مجله تحقیقات آزمایشگاهی دامپزشکی
سال دوم شماره 2 (پاییز 1389)

Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, affect canine and human population. Distribution of the diseases is worldwide, however endemic in temperate, tropical and sub tropical zones. Adult heartworm infection can be diagnosed with blood tests that detect circulating microfilariae or adult antigens. To evaluate the efficacy of common diagnostic tests of Dirofilariosis, in this study the rate of infection to Dirofilaria immitis were evaluated In 350 dogs in studied area, using a commercial ELISA kit (Anigen co.) for detecting circulating antigen and modified Knott test for detecting microfilariae. Out of 350 blood samples, 52 (14.8%) samples with ELISA kit and 42(12%) samples with modified Knott tests were positive. In this study, 12 samples were positive when ELISA applied but they were negative with Knott test, while 2 positive samples in Knott test had not reaction in other test. In statistical analysis, the Kappa value between these two test were calculated as 0.83 (p=0.0005) showing good consistency of these two tests.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high and moderate summer ambient temperature on thyroid structures and endocrine profile in developing ram lambs. Twenty fall born ram lambs were randomly divided into 2 groups. Animals were kept outdoor (n=10) under ambient temperature (31-50ºC) or maintained indoor (26-32ºC). Daily maximum ambient temperature was recorded for both environments. Monthly serum T3 and T4 concentration were compared between 2 groups throughout the experiment. The animals were slaughtered at the end of the study and their thyroids subjected to histopathological examination. The results showed that maximum outdoor ambient temperature was significantly higher than indoor. There was significant difference between 2 groups on T3 concentration so that in high temperature serum T3 was significantly lower than low ambient temperature. Although there was no significant difference in serum T4 between 2 groups, the concentration of this hormone grossly showed elevation in the group kept indoor. Histopathological examinations of the thyroid revealed the same present of structural changes in both groups. In conclusion, direct exposure of developing lambs to ambient temperature decreases T3 secretion by the thyroid which could have many detrimental effects on lamb performance.

An adult gazelle with a history of anorexia, coughing, epifora, blindness, diarrhea and poor condition was referred to the Veterinary Clinic. In clinical examination, depression, eye opaqueness, congestion of scleral vessels, photophobia, abundant and repugnant nasal and ocular discharges, hypersalivation, various degree of eyelids edema, exophthalmus, bilateral blindness, nystagmus, neck rigidity, incoordination, a stiff.-legged gait, lethargy, reluctance to move, recumbency, dyspnea, general lymphadenopathy, epithelial necrosis and erosions in the mouth and a high body temperature (42oC) were observed. The sick gazelle died within 5 days from the appearance of the initial clinical signs. Necropsy of the gazelle revealed no specific gross lesions, except mild abomasal hemorrhages and mucosal congestion of intestine. Histopathologic examinations showed lymphocytic perivascular cuffing, vascultits, extravasation of RBCs in Virchow-Robin space, hemorrhage and microglisis. The pathognomic microscopic findings can be considered, together with the clinical and gross pathological lesions, as occurrence of MCF.

Tetracycline as the broad-spectrum antibiotic could be used for prevention or treatment of different diseases in poultry industries since the beginning of the growing period. Lack of attention to veterinarian recommendations regarding of prohibiting antibiotic therapy in the withdrawal period before slaughtering, leads to increase in antibiotic residuals in poultry meat more than the standard limit. This problem could be cause antibiotic-resistance bacteria or hyperesthesia in consumers. In this study, the level of Tetracycline in chicken breast meat in Ahvaz area was measured by HPLC method. One hundred samples of broiler carcasses (50 carcasses in the warm season and 50 carcasses in the cold season) were collected from Ahvaz abattoirs. The samples were selected from different flocks randomly. All samples were placed in bags, on ice, for transportation to the laboratory, and processed within 24h of collection. The pectoral muscle was removed and homogenized. Then tetracycline extraction and purification was carried out and samples were injected to the HPLC apparatus and tetracycline concentration was determined for each sample. This study showed 60% of samples were positive for tetracycline residues and the mean (and standard error) concentration of tetracycline in positive samples was 39.18 ± 5.54 μg/kg. The concentration of tetracycline for 10 samples was significantly higher (p<0.05) than European legal concentration (100 μg/kg). Also, difference between two seasons was not statistically significant (p>0.05). It was concluded that tetracycline has been used in broiler farms in both warm and cold season based on similar management and the withdrawal period of antibiotic has not been controlled before slaughtering.

Regarding the quality of drinking water in poultry farms on flock performance and taking in to account the increasing contamination of ground water, the main source of water in poultry and livestock whit chemical pollutants, the water samples from 10 farms of three cities around Tehran, Karaj, Shahriyar and Varamin which are among the important sites in poultry breeding, were tested for arsenic and certain anions. Having collected water samples in polyethylene tubes, the samples were taken to the laboratory of Toxicology Research Center, University of Tehran and their contents of Fluoride, Chloride, Nitrate, Nitrite, Sulfate and Arsenic were measured. Samples were tested by Ion Chromatography for anions and by Hydride – Generation Atomic Absorption for Arsenic. The results indicated that nitrate in 37.5 %, 25 % and 100 % of samples from Karaj, Shahriyar and Varamin, were higher than the acceptable level (AL) respectively. Also, sulfate in 12.5 % and 66.7 % of water samples from Karaj and Varamin were respectively higher than the maximum allowable dose (MAD) of 250 ppm which can be alarming. Other parameters were lower than the MAD.

Traditional ice cream is a favorite food in Iran especially among the children and youngsters. This survey is made to determine the bacterial contamination of traditional ice creams in Rasht city of Guilan province of Iran. Hence one or two samples were collected (total samples of 120) from each ice cream retailer and sent to the laboratory for microbiological exams according to Iran’s Standard Organization. Results indicated that 74 samples (38.3 %) had total count and 61 samples (50.8 %) had Coliforms more than standards. 12 samples (10%) of ice creams were contaminated with Escherichia coli and 7 samples (5.9%) were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. 27 retailers (37%) had poor personal hygiene, 24 retailers (35%) had poor instrumental hygiene and 21 retailers (35%) had poor constructive hygiene. There was a statistical relation between poor hygiene of retailers and contamination of traditional ice creams. In conclusion, the hygienic properties of traditional ice creams and retailers were not suitable. It is recommended that the hygienic inspection of these retailers is necessary.

Inclusion of fat soluble material to the semen extender involves their solution into an appropriate solvent such as ethanol. In addition, these solvent seem to have their specific effects on sperm cells. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of adding ethanol to the extender Bioxcell® (IMV, Aigle, France) on freezing ability of goat semen. Five mature mahabadi bucks were selected and semen samples were collected using an artificial vagina. Semen was divided into two groups including groups 1) basal extender as a control and 2) basal extender + ethanol (0.05% of volume). Motility, progressive motility, abnormality and viability were evaluated by standard methods. Data was analyzed using proc GLM of SAS. Motility percentage (44 ± 1.58 vs. 37 ± 1.58), viability (64.04 ± 0.51 vs. 58.69 ± 0.51) and recovery rates (58.01 ± 0.02 vs. 50.76) were significantly higher in control than the other group but progressive motility percentage and abnormality (33 ± 2.12 and 5.05 ± 0.32 vs. 28 ± 2.12 and 4.64 ± 0.32, respectively) were not affected by treatment. This result suggested that ethanol has a toxic effect on sperm cells.