فصلنامه دامپزشکی ایران
سال هجدهم شماره 77 (زمستان 1401)

The aim of this study was to survey the infectious lesions of liver and heart of commercial poultry carcasses caused by bacteria, to assess the role and the rate of incidence of bacteria other than E. coli in development of liver and heart lesions in commercial poultry flocks, and to determine the antimicrobial sensitivity of the isolated bacteria. Samples were taken from heart blood and liver’s visceral surface of 614 carcasses obtained from 150 flocks (including 118 broiler flocks, 14 laying flocks, 12 turkey flocks, 2 breeder flocks, 2 quail flocks and 2 partridge flocks) located in 18 provinces of Iran. The bacterial isolates were classified into genus and species based on microbiological standard methods. Out of 484 isolates, 382 (78.92%) Escherichia coli, 37 (7.64%) Salmonella, 18 (3.71%) Proteus, 17 (3.51%) Staphylococcus aureus, 9 (1.85%) Streptococcus, 7 (1.44%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 6 (1.23%) Klebsiella, 5 (1.03%) Staphylococcus epidermidis and 4 (0.71%) negative coagulase Staphylococci were detected while in 165 cases, no bacteria were found. Salmonella was detected in a young turkey flock (7-day old). Antimicrobial sensitivity test was performed for 100 E. coli isolates from broiler flocks, 2 E. coli isolates from quail flock and 30 Salmonella isolates. The resistance pattern of E. coli isolates included 56 patterns. The highest drug resistance was observed to doxycycline, flumequine, tetracycline and enrofloxacin. In 30 salmonella isolates, 17 resistance patterns were observed. The highest drug resistance was observed to ampicillin and nalidixic acid. All Salmonella isolates belonged to serogroup D. Results showed that Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen isolated from heart and liver lesions but other bacterial infections should also be noticed. Drug resistance patterns even in isolates of one farm may vary; therefore, performing antimicrobial sensitivity test is necessary prior to prescribing any antibacterial agent in a farm.

The horse age estimation is based on the evaluation of teeth. The ability to age estimation can be used when buying livestock, predicting its useful sporting life span, and helping to determine disease prognosis and insurance targets. In the present study, evaluation of incisor teeth of Khouzestan Arabian mares was performed to prepare the age profile of changes in the incisors. In this study, 78 Arabian mares of Khouzestan were examined. After confirming the authenticity of the animals, the images were digitally prepared from vestibular, rostral, and occlusal surfaces of the lower incisors. The prepared images were analyzed by the computer and the parameters related to the growth of deciduous and permanent teeth and their number and changes in the occlusal surface of the lower incisors were investigated. Finally, dental age profile was presented. The dI3 tooth in Khouzestan Arabian mares had a variety of eruption times, while the eruption time of the dI1 and dI2 teeth was almost similar to that of other horses. In permanent teeth, premature growth of I2 and I3 was observed in some cases. Dental star first appeared on the occlusal surface of the lower incisors at about 5.5 years old, and the enamel spot on I1 appeared about a year earlier than usual. In the age range of 15 days to 24 years old, the growth of the incisors teeth and some of its morphological changes were observed in cases earlier than usual.

Palm pollen is one of the traditional medicinal plants with potential antioxidant properties that is used to treat infertility.The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of palm pollen on the growth process of embryos obtained from laboratory fertilization following cyclophosphamide administration. In this experimental study, 36 NMRI male mice weighing approximately 36-30 g were randomly divided into 6 groups: after adapting to the environment for one week, all groups were treated daily for 28 days.The Groups included  the control group, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclophosphamide with high and low dosages of palm pollen and two groups palm pollen alone, with high and low doses. Subsequently, weighing and necropsy were done, all animals were euthanized for stimulate ovulation using PMSG and HCG and 6 Adult fertile mice were used. Fertilization was assessed in HTF + 4mg BSA culture medium, fertilized eggs incubated for 120 hours. Embryonic developmental stages and intra-laboratory fertility rates in all groups were investigated. The results showed that the percentage of fertilized eggs, two-celled embryos, morula, blastocysts and the percentage of hatched embryos in Cyclophosphamide group decreased significantly compared to the control group. Cyclophosphamide and palm pollen group at high and low dosages, showed significant increase compared to Cyclophosphamide group. The Cyclophosphamide group had a significant increase in the percentage of stopped embryos compared to the control group. The percentage of stopped embryos in mice receiving the  palm pollen at high and low dosages showed a significant decrease after Cyclophosphamide administration compared to Cyclophosphamide group. Palm pollen following Cyclophosphamide administration improved the growth process of embryos obtained from laboratory fertilization.

Toxocariasis is one of the most important parasitic and widespread infections which is caused by direct contact with dogs and cats or contact with sources contaminated with the parasite's eggs, such as soil and grass, in public places where dogs and cats travel, as well as the consumption of contaminated vegetables. The aim of this study was to investigate the contamination of soil and grass in different parks of Kermanshah, West of Iran, with Toxocara eggs. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 120 soil and 120 grass samples were collected from a total of 16 public parks and gardens in Kermanshah, then the parasitic contamination of soil and grass samples exanimated by flotation deposition method. Results showed that out of 16 parks studied, 15 parks were infected with Toxocara species eggs in terms of soil samples (93.7%) and 13 parks in terms of grass samples (81.2%). Also, the prevalence of infection with Toxocara species eggs was 70.8% in soil samples and 30.8% in grass samples. Rresults of this study showed that the contamination of Kermanshah parks with Toxocara species eggs is high, which increases the risk of toxocariasis in humans. Therefore, to reduce the risk of human infection, the need for control programs such as prevention of environmental contamination with parasite eggs, especially in public places such as public parks, with dog feces is recommended.

Vitamin D as a fat-soluble vitamin is essential for calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and normal skeletal growth and development. Furthermore, association of vitamin D with infectious and non-infectious diseases and malignancies has been shown in a large growing body of literature. However, limited reports about the status of vitamin D in domestic animals particularly in horses are available. In this study blood samples were collected from 160 horses in Yazd and 15 horses in Ardabil area. The sera were analyzed for vitamin D, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and parathyroid hormone using standard methods. Serum vitamin D was significantly higher in age groups of 1-3 and 3-6 years, first, second and third parity, in Yazd in comparison with Ardabil area and female horses. Also, more than 4 hours of exposure to sunlight had a positive significant effect on blood vitamin D levels in horses. The horse color, breed and pregnancy were not significantly associated with vitamin D concentrations. In conclusion, altitude, gender, more than 4 hours sunlight exposure, parity and age are associated with vitamin D levels in horses, while color, breed and pregnancy had not any effect on this vitamin levels in horses.

The objective of this survey was to evaluate the infection of P. aeruginosa within the mare population including horse riding clubs, clinical cases and different centers which keep horses in both suburbs of Tehran and Alborz provinces of Iran. Totally, 276 specimens were taken randomly from clitoral fossa and vagina of 138 pregnant (no. 9, 6.52%) and non-pregnant (no. 129. 93.48%) mares using sterile swabs. The horses included: horse riding clubs (79, 57%), referral clinical cases (32, 23%) and biological research center mares (27, 20%) in suburb of Tehran and Alborz provinces, Iran. They were transported beside ice bags to the diagnostic l laboratory in Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Iran. The cultures were confirmed using differential biochemical tests. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19. P. aeruginosa was isolated from 6 mares (4.35 %). P. aeruginosa was isolated from clitoral fossa (No. 2, 1.45%), vagina (No.2, 1.45%) and clitoral fossa + vagina (No. 2, 1.45%), respectively. Infected mares aged among 8-20 years old. All of the infected mares were non-pregnant. Four (2.9%) and 2 (1.45%) mares were Thoroughbred and Arab breed, respectively. P. aeruginosa was isolated only from mares in the horse riding clubs in both suburbs of Tehran and Alborz provinces of Iran. It is concluded that mares of horse riding clubs in suburb of Tehran and Alborz provinces, Iran are infected by P. aeruginosa. The control programs should be done using routine screening of swabs taken before mating by laboratories experienced in the isolation and identification of this specific organism in horse riding clubs and also other horse rearing centers in Tehran and Alborz provinces of Iran.

In this study, after taking radiographs from orthogonal views confirming coxo-femoral joint disease, 8 adult dogs were selected with an age range of 9 months to two years who had hip joint pain or Ortolani’s Sign elicited in the clinical examination. Cases with multiple orthopedic problems in addition to coxo-femoral joint disease were excluded. After lameness test and hip joint function, they underwent femoral head and neck ostectomy. Immediately after the surgery, radiographs were taken from orthogonal views of hip joint and the list of postoperative management and physiotherapy program was submitted to the patient's owners. The study lasted up to four months after surgery. The results of the present study show that the depth of the acetabulum, in the second and fourth months after surgery, is significantly lower than before surgery. Also, the depth of the acetabular cavity in the fourth month showed a significant decrease compared to the second month, which all indicate the progress of bone remodeling in the hip joint; however, no significant reduction was observed in the diameter of the acetabular cavity compared to before surgery. At the end of the fourth month, in 87.5% of cases, there was no bone-bone contact between the femur and the acetabular cavity, and all of these cases showed very mild lameness. The only case (12.5%) that showed a bony connection between the femur and the acetabular cavity was due to inadequate resection of the femoral neck associated with moderate lameness and pain elicit in hip joint function. Revision surgery to resection of ossicles, especially in the neck region and lesser trochanter, it can improve the patient's condition. serial radiographs can be helpful in diagnosing these cases. Also, as the time length increases after FHO surgery, THR surgery becomes more difficult with bone remodeling progress.

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes and subsequently, in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the generation of embryos in the laboratory have important values. Considering that antioxidants are known as effective free radicals scavenger, it is possible to improve the in vitro oocyte maturation and the fetal quality. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Thymbra spicata hydroalcoholic extract as a source of antioxidant on in-vitro sheep oocyte maturation. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ewe ovaries and were cultured for 24 hours in maturation medium in TCM supplemented with FSH, LH, FBS, cysteamine, pyruvate sodium and antibiotics (control group) and in maturation medium without cysteamine (as an antioxidant) supplemented with different doses of Thymbra spicata hydroalcoholic extract (1mg/ml: group 1, 10 mg/ml: group 2, 50 mg/ml: group 3) as an antioxidant. In-vitro maturation stages and resumption of meiotic was assessed by determination of cumulus cells mass expansion and number of oocytes in metaphase II stage of meiotic division in all groups. Cumulus cells mass expansion was similar between control, 2 and 3 groups. However, in group 1 was lower than control group. Nuclear maturation was similar between control and group 3 and both of them were different with groups 1 and 2. The results of this study showed that the Thymbra spicata hydro alcoholic extract, has a positive effect on oocyte maturation that is doses dependent. So with increasing concentration of Thymbra spicata hydroalcoholic extract, the rate of maturation immature oocytes is increased. Generally, we conclude that addition of appropriate amounts of natural extracts such as Thymbra spicata to maturation medium improves oocytes maturation.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of using nanoliposomes vitamin D3 (NVitD) in diet on performance and egg quality of laying hens. One hundred and twenty Leghorn laying hens (Hy-line W-80 Commercial strain) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments, five replicates and six hens per replicate for six weeks. The treatments consisted of: 1- control with 3300 IU VitD/kg of diet, 2- 4950 IU VitD/kg of diet 3- 3300 IU NVitD/kg of diet and 4- 4950 IU NVitD/kg of diet. In the second three weeks of the experiment, the hens that received 4950 IU VitD/kg in their diet had the most feed intake in comparison with others. The egg yolk VitD content was increased significantly with increasing VitD concentration in hens diet. In equal amounts of diet VitD, application of nanoliposomes reduced the VitD content of egg yolk. Egg yolk cholesterol concentrations increased when using NVitD. The results of the present experiment showed that the use of NVitD did not have a significant effect on the production performance and egg quality traits of laying hens.

Modern diagnostic imaging techniques make it possible to obtain an accurate picture of the organs and the position of the structures in different sections and angles. Due to the lack of specialized information about the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in Iranian sheep, this study was designed to assess normal morphology and position of these structures through CT scan images. The findings of the present study may help assess the injuries of the nasal cavity and sinuses and perform surgeries such as herniation and sinoscopy. To conduct this study, the heads of 8 male sheep that were healthy in the initial clinical examination were used. Images were taken from longitudinal and transverse sections, and in most cases, the images were taken perpendicular to the palatine bone. Cheek teeth were also considered as an image position guide. This study found that in Sangesari sheep, the maxillary, palatine, frontal, and lacrimal are the sinuses around the nasal cavity. The extent of each of them has been investigated in this study. Also, the position and shape of the nasal conchae and meatuses were studied. The results of this study showed that the nasal cavity is more expansive in sheep than other ruminants. The extent and position of the paranasal sinuses follow their general shape and pattern in other ruminants and other breeds of sheep. CT scan provides a comprehensive picture of the components of the structures in the head, especially the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in sheep. It is a suitable method for diagnosing various types of neoplasms, trauma, infectious and non-infectious inflammatory diseases in this area.

Abomasal lesions are one of the well-known factors affecting the health and production of the ruminant, most of which are sub-clinical, and generally unable to be detected. In the present study, the frequency of different types of abomasal lesions in slaughtered cattle of the Golshan industrial slaughterhouse, Khorramabad and its relationship with intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors was evaluated. Abomasum of four-hundred male and female cattle between 1 to 6 years old, were randomly examined to determine the presence of abomasal lesions, from the autumn of 2017 to the summer of 2018. After confirming the presence of the lesion, a tissue sample was obtained for histopathological evaluation. To investigate the relationship between lesions and risk factors, the Chi-square test and regression statistical model were used. The frequency of abomasal lesions was equal to 74.5% (95% CI: 79.2-31). The prevalence of lesions in male was lower than in female cows. The frequency of abomasal lesions has a direct and significant relationship with age. Moreover, the lowest and highest incidence also is related to animals younger than 2 years and older than 4 years old, respectively. There was a statistical relationship between the foreign bodies and the lesions, furthermore, in 39.25% (157 out of 400 cases) of the examined abomasum; the foreign bodies were also found. The frequency of abomasal lesions in summer, autumn, spring, and winter was equal to 87, 77, 70 and 64%, respectively; in addition, it was found that there was a statistically relationship between the occurrence of abomasal lesions and season. Histopathological findings showed that coagulative necrosis, cell infiltration and hemorrhage were directly related to the severity of the lesions and also the presence of condensed connective tissue between the abomasal lesions is an expected finding. Abomasal lesions are affected by the host and environmental risk factors, and there is a large-scale subclinical type of lesions in Lorestan province, which shows the role of the management-breeding system by increasing the incidence of lesions.

Fibroepithelial hyperplasia is a physiological change in mammary glands tissue characterized by a significant increase in the size of one or more mammary glands. The disease is commonly seen in healthy cats and may also be seen in older female cats. This report describes the clinical, radiographic, and microscopic features of a cat with fibroepithelial hyperplasia. A 4-year-old female cat weighing 2.7 kg with a large mass below the abdomen was referred to the veterinary hospital of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. After clinical examination and radiological evaluation, he underwent surgery and the isolated mass was sent to the pathology department. The mass was solid and was observed at the incision of several lobules that had a walnut-like appearance. Under microscopic examination, proliferation of mammary duct epithelial cells and formation of new tubules were significant. Also, a large amount of connective tissue was observed around the formed tubes. Empty spaces were observed between the connecting strands, which indicated edema. It should be noted that no malignant changes were observed. In general, according to clinical, radiological and microscopic characteristics, fibroepithelial hyperplasia was diagnosed. The pathophysiology of fibroepithelial hyperplasia of the mammary gland is not well understood, but most likely sexual hormones play roles in etiology of fibroepithelial hyperplasia.