Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2006 | Volume:61 | Issue:4|Papers Count:25

Objectives: To study probablity of occurence of infectious peritonitis in a affected cat with severe ascite.Design: Case study.Animals: Afive months old male domestic short hair cat.Procedure: In the first step, clinical examination, radiology and sonography interpretation, CBC, serum biochemical analysis and electrophoresis were done. After then abdominocyntesis was done and total protein and the ratio of albumin to globulin of the abdominal effusion was measured.Post mortem examination and histopathological survey was done on tissue samples.Results: In clinical examination mild pyrexia (400C), pale mucous membrane, anorexia and severe abdominal distention were revealed. The abdominal effusion was clear, straw colored, viscose and foamy in shaking. Radiology and sonography revealed severe distention of abdominal cavity was due to acsite. In necropsy, there was straw colored inflammatory exudates with diffuse granular fibrinous exudation covering serosal surfaces of intestine or floating in the abdominal effusion. Histopathological findings showed lymphocytic-plasmocytic infiltration and focal necrosis in-brain, heart, liver, kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes and intestines.Clinical implications: Failure of treatments of abdominal effusion (high levels of total protein decrease in albumin to globulin ratio and cytological status), characteristics of abdominal effusion, serum electrophoretic findings in accordance with clinical and histopathological findings made diagnosis.

Objective: To study microscopic structure of renal artery and measurement of histomorphometrical parameters before birth.Design: Observational study.Animals: Twelve embryonic artery of both sexes at 3 and 4 months age.Procedure: Samples of arteries were taken and fixed in 10% formalin. The process was done in autotechnicon. Sections of 6 micron were stained by H&E and green mason trichrom and studied under light microscope.Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics.Results: All 3 layers of the wall of vessels were well developed in both sexes and ages of renal artery. In both ages, histomorphometrical studies showed that total diameter of renal artery in males was lesser than the females. Increase in age increased thickness of wall and diameter of lumen. While there were not significant difference between sexes, the measured parameters of renal artery showed significant difference between age groups.Conclusion: Histomorphological structures of embryonic renal artery in sheep showed 3 vascular layers. Internal elastic membrane was clearly and external elastic membrane was poorly observed and in some regions was interrupted. The recent layer will completely develop after birth by development of blood circulation. Increase in the age increase percentage of tunica media. On the other hand, percentage of other layers showed partially decrease.

Objective: To determine subclinical and clinical mycoplasmal mastitis and their frequency in dairy cattle herds.Design: Prospective study.Animals: One hundred Holstein dairy cattle.Procedures: Affected cows with clinical (n=19) and subclinical mastitis (n=81) were determined by using routine clinical methods and California Mastitis Test (CMT). Samples were collected in the sterile tube containing Ampicillin. They were inoculated into both PPLO broth and PPLO agar for 96 hours and one week at 37oC, respectively.Statistical analysis: Chi-square test.Results: Mycoplasma was isolated from 13 cows. The frequency rate of clinical and subclinical mastitis were 15.38% and 84.61%, respectively. There were no significant correlation between infected quarter and herd population (P>0.05).Conclusion: The mammary glands of dairy cattle herds in suburb of Mashhad-Iran were infected by Mycoplasma. It is necessary to be investigated more in the field of mycoplasmal mastitis in dairy cattle herds.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Ornithobilharziosis among native sheep in the Shadegan area (Khuzestan province) and its intermediate host.Designe: Cross sectional study.Animals: One thousand and three hundred sheep and 1321 conical snails.Procedure: One thousand sheep faecal samples were collected and examined with different parasitological methods. In this study the Shadegan area was devided into 20 clusters. Faecal specimens were examined by clayton lane, flotation in saturated salt and zinc sulfate solution for detecting parasite eggs. Furthermore, 300 sheep mesenteries were studied in slaughterhouse.Results: Out of 1300 studied sheep14.1% had infection. Meanwhile, many snails were collected from these areas. These snails were identified as Lymnea gedrosiana, Physa sp. and Melanoides sp.Conclusion: For the first time we introduced the Shadegan as one of the main foci of Ornithobilharzia in Iran. This status is due to the satisfactory climate (humidity and fresh water) in marsh and rivers and presence of snail as a suitable intermediate host and excessive final host (sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, donkey, boar).

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cardiac murmurs in clinically healthy horses of riding schools (Shiraz, Isfehan and Tehran).Design: Field study.Animals: Five hundred and twenty six horses (475 sporting and 51 non-sporting horses).Procedure: Horses were divided into: sporting horses (jumping, race, endurance, training), non-sporting horses (foals, pleasure) and two different age groups: >2 and £2 years old. Cardiac auscultation was done by two individuals using ordinary stethoscope and sensor stethoscope.Statistical analysis: Chi-square test and the frequencies as percent and Odd's ratio.Results: Cardiac murmurs were detected in 378 out of 526 horses (71.9%). In 88 horses, more than one murmur was detected. The most common and the least common cardiac murmurs originated from the tricuspid and pulmonary valves, respectively. Prevalence of murmurs on the tricuspid valve of horses >2 years old was significantly greater than horses £2 years old (p=0.005, df=1, c2=8.06). The prevalence of murmurs on the tricuspid valve of sporting horses was significantly greater than the nonsporting horses (p=0.001, df=1, c2= 10.20).Discussion: Our data suggested that training regimes in horses of >2 years old can be related with increase in the prevalence of systolic murmurs on the tricuspid valve. This finding may be due to the effect of training and occurance of eccentric cardiac hypertrophy.

Objective: To study anticoccidial effects of leaf and plant extract of Artemisia annua on coccidiosis in broiler chicken compar to salinomycin and amprolium.Design: Experimental study.Animal: One hundred and ninety two Hubbard roosters. Procedure: One hundred and ninty two 21 days old roosters were categorized into 6 drug groups as follows: Amprolum (120ppm, n=8), salinomycin (60 ppm, n=8) leaf powder (2.5%, n=8), ether petroleum extract (1950ppm, n=8), fraction with maximum artemisinin (142ppm, n==8) and control (n=8).Drug classes include 1-Amprolum (120 ppm), 3-leaves 2.5%, 4-either petroleum extract (1950 ppm, n=8), 5-fraction with maximum of artemisinin (142 ppm, n=8). In each class there was 4 different subclasses: Eimeria tenella, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria accervolina and uninfected ones. After infection, lesion scores, body weight gains and oocyst extractions were investigated at the first week.Statistical analysis: Analysis was done with MSTATC software. Significant difference among means were determined by Duncan's multiple range tests.Results: In all experimental groups drugs significantly reduced the number of oocysts per chicken fece per day. Moreover, treated groups showed similar weight gain which was significantly higher than the untreated ones (P<0.05).Conclusion: The data of body weight gain, lesion scores and oocyst extractions indicated that ether petroleum extract of Artemisia annua or fraction with maximum artemisinin were the most effective. Of course, the extract is cost benefite compare to fraction.

Objective: To Study the effects of different levels of betaadrenergic agonists on performance and some blood biochemical parameters of male and female broiler chicks.Design: Factorial study (5treatment × 2sexes) as completely randomized design.Animals: Three hundred Cobb male and female broiler chicks.Procedure: Twenty one day old chickens were fed with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg terbutaline/kg of diet for 3 weeks. After then, performance (Feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio), weigh of whole body and carcass of chicks and the concentration of serum glucose (GLC), cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), creatine kinase (CK), glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (GOT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of chicks were determined at the end of experiment.Statistical analysis: Analysis of Variance of the data and Duncan's multiple range tests.Results: While different levels of terbutaline had not any effect on the body weight gain of chicks, feed conversion ratio of the roosters reduced in response to 5 and 10 mg terbutaline/kg. The highest weight of the whole body and carrcass of male and female chicks were seen with 5mg terbutaline/kg of diet. Increased dietary level of terbutaline made increase in the concentration of GLC. The highest concentration of blood TC and TG were seen by 10mg terbutaline. Different levels of terbutaline had not any effect on the concentration of CK, GOT and BUN.Conclusion: Results showed that 5 mg terbutaline/kg in grower diet made increase in whole body and carcass weight of male and female broiler chicks. Furthermore, it improved the feed conversion ratio in roosters.

Object: To study the therapeutic effects of garlic extract and tablet on lead poisoning in mouse.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Eighty mature male mice with 22-25g body weight.Procedure: Mice were divided into 8 groups of 10 mice each. All groups received lead acetate (5mg/kg of bady wight) for 21weeks and after then treated daily for another 4 weeks as follows: group A1, 500mg/kg fresh garlic; group A2, 250mg/kg fresh garlic; group A3, 125mg/kg fresh garlic; group B1, 1.4 Garlet tablet per kg body weight (Eq. to 500 mg fresh garlic); group B2, 1.8 Garlet tablet per kg body weight (Eq. to 250 mg fresh garlic); group B3, 1.16 Garlet tablet per kg body weight (Eq. to 125 mg fresh garlic); group C, 5mg/kg lead acetate and group D did not recived anything in both the first 4 and the second 4 weeks.Results: These results showed that daily administration of fresh garlic (preferably 250-500 mg/kg) or Garlet tablet (1.4 of one garlet tablet per kg body weight) can have therapeutic effects on mice with chronic lead administration.Conclusion: Result showed that garlic and garlet tablets (in a lower grade) have the ability to reduce the lead residues in soft tissues as well as bone in chronic lead poisoned mouse. So, it can be concluded that garlic can be used for lead poisoning therapy in mouse and probably in human and other animals. Moreover, fresh garlic or garlet tablet in aforementioned dose could be used in areas with lead pollution.

Objective: To construct a specific mutation in E.coli O157: H7.Design: Allelic exchange approach for producing stx2-negative mutant.Methods:1- Obtaining PCR product from stx2 gene.2- Cloning this product to T-vector.3- Inserting a gentamicin resistance cassette.4- Transfering the stx2 gene with GMR cassette to suicide vector.5- Mating donor (SM10 (+pRE107-stx2: GM) and recipient (StrREC 960904).6- Selection of single-cross-overs.7- Counter-selection of double cross-overs. Selecting GmR/StrR and Amps colonies.8- Confirmation of mutant by PCR and cytotoxigenicity assay on vero cells.Results: In this study, after mating between the donor (SM10 (+pRE107 - Stx2: GM) and the recipient cells (Str R-EC960904 wild type), colonies were resistant to gentamycin and streptomycin but sensitive to ampicillin .The result of PCR showed that the mutant was the stx2 negative strain. However, the mutant strain was unable to lyse the vero cells compare to wild type strain.Conclusion: Hutant strain was produced by a suitable suicide vector.

Objective: To introduce an HPLC method for indirect measuring of hydroxyl radicals in poultry serum.Design: Chromatographic study.Samples: Poultry serum.Procedure: By acidification of serum with 1.0 M HCl, salicylic acid (SA) and its hydroxylated metabolites were extracted into diethylether, dried and redissolved in mobile phase buffer and HCl. It was filtered and 20μL of the filtrate injected into the HPLC system. The chromatographic condition was as follows: acetate-citrate buffer (94%): methanol (6%) as mobile phase run at 1.2 ml/min through a C18 column using UV and EC detectors concurrently.Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics.Results: Good separation among these compounds obtained without any interference with poultry serum elements. Calibration curves for SA and Dihydroxy benzoic acids (DHBAs) were linear at 0.28-88 mg/ml (R2=0.996) and 0.3-12.3 mg/ml (R2=0.998), respectively. Detection limit for SA and DHBAs were 0.56 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml, respectively. Precision of the method (CV%) as intra- and inter-day variations were defined for SA (2.5-6.5%, 4.4-6.8%) 2, 3-DHBA (4.2-8.5%, 5.8-9.0%) and 2,5-DHBA (4.1-6.8%, 5.9-7.4%). Recovery of the method for SA and DHBAs were 87±5% and 92±4%, respectively.Conclusion: This method is useful for simultaneous determination of SA and its hydroxylated metabolites in poultry serum as an indirect measurement of hydroxyl radicals.

Objective: To evaluate the induction of osteogenesis of combined autogenous cancellous bone graft and bone marrow in experimental midshaft tibial bone defect.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Seven adult mixed-breed dogs with an average age of 1.57 years and an average weight of 22.57kg.Proceudure: The animals were randomly divided in to experimental (n=5) and control (n=2) groups. In each dog a bone defect (2.5cm) was created on the midshaft of left tibia and fixed by plate and screws. In the experimental group, tibial bone defect was filled with autogenous cancellous bone and bone marrowo. These matters were harvested from the iliac crest and the medullary canal of the femur, respectively. In the control group, the defect was not filled. Postoperative clinical assessment including measurement of body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and evaluation of the degree of lameness was done. Moreover, radiographic assessment of bone based on the process of bone healing, periosteal reaction and soft tissue swelling were done before surgery, immediately after surgery and then 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 13 and 17 weeks after surgery.Results: The degree of lameness in experimental group was lesser than the control ones from the day 12 to 49 (p<0.05). Significant difference was observed in the degree of soft tissue swelling between two groups at the week 5 (p<0.05). Moreover, difference of the periosteal reaction was not significant between two groups. The degree of bone healing process was significantly greater in the experimental group compare to control (p<0.05). While clinical union was seen in the experimental group up to 100% (n=4) and 75% (n=1), it was not seen in the control group.Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the autogenous cancellous bone and bone marrow can be a reliable method for filling of 2.5cm segmental tibial bone defect in dog. In this regard, healing of the higher size of bone defect needs to be further investigated.

Objective: To identify different Eimeria species in domestic goats (Ca pra hircus).Design: Cross-sectional study.Animals: One handred and fifty domestic goats (75 goats below one year age and 75 above one year) in some rural areas around Shiraz.Procedure: Fecal sampling, counting the oocysts (OPG) in fecal samples were done by Clayton- Lane floatation method. In this respect,oocysts were collected, maintained in 2.5% potassium dichromate at 28oC and, identified on the basis of morphological and biological characteristics of sporulated oocysts.Results: One handred and ten goats out of 150 (73.3%) were identified as infected with at least one species. Seven Eimeria species including Eimeria arloingi, E. parva, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. pallida, E. faurei, E. christenseni and E. granulosa were diagnosed in a decreasing Prevalence rate. No significant difference was evident between mean OPG in <1 and >1 year -old goats. Except for 17 goats (15.45%) the other animals were infected with more than one species.Conclusion: This study revealed occurance of some highly pathogenic Eimeria species (such as E. arloingi in Shiraz area which cause acute coccidiosis, particularly in kids.

Objective: Determination of normal values of serum enzymes in Acipenser persicus.Design: Descriptive study.Animals: Fifteen male and 17 female Acipenser persicus. Procedures: Blood samples were obtained by veinponcture and the levels of enzymes were measured using an autoanalyzer. Statistical analysis: parametric t-test and pearson correlation tests.Results: Valus of enzymes were determind as: Asparat amino transferase (AST)=294. 59±61.26 IU/L, Alanine amino transferase (ALT)=5.96±1.27 IU/L, Alkanine phosphatase (ALP)=74.68±13.59 IU/L, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)=20118.43±507.55 IU/L, Creatine phosphokinase (CK)=6878.70±1832.63 IU/L and Acid phosphatase (ACP)=16.06±2.71 IU/L.Conclusion: There was a significant difference in CK activity between female (7609.41±1674.16 Iu/lit) and male 5991.42±1659.77 Iu/lit) fishes. Moreover there was significant correlation between AlT and ACP values (P<0.05, r=0.382).

Objective: To Evaluate pregnancy rate in synchronized dairy herd by Selectsynch procedure and PG.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Three hundred and seventy four dairy cows were randomly allocated to three groups: selectsynch, synchronized with PG and spontaneous heat.Procedure: All cows were cleaned at day 30 after parturition and allocated to the following groups: synchronization by select synch-insemination (n=139), synchronization by PG-insemination (n=125) and natural heat-insemination (n=110). Pregnancy was diagnosed at days 42-50 after insemination.Statistical analysis: Chi-square test.Results: For these methods pregnancy rate were54 percent, 44.8 percent and 46.4 percent, respectively. Moreover there were not any significant difference among them.Clinical implications: Since selectsynch made an acceptable pregnancy, it can be recommended for dairy herds.

Objective: A brief description of Orientdiploproctodaeum diacanthi and determining its prevalence in Protonibea diacanthus of Persian Gulf .Design: Random sampling.Animals: Thirty one Protonibea diacanthus .Procedure: Different sizes of spotted croakers were collected in stations of Hendijan, Bahregan and the mouth of Bahmanshir in Persian Gulf. The fishes were transferred to the laboratory, their digestive tract opened and carefully examined for the various types of eaten food. Mean while, some fluks were detected based on the routine staining procedures. The flukes were counted in each fish and some of them sectioned.Results: The collected flukes were diagnosed as Orientodiploproctodaeum diacanthi. 7 out of 31 Protonibea diacanthus were deceted as O.diacanthias.Conclusion: This is the first report of the presence of O.diacanthi in P.diacanthus of Persian Gulf. Infection of such fishes in the Persian Gulf and also some fresh-water fishes by this parasite is possible.

Objective: To compare the effects of four physical feed restriction methods during rearing broiler breeder on growth, metabolic status and blood indices of stress.Design: A4×2 factorial experiment based on a compeletly randomized design.Animals: On hundred and sixty pullets and 160 roosters of broiler breeder.Procedure: The pullets and roosters were housed in pens and consumed the same amount of feed in both treatments. The effects of feed restriction methods (every day, six days a week, five days a week and skip-a-day) during 3 to 22 weeks of age on body weight, uniformity (coefficient variation), feed efficiency, serum biochemical parameters (glucose, triglyceride, total protein, cholesterol and uric acid) blood indices of stress (such as heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and basophil, monocyte and eosinophil counts) were determind.Statistical analysis: Analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: While in the skip-a-day method the body weight and the feed efficiency were lower, the plasma cholesterol (P<0.05) and heterophil: lymphocyte ratios were higher in females.Conclusion: Because of higher body weight uniformity in five days a week and six days a week methods, these methods can be recommended.

Objective: To investigate the effects of dietary fat sources on histological structures of testis in Zandi rams.Design: Field trial on the basis of completely randomized design (CRD).Animals: Eight 2.5 years old mature Zandi rams.Procedure: Four experimental feed with different fat sources were used in four groups: without fat supplementtation (control or diet1), supplementation with 4% calcium soaps of fatty acids from tallow (diet2), supplementation with 4% calcium soaps of fatty acids from soybean oil (diet3) and supplementation with 2% calcium soaps of fatty acids from tallow plus 2% calcified fatty acids from soybean oil (diet4). Values of Seminiferous tubule diameter, number of leydig cells, sertoli cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte and spermatid were determined.Statistical analysis: Values of testis histological structures were compared by Duncan procedure with GLM.Results: Results showed that ram's reproduction performance and testis histological structures were affected by nutritional conditions of animal (p<0.05). Moreover, source of dietary fatty acids had significant effect on testis histological structures.Conclusion: using soybean oil resulted in a significant increase in the seminiferous tubule diameter, seminiferous tubule lumen diameter and number of leydig cell, sertoli cell, spermatogonia and primary spermatocyte (p<0.05).

Objective: To determine frequency of FMDV carriers in slaughtered cattle at Zyaran abattoir.Project: Cross- sectional study.Samples: Three hundred and one tonsils of clinically normal cattle.Procedure: All of tonsils were tested for determination of FMDV genome using RT-PCR. Then, 30 samples were cultured on MDBK. 20 samples had positive finding in RTPCR test.Statistical analysis: Based on sex, age and breed of cattle, RT-PCR results compared with Chi-square and Fischer's Exact Test. McNemar test was used for comparing of virus culture results with RT-PCR.Results: Ninty nine samples were positive in RT-PCR. Relative frequency of FMDV genome presence in tonsils of clinically normal cattle had a significant difference based on sex and breed. The Sistani and Holstein bred had the highest and the lowest relative frequency, respectively. Two positive samples on cell culture were serotype O of FMDV. One positive sample (Asia1) was shown by ELISA.Conclusion: Total relative frequency of positive FMDV genome (32.9%) indicates the extensive exposure to FMDV. Breed variation among Sistani cattle (as a variety of Bos indicus) and other bred shoud be studied in a controlled condition.

Objective: Survey on influence of citric acid and microbial phytase enzyme on performance and phytate phosphorus utilization in broiler chicks fed a corn-soybean meal diet.Design: completely randomized design with a 3×2 factorial arrangement.Procedure: Two hundred and fifty two one-day-old commercial broiler chicks (Ross-308) were divided into 7 groups of 36 chicks each. Three levels of citric acid (0.0, 2.5% and 5%) and two levels of microbial phytase (0.0 and 500 units/kg) in low available phosphorus diets were used. The criteria used to assess were growth performance, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity, plasma calcium and phosphorus (P) levels, tibia ash and carcass yield.Results: Citric acid significantly improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). It had not effect on feed consumption, tibia ash and carcass yield in different growth periods. Interaction of the effect of citric acid  ×phytase on the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio was significant (p<0.01).Conclusion: Inclusion of microbial phytase improved the growth performance, plasma P levels and tibia ash. Adding of citric acid and microbial phytase did not affect carcass yield. While, adding of citric acid to low available phosphorus diets reduced plasma ALP and mortality rate (p<0.01), increased plasma P levels (p<0.01).

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of pinna cartilage autograft in healing of long bone defects in dogs.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Mid-diaphyseal region of the right radial bone of ten Mongrel dogs of both sexes with average weight of 29±2.4 Kg, which were randomly assigned to either control (n=5) or experimental group (n=5).Procedure: Creation of a bone gap at the mid-diaphyseal region of the right radius in each dog followed by cosmetic ear trimming. Insertion of a piece of pinna cartilage within the bone defect in experimental group was done and postoperative lameness scored. Radiographic evaluation in two views every 2 weeks for 70 days was performed. The dogs were euthanized after 70 days and their operated and intact radial bones were subjected to bending test.Statistical analysis: Repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-test were done for callus index measurements. Results of lameness scores were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test.Results: Lameness scores were statistically improved in experimental group by the time, as compared with control group. Callus index was statistically greater in experimental group at 28, 42, 56, and 70 days after surgery than the previous days. (P<0.05). Biomechanical quality (maximum load, elastic modulus, and maximum bending moment) enhanced in the operated bones of experimental group.Clinical implications: The results of this study revealed that pinna cartilage in dogs may be used as an available chondrocyte-rich autograft to enhance bone healing process in fractures at risk of delayed or non-union treatment of both conditions, and in bone defects.