فصلنامه دامپزشکی ایران
سال بیست و یکم شماره 86 (بهار 1404)

In the present study the effect of oral administration of probiotics Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in free form and microencapsulated with alginate/chitosan on immunogenicity and efficacy of Aeromonas hydrophila vaccine was evaluated in common carp. Three hundred and sixty common carps (48±5.1 gBW) were randomly divided into four equal groups in triplicates. Group 1 was vaccinated against A. hydrophila. Group 2 received the same vaccination and was also administered a diet supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum. Group 3 was vaccinated and fed with encapsulated L. plantarum. Group 4, serving as the control, was fed with a basic diet without any supplementation. Biometrical measurement, blood and intestinal samples were taken on day zero, 30 and 60 of the experiment. Growth performance indices (Feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, Protein efficacy ratio and food efficacy ratio) as well as immunological parameters (Antibody titer, serum lysozyme, complement and bactericidal activity, NBT reduction, globulin level and myeloperoxidase activity) were measured and compared among the groups. Meanwhile hematological parameters (Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit), intestinal enzyme activity (lipase, proteas, amylase and ALP). Antioxidant status (MDA level, SOD, GSH and catalase activity) and some serum biochemical indices (glucose, urea, Ca, Tg, ALP, CPK and Bilirubin) were measured and compared among the groups. On day 60 of the experiment the remained fish in each group were challenged with virulent A. hydrophila and cumulative mortality was recorded for 14 days. Results showed that the highest growth indices and intestinal enzyme activity were recorded in group 3 which were fed with encapsulated L. plantarum. Most of the immune indices evaluated in the study showed a significant increase in treatments 3 and 2 compared to the control group. The blood parameters and serum biochemical indices did not show significant differences among the groups. The mortality rate after the challenge was significantly lower in treatments 2 and 3 (30%) compared to the control group (60%). Overall, it can be concluded that not only the administration of L. plantarum play a role in improving the efficacy and immunogenicity of the injectable A. hydrophila vaccine in common carp, but also microencapsulation of this probiotic with alginate/chitosan enhances its effect on the vaccine's efficacy and immunogenicity. Therefore, the use of this microencapsulation method is recommended to improve the efficacy of the probiotic and the vaccine.

In this study, two main bacteria with probiotic ability (Citrobacter freundii and Bacillus foraminis) with autochthonous quorum quenching (QQ) were isolated from the intestine of Cyprinus carpio and their effects on growth performance, gut microbial flora, biochemical indices and digestive enzymes activities (i.e., α-amylase, lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and alkaline phosphatase) of C. carpio were determined. Juveniles of C. carpio (n=450, weighing 50±10 g) were randomly divided into 6 equal groups (with 3 replications) and fed on diets containing 1×109 cfu g-1 of C. freundii (QQ1, G1), B. foraminis (QQ2, G2), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (without characteristics QQ, WQQ, G3), QQ1 + QQ2 (G4), QQ1 + QQ2+WQQ (combine, G5), and a control diet (without probiotic) for 60 continuous days. Results showed that probiotic supplementations had generally significant effects on growth performance. The G5 and G3 had the best effect on specific growth rate (SGR) and feed utilization efficiency in C. carpio at days 30 and 60, respectively. The trypsin, protease, and chymotrypsin activities, on day 30 after feeding, significantly increased in G5 when compared with those in the control and the other groups. Significant changes in bacterial intestinal flora were observed in all probiotic groups compared with the control. These results highlighted the potential use of Bacillus foraminis (QQ2, G2) alone or in combination with other probiotics (G5) as additive in C. carpio diets but are not recommended in the long term. The results indicated that supplementation of isolated bacteria from the intestine of C. carpio (i.e., G3) can efficiently improve growth performance, intestinal microbiota and some digestive enzyme activities in juvenile C. Carpio in the long term culture. Therefore, it can be used as a growth enhancer like the commercial probiotics.

It has been shown that formaldehyde (FA) as a common organic compound causes developmental anomalies and fetal defects. Fish oil is recommended for the normal growth and development of the fetus due to its fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of FO in protecting fetal growth and preventing skeletal anomalies caused by treatment of pregnant rats with FA. For this thirty pregnant Wistar rats were randomly categorized into five groups of control, sham (Normal saline; Orally and intraperitoneally), fish oil (0.5 mg/kg/bw; Orally), formaldehyde (10 mg/kg/bw; intraperitoneally), formaldehyde + fish oil. The treatment period was from day 0 to 20 of pregnancy. On the 20th day of gestation, the animals underwent anesthesia, and followed by a laparotomy to determine the weight and crown-rump length (CRL) of the fetuses. Skeletal stereomicroscopic assessments were conducted on the fetuses using the alizarin red / alcian blue staining method. Additionally, the expression of Runx2 and BMP4 was assessed through qPCR. The findings indicated that exposure to formaldehyde (FA) during prenatal development significantly reduced fetal weight and CRL, as well as the expression of Runx2 and BMP4 genes. Furthermore, FA heightened the occurrence of congenital skeletal abnormalities, including cleft palate, spina bifida, and non-ossification of fetal bones. Nevertheless, co-administration of fish oil (FO) with FA injection in pregnant rats improved fetal bone growth and mitigated skeletal anomalies. Fish oil demonstrated the potential to alleviate the teratogenic effects of exposure to formaldehyde by enhancing the expression of genes related to osteogenesis.

Computed tomography (CT) is an accurate diagnostic imaging technique used to evaluate the vertebral column in exotic and small animals. The present study aimed to investigate the morphology and morphometric of the normal lumbosacral vertebrae in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) using CT scan images. This cross-sectional descriptive study utilized 10 healthy adult guinea pigs (Cavia Porcellus) (5 males and 5 females) with a mean age of 12 ± 1.20 months and an average weight of 1.04 ± 0.15 kg. Following anesthetization with a cocktail of xylazine (4 mg/kg) and ketamine (60 mg/kg), CT scans of the lumbosacral vertebrae were performed in the sagittal, transverse, and dorsal planes, from the cranial part of the first lumbar vertebra to the caudal extremity of the sacrum. Based on the results of this study, all parts of the lumbosacral vertebrae and intervertebral joints of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) can be observed and evaluated in computed tomography images. The spinous process of the lumbar vertebrae in the sagittal plane and the cranial and caudal articular processes in the sagittal and transverse reconstruction planes were more identifiable. The mammillary processes and the cranial and caudal vertebral notches were better observed in the dorsal plan. Two lateral recesses were visible in the caudal vertebral foramina of L6 at the junction of the pedicle and the vertebral body, a feature reported here for the first time. The interarcuate spaces of guinea pig lumbar vertebrae were very narrow, but this space was wide and large between the L6 and S1 vertebrae. For epidural anesthesia, surgeons can perform cerebrospinal fluid puncture and anesthetic drugs injection from this location. In this study, morphometric measurements of different parts of the lumbosacral vertebrae were subjected to statistical analysis. The results of this research can be employed in teaching computed tomographic anatomy of lumbosacral vertebrae, interpretation of CT scan images, as well as in clinical and treatment decisions of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

Persistent-breeding induced endometritis (PBIE) as the third most common disease in mares is a leading reason for infertility. Some mares do not respond effectively to traditional treatments including uterine lavage, and administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and ecbolic agents. This study explored the combined use of oxytocin and carbetocin with flunixin meglumine for treating PBIE in Dareh Shouri mares. The study involved 45 Dareh Shouri mares with PBIE. Treatment group1: mares were treated with oxytocin, flunixin meglumine, and uterine lavage with normal saline (15); treatment group2: mares were treated with carbetocin, flunixin meglumine, and uterine lavage with normal saline (15); and control, only uterine lavage with normal saline (15). Cytology samples were collected post-ovulation and pre-treatment to confirm endometritis. Pregnancy rates were assessed via ultrasonography 14 days post-ovulation. Results indicated a significantly higher pregnancy rate in the carbetocin-treated group (86%) and oxytocin-treated group (66%). A significant correlation was found between pregnancy outcomes and factors such as uterine edema, follicle size, and the interval between mating and ovulation. This study highlights the potential effectiveness of using oxytocin and carbetocin with flunixin meglumine for treating PBIE in Dareh Shouri mares, though further research is necessary for definitive conclusions.

Milk somatic cells produce numerous soluble proteins like cytokines that play important roles in the immunity of the mammary gland. This study aimed to investigate the expression profiles of bovine pro-inflammatory cytokine genes including IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF in the somatic cells of milk in healthy Holstein cows at different lactation stages in their first lactation cycle. For this purpose, milk samples were collected from eighteen dairy cows at the early, middle, and late lactation stages. Total RNA was extracted from the somatic cells of milk and then the first strand of cDNA was synthesized. Real-time PCR was performed for the bovine pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. As reference genes, the β-actin and GAPDH genes were used to normalize the data. The real-time PCR data were analyzed with the REST and SAS programs. According to the results, the six-cytokine genes were expressed in the milk somatic cells of healthy cows in different lactation stages. The results showed that the expressions of almost all cytokine genes (except for the TNF-α gene) were significantly higher in animals at the middle compare to the early lactation stage. However, the expression of cytokine genes also showed a trend to be higher at the late lactation stage compared to early lactation. Still, these differences were only significant for mRNA levels of TNF-α and GM-CFS genes. Furthermore, the expression differences of cytokine genes were not significant in cows at the late relative to animals at the middle lactation stage. In the entire lactation cycle, the mRNA transcription levels of IL-6 and IL-2 were observed at high and low concentrations compare to other cytokine genes, respectively. The highest stability was shown for IL-6 throughout the three lactation stages, while the lowest stability was found for the expression of TNF-α. The correlation between the gene expression levels was almost not significant for most of the studied genes in different stages of lactation, however, a significant correlation was found between IL-8 and GM-CSF in the entire, early and late stages of lactation.

Providing effective pain relief after surgery in veterinary medicine is a crucial aspect of ethical and clinical care, particularly during procedures like spaying. Various analgesic drugs have been used for this purpose, but the management of analgesia in different animals during and after surgery requires different strategies. In this study, the effect of medetomidine and bupivacaine with different methods of administration in ovariohysterectomy surgery was investigated in bitches. Twenty-Five native breed bitches (1-4 years, 15-25 kg) were divided into 5 groups of 5 based on the type of drug and the method of administration: control group, medetomidine IM, medetomidine IP, medetomidine IP and bupivacaine SC, and bupivacaine SC alone. In all groups, defined drugs for each group were administered at three stages: prior to the skin incision, simultaneously with ligation of the first ovarian pedicle, and before suturing the linea alba. Before, during and after surgery, sedation quality, pain quality, anesthesia depth, recovery quality, vital signs (body temperature, respiratory rates, cardiovascular parameters), and biochemical, parameters were measured at predetermined times. After surgery, analgesia was measured by Simple Descriptive Scores (SDS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), University of Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS), and Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale-Short Form (CMPS-SF) tests. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS software and appropriate statistical tests. The results indicated that administering the same dose of intramuscular medetomidine compared to intraperitoneal medetomidine resulted in significant differences in pain (measured by CMPS-SF and VAS test), heart rate, and cortisol levels at specific times after surgery. Administering bupivacaine alone significantly reduced surgical pain and decreased recovery time compared to administering medetomidine alone or in combination with bupivacaine. Animals receiving intraperitoneal medetomidine required a rescue dose, while no rescue dose was needed in other groups. The doses used in all groups did not disrupt the animals' physiological functions, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and rectal temperature parameters remained within the normal range. The activity of serum enzymes related to general tissue integrity also stayed within the normal range. Evaluation of pain using VAS, UMPS, and CMPS-SF methods did not show a preference for the effectiveness of administering the same dose of intraperitoneal medetomidine over intramuscular medetomidine (alone or with bupivacaine at the surgical incision) for managing pain, recovery after surgery, and physiological parameters of cardiovascular, respiratory, and rectal temperature.

The study evaluated the effects of pistachio by-products biochar (PBB) on performance, blood metabolites, immune response, antioxidant status, and ammonia gas emissions in Japanese quails. A total of 500 one-day-old Japanese quails were assigned to a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments and five replicates for 35 days. The experimental diets included: (1) a basal feed without additives (control), (2) a basal feed with 0.05% flumequine 10% (positive control), (3) a basal feed with 0.35% PBB, (4) a basal feed with 0.65% PBB, and (5) a basal feed with 1% PBB. The results showed that weight gain significantly increased in birds fed 0.65% biochar compared to the control and flumequine groups, without any effect on feed intake. A trend towards a lower feed conversion ratio was observed in birds fed 0.65% biochar compared with the control. Quails fed 1% biochar had significantly lower cholesterol and LDL levels, while the control group exhibited the highest levels. The highest lymphocyte percentage was observed in quails fed 1% biochar, and increasing biochar levels in the diet significantly reduced the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. However, biochar supplementation had no significant effect on immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgY, and IgT) levels. Antioxidant markers, including total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, were highest in birds receiving 1% PBB, with no significant difference between the 0.65% and 1% levels. Additionally, biochar supplementation significantly reduced ammonia gas emissions. Overall, incorporating at least 0.65% PBB in meat quail diets improved growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, and immune function, offering an eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics.