Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:17 Issue: 2, Spring 2023

Tarantula cubensis (theranekron), obtained from the poison of Cuban Tarantula, is a homeopathic drug frequently used in animal health. 

The effect of theranekron on reproductive parameters in male animals is unknown. In this study, the effect of theranekron on male reproductive parameters was investigated. 

Three different groups of rats were created: control (n=8) (no application), theranekron I (n=8) (subcuteneous injection of 0.3 mg/kg on days 0, 5, and 10), and theranekron II (n=8) (subcuteneous injection of 0.3 mg/kg on days 0, 5, and 10). Control and theranekron I groups were sacrificed at the end of the 4 weeks, and the theranekron II group was sacrificed at the end of the 6 weeks. Sperm motility, density, abnormal rate, DNA damage, and testicular histopathology were examined. 

No statistical difference was observed in the parameters examined between the study groups (P>0.05). It was determined that the theranekron did not change sperm motility, density and spermatozoa ratio, also no histopathological changes, and sperm DNA damage.

There is no harm in using theranekron in male animals during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons.

The hair goat of Anatolia is a breed that has adapted to rugged and mountainous areas and is known to be very resistant to diseases. As the world faces the problem of climate change, we believe that knowing the hematological characteristics of hair goats will provide great benefits for goat breeding. This study was performed to determine possible differences in the blood parameters of adult (male and female) hair goats during and out of the breeding season. For this purpose, blood samples were taken from clinically healthy adult male and female hair goats (n=36, 3-4 years old) in the spring and autumn seasons. Regarding the whole blood, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean red blood cell volume (MCV), mean red blood cell hemoglobin (MCH), average red blood cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values were determined.  In the study, MCV values in males were not significantly (P≥0.05) different between spring and autumn, while all other parameters showed significant differences (P≤0.05). In females, WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, and RDW blood values were higher in the autumn (estrus period) than in the spring (anestrus period), and the differences were found to be significant (P≤0.05). Comparing males and females between the estrus and anestrus seasons, WBC and MCHC were found to be significantly different (P≤0.05) between males and females in May. In contrast, the difference between other parameters was not significant. In October (estrus season), the MCV value was not significantly different between males and females; however, all other parameters were significantly different (P≤0.05).  As a result, there were significant differences in hematological parameters of hair goats based on gender and the breeding season.

The close relationship between dogs and humans and the possibility of intestinal parasite transmission from dogs to humans calls for frequent assessment of these potential zoonotic intestinal parasites in dogs and the possibility of their transmission to humans. 

This study aimed to determine the presence, intensity of infection, and public health perception of potentially zoonotic intestinal parasites in dogs of Kwara Central, Nigeria. 

The study was conducted in 28 locations in Kwara Central Senatorial District of Kwara State, Nigeria. Three hundred and five healthy dogs were sampled. Two hundred and thirty respondents (dog owners or handlers) were questioned using a well-structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Fecal samples from the sampled dogs were subjected to the direct fecal smear technique, simple fecal centrifugation flotation technique, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, and the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Oocysts or eggs per gram of feces were counted using the modified McMaster technique. 

Seven different intestinal parasites (Ancylostoma spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Dipylidium caninum, Isospora spp., Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara spp., and Uncinaria stenocephala) were detected, with a prevalence ranging from 2.30% to 25.25%. Of these parasites, 6 were zoonotic. The mean intensities of infection were 91.43 eggs per gram (EPG) for D. caninum¸ 96.52 EPG for S. stercoralis, 129.36 ±28.12 oocysts per gram (OPG) for Isospora spp., 165.17±19.88 for Toxocara spp., 240.00±44.42 for EPG for U. stenocephala, and 303.64±31.83 EPG for Ancylostoma spp. Some dog owners and handlers were not cautious about possible zoonotic parasite transmission from dogs. 

Zoonotic intestinal parasites of dogs are present and prevalent in Kwara Central, Nigeria. There is a need to educate the public on the possibility of zoonotic parasite transmission to humans.

Central nervous system (CNS) has limited repair capacity, and any spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause persistent disability in motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. The harmful reactions around the lesion must be stopped to prevent this consequence. 

The present study compares the clinical effects of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) and meloxicam in acute spinal cord injury in an animal model of rats. 

We randomly divided 24 male Wistar rats into 4 groups: 1) sham, 2) placebo, 3) SCI+MPSS (30 mg/kg, IV), and 4) SCI+meloxicam (1 mg/kg, SC). We used a Fogarty embolectomy catheter to induce a compression injury to the rats’ T8-T9 spinal cord segment. The drugs were injected one hour after surgery. Neurological evaluation was performed using BBB (Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan) test immediately after recovery and then once a week for up to 6 weeks. 

According to the BBB test results, single-dose administration of MPSS one hour after injury improved motor function significantly compared to placebo. But, there was no significant difference between MPSS and meloxicam groups and between meloxicam and placebo groups (P>0.01). 

In clinical evaluation, single-dose administration of MPSS one hour after injury improved motor function compared to meloxicam.

Small ruminant morbillivirus (SRMV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1), and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) are among the most important viruses of farm animals. 

This study aimed at the serological detection of SRMV, BVDV, BHV-1, and BEFV in the camel population of Khuzestan Province, located in southwest Iran. 

A total of 150 camel blood samples were randomly collected from free-ranging, seemingly healthy camels of both sexes and various ages in 8 different regions of Khuzestan Province, Iran. The sera were tested for SRMV, BVDV, BHV-1, and BEFV with serum neutralization test. 

The seropositive samples for SRMV, BVDV, and BHV-1 were 1(0.67%), 7(4.67%), and 11(7.33%), respectively. There was no seroconversion against BEFV in the serum samples. 

The camel population of Khuzestan Province is subclinically infected with SRMV, BVDV, and BHV-1 and could play a significant role in the epizootiology of these viral diseases in this region, which is very important for the control and eradication programs.

Desert plants cannot provide all the animals’ requirements for calcium and mineral deficiency in camels. This condition is mostly aggravated in dry seasons. The present study investigates hypocalcemia in pre-parturient and post-parturient camels.

In a camel herd, 25 out of 96 pregnant animals showed clinical signs of hypocalcemia within a week after parturition. Two camels had abortions, and 9 animals that gave birth died. The blood samples were collected from the animals, and their calcium and phosphorus concentrations were measured using a commercial kit.

The clinical and necropsy signs resemble a decline in blood calcium, and the level of calcium and phosphorus had fallen below the normal range in all tested blood samples. Most camels recovered after the administration of injectable calcium and adding supplementary nutrition.

Paying attention to mineral balance, especially in the last months of pregnancy and in recently parturiated camels, is crucial.

Salmonellosis is one of the important diseases in the poultry industry, which also causes public health concerns.

We studied the effects of enrofloxacin and herbal medicines on growth performance, blood parameters, meat oxidation, and cecal microbial population in broilers challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST).

A total of 240 one-day-old (male) Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 groups: negative and positive control, enrofloxacin, and three herbal medicines (A, B, and C) containing different proportions of cinnamon, thyme, licorice, and marjoram extracts with compounds of organic acids. The dosage of enrofloxacin and A, B, and C herbal medicines were 1, 1, 1, and 2 mL/L in drinking water, respectively, prescribed from days 16 to 21. On day 10, all groups except negative control were challenged with 1 mL suspension containing 1×107 CFU/mL ST. Performance traits were measured in intervals of 1-10, 11-24, 25-42, and 1-42 days. Blood parameters, meat oxidation, and cecal microbial population were measured on day 21.

Among the challenged groups, medicine C and enrofloxacin showed the lowest levels of Salmonella infection (P<0.05). Medicine B had a better effect on performance traits (P<0.05). Medicine A had the lowest amount of malondialdehyde in meat. Medicines A and B caused the lowest cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum (P<0.05).

The above-mentioned herbal medicines can be used as beneficial additives in poultry nutrition to improve growth performance, reduce the Salmonella population in the gastrointestinal tract, and cholesterol, triglycerides, and meat oxidation.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite, a member of the phylum Apicomplexa. Felids are definitive hosts, and all warm-blooded animals and humans are intermediate hosts. The clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis among chickens are mostly subclinical, but the infection of chickens and eggs is important as a source of protein for human consumption. 

This study aimed to detect T. gondii in chicken meat and egg by molecular examination.

In this study, 100 chicken legs, 50 eggs of free-range hens, and 50 eggs of industrial hens were collected from different stores in Semnan City, Iran. The samples were inspected for the Toxoplasma B1 gene after DNA extraction.

According to the results, Toxoplasma DNA was detected in 23% of chicken legs, 36% of eggs of free-range hens, and 20% of eggs of industrial hens. The infection rate was not significantly different between eggs of free-range and industrial hens (P>0.05). 

Therefore, Toxoplasma is present in chicken meats and eggs in Semnan, Iran, and it is recommended that people eat well-cooked chicken meat and eggs for disease control and feed domestic carnivores with cooked meat to prevent the parasite life cycle.

Aflatoxin is one of the most important fungal toxins with documented hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressive properties. This mycotoxin is mainly produced by species of the genus Aspergillus in feed. Therefore, the application of compounds, which prevent complications of aflatoxins without losing feed quality, is highly beneficial. 

This study aimed to determine the effect of the Echinacea purpurea L. essential oils on the regulation of the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract and some blood factors of aflatoxin-fed zebrafish. 

Zebrafish were divided into four groups of 45 fish in three replicates: control (G1); G2, fish fed with feed containing 500 µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oils; G3, fish fed with feed containing 500 µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oil and 3 ppm aflatoxin B1(AFB1); and G4, fish fed with feed containing 3 ppm AFB1. The fish were fed with diets for 60 days. After this period, they were euthanized, blood was collected from the tail vein, and blood smears were prepared. Fish hepatopancreas were used to measure alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes with an auto-analyzer. Also, intestinal contents were cultured to evaluate microbial population. 

Results showed that liver enzymes increased in the aflatoxin group (P<0.05), and concurrent use of the essential oil along with AFB1 reduced the liver enzymes compared with the AFB1-treated group. Moreover, AFB1 could convert the microbial population to pathogens. Differential blood counts in the G2 and G3 groups showed an increase in the percentages of neutrophils and thrombocytes. 

According to the results of this study, E. purpurea L. essential oils could reduce the adverse effects of chronic contamination with AFB1 in zebrafish. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to better understand the immunological function of E. purpurea L. in zebrafish and its mechanism of action against AFB1.

The schistosomus reflexus (SR) etymologically refers to an abdominal and or thoracic cleft with eventration of viscera. This pathology is a rare and lethal congenital syndrome in calves, lambs, and goat kids. This condition is likely caused by various factors such as endocrine, metabolic, hereditary, and teratogenic in the first third of gestation, leading to disorders in embryonic development. In this report, a 3-year-old female Alpine goat was examined with a history of dystocia. The presence of an abnormal dead goat kid exposed to the abdominal viscera was detected in the birth canal and delivered successfully with gentle intervention. In the gross pathological examination, signs of the abdominal fissure, visibility of viscera, placement of viscera in a membrane, ankylosis of the limbs, hypoplasia of the right hind limb, inversion of the hind limbs due to inversion of the spine, pulmonary hypoplasia, lack of diaphragm formation and cleft palate were recorded. According to the gross pathology, SR was diagnosed. The present report shows the occurrence of SR in an Alpine goat kid.