نشریه تحقیقات دامپزشکی و فرآورده های بیولوژیک
سال سی و چهارم شماره 4 (پیاپی 133، زمستان 1400)

Newcastle Disease is a fatal viral disease and considered a global threat to the poultry industry all over the world. Both live and killed Lentogenic, and Mesogenic vaccines are used to control this disease. One of the common vaccines used in preventing strategy of ND is the Lasota as a pneumotropic strain, which is available in two forms of Lasota and Cloned Lasota, internally produced (Razi Institute) and imported from various companies in the country, and one of the most controversial issues was the difference between Lasota and Cloned Lasota vaccines in farm conditions. In this study, the first step in the comparison was to determine the EID50 and the rate of replication, which was performed. The results showed that the used vaccines had significant differences in the amount of infectious dose. Internally produced vaccines (Razi Vaccine and Serum Institute) had an appropriate infectious dose and reproduction rate. Regarding the difference in the rate of reproduction, the primary results revealed that there is diversity between different vaccines, and this is the first step in confirming the field feedback. Due to a large amount of variety in infectious dose, in controlling the quality of vaccines, it is suggested, in addition to observation of international standard guidelines, other indicators which are monitor to their effectiveness keep to continue seriously and pay attention to cold chain and standard transport conditions.

Simultaneously with the expansion of vaccine production on cell culture media, identification and elimination of adventitious viruses infecting culture media of animal origin, as well as prevention of contamination of biological products from cell culture media to one of the main concerns of production Vaccine suppliers. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible contamination of cellular substrates used in research and production of biological products of Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute with BVD1 and BVD2 viruses. The address of this investigate was 44 samples from 44 cell lines with different passage numbers and storage dates in a total of 100 samples. After extracting RNA from the above cells, a screening test was performed using Real Time PCR and a pair of primers to identify all Pestivirus. In this experiment, the cytopathic biotype BVDV1a NADL was used as a positive control. Then the species and their subspecies were determined by RT-PCR method. Infection was observed in five cells Hek293, IBRS2, RBK, FLK, RK13, all cells except IBRS2 in BVDV1b typing. All of these cells are used in research and quality control of biological products.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes economic losses to the poultry industry. ND vaccines are used in different forms and include one of the strains. The purposes of this study were comparing titer and protection created by killed vaccines with different NDV seeds against genotype VII, comparing the autogenous genotype VII vaccine with conventional vaccines, comparing the effect of adjuvants in making the autogenous vaccine, and examining vaccination of live Newcastle vaccine on titer and protection created with inactivated ND vaccines against Genotype VII vaccines. The study was conducted in seven groups of day-old chicks. In addition to the control group, all groups injected subcutaneous vaccines containing V4, Ulster 2C, Lasota, G7 genotype with Adjuvant A or B, and Lasota with a live Lasota vaccine at 14 days old. At old-day, the chickens received the B1 vaccine. Serum was given before the challenge, at the age of 35 days and 14 days after challenge. At 35 days old, chickens were challenged by the ocular-nasal method with the genotype VII virus and the mortality was assessed up to 7 days after the challenge. The results of titration rate in 3 weeks after injection showed the Ulster 2C strain vaccine had a higher titer (1.26 ±7) than other groups (insignificant difference P>0.05). In Lasota vaccine group, Genotype VII with Adjutant A and control group, the mortality rate was 13.3, 10, and 40 percent, respectively. The results showed that different commercial vaccines in terms of titers do not have significant difference (titer and survival).

The Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene plays a key role in the production of triglycerides and milk fat by encoding the enzyme DGAT1. Recent research has shown that polymorphisms in the DGAT1 gene affect milk production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate polymorphism in exon 14 region of DGAT1 gene in Khuzestan dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using PCR-SSCP method. To perform this experiment, blood samples were collected from 80 dromedary camels in Khuzestan province. After DNA extraction, a 310-bp fragment of exon 14 region of DGAT1 gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six different SSCP patterns, including six different genotypes of AA (45%), AB (33.75%), BB (5%), CC (3.75%) , DD (2.5%) and EE (10%) and five alleles including A (0.619), B (0.219), C (0.038), D (0.025) and E (0.1) were identified. Moreover, the chi-square (χ2) test showed that the population was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The number of effective alleles, Shannon index, expected and observed heterozygosity for this site was calculated 2.259, 1.07, 0.557 and 0.338, respectively. The results indicated polymorphism and low heterozygosity in the population under study. It is suggested to increase the diversity in the dromedary camel population of Khuzestan by developing appropriate breeding programs.

In order to investigate the effect of flaxseed consumption as a source of omega-3 fatty acids on the expression of genes effective in mammary gland tissue development in primiparous Sanan goats, 30 does (young female goats) in the second half of their first pregnancy were selected and divided into three groups of 10 based on their average initial live weight . One group received a diet without any fat source (negative control), the second group received a diet containing palm saturated fat (positive control) and the third group received extruded flaxseed (flax) as a source of omega-3. The diets of all three groups were adjusted according to the requirements of NRC 2007 dairy goats. Experimental groups received nutritional treatments from the last 2 months of pregnancy up to  4 months after parturition. During the experimental period, milk production was recorded weekly for each animal and mammary gland tissue sampling was performed three times, 24 to 36 hours after parturition, two and four months after parturition were performed to investigation the expression of IGF- 1, IGFBP3 and IGFBP5 genes. The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference among the treatments in terms of expression of the studied genes. Also, the interaction between treatment and time was not significant for any of the above genes and only the effect of time was significant for IGFBP-3 gene (P <0.05).

Nucleic acid aptamers have been emerged as potential molecules for target-specific drug delivery because of their ability to bind targets with very high affinity and specificity. Rapid renal clearance is one of the major issues associated with the vascular delivery of nucleic acid-based drugs. To circumvent this problem, this study was designed to envision the development of nucleic acid aptamers specific to human erythrocyte as erythrocytes travel through the cardiovascular system. Erythrocytes have special properties which make them peculiar and specific as a physiological carrier for drug delivery For this purpose, we have performed Cell-SELEX procedure using human erythrocytes containing 4-O-((2-O-(β-D-fucopyranosyl)-3-O-(α-D-galactopyranosyl))-β-galactopyranosyl)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside on the surface as a model target. After completing 15 rounds of selection, sequencing of the product identified RNV543 and RNV544 as potential oligonucleotides specific to the target human erythrocyte. The binding affinity of both RNV543 and RNV544 was confirmed by flowcytometry. This study showed there is Aptamers which can have specific binding to erythrocyte type B.

H5N8 is one of the subtypes of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Iran that could cause damage to birds in addition humans. Among combat existing and emerging drug-resistant influenza viruses, new antiviral drugs as alternative played pivotal roles. It can mention the CLF36 antiviral peptide, which is the result of the binding of two peptides from the camel lactoferrin protein (chimera) has shown more antimicrobial activity than other species such as blf. The objective of this study was to predicte the structure of CLF36 peptide and two surface antigens of influenza virus as well as the interaction of this peptide with three antigens of nfluenza a virus subtype H5N8 through molecular docking. The physicochemical properties of CLF36 peptide were evaluated by using CLC Main Workbench 5 software. The third structure of this peptide as well as virus antigens were determined through I-TASSER and Swiss-Model softwares. After that, The CLF36 peptide interacts with these antigenes were performed by using the online software ClusPro2.0 and were corrected these structures through the YASARA Energy Minimization software. The quality of the 3D model was evaluated by the SAVES v5.0 software. Finally, the docking results were studied by using PYMOL software. Molecular docking results showed that the position and energy of bonding assessment forhemagglutinin, neuraminidase and Matrix protein 2 were -674.2, -573.4 and -567.0 respectively. Most of peptide’s amino acids involved in hydrogen bonds for all three antigens were lysine and arginine residues. Although analysis of the binding sites showed that CLF36 were not binding to the active site of HA and NA antigens, this peptide is attached to the M2e site in M2 protein. The proline 10 and glutamic acid 8 amino acides belongs to the M2e region, which has hydrogen bonds with the amino acids arginine 27 and 22 of the CLF36 peptide, respectively. It is hoped that these peptide can be treatment for avian influenza in the future.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly contagious disease of cattle and buffaloes that cause considerable economic losses to the livestock industry in endemic regions. Although the virus neutralization index (VNI) is the gold standard test for the detection of LSD antibodies, the use of this test in seroepidemiology studies and serosurveillance is laborious and time-consuming. Accordingly, for serodiagnosis of capripox diseases, ELISA assay has been developed, but the lack of information about its performance and efficiency is one of the limiting factors in the use of this test in seroepidemiological studies. In this study, the diagnosis agreement between a recently developed ELISA based on P32 recombinant protein and the VNI method, as a gold standard for serological diagnosis of Capripox virus, was evaluated using 95 sera samples including 25 negative control, 14 positive control, and 56 suspected cattle sera. Result showed that all the negative control sera assessed by VNI and ELISA had no antibody titers against LSD. All the 14 (100%) positive control sera had VNI values ≥1.5 and were considered as the positive sera; however, by ELISA method, 13 samples (93%) were diagnosed as the positive. Among the 56 samples collected from LSD-suspected cattle, 16 samples (29%) were detected as the positive by VNI, whereas 13 samples (23%) were detected as the positive sera by ELISA method. There was no statistically significant difference between the percentages of negative or positive samples assessed by ELISA or VNI method (P>0.05), associated with the Kappa index value of 0.71 showing the substantial agreement. These findings indicating an acceptable agreement and performance of the developed ELISA system based on P32 recombinant protein in comparison to VNI method for diagnosing antibody against LSD virus in cattle.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral infectious disease of cattle associated with a drastic economic loss in the livestock industry. The aim of this study was to investigate sequence and phylogenetic analysis of LSD142 gene, a putative virulence gene in Capripoxviruses, in six lumpy skin disease viruses isolated in Iran during 2013 to 2014 and Capripoxvirus in the Genbank. The LSD viruses were isolated from different provinces of Iran, including Kermanshah, West-Azerbaijan, Fars, Qom, Khuzestan, and North Khorasan, and following sequencing the LSD142 gene, its homology was compared with other Capripoxvirus in the Genbank using phylogenetic analysis. The isolated LSD viruses showed a 100% identity in LSDV142 gene sequences with the virulent LSD viruses and with each other. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that not only the candidate gene has the potential to differentiate Capripoxvirus into three groups including LSD, sheep pox virus (SPV) and goat pox virus (GPV), but also the vaccinal and virulent strain of LSD virus could be divided. The GPV group was divided three geographical categories including Southwest and African strains, East Asia strains and Northwest Asia strains. In the SPV group, the African virus was separated from other strains of the SPV. These findings suggest that the LSD142 gene could be used for the genotyping and molecular epidemiology studies of the Capripoxvirus.

Newcastle disease (ND) is an important viral disease of poultry causing severe economic losses and drop in egg production in broiler and layers flocks. Despite vaccination with both live attenuated and inactivated NDV strains to immunize birds, ND is still a serious problem in poultry industry especially in developing countries like Iran. plaque purified NDV strain clone IR12 produced by Razi Institute was propagated in 10-day-old SPF emberyonated chicken eggs, then allantoic fluid was harvested. The virus was purified using sucrose-gradient. RNA was extracted and cDNA spanning the whole genome was synthesized using two GSP primers. PCR was run using 7 sets of primers covering the whole cDNA.The PCR products were all gel extracted and ligated to pJET1.2 vector by 3-1 ratios. Successful cloning of each insert was confirmed using restriction enzyme BglII that digests areas flanking the insert in pJET. After confirmation, the inserts were sequenced using Sanger sequencing with pJEt specific primers as well as primers designed to bind to middle regions of each fragment. Sequence of the whole 15186 bp genome was determined by assembling sequences using MEGA 5software. Location of each start (S) and ending (E) gene signals as well as all ORF start and termination codons were determined.

Due to the rapid growth of the quail industry in the country and the importance of Salmonella infection, further monitoring of quail flocks in terms of infection with this bacterium seems necessary. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Salmonella infection and evaluate the antibiotic resistance of the isolates in 10 laying quail flocks and their eggs in Tehran province. Sampling was done from 10 laying quail flocks. 36 samples of cloaca swaps were randomly taken from each flock, then each six samples were pooled in one test tube. Also, 25 eggs were collected from each flock to check contamination of the shell and the contents. Then all the samples were sent to the laboratory for culture, confirmation of diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates. Salmonella infection was confirmed in 3 out of the 10 quail flocks. 5% of cloaca swap samples, 4% of quail eggshell samples and 4% of quail egg content samples were positive for Salmonella infection. Also, all isolates were completely sensitive to the antibiotics Fosfomycin and Lincospectin and the highest resistance was observed in Colistin. Considering the high contamination of laying quail flocks with salmonella and its importance in terms of public health, further monitoring of quail flocks contamination with this bacterium and proper implementation of biosecurity measures and improvement of management methods seem necessary.

Escherichia coli is one of the most important members of the Enterobacteriaceae family and is a factor in causing generalized bacillosis in birds, followed by gastrointestinal upset in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance and pathotyping of Escherichia coli isolated from chicken meat stores in Shiraz. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the rectum of 183 chickens offered in chicken meat shops was sampled. After phenotypic diagnosis, 16S rRNA specific primers were used for genotypic confirmation.  Antibiogram test was performed for Escherichia coli samples by using disk diffusion method based on CLSI standard tables.Then, with PCR test and using specific primers of eae, LT, aatA, ipaH, stx genes, different pathotypes were isolated from each other. Using phenotypic and genotypic tests, 100(55%)  Escherichia coli samples were isolated. The frequencies of isolated pathotypes were EPEC (34%), ETEC (26%), EIEC (23%), EHEC (10%) and EAEC (7%), respectively. Antibiogram testing of Escherichia coli isolates showed that the highest antibiotic resistance was related to tetracycline (83%) and the lowest resistance in all pathotypes was related to gentamicin (10%). Also, the study of multiple resistance patterns showed that ETEC pathotype had the highest multiple drug resistance with 96%. The results of this study confirmed the transmission of various Escherichia coli pathotypes from farm animals to humans. Therefore, correct and timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent their spread in the community.

Escherichia coli is causative agent of colibacillosis, which contaminated eggs are important sources of of spread of this disease. Antimicrobial therapy is an important way to control and reduce this disease. But in recent years, the widespread use of antibiotics has led to the proliferation of resistant genes and increased antibiotic resistance among bacterial strains. Increasing antibiotic resistance is currently a global health problem. The aim of this study was to determine contaminated rate of Escherichia coli in native and industrial poultry eggs of Ardabil city and to evaluate their drug resistance. 250 eggs including 81 native eggs, 86 bulk eggs and 83 labeled industrial eggs were randomly collected from retail stores in Ardabil during a period of 6 months and were examined in terms of E.coli contamination by standard culture methods. Biochemical tests and PCR were used for definitive diagnosis of strains. Then, antibiotic resistance was determined by disk diffusion method. From 250 samples examined, five isolates (2%) were identified, of which three isolates (1.20%) were obtained from the egg shells and two isolates (0.80%) from the egg contents. 2.47% (two cases)of native egg shells and 1.16% (one case) of bulk egg shells were contaminated with E. coli. 1.23% (one case)  of native egg contents and 1.16% (one case) of bulk egg contents had E. coli contamination. E. coli was not isolated in the shell and contents of industrial eggs. In the study of antibiotic resistance pattern of isolated strains, the highest resistance was observed to neomycin, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, lincomycin and amoxicillin and the lowest resistance was to kanamycin, ceftazidium and cephalexin. The results of this study showed that native eggs and bulk eggs are E.coli contamination, which is necessary to pay attention to their hygienic maintenance and cooking. Also, due to the high antibiotic resistance of the isolates, the excessive use of antibiotics in poultry farms should be prevented.

Lactic acid bacteria which are found in large amounts in dairy products, have antagonistic activity against many pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus strains isolated from buffalo milk and yogurt in Bandar Gaz city was investigated. Raw milk and yogurt samples were cultivated on MRS medium, incubating anaerobically at 37°C for 48 h. The suspected colonies were identified on the basis of Gram’s staining and biochemical tests. The antibacterial activity of the cell-free supernatant extracted from Lactobacillus strains was determined using the agar well diffusion method against standard strains including Shigella flexneri ATCC 12022 ، Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 ، Vibrio paraheamolyticus ATCC 17802 ، Escherichia coli ATCC 11303 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. A total 10 Lactobacillus strains were identified as L. plantarum, L. casei, L. acidophilus. The cell-free supernatant of L. plantarum A1 had a relatively strong inhibitory effect against S. aureus and a moderate inhibitory effect against E. coli and S. flexneri, while no inhibitory effect on V. paraheamolyticus and S. typhimurium growth. L. casei B1 showed a moderate inhibitory effect against S. flexneri and S. aureus. The supernatant of L. acidophilus R1 vs. S. aureus showed a moderate inhibitory effect and had an inhibitory effect on V. paraheamolyticus. The results of this study showed that Lactobacilli isolates had good inhibitory activity against some food pathogens, therefore further studies on their use as biopreservatives to prevent the survival and proliferation of microorganisms in food products are recommended.

Different species of Salmonella are important pathogenic bacteria in animals and humans that often infect poultry flocks. Most Salmonella infections in humans are caused by eating foods contaminated with this bacterium. The aim of this study was to determine the Salmonella infection status of several poultry farms in Khuzestan province and to determine the serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern of isolated Salmonella. In the year 1392 total of 1829 samples including stool swabs, litter samples, feathers and eggshells were collected from a broiler mother farm, two laying mother hen farms and an incubator and cultured in enriching and selective media and detected using biochemical tests according to standard methods. In this study, 10 Salmonella isolates were isolated including serotypes enteritidis (3 cases), corvallis (3 cases), typhimurium (3 cases) and ruzizi (1 case) using Salmonella serum type tests. After performing antibiogram test with standard disk diffusion method, it was determined that 100% of the isolates were resistant to Colistin, Cefalexin and Cefazolin. Isolates were highly resistant to Ceftazidime, Nalidixic acid, Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Nitrofurantoin, Amoxicillin, Neomycin, Streptomycin, Kanamycin, Ceftizoxime, Gentamicin and Tetracycline. All Salmonella isolates in this study were sensitive to Amikacin, Enrofloxacin, Ceftriaxone, Imipenem, Cefixime, Cefotaxime, Ofloxacin, Cefepime, Piperacillin, Florfenicol, Furazolidone, Chloramphenicol and Trimethoprim- Sulfamethoxazole.

This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence of Anaplasma marginale among cattle of Semnan province. A total of 208 blood samples were randomly collected via the ear vein and jugular vein from healthy cattle for microscopy and molecular examination, respectively. The extracted DNA from blood cells was amplified by a pair of primer, which amplify an approximately 866bp DNA fragment from the region of the msp4 gene of  A. marginale and 45.2% of cattle blood samples were identified positive for A. marginale. Chi-square tests were used to compare molecular prevalence values relative to climate, altitude, longitude, latitude, season, farm-type, hygiene of the farm, vectors, farm density, age, sex, and milk yield. The significant major risk factors of A. marginale in cattle were identified as latitude, farm-type, vectors, age, and milk yield by the multivariable logistic regression analysis (P< 0.05). The examination of 50 microscopic fields showed 31.9% sensitivity and 54.4% specificity compared to molecular examination. The Kappa coefficient between molecular and microscopy (50 fields) techniques indicated a slight level of agreement (Kappa= 0.13). This study is the first molecular detection of A. marginale from cattle in Semnan province, Iran. Further researches are needed to determine the vectors, vector-host interactions, and genotypic variants that may affect the presence and distribution of Anaplasma species in Semnan province.

Fungal growth on poultry feed decreases their nutritional value and constitutes health hazard. To produce healthy food for consumers, recognizing and controlling the contamination of poultry feed is necessary. A total of 212 poultry feed samples including two different feeds were collected and by using dilution plating technique, successive dilutions were prepared and each of dilutions was cultured on solid fungal media cultures. Different fungal species such as Penicillium sp., P.aurantiogriseum, P.chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium proliferatum were isolated from poultry feed of Birjand area of south Khorasan province and then purified and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. DNA extraction were performed by modified Chelex 100 method and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using amplification of  internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region used for molecular identification of fungal taxa. Rhizopus isolates identified based on morphological features. The highest and lowest fungal colonies were Penicillium(0.617±1.16) and Fusarium (0.075±0.417) receptively. Based on this study, controlling the contamination of poultry feed is recommended.

Heat stress is one of the most important effective factors on performance and health and exposure to heat stress is one of the major challenges in poultry industry. Therefore, consuming compounds with antioxidant properties such as herbs are recommended to reduce heat stress effects. A total of 300 one-day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were randomly divided to four treatments and five replicates due to the investigate of different levels Descurainia sophia on performance, immune system, T4 thyroid hormone and responses of HSP70 in broiler’s brain under acute heat stress condition. Treatments were included: control treatment (basal diet), basal diet with 0.5% Descurainia sophia, basal diet with 1% Descurainia sophia and basal diet with 2% Descurainia sophia. Heat stress were exposed on d 35 to 42 (34±1˚C) for 4 hours. In order to evaluate the hormone parameters, immune system and molecular experiments five chickens from each treatment were slaughtered and blood and brain sampling were performed on d 42 of experiment. The results of experiment showed that the treatments had no significant difference on performance parameters and lymphoid organs weight in poultry (P>0.05). The least ratio of heterophile and the maximum ratio of lymphocyte were observed in 1% and 2% Descurainia sophia treatments and increasing the expression of HSP70 and T4 hormone concentration were observed in 2% Descurainia sophia treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results showed that 1% and 2% Descurainia sophia is considered as a reducing agent in heat stress injuries and could be used as supplement and feed additive in poultry nutrition.

The present research was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of lycopene pigment on growth indices, feed efficiency and bio-chemical composition of Oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). In this study, 225 prawns with mean weight of 1.40±0.07 gram were fed by 5 dietary treatments containing different levels of lycopene zero (control), 50, 100, 150 and 200 milligrams lycopene per kilogram diet for 8 weeks. At the end of culture period, prawns were biometry with a digital scale and approximate body composition of samples was analyzed according to the AOAC method. Results showed that the diets containing lycopene showed a significant difference with the control treatment (p<0.05). However, hepatosomatic index was not affected by different lycopene treatments (p>0.05). The highest weight gain, survival rate and lowest feed conversion ratio were observed in 150 milligrams lycopene per kilogram diet. Carcass moisture, protein and lipid were significantly different from control treatment (p<0.05) but the ash of experimental treatments had no significant difference with control treatment (p>0.05). The results of this study showed that increased levels of dietary lycopene improved the growth and nutritional indices of the Oriental river prawn and adding 200 milligrams per kilogram lycopene to the diet was suggested to improve the growth performance, feed efficiency and carcass quality of this prawn.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diet supplementation with bindii (Tribulus Terrestris), carob (Ceratonia siliqua) and ginger (Zingiber Officinale) on semen quality and fertility potential of rooster breeders. In this experiment, 30 roosters were assigned into 6 equal groups and fed the following diets during 30 days: 1) the base diet, 2) diet containing bindii, 3) diet containing carob, 4) diet containing ginger, 5) diet containing bindii and ginger, 6) diet containing bindii and carob. Semen samples were collected via abdominal massage once a week and the following parameters were evaluated: semen volume, number of spermatozoa, sperm motility, membrane integrity, morphology, viability and fertility potential. In result, diet supplementation with herbal additives in treatments received groups improved sperm quality and fertility potential compared to control group (P≤0.05). In conclusion, using herbal additives in rooster diet could be an effective method to improve rooster sperm quality and fertility potential.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary astaxanthin supplement on survival rate, growth performance and lipid peroxidation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss during the first-feeding period. Fish fry with a mean initial weight of 198.50 mg were fed diets supplemented with 50 and 100 mg astaxanthin per kg feed for 120 days. Results showed that 100% survival rate was observed in all groups. Higher final weight and length compared to the control group were shown in both treatment groups. Significantly lower feed conversion ratio with lowest level in high dose group were noted in the treatment groups compared to the control group. Both specific growth rate and condition factor were significantly higher in both treatment groups in comparison with the control group. Carcass weight showed the same pattern as specific growth rate and condition factor with high levels in both treatment groups and highest level in high dose group compared to the control group. Remaining parameters, including hepatosomatic index, spleen somatic index and viscerosomatic index did not show significant changes in comparison with the control group. The total product of lipid peroxidation indicated as malondialdehyde (MDA), significantly decreased in both treatment groups. The results indicate that feeding astaxanthin at 50 and 100 mg per kg feed has a potential to enhance growth performance and decrease lipid peroxidation in rainbow trout during the first-feeding period.

Among the essential metabolic functions of the liver, the role of this tissue as a mediator in the immune system has also been considered. Although the role of cytokines and chemokines in mammalian immune systems has been well evaluated, few studies have been performed in fish. Genes involved in the immune system, such as interleukin 10 and TNF-α, play an important role in the immune system of various cells. In the present study, the expression of interleukin 10 and TNF-α genes in rainbow trout was assessed following VHS virus treatment. Six samples from each of two control group and infected group with VHS virus were selected and then total RNA was extracted from liver tissue. The differential expression of interleukin 10 and TNF-α genes between the two studied groups (infected with the virus vs control) was assessed using Real-Time PCR. Comparison of relative changes in gene expression were assessed by statistical methods in three replications of each sample. Analysis of data showed that the expression of interleukin 10 and TNF-α genes increased in response to VHS virus. In this study, although the expression of both interleukin 10 and TNF-α genes were significantly increased, but the rate of interleukin 10 expression in the treatment group was 25 times higher than the control group. Increased expression of these two cytokines, in particular over induction of interleukin 10 expression by the virus may lead to impaired of immune function. As a final conclusion, studying the relative changes of cytokine genes expression can increase our knowledge on molecular mechanism of immune function against pathogens. In this case, it is possible to develop molecular markers in order to increase resistance to viral disease in breeding programs of industrial fish farming.

During the breeding season, commercial poultry flocks are exposed to various viral, bacterial, mycoplasma, and fungal infectious agents. Vaccination and field challenges are examples of this infectious. Isolation, serological test, and molecular diagnosis were used to evaluate the vaccine response and laboratory diagnosis. Analysis of the serum response is one of the diagnostic challenges between laboratories and clinicians.  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of avian influenza virus infection on the results of Newcastle vaccines in poultry flocks. To do this, the effect of influenza (H9N2) respiratory infection on serum response to live Newcastle disease vaccine was investigated and the results of hemagglutination inhibition test were analyzed. The results showed that the presence of avian influenza virus increased the serum response to the Newcastle disease vaccine and increased the titer's dispersion so that in the study of the titers, some of the titers appeared to indicate disease. It can be analyzed that the influenza virus may have caused inflammation of the trachea to increase the penetration of the vaccine virus into the trachea and create a stronger immune response. In fact, this study demonstrates the synergistic effect of the H9N2 influenza virus and the Lasota vaccine virus. In poultry farms and especially broiler farms, due to the multiplicity of vaccines used and the high volume of challenge, for serological testing, it is recommended that a complete serum profile be used to survey titers all common respiratory factors.

Schistosomiasis, the disease caused by Schistosoma turkestanicum causes economic losses, including a reduction in livestock products in sheep and goats. Examining of 2077 sheep and 322 goats slaughtered in the slaughterhouse of Azna city located in Lorestan Province from August to October 2020, the presence of Schistosoma turkestanicum in goats for the first time by macroscopic observation of the worm in the mesenteric lymphatic veins and by fecal examination and observation the eggs of this trematode were reported in Lorestan Province.

Milk is one of the most important components of human food. The presence of micro-pollutants (pesticides and toxic metals) in the food chain is the result of environmental pollution and their concentrations need to be controlled constantly. The objective of this study was to detect the level of pesticides (organochlorine (OC) and organophosphorus (OP)) and lead residue in distributed milk in Isfahan city in Iran.A total of 30 cow milk (25 pasteurized milk samples from different factories and 5-row milk samples from traditional dairy shops) samples were collected at random and analyzed for 50 common OC and OP pesticide residues and lead. The pesticide residues and lead detected using "gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy" and "inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy", respectively. However, the levels of pesticide residues were below maximum residual limits (MRLs) levels set by the Codex in 2007. The mean level of lead content obtained from 30 samples was 6.7±3.7 µg/l, with a range from 4 to 22.1 µg/l. Lead residues exceeded the MRL (20 µg/l) in only 1 sample. Our data were within the normal ranges. The results of this study demonstrate the need to establish the most abundant heavy metals and pesticide residue monitoring programs for milk analysis for human consumption to improve food safety and decrease exposure risks to consumers in different regions of Iran.