Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:14 Issue: 3, Summer 2013

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) represents one of the most important metabolic subclinical disorders of high producing dairy cows، having serious impact in both animal health and herd profitability. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of SARA in Greek dairy herds and record its prevalence and risk factors. Ruminal fluid samples، via rumenocentesis، were obtained from a total of 153 Holstein dairy cows، from 12 herds (≥12 cows per herd). Rumen pH was measured on-site with a portable pH-meter in order to establish a SARA diagnosis. Almost sixteen percent (24/153) of the sampled cows were found with rumen pH ≤5. 5، which is indicative of SARA. Thirty three percent (4/12) of the herds were SARA positive، 8. 33% (1/12) of the herds were SARA-marginal، and 58. 33% (7/12) were SARA-negative. Number of lactating cow groups، order in which the feeds were added into the mixing wagon، particle length size، ration composition، housing type (free stall or bedded pack) and stocking density significantly influenced the presence of SARA.

Genetic and non-genetic correlations of the average somatic cell score (SCS) at different stages of lactation (100، 150، 200، 305 and 365 days in milk) with lactation performance were estimated based on the first lactation records of Iranian Holstein calving during 2000 to 2009. (Co) variance components were estimated using derivative-free REML based on multiple traits animal models. The estimated genetic correlations between average of first 100 days in milk SCS (SCS100) and milk100، fat100، mil 305، fat305 and protein305 were 0. 14، 0. 19، 0. 11، 0. 15 and 0. 17، respectively. The corresponding environmental correlations were -0. 13، -0. 03، -0. 18، -0. 10 and -0. 13، respectively. The estimated genetic correlations of the average SCS during the first 150 days in milk (SCS150) with milk100، fat100، milk305، fat305 and protein305 were 0. 14، 0. 19، 0. 11، 0. 15 and 0. 17، respectively. The corresponding environmental correlations were -0. 13، -0. 03، -0. 18، -0. 10 and -0. 13، respectively. The estimated genetic correlations of the average SCS during 305 days in milk with milk، fat and protein yield، and fat and protein percentages were 0. 12، 0. 11، 0. 18، -0. 05 and -0. 08، respectively. The estimated genetic correlation between SCS100 or SCS150 with average SCS over longer stages of lactations (SCS305 and SCS365) was 0. 99 ± 0. 01. These results indicate that recording SCS data over shorter period of lactation is an alternative approach to reduce the costs of SCS data collection and therefore to expand the SCS recording in the country by increasing both the number of herds and cows involved.

Avian Pasteurella multocida is an agent of fowl cholera. The protective effect achieved through orthodox vaccines is not ideal. The research on novel vaccines against avian Pasteurella multocida is imperative. In this study، the genes encoding outer membrane protein H and A (OmpH and OmpA) were cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3. 1 (+) and the recombinant plasmids، namely DNA vaccines (pOMPH and pOMPA) were obtained. Five groups of chickens (n=20 per group) were intramuscularly injected with the two recombinant plasmids، attenuated live vaccine، control vector pcDNA3. 1 (+) and PBS، respectively. The immune responses and protective efficacy were evaluated after immunization by serological and challenging. A significant increase in serum antibody levels was observed in chickens vaccinated with the attenuated live vaccine and the two DNA vaccines. Additionally، the lymphocyte proliferation (SI values) were higher in chickens immunized with the attenuated live vaccine and the two DNA vaccines than in those vaccinated with pcDNA3. 1 (+) and PBS (P<0. 05). Furthermore، the two DNA vaccines provided partial protection to the vaccinated chickens; however، the protective efficacy was inferior to that provided by the attenuated live vaccine.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes in Shiraz، Iran. Two hundred twelve cervical swab samples were collected from women attending Shahid Motahari Polyclinic in Shiraz، Iran. The endocervical specimens were screened for C. trachomatis by plasmid PCR. Genotyping was performed in C. trachomatis-positive samples by nested PCR amplification and sequencing of 571 fragment encompassing VD1 and VD2 of omp1 gene. The overall prevalence rate of C. trachomatis in endocervical specimens determined by plasmid nested PCR was 8%. The deduced serovars found، in descending order of prevalence، were F (46. 6%)، E (33. 3%)، and D (13. 3%)، and serovar G was found in a single sample. Sequence mutation analysis by BLAST search against GenBank reference sequences identified 4 genetic variants. This study can be considered a contribution to increasing knowledge on C. trachomatis genotype distribution and sequence variations within each genotype in Shiraz. Further studies are needed to better define molecular epidemiology of C. trachomatis serovars and to investigate its genotype variations in Iran.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD)، a highly contagious and devastating disease in young chicken، is caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). To improve the immunogenicity of recombinant IBDV subunit vaccine، an attempt was made to find a new way to prepare IBD vaccine containing glycosylated mVP2 antigen. Firstly، IBDV mVP2 gene (with a nucleic acid sequence encoding B cell epitope of IBDV (KFDQML) in the 5′-end of the VP2، with a nucleic acid sequence encoding B cell epitope of IBDV (LASP) and (His) 6-tag in the 3′-end of the VP2) was cloned. Secondly، IBDV mVP2 protein was expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris which can secret glycosylated protein. The recombinant mVP protein could be stained pink with periodic acid-schiff reagents (PAS)، which showed that mVP2 was glycosylated. Finally، IBDV mVP2 protein was purified with His-Trap (1 mL) affinity chromatography. These results indicate that glycosylated IBDV VP2 protein modified with epitope peptides can be expressed in Pichia pastoris، which lay the groundwork for the development of a recombinant infectious bursal disease vaccine with high immunogenicity.

Zataria multiflora essential oil possesses immunomodulatory effects and the present study investigates its effect on immune responses to live Newcastle disease (ND) vaccines and faecal shedding period of vaccine strain virus in chickens. One hundred and eighty chickens from both sexes were divided into 6 equal groups: group 1: unvaccinated، group 2: vaccinated (B1 vaccine followed by La Sota 10 days later)، group 3: vaccinated + levamisole (150 mg/kg/day، orally)، groups 4، 5 and 6 were vaccinated and received Z. multiflora essential oil by SC injections at 0. 1، 0. 2 and 0. 4 g/kg/day dosages، respectively. Levamisole and Z. multiflora essential oil were administered for 10 and 5 consecutive days post B vaccination. On days 0، 7، 14، 28 and 35 post booster vaccination (PBV)، HI test was performed. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test was accomplished on day 14 PBV. Faecal virus shedding was determined during 15 days PBV with 3 day intervals by RT-PCR method. Zataria multiflora essential oil induced a dose-dependent increase in antibody titers in an extent higher than levamisole as well as a dose-dependent suppression of DTH reaction. Effect of Z. multiflora essential oil at the dosage of 0. 1 g/kg on shortening of faecal virus shedding period was exactly the same as levamisole where higher doses demonstrated stronger decrease. In conclusion، Z. multiflora essential oil stimulates humoral immune responses and shortens faecal virus shedding period while suppressing cell-mediated immune responses in chickens vaccinated with live ND vaccines

The prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) carriage among poultry and poultry farmers in Malaysia is largely unknown. In the current investigation، chickens and chicken farmers from 30 chicken farms were screened for MRSA and S. aureus carriage. The genetic characteristics of the isolates were determined through multi locus sequence typing (MLST)، Staphylococcus protein A (spa) typing and virulent gene profiling. The outcome of the study showed lack of MRSA and extremely low S. aureus prevalence (n=7 of 503، 1. 4%) among chicken flocks and the poultry farmers in Malaysia. Staphylococcus aureus isolates belonged to 4 sequence types (ST): ST97 (spa type t359)، ST1179 (t359)، ST 692 (t2247) and ST188 (t189). It can be concluded that MRSA/MSSA prevalence is very low among chicken and chicken farmers، human and chicken cross transmission of S. aureus does not seem to be a threat in Malaysia.

Rosa damascena has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for different therapeutic purposes. In order to preliminarily study the probable toxic effects of the plant، its infusion was orally administered to 5 groups of 5 dogs at doses 0. 5-8 times that of human use in traditional medicine (90-1440 mg/kg/d) for 10 successive days. The dogs in the control group (n=4) received placebo. Serum levels of urea، creatinine، alkaline phosphatase (ALP)، alanine aminotransferase (ALT)، bilirubin، albumin and protein weremeasured in all experimental groups at days 0، 1، 3، 7 and 10. Except for a transient increase in bilirubin levels (day 3) and a rise in serum ALT at day 10، both with the highest dose of the treatment، there were no statistical differences between different experimental groups compared to the control. The results suggest minimal nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic effects for the infusion of R. damascena، however، the medication may be hepatotoxic at extraordinary high doses.

This study was conducted to reveal the estrogenic effects of bisphenol A and o، p’-DDT on quail embryos. Thirteen fertilized eggs were used as control (injected with 20 μl corn oil)، 15 eggs were injected with estradiol 17β (0. 04 mg dissolved in 20 μl corn oil)، 20 eggs were injected with BPA (2 mg dissolved in 20 μl corn oil) and 20 eggs were injected with o، p’-DDT (2 mg dissolved in 20 μl corn oil) at day 13 of incubation. Two days later the livers of the embryos were collected. The DNA was extracted from the liver for molecular sexing، while total RNA was extracted for vitellogenin II (VTGII) mRNA expression in embryos. In female embryos، BPA and o، p’-DDT induced variable levels of VTGII mRNA expression، while in male embryos، o، p’-DDT induced a slightly VTGII mRNA expression. In contrast، there was no expression of VTGII after BPA injection. In conclusion، the estrogenicity of BPA was lower than o، p’-DDT and both of them were lower than the estradiol 17β.

Electrocardiographic study of 50 healthy Markhoz goats ranging from less than 1 to more than 3 years in age was carried out. The heart rate varied from 99 to 123 beats/min with a mean of 110 beats/min. There was a significant difference between the heart rate of goats in 3 age groups (PT waves and QT interval in base apex lead، QRS wave in lead I، P-R and PQ interval in aVF lead were higher and duration of QRS and T waves in aVR lead، P wave in lead III، PQ and P-R intervals in lead II and QT interval in aVR lead were lower than those in the other leads. The mean duration of QT interval had significant changes with age (P<0. 05).

The aim of the study was to describe the urinary electrophoretic pattern of dogs with heartworm disease. Urine samples from 15 heartworm-infected and 15 healthy dogs were taken. Urinary specific gravity، urinary protein concentration and the urine protein/creatinine (U P/C) ratio were determined. Urine proteins were fractionated using SDS-PAGE. Results showed statistically significant differences for the U P/C ratio (P<0. 05) but not for USG and urinary protein concentrations (P>0. 05) between groups. Urinary protein SDSPAGE analysis showed eight distinct bands in the urine of heartworm-infected dogs. The presence of proteins exclusively found in the urine of infected dogs suggests renal damage، even in cases of light proteinuria، indicating that SDS-PAGE is a sensitive method for the identification and characterisation of renal proteinuria in dogs with heartworm disease.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of tail-docking on the LH pulse frequency in female Tuj lambs. Twelve female lambs were assigned into two equal groups. A rubber ring was applied to the base of the tail for shedding off. Blood samples were collected for 8 h in the 4th and 8th months of age to determine pulsatile secretion of LH. Starting from the age of 6 months، blood samples were taken thrice weekly for progesterone analyses. There was no LH pulse in the first LH analysis but the pulses were observed in both groups in the second LH analysis. However، number of pulses was not different between groups. The plasma progesterone level was less than 1 ng/ml throughout the breeding season. In conclusion، there was no effect of the tail-docking on pulsatility of LH in fat-tailed female lambs.

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis is one of the most economically important diseases of dairy cattle resulting in lowered fertility، embryo mortality and abortion، repeated returns to service، reduced pregnancy rates and extended calving intervals. While the occurrence of repeat breeding syndrome and abortions are reported from many Iranian dairy cattle farms، little information is available regarding the presence of bovine genital campylobacteriosis in Iran. The present report describes detection of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis infection in two out of eight repeat breeder Holstein Friesian cows (Bos Taurus) using a PCR method in a herd with a history of subfertility in Mashhad، in the northeast of Iran.

Description of a rare recurrent Gartner’s duct cyst associated with yeast infection in a crossbred heifer is reported. The recurrence was caused by uncontrolled yeast infection that showed in vitro sensitivity to oxytetracycline. Administration of local clotrimazole and systemic oxytetracycline as per recommended therapeutic dose regime resulted in complete recovery.

This is the report of a mandibular neuroectodermal/ewing sarcoma in an 8-year-old male cross breed dog that is unique because of tumor origin location. Pedunculated، ulcerative، firm 6. 0 × 4. 0 × 5. 5 cm tumor mass effaced the bone at the rostral part of the mandible and had a white-sanguineous color at cross section appearance. Histopathologically، small round blue cell tumor was diagnosed. Immunohistochemically، tumor cells were positive for vimentin، S100 and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and negative for neuron specific enolase (NSE) and desmin. Mandibular location is a rare event in these types of tumors.