Veterinary Research Forum
Volume:5 Issue: 4, Autumn 2014

The aims of the present study were to evaluate luteal activity in Abadeh ecotype goat during summer and winter and also the effect of a single dose kisspeptin-10 injection on the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) in female anestrous goats. In the first study, progesterone (P4) concentration in 10 goats in summer (n = 6) and winter (n = 4) were measured every other day. Moreover, in summer group, a male teaser goat was left in the herd on days of sampling for one hour. Goats with P4 concentration ≥1 ng mL-1, at least two consecutive measurements, were considered with luteal activity. In the second study, the anestrous phase was confirmed by P4 measurement 20 and 10 days before the kisspeptin injection in five female Abadeh ecotype goats (4 to 5 years old). The goats were given a single IV injection of saline (2 mL) as control group and the same goats (1 hr after the last blood sampling) were given kisspeptin (1 μg kg-1) as treatment group. The blood samples were collected at –60, –40, –20 and 0 min (before injection), and 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 min after the injection and LH concentration were measured. A single IV injection of 1 µg kg-1 of kisspeptin-10 did not stimulate the release of LH in female anestrous goats. In summer, in the presence of teaser goat, luteal activity was seen in all goats. In the absence of male goat in winter, some goats showed luteal activity and others showed anestrus.

Upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD) are common clinical problem in cats worldwide. Feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) are the main primary pathogens. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are also among the most common infectious diseases of cats which suppress the immunity. Oropharyngeal and conjunctival swabs and blood samples were taken from 16 cats with clinical signs of URTD and 26 clinically healthy cats. PCR and RT-PCR were used to detect FHV/FIV or FCV/FeLV infections, respectively. Feline calicivirus was detected in all cats with URTD and 87.00% and 93.00% of them were positive for FIV and FeLV, respectively. Feline herpesvirus rate of infection was 43.00% in sick cats. In clinically normal cats, prevalence rates of FCV and FHV were about 50.00%, but FIV and FeLV rates (42.00% and 65.00% respectively) were higher compared to other studies. Stomatitis was observed in 50.00% of cats with URTD. The main causative agent of corneal ulcers is FHV-1, but in 50.00% of cats with corneal ulcers, FCV was detected alone. It seems new variants of Caliciviruses are the main causative agents to attack uncommon tissues like cornea, although retroviral infections may be in the background of these various signs. The high retroviral prevalence may be due to existence of large population of stray cats. This is the first molecular study of FeLV and FCV in Iran and seems that FCV and FHV prevalence rates in FIV or FeLV infected cats is more than other non-infected ones.

The pomegranate seed oil (PSO), containing 17-α-estradiol, is one of the newly found phytosterols with synergistic health effects on estrogen related physiological conditions. Herein, PSO was assessed for its potential improving effects on bone characteristics in a rat model of menopausal syndrome. Three month old non-pregnant female Wistar rats (n = 30) were either sham-operated (SHAM) or ovariectomized (OVX), each divided into two further groups receiving 0.1 mL PSO or the same volume of paraffin oil as placebo. Before the operation and 67 days after it, multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning was performed with the identical setup option for the scanner to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) in body of 12th thoracic vertebra, 1st to 6th lumbar vertebra and sacrum. This study revealed that bone density of 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and sacrum body were significantly different between OVX and SHAM groups during the study period. In conclusion, PSO during 67 days study could not completely prevent the osteoporotic effects caused by ovariectomy in vertebral column of rats.

Five common tetracycline resistance genes tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), tet(O) and tet(S) were studied by polymerase chain reaction in 100 bacteria isolated from Iranian fish farms. In the antibiogram test most of the bacteria were either intermediately or completely resistant to tetracycline. Nine isolates out of 46 Aeromonas spp. contained either tet(A/M/S) resistant genes as follows: tet(A) in A. veronii/sobria (n = 1), A. media (n = 2), A. aquariorum (n = 1), and A. veronii (n = 3); tet(M) in one isolate of A. sobria and tet(S) in 1 isolate of A. jandaei. In other bacteria, tet(A) gene was detected in Citrobacter freundi (n = 1), Pseudomonas putida (n = 1); tet(S) was also identified in Yersinia ruckeri (n = 1), Arthrobacter arilaitensis (n = 1) and P. putida (n = 1). In total, 31 isolates (31.00%) contained the tetracycline resistance genes in which 21 bacteria (21.00%) showed the tet(S), nine bacteria (9.00%) contained the tet(A) and 1 bacteria (1.00%) was positive for tet(M). All of the L. garvieae isolates contained tet(S) in this study. The most widely distributed resistance gene was gene tet(A) and the least known resistance genes was tet(M) among the studied bacteria of the genus Aeromonas in this study.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of antibiotic, organic acid, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on performance, egg shell quality, pH value of gastrointestinal (GI) tract and small intestinal morphology of laying hens. The experiment was a completely randomized design with 160 laying hens strain (W-36) from 32 to 42 weeks of age, with five treatments, four replicates and eight hens in each replicate. The experimental treatments consisted of: 1-basal diet, 2-basal diet + 150 g per ton antibiotic (oxytetracycline), 3-basal diet + 3 kg per ton mixture of organic acids supplementation, 4- basal diet + 50 g per ton probiotic (protoxin) and 5-basal diet + 2 kg per ton prebiotic (mannan oligosaccharide). During the experimental period, performance characteristics were evaluated. At the end of experiment two birds per replicate was sacrificed for small intestinal morphology. The results showed that organic acid and mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased average egg weight. Also feed conversion ratio significantly improved by mannan oligosaccharide. Eggshell quality was not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Regarding gastrointestinal tract characteristics, pH value of different parts of GI tract were significantly affected by dietary treatments. Villi height in duodenum by probiotic and in ileum by mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased. Villi width in duodenum by antibiotic and probiotic and in ileum by mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased. The number of goblet cells in duodenum by addition of antibiotic and in ileum by mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased. It was concluded that the use of organic acids and mannan oligosaccharide could have positive effects on performance of laying hens.

This present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of 4, 8 and 12 g kg-1 phytogenic feed additives mixture on performance, egg quality, ovary parameters, serum biochemical parameters and yolk trimethylamine level in laying hens. The results of experiment have shown that egg weight was increased by supplementation of 12 g kg-1 feed additive whereas egg production, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly affected. There were no significant differences in egg quality parameters by supplementation of phytogenic feed additive, whereas yolk trimethylamine level was decreased as the feed additive level increased. The sensory evaluation parameters did not differ significantly. No significant differences were found in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels between the treatments but low- and high-density lipoprotein were significantly increased. Number of small follicles and ovary weight were significantly increased by supplementation of 12 g kg-1 feed additive. Overall, dietary supplementation of polyherbal additive increased egg weigh, improved ovary characteristics and declined yolk trimethylamine level.

The major aim of this study was to compare the morphology and activity of rumen protozoa of Khuzestan water buffalo and Holstein cow using in vitro digestibility and gas production parameters of steam treated sugarcane pith. Rumen fluid obtained from two buffalo and cow steers fed the same diet, 30:70 concentrate: forage. To separate rumen protozoa, antibiotic solution and fungicides were added to rumen fluid. The results of present experiment indicated that the neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 7.8 vs. 1.69%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF; 6.24 vs. 3.24%) digestibility of steam treated sugarcane pith by rumen protozoal population of Khuzestan buffalo was higher than those of cow (p < 0.05). Also, digestibility of dry matter, NDF and ADF by whole buffalo micro-organisms was more than those in cow (p < 0.05). The results indicated that the potential of gas production of sugarcane pith by rumen protozoa in water buffalo was more than that of cow (p < 0.05). Total rumen ciliate protozoa numbers in water buffalo were significantly higher than those of cow (3.68 × 105 vs. 2.18 × 105 mL-1 of rumen content) (p < 0.05). The number of Diplodinium in buffalo was more than that of cow (41.27 vs. 35.7% of total rumen protozoa, respectively). Percentage of Entodinium, Epidinium, Ophryoscolex and Isotricha in cow was more than those of buffalo. Therefore, in the same diet, protozoa and total rumen micro-organisms of Khuzestan water buffalo have higher digestion activity compared to Holstein cow.

To investigate uterine fluid and serum calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) variations during the estrus cycle in water buffaloes, 71 genital tracts and blood samples were collected from the abattoir in Urmia. The phase of the estrous cycle was determined by examining ovarian structures. 18 animals were pro-estrous, 15 estrous, 16 met-estrous and 22 diestrous. The uterine fluid was collected by gentle scraping of the uterine mucosa with a curette. Blood serum and uterine fluid samples of 71 pre-pubertal buffalo calves were also collected and treated in similar manners. The mean ± SEM total serum and uterine fluid Ca in cyclic buffaloes were 8.68 ± 0.28 mg dL-1 and 8.10 ± 0.2 mg dL-1 vs. 6.76 ± 0.65 mg dL-1 and 7.90 ± 0.15 mg dL-1 in pre-pubertal calves, respectively. Blood serum Mg was not different in cyclic and pre-pubertal animals but the uterine fluid Mg in cyclic cows was higher than those in pre-pubertal calves. Serum Ca in pro-estrus and estrus were higher than those in other stages and also higher than those in the uterine fluid. The lowest Mg content of serum was recorded in diestrus, while in the uterine fluid it was observed in estrus. In all stages of estrous cycle except for estrus the uterine fluid Mg content was significantly higher than those of the serum. These results suggested that during the estrous cycle in the buffalo cows, Ca was passively secreted in uterine lumen and mostly dependent on blood serum Ca concentrations but Mg was secreted independently. The values (except for serum total Mg) also increased after puberty.

Oestrus ovis is an economically important parasite of small ruminants and a zoonotic parasite with many reports of ophthalmomyiasis in human from Iran and other countries. The aim of the peresent studywas the isolation and identification of excretory-secretory (ES) and somatic (S) antigens of O. ovis second and third stage larvae (L2, L3) collected from Arabi sheep breeds located in southwest of Iran. Positive sera were prepared by marking the sheep, taking blood sample and direct observation of the parasite in the head. Somatic antigens of the larvae (SL2, SL3) were prepared by sonication. Larval excretory-secretory antigens (ESL2, ESL3) were prepared by incubation the larvae in RPMI-1640 RPMI medium. Electrophoretic protein profiles of ESL2 two, ESL3 seven, SL2 eight,SL3 fifteen bands (from 79.0 to below 14.4 KDa) were shown. In immunoblotting with positive sera, four common bands in SL2 and SL3 at 58, 42.0, 29.0 and 28.0 kDa, one specific band in SL3 at 47.0 kDa and one band in ESL2, at 28.0 kDa, and three bands in ESL3 at 58.0, 42.0, 29.0 and 28.0 kDa were recognized. Among the profiles, the 28 kDa protein was the most common antigenic component. Nevertheless, the antigenic proteins 29, 58 kDa were a common protein in electrophoretic patterns of both S and ES proteins of L2 and L3 but, 42.0 kDa antigen the only one detected in immunoblot but not in S and ES protein profiles of the larvae. Therefore, the antigens 29.0, 42.0 and 58.0 kDa can be used for further studies of protective effects and serological diagnostic methods.

Pomegranate juice (PJ) and its products are directly used in foods due to their pleasant taste and palatability as well as preservative effects. In spite of useful effects of essential oils such as zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZEO) on prolonging shelf-life of foods, their application is restricted due to their vigorous taste and aroma. In the present study, physicochemical characteristics, chemical compositions and antioxidative activities of two Iranian native plants, PJ (Rabbab-e-Neyriz cultivar) and ZEO were investigated. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and reducing power tests were used for measuring antioxidant activity. The level of total phenolic of them were also determined. Total soluble solids content, pH value, titratable acidity content and total anthocyanins content of PJ were also measured. Chemical compositions of ZEO were determined using Gas-chromatography, mass-spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of antioxidative tests indicated that the ZEO was significantly more potent (p < 0.05) than PJ. Also the phenolic content in ZEO (262.52 mg per g) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than PJ (154.90 mg per 100g). Chemical compositions analysis of ZEO indicated that its major components were carvacrol (59.17%), linalool (23.67%), trans-caryophyllene (3.07%) and carvacrol methyl ether (2.44%). In the present study, physicochemical and antioxidative characteristics of Rabbab-e-Neyriz PJ were determined for first time. It was aslo found that ZEO in comparison with PJ had higher antioxidative activity and total phenolic content.

Infectious bronchitis (IB) and Newcastle disease (ND) are highly contagious and the most economically important diseases of the poultry affecting respiratory tract and causing economic losses in poultry industry throughout the world. In the present study, the simultaneous detection and differentiation of causative agents of these diseases were investigated using duplex-RT-PCR. RNA was extracted from vaccinal and reference strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and then cDNA was synthesized. Using two universal primer sets for detection of IBV and NDV, the duplex-RT-PCR was developed. In order to assess the efficiency of the developed duplex RT-PCR, a number of 12 broiler farms with the symptoms of respiratory tract infection was sampled (trachea, lung and kidney were sampled from affected birds suspicious for IBV and NDV infections). After RNA extraction from tissues and cDNA synthesis, the presence of IBV and NDV genome were investigated using duplex-PCR. The results showed that three of twelve examined broiler farms were positive for IBV and two farms were positive for NDV and IBV. The results revealed that the duplex-RT-PCR is a quick and sensitive procedure for simultaneously detecting IBV and NDV in birds with respiratory infections.

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease of ruminants transmitted by Culicoides biting midges and has the ability to spread rapidly over large distances. The disease occurs almost worldwide between latitudes approximately 35˚ S and 50˚ N. Among the numerous diseases of ruminants, BT has gained considerable importance in recent years as one of the best examples of the effects of climate change on disease spread. Sheep are major livestock species in Iran, but studies of BT have not gained the priority compared to other diseases. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the distribution and seroprevalence of bluetongue virus (BTV) infections in sheep in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province of Iran, and to identify factors associated with the exposure of these sheep to BTV infection. Sera from 262 apparently healthy sheep were collected during the year 2011. The collected sera of the animals were screened with competitive enzyme like immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Two hundred and three (77.48%) out of 262 sera tested were positive to BTV antibodies. Statistically significant differences were found in the seroprevalence BT, between sex and age of sheep (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in BTV seroprevalence among different seasons, nor among recently aborted and normally delivered.

Myiasis is a disease of vertebrate animals caused by different fly larvae. Wohlfahrtia magnifica is responsible for serious losses in animal husbandry in Eurasia. Larvae of W. magnifica parasitize several warm-blooded vertebrates and are responsible for a severe traumatic myiasis of mucosal membranes or wounds. This myiasis has been reported in many European areas, but for the first time was reported from Iran. Larvae infestation was observed in five camels out of 35 (14.28%) around the perinea and vaginal region of camels in a herd in southwest of Iran. The larvae samples were collected and transferred to the laboratory of parasitology for identification. This is the first report of infestation of a camel herd (camelus dromedarius) in Iran. The treatment was performed and prevented the loss from camels and improved their physical condition. Although the myiasis is not a lethal disorder, however knowledge of the disease is necessary from preventive, diagnostic and curative standpoint.

Synophthalmia is a form of cyclopia, in which some elements of two eyes are fused and form a single eye in the middle region of the forehead. The head of a Holstein female calf born from a 5-year-old cow was referred to Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University due to multiple congenital anomalies. The calf had been slaughtered immediately after birth due to severe respiratory distress by the owner. The calf showed multiple birth defects, including synophthalmia, holoprosencephaly, absence of optic chiasma, hypoplastic maxilla, curved mandibles, arrhinia and dental pad agenesis. A normal tongue protruded from the defect and small oral cavity. To our knowledge, this particular combination of craniofacial defects has not been previously described in Holstein calf.