Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2016 | Volume:71 | Issue:2|Papers Count:18

BACKGROUND: Regulation of electrolytes levels and water in fish is very important because of its vast permeable surfaces that are in contact with the environment. Therefore, for homeostasis and osmoregulation, various adaptation mechanisms at different biological levels have been developed.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the changes and adaptations of mitochondria-rich cells as an important cellular response to these changes. This was influenced by different environmental salinities in fish Sparidentex hasta which are very important economic species in the southern region of the country.METHODS: 180 fish, aged three months, 20-25 cm in length and weighing about 150 gr were exposed directly to different concentrations of salt (5, 20, 40 and 60 ppt) for 1 week. Localization of the Na+, K+-ATPase in mitochondria-rich cells in gill epithelial were studied in different environmental salinities during the adaptation period. was performed by using IgGa5 as immunohistochemistry method.RESULTS: NKA localization showed that the mitochondria-rich cells are in the filament and rarely in lamellar epithelium. Intensity reactive of the antibody used during the period showed an increase in 5 and 60 ppt and decrease in 40 ppt.CONCLUSIONS: Generally, tolerance and compatibility of Sparidentex hasta to salinity changes are due to rapid changes in mitochondria-rich cells to regulate the entry and exit of water and electrolytes. So to adapt with the new condition of environment some changes in the apical openings appear that regulate the amount of the carrier electrolyte enzymes in basolateral membrane. It also causes adaption of mitochondria activity to the new condition.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress is very important in poultry production.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of oral melatonin supplementation and increasing of dark period on biochemical profile of broiler chickens under Heat Stress (HS).METHODS: A total of 200 day-old broiler (Arian) chicks were randomly allocated in to 4 groups (dark, melatonin, negative and positive controls). Melatonin group received 40 mg melatonin/kg diet from 30-40 days of age and chickens of dark group were exposed to a special lighting schedule from 10-40 days of age. All groups (except negative control) were daily exposed to HS (39±1 c) for 6 hours per day from 35-40 days of age. At the end of 6 weeks, body weight was measured. At 30, 35, and 40 days, serum uric acid, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, activity of AST and creatinine were measured. Data was analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test in SPSS software.RESULTS: In 30 days, there was no significant difference between groups. In the day 35, only serum uric acid of melatonin group was significantly increased in comparison with negative control. Also, serum uric acid of melatonin group increased significantly in 40 days in comparison with other groups, as melatonin plays an important role in the antioxidant defense system and uric acid is an important antioxidant in chickens. Serum glucose of positive control compared to other groups significantly increased in 40 days. Other biochemical parameters were not significant. In this study, the mean body weight of dark group was significantly decreased. The percentage of mortality rate in negative control, dark, melatonin and positive control treatments was zero, 4, 5 and 10% respectively.CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that dark period and oral melatonin supplementation can decrease HS.

BACKGROUND: Dietary nucleotide has been shown to improve growth indices, nutritional function and higher vertebrates in fish.OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of different levels of dietary nucleotide on growth parameters, whole-body composition and fluctuations of cortisol and glucose due to acute stress in Snow trout (Schizothorax zarudnyi).METHODS: One-hundred-twenty Snow trout fingerlings with average weight 7.58±0.05 g, were fed with four levels of dietary nucleotides including 0 (control), 0.15, 0.25, and 0.5 percent for 8 weeks. Ten fingerlings were stocked into each 300l tank with triplicate in four treatments and fed three times daily at 3-5% body weight rate. At the end of feeding trial, weight gain, Weight gain rate, feed efficiency, Food efficiency ratio and survival were computed. Also, the numbers of fish that were exposed to acute stress (temperature and pH).RESULTS: The results showed that none of the nucleotide-supplemented diets had any significant effect on growth indices (p>0.05). None of the dietary treatments resulted in any significant changes to dry matter, ash and protein. The only significant difference was observed in the fat (p>0.05). The fish fed 0.25% nucleotide showed higher whole lipid compared to other dietary treatments. Stress test results showed no significant difference at the beginning of the experiment, whereas after, acute stress cortisol levels were significantly higher in trials. The lowest response was observed in trial with 0.50% nucleotide and the highest was in control groups. Glucose levels were not significantly different, neither before nor after acute stress.CONCLUSIONS: The nucleotide composition used in the present study failed to provide significant effects on growth of Snow trout juveniles but could improve response to acute stress.

BACKGROUND: Following the ban on the use of growth stimulant antibiotics in many countries, interest has arisen in finding a suitable alternative for antibiotics in poultry production.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of two levels of nano-copper (0 and 100 mg/kg) and two levels of mannan oligosaccharide (0 or 1 g/kg) as natural growth stimulants on digestibility of nutrients and performance in broiler chicks.METHODS: At the end of the second week of breeding, 160 Cobb-500 broiler chicks were assigned in four treatment groups. For each treatment, four replicates (10 chicks per replicate) were considered. Experiment was conducted as a 2´2 factorial model in a completely randomized design.Results: No significant differences in digestibility of nutrients and growth performance between birds that ate the supplements with control group were observed (p>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Mannan oligosaccharides and nano-copper on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicks had no significant effect. At the doses used, concomitant supplementation of copper and mannan oligosaccharide did not have a positive effect on traits that were studied in broilers.

BACKGROUND: Biofloc technology is considered a method that degrades organic waste by microorganisms and produces bacterial flocculation.OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate of the application of biofloc technology in the rearing of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings in intensive culture.METHODS: The experiment was designed in four treatments (Commercial diet as a control, 75% commercial diet+Biofloc, 50% commercial diet+Biofloc, 25% commercial diet+Biofloc) with carp fingerlings (Initial weight 58±2 g) over a period of one month. Water exchange in Biofloc treatments was 1% during 24 h while water flow through system was used in control. At the end of experiment, all fish were intraperitoneally injected with 12´107 colony forming units (CFU) of Aeromonas hydrophila per fish.RESULTS: The results of the experiment indicated that the highest weight gain was observed in fingerlings fed 75% commercial diet+Biofloc that differed significantly from the group fed 25% commercial diet+Biofloc (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between control and 50% and 75% commercial diet as well (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in case of condition factor, viscerosomatic index (VSI) and survival in experimental treatments (p>0.05). Also, Biofloc significantly increased ash content in muscle (p<0.05). The highest mortality (64.2%) was observed in control in challenge of Aeromonas hydrophila.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Biofloc technology can increase growth performances of carp fingerlings in intensive system and decrease water exchange via quality improvement.

BACKGROUND: Strepotococcosis caused by Streptococcus iniae is one of the important emerging bacterial diseases in aquaculture sector worldwide.OBJECTIVES: In this study, the genetic diversity of S. iniae strains was assessed in some rainbow trout farms in Iran.METHODS: Gram positive and catalase negative bacterial isolates were first obtained from 100 trout fish farms in 8 states using routine bacteriological and molecular (PCR) works. The genetic diversity of these bacterial isolates was then assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method.RESULTS: Seventy-seven strains of Gram positive and catalase negative cocci were isolated from diseased trout. PCR analysis resulted in identification of 27 strains as S. iniae. RFLP analysis of these strains using 9 digestive enzymes resulted in production of 29 bands with different molecular weight (62-940bp). Phylogenetic relationship of these strains grouped them in two distinct clusters. Twenty-six strains from Tehran, Mazandaran, Gilan, Lorstan, Fars and Charmaha-va-Bakhtiary provinces showed high homogeneous similarity above 99%, while one strain from Mazandaran province showed some differences with other strains.CONCLUSIONS: S. iniae isolates in trout aquaculture in Iran possess low genetic diversity.

BACKGROUND: Improvement of hatchability in aging broiler breeder has economic justification.OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary Anethum graveolens essential oil on egg quality, some plasma metabolites and hatchability in broiler breeder hens.METHODS: A total number of eighty hens and eight cocks from Ross 308 strain of 105 weeks old were divided into four groups with two replicates within each (10hens+1cock). The diets were supplemented with out essential oil (Control) and with 10, 20 and 40 ml essential oil/100kg diets for four weeks.RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in Haugh unit and yolk index. While, there were significant differences in egg weight, egg shape index, shell thickness, shell ratio, yolk color and shell weight. Plasma triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and egg yolk cholesterol concentration were not influenced by dietary essential oil of Anethum graveolens. Whereas essential oil increased plasma cholesterol significantly, it also significantly decreased plasma glucose. Hatchability and fertility were positively affected by supplementation of essential oil in the diet.CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that supplementing diet with Anethum graveolens essential oil improved hatchability of total eggs set of broiler breeders.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A is a lipid soluble vitamin which can be stored in the body organs (especially in liver) and its supply is only through ration.OBJECTIVES: The present study has been conducted to evaluate vitamin A status of feedlot cattle in the city of Garmsar and impact of season and nutritional management on it.METHODS: During the study 100 blood samples were taken from feedlot cattle of 6 farms in cold seasons of one year and 100 samples from 5 farms in warm seasons of the same year. Also, 50 blood and liver samples of slaughtered feedlot cattle were taken from Garmsar slaughter house in each of the mentioned seasons. Serum and hepatic tissue concentrations of vitamin A and beta carotene were measured by using standard biochemical methods. Student’s t-test and Tukey’s HSD tests were used for analysis of the results and p<0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS: The results of present study showed that mean serum and hepatic concentration of vitamin A in feedlot cattle in the city of Garmsar was in defined normal range for cattle and these animals did not show any vitamin A deficiency, but mean serum beta carotene concentration was at a very low level and lower than defined normal range for this species. Mean serum vitamin A concentration of feedlot cattle in cold seasons was significantly higher than that in warm seasons (p<0.05), conversely serum beta carotene concentration of feedlot cattle during warm seasons was significantly higher than that in cold seasons (p<0.05). However, comparing vitamin A concentration of liver tissues of feedlot cattle in cold and warm seasons did not show any significant difference (p>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: From the results of the present study it can be concluded that serum and hepatic concentration of vitamin A in feedlot cattle of the city of Garmsar was in normal reference range of cattle, and in spite of very low concentration of serum beta carotene concentration, due to supplementation of this vitamin in feed, vitamin A deficiency did not occur in these cattle.

BACKGROUND: The foramen magnum (FM) is an important landmark of the skull base and a transition zone between spine and skull as well as its close relationship to the brain and the spinal cord. So the FM has gained considerable interest due to its comparative anatomy, ontogeny, clinical, and animal breeding viewpoints.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine morphology and morphometry of the occipital area of 20 mature and immature male Khouzestan river buffaloes.METHODS: 7 parameters of the occipital area and the shape of the FM in the skull of 20 mature and immature male Khouzestan river buffaloes were analyzed.RESULTS: The FM had 4 shapes including round, egg, oval, and tetragonal. In the mature and immature groups, the highest frequency of the FM shape belonged to oval. In the mature and immature groups, the tetragonal FM shape and the oval FM shape had the lowest frequency, respectively. The mean of the width, the length of the FM and the index of the FM in mature group was 38.60±2.70, 35.34±2.33, and 92.26±26 mm, respectively and 40.67±1.51, 36.35±2.33, and 90.23±3.65 mm in immature group, respectively. Amongst of the all parameters, the width and the length of the jugular process only differed significantly between mature and immature groups.CONCLUSIONS: The variations of the FM shape in river buffalo were more than those of reported animals. The mean of the length and the width of the FM, the jugular processes width, the length of the jugular process, the length and width of the occipital condyles of male river buffaloes were greater than those of reported animals. The index of the FM in river buffalo was less than 100, which corresponded with the findings in rabbit, German shepherd and Pekingese dogs.

BACKGROUND: One of the most artificial sweeteners is Aspartame which is commonly used in a variety of foodstuffs.OBJECTIVES: This study has been carried out in order to evaluate the effects of Aspartame on histology and histometry of duodenum.METHODS: Forty female Balb/C mice, 21 days of age were selected and initial weight was determined. The treatment groups received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Aspartame for 6 weeks, control group received only distilled water. At the end of experiment, the mice were reweighed. Then the duodenal tissue sections were prepared and stained with H&E. Besides the histological study, histometric data were collected by a light microscope equipped with Axiovision software.RESULTS: The body weights in treatment groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were 5.57±1.18, 4.47±0.89 and 5.84±0.57 respectively, which in comparison with the control group (9.38±0.81) showed a significant difference (p<0.05). The histological study showed that the rate of destruction in the cells and mucosal structures, at the dose of 200 mg/kg compared to the dose of 100 and 400 mg/kg has been increased. In histometric aspect, abundance of duodenal villi, height of the villi and thickness of duodenal mucosa, only in the experimental group of 200 mg/kg were significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). Whereas the width of villi (width of the apex, body and the base), in all of the experimental groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.05). The thickness of musculature of duodenum in experimental groups had no significant differences with the control group.CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, it can be concluded that Aspartame can cause some histological and histometrical changes in duodenum.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin-induced asthma (AIA) with symptoms such as acute bronchoconstriction occurs in about 10% of asthmatic individuals following ingestion of aspirin or other aspirin-like drugs. The mechanisms involved in AIA are not fully understood but it seems that inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) can play a role in such attacks.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effects of aspirin-like drugs on airway responsiveness in an animal model of allergic asthma.METHODS: 42 male guinea pigs (250-300 g) were randomly divided into seven groups: control, allergic, ketoprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib, and aspirin (high and low doses). All animals except control group were sensitized by i.p. injections of ovalbumin and Al (OH)3 suspensions and then challenged by inhalation of ovalbumin solution on day 18. The animals received three oral doses of the aforementioned drugs or normal saline in control and allergic groups with 12 hr intervals within 24 hr before ovalbumin challenge. On day 19, animals were euthanized and the responsiveness of isolated tracheas was studied using cumulative doses of histamine and acetyl choline in an organ bath.RESULTS: Indomethacin and ketoprofen significantly increased the trachea responsiveness to acetyl choline and histamine at all concentrations. Emax values for acetyl choline and histamine in indomethacin were respectively (3.5±0.1, 3.5±0.1 g) and ketoprofen (5.1±0.2, 4.3±0.1) groups were greater than those of control (1.5±0.1, 1.5±0.1), allergic, celecoxib, high dose aspirin and low dose aspirin groups (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that indomethacin and ketoprofen (but not aspirin and celecoxib) can exacerbate the asthmatic conditions in this animal model.

BACKGROUND: Application of green chemistry to the synthesis of nanomaterials is of vital importance in medicinal and technological aspects. Recently, synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plants and marine macro algae to adapt this approach to the environment, has become more popular.OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using seaweed, Sargassum angustifolium, and determining its toxicity in common carp.METHODS: First, synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sargassum algae was conducted and then acute toxicity of these silver nanoparticles was investigated at static renewal condition during 96 hours in common carp according to standard methods (1998) OECD.RESULTS: TEM analysis showed that the average size of the bionanoparticles was found to be 32.54 nm and spherical in shape. The toxicity results showed that the LC50 at 24, 48, 72 and 96-h after exposure was 79.54±0.007, 52.17±0.006, 30.62±0.008 and 11.34±0.016 mg/l respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Analysis related to the characterization of the properties of silver nanoparticles proves bioreduction of silver ions by sargassum seaweed extract. According to the results the mortality rates of common carp showed an increasing trend with increasing concentration and exposure time, which indicates the toxicity of this substance in high concentration for common carp.

BACKGROUND: Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs) are the only stem cells in adults that can transfer genetic information to future generations. Considering that a single SSC gives rise to a vast number of spermatozoa, genetic manipulation of these cells is a potential novel technology with practical application to various animal species.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) gene transfection into bovine spermatogonial colonies via liposome carrier and assess the best incubation day in uptake exogenous gene by spermatogonial colonies.METHODS: Transfection efficiency EGFP gene through lipofection was determined different in three days (day 4, 6 and 8) after the beginning of the culture by fluorescent microscope. Immunofluorescent staining against OCT4 and vimentin led to the confirmation of the nature of both SSCs and sertoli cells.RESULTS: Results showed that the transfected colonies through lipofection increased significantly (p<0.05) in each three days of transfection in comparison with those of the control groups. The transfection colonies were higher (significant) in comparision with those of the free exogenous gene carrier groups. The rate of infected colonies was higher when transfection proceed day 4.CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that lipofectamine can be used safely for direct loading of exogenous DNA to spermatogonila colony, particularly during the fourth day of culture.

BACKGROUND: In traditional medicine in some Asian countries, including Iran, there is a belief that camphor is a suppressor of sexual activity. Not only has the validity of this hypothesis not been established, but also studies in this field are very limited.OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the effects of camphor on sperm quality in mice, and to protect sperm damage vitamin E as an antioxidant was used.METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 adult male mice (balb/c) with weight range 20-25 gr in 5 groups. First group was control (CO) and treated with normal saline, groups 2 and 3 were sham groups treated respectively with Olive oil (OL) and the combination of olive oil and vitamin E (OL+E), and finally, two experimental groups were treated using camphor (CA) and camphor with vitamin E (CA+E). Camphor at doses of 30 mg/kg/day and vitamin E at doses of 100 mg/kg/day were prepared. All materials were administered orally (gavage). After 35 days semen were collected from tail of epididymis, and then total count, motility, viability, nuclear maturity, and DNA damage were examined.RESULTS: Results showed significant reduction in sperm total count, percentage of viability, increase in the number of immature sperms and no significant difference in rate of motile sperms and sperms with damaged DNA in groups that received Camphor was observed. Vitamin E as a strong antioxidant administered lightly was able to reduce the effects of Camphor on viable and mature sperms (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that Camphor could affect on mice sperm quality and vitamin E as an antioxidant, was able to slightly reduce Camphor effects in sperm quality.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry is one of the main causes of illness that can be controlled effectively by some plant compounds, antibiotics and probiotics.OBJECTIVES: This study compares the effect of rosemary, thyme, propolis, antibiotic and probiotic on the immune system and blood parameters of broilers challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis.METHODS: Four hundred and twenty 1-day- old male broiler chicks Cobb strain were divided into seven groups: including rosemary ethanol extract, ethanol extract of propolis, ethanol extract of thyme, and probiotics, virginiamycin (10%) and positive and negative controls, and were reared for 6 weeks. At the end of experiment chickens were sampled and slaughtered.RESULTS: The results showed that plant extracts with probiotics can improve the immune system, reduce serum lipids, reduce harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli and increase the beneficial bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the herbal extracts and probiotics can be used as an alternative to antibiotics in broiler diets.