Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:16 Issue: 4, Autumn 2022

The frequency and characteristics of fractures may vary according to the environment. The present study aimed to assess the fractures of the appendicular and axial skeletons in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hares (Lepus sp.) presented at a veterinary teaching hospital. Medical records and radiographs were retrospectively analyzed over eight years. Twenty-six pet rabbits and five free-ranging hares were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one of them had fractures in the appendicular skeleton, nine in the axial skeleton, and one in both. The fractures were related to traumatic events, such as being hit by a vehicle (22.58%), falling (12.9%), being attacked by another animal (12.9%), and having a paw stuck in a hole (3.22%); 48.38% had an unknown cause. Long bone fractures were found in the humerus (n=2), radius/ulna (n=1), femur (n=5), and tibia (n=12). Fractures involving the distal aspects of the limbs included the tarsus (n=1) and metatarsus (n=2) bones. Except for one rabbit, all of the others had unilateral fractures. Fourteen presented closed fractures, and nine were open fractures. All these fractures were complete, 56.52%% simple, and 43.47% multifragmental. The procedures used included osteosynthesis (42.85%), external coaptation (28.57%), amputation (14.28%), euthanasia (4.76%), and two animals died (9.52%). The fractures of the axial skeleton included the vertebral column (n=6), mandible (n=3), and pelvis (n=2). Five fractures were treated conservatively, and the rabbits were euthanized in four cases. The fractures resulted from a traumatic episode, which had an unknown origin in most of the cases, involving mainly the appendicular skeleton, being the tibia the bone most affected.

Chronic diarrhea is one of the costly pathologic conditions affecting dairy animals owing to its significant impact on economic returns. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinico-fecal alterations associated with underlying disease entities or etiologies in adult dairy cattle and buffaloes with chronic diarrhea. Hundred and two adult dairy cattle/buffaloes with a history of diarrhea (≥3- weeks duration) without any other complications were selected for the study. Quantification of parameters viz; frequency of feces, fecal consistency, abnormalities in feces, and secondary clinical signs such as changes in appetite or weight loss was estimated to assess the clinical severity associated with the chronic diarrheic condition. Etiologies identified were confirmed based on diagnostic techniques and laboratory tests (Fecal microscopy, culture using selective media, PCR, and copper estimation using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). Different etiologies identified indicate significant variation (P<0.05), with Balantidium coli infection diagnosed in 38 of 102 adult dairy animals (37.6%) with chronic diarrhea. The nature of diarrhea was established in dietary origin in 9.9% of animals. Salmonellosis infection was diagnosed in seven animals. Amphistomiasis was established in 7 (6.6 %) adult dairy animals. Johne's disease was diagnosed in 4 animals (3.9%). Chronic diarrhea due to copper deficiency was detected in 6.9 percent of animals. Relation between the fecal odor, fecal consistency, and fecal abnormality showed variation with respect to etiologies. However, out of these parameters, body condition score (BCS) had a significant effect concerning the etiology (P<0.05) shown by the P-value on a log of odd scale. Body condition scores differ significantly (P<0.05) among the etiological groups, with variations in scores ranging between 2 and 3.5 in affected animals. All the animals affected with clinical Johne's disease had the lowest body condition score of 2-2.5. The findings of the present study highlight the need for a detailed and elaborative diagnostic workup to identify the underlying causes of the chronic diarrheic condition in bovines to stamp out the possibility of severe economic losses associated with the condition.

Fasciolosis is a parasitic disease of ruminants, and it is associated with liver damage, decreased meat and milk production, growth retardation, and even death. This study aims to determine the hepatic lesions associated with fasciolosis and to document the histopathological findings seen in the livers of cattle naturally infected with Fasciola species in Kwara State, Nige-ria. Livers from 386 cattle were sampled at the place of slaughter for this study. Livers with lesions were subjected to gross and histopathological examinations. The univariate analysis (Chi-square) test was used to deter-mine the association between each risk factor and the presence or absence of Fasciola species in livers. Of the 386 livers of cattle sampled, 90 had pathological lesions representing 23.31% (95% CI = 19.30 –27.73). Among the pathologic livers, hepatic enlargement was recorded as the most prevalent lesion (37.78%),while hepatic hemorrhage was the least prevalent lesion (6.67%). Fasciola species was detected more in congestedlivers (14.81%), followed by fibrotic livers (10.00%). There were no Fasciola species in other types of liver lesions. The difference in the prevalence of Fasciola species among types of liver lesions was statistically significant(P<0.01; Chi-square (χ2) value = 49.10; degree of freedom (df) = 5). Fasciolosis is associated with hepatic congestion, and severe histopathologic lesions are seen in the livers of slaughtered cattle naturally infected with Fasciola species in Kwara State, Nigeria.

Haemonchosis is one of the most important nematode infections in cattle population. Knowledge of genetic diversity and morphological analysis can provide a foundation for understanding the drug resistance, epidemiological features, and control strategies in a geographical area.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the morphological parameters and molecular targets (ITS1-ITS2 and Beta-tubulin) of cattle Haemonchus nematodes from southeast of Iran and to find species diversity and benzimidazole resistance.

From May 2016 to April 2017, 300 abomasa of cattle slaughtered at slaughterhouses of Zabol, Zahedan, and Iranshahr were inspected. Ninety-eight adults male Haemonchus nematodes were morphologically analyzed. For molecular analysis, the amplification of ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 regions, and Beta-tubulin fragment was done.

All specimens were morphologically identified as H. contortus. The ITS2 sequencing and the phylo-genetic tree revealed 99% similarity between H.contortus from this study and those from other parts of the world. There was no mutation in the positions and all nematodes were benzimidazole susceptible.

Our results showed that although H. placei is the most common Haemonchus species in the cattle around the world, H. contortus is mostly prevalent in southeast region of Iran. Moreover, it seems that the induction of benzimidazole resistance is less important in many parts of the world.

Ascertainment of fetal sex is important in the equine industry for economic reasons. As a result, various methods have been developed for the sex determination of a fetus in a horse; however, the current techniques have some limitations. Recently, evaluation of maternal testosterone concentration has been suggested as an easy and inexpensive method for diagnosing fetal sex, but the findings are discrepant in different species.

The aim of the present study was to measure the concentration of circulating testosterone in mares carrying male and female fetuses in order to assess the diagnostic value of maternal testosterone concentration for sex determination of equine fetus.

Blood samples were collected from mares (n=20) at months three, six, and nine of pregnancy. The samples were centrifuged and stored at -20°C until hormonal analysis of testosterone concentration using an ELIZA kit. The gender of foals was determined at birth based on observation of external genitalia.

Neither testosterone concentration in the third, sixth and ninth months of pregnancy nor the cumulative concentration of testosterone differ between mares with male and female fetuses (P>0.05). However, testosterone concentration changed during pregnancy in all mares regardless of the gender of their fetus, and it was higher at month six than at months three and nine (P<0.0001).

In conclusion, the present study showed that maternal testosterone concentration could not be used for the sex determination of a fetus in a horse. Yet the current study revealed testosterone concentration dy-namics over various gestation stages in mares.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a coccidian parasite with worldwide distribution.

It is considered one of the most important causes of diarrhea in many vertebrate species and im-munocompromised humans. Due to the lack of effective treatment of cryptosporidiosis, protection strategy against this species can be focused on encouraging the immune system through vaccine development.

For this aim, we prepared oocysts lysate as a whole antigen vaccine candidate (420 μg) and immun-ized 3 pregnant cows 4 times every 2 weeks from 70 days to parturition. As a control group, 3 unimmunized pregnant cows were used. After parturition, each calf was fed with colostrum of his dam and challenged at 12h of age with 1×107C. parvum oocysts.

In contrast to the test group, the calves in the control group developed severe watery diarrhea with excretion of oocysts from 4 days post-infection. The calves in the test group, which received the hyperimmune colostrum, showed no clinical signs and a significant reduction in oocysts excretion.

The whole antigen prepared from oocysts of C. parvum can be considered a suitable candidate for immunizing pregnant cows producing hyperimmune colostrum.

Cancer as a global problem is a major health threat to human, and lung cancer is the most com-mon type of malignant tumor. Phenethyl ester of caffeic acid is one of the known phenolic compounds. The beneficial effects of caffeic acid, including its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immune-boosting, antioxidant and car-cinostatic and anticarcinogenic properties have been confirmed in several studies. Matricaria chamomile that belongs to the Asteraceae family is one of the most popular medicinal plants, which is known as the "star" of me-dicinal plants. It has been used for the centuries for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the induction of apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells by caffeic acid obtained from propolis and chamomile extract.

The A549 cultured lung cancer cells were treated with caffeic acid and chamomile extract. Following incubation times the cells were examined by flow cytometry for the rate of apoptosis induction.

The results showed that caffeic acid and chamomile extract have effective roles in inducing apoptosis and caused significant changes in the percentage of living cells and the percentage of cells in the early and late phases of apoptosis.

Caffeic acid and chamomile extract have effective role in inhibiting lung cancer cells with sig-nificant apoptotic effects on pulmonary epithelial cancer cells.

Tissue engineering is a potential technique for treating bone tissue abnormalities in the short and long terms. Aside from that, the use of 3D printing technology has considerable advantages in the production of bioengineering scaffolds for the treatment of patient-specific bone defects.

The aim of the study was to fabricate and characterize the 3D printed polycaprolactone/hydroxy-apatite (PCL-HA) scaffolds modified with Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF).

The scaffolds were fabricated using 3D printing technology to provide a suitable environment for the bone regeneration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and compression tests were utilized to characterize the scaffold morphology, microstructure, and mechanical properties, respectively. The potentials for the cell adhesion, proliferation, biocompatibility, and differentiation were also investigated.

The 3D PCL-HA scaffold with linked pores had a moderately rough surface as a result of hydroxyap-atite (HA) nanoparticles incorporation, which resulted in the increased mechanical properties. Increased bone cell proliferation on the PCL-HA/PRF scaffold surface was seen as a result of the enhanced hydrophilicity and porosity of the PCL-HA/PRF scaffold as compared to the PCL scaffold. The MTT assay results showed that the PCL-HA/PRF scaffold was much more cyto-compatible than the PCL and PCL-HA scaffolds, which was a major im-provement.

The results showed that 3D printed PCL-HA scaffold supplemented with Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF) may be an effective scaffold for the bone tissue regeneration.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is still one of the most important infectious diseases in dairy farms. Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia hemolytica are the main bacterial pathogens of BRD.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of antibiotic resistance of M. hemolytica and P. multocida isolated from lung samples of cattle slaughtered in an industrial abattoir in Golestan province, northeastern Iran.

Samples were taken from diseased and normal-appearing lungs of cattle slaughtered in an industrial abattoir. The samples were processed bacteriologically for the isolation of both Pasteurellaceae species. The isolates were identified by cultural and biochemical tests, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method.

A total of 120 samples were collected. The bacteriological examination of the samples resulted in the isolation of 36 (30%) M. hemolytica and P. multocida strains. Of the isolates, 14 (11.6%) and 22 (18.3%) were positive for P. multocida and M. hemolytica, respectively. Clear difference was observed between the populations of M. haemolytica recovered from apparently healthy lung tissues versus pneumonia samples. All the isolates were susceptible to tulathromycin, and the highest resistance was observed to penicillin and erythromycin. Multiple drug resistance was observed in both Pasteurellaceae species.

The results highlight the importance of continued surveillance of BRD pathogens in monitoring their antibiotic resistance patterns to update treatment protocols. Surveillance studies are also necessary to develop policies for limiting the spread of resistance.

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the main pathophysiologic conditions of the testis. Although free radical scavenging properties of the tannins are approved, limited information exists on their antiox-idant activities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of quebracho tannin extract (QTE) on testicular I/R injury in rats.

METOD: 

Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups (n=6). One group was kept as control. In I/R group, rats were subjected to 4 hours I/20 hours R, and the group was intraperitoneally (ip) injected with saline 1 hour before R. In groups 3-5, rats were subjected to 4 hours I/20 hours R, and ip injected with QTE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) 1 hour before R. At the end of the study, left testis was removed for histological analysis and antioxidant measurement.

I/R resulted in degenerated seminiferous tubules and loss of spermatogenesis. Administration of QTE (200 and 400 mg/kg) to I/R rats showed many normal seminiferous tubules. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased in I/R rats (P<0.05) while QTE decreased IR-induced MDA level (P<0.05). Experimental I/R significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities (P<0.05). Ad-ministration of QTE significantly increased tissue SOD and GPx activities in I/R rats (P<0.05).

These findings suggested treatment with QTE had a benefial effect against I/R.