فصلنامه دامپزشکی ایران
سال بیستم شماره 85 (زمستان 1403)

In vitro production of embryos (IVEP) and embryo transfer (ET) have been utilized in various livestock and showed to have a potential to enhance production efficiency and accelerate genetic gain. The sperm recovered from the cauda epididymis is an important source of gametes in valuable males and endangered species. The present study was aimed to optimize ET of ovine IVP embryos and to make it applicable and to investigate the developmental competence of IVP embryos using epididymal sperm following ET. At first, the estrous cycle of embryo recipient ewes was synchronized using CIDR for 12 days. At the time of CIDR removal, 400 IU PMSG was injected to the recipient ewes. A day after CIDR removal, in vitro embryo production was initiated in epididymal sperm group (749 oocytes in 6 replicates) and ejaculated sperm group (540 oocytes in 4 replicates). Nine days after CIDR removal, semi-laparoscopic embryo transfer was performed and 2 blastocysts were transferred to the uteri of recipients (38 recipients in epididymal sperm group and 32 recipients in ejaculated sperm group). Forty-four days after embryo transfer, ultarsonographic embryo detection was performed. There were no significant differences between epididymal sperm and ejaculated sperm groups regarding in vitro embryo development indices (cleavage rate: 83±1.7% vs. 71.9±3.27%; blastocyst rate: 39.8±1.3% vs. 33.5±1.31%, respectively), pregnancy rate (50% vs. 45.7%, respectively), lambing rate (25% vs. 21.9%, respectively), and other evaluated indices. The methods used in the present study can be used to transfer sheep embryos in farm conditions. Also, based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that there is no significant difference in the developmental ability between epididymal sperm and ejaculated sperm in sheep.

The beans of Prosopis farcta (PFB) have been recognized as a potential food source with health benefits and the ability to improve fatty acid composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PFB on the fatty acid composition of the thigh muscles and the biochemical parameters of the blood in Japanese quail. A total of 78 female Japanese quails were selected and divided into 6 groups. Each group received different diets, including PFB at 2% and 4% levels, or oil at a 0.5% level. After 30 days, blood and tissue samples were collected and sent to the laboratory. Adding PFB powder to the diet resulted in a significant increase in serum levels of total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, and creatinine. The group that received 4% PFB had the highest level of palmitoleic acid and the lowest level of arachidonic acid in their muscles. Additionally, the group that consumed PFB along with oil had lower levels of total cholesterol and other biochemical parameters compared to the other groups. No pathological lesions were observed in the heart, kidneys, or intestines. PFB may help improve the fatty acid composition in the muscles of Japanese quail and could have health benefits, particularly in preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, further research is needed to explore the comprehensive and long-term effects of this food source in Japanese quail and other species.

Chromium is an essential trace element that is vital in regulating glucose metabolism and improving animal performance, especially in dairy cattle. Negative energy balance and disturbance in glucose metabolism are major challenges in dairy cattle, which directly affect cow’s health and milk production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nano chromium and chromium in improving the metabolic status of dairy cattle and increasing production efficiency. A total of 36 high-producing Holstein dairy cows were selected. The cows were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, the nano chromium group, and the chromium group, which respectively received 0.1 mg/Kg MW (metabolic weight) nano chromium picolinate and 0.1 mg/Kg MW of chromium picolinate orally for 3 weeks. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein on days 0 (before the start of the experiment), 7, 14, 21 and 28 to measure non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyric acid and glucose. The blood glucose level in both groups receiving chromium and nano chromium was significantly lower than the control group on days 21 and 28. The amount of NEFA in the nano chromium group showed a significant decrease on days 21 and 28 compared to the control group. A significant decrease in BHBA was observed in the chromium and nano chromium groups on days 14, 21 and 28 compared to the control group. Also, a significant difference in BHBA level was observed between chromium and nano chromium groups on days 21 and 28. The results of this research showed that the use of chromium supplements, especially chromium nanoparticles, can be used to improve the health and performance of livestock. By conducting more studies, these findings can be used to improve nutrition and increase performance in the cattle dairy farms.

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive and pathogenic bacterium that causes many problems in the field of medicine, veterinary and food industry. Most microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, are able to attach and form biofilms on different surfaces. The formation of biofilm increases the resistance of bacteria to environmental stresses, antimicrobial compounds and disinfectants. In this study, the effect of the Oliveria decumbens essential oil on the biofilm formed by Staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans and food (dairy) was investigated using the microtiter plate method. The results of the present study showed that Oliveria decumbens essential oil has a significant destructive effect on Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and the difference in the effect of essential oil on the biofilm formed by bacteria isolated from humans and food is not significant. Considering the effect of Oliveria decumbens essential oil on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, this essential oil can be used as an effective agent in controlling bacterial biofilms.

In the present study thirty pieces of ten species of ornamental aquarium fish (Amazon molly fish, guppy, oscar, angel, zebra fish, macro, neon tetra, gold fish, tiger barb and gourami) that were moribund with symptoms of chronic disease (300 fish in total) were examined. Sampling was done from grossly positive organs (with granular lesions in viscera). In total, out of 300 examined samples, granulomatous lesions were observed in the intestine and viscera in 46 cases (12%). The most granulomatous lesions were observed in gourami, goldfish and neon tetra. No lesions were observed in guppy and zebra fish. The highest percentage of lesions was recorded in the spleen and liver, respectively. Also, the spleen was found to be the most infected organ of fish to tuberculosis lesions. Finally, using PCR method, 1 isolates were identified as Mycobacterium marinum, 3 isolate as Mycobacterium chelona and 3 isolates as Mycobacterium fortuitum. In this study, no infection to Ichthyophonus was detected. Based on the results of PCR with specific primers for Ichthyophonus hoferi, the presence of the specific gene for this organism was not proven in any of the samples. This study showed that fish tuberculosis infection exists in aquarium fish in Iran.

Pyometra is one of the most common diseases of the genital system in the female dogs. The aim of the present survey is to investigate the dogs suffering from cystic endometrial hyperplasia or pyometra from clinical, hematological, biochemical and histopathological aspects. For this, a total of sixty dogs were studied. At first thirty dogs of small and large breeds with an average age of 5.57±2.04 years, affected by cystic endometrial hyperplasia or pyometra and another thirty healthy dog​s were selected. Blood samples were taken from all dogs and hematological factors (counting white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) and biochemical factors (ALP, AST, ALT, globulin, Albumin to Globulin ratio, total protein, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol and lactate) and histopathological findings were also investigated. Nine dogs were identified with cystic endometrial hyperplasia and twenty-one dogs were affected by pyometra. The most important clinical signs were included lethargy, abnormal discharge from the vagina, anorexia, dilation of the uterus, polyuria/polydipsia, dehydration, fever, pale mucus membranes and vomiting. The results of the hematology test showed leukocytosis (mean: 32.16±5.54), neutrophilia with left shift deviation, and normochromic-normocytic anemia in the affected dogs by pyometra. Histopathological evaluation confirmed the thickness of the uterine wall due to significant endometrial hyperplasia, the increase in the number of cystic glands, and the accumulation of pus in the uterine canal and horns. In the biochemical test, the levels ​​of ALP, total protein and globulin were significantly higher in the pyometra group than healthy group. Besides, the ratio of albumin to globulin (0.37±0.06) was significantly decreased in the pyometra group. BUN (52.3±14.2 mg/dl), creatinine (2.1±0.34 mg/dl) and lactate (3.65±0.38 mmol/l) concentrations were also significantly higher in the affected dogs to pyometra. It can be concluded that the survey of hematological (such as leukocytosis, neutrophilia and anemia) and biochemical indices (increase of ALP, total protein, globulin and plasma hyperlactatemia) can significantly help with the diagnosis and prognosis of pyometra in dogs.

Microplastics as a new persistent environmental pollutant, can cross nutritional barriers and accumulate in different body tissues. However, the histological and histomorphometric effects of polystyrene microplastics on testicular tissue and their mechanisms are unclear. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of polystyrene microplastics on the histomorphometric parameters of testicular tissue in mice. In this study, 36 adult male NMRI mice were divided into four groups of 9 each. Three groups of mice received microplastics based on polystyrene with doses of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg of body weight through gavage for 42 days. The control group also received 1 ml of distilled water by gavage. Testicular tissue samples were collected from mice 24 hours after the last treatment and used for histomorphometric studies. The present study showed that PS-MPs caused a significant decrease in the parameters of germinal epithelium height, diameter of spermatogenic tubules, number of Sertoli cells, number of Leydig cells, number of spermatocytes, tubular differentiation index, spermiogenesis index, repopulation index, meiosis index, and Johnson's index compared to the control group, Also, PS-MPs caused a significant increase in the parameters of testicular capsule thickness, numbers of mononuclear immune cells, and interstitial tissue thickness compared to the control group. The findings of the present study showed that the administration of PS-MPs causes extensive changes in the size and tissue structure of testicles in mice, which affects the reproductive system and ultimately causes negative effects on fertility in mice.

Insufficient knowledge of livestock farmers about the epidemiology of parasitic diseases and inappropriate to use of antiparasitic drugs is one of the main obstacles in the control and prevention of these diseases. Therefore, this study investigates the knowledge, attitude, and practice of farmers in Ilam province regarding parasitic diseases and drug control. For this purpose, the current cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 farmers and the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and practice about parasitic diseases and different independent variables was performed using the Chi-square test and logistic regression. The results of the study showed that the relative frequency of awareness of the livestock farmers about the resistance of parasites to drugs is 75.7%, good knowledge is 52%, positive attitude is 50.7% and good practice is 50.3%. Factors related to farmers' awareness of parasites' resistance to drugs were farming location, gender, farmer's education, and farmer's occupation, while farming location, duration of farming, and level of satisfaction had a significant relationship with knowledge. In addition to these farmers' knowledge, farming location and herd size had a significant effect on attitude. Also, the farmer's attitude, the level of satisfaction, occupation, and herd composition had a significant effect on peractice. The current survey showed that the knowledge level of farmers about the resistance of parasites to drugs in Ilam province is high, but in the context of rotating use of anti-parasitic drugs, consulting a veterinarian for treatment, reading the drug brochure and observing the withdrawal time to remove them from animal products after use. They do not have acceptable practice. Also, this study showed that the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of farmers in this province is acceptable in terms of parasitic diseases so that a significant percentage of farmers are aware of the commonality of several parasitic diseases between humans and animals. They also knew about the introduction and symptoms of parasitic diseases, but they did not have adequate knowledge about the quarantine of new animals entering the herd, entering of some parasitic agents through the skin, the importance of spraying the area and anti-mite bath in preventing them. It is recommended according that farmers to receive training through veterinarians, retraining classes on new findings about parasitic diseases and ways of their prevention, control and treatment for veterinarians of the province conducted by the veterinary organization or training centers and their appropriate transfer to farmers.

A two-year-old neutered Shih Tzu male dog was referred to Urmia University Veterinary Hospital with the owner's complaint of a lump in the lumbar area with dimensions of 20×30×30 mm. In the evaluation of the mass, its consistency was relatively firm and painless, and no sign of inflammation, wound, or bleeding was seen. In the hematology and biochemical analysis, no abnormal findings were observed except mild anemia. According to the favorable clinical condition of the animal and the result of cytology, it was suggested to remove the mass by surgical method. Histopathological examination, which confirmed cutaneous myxoma, showed that the mass had no capsule and consisted of immature fibroblasts with different shapes of nuclei, including spindle, plump, and round, which were loosely arranged in a myxoid stroma. Despite the prominence of breed predisposition in Doberman pinschers and German shepherds, there are limited reports of myxoma in other breeds. This clinical report, which dealt with the occurrence of cutaneous myxoma in a young Shih Tzu dog, showed that this tumor does not necessarily occur in animals over eight years of age, and there is no breed limitation in its occurrence.

The temporomandibular joint is found bilaterally in all mammalian species, but its morphology and function are very different among different groups of mammals. In addition to chewing, this joint plays an important role in swallowing, oral health, nutrition and animal survival. The temporomandibular joint structure is formed by the connection between the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular fossa of the squamous part of the temporal bone. Dysplasia is a rare abnormality of temporomandibular joint which can be congenital or developmental and it has been reported sporadically in a series of dog breeds, and the occurrence of this disorder is less in cats. Dysplasia often results in luxation or subluxation of the joint associated with locking of the open jaw. The current study is a case report of an 11.5 year old male terrier dog, which clinically had a history of pain in the mouth, difficulty in chewing, and reduced the ability of mouth movements. In this study, CT scan was used to evaluate the temporomandibular joint dysplasia. After performing a CT-scan and examining the images, temporomandibular joint dysplasia was diagnosed bilaterally with more severely in the right joint. In CT images, deformation of the retroarticular process, elimination of smooth joint surfaces, deformation of the joint surfaces of the mandibular condyle with S- shaped appearance, and the ambiguous joint space were observed which indicated temporomandibular joint dysplasia. Also, flattening of the retroarticular process was observed in the CT-scan images in reconstructed sagittal plane.