Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2017 | Volume:72 | Issue:2|Papers Count:19

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans that is associated with Gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and gastric cancer.Helicobacter pyloriis transmitted through food and water and fecal-oral and oral-oral routes and colonized in the stomach and intestines of humans and several animal species including dogs and cats, and therefore the possibility of transmission of infection from animals to humans exists.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence ofHelicobacter pylori infection in humans, related and unrelated to dogs and cats in Ahvaz, as well as its relationship with host and environmental factors.METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 356 volunteers, including 147 related and 209 unrelated individuals with dogs and cats and evaluated by ELISA.RESULTS: Apparent and real seroprevalence ofHelicobacter pylori infection were 58.4% (95% CI: 53.3-63.3 percent) and 44.53% (95% CI: 39.33- 49.73 percent), respectively. The apparent prevalence in related and unrelated individuals with the dogs and cats were 72.1% (95% CI: 64.8-79.4 percent) and 48.8% (95% CI: 42-55.6 percent), respectively (p<0.001). The risk of infection in related individuals compared with unrelated was 2.71 (95% CI: 1.73-4.26) (p<0.001). This study showed that exposure to cats and dogs, education, history of gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal disorders and marital status are significantly correlated with infection.CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that contact with dogs and cats can be a risk factor forHelicobacter pylori infection in humans and preventive and control measures should be considered by health authorities.

BACKGROUND: Using commercial antioxidants in the diet of chicken may cause cancer, liver swelling and changes in the activity of enzymes, hence their use is limited.Alternative herbal materials with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties can increase palatability, improve gastrointestinal function, improve the immune system and the performance of birds.OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the experiment was to study the effect of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) to a soybean oil diet on broiler performance and other related parameters.METHODS: This research was conducted as completely randomized design arranged in a 2×2×2 factorial experiment using pomegranate peel extract (PPE), antioxidant Nutriad Ò (AN) and soybean oil (SO). Three hundred and twenty 11 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were assigned to eight treatments of four replicates each (ten chicks per replicate). Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of the SAS software, and the LSM of groups compared at 5% significance level.RESULTS: Soybean oil increased growing and overall feed conversion ratio (FCR) and harmful gastric micro flora.The overall ADG and feed intake were increased by PPE. Inclusion of PPE in the diet had no effect on FCR. Inclusion of PPE in the diet increased nutrient digestibility, beneficial gastric micro flora, lactobacillus, and the antibody titer in 39-day broilers, whereas AN had no effect on any of the performance parameters and decreased the beneficial gastric micro flora.CONCLUSIONS: The overall results showed that PPE in fat and non-fat containing diets might have the potential to increase the daily gain by enhancing feed intake, nutrient digestibility, beneficial gastric micro flora and immune system of broilers with no deleterious effect on overall FCR.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress reduces the poultry performance through physiologic changes.OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of tryptophane on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chickens under heat stress condition.METHODS: Two hundred and fifty oneday-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments andfive replicates (pen), 10 birds in each replicate. The chickens of experimental treatments were fed basal diet (control group) and the diets plus the different levels of 100, 120 and 130 and 140% of the Ross strain tryptophane requirements. The experimental diets were used during thefinisher period (day 25 to 42 of age) and under heat stress (32±1oC as cyclic from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM).RESULTS: The results showed that the weight gain was increased linearly by increasing the tryptophane level to 110% of Ross requirements but increasing the tryptophane level to 120, 130 and 140% caused the deteriorated weight gain (p<0.05). The feed conversion ratio was linearly decreased during thefinisher and whole the period by supplementation of tryptophane to 110 and 120% but the higher tryptophane levels (130 and 140%) increased the feed conversion ratio during these two periods (p<0.05). Increasing the tryptophane level to 130% of Ross requirements caused a linear increase in the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, alanine amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase (p<0.05). Dietary supplementation of tryptophane had no effect on the blood urea, protein, creatinine, albumin, glucose and cholesterol at day 42 of age but triglyceride (p>0.05). Increasing the tryptophane level to 140% caused the lower blood triglyceride content (p<0.05).CONLUSIONS: Totally, the results of recent experiment show that consumption of 110 and 120% tryptophane of Ross requirements is the best level for performance improvements in broiler chickens under heat stress.

BACKGROUND: Heat treatment of colostrum has been suggested as a control measure to eliminate or reduce the transfer of colostrum-borne pathogens to dairy calves.OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the effects of on-farm heat treatment of bovine colostrum on colostral bacterial counts and IgG concentration and evaluation of passive transfer of immunity in neonatal dairy calves.METHODS: Ninety-six L of first milking colostrum was collected from Holstein cows and pooled to create a uniform batch. Twenty-four calves were enrolled in 4 treatment groups before suckling occurred and fed raw colostrum (n=6), heat-treated colostrum at 60 ºC for 30 min (n=6), heat-treated colostrum at 60 ºC for 60 min (n=6) and heat-treated colostrum at 60 ºC for 90 min (n=6).Colostrum samples were collected before and after heat treatment and cultured for total bacterial count and analyzed for total IgG concentration. For the first and second feeding 2 L of colostrum was bottle fed by 2 and 12 h of age respectively. Serum samples were collected from calves at 0 h (precolostrum) and 6, 24, 48, 72 h (postcolostrum) and analyzed for serum total protein and IgG concentrations.RESULTS: Heat treatment of colostrum at 60 ºC for 30 and 60 min reduced total bacterial count, yet maintained colostrul IgG concentration compared to the control. There was no difference between treatment groups when examining serum total protein and IgG concentrations, but apparent efficiency of IgG absorption was significantly greater at 6 h in calves that were fed heat-treated colostrum compared to calves fed raw colostrum.CONCLUSIONS: There was no effect of onfarm batch heat treatment of colostrum at 60 ºC till 90 min on serum concentration of IgG.

BACKGROUND: Carnitine biosynthesis needs methionine and lysine amino acids, vitamins niacin and ascorbic acid. So the usage of both L-carnitine and vitamin C may improve the effects of only L-carnitine.OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of L-carnitine and vitamin C on the growth performance‚body composition; blood serum parameters in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, 540 fingerlings with the average weight 40±2 g were arranged in treatments including 3 vitamin C levels: zero, 500, 1000 and 2 L-carnitine levels: zero, 800 (mg/kg diet), with 3 replicates.RESULTS: Results showed weight gain, special growth rate and feed conversion ratio in the level of 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine had a significant increase compared to control (p<0.05). The highest and the lowest lipid content were observed in control and 1000/800vitamin C/ L-carnitine, respectively (p<0.05). The highest protein content was observed in 500/800 vitamin C/Lcarnitine (p<0.05). Cholesterol and glucose showed a significant decrease in 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine. It was observed that 1000/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine caused significant decrease in blood triglycerides (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Finally, it was determined that using vitamin C 500 and L-carnitine 800 mg/kg diet caused some improvement in growth performance with no negative effects on blood parameters.

BACKGROUND: The insoluble fiber content of poultry feeds is often considered as an unfavorable factor which reduces the nutritive value of diet.OBJECTIVES: The effects of barley hulls on performance traits of broiler chickens were evaluated.METHODS: The experiment was carried out using 200 Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates. The experimental diets consisted of a control hulls-free diet and four diets containing 0.75 or 1.5 percent barley hulls with particle sizes of less than 1 mm or between 1-2 mm.RESULTS: The dietary type did not affect feed intake of the experimental groups. In the whole the experimental period, the weight gain and feed conversion ratio in the broiler chickens feed, the diet that contained 1.5% barley hulls with 1-2 mm particle size improved compared to the control group (p<0.05).In the jejunum, fiber feeding resulted in an increased goblet cell number as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Unexpectedly, barley hulls feeding reduced the villi height compared to the control group (p<0.05). In jejunum the crypt depth in control birds was more than the treatment fed 1.5% barley hulls with less than 1 mm particle size (p<0.05).The ratio of crypt depth to villus height in control group was more than the birds fed the diet that contained 1.5% barley hulls with less than 1 mm particle size (p<0.05). In ileum the chickens fed the control diet had more lactobacillus and lessEscherichia coli than the majority of the treatment fed barley hulls.CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of 1.5% barley hulls with particle size of 1-2 mm in diet improved performance traits of broiler chickens. On the other hand, using 1.5% barley hulls as a lignocelluloses source increased lactobacillus growth and reducedEscherichia coli population. This alteration in intestinal micro flora suggests a prebiotic effect for barley hulls in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: The application of natural compounds including green tea extract (GTE) in food preparation and pharmaceutical industries is limited. Nowadays, encapsulation in nanoliposomes could be used as a delivery system to protect compounds during processing and storage.OBJECTIVES: In this study, physicochemical characterization of green tea extract encapsulated in nanoliposomes and its prebiotic activities on two probiotic bacteriaLactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium lactis were evaluated in media and ice cream.METHODS: At first, GTE encapsulated in liposomes by thin film layer method and with sonication liposomes reached to nanoscale. For evaluation of the prebiotic activity of nanoliposomal GTE on probiotics, 1% of nanoliposomal GTE in the presence of Lactobacillus caseiand Bifidobacterium lactis was added to MRS broth and ice cream.RESULTS: The mean diameter of nanoliposomes was about 44.7±1.9 nm and had 0.203±0.014 polydispersity index. Entrapment eficiency of nanoliposomal GTE under the optimum conditions was 97%. Moreover, addition of 1% nanoliposomal GTE significantly increased the growth rate ofLactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium lactis in culture media (p<0.05). The lowest reduction ofLactobacillus casei count during storage period was recorded in ice cream containing 1% of nanoliposomal GTE, while the control group showed the reduction of 4.16 log inLactobacillus casei count. Similarly, addition of 1% of nanoliposomal GTE was most effective on survival ofBifidobacterium lactis in ice cream, since the bacterial count lowered only 0.84 log during the storage compared to 4/4 log reduction in control group.CONCLUSIONS: The considerable effect of nanoliposomal GTE on growth and survival rate probiotics in media and ice cream has been presented in this study and the use of nanoliposome encapsulation can be proposed as a new method to increase stability of natural compounds, during different processes.

BACKGROUND: Goldfish (Carassius auratus), a carp fish of Cyprinidae family, is one of the most popular aquarium fishes in Iran and also in the world. Ornamental fish trade, especially Goldfish, is aged over a hundred years. If we believe that any aquatic species or country has its own specific and unknown fauna of pathogens, the risks of transmission of these pathogens by importing ornamental fishes (whether at national, provincial or municipal level) will become more obvious. However, few researches have been done about parasitic infections in ornamental fishes.OBJECTIVES: Identification and investigation of fish pathogens, especially parasites, prior to transportation to new place is considerably important in the preventing and restricting the transmission of these pathogens.METHODS: In this study, skin and gills of 100 goldfish were examined by wet mount in order to investigate monogenean parasites.RESULTS: Nine species of parasites from 3 families (Dactylogyridae, Gyrodactylidae and Ancylodiscoididae) were isolated and identified in fishes, including 4 species ofGyrodactylus (Gyrodactylus kobayashii, Gyrodactylus Gurleyi, Gyrodactylus longoacuminatus and Gyrodactylus sp.), 4 species of Dactylogyrus (Dactylogyrus vastator, Dactylogyrus formosus, Dactylogyrus baeri and Dactylogyrus sp.) and 1 species of Ancylodiscoides.Gyrodactylus kobayashii (10%) were the most common parasites found, followed byDactylogyrus vastator (9%). CONCLUSIONS: Although these fishes are quite resistant against such pathogens, transporting them to a new aquatic ecosystem could transfer these parasites and cause infestation of healthy fishes, which brings about financial losses and casualties.

BACKGROUND: Coronaviruses have a wide range of host tropism causing respiratory, enteric and central nervous system diseases in pigs, cats, dogs, rodents, cattle, avian species and human. Coronaviruses undergo genetic mutations and recombination at high rates which make them able to infect a wide range of host species from different geographical locations. According to the possible existence of gammacoronavirus in Iranian bird population including pigeons and lack of information about virus prevalence, isolation and molecular characterization of pigeon coronaviruses are needed.OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to detect avian coronavirus in flocks of Tehran province.METHODS: samples were randomly collected from 25 pigeon flocks of Tehran province (250 tracheal swabs and 250 cloacal swabs, 20 specimens from each flock) between 2014-2015. The viral RNA was extracted from swab samples and RT-PCR reaction was run using the QIAGEN one-step RT-PCR Kit with primers targeting nucleocapsid (N) gene and 3’ untranslated region (3’-UTR) of gammacoronavirus.RESULTS: Gammacoronavirus was detected in one out of 25 (4%) flocks.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study approve the presence of gammacoronaviruses in pigeon population and help to complete the map of epidemiology of the virus in Iran. According to the low prevalence rate of coronavirus in pigeons, samples should be collected from pigeons showing respiratory or enteric signs of disease or from pigeons having contact with other birds or those which are housed near poultry farms.

BACKGROUND: Pigeons can be carriers for some human and animal pathogens, one of the most important of which isEscherichia coli. OBJECTIVES: This bacterium is responsible for outbreaks of many human diseases. Our objective was to determine the prevalence ofEscherichia coli in cloacal area of pigeons in Tehran city (Iran), and determine the prevalence of some virulence genes and also antibiotics resistance pattern of isolates.METHODS: Altogether 117 samples of pigeon feces were collected from cloacal swab. The identification of bacteria was done by culture on differential culture media. Then antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disk diffusion method. Isolates were tested for the presence of virulence genesstx 1, stx 2, eae and hly A using multiplex polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: Escherichia coli were detected in 82.9% of 277 samples from pigeons.Sulfamethoxazole was the least effective drug (85.6% resistance), followed by tetracycline (83.5%). No resistance was detected to co-amoxiclav. The prevalence ofstx 1, stx 2 and eaeA is 3.09%, 6.18% and 2.06% respectively and hly A was not found in any of isolates.CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of stx 1 and stx 2 distribution in animals and birds is not well understood as yet. Due to the close relationship of humans with birds like pigeons and presence of STEC strains in apparently healthy birds, necessitates considering precise regulations to restrict and prevent the prevalence of this life- threatening virus in Iran

BACKGROUND: Caspian miniature horse is an Iranian breed of the horse. Some anatomical studies such as topography of the heart have been conducted in recent years.OBJECTIVES: Regarding the importance of SA node in regulating the rhythmic contraction of heart, the present study was performed to demonstrate the position of the SA node and its arterial supply.METHODS: 4 excised hearts of Caspian miniature horse were used for this study. The coronary arteries in two horses were injected with a mixture of gelatin and choromopaque and the other two with colored rodopas. The gelatin injected specimens were used for contrast radiography and the rodopas injected specimens were macerated in HCl and the cast studied for arterial branches. Terminal sulcus and location of SA node was macroscopically detected and separated for histological investigation.RESULTS: Our study showed that the SA node is a small mass of transformed cardiac muscle. It is situated under the epicardium of the right ventricle between the cranial vena cava and the right auricle. The blood is supplied by a few branches separated from the right auricular branch of the proximal branch of left atrial artery. The latter itself is a branch of the left circumflex artery of the left coronary artery.CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that there is no difference between caspian miniature horse and the standard horse.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves approximately 1% of the population older than 50 years. Classically, PD is considered a motor system disease, and its diagnosis is based on the presence of a set of cardinal motoric signs (e.g. rigidity, bradykinesia, motor and postural reflex disturbance).OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of lavender (Lavandula officinalis) on motor disorders of pseudo PD rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=7). PD signs were induced by intra-peritoneal (IP) injection of reserpine (5mg/kg) prior to administration of the lavender extract. Three goups of rats received different doses (200, 300, 400 mg/kg, P.O) of the lavender extract and sham group received distilled water at the same volume for six days and two times per day. At the seventh day, Catalepsy and other signs of PD were measured in the bar test, rotarod and open field.RESULTS: In this study, improvement in signs of Parkinson disease were not observed by applying lavender hydro-alcoholic extract and motor disorders were not reduced in comparison with sham group.CONCLUSIONS: The lavender hydro-alcoholic extract does not have any effect on motor disorders of Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Benni of cyprinidae family is important for nutrition and economic and commercial species in the south of Iran and the Persian Gulf region.OBJECTVES: To investigate the importance of compatibility of fishes with different salinity in different areas and ability of osmoregulation along with maintenance of homeostasis.METHODS: For this study, 144 healthyBarbus sharpeyi with an average weight of 350±2.36 grams and length 25±1.25 cm in five groups were studied. The first group as control was located in municipal dechlorinated water and the next four groups respectively were kept in salinity 4ppt, 8ppt, 12 ppt and 16ppt in the same condition. On days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 the second gill arch with maximum thickness of 0.5 cm from the left were prepared and placed in Bouin’s solution. Then the standard method of paraffin sections was done and tissue sections, 5-6 micrometer thick were prepared and stained with H& E methods.RESULT: Results showed the gradual transfer of fish to water with high salinity caused obvious changes in the number and distribution of chloride cells on different days. In particular, the changes in the size of these cells in two positions, filament and Lamella were evident.CONCLUSIONS: Due to the decrease of freshwater resources, from this research it can be concluded that theBarbus sharpeyi can resist the salinity without tissue changing. These findings suggest thatBarbus sharpeyi is compatible with salinity and the concentration of 4ppt was optimum and concentrations of 8ppt and 12 ppt were tolerable.

BACKGROUND: Herbal immunostimulants have numerous potential benefits in comparison to vaccines and drugs like antibiotics in aquaculture.OBJECTIVES: In this study, effects of administration ofEchinacea purpurea in oral and intra peritoneal routs on some hematological and immunological parameters of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were investigated.METHODS: A total of 240 healthy juvenile grass carp were randomly divided into four equal groups in triplicates. Group 1 received 400 mg/kg b.w. Echinacea in intra peritoneal injection. Group 2 received 0.5% Echinacea in their daily food. Group 3 and 4 were considered as injection control and oral control, respectively. Fish were bled on day 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 of study. Sera samples were assayed for immunological parameters: lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, complement activity and NBT reduction assay. Blood samples were also used for hematological parameters: (PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC and Leukocyte differentiated count).RESULTS: Results showed that serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity as well as complement and NBT reduction activity were significantly higher in i.p. treatment than the control group (p<0.05), while in oral treatment bactericidal and NBT reduction activity increased significantly on days 30 and 40 (p<0.05). Hematological assay shows no significant differences in PCV, Hb and RBC values at each sampling period in oral and injection compared to controls (p>0.05) but WBC count and rate of heterophils showed an increase in injection treatment group compared with the control (p<0.05). Mortality rate after challenged withA. hydrophila decreased in Echinacea treated treatments.CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that administration of E. purpereastimulates some nonspecific immune responses in grass carp and therefore it can be recommended as an herbal immunostimulant in fish.

BACKGROUND: Annexins (including annexin A1 and annexin A2) are important proteins which have some roles in organisms such as intracellular signal conduction, membrane cellular skeletal connection, cellular proliferation and differentiation, especially inhibitory function in inflammation processing. Pasteurella multocida is the most common bacterial pathogen and has high prevalence in pneumonia.OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to determine experimentally annexin A1 and annexin A2 in the serum of calves affected byPasteurella multocida pneumonia. METHODS: In this research, 10 male calves (2 - 4 months) were allocated to two equal groups, one group as the case: 300 ml in dilution 2×109 CFU Pasteurella multocida bacteria and the other as control group: 300 ml normal saline inoculated by special lavage catheter through oral to trachea. Clinical scores were recorded based on available tables. In treatment group, about 18 to 24 hours after inoculation and synchronous with observation clinical signs changes, bronchoalveolar lavage for cytology and bacteriology examination were done offluids results from washing. Blood sampling was taken from calves jugular vein in both groups then blood serums were examined by using ELISA kits.RESULTS: The rates of annexin A1 and annexin A2 in blood serum of treatment group showed significant increase (using independent t test) compared to control group (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: It seems these annexins (annexin A1 and annexin A2) can be used as important biomarkers in blood serum to diagnose inflammation processes such as pneumonia.