Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2016 | Volume:71 | Issue:4|Papers Count:19

BACKGROUND: Strangles is caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. The bacteria typically infect the upper respiratory system and lymph nodes of the head and neck in equidae.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of strangles and association of this infection with host age and geographical determinants in horses in Khuzestan province.METHODS: Serum samples from 184 horses were randomly collected in Ahvaz, Shoushtar, Baghmalek, Shoush, Abadan, Ramhormoz and Dezfool cities and were examined by ELISA assay. Also, 85 swab samples were randomly taken from nasal swab of horse and evaluated forStreptococcus equi subspecies equi by bacterial culture. RESULTS: Seroprevalence rate of strangle was 37.5% (95% CI: 30.5-44.5%). Logistic regression showed that the odds of infection between the age based on year and disease was 1.1 (95% CI: 1.04-1.17) (p<0.001), and with increase of 1 year-old, odds of infection increase 10%.Relative frequency of infection in male and female horses was 32.73 and 39.53%, respectively (p>0.05) and odds of infection in female compared with male horses was 1.34 (95% CI: 0.69-2.61). Prevalence rate in horses with and without history of respiratory disease was 94.1% and 31.74%, respectively (p<0.001). The odds of infection in horses with history of respiratory disease compared with healthy horses was 34.42 (95%CI: 4.45-266.37).Prevalence rate in Ahvaz, Shoushtar, Baghmalek, Shoush, Abadan, Ramhormoz and Dezfool was 33.3%, 34.62%, 5.26%, 69.23%, 13.04, 22.22% and 75%, respectively (p<0.001).Geographical location explained 29.6% of infection’s fluctuations. No isolate ofStreptococcus equisubsp. equi was obtained in culture of nasal swab samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study determined that seroprevalence of strangles should be deleted in khuzestan province is high and Prevention and control measurements should be considered by health authorities.

BACKGROUND: Hydatidosis is one of the zoonotic diseases which affect animals and human beings at the larval stage of Echinococcusgranulosus, thereby playing a role in exacerbating the economic and health problems in Iran.OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the strains ofEchinococcusgranulosus isolated from cattle hydatid cysts, in Khorramabad, in the Lorestan Province, in the west of Iran.METHODS: Twenty-six isolates of hydatid cyst of cattle from lung (24 samples) and liver (2 sample) organs were collected from Golshan Slaughterhouse, in Khorramabad. All of the samples were transferred to the laboratory for morphometric characterization and molecular study.In morphological characterization, blade length of large (LBL) and small (SBL) hooks and the ratio of blade length to total length in large (LBL/LTL) and small (SBL/STL) hooks and total length of large (LTL) and small (STL) hooks were measured. In molecular study, a partial sequence of cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) with 440 bp in length was amplified applying primers J3 and J4.5. Genomic DNA sequencing was performed by Sanger’s method.RESULTS: The morphological results showed that there is no significant difference between isolated from cattle hydatid cyst and sensu stricto strain (p<0.05). The results of molecular studies support the findings of morphological characterization. All sequences showed 100% identity with sensu stricto strain.CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study showed that sensu stricto strain (G1) is a causative agent of cattle hydatid cyst in Khorramabad. On the other hand, the cattle play a role in enabling the parasite to complete its cycle. Hence in order to execute a control program for minimizing the effects of this disease, the cattle should be considered as a source of infection for dogs. The results of this study could be helpful in designing such control program in the region.

BACKGROUND: Recent investigations have identified anthelminitic effects of many medicinal plants particularly from condensed tannin sources. In addition, gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants have a negative effect on the farming industry worldwide.OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the potential anthelmintic effects ofQuercus robur extract on alimentary canal nematodes in naturally infected sheep by faecal egg count reduction test (EPGRT).METHODS: The crude aqueous extract was prepared from Quercus robur as tannin extract. The nature and intensity of helminth infection was determined by coprological examination. The faecal samples of 600 sheep were collected from different regions of Kurdistan province. The samples were examined by flotation method (Clyton-Lane technique). Fifteen sheep with the most count in egg per gram (include Marshallagia, Nematodirus and Trichostrongylids) were divided into three groups of five animals: First group (test group) were drenched with Quercus robur extract at 3.75g/kg, second group (positive control group) received Albendazole 2.5%, orally at 5mg/kg and third group (negative control) without treatment.RESULTS: The results of faecal examination 3 days after administration indicated significant reduction of EPG in both group’s treatment and positive control groups, 90.76% and 90.83% respectively, whereas there was no effect in the third group. Results were evaluated by Chi-square analysis and showed significant differences between treatment and negative control groups (p£0.05).Nosignificant differences were observed between treatment group and positive control group (p≥0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Results reveal that aquatic extract of Quercus robur has anthelminitic activity and further large scale studies are suggested to confirm pharmacologic effects of this herbal extract.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Chemotherapy works on active cells. Active cells are cells that are growing and dividing into more of the same type of cell. Cancer cells are active, but so are some healthy cells. Also, scientists work constantly to develop ways of providing treatment with fewer chemotherapy side effects.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was antitumor effect of simultaneous low-intensity, 150 kHz ultrasound, in combination with the reduced dose of anticancer drug Doxorubicin (DOX) on breast adenocarcinoma using murine model (BALB/c).METHODS: Twenty five female BALB/c mice were used in this study. The tumor was implanted under the breast skin of mice. Mice were divided into five groups, namely control, sham, drug (IV injected of 2 mg/kg of DOX), drug (IV injected of 1 mg/kg of DOX) +US (150 kHz for 15 minutes) and exposure to ultrasound (150 kHz for 15 minutes) alone. The data were analyzed employing ANOVA using SPSS software V.13 and complementary test of Tooki was done.RESULTS: It was shown that, after injection of DOX, exposure to ultrasound at 150 kHz the necrotic spaces in adenocarcinoma tumors compared to control and sham groups have meaningful variance (p<0.001). There was also a significant difference (the bigger the necrotic spaces) between the drug+US group and drug treated group (p<0.05), It should be mentioned that the dose of DOX in drug+US group was reduced to 1mg/kg.CONCLUSIONS: The co-administration of DOX and low-intensity ultrasound provided a more effective treatment than the drug alone in murine adenocarcinoma breast cancer. The combined treatment appeared to produce synergistic effects that could prove potentially useful in reducing the side effects of DOX by lowering the required effective dose of the drug while increasing the efficiency of the therapy as a whole.

BACKGROUND: To reduce adverse environmental effects resulting from repeated use of chemical contaminants, herbal extracts are a natural suitable alternative in aquaculture.OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the effects of Biarum carduchorum and Quercus InfectoriaGall extracts on percentage of hatching and survival rate in the early growth stage of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae compared with malachite green (MG).METHODS: To assess the percentage of hatching and survival rate in the early growth stage, B. carduchorum was used at 400 mg/l for 30 minutes per day, Q. Infectoria Gall at 40 mg/l for 30 minutes per day and MG as the positive control at 2 mg/l for 20 minutes per day. Normal control without any treatment was also included. Each treatment trial was provided in three replicates.Results: The obtained results showed that the mortality level in normal control was significantly higher than other groups in the hatching stage (p<0.05). Also, the mortality rate in eggs treated withB. carduchorum was significantly lower than both MG and Q. Infectoria Gall groups (p<0.05). The mortality rate in eggs treated withQ. Infectoria Gall was significantly higher than MG group (p<0.05). In addition, the mortality rate of the produced larvae was significantly higher in bothQ. Infectoria Gall group and normal control groups than the other two groups (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that use ofB. carduchorum at 400 mg/L is able to significantly improve the survival rate of rainbow trout eggs and larvae during incubation period. It can be comparable to MG.

BACKGROUND: Study on the effects of some additives to reduce the negative effects of physiological stress in poultry.OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the dietary synbiotic Biomin-IMBO and electrolytes-multivitamin solution in drinking water on performance of Japanese quail under physiological stress.METHODS: A total of 240 one-day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 4 replicates and 15 birds each. Experimental diets were 1-diets based on corn and soybean meal (negative control), 2- basal diets+dexamethasone (positive control), 3- positive control+1gr/kg diet Biomin-IMBO®, 4- positive control+2 ml/li water electrolyte-multi vitamin.RESULTS: Physiological stress significantly reduced feed intake and live body weights of quails (p<0.05). Feed consumption of stressed bird increased by adding electrolytes-multivitamin to drinking water (p<0.05). Dietary Biomin-IMBO supplementation decreased significantly heterophil: lymphosyte ratio in blood of stressed birds (p<0.05). The concentration of glucose in serum of positive control and water electrolyte-multivitamin group were lower than birds in negative control at stress period (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Dietary Biomin-IMBO supplementation could reduce negative effect of physiological stress in Japanese quails.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that high intake and level of omega-3 have a positive impact on insulin sensitivity in the tissues.OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of omega-3 fat supplementation on glucose metabolism and insulin in Mahabadi kid.METHODS: Twenty-eight Mahabad goat kids (3 to 4 months, with an average initial weight of 17 ± 5 kg) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 2 types of feeding frequency (twice or 4 times in a day) combined with 2 types of fat (saturated fat andfish oil in 2% of DM) to investigate the effect of omega-3 fat supplementation and feeding time frequency on glucose and insulin metabolism. Goats were fed individually for 90 days. On day 70 an intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed after 20 hours of food deprivation. Blood samples were collected at -15, -10, -5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120 and 180 min after glucose injection.Data were analyzed using the SAS GLM procedure.RESULTS: The IVGTT indicated that Omega-3 supplementation had a significant effect (p<0.05) on glucose clearance rate (CR). On the other hand, with increasing feeding frequency, kids had higher glucose clearance rate (K) and lower glucose half-life.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that dietary supplementation with omega-3 fat and increased feeding frequency of diet improved glucose and insulin metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection is one of the most important diseases in healthcare facilities and community. Ribotypes 027 and 078 are known as hyper-virulent strain of C. difficile in molecular study. PCR-ribotyping is a suitable method to interpret the relation of C. difficile isolated from food and hospital. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the clostridim difficile binary toxin (cdtB) and ribotype pattern evaluated in toxigenicC. difficle isolated from beef. METHODS: Detection of cdtB in 12 toxigenic C.difficile(encoding tcdA and tcdB gene) isolated from 100 beef samples was determined through PCR. Afterwards, PCR-ribotyping was performed to examine the ribotype patterns of C. difficile. RESULTS: cdtB gene was not detected in any positive isolate. Ten different patterns were observed in 12 toxigenic isolates. No similarity existed in the ribotypes of our study with ribotypes 027 and 078.CONCLUSIONS: Albeit ribotyp 027 and 078 were not found in our study, the isolation of toxigenicC. difficile with new ribotypes in Iran may indicate the probable hazard of this bacterium in public health. Comprehensive research aboutC. difficile in different food sources is recommended on a national level.

BACKGROUND: Food infections caused by Campylobacter are one of the gastrointestinal inflammations in humans is health and economic losses in the community is important.OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter contamination in chicken skin samples of Urmia, using bacterial culture and polymerase chain reactions.METHODS: 80 samples of chicken skin from the Protein Gostare Sina slaughter house located in the city of Urmia in equal numbers in the winter and spring seasons were collected.The survival of Campylobacter after 24 hours in refrigerated conditions was studied in samples. Positive samples were used for DNA extraction and PCR. To investigate the phylogenetic isolates, positive samples PCR were sequenced.RESULTS: 58.75% of chicken skin using bacterial cultures, Campylobacter were positive. The Results study the survivalCampylobacter in cold conditions after 24 hours, showed that no significant decrease in the survivalCampylobacter as well as contamination levels were significantly higher in spring than in winter, which may be due to the high temperature of environment that created the favorable conditions for Campylobacter.CONCLUSIONS: Chicken skin is the reservoir of Campylobacter. This issue of public health care and control at all stages of production and supply of poultry products, also the transfer of it to other parts of poultry carcasses should be considered.

BACKGROUND: The term ‘‘marinated fish’’ is used to define semi-preserved fish made by immersion in a solution of organic acids or vinegar and salt.OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to compare nutritional value (Lipid, Protein, Moisture, Ash, pH), chemical (TVB-N, PV, TBA, FFA) and sensory attributes, microbial communities (TC, Mold) and fatty acids profile of cooked and fried marinades and 30 days storage at 4°C.METHODS: The marinades were produced using formulas from Silver carp fresh fillets. Then the products were stored at 4°C and sampling was done to determine of quality indexes during storage, every 10 days.RESULTS: The results showed that there were no differences in moisture, protein and lipid contents between two products (p>0.05). Also, there were no differences with regard to PV, TBA and FFA between two marinades (p>0.05), but TVB-N in cooked and fried products (with 16.46 and 18.91 mg/100g) showed significant changes (p<0.05). In addition, total bacteria count was 4.19 and 4.89 and total mold-yeast was 2.47 and 2.60 Logcfu/g at day 30 in cooked and fried marinades, respectively (p<0.05).As sensory aspect, appearance, color, texture and odour attributes showed better points in fried marinade, cooked product had more acceptable taste (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in overall acceptance. Omega-3, omega-6 and EPA+DHA fatty acids had higher amounts in fried marinade (p<0.05). Cooking reduced the UFA amount, but conversely, frying increased it.CONCLUSIONS: Quality of both marinades was acceptable during 30 days storage refrigerator, but fried marinade showed a preferred quality as sensory attribute.

BACKGROUND: Comparison between Infectious Bursal Disease vaccines. OBJECTIVES: Comparison between foreign and Iranian intermediate uncloned Gumboro vaccines on feed conversion ratio.METHODS: Three hundred and thirty day-old chicks were purchased and for determination of vaccination time by Deventer formula, thirty chicks were randomly bled and the remaining chicks divided into 3 equal groups, each group was divided into 4 equal subgroups with the same mean weight. On the basis of Elisa results and vaccine instructions, chicks of group 1 and 2 were vaccinated by uncloned intermediate Gumboro vaccine manufactured by Lohman Company, Germany and Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Iran subsequently at 16 and 23 days by drinking water.One group was kept as unvaccinated control group. Mean feed intake, weight gains, feed conversion ratio and B: B ratio of 3 groups were determined at 16, 23 and 42 days. At the end of experiment B: B ratio was measured in 3 groups.RESULTS: This study showed that foreign and Iranian intermediate uncloned Gumboro vaccines had negative effect on mean weight gains and both vaccines atrophied bursa of Fabricius, but had no effect on mean feed intake and feed conversion ratio.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that foreign and Iranian intermediate uncloned Gumboro vaccines had no effect on feed conversion ratio.

BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb) induced oxidative stress is known to suppress growth performance in broiler chickens. The current study was carried out in an attempt to describe the specific underlying mechanisms of such phenomenon.OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Pb-induced oxidative stress on performance, antioxidant status and behavioral responses of broiler chicken.METHODS: Eighty day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatment groups of 4 pen replicates, namely i) basal diet containing no lead supplement (control) and ii) basal diet containing 200 mg Pb/kg of diet.RESULTS: The results showed that addition of lead decreased body weight gain (p<0.01) and feed conversion ratio (p<0.01). Also, consumption of contaminated diet significantly increased MDA and H/L Ratio and significantly decreased SOD and GPx activity (p<0.01). Moreover, addition of 200 mg/kg diet significantly increased sitting pasture and aggression behavior and decreased feeding behavior (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: Our data conclude that Pb-induced oxidative stress adversely suppressed feed conversion ratio and growth performance. The proposed underlying mechanism for such phenomenon is Pb-induced oxidative stress by impaired antioxidant status and feeding behavior decreased the growth performance.

BACKGROUND: Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is an economically important poultry disease. The emergence of new infectious bronchitis virus genotypes has complicated IB control programs.OBJECTIVES: This is the first comprehensive molecular analysis of the Nucleocapsid (N) gene of Iranian IBVs.METHODS: The nucleocapsid gene of ten IBV isolates (which belonges to four different genotypes) was amplified using specific primers.The phylogenetic trees were constructed based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences of“N” gene.RESULTS: IBV genotyping based on “N” gene showed similar IBV classification which was obtained from spike gene analysis and ten isolates belonged to Massachusetts, QX, 793/B and Variant-2 genotypes. Different strains had 89.97- 99.75% homology in their amino acid sequences. The highest nucleotide sequence similarity was observed between IBKG-1 and IBKG-8 (793/B type IBVs), while the lowest was seen between IBKG-5 and IBKG-9 (QX- type and Variant-2 type) IBV isolates. This low similarity is of an interest because the N protein is highly conserved among different IBV strains.“N” Protein structural analysis revealed that the isolates has 8to 10 alpha helices and 6 to 8 beta sheets.CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided basic information to develop recombinant nucleocapsid proteins that are applicable in rapid diagnostic tests and ELISA and recombinant vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Based on the information no research has been done on the identification and isolation of anaerobic fungi in the Baloochi sheep’s rumen in the dry climate up to now.OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was the separation and study of the appearance morphology of anaerobic fungi in the Baloochi sheep’s rumen in Sistan region.METHODS: The semi-defined medium environment was used in this research for cultivation, separation and purification of anaerobic fungi. Sampling from the solid and liquid contents of 50 Baloochi sheep was done randomly in Zabol slaughterhouse and these samples were used as the source of fungus to inoculation to culture. The roll bottle method was used for purification of rumen fungi. The antibiotic solutions (ampicillin, penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol) were used for inhibiting growth of bacteria. Samples of pure fungi were transferred to culture and were observed after growth in glass slide with light microscope. The separated fungi were all monocentric and had rhizoid.RESULTS: With regard to morphologic characteristics the genera of Neocallimastixand Piromyces and species of Piromyces communis, Piromyces minutus, Piromyces rhizinflata, Caecomyces communis was isolated in rumen of Baloochi sheep.CONCLUSIONS: With identification of these fungi species in rumen of Baloochi sheep, it is recommended to perform molecular test and enzyme extraction for further survey of characteristics in future research.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous chickens could serve as precious genetic resources that should be considered in conservation and breeding programs. The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) has a strong association to disease resistance/susceptibility, production and reproduction traits in chicken. Therefore, identifying its polymorphism in populations under selective breeding could be used for selection of disease resistant and higher productive breeds. MHC association with quantitative traits could be a result of its linkage with causative genes controlling these traits. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a candidate marker for phenotypic traits in chicken which are associated with important production and reproduction features.OBJECTIVES: Based on this hypothesis, MHC polymorphism and its association to IGF1 gene (as a marker for production traits) were investigated in Khorasan indigenous chicken.METHODS: In total, 313 DNA samples that belonged to the Khorasan indigenous chicken were analyzed. LEI0258 microsatellite marker and fragment analysis method was used for MHC genotyping. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the IGF1 5’-UTR was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PstI restriction endonuclease enzyme. Linkage disequilibrium between MHC and IGF1 loci were also determined using SAS/Genetics software and likelihood ratio test.RESULTS: Collectively, 25 different alleles (185-493 bp) and 76 genotypes of LEI0258 microsatellite were identified in Khorasan population. Two alleles, A (PstI -) and B (PstI+) and three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were identified for IGF1 gene. Significant linkage disequilibrium (p=0.0083) was observed between LEI0258 and IGF1 loci in this population.CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a high MHC genetic diversity in Khorasan indigenous chicken as a valuable genetic resource. Results from MHC/IGF1 linkage study confirm the hypothesis that MHC association with production traits could be as a result of MHC linkage with causative genes controlling the traits.