Veterinary Research Forum
Volume:3 Issue: 4, Autumn 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hyaluronic acid containing eye drop in ameliorating ocular surface pathology and discomfort in canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Twenty five dogs with KCS treated with a topical carbomer (CA) -based tear replacement gel were moved to treatment with a hyaluronic acid (HA) -containing tear replacement eye drop. Dogs were subject to a full ophthalmic examination at the beginning of the study and after two and four weeks of treatment، Schirmer tear tests (STTs) were performed at each examination. Conjunctival hyperemia، ocular discharge and ocular irritation were evaluated and scored on a 0-3 semi-quantitative scale. Values were compared before and after 4 weeks of treatment using a paired t-test. Evaluation scores were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The transfer from CA-based to HA-containing tear replacement significantly decreased the conjunctival hyperemia score from 2. 12 ± 0. 73 to 1. 26 ± 0. 59 and ocular discomfort was lowered from 2. 11 ± 0. 97 to 0. 93 ± 0. 75. Ocular discharge was reduced from a score of 1. 04 ± 0. 82 to 0. 70 ± 0. 53، however، the decrease did not reach statistical significance. Schirmer tear test was increased with statistical significance (p < 0. 001) but given that the increase was only from 5. 42 ± 3. 50 to 6. 19 ± 3. 86 mm min-1; this was not considered clinically significant. This study demonstrated that HA-containing eye drops used twice daily in dogs with KCS had greater ameliorative effects on ocular surface health and discomfort than did CA-based topical gels used as or more frequently.

This study was designed to investigate causes of culling in industrial dairy herds in Fars province and to describe the pattern of reason-specific culling with respect to age of animal and interval from calving to culling. A total number of 9 dairy herds were selected for the study and information about culling reasons، birth date، last calving date and culling date was collected for culled cows during 2005- 2006. Infertility (32. 6% of all culls) was the most prevalent reason of culling followed by mastitis (6. 5%). The time interval from last calving to culling averaged 240 days (SD = 176) and nearly 28% of cows were culled in the first 100 days after calving. Mean age of animals at culling was 6 years (SD = 2. 7) and median was 5. 7 years. In Cox proportional hazard model for calving to culling interval، infertility (hazard ratio [HR] = 0. 26) showed lower risk whereas mastitis (HR = 2. 40)، left displaced abomasum (HR = 2. 60) and peripartum problems (HR = 2. 60) had higher risk of culling compared with voluntary cull. In the Cox model for age at culling، risk of culling was significantly higher for infertility (HR = 1. 70)، left displaced abomasum (HR = 3. 15)، and peripartum problems (HR = 2. 10) compared with voluntary culling. In conclusion، farmers tend to keep infertile cows for longer period from calving to culling while infertile cows are generally culled at younger age. Also، early culling appeared to have a high proportion of culls in the studied herds.

Excretory/Secretory antigen was prepared by culturing live adult worms of Haemonchus contortus in RPMI 1640 medium at a concentration of 50 worms per mL in a culture-flask at 37 ˚C for 24 hr and the culture supernatant was used as antigen. The E/S antigen was purified by thiol-sepharose affinity chromatography. On western blot analysis، it was demonstrated that thiol-purified antigen showed a single reactive band at 66 kDa. In immunization trial، sheep were administered intramuscularly with 500 μg of thiol-purified excretory/secretory antigen along with montanide as adjuvant on day 0، 30 and 60. On ELISA، it was observed that the mean absorbance values were significantly (p ≤ 0. 01) higher up to 20 weeks post immunization in Group-I (purified antigen) compared to Group- II (unimmunized control). Further، the mean EPG values was lower in Group I (200. 00 ± 40. 82 to 400. 00 ± 91. 29) than Group II (2200. 00 ± 108. 01 to 5100. 00 ± 169. 56) and the percentage reduction in mean fecal egg counts was 88. 50%. Similarly، the mean abomasal worm counts was lower in Group I (808. 33 ± 78. 29) than Group II (3280. 00 ± 147. 19) and the percentage reduction in mean abomasal worm count was 75. 40%.

The effect of modified vitrification was assessed on cellular development capability in mouse embryos cultured in vitro. In this study، 466 embryos (from zygote to morula stages) were vitrified then thawed embryos have been incubated for in vitro farther development up to blastocyst stage. Also، vitrification and thawing procedures were the same for all experimental groups. Mouse different embryonic cleavage stages were vitrified in ethylene glycol (EG) plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and sucrose (VS-1) and EG plus DMSO (VS-2) and thawed by directly placing the vitrified drop into sucrose solution (TS) at 37 ˚C. High recovery (72–97%) of morphologically normal embryos was evident following vitrification and thawing. Development of the vitrified morulae into blastocysts (92%) was higher (p < 0. 05). The amount of zygote and 2-cell stages that achieved to blastocyst stage was very low. With progressing the embryo cleavage to morula stage، the embryos that reached to blastocyst were increased to its maximum number. We concluded that the modified vitrification procedure supported better survival of morula stage compared to other cleavage stages in mouse embryos.

There is some report about the hypoglycemic effect of Juglans rejia L. leaf in alloxan induced diabetic rats and hypoglycemic effect of its fruit peel administered intra peritoneally. Thirty male Wistar rats divided into five groups، to evaluate the hypoglycemic and pancreas β-cells regenerative effects of oral methanolic extracts of leaf and fruit peel of walnut. Rats were made diabetic by intravenous (IV) injection of 50 mg kg-1 streptozotocin (STZ). Negative control group did not get STZ and any treatment. Positive control، leaf extract، peel extract and insulin groups were treated orally by extract solvent، 200 mg kg-1 leaf extract، 200 mg kg-1 peel extract and 5 IU kg-1 of subcutaneous neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin، respectively. Four weeks later، blood was collected for biochemical analysis and pancreases were removed for β-cells counts in histological sections. Diabetes leads to increase of fast blood sugar (FBS) and HbA1c، and decrease of β-cell number and insulin. FBS decreased only in leaf extract group. HbA1c decreased in leaf extract and insulin groups. The β-cells number increased in leaf and peel extract groups. Insulin increased moderately in all treatment groups. We showed the proliferative properties of leaves and peel of Juglans regia L. methanolic extract in STZ- induced diabetic rats، which was accompanied by hypoglycemic effect of leaf extract.

Auto-reactive cells-mediated immune responses are responsible for the current tissue damages during autoimmunity. Accordingly، functional modulation of auto-reactive cells has been a pivotal aim in many of recent studies. In the current study، we investigated the possibility for insertion of regulatory molecules onto auto-reactive cells through exosomal nano-shuttles as a novel approach for phenotype modification of auto-reactive cells. The exosomes were isolated from supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells culture. Resultant exosomes co-cultured with lymphocytes were harvested from established EAE mice in the presence of antigenic MOG35-55 peptide. After 24 hr، insertion of exosomal tolerogenic molecules (PD-L1، TGF-β، galectin-1) onto auto-reactive cells were explored through flow cytometry. The potency of exosomal inserted membrane molecules to modulate phenotype of auto-reactive lymphocytes was assessed upon ELISA test for their-derived cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17. Incorporation of exosomal molecules into lymohocytes’ membrane was confirmed by flow cytometric analyses for surface levels of mentioned molecules. Additionally، the decreased secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17 were detected in exosome pre-treated lymphocytes upon stimulation with MOG peptide. Mesenchymal stem cells -derived exosomes showed to be efficient organelles for insertion of bioactive tolerogenic molecules onto auto-reactive cells and modulation of their phenotypes

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of in vitro supplementation of selenium on fresh and frozen spermatozoa quality of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls. Five healthy buffalo bulls (5 ejaculates from each bull) were used. Each ejaculate was diluted at 37 ˚C with tris-based extender containing 0 (control)، 0. 5، 1، 2، 4 and 8 μg mL-1 sodium selenite and the sperm motility and viability were evaluated at 0 (T0) (immediately after dilution)، 60 (T1) and 120 (T2) min after diluting semen. In the second step، semen samples were diluted with tris-egg yolk-glycerol extender containing the same amounts of sodium selenite، cooled to 4 ˚C، equilibrated and semen parameters (motility، viability، membrane integrity and DNA damage) were estimated. Then، the semen was packed in 0. 5 mL French straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Later، the semen was thawed and analyzed for the same parameters، as well as total antioxidant capacity. Results showed that addition of 1 and 2 μgmL-1 selenium to the semen extender significantly increased the sperm motility of fresh and equilibrated semen compared to the control without affecting other parameters. However، in frozen-thawed semen، extenders containing 1 and 2 μg mL-1 selenium significantly improved sperm motility، viability، membrane integrity and semen total antioxidant capacity and also resulted in lower DNA damaged sperms. In this study selenium supplementation of semen extender of 4 and 8 μg mL-1 had deleterious effects on sperm parameters as early as the samples were prepared for freezing

One of the simplest methods for short-term handling and storage of fish is the refrigeration in combination with dip treatments. This study was conducted to determine the effect of pre-storage α-tocopherol acetate dipping treatments on lipid stability of refrigerated rainbow trout fillets. Trout fillets were dipped in α-tocopherol acetate solutions (200 and 500 mg kg-1 flesh) and subsequently stored in a refrigerator at 4 ˚C for 12 days. Control samples received no α-tocopherol acetate during dip treatment. At the end of 0، 3، 6، 9 and 12 days of storage، lipid damage analysis of trout fillets was performed. A continuous notable increase (p < 0. 05) in peroxide value (PV)، thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and free fatty acid (FFA) was observed for all samples throughout the storage period. Although throughout the storage period the lipid hydrolysis (FFA) of fish fillets was not affected by α-tocopherol acetate solutions، successful (p < 0. 05) inhibition of lipid oxidation (PV and TBA) in refrigerated trout fillets was possible with dip treatment in α-tocopherol acetate solutions (200 and 500 mg kg-1 flesh). There was no significant (p > 0. 05) effect of increasing α-tocopherol acetate concentration on the lipid deterioration of fish fillets. These results indicated that α-tocopherol acetate especially at lower level (200 mg kg-1 flesh) was very effective in retarding the lipid oxidation

Lipids in liver wet and dry matter، liver moist and dry matter and their relationships were investigated based on species، sex and age in cows، buffaloes، sheep and goats. Mean percentage of lipids in liver wet and dry matter and liver dry matter in cows were 3. 60%، 1. 10%، 29. 70%، and for buffaloes were 5. 30%، 1. 55%، 29. 20%، sheep 3. 00%، 0. 83%، 27. 90%، and goats 2. 910%، 1. 55% and 28. 40%، respectively. The highest and lowest percentage of lipids in liver wet and dry matter was observed in buffaloes and sheep، and for the liver dry matter was recorded in cows and sheep، respectively. Analyses showed significant differences in liver parameters among ruminants (p < 0. 01). Gender، except for goats، did not affect the animals'' liver parameters. In overall 15. 00% of buffaloes and 3. 50% of cows showed over 10. 00% lipids in liver، while none of small ruminants appeared to have over 6. 00% lipids in liver. There was no correlation between liver lipid and liver dry matter. In conclusion mean percentage of lipid in liver dry matter in small ruminants was less than large ruminants. Liver dry matter was high in cows and low in sheep. Mean differences in liver parameters was significant، while the age and sex of the animals were not. Liver lipidosis in buffaloes seems greater than in cows، and in small ruminants it was negligible. No correlation was expected between liver parameters. Finally، on the basis of liver dry matter، the liver in ruminants ranked from cows to buffaloes، goats and sheep

Milk samples from high and low milk producer Holstein cows، were obtained during the morning and afternoon milking over a one week period. Overall، 1064 samples were tested within 14 times sampling in Urmia، Iran. Milk macro-mineral concentrations in the morning milking and in low producers were greater than in the afternoon and in high producers. The highest and lowest concentrations were observed in Na+ and Mg++، respectively. Mean milk values between low and high producers in the morning، afternoon and daily milking times were different (p < 0. 05). The individual comparison of milk parameters between both groups in the different milking times were also different (p < 0. 05). The results of correlation among macro-minerals in the morning، afternoon and overall milking showed significant and positive correlations among all macro-minerals except for Na+ and K+، in which there was a significant negative correlation (p < 0. 05). The highest and lowest correlations were found between Ca++ and inorganic phosphorus (IP) (r=0. 37، p < 0. 05) and Na+ and IP (r=0. 10، p < 0. 05)، respectively. It is concluded that the concentration of macro-minerals in different producers varied between milking times. The sodium concentration was the highest while Mg++ was the lowest among macro-minerals. The correlation between Ca++/ IP was the highest، while Na+/K+ revealed a negative correlation. Therefore، by organizing the appropriate macro-minerals in the ration، it would be possible to achieve an optimal purpose from animal husbandry

Rabbitfish is economically valuable teleost species which lives in shallow coastal waters. Two species of rabbit fish have been recognized in southern sea of Iran (Persian gulf) as namely Siganus sutor and Siganus javus. In the current study، in order to investigate the histology of the annular ligament of the S. javus’ eye، the prepared sections of the eyes of twelve healthy specimens were studied under light microscope. The results revealed that annular ligament is a crescent shape structure which is situated between the scleral stroma anteriorly and the iris posteriorly. It contains a vascularized، amorphous and granular matrix with fibers of dense connective tissue; high glycogen content and melanin pigments

Careful antemortem examination and interpretation of findings، assisted by good clinical records، do much to throw light on the nature of vertical fissure in cattle. During an eight month period of investigation، 13 (3. 2%) lame cows with vertical fissure out of 52 Holstein cows with different claw fissures were selected for clinical and gross pathological purposes in a commercial dairy farm with 400 milking cows in Nazarabad، Iran. The cows were 2. 5 to10. 5 years old. The prevalence rate of vertical fissure was 3. 2 per cent. The prevalence rate of claw lesion in the hind limb (69. 2%) was higher than that of fore limb (30. 7%). The type of vertical fissures were 4 (38. 4%)، 5 (23. 0%)، 2 (23. 0%) and 3 15. 3%)، respectively. Locomotion scoring assessment of 13 culled lame cows showed score ranged from grade 3 (30. 7%) to 4 (61. 5%). The herd had endemic digital dermatitis infection with prevalence in the adult herd of over 34. 2%. The affected claws were more boxy than normal and the abaxial wall was convex in all directions. The lame cows had typical stance such as hobbyhorse or cross legged stance. This study shows that more research is needed both on the economic impact of vertical fissures in dairy cows and on the microbiological study of spirochaetes of the genus Treponema. This study recommends that owners of dairy farm should try to control digital dermatitis with preventative herd strategies.