Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:10 Issue: 4, Autumn 2009

Platelet activating factor (PAF) is a novel signaling phospholipids that in addition to platelet activation has many biological properties. The acrosome reaction, as an essential step in mammalian fertilization, can occur in response to several agents such as PAF. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of PAF on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa. Semen was collected from 18 fertile rams and incubated with four levels of PAF (10-7, 10-8, 10-9 and 10-10 mol) at 37°C for 15, 30, 60 or 120 min. Sperm motility and acrosome reaction were analyzed at varying levels of PAF with different incubation periods. With increasing PAF concentration, acrosome reaction was enhanced, while sperm motility was reduced (P<0.001). As the period of incubation increased, there was a gradual decrease in sperm motility and increase in acrosome reaction percentages. There were high correlation between PAF concentrations and incubation times on induction of acrosome reaction (R2 = 0.86) and reduction in sperm motility (R2 = 0.82). In addition, it was found that a PAF level of 10-9 and incubation time for 30 min is the best optimum for inducing acrosome reaction in ram spermatozoa without drastically decreases in sperm motility. The present study optimized for the first time the concentration and incubation time of PAF for induction of acrosome reaction in fresh ram spermatozoa.

The clinical uses of gentamicin have so far been restricted due to nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The exact mechanism of nephrotoxicity is still unknown; however, it appears that free radicals may be involved. Methionine has previously been shown to alleviate oxidative stress involved in ototoxicity due to its antioxidant properties. Therefore, the effect of methionine supplementation on the gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity was examined in this study. Twenty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups to receive a daily corresponding dose of either gentamicin (80 mg/kg B.W.; i.m.; group GN), L-methionine (100 mg/kg B.W.; i.p.; MT), combination thereof (MG), and normal saline as control (CT). After slaughtering the animals on day 11, values of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine concentration (SCr), urinary gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity, and renal cortical reduced glutathione (GSH) contents with histopathologic investigations were measured. In group GN, biochemical profiles showed a remarkable increase in BUN, SCr and urinary GGT concentration, and depletion of renal cortical of GSH. In addition, histopathologic studies revealed severe acute tubular necrosis, congestion and hyaline casts, verifying gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. In group MG, only mild epithelial changes and renal congestion were prominent findings. Moreover, these changes in rats given the combined therapy (MG) were significantly less than those of group GN, thereby suggesting that supplemented L-methionine ameliorate gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rat. In group MT, only medullary congestion was seen without change in the biochemical factors as was in the CT group with normal kidney structure. Generally, results of this study showed that methionine may significantly prevent gentamicin nephrotoxicity, removing the oxidative stress.

Ultrasonography is a relatively easy, safe and non-invasive examination method which can be used in diagnosis of ocular disorders as complementary to routine ophthalmic examinations. As there has been no collated study undertaken on the normal measurements of ocular structures in Caspian miniature horse, obtaining these measurements could be a benchmark to diagnose some of the diseases and eye problems of this miniature breed. Transpalpebral ultrasonographic scanning of left and right eyes of six Caspian horses was performed using a 10-13 MHz transducer. Qualitative ultrasonographic findings of the eyes were described and measurements of the ocular structures were obtained. Mean ± standard deviation of the anterior-posterior length of the eye axis, thickness of the lens, depth of the anterior chamber and depth of vitreous were as 32.9 ± 1.0, 10.8 ± 0.8, 3.0 ± 0.5 and 18.3 ± 1.0 mm, respectively.

In this study ten pairs of superior gland of third eyelid of 10 adult male camels free of apparent ocular disease were examined to compare the normal anatomical and histological properties of these glands. After dissecting, all of the glands were characterized and measured (length and width) on both the left and right side. In the camels, the superior gland of the third eyelid was oval shaped and irregular in outline. The gland was located within the orbit on the medial aspect of the eyeball in animals that possess a nictitating membrane. Posterior surface of the gland was convex and attached to the nictitating membrane. The anterior surface that is contacted with the bulb of the eye was concave. The mean length of the superior gland of the third eyelid was 28.7 ± 2.7 mm and 27.2 ± 2.4 mm in the left and right side, respectively in the anterior-posterior direction. The mean width was 17.4 ± 0.8 mm and 16.1 ± 0.9 mm on the left and right side, respectively in the superior-inferior dimension. There was significant difference between the width of the left and right superior gland of the third eyelid. The mean width of the left superior gland was greater than the right (P<0.05). The histology of the gland revealed secretary units of tubuloacinar and serous with scattered alveolar units. Secretory cells had the typical appearance of serous cells. Tubuloacinar units completely surrounded the hyaline cartilage of the third eyelid. The Masson Trichrome stained connective tissue septae surround the individual acinus and tubules in camel superior gland. Larger sheets of connective tissue with inter and intralobular ducts as well as veins and arteriols were found and separated the gland into lobules.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of testis-epididymis cool storage on viability and progressive motility of buffalo epididymal sperm (EP) and to compare the influences of two basic semen extenders on post thaw EP viability and progressive motility. Abattoir collected buffalo testicles were allotted to three storage times (0 h: n = 10; 24 h: n = 10 and 48 h: n = 12). Following storage, isolated sperm were subjected to cryopreservation with two different cryoprotective media: whole cow milk-7%glycerol (MG) or egg yolk-tris-citrate-7%glycerol (EYG). Pre freeze and post thaw sperm progressive motility and viability were evaluated. Results indicated that viability and progressive motility of sperm decreased after 24 h cool storage of the epididymis (P<0.05). There was no difference between 24 and 48 h of storage on sperm viability (P>0.05), but progressive motility decreased across storage times (24 h versus 48 h: P<0.05). Cryopreservation severely influenced viability and progressive motility of EP (P<0.05). Milk-7%glycerol protected viability and progressive motility of EP against cold shock more efficiently than EYG (P<0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to preserve buffalo EP within the epididymis at 4°C short term, but that it has poor freezability upon recovery by basic semen freezing protocols.

The behaviour of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was studied during the manufacture and storage of Iranian white cheese in brine. Cheese was manufactured using pasteurized cow milk and inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 with inoculum level of 103 cfu/ml. Four treatments were designed. Cheeses were made with or without starter culture and kept immersed in 6 or 8% salt brine during ripening and storage. Cheese samples were analysed for E. coli O157:H7 during manufacture and storage period. During cheese manufacture the number of E. coli O157:H7 increased by 106 cfu/g, but during ripening and cheese storage the number of organism decreased significantly in the cheese samples made with starter culture (P<0.05). The results showed an inhibitory effect of starter culture on E. coli O157:H7, but the organism can survive in this kind of cheese for up to 60 days of storage, respecting using starter culture, salt brine concentration and cheese storage time.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of canine atopic/allergic dermatitis in Mashhad (North-East of Iran) in a hospital-population of dogs and to evaluate its clinical features according to the diagnostic criteria of the disease by Willemse and Prélaud. Among 111 canine patients with dermatologic problems, admitted to Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Veterinary Teaching Hospital between October 2007 and October 2008, atopic/allergic dermatitis was diagnosed in a total of 8 dogs by combining the compatible historical evidence and clinical signs and the seasonality of the clinical signs. The affected dogs consisted of 2 males and 6 females (females predisposition). Terriers were the most often represented breeds (6/8), which is mainly because of overrepresentation of this breed in our hospital. The age of the dogs when presented varied from 6 months to 4.5 years (median: 1.7 years). Pruritus, the outstanding clinical sign in all the 8 dogs, was either localized (5/8) or generalized (3/8). Most of the animals (6/8) had non-seasonal pruritus. Skin lesions were generalized (64%) or localized (36%), involving the head, the ear flaps, the neck, the lateral and dorsal aspects of the body trunk, the axillae and ventral chest, the abdomen and inguinal region, the perineum and the feet. Otitis externa, seen in 3/8 cases, was unilateral (1/3) or bilateral (2/3), either non-exudative or purulent.

Quantitative microscopic structure of testis in adult Arabian rams, raised under closed grazing system in Khuzestan province of Iran, was studied in four seasons over a one year period. For this purpose, thirty adult rams were randomly selected and the live weight and scrotal circumference of rams were recorded. At the beginning of each season, among the study group, four rams were randomly selected, slaughtered and their left testes were removed and weighed. For microscopic studies, tissue samples were excised from the left testes, fixed in Bouin’s solution and embedded in paraffin. Cross-sections (5 µm thickness) were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and evaluated with quantitative techniques. The results showed that scrotal circumferences, weight and volume of testis varied significantly throughout the year, with the lowest values in early summer (P<0.05). Seminiferous tubule diameter was highest in early winter (220.97 ± 12.15 µm). Also, relative and total volumes of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium gradually increased during the summer and autumn, with highest values in early winter. Higher relative volume of seminiferuos tubuli lumina (P<0.05) was found in early summer (%12.15 ± 0.35). Lower relative volume of interstitial tissue (P<0.05) was found in early winter (%15.70 ± 0.49). Scrotal circumference was significantly correlated with the seminiferous tubule diameter and the total volume of seminiferous tubules (r = 0.70, P<0.01). The results indicated that the stereological structure of testis in Arabian rams raised under closed grazing system in the Khuzestan province of Iran is highly affected by season.

In this study blood samples were collected from 193 goats in north and northeastern Iran with the aim to develop a PCR-RFLP assay, as a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool enabling direct and concurrent identification of two Anaplasma species (A. ovis, A. marginale) in goats. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplification of a fragment of the major surface protein 4 (msp4) gene from A. ovis and A. marginale was developed. The results revealed that 123 out of 193 blood samples were positive for Anaplasma spp. infection. All 43 positive samples detected by microscopic examination were approved as positive by PCR, whereas no rickettsials were seen through light microscopy in the other 80 PCR positive cases. All positive samples were A. ovis as confirmed by restriction fragments length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Our results showed that PCR-RFLP of the msp4 gene could be a useful method for the detection of A. ovis in goats.

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is characterized by the destruction of erythrocytes or sometimes bone marrow erythroid precursors mediated by immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM), with or without complement (C3). The main objectives of this study were to assess the laboratory test results of IMHA and to investigate its possible underlying causes in cats referring to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Tehran. The Coombs’ test (CT) was performed in 74 cats with PCV below 0.35. The test was positive in 26 cats. These positive CT cats were categorized into four groups based on the PCV ranges and type of anemia including: Group A: 9 of 26 cats had nonregenerative anemia (PCV median, 0.22) (1 feline leukemia virus positive which had erythroleukemia, 1 feline infectious peritonitis positive, 1 with Hemoplasma spp., 3 with renal failure, 2 with inflammatory disease and 1 with no diagnosis). Group B: 4 cats (PCV median, 0.31) had a regenerative anemia with severe dehydration. Group C: the other 9 cats with a normal range of PCV (median, 0.34) involved with various conditions (vaccination, parturition, acetaminophen poisoning, osteoporosis, and renal failure). Group D: the remaining 4 cats with a marginal range of PCV (median, 0.30) had a history of inflammatory disease and drug therapy. The results of this study indicated that infectious diseases and drug therapy were the main factors associated with positive Coombs’ test results.

Salmonella species show different disease syndromes and host specificity, according to their antigenic profile. Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium is one of the most frequently isolated serovar from food-borne outbreaks. Poultry meat has been identified as one of the principal foodborne sources of Salmonella. In this study, the effect of microwave treatment of chicken meat samples which were inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium were investigated. Drumette of broiler carcasses were soaked in fully growth of Salmonella typhimurium in BHI broth. The swab samples were taken from the inoculated samples, after different times of radiation (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 sec), using a domestic microwave oven at full power. The bacterial counts were performed on XLD agar. After each experiment the surface temperature of treated samples were measured. It was concluded that the microwave radiation which enhances the surface temperature more than 72°C, can eliminate the superficial contamination of chicken meat with Salmonella typhimurium.

Canine brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Brucella canis. This bacterium can be transmitted to humans as well as other dogs. It is a significant cause of reproductive failure, predominantly in kennels. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella canis infection in companion dogs referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in the southwest of Iran. A total of 102 blood samples were obtained from dogs between 2006 and 2008. Sera were examined by Immunochromatography assay. The studied dogs were divided into two age groups (1-5 years and >5 years) and based on clinical signs (related signs to brucellosis such as scrotum dermatitis, diskospondylitis, lymphadenitis, abortion and infertility) into two groups also. Prevalence to Brucella canis antibodies in these dogs was 4.90% (5 of 102). The infection had more prevalence in dogs above 5 years (9.3%; 4 of 43) in comparison with dogs less than 5 years (1.69%; 1 of 59), but the difference between the two age groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the different sexes either (P>0.05). Nevertheless, the difference for related signs to brucellosis was significant between the groups (P=0.018). Three out of 14 cases (21.4%) which had clinical signs and two out of 88 cases (2.3%) which had no clinical signs were seropositive. This study showed that antibody against Brucella canis is present among the companion dog population of the Ahvaz area and preventive measures should be taken to control pathogenic bacteria.

Red foxes and golden jackals are the two most abundant wild carnivores of Iran which have the ability to adopt a variety of habitats and human proximity. Despite this, very few investigations on their helminth and none on their external parasites infections have been carried out in Iran. Between 2003 and 2004, a total of 79 jackals and 37 foxes were collected from 3 different climatic zones of Iran and examined for helminth and ectoparasite infections. A number of parasites including: Mesocestoides lineatus, Taenia hydatigena, Dipylidium caninum, Diplopylidium nolleri, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Onicola canis, Dirofilaria immitis, Rhipicephalus sp., Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans were common parasites between jackals and foxes, whereas Echinococcus granulosus, Spirocerca lupi, Rictularia affinis, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, Dermacentor sp. parasitized jackals and Jeuyoxiella pasquali, Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis sp. were collected only from foxes. All ectoparasites, S. lupi and O. canis reported from jackals and foxes in this study represent new host and distribution records.

As the first case, a baby red eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans, 1.77 inches long, with a 4 month history of anorexia and blind eyes was referred to the Aquatic Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Iran. The eyes of the pet were swollen and he was not active in swimming and feeling around. In the clinic, after stress treatment, he was kept in a clean aquarium containing a rock for him to get on. Water temperature in the aquarium was set at 27-29°C. As the basic treatment, the animal was fed with trash fish and shrimp minced with cod liver oil during treatment. As its eyes opened, the baby turtle was treated with a drop of ciprofloxacin (%0.3 ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) eye drop two times a day for prevention of any secondary infections. The case was diagnosed as vitamin A deficient baby turtle. It was restored to good health after three weeks following the prescribed treatments. The results of the investigation of this case show the need for special care in the feeding of baby turtles as they are kept as pets.