Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:13 Issue: 3, Summer 2012

In recent years, considerable advances have been made in the field of regenerative medicine. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which pose the problems of ethical concerns and cause severe immunological reactions as well as neoplasma formation after transplantation, umbilical cord blood is a primitive source of mesenchymal stem cells that covers the benefits of both embryonic and adult stem cells. It has been determined that the proliferation capacity of cells is critically linked to the maintenance of the length of telomeres by telomerase activity. Since there is no information accessible regarding the pattern of telomerase activity in UCB-MSCs through several passages, the aim of this study was the evaluation of telomerase activity in UCB-MSCs, as a predisposing factor for cell immortalization. No telomerase activity was detected in UCB-MSCs from several passages applying telomerase rapid amplification protocol (TRAP). Since there is a direct correlation between the activation of telomerase expression and neoplasma formation in adult somatic cells, UCB can be assumed as an excellent source of MSCs for therapeutic application with a high level of safety. According to the histological results, RT-PCR and biochemical assays, MSCs derived from UCB showed high differentiation capacity to bone and cartilage. UCB-MSCs showed very low level of differentiation potential to adipocytes. Our results showed that UCB-MSCs maintain their self-renewal and differentiation potential through several passages. Since a large number of metabolically active cells must be available in cell therapy, high proliferation capacity through several passages is a great advantage for large scale expansion of UCB-MSCs.

The experiment was conducted on forty five broiler chickens at 4 weeks of age, for a period of three weeks, to assess the effect of complete replacement of fish meal with processed fish wastes (fish waste acid silage and surimi waste powder) on the blood protein, lipid and antioxidant status in broiler chicken, even though an earlier study indicated that this replacement induced normal growth rate and feed efficiency in broilers. The quality of the meat and involvement of liver enzymes were also assessed in the study. At three weeks of age, they were randomly divided into three groups viz., GI, GII and GIII of 15 birds each. Two experimental diets (D2 and D3) were prepared by replacing 100 percent of dried unsalted fish (animal protein) in the finisher ration of the control diet (D1) by processed fish waste acid silage (D2) and surimi waste powder (D3). All diets were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. GI, GII and GIII were fed with D1, D2 and D3 diets, respectively from the 4th to the 7th week of age. Blood samples were analysed to evaluate the status of proteins, lipids, liver enzymes, antioxidants and minerals. Meat sample from the pectoral region was utilized for assessing the meat quality. The serum total protein, albumin and globulin were similar in all the groups and they expressed a positive correlation with age. Except for a decrease in HDL-cholesterol in GII birds, the total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol were similar in all the groups at the end of the study. The liver enzymes (ALT and AST) expressed a similar level in all the groups but increased with increase of age. The antioxidants (SOD, Catalase, GSH and LPO) indicated an increased level with increase of age, but were similar in all the groups. The major elements (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and iron were similar in all the groups and were within the normal levels. The results indicated that processed fish wastes could be used for complete replacement of animal protein requirements in broiler feed, as it adequately meets the nutritional requirements, alleviates stress, has no toxicity and also maintains the meat quality.

In the present study, the effects of milk supplementation on growth and viability of yogurt (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) and probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria) were studied during yogurt production and 33 days of refrigerated storage. The incubation time to reach pH = 4.5 was greatly affected by the addition of milk powder (MP), tryptone (TRY) and sucrose (SUC). Also, the increase in titrable acidity depended on added supplement. Viable counts of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus were significantly (P<0.05) increased in yogurt supplemented with whey powder (WP), TRY and milk powder plus five fold starter culture (MP-SC). However, milk supplementation did not affect the counts of S. thermophilus in probiotic yogurt until the end of storage. Supplementation with TRY and MP-SC promoted the growth and viability of L. acidophilus, whereas milk supplementation with whey protein concentrate (WPC), yeast extract (YE), SUC and Cysteine, adversely affected the viability of L. acidophilus in probiotic yogurt. Finally, using a high level of inoculums (MP-SC) improved the viability of bifidobacteria during storage for 33 days. In conclusion, tryptone and milk powder plus five fold starter culture were found the most effective supplements to improve growth and viability of starter and probiotic (L. acidophilus and bifidobacteria) bacteria in probiotic yogurt during refrigerated storage for a five week period. These findings would be applicable in industrial production of probiotic yogurt.

To evaluate the effects of physically processed flaxseed [ground flaxseed (GFS) and whole flaxseed (WFS)] as a replacement for extruded soybeans on feed intake, milk production, milk composition, milk fatty acid (FA) composition and blood biochemical parameters, nine primiparus Holstein dairy lactating cows averaging 495 ± 34.5 kg of body weight (BW) and 70 ± 5 days in milk (DIM) were assigned in a 3 × 3 change over Latin square design with three periods. Intake of dry matter was similar among the animals fed the treatments, also milk yield and milk composition were not influenced by the diets. Processing of flaxseed significantly (P<0.05) affected plasma glucose and urea concentrations. Feeding ground compared with whole flaxseed and extruded soybeans, caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the concentration of total long-chain fatty acids in milk, also α-linolenic acid (18:3) content nearly doubled with GFS compared with those of the other treatments (0.75 vs. 0.36 and 0.46 g/kg milk production for GFS, ESB or WFS, respectively). Linoleic acid (18:2), content of milk was also significantly (P<0.05) increased by inclusion of the ground flaxseed compared with the other treatments. In general, feeding ground flaxseed had a significant (P<0.05) effect on monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentrations compared with those of the cows fed extruded soybeans or whole flaxseed.

Providing suitable analgesia following diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopic surgeries, that are considered to cause some degree of postoperative pain, is a necessity in equine practice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the equine synovial fluid biochemical and cytological changes as well as clinical assessments of the joint following intra-articular administration of ketamine. Six adult healthy donkeys were selected after clinical examination. Synovial fluid samples were taken from both middle carpal joints after routine preparation. Ketamine 2 mg/kg and 100 mg lidocaine 2% were administered to the right and left joints, respectively. Synovial fluid collection from the joints was performed at 12, 24, 48 and 192 h after medication. Cytological examination, total protein, glucose, specific gravity, alkaline phosphates (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), viscosity and quality of mucin clot were measured. Joint circumference, flexion test and lameness examination, stimulation of the joint skin area and radiographic examination were performed as clinical evaluations. Comparison of treatments was performed by nonparametric sign test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Significance level was set to P≤0.05. In the ketamine group, increased joint circumference, positive flexion test and negative response to the ball-point pressure of the joint skin area were seen, unlike that of lidocaine. Mucin clot quality test and viscosity, the amount of total nucleated cell count (TNCC), mononuclear and neutrophil count, specific gravity, total protein content, ALP, AST and LDH of the ketamine treated joints revealed considerable differences between various sampling times compared to the 0 time and also between the ketamine and lidocaine groups (P>0.05). It was concluded that intra-articular ketamine administration in equine carpal joint resulted in acute inflammatory changes, and failed to demonstrate analgesia; therefore, it is not safe to the joint environment and is not recommended as a local analgesic following arthroscopic surgeries.

Olives and olive oil contain large amounts of oleuropein. This phenolic compound is responsible for their bitter taste and pungent aroma and has been recognized as a powerful hypotensive, hypoglycemic and antioxidant agent. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of oleuropein on ethanol-induced oxidative damage and to examine its beneficial effects on liver function. Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated control. The second group of rats were given ethanol (4 g/kg) orally. Group 3 received oral oleuropein (15 mg/kg). The final group of rats were fed ethanol (4 g/kg), 120 min after oral administration of oleuropein (15 mg/kg). All of the treatments were applied for 4 weeks via gavage. Administration of ethanol to rats induced toxicity in their liver, as shown by the significant elevation in the serum levels of transaminases, total cholesterol as well as liver histopathological findings. Elevation of glutathione peroxidase activity, the hepatic main antioxidant enzyme, and total glutathione was observed to suppress oxidative stress in the ethanol group. TBARS (an indicator of lipid peroxidation) concentration is also increased in ethanol-treated rats. In contrast, oleuropein during ethanol treatment in rats resulted in a higher antiperoxidative enzyme activity, catalase, and inhibited toxicity to the liver, as monitored by the reduction in ALT and AST levels and TBARS concentration. It is suggested that oleuropein possesses beneficial antioxidant effects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity, and therefore use of olive leaf extract may have prophylactic value in reducing the common complications resulting from oxidative stress in alcoholism.

In this investigation, 25 adult New Zealand White rabbits randomly selected from both sexes and studied. Coloured latex injection and corrosion cast methods were applied on the materials. This study was carried out to disclose the distribution of the cardiac veins of the New Zealand White rabbits. The veins that drain the heart were found to be the great cardiac vein, the middle cardiac vein, the right cardiac veins and the smallest cardiac veins. The great cardiac vein originated from the ventral aspect of the left cranial vena cava. The middle cardiac vein and the right circumflex vein had a common trunk (32% of cases) and opened into the left cranial vena cava. The right (small) cardiac veins emptied into the right atrium and left cranial vena cava in 4% and 96% of the cases, respectively. The septal veins were primarily responsible for the drainage of the interventricular septum. Also, a strong anastomosis was observed between the middle cardiac vein and the left marginal vein.

Performance, digestibility of nutrients, microbial nitrogen flow (MNF) and nitrogen efficiency (NE) in early lactating Holstein cows were investigated by diet supplementation with sodium caseinate (CN). Multiparous lactating Holstein cows (n = 15) with an average body weight of 638 kg and 21 days in milk were assigned to a completely randomized design (five cows per treatment) and fed a basal diet with different CN levels (treatments 1, 2, and 3, contained 0, 50, and 100, g/d/head CN, respectively). The study lasted 49 days (first 14 days for adaptation and the last 35 days for collection of data). There were no statistical differences in dry matter intake, milk yield, milk lactose yield, and protein yield with CN supplementation. 3.5% fat corrected milk yield was increased by CN supplementation (P<0.05). Digestibility of ADF was increased by CN supplementation (P<0.05). The higher level of CN affected MNF was estimated by spot urine sampling technique (P<0.05). Predicted N excretion through urine was affected (P<0.05); however, there was no effect of CN supply on predicted N excretion through faeces. In conclusion, the results indicated that although supplementation with CN improved MNF, negligible effects on performance of the cows were observed. Furthermore, increased milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration and predicted urine N excretion revealed the lower NE in early lactating dairy cows supplemented with CN compared with control treatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the hemagglutination properties of caprine herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) and their application for CpHV-1 antigen detection and evaluation of the dynamics of post-infectious/vaccine antibody production. CpHV-1 hemagglutination activity was proved only with mouse erythrocytes, PBS and saline solutions at 4°C and 22°C. In vaccinated animals, goats and bucks with respiratory and genital clinical symptoms the antibody titers obtained by microtiter virus neutralization test (MVNT) were significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to those determined by inhibition hemagglutination test (IHA), while in aborted animals the former were lower than the latter. The diagnostic specificity (Dsp) and sensitivity (Dse) of IHA was determined by comparison of the antibody titers obtained by MVNT. Between groups comparison of MVNT versus IHA test showed significantly higher (2 = 8, P<0.0047) Dse of IHA for aborted animals and vaccinated animals only. No significant differences were found for the Dsp of any of the investigated groups. IHA test is a suitable method for detecting antibody production after the onset of the disease when IgM antibodies predominate and can be successfully used as an additional method for epidemiological studies and tracing of CpHV-1 antibodies formation and exhaustion.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on microscopic semen parameters and lipid peroxidation following the freeze-thawing of bull semen. Ejaculates were collected from five Holstein bulls and pooled at 37°C. The semen samples were diluted with a CEY extender containing additives including 100 U and 200 U SOD/ml, 50 U or 100 U GPx/ml and an extender containing no antioxidants (control) and stored in liquid nitrogen. The pooled ejaculates were then diluted with CEY or a Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS)-based extender (TEY) alone or with added 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 mM BHT, and the routine semen evaluation was conducted. The lowest production of malondialdehyde (MDA) was obtained by addition of 100 U SOD/ml, 0.5 and 1 mM BHT to CEY extender compared with the other groups. Sperm viability and motility was significantly higher when 0.5, 1 mM BHT and 100 U SOD/ml were added in CEY extender. The highest sperm viability was achieved by addition of 50 U GPx/ml to CEY extender. In addition, sperm motility was significantly higher in samples extended in Tris-egg yolk (TEY) with 0.5 mM BHT compared with the control group. The results suggest that CEY extender can be improved with the addition of SOD and BHT.

The present study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance pattern of Escherichia coli strains isolated from animals to ascertain the levels of antibiotic resistance pervasiveness. A total of 28 E. coli strains were isolated from faecal samples and the antibiotic resistance pattern of E. coli strains was determined by means of disc diffusion assay. The resistance pattern determined for all strains was amoxicillin, streptomycin, cefepime, azteronam, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. About 50-75% of the strains were reported as resistant to more than five antibiotics (multidrug-resistant). This might result in broadening of the antibiotic resistance canvas among animals and from animals to human taking the animal food products or living in close contact with them.

Arsenic is an important environmental toxicant which is usually found in drinking water in inorganic form. The hypothesis tested in this investigation is; arsenic exposure causes neural tube defects (NTDs) and these defects of the central nervous system are more likely related to folate deficiency during fetal life. In this study, sodium arsenate was administered via intraperitoneal route at a rate of 40 mg/kg body weight on the 6th day of gestation to every individual of 20 mated Albino mice. On the 8th (E8), 10th (E10), 16th (E16) and 19th (E19) days of the gestation, the pregnant mice in control and experimental groups were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. All embryos belonging to (E16) and (E19) were examined for external morphological neural tube defects. Histological staining techniques were haematoxylin and eosin and the immunofluorescence staining was also implemented. It was observed that, the intraperitoneal injection of sodium arsenate caused a number of morphological neural tube defects including; open fourth ventricle, exencephally, myelomeningocele and anencephaly. Difference in control and experimental specimens was significant (P<0.001) on the (E16) group. The histomorphologic changes of neural tube were significant in all of the experimental groups in comparison to the controls. Immunofluorescence study revealed reduced folate carrier (RFC-1) protein reduction in neural tissue, and these results demonstrate that the association between prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic and NTDs is more likely related to a defect in reduced folate carrier protein.

The aim of this article was to describe the clinical management of a case with seizure, possibly due toiron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in a kitten. A 38-day-old female European shorthair cat was presented withacute onset of impaired consciousness, seizures and lateralised upper motor neuron tetraparesis. Haematology results showed severe microcytic hypochromic anaemia with marked anisocytosis and thrombocytosis, while a low plasma iron concentration (<0.9 μmol/L) was the most remarkable biochemical alteration encountered. Iron deficiency anaemia was suspected and oral iron therapy was started together with supportive treatment. The cat responded to therapy and clinical signs started to improve on the second day and returned to normal eight days after referral to the clinic.