evaluated.

The present study was performed on four groups of six Wistar rats. Group 1(C), as the control group, received exclusively normal saline injections and the rats in group 2 (GM) received intraperitoneal gentamicin injections at the dose of 100 mg/kg for the last ten days. The animals in group 3 (CM) were fed by 5 mL/rat/day of camel milk through gavage for 15 days. Group 4 (MGM) was fed camel milk only for the first five days followed by gentamicin injections for 10 days. Serum urea, creatinine, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured and kidneys were studied histopathologically.

Increased concentrations of urea and creatinine along with the decreased level of SOD were found in the GM group. Histopathologic changes, such as eosinophilic casts in the tubular lumen, capillary congestion, glomerulonephritis, necrosis, interstitial nephritis, and edema were more common in the GM group, in comparison with the C, CM, and MGM groups (p <0.05). The elevations in serum urea and creatinine (p <0.05) were significantly prevented by the co-administra-tion of camel milk and gentamicin. Moreover, a significant increase in the serum activity of SOD was revealed in the GM group (p <0.05). Camel milk significantly prevented tissue injury, in comparison with the GM group (p <0.05).

Our results demonstrated that gentamicin-induced histological and biochemical alterations in the kid-ney decreased significantly due to camel milk consumption

Clostridium perfringens, as a bacterial agent causing foodborne illnesses, is of great importance in thefood industry. On the other hand, the increasing concern of antibiotic resistance is forcing humans to find an alternative toantibiotics.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extracts of grape pomace, pistachio peel,and pomegranate pomace against Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) in the presence or absence of resistant starch(RS) as a prebiotic.

The RS (Fibersol-2) was purchased, and the extracts of grape pomace, pistachio peel, and pomegranate pomacewere prepared. The total phenolic content and tannin of extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and standard tannic acidmethod, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the extract with or without RS was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against C. perfringens.

Our findings showed that 100 ppm of pistachio peel extract could act as an inhibition factor against the growthof C. perfringens. The RS alone was not able to prevent C. perfringens growth. In contrast, 400 ppm dilution of RS+grapepomace extract could restrain C. perfringens growth. In contrast, the pomegranate pomace extract with and without RScould not inhibit its growth. On the other hand, the RS±pistachio peel extract could not prevent C. perfringens growth, incomparison with other treatments.

We concluded that grape pomace extract, both with and without RS, effectively prevented C.perfringens growth.

The liver and heart are two main damaged organs in ascites syndrome in fast -growing broilers. Using silymarin with a protective effect on the liver and heart may be a beneficial strategy to decrease ascites-induced mortality.

The present study assessed the cardiohepatic effects of silymarin in broilers fed on mash and pellet diets by assessing electrocardiographic (ECG) indices and some serum biochemical parameters.

A total of 120 Arbor Acres chicks were allocated to 6 groups and treated as follows: basal mash diet (CM); basal pellet diet (CP); silymarin at 500 ppm of mash (M500) and pellet diets (P500); and silymarin at 2500 ppm of mash (M2500) and pellet diets (P2500).

CP had higher serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) enzymes compared to CM (p <0.05). P2500 had a higher total protein and lower aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and CK-MB compared to CP (p <0.05). T-duration, ST-segment, and R-R intervals were longer in CP compared to CM and were shorter in P2500 than in CP and P500 (p <0.05).

The pellet diet led to changes in some biochemical and ECG indices in broilers, and silymarin at the 2500 ppm dose can be used as a hepatoprotective and cardioprotective compound to modulate cardiohepatic failure in susceptible broilers.