Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2005 | Volume:60 | Issue:3|Papers Count:27

Object: To Investigate the effect of probiotic on morphology of small intestine in roosters.Design: Factoriel 4 x 6 in completely randomized design.Animals: 240 male broilers of Ross commercial hybrid designated into 4 groups (N= 60 chicks).Procedure: Experimental groups were fed diet with different levels of probiotic (Bioplus 2B) from day 1- 42. Treatment were done with just diet (basal or 0%) and with increasing percentages of probiotic (0.05, 0.01 and 0.15% ). Different segments of small intestine (1, 10, 30,50, 70 and 90% of total length) were extracted from each group (n=5) and analyzed for villus indices (hight(H), width(W), HJW ratio), depth of cripts and villus types (tongue shape, leaf shape, finger like, bridge from, ridged and convoluted) were recorded.Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed through ANOVA by MSTATC and means of different villus parameters were compared by Duncans Multiple test.Results: While intake of varius levels of probiotic significantly increased villus height in the first part of small intestine above basal levels (P<0.05), its width had any change. H/W ratio was not affected by the probiotic intake. Despite an apparent increase of crypt depth in the first and last segments of small intestine (P<0.05) probiotic intake did not change it in the mid portion of the intestine.Percentage of different types of villi was not affected by consumption of probiotic.Conclussion: Administration of probiotic in poultry diets increases villus height of the first segment and crypt depth in the first and last parts of small intestine. These data suggest that probiotic administration providing increased food digestion and absorption in chickens.

Objective: To evaluate coagglutination test in the serum and urine of sheep for diagnosing of hydatidosis.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Two rabbits, three dogs and nineteen sheep.Procedure: Ovine hydatid cysts from affected livers and lungs, were collected from Ahwaz abattoir (Khozestan province, Iran). The hydatid fluid (HF) and protoscoices were aseptically obtained in lab. Hydatid fluid was centrifuged and injected to rabbits in two steps. After then, rabbit hyperimmune sera were collected. Furthermore, each dog was given 15,000 viable protoscoleces. Less than two months later, dogs were autopsied after euthanasia and all Echinococcus granulosus worms were collected and their eggs were released. Almost, 2000 eggs were orally administred to each (N= 13). The six other sheep were kept as control. All sheep were bled each week and their urine samples were collected fortnight. All sera and urine samples were examined with coagglutination (Co.A) test.Results: While sensitivity of coagglutination test, was nil during five weeks of post-infection (p.i.), its values showed a biphasic pattern. While, it increased up to 23% in the sixth week and after then up to 100% in the 12th and 13th week of p.i. it decreased in the following weeks. Specificity of test was 100% throughout the experiment. While examination of urine in the affected sheep resulted in positive reaction from 6th week of p.i, its sensitivity and the sensitivity gradually increased up to 100% at 12th week of p.i. Furthermore, specificity of the test for urine of non-infected sheep remained 100%.Discussion: These results suggest that the time of appearance of hydatid antigens in serum and urine is approximately alike.While positive results are very valuable, negative ones do not rule out hydatidosis.

Objective: To investigate 1) the cut-off titers of antitoxoplasma antibodies through in IgG- ELISA and IFA tests and 2) application of IgG- ELISA rather than IPA test for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) in mature sheep.Animals: One hundred and ten Iranian mature sheep.Procedure: The serum samples were examined to determine the final positive dilution of antitoxoplasma antibody by IgGELISA and IFA tests. For this purpose, immunoreactivity of the final positive dilution of each serum with to SAG-1 antigen was determined by western blot analysis. The ELlSA microplate coated with 105 tachyzoites/ well, was incubated with diluttd sheep sera. After adding of substrate, enzymatic activity was measured at 492 nm. Samples with higher absorbance values (=2.5 times greater than these values of negative controls) designated as positive. The data obtained from 110 sera with IPA and ELISA was compared with each other to determine the percentage of agreement between them.Statistical analysis: Using a chi-square test to show the significant differences between results of IFA and ELISA. Furthermore, these results were compared to determine the percentage of agreement between them. Results: 24 out of 110 serum samples were concordant, positive (21.8%) and 79 cases (70.9%) were concordant, negative in both IFA and ELISA. All positive samples exhibited strong reactivity to SAG-1 (30 KD band). Among 110 serum samples, five discordant ELISA- positive and two, discordant IFA- positive sera had no reactivity with SAG-I band in WB. Moreover, there is 92.7% coincidence between results of ELISA and IPA tests.Conclusion: In this study the lowest valuable titer, for detection of Toxoplasmosis in sheep, was obtained as 1:40 and 1:100 in the IFA and ELISA tests, respectively.Furthermore, immunoreactivity of serum dilutions to SAG lantigen in the WB proved to be a useful tool for setting of optimum cut-off titers in the IFA and ELISA tests.

Objective: To find the frequency of cardiac dysrhythmias in apparently healthy horses and discriminate functional from pathological ones.Designee: Observational field study.Animal: The study was conducted on 544 horses but ECG was recorded only from 395 cases.Statistical analysis: Data were evaluated by using analysis variance and Chi-square.Procedures: ECG was obtained on a base apex lead with the paper speed of 25mm/sec and calibration of 10mm/mV at rest without restraining or using of tranquilizers. The findings were evaluated according to the criteria of normal cardiac rhythm.Results: 102 out of 395 horses used for ECG recording had some types of cardiac arrhythmias (25.82%). The most frequent dysrhythmias were heart block, sinus arrhythmia and sinus tachycardia, respectively. Atrial fibrillation was not seen.Conclusion: This study showed that horses of riding schools show cardiac dysrhythmias just like race horses.Major cardiac dysrhythmias are functional ones. Atrial and ventricular premature beats should be cautiously looked.Furthermore, in contrast to what has been reported in the veterinary literature, no case of atrial fibrillation was seen.This dysrhythmia seems to be very rare among Iranian equine population for some unknown reasons.

Objective: Study on the viability and nematophagou: activity of three native isolates of Arthrobotrys (two A oligospora and one A. cladodes var. macroides) after passage through sheep's gastrointestinal tract. Design: Field study.Animals: Three sheep for each isolate.Procedure: Three native isolates of Arthrobotrys (two A oligospora and one A. cladodes var. macroide) isolate from soil of different regions of Mazandaran. Each isolate was cultured on barley and given in equal amounts to threl sheep. Four and five days after administration, the faeces of sheep were recultured for isolation of Arthrobotrys sp and to test their viability and nematophagous activity usinj faecal culture and dung pat bioassay.Statistical analysis: Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Conidia of three native isolates of Arthrobotry were reisolated from faeces of infected animals which kep their viability and showed 79.75 - 82.26% and 78.79 89.27% nematophagous activity in faecal culture and dung pat bioassay, respectively.Clinical implications: These new isolates are significantly able to reduce the number of Haemonchus contortu infective larvae through oral administration and can h considered as an alternative for chemotherapy.

Objective: Determination of the reference values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferases (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the urine of clinically healthy Iranian dromedary camels. Design: Descriptive study.Animals: Fifty clinically healthy adult camels (Camelus dromedarius).Procedure: Urine samples were collected from fifty clinically healthy adult camels in identical nutritional and manage mental conditions. Urine specimens were lyophilized and the activity of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and GGT was measured by routine colorimetric methods. Also, urinalysis and measurement of urine creatinine were performed.Statistical analysis: The data were analysed by analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Duncan's multiple range test and regression analysis.Results: LDH and GGT showed the highest and the lowest activity of urinary enzymes was related to LDH and GGT respectively. Urine pH was alkaline. The concentration of creatinine in the urine of Iranian camels was relatively high. According to urinalysis, the urine of Iranian cameh was normal. Significant positive correlations were observed between GGT activity and urine creatinim (P<0.05; r=0.26) and ALT activity and specific gravity (P<0.05; r=0.27), respectively. Conclusion: The activity of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH am GGT in the urine of Iranian camels can be used as indices for diagnosing renal disorders.

Objective: To determine the prevalence rate of lameness associated with digital diseases.Design: Cross-sectional study.Animals: 8 industrial and 30 semi industrial dairy farms.Procedure: With attending in the farms, lame cows were diagnosed by observation and clinical examination.Lameness was assessed according to the standard scoring method. The affected limb was carefully examined in a chute. The lesion was confirmed through clinical findings and gross pathology. The results were recorded in a self-administered questionnaire.Statistical analysis: Chi-square test. Result: 195 out of 1871 cases were affected in one or more feet. The prevalence rate of lameness in semi industrial farms was significantly higher than industrial ones. Foot overgrowth was the most important factor as the cause of lameness. Foot rot was seen in sporadic form. The prevalence rate of lameness in the hind limb was significantly higher than forelimb.Clinical implication: It seems digital diseases are not prevalent in Urmia dairy farms and mainly occur sporadically. High prevalence rate of lameness in semi industrial farms is due to poor management in hoof trimming.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis and determination of minimum inhibitory cocentration (MIC) in the original bacteria (such as staphylococus aureus (S.aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) responsible for this disease.Animals: Three hundred thirty eight cows from 8 herds.Design: Cross sectional study Statistic analysis: Descriptive study.Procedure: Milk samples were collected from 1352 quarters of 338 cows in eight farms at the morning milking. California mastitis test (CMT) was carried out on each sample. Isolation, identification of bacteria and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were carried out in the laboratory. Results: The MIC and MBC of antibiotics (Chloramphenicol, Cephalexin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Enrofloxacin, Gentamicin) were carried out against 200 bacterial isolates including 118 E. coli and 82 S. aureus isolated from bovine mastitis.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that all the isolates were sensitive to Gentamicin and Enrofloxacin and resistant to Penicillin. The occurrence of clinical and subclinical mastitis was 6.80 and 67.45 percent in herds, respectively. While the MIC values higher than 100 µg/ml for 9 antibiotics (Chloramphenicol, Cephalexin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Penecillin, Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Enrofloxacin, Gentamicin) against E.coli were 11.0,0, 12.2, 20.7, 100, 22, 15.9,0 and 0 %, these values against S.aureus were 15.3, 0, 30.3, 0, 100, 38.1, 48.3, 0 and 0 %, respectively. On the other hand, while, the MBC levels for these antibiotics against E.coli were 40.2, 19.5, 96.3, 48.7, 100, 74.4,29.3,0 and 0% these values against S.aureus were 46.6, 13.5, 84.7, 100, 100, 100, 89, 0%, respectively.

Objective: To study gross and histopathologic lesions and also relative weight of liver in experimental aflatoxicosis in Ross broiler chicks.Design: Experimental studyAnimals: Two hundred and forty 1-day-old Ross broiler chicken.Statistic analysis: Linear model analysis and Duncan's method for mean values with SAS package.Procedure: The chickens were fed by NRC (1994) diet.Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The diets were divided into 3 groups: control (0 or basal) and treatment with 1 and 2 ppm of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin was produced by infecting of autoclaved rice with Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL-2999 in the flasks and titrated by TLC and HPLC. After 21 and 42 days, three chickens from each group randomly killed and their livers were weighed. Tissue samples were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 !lm and stained by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Results: Relative weights of the livers (g/100g.b.w) in treatment groups were significantly increased as compared with control (p<0.05). Histopathologic examination revealed severe fatty change, regeneration foci of liver cells, fibrosis of portal regions and bile ductile hyperplasia. The lesions were very severe in 42-days-old chickens and had the lesser severity in 21-days-old chickens.Conclusion: Liver is the target organ for aflatoxin.Aflatoxin causes severe lesions in the liver and increase its relative weight. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of toxin produces severe changes in fat metabolism and bile ductules proliferation.

Objective: To study the effects of aflatoxin on ram epididymal and ejaculatory sperm cells.Design: Interventional study.Animals and specimens: 10 Chall rams and 25 isolated testicles.Procedure: Chall ram testicles (n=25) were obtained from slaughter-house, cauda epididymides were incised, sperm samples were isolated and put into media with increasing concentrations of Aflatoxin B. Ejaculates were obtained from 10 healthy Chall rams and the same procedure was assigned. Every hour sperm cells were objected to livedead staining using eosin - nigrosin procedure and examined under an optic microscope at magnification of x100, Motility was also assessed in the same time using warm slide glass and magnification of x 10-40. Statistical analysis: ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test.Results: While after one hour incubation viability of ejaculatory and epididymal sperm cells were 81.25 and 83.24% , when aflatoxin was added (7.81,31.25 and 62.6 ppb) these values drastically reduced back (p<0.05) in a concentration dependent manner for both epididymal (72.92,71.8 and 66.72%) and ejaculatory (72.48, 69.6 and 63.63%) sperm cells. During 5 h incubation, viability decreased moderately in all groups. However differences among groups remained unchanged. Furthermore, epididymal sperm motility in the 1st h incubation was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those values in treatment with of 31.25 and 62.6 ppb aflatoxin (51.87 and 15.93%). Ejaculatory sperm motility was 93.98% control group (93.98%) was significantly higher than those values in treatment with of 31.25 (52.09%) and 62.6 (18.09%) ppb aflatoxin. In spite of differences among groups, values were more apparent for epididymal sperm.Conclusion: Aflatoxin has detrimental effects on sperm viability and motility. However, its effect on motility is more severe.

Objective: Investigation of possibility and the role of ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the fish pituitary functional regulation, by measuring the changes in blood serum GTHI levels.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Fifty sexually regressing female carps.Procedure: Seven experimental conditions were tested. Injection with just normal saline (control or basal: and intraperitoneal injection of Bac. (9 mg/kg), LRH-A (5C µg/kg), Met. (15 mg/kg), Bac.+LRH-A, Met.+LRH-A Bac.+ Met.+LRH-A were done. In this study fishes were bled immediately before injection and 5 hours after then. Statistical analysis: Pre and post-treatment GTH-I values were compared by t-test and Mann-Whithney U test. Results: Experiments indicated that only the injection of baclofen alone could produce a significant decrease in the serum GTH-I levels. Other factors, whether alone or ir combination with each other did not produce acceptable changes in GTH-l secretion at least in this stage of sexual cycle.Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that GABA may be one modulator for serum GTH-I levels in the sexually regressing female carps

Objective: To compare the ELISA test with digestion method for dignosis sarcocystosis in water buffalo and estimate its sensitivity and specificity.Design: Cross sectional study.Animals: Three hundred slaughtered water buffaloes in Ahwaz abattoir.Procedure: Blood and oesophageal muscles were examined. Oesophageal muscles were examined for sarcocystis by both macroscopic and microscopic (digestion method) examination. Then the ELISA test were designed and compared with digestion method. Finally its sensitivity and specificity were determined.Statistical analysis: Sensitivity, specificity and 95% confidence intervals were determined by comparing the results obtained by the ELISA assay and digestion method. Mc nemar test were used for comparing the percentage of positive cases and their correlation.Results: While specific anti-sarcocytis antibodies were detected in 54.3% of cases macroscpic and microscopic infection were 20% and 57%, respectively. Furthermore, while the positive results of the macroscopic examination significantly differed from those values of the digestion and ELISA methods (P<0.01), no differences were observed between the positive results of the microscopic infection (digestion method) and the ELISA test (P>0.05).Conclusion: ELISA test providing an effective and reliable means for detecting sarcocystosis in naturally infected water buffaloes. Its simplicity and ease of performance makes it particulary suitable for using in large-scale epidemiological surveys of livestock.

Objective: To investigate the role of central histamine H1 and H2 receptors on food intake in freely feeding and food - deprived rabbits.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Forty - two male New Zealand white rabbits weighing between 2.5 - 3 Kg.Procedure: A 23- gauge, 18mm long stainless steel guide cannula was surgically implanted into the lateral ventricle of brain. Intracerebroventricular injections of normal saline (control), promethazine and ranitidine at the same doses of 50, 100 and 200 µg/rabbit in a volume of 5 III were performed using a 25 III Hamilton's syringe.Cumulative food intake was measured in freely feeding and food - deprived rabbits at the 0.5, 1,2,3,6 and 24h after injections.Statistical analysis: Paired t-test, Factorial ANOVA and Duncan's test.Results: Food deprivation for I6h increased 0.5, 1,2,3 and 16h cumulative food intake. In freely feeding rabbits, promethazine (50 µg) had no effect on food intake, and at the dose of 100 µg increased 1 and 2h feeding after injection, but at the dose of 200 µg increased 2 and 3h postinjection food intake. In the I6h food- deprived rabbits promethazine (50,100 and 200 µg) had no effect.Ranitidine at the doses of 50,100 and 200 µg produced no significant changes on food intake in both freely feeding and food- deprived rabbits. Promethazine did not exert any significant effects on the 6 and 24h post- injection food intake.Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study it is concluded that the blockade of central H1 but not H2 receptors induce a short-lasting excitatory effect on food intake. Thus, central HI receptor may have an important role in the central control of feeding behavior.

Objective: Evaluation of primers designed due to the serovar specific IS200 copy for detecting Salmonella abortusovis strains isolated in Iran.Design: Observational study.Samples: Ninety seven Salmonella abortusovis strains. Procedure: PCR amplification was carried out by serovar specific primers and different strains according to PCR results were studied by IS200 fingerprinting analysis. Results: All strains could be classified in 2 distinct genotypes by 2 kb and 900 bp amplicons in PCR amplification. These two genotypes were related to two different profiles with 11 and 9 kb band respectively in IS200 fingerprinting.Conclusion: PCR amplification by serovar specific primers was capable of grouping the strains in 2 major genotypic patterns.

Objectives: Serological study of infection caused by pseudorabies virus (PHV-I) in Iranian wild boars.Designee: Descriptive study.Animals: 28 wild boars were captured in different provinces of Iran.Procedures: After bleeding of hunted boars, serum samples were collected and tested by using a blocking ELISA kit (Eurodiagnostica). Results were detected by an ELISA reader machin.Results: 12 out of 28 sera samples (42.8%) from the boars of Tehran, Markazi, Khorasan, Zanjan, Golestan, Fars and Esfahan provinces were positive. Total infection rate (42.8%) was diagnosed as 40% of male versus 50% of female boars. Average age in positive and negative cases was 5.1 and 4.9 years, respectively. This results show the considerable spread of the infection among Iranian wild boars (42.8%) which is indicating a need of great attentions to the risk of transmission of the disease to animals, human and specially boar meat consumers.

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect of detomidine hydrochloride administered by caudal epidural injection and probable alteration in clinical parameters.Design: Experimental studyAnimals: Ten healthy adult Holstein were used for this study.Procedure: A dose of 0.04 mg/kg detomidine (diluted to 5 ml normal saline) was injected into sacro-coccygeal epidural space. The onset and duration of analgesia were assessed using pinprick test. The heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature and ruminal movements were recorded at 10min intervals until recovery.Results: Despite a deep sedation, massive salivation and mild ataxia in the hind limbs, moderate analgesia occurred in the perinool region. No ruminal movements were observed after injection. The heart and respiratory rates significantly decreased. However, no significant change was found in rectal temperature. Clinical implications: The results of this experiment showed that the epidural injection of detomidine is safe, but might not provide sufficient surgical analgesia.

Objective: Location and course of thoracic duct in the thorax of Caspian miniature horse.Design: Descriptive study. Procedure: Three Caspian miniature horses, above two years old, were used for this study. Horses were embalmed after euthanasia by exsangunation. Thorax was dissected on either sides and different structures including thoracic duct were determined, painted and photographed. The course and relation of the thoracic duct to adjacent structures were studied.Results: In two miniature horses, the duct was situated on the right side, passed cranially and opened in cranial vena cava at the venous angle. In one horse the duct was on the left side on its entire course.Conclusion: The anatomical position, relation and course of the thoracic duct in two miniature horses which was on the right side was similar to ordinary horse. However in one horse the duct was totally situated on the left. This condition is very rare and uncommon in horses.

Objective: To determine the identity and the cause of masses infiltrated in the most part of the body of budgerigar.Design: Case reportAnimals: A pair of budgerigars (Melopisittacu undulatus), living together and using the same diet for, years, were presented to the Birds Clinic of Poultry Diseases Section, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. Procedure: Clinical examination, radiography, necropsy gross and histopathological observations Results: The male bird had no obvious health problem but the female one demonstrated dyspnea, abnormal growth of the beak and the presence of hard and elevated masses the thoracic and abdominal area. Radiography revealed the presence of masses infiltrated in the most part of the body and in particular at the opening of the thoracic an abdominal cavities. Due to critical condition of the female bird and at its owner consent, the bird was euthanatized an necropsies. Yellow-colored masses with a relatively har structure at the opening of the thoracic and abdominal, cavities and soft fat tissues in the other parts of the body (including underarm and inguinal area) were observed necropsy.Conclusion: Histological examination of the masses was diagnosed as lipoma.

Objective: To study the progesterone concentration during different months of pregnancy in buffalo.Design: Case control.Animals: Buffalo in different months of pregnancy Procedures: blood samples were taken from 6-8 herds of buffalo in different months of pregnancy. After preparing the sera, progesterone concentrations measured by RIA.Statistical analysis: One - way ANOVA.Results: The maximum and minimum concentrations of progesterone were in the second and tenth month of gestation, respectively. Studding of the concentration of this hormone during the three period of gestation (early, middle and end) indicates that it's level is decreasing by progressing of pregnancy.Clinical implications: Different months of pregnancy can be diagnosed by identification of progesterone concentrations, and the time close to parturation or even parturation time can be identified by this method.

Objective: Diagnosis of a subcutaneous mass in a rabbit.Design: Case reportAnimals: A 3-years-old female mixed shorthair black and white rabbit.Procedure: The rabbit was referred to the Small Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, with a 1-month history of a cutaneous mass.Clinical examinations, radiography of thorax and ultrasonography of abdominal cavity was carried out. The mass was removed surgically.Result: Clinical examinations revealed a well circumscribed subcutaneous mass on left gluteal region.Macroscopically the mass was solid, ovoid (1.6x1.3 x0.6 cm) with reddish cut surface and flesh-like consistency.Histopathologic examination revealed prominent, oval, basophilic nuclei, with single scant nucleolus and eosinophilic cytoplasm. The tumor cells morphologically resembled the normal basal cells of the epidermis and showed no epidermal or adenexal differentiation.Conclusion: This is the first report of rabbit trichoblastoma from Iran. (basal cell tumor).

Objective: To introduce cleft palate in buffalo calf Animals: A 3 days old buffalo calf.Procedure: Clinical examination and Necropsy.Results: History taking showed dysphagia and nasal regurgitation of milk. Clinical examination diagnosed aspiration pneumonia and cleft palate. necropsy findings confirmed it.