Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:6 Issue: 3, Summer 2012

Colibacillosis is one of the most economically important diseases of poultry worldwide. This study was conducted to examine the clonal relatedness and typing of 95 avian Escherichia coli isolates by ERIC-PCR. Sixty-three E. coli isolates from two common manifestations of colibacillosis (yolk sac infection and colisepticemia) and 32 isolates from feces of apparently healthy broilers were provided. The PCR amplification reactions were performed in duplicate for all isolates. The molecular weight of the observed bands on gel electrophoresis ranged from 232 bp to 2690 bp. Sixty-five fingerprinting patterns were observed among 95 isolates on the basis of molecular weights and the number of bands. The numbers of 20, 22, and 23 fingerprinting patterns were found among isolates from yolk sac infection, colisepticemia, and feces, respectively. Among different fingerprinting patterns, the number of produced bands differed from 2 to 11. No identical pattern was observed among isolates of three sources. Isolates showing similar patterns in each source group belonged to a single farm. However, a few isolates that had been isolated from different farms also showed similar fingerprinting patterns. In conclusion, this study showed a high degree of polymorphism among E. coli isolates originated from different poultry sources when the respective bacterial genomes were analyzed by the ERIC-PCR and that no specific genotypes were responsible for different manifest-ations of colibacillosis.

Exogenous phytase enhances the utilization of plant phytate phosphorus in poultry. In the present study the effects of exogenous phytase was investigated on tibia bone characteristics of white quail. In a 2x2 factorial arrangement, eighty, 11-day old unsexed chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments of 20 replicates. All birds received one of four experimental diets with two levels of aP (5.2 or 3.9 g kg-1) and two levels of phytase (0 or 500 FTU kg-1). On day 25, all birds were weighed, sacrificed, and blood samples were obtained for the determination of blood phosphorus. Both tibiae were excised for the determination of ash, calcium and phosphorus content, bone length and thickness, and breaking strength. Birds which had received lower aP diets showed lower levels of blood phosphorus as well as tibia bone weight, ash, calcium, phosphorus, bone thickness and strength when compared with the higher aP fed birds. Adding phytase to the lower aP diet was able to restore the above-mentioned variables. Phytase increases rigidity and strength of tibia by enhancing the availability of phytate phosphorus to the quail. This is important, particularly when the bird is grown for flight and hunting.

Inbreeding is one of the major problems of small size herds of red deer in refuge wildlife parks. The aim of the present study was to use estrus synchronization technique in red deer (Cervus elaphus) based on natural mating to control the dominancy and social rank of stags and inbreeding. In this study, hinds (n=6) were captured and caged at breeding season (early October) in Semeskande Wild Life Refuge Park. The captured hinds were treated with intravaginal progesterone devices (CIDR) for 12 days, followed by injection of 250 IU PMSG at the time of CIDR withdrawal. After 48 hours, all 6 hinds were released from cages. In estrus phase, the chase sequences started and the old dominant stag could not control all of the hinds in his territory so the two other young stags successfully mated with the other hinds. Four out of six hinds became pregnant and the calves were born in early June. The results of this study showed that the estrus synchronization technique in Refuge Wildlife Park which is based on natural mating, can be used successfully to control inbreeding easily and give young stags the opportunity to copulate.

The complex process of spermatogenesis is regulated by various factors. Studies on spermatogonial stem cells have provided a very important tool to improve herd genetic and different field. 0.2 to 0.3 percent of total cells of seminiferous tubules consist of spermatogonial stem cells. To investigate and biomanipulate these cells, first the proliferation and viability rate of cells should be increased in vitro.

In the present study, the in vitro effects of testosterone on spermatogonial cell colony formation were investigated.

Sertoli and spermatogonial cells were isolated from 3-5-month-old calves. The identity of the cells was confirmed through analysis of immuno-cytochemistry. Co-cultured Sertoli and spermatogonial cells were treated with testosterone in different doses of 0.2 µmol L-1, 0.4 µmol L-1 and 0.8 µmol L-1, before colony assay.

testosterone did not decrease the proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells.

testosterone can be chosen for in vitro colonization of spermatogonial cells with other factors.

Avian influenza (AI) viruses have been isolated from a wide diversity of free-living avian species representing several orders. Since 1998, H9N2 AI outbreaks have been one of the major problems in Iranian poultry industry. In 2006, H5N1 was reported in swans in the north of Iran first, but until now there has been no official report from commercial flocks in Iran. The aim of this study was Molecular Surveillance of Avian Influenza in Bird Parks of Tehran, Iran. In this study, 100 fecal samples from different avian species of Public and Bird Parks (The avian species included Pigeon, Duck, Swan, Parrot, Crow and Sparrow) were collected in Tehran, in the central region of Iran during November and December 2009. RNA extraction and RT-PCR have been done according the WHO Instruction for detection of Influenza Type A. In 14% of samples genetic materials (RNA) were detected. Species including duck and sparrow were positive. This is the first report of AIV detection in this these species in Iran. Due to emergence of new H1N1 influenza and bird flu throughout the world and in regional countries, surveillance programs for monitoring the spread of these viruses need to be redesigned. Surveillance activities for AI in wild birds should be continued to provide further virological (subtype) and epidemiological (Phylogenic Study) information about circulating viruses.

BACKGROUD: Naturally, the prevalence of hydatid cyst of sheep increase with age and accompany with structural changes. The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence of hydatid cyst in sheep and its structure with age. During 2009, 786 sheep in different age groups (1 to 6“|years) slaughtered at Babol abattoir, Mazanderan province were examined for hydatid cyst infection through visual examination, palpation and slicing the infected organs into pieces. The number of cysts was counted and their mean volume, diameter, and number of protoscoleces in different age groups were determined. Our findings showed the overall prevalence rate of infection 35.2%. There was a significant relation between age and considered parameters (p<0.01). The viability of fertile cysts was 63-85%. The majority of cysts were detected through visual examination (86.4%) and the rest by palpation (8.5%) and slicing (5.1%). Meanwhile 96% of protoscoleces were found in sheep older then 4 years of age. Old sheep are less productive, higher food consumers and harbor higher number of hydatid cysts. Therefore it can be assumed that using an accurate method for detection of infected sheep in the herd, and culling and slaughterhng old infected sheep is a rather cheap and effective means to reduce the infection without losing a high proportion of sheep population.

Taxonomy and identification of the ticks in the genus Hyalomma, the most significant vectors of animal and human pathogen agents, have always been debatable. Scientists believe that variation within the taxa of the genus Hyalomma is the most important factor which causes misidentification. The purpose of this study is to identify valuable characters for male H. anatolicum anatolicum by statistical methods. Tick specimens from 11 geographical regions in Iran including Khuzestan, Lorestan, Sistan & Baluchistan, Yazd, South and Razavi Khorasan provinces as well as an island in southern Iran were studied. Totally, 3 qualitative and 9 quantitative characters were measured by a stereomicroscope armed with scaled lens and the data were analyzed by SPSS software. Also, coefficient of difference (C.D.) was calculated for some important characters. Then, varied shapes of species were drawn with a drawing tube connected to a light stereomicroscope. One way ANOVA test revealed significant differences among the quantitative characters in 11 zones (p<0.001), also each zone to another zone by LSD. No significant differences (p>0.14) in the lateral grooves length/scutum length ratio character were found. The C.D. value equal to 1.28, is a conventional level of subspecific differences but is lesser in this study than this category. The present study focused on the determination a quantitatively relative stable trait for differentiating H. a. anatolicum. Therefore, lateral groove is introduced as a reliable character for interspecific identification of species. Our study supports this matter since the value of this character, relative to scutum length in the under studied regions was not statistically significant. This means that the variation range of the mentioned character in the specimens is much limited.

Caprine pox virus disease play an important role in major constraints to small ruminants production in Iran. This study was conducted in different districts of Iran to determine the prevalence of goats pox virus disease in different age groups, sex and seasons in Black goats of Iran. In this study skin lesions of male and female goats were collected randomly from different provinces during (January, 2007 to November, 2010). A total of 318 samples were examined, of which 66 were found positive. The overall prevalence rate was 20.75%. Pox virus disease was observed significantly higher in older (58.33%) female goats (36.79%) and in rainy seasons (26.16%). The estimated economic losses due to condem-nation of skin deficiency were 5.59% which cost US$115.44 per thousand skin of slaughtered goats. The prevalence was significantly different (p|£|0.05) in different age groups and sex of the animals. The present study indicates that pox virus disease infection in goats is associated with age, sex of animal and seasons of the year. To control the disease in infected provinces, appropriate preventive control strategies have to be designed to reduce the impact of the disease on goat production in Iran.

Poultry products have been recognized as major sources of human gastrointestinal disease caused by Salmonella spp. and several outbreaks have been reported where eggs were the source of human infection. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the quail egg interior contents from retail stores of Semnan, Iran and to characterize the isolated Salmonella serovars via serotyping and Multiplex PCR techniques. 140 packages of quail eggs (each package containing 12 eggs) were collected from different batches during summer 2010 and tested for the presence of Salmonella through conventional culture and serotyping methods. From these samples, S. enteritidis was detected in the egg contents of one package (0.71 %) out of 140 packages. This isolate was confirmed by Multiplex PCR generated amplification products for a random sequence that is specific for the genus salmonella and spv and sefA genes. According to our results, S. enteritidis is the most prevalent serotype of quail egg content contaminant in the Semnan area of Iran and the multiplex PCR method could be used as a reliable method of identifying Salmonella serovars.

In May 2007, a suborder Shoka deer calf about one month of age was found in a preserved area of Arasbaran in the East Azerbaijan province. From an ecological view point, the Arasbaran area is uniquely labelled as a reserve biosphere. he calf had diarrhea that recovered after treatment. During rearing, The calf received pasteurized- homogenized milk from market as well as milk of a goat. After 3 weeks, the animal suddenly showed acute depression, anorexia and hypothermia. Antimicrobial and supportive therapy was ineffective and the calf died 12 hours after showing clinical signs. At necropsy, chemical rumenitis and hemorrhagic enteritis was observed. Pure Escherichia coli was isolated from liver, lungs, rumen and small intestine contents. Histopathologic examination revealed severe chemical rumenitis and necrohemorrhagic enteritis. Absence of mother, intake of milk from other species and stress of capture were predisposing factors. Entry and fermentation of milk in rumen provoked chemical rumenitis and stasis of digestive system could be responsible for septicemic Colibacillosis (colisepticemia) and death in this Shoka calf.