Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2012 | Volume:69 | Issue:4|Papers Count:14

Despite the widespread use of vaccines against feline herpes virus type1 (FHV_1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), clinical signs are still seen in cat population. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of FHV-1 and FCV in non-vaccinated clinically healthy cats and cats with URTD.METHODS: Or pharyngeal and conjunctival swabs were taken from 16 cats with clinical signs of URTD and 26 clinically healthy cats. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to diagnose FCV and FHV-1 infections.RESULTS: In cats with URTD, the prevalence rate of FCV (100%) was higher than FHV-1(43%) but in clinically normal cats the prevalence rate of both viruses was about 50%. Clinical signs in cats with FCV was more various than FHV. Also, the prevalence of both viruses co-infection was 30% and half of them showed clinical disease. The results indicated higher rate of both viruses infection especially FCV in domestic cats in Tehran in comparison with other regions. Stomatitis was seen in 50% of cats with URTD. In 50% of cats with corneal ulcers, contrary to our expectations, FCV was detected not FHV-1.CONCLUSIONS:It seems that new variants of calicivirus are more virulent and are able to damage other tissues like cornea and conjunctiva. FCV tends to produce more clinical signs than FHV. Also, infection with new variants of FCV and FHV-1 in healthy cats and cats with URTD is much higher than other regions of the world. Therefore, a revision of vaccines and vaccination program, especially for FCV has become a matter of necessity just like other countries.

BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria immitis is a nematode that is highly prevalent in dogs and it can cause dirofilariosis. The disease is transmissible to human, so it is important in terms of public health. OBJECTIVES:The aim of the present study was to diagnose Dirofilaria immitis infection in the dog population of urban and rural areas of Ahvaz by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and compared with knott test.METHODS: In the present study, serum of 200 dogs (80 urban and 120 rural), were evaluated for detection of Dirofilaria immitis infection, in Ahvaz area, Southwestern Iran. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis and modified knott's test were conducted on all blood samples to trace the antibody and microfilariae.RESULTS: Using counterimmunoelectrophoresis test, 9.5 percent of dogs (19 cases) were infected, but in modified Knott test, positive cases were detected 8 percent (16 cases). Counterimmunoelectrophoresis test showed three more positive cases (one urban and two rural dogs) compared with the modified Knott test, which probably was due to occult infection. However, the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Based on the results of counterimmunoelectrophoresis test, 6.25 percent of male and zero percent of female dogs in urban areas and 13 percent of male and 7.6 percent of female dogs in rural areas were infected respectively. The highest prevalence of infection in 6 year-or-more age groups was 23.3 and 14.29 percent in urban and rural dogs respectively. Statistical analysis did not show any significant relationship between infection and factors such as age and sex of the studied dogs (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is proposed that for more accurate diagnosis of dirofilariosis, counterimmunoelectrophoresis test and the modified knott's test be used simultaneously.

BACKGROUND: Fungi are present as normal flora in the surface of the eye of healthy animals but under certain conditions may cause disease.OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the fungal isolates from the conjunctival sac of clinically normal goats and determine the effect of host age and sex on the isolates.METHODS:Atotal of 140 swabs were taken from the inferior conjunctival sac of 70 healthy goats. The selected animals were of both male and female and divided into two age groups. The samples were inoculated in sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and incubated at 25°C for 21 days. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test.RESULTS: In total, 6 different fungal genera were identified in 26 (37.14%) goats and 36 (25.7%) eyes. The isolates included Penicillium spp.- 14 eyes (38.88%), Scopulariopsis spp.-11 eyes (30.55), Aspergillus fumigates - 4 eyes (11.11%), Fusariumspp. -3 eyes (8.33%), Mucorspp. -3 eyes (8.33%) and Alternariasp. -1 eye (2.77%). The sex of goat had significant effect on frequency of fungal isolation (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: The fungal species isolated in this report are comparable with studies on ruminants. The present study is the first report of fungal flora of normal caprine conjunctiva.

BACKGROUND: Spleen is an organ that plays a major role in body's immune system and can affect some medicines on it.OBJECTVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the chronic effect of Methylphenidate on plasma cells and the morphometric and histomorphometric changes in spleen.METHODS: In this study, a total of 18 adult male mice were divided into one control and two experimental groups. The experimental groups received Methylphenidate 2 and 10 mg/kg body weight, daily by gavage for 40 days. After the treatment, the number of plasma cells, morphometric and histomorphometric changes in spleen and also the weights of mice were studied.RESULTS: The results showed that there is a significant statistical difference between the control and experimental groups in the number of plasma cells, morphometric and histomorphometric structures of spleen and also in the body weight (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The results of this study indicate the harmful effect of Methylphenidate on spleen - an organ that has a major role in body's immune system.

BACKGROUND: Any developmental disorder in enteric nervous system (ENS) may lead to congenital motility diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the structural differentiation and functional activity of the ENS in the Chick embryo. METHODS:Ten Chick embryos were sacrificed at embryonic day 19 and then, their jejunum and colon specimens were collected. The isolated rings of the intestine were prepared and their motor activity was tested in an organ bath system. The contraction of the tissues was recorded in basic condition and following the stimulation by cholinergic and adrenergic agonists as well as the stimulation of the non-adrenergic-non-cholinergic system by electrical field stimulation (EFS). The structure of the intestinal specimen was assessed immuno- ¹histochemically (IHC) using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) biomarker.RESULTS: Spontaneous rhythmic contractions were seen in both jejunum and colon specimens. Cholinergic stimulations significantly increased the amplitude of contractions in jejunum (p<0.01) and colon (p<0.001) tissues. However, adrenergic stimulation decreased significantly the amplitude of contractions in isolated tissues prepared from the jejunum (p<0.05) and colon (p<0.001). The EFS-induced decreases significantly the tension of isolated tissues pre-contracted with potassium chloride in both jejunum (p<0.001) and colon (p<0.001). The results of IHC were showed a positive immunoreactivity of enteric nervous ganglia with GFAPbiomarker.CONCLUSIONS:It seems that the ENS in chick intestine is fully differentiated before birth and it can control the intestinal motility patterns in birds.

BACKGROUND: Ketoconazole is a widely used antifungal medication. Studies showed that this medication has an inhibitory effect on production of steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids and sex hormones.OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of chronic administration of Ketoconazol on spermatogenesis indexes of testicular tissue in male mice.METHODS: 50 male mice (NMRI) weighing between 25-30 g, maintained and fed under the same conditions were divided into 5 groups of 10. The mice received 50 mg/kg of Ketoconazol orally daily for 15 days in 1, 2 and 3 months. There were one control group (normal saline) and four consuming groups. After the specified time, a testicular biopsy was performed and the sections were stained by H&E. Then, they were studied in terms of spermatogenesis indexes (tubular differentiation index (TDI), spermiogenesis index (SI), and repopulation index (RI)).RESULTS: The results showed that RI and SI on day 15 and RI, SI and TDI in the first, second and third month decreased significantly (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Chronic administration of Ketoconazol leaded to reduction of spermatogenesis indexes of testicular tissue in male mice. The reduction in RI, SI and TDI was probably due to low serum testosterone. The effect of ketoconazol on spermatogenesis index and unfertilization in human being needed further studies.

BACKGROUND: IL-8, a proinflammatory cytokine, is a small protein that attracts and activates neutrophils in the early stages of host defense against bacterial invasion. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of IL-8 gene can influence this gene transcription process and consequently its role and function.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify and analyze SNPs in the promoter region of IL-8 gene in Iranian native and Holstein cattle breeds (Bos Taurus).METHODS:Apart of promoter region of IL-8 gene was screened by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method and DNA sequencing. The multiple alignments were carried out for the nucleotide sequences of different SSCP patterns. In silico analysis was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promoter region of bovine IL-8 gene was screened, to identify any association with transcription factor binding.RESULTS:Atotal of 4 distinct SSCP patterns were observed which by determining the nucleotide sequence, 2 SNPs were found at positions -126 and -180. The SNP at position -126 was found only in the native breed. The in silico analysis on location of transcription factors showed that SNPs identified at -126 and -180 created putative binding sites for Ik-2 and Oct-1 transcription factors, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The possible functional role of identified SNPs in this gene activity should be proved using gene expression analysis. Further studies required to evaluate the identified SNPs for disease resistant traits in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Growth of population and food supply is one of the biggest problems in the world and aquaculture plays an important role in food production and supply for human beings.OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of commercial probiotic (Bactocell) and prebiotic (Manan) on the growth and immune parameters in rainbow trout.METHODS: Seven hundred and twenty fish were randomly divided into 6 groups with three replicates. The fish in the first group (control) were fed with commercial pelleted diet. The other five groups were fed with 100 mg of probiotic, 2.5 g (grams) of prebiotic, 5 g of prebiotic, 100 mg of probiotic and 2.5 g of prebiotic, and 100 mg of probiotic and 5 g of prebiotic per kilogram of food for 45 days, respectively. Then, all treatment groups were fed with usual food (without probiotic and prebiotic) for 15 days. Growth parameters were evaluated on days 0 and 60. Blood samples were collected for immunological experiments (level of Lysozyme, total antibody levels of serum, and activity of the complement system) on days 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60.RESULTS: All treatments fed with probiotic and peribiotic showed significant improvements (p<0.05) compared to the control group in terms of growth parameters including weight gain, special growth rate, and food conversion rate. The results of immunology also showed that fish fed with a combination of probiotic and peribiotic had a significant difference with other treatments and the control group (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The use of Bactocell and Manan improved the growth and immune response of rainbow trout.

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk contains two families of fatty acids; omega-6 and omega-3, which are crucial in human health. It has been shown that the ratio between these two families is connected to the higher risk of chronic diseases. Therefore the ratio between them is more important than their quantity (The most desirable ratio is 1:1).OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to quantify fatty acids profile and determine the ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid families in cow's milk produced fewer than two different systems (rural and conventional).METHODS: Twenty cow's milk samples (10 rural and 10 conventional) from the dairy farms in Khorramabad city-Iran were collected. Fatty acids profiles were determined using gas chromatography. RESULTS: Conventional milk had higher omega-6 (2.12±0.4% vs 1.65±0.2%) and lower omega-3 (0.16±0.03% vs. 0.21±0.04%) in comparison with the rural milk. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in rural milk was lower (8 to 1) than that in conventional milk (13 to 1) (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that milk produced in rural system has a better ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 therefore is healthier for human nutrition. It is also worth to mention that the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in cow's milk produced in both systems is far from the acceptable ratio in human nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Stocking density induced stress that affects energy intake, growth rate, enzymatic activity and oxygen consumption in fish. OBJECTIVES: In this study the development of antioxidant enzyme Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in egg and larvae of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that kept in different stocking density was investigated. METHODS:Four groups of eggs, cultured in pans (size16×9.5×10 cm, volume 10 L) with density of 400egg/l (group1 as routine density), 200egg/l (group2 as low density) and 600egg/l (group3 as high density) in triplicate. Eggs were held in tanks supplied with flow-through freshwater at 10.8oC. samples were taken at day1 (fertilization), 3 (Cleavage), 8(organogenesis), 16 (eyed egg), 31 (hatch) and 48 (active feeding). RESULTS:Asignificant increase in GPX and SOD activity was seen from fertilization till eggs were eyed. (p<0.001).The activity of these enzymes decreased to active feeding (p<0.001), meanwhile this activity was higher than the fertilization starts. Similar changes were seen in SOD and GPX activities in higher and lower densities (Group 2, 3). CAT activity increased from fertilization to organogenesis and then toward active feeding significantly decreased in compare to fertilization (p<0.001). Pattern of changes of catalase activity in high density group was similar to routine density but in low density group it was higher until eggs were eyed. GPX, SOD and CATactivities did not show significant difference in similar days among different groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that rearing densities used in this study could not affect antioxidant defense development in early life stages of O. mykiss.  

BACKGROUND:Use of herbs in aquaculture has become more common and rainbow trout is one of the fish that is widely cultured in most countries.OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to find the effect of Basil aqueous extract on growth, hematological and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout.METHODS: The experimental treatments were formed by five different diets including: diet without Basil aqueous extract (control), diet with 30, 60, 120, 240 ppm Basil aqueous extract per food. Rainbow trout with an average weight of 12±2.6 g were fed with these diets for 48 days and at the end of experiment, growth parameters (FCR, SGR) and blood parameters were measured.RESULTS: Evaluation of FCR and SGR showed that there is no significant difference between the control and treatment group (30, 60, 120 and 240 ppm). The result of hematological parameters were showed that basil aqueous extract increased RBC (1.24±0.04×106 mm3) in the 120 ppm group, and also increased WBC (22.7±3.4×103 mm3), Hemoglobin (6.3±0.6 g/dL) and the mean cell hemoglobin (57.1±3.8 pg), in the 240 ppm group. The results of biochemical parameters were showed that Basil aqueous extract decreased Cholesterol (163.7±20.15 mg/dL) and triglyceride (166.5±16.2 mg/dL) in the 30 ppm group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in Glucose in the treatment group compare to the control.CONCLUSIONS: Seems that adding Basil aqueous extract to rainbow trout diet may improve the positive physiological characteristics.  

BACKGROUND:Use of |w|-3 fatty acids-rich food in enrichment of poultry meat has always been of interest to researchers. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary fish oil (Clupeonella cultiventris, Caspian Sea originated) and its combination with soybean oil on the broiler chickens' meat enrichment with w-3 PUFAs.METHODS: Two hundred and forty one-day-old mixed-sex chicks (Ross 308) were fed during 11-42 days of age by the following experimental diets: 1) a diet contaisning 7% soybean oil, 2) a diet containing 7% fish oil and 3) a diet containing 3.5% fish oil plus 3.5% soybean oil.RESULTS: The diet containing 7% fish oil adversely affected chickens daily weight gain (34.5 g) and feed conversion ratio (18.1) and also reduced the percent of carcass (54.5) and breast (18.1). The diets containing fish oil increased the total EPAand DHA(mg/100 g meat) concentrations in breast (230 to 254) and tight (266 to 361) tissues. The 7% dietary fish oil decreased serum triglyceride concentration (37.1 mg/dL), but the mixture of fish oil and soybean oil was resulted in a favorite serum HDL increase (65.0 mg/dL).CONCLUSIONS: In this research, the thigh tissue of all the chicks fed with fish oil, contained more than 300 mg w-3 PUFA/100 g meat which based on international standards could be categorized as enriched product. On the other hand, more fat deposition in meat of chicks fed with diet containing 7% fish oil compared to the birds fed with diet containing 3.5% fish oil + 3.5% soybean oil suggests that the intra-meat fat content is an important factor in interpretation of the results of chicken meat enrichment.