Iranian Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology
Volume:13 Issue: 2, Summer and Autumn 2021

In addition to the well-studied effects in regulating calcium and phosphorus balance, vitamin D has many non-calcemic effects that include acting as an immune modulator or an antioxidant. Cows acquire vitamin D either from photosynthesis in the skin or through swallowing fungi in the forage or vitamin D supplements. Although vitamin D deficiency is rare, today we are facing an increasing number of vitamin D deficiencies in cows due to the indoor housing away from sunlight exposure. According to the NRC recommendation, to maintain the vitamin D serum concentration in the range of 20 to 50 ng/ ml, it is necessary to administer 21,000 IU/ d of vitamin D in cattle. In addition, considering the involvement of vitamin D in various calcemic and non-calcemic effects, it seems that previously recommend levels of vitamin D supplementation have not been enough for preventing many diseases and disorders in cattle. Vitamin D toxicity may also occur due to over-supplementation of vitamin D or overgrazing in plants with high amounts of vitamin D metabolites. This review article will discuss various roles of vitamin D in dairy cattle health, normal physiology, and disease prevention.

Sepsis is the main mortality factor in patients undergoing surgery and its treatment currently includes cardiac resuscitation and reducing the immediate risk of infection. Troxerutin is a common compound in vegetables, fruits, and seeds and has several biological activities, including anti-platelet, anti-serotonin, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Accordingly, we hypothesized that it can decrease interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) levels in the serum of rats with sepsis. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group, control group, and treatment group. Both the control and treatment groups underwent surgical cecal ligation and perforation. Troxerutin (130 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously twice a day to the animals of the treatment group for 3 days or until the animals’ death. Surviving rats were euthanized after 1.5 ml of blood samples were taken 3 days after the cecal ligation and perforation. IL-1 and TNF-a were measured by the blood serum ELISA assay. The differences in mortality rates were significant between the control group and the other two groups (p = 0.008). The results showed a significant increase in IL-1 and TNF-a in the control group compared to the sham group (p < 0.05). In addition, the levels in the treatment group significantly decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that troxerutin could increase survival in rats developing septic shock by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1 and TNF-a.

This study was conducted to investigate the pathogenesis process of E. ahsata and its morphological, pathological, and distribution of lesions in the involved tissues during 42 days of infection. Twelve lambs were randomly divided into two groups including the control and the infected groups after confirmation of their health. The animals in the experiment group were orally infected with 1× 105 sporulated oocysts. From 7 days after inoculation (DAI), the feces were sampled and oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) were individually examined for each lamb. . At 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 DAI, one lamb from each group was necropsied and the abomasum, small and large intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleens, and livers were grossly investigated. From 21 to 42 DAI, mild to severe clinical lesions such as congestion and edema were seen on the mucosal surface of the small intestine associated with white and small foci about 1-2 mm, especially jejunum and ileum. From 7 DAI to the end of the study various stages of the parasite life cycle, infiltration of inflammatory cells, epithelial hyperplasia of villi, and destruction of villi epithelium were seen.  The results showed that E. ahsata was pathogenic in lambs and the macro and microscopic lesions were mostly seen in the jejunum.

Altered cytokine profile and weakened immunity along with clinical or subclinical ketosis (SCK) are among the remarkable challenges around parturition. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare some inflammatory cytokines and immunologic factors between two groups of healthy and SCK cows. Serum specimens were collected from 30 clinically healthy dairy cows on the early dry period (EDP), one week before expected calving (-1w), and one week postpartum (+1W). The animals were divided into the two groups of healthy (N = 20) and SCK (N = 10) based on serum β-hydroxybutyrate cut-off of 1.2 mmol/L on +1W. The concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and haptoglobin (Hp) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were statistically analyzed by mixed analysis of variance and independent samples t-test using the SPSS software. The findings demonstrated that the overall levels of IL-4 (p = 0.033), IL-10 (p = 0.049), TNF-α (p = 0.028), and Hp (p = 0.018) were significantly higher in the SCK group than the control group. Furthermore, the interaction of time × SCK had a significant influence on IL-4 (p = 0.028) and Hp (p = 0.022) levels. It was revealed that IL-4 (p = 0.008), IL-10 (p = 0.009), TNF-α (p = 0.01), and Hp (p = 0.002) were all significantly higher in the SCK group than the control group on +1W. In conclusion, SCK in dairy cattle might have a relationship with immunologic and inflammatory changes around calving.

The current study aimed to see how the central dopaminergic and cannabinoidergic mechanisms affect melanocortin-induced food intake in the neonatal layer chickens. In this regard, 9 experiments were designed. In experiment 1, chicks injected with control solution, MTII (2.5, 5, and 10 ng). In experiment 2, control solution, L-DOPA (125 nmol), MTII (10 ng), and L-DOPA + MTII were applied to the birds. Experiments 3-9 were similar to experiment 2, except birds injected with 6-OHDA (150 nmol), SCH23390 (5 nmol), AMI-193 (5 nmol), NGB2904 (6.4 nmol), L-741,742 (6 nmol), SR141716A (6.25 µg), and AM630 (5 µg) instead of L-DOPA. Then, cumulative food intake was recorded at 30, 60, and 120 min following injection. According to the results, in comparison with the control group, dose-dependent hypophagia was observed in 3-h food-deprived neonatal layer chickens following ICV injection of MTII (2.5, 5, and 10 ng) (P<0.05). ICV injection of L-DOPA and SR141716A increased hypophagia induced by MTII in chickens (P<0.05), while 6-OHDA greatly suppressed MTII- induced hypophagia (P<0.05). In addition, SCH23390 and AMI-193 greatly weakened the MTII-induced hypophagia in neonatal layer chickens (P<0.05). However, NGB2904, L-741742 and AM630 had no role on hypophagia induced by MTII (P>0.05). These results demonstrated that melanocortin-induced hypophagia in the neonatal layer chickens is likely mediated by D1, D2, and CB1 receptors.

The present study was conducted to perform a molecular comparison of Pulex irritans based on the mitochondrial genome in four different climatic regions including the Caspian Sea region, a mountainous region, Persian Gulf region,  and the Central Desert region, and based on nuclear ribosome genome in the west and northwestern Iran. A total of 1937 adult flea samples were collected including 1019 P. irritans (52.61%) and 918 Ctenocephalides canis (47.39%) from various hosts including humans (14.1%), sheep (22%), goats (33.5%), dogs (25.6%) and houses (6.7%) between April 2018 and May 2019. The samples collected from different hosts had similar morphological characteristics. However, there were slight differences based on mitochondrial markers and nuclear ribosomal markers in the study populations. The results from the phylogenetic tree based on three nuclear ribosome and mitochondrial markers showed that despite the slight differences in this sequence of different hosts and cities, all samples from different regions are in the same phylogeny. The results of ribosomal and mitochondrial genome analysis showed that these pieces are useful for demonstrating intraspecific similarity, and differentiation at species level and genus of P. irritans.

The Basolateral Amygdala (BLA) has been shown to have an important role in food-related learning behaviors. Using a novel approach, we have evaluated the role of BLA in food preference and Food memory related to visual cues in rats. Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats, weighing 200–250 g, were used for the experiments. Electric lesion of BLA was produced by passing 1.5 mA of current for 7 s. Food-related behaviors and preferences were evaluated by using an automated apparatus. Geometric visual cues were also constructed. Food-deprived rats were presented with different diets in 6 consecutive trial performances. The number of visits, time consumed on each food zone and port, distance traveled in each visit, and the total amount of food eaten was evaluated. The changes in hippocampal c-Fos expression were determined by immunoblotting. The control sham group showed a high and low preference for biscuit and white flour, respectively. BLA lesion rats exhibited a shifted preference curve. In the sham group, a more significant amount of food consumption was associated with an increased number of references to each zone and port, along with more time spent there. Furthermore, a decrease in hippocampal c-Fos expression was observed in the BLA- lesion animals. Taken together, the basolateral amygdala has a significant role in rats’ food-matched visual-cue memory and high-calorie/sweetness preferences.

Aptamers are oligonucleotides that can be easily synthesized and bind to their targets with high affinity and specificity. Several aptamers specific to soluble factors of coagulation cascade have been produced, however, aptamers specific to platelet cell membrane molecules have not been reported yet. We aimed to discover DNA aptamers that specifically bind to human platelets. The cell-SELEX method was used for aptamer discovery. Synthetic 79 nucleotides length single-strand oligonucleotides were used as a library. Ultra-pure platelets were prepared using differential centrifugation steps and magnetic-bead-assisted removal of contaminating cells. The FITC-labeled forward primer was used for amplification of the selected oligonucleotides by PCR, and Lambda exonuclease was used for digestion of the lagging strand. After 12 rounds of cell-SELEX, selected oligos were amplified and cloned to pTG19-T vector, transfected into E. coli  (TOP10) and sequenced. Sequences of aptamers from 200 individual positive colonies were aligned and seven clusters were identified. Representative aptamers were amplified and their affinity, specificity, and digestibility of their targets were evaluated. Interferences of the aptamers to two platelet function tests were also investigated. Affinity (KD) of the representative aptamers were between 109 and 340 nM. Trypsin exposure of the platelets completely abolished the binding of the 7 aptamers to the targets. The binding of the four aptamers fully protected their target molecules from digestion. No one of the aptamers changed the parameters of the platelet function tests. Seven aptamers specific to platelets were identified and characterized. These aptamers may have potentially diverse applications in the diagnosis or treatment of platelet disorders.

This study aimed to determine the influences of antioxidants additives on motility characteristics of different goat spermatozoa types including frozen/thawed, fresh, and chilled samples. Ejaculates from five Shami bucks were collected during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Spermatozoa samples from the three types were incubated in media containing 2 and 4 mM oxidized glutathione (GSSG), 5 and 10 mM L-cysteine,10 and 25 mM taurine, and no additives (control). Motility characteristics were analyzed by a computer-aided sperm analyzer (CASA). Except for taurine, the addition of antioxidants resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the percentage of motile sperm (MOT %) after spermatozoa thawing. When fresh sperm samples were collected during the non-breeding season and treated with both GSSG and L-cysteine, the values of the velocity parameters VAP, VSL, and VCL increased significantly (p < 0.05). No significant effects were noted for the velocity parameters when 10 and 25 mM of taurine were added to the chilled spermatozoa, while GSSG and L-cysteine had principally affected MOT % of this spermatozoa type. The rapid spermatozoa subpopulation was the most influenced category by the three antioxidants compared to the slow and medium grades, especially in the case of fresh and frozen/thawed types. In conclusion, the effects of different antioxidants on goat spermatozoa motility largely depend on the used concentration and also on the type of spermatozoa pattern.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of dichloromethane extract of Melia azedarach ripe fruit on larvae and adult females of Hyalomma excavatum at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%, using the larval immersion test (LIT) and adult immersion test (AIT). The results showed that in LIT, the percentage mortality of larvae was significantly higher at concentrations 1, 2, and 4% than the control group after 24 h. While the mortality rates varied from 8.66% to 72.66% after 24 h post-treatment, complete mortality of the examined larvae was achieved at concentration of 4% after 48 h post-exposure whereas, it was13.33% in the negative control group. In AIT, the percentage inhibition of oviposition in the treatment groups was significantly greater than the control group (P < 0.01). The maximum inhibition of oviposition was 17.72%, which was achieved at a concentration of 4% and it was 0% in the control group. The difference between reproductive index in treatment and control groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.01). This study showed that the ripe fruit extract of M. azedarach was toxic to H. excavatum under laboratory conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate seed powder on cadmium-poisoned testicular tissue in Japanese quail. A total of 270 day-old Japanese quail chicks were assigned to six treatment groups, control group, cadmium 50 ppm (group II), pomegranate seed powder (1 and 0.5 %; groups III and IV, respectively), pomegranate seed powder 1% + Cd 50 ppm (group V), pomegranate seed powder 0.5% + Cd 50 ppm (group VI). Stereological parameters in testes and TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were determined. Testicular components showed a significant reduction in area surface and volume density in the cadmium-exposed groups compared with controls (p < 0.05). It was found that in the cadmium induction group, TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher compared to the normal level (p < 0.05). The results showed that pomegranate seed powder could increase the area surface and volume density of testicular germinal ingredients and decrease the content of TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride (p > 0.05) in cadmium poisoning testis. These results show that cadmium has destructive effects and pomegranate seed powder has prevented the development of these effects on stereological and lipid parameters.

A two-year-old queen was referred to the surgery section of veterinary hospital with lateral recumbency position and the primary diagnosis of dystocia. The queen was highly lethargic and dehydrated, with a pale mucous membrane, a rectal temperature of 37.3 °C, and no vaginal discharge during first inspection. The primary examination revealed a big mass in the abdominal cavity, which was followed by other diagnostic investigations. Due to a huge and encroaching tumor and the patient's owner's refusal to accept any further therapies, the queen was euthanized during an exploratory celiotomy. This report describes a large Hemangiopericytoma (HPCy) in a domestic short-haired queen diagnosed based on physical examination, radiography, ultrasonography, histomorphology, and immunohistochemical reactivity. The results of pathology revealed a whorls around blood vessels and the "fingerprint" pattern of tumor with negative S-100 immunohistochemistry staining.   In dogs, HPCy is a common neoplasm, but it is a seldom finding in cats. There is no previous report of HPCy in the abdominal cavity as observed in the presented case to the authors' knowledge.