BACKGROUND: The early stage of Copper poisoning is difficult to be clinically diagnosed in sheep and has not been documented clearly yet. OBJECTIVES: To assess biomarkers in predicting early Copper poisoning in sheep, blood samples were collected from several groups of animals from a naturally Copper poisoning occurrence in an industrial region. METHODS: Animals were divided into four experimental groups; Group A: far from polluted region (Control group), Group B: inside polluted region, apparently healthy and without any clinically jaundice manifestation, Group C: slightly with jaundice signs and hemolytic crisis phase, and Group D: with clear jaundice signs. After collecting blood samples from each group, the serum was analyzed for evaluation of liver enzymes and oxidative stress parameters in different stages of Copper poisoning. In each blood sample, CPK, GGT, AST, ALT, total thiol (T-SH) group, and total proteins were determined. The Copper concentration in the serum, liver, and kidney of the dead animals in group D were also determined. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the blood parameters in group C illustrated by elevated level of serum AST, CPK, and GGT activities and total thiol (as biomarker of oxidative stress) when compared to control groups. In group D, these enzymes, in addition to T-SH, and the total protein were significantly (p≤ 0.05) different from those of the control and the other groups. Measurement of Copper in serum, liver, and kidney of group D (at the end stage of hemolytic phase) confirmed Copper poisoning in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the present study, the measurement of the liver enzyme activities and total thiol just closed to critical hemolytic phase could be reliable biomarkers for predicting Copper poisoning in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis are important tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats which are distributed in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess hematological status in sheep naturally infected with Anaplasma and Theileria spp. to clarify the pathogenic aspects of various species involved in ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis in Ahvaz region. METHODS: 109 sheep were sampled, and blood parasite infections were diagnosed by microscopic examination and PCR. The blood samples were also subjected to hematologic assessment. RESULTS: PCR analysis revealed A. ovis infection in 86.2% of sheep, while mixed infections with A. marginale were also detected in 53.2% of them. However, Anaplasma inclusion bodies were only observed in 32.1% of the tested animals. T. ovis were found in 88% of the inspected sheep by PCR, and 67.8% of them were detected microscopically, as well. Hematologic assessment showed that mean RBC, PCV, Hb, and MCHC were significantly lower, whereas MCV and RDW were higher in the animals with mixed infections of Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria, compared to the uninfected sheep and groups with single infection or without parasitemia. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, it seems that Anaplasma can be activated and induce its pathogenesis in the presence of other infective agents in the carrier or asympthomatic animals. It can also be concluded that mixed infections of Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria may induce a regenerative anemia which is most likely attributable to a combined effect of the two.

BACKGROUND: It is commonly acknowledged that the most safe and method of choice anesthesia in birds is inhalation anesthesia but in some clinical situations, such as tracheal resection, injectable anesthetic agents are the only choice of surgeons regardless of whether or not an anesthesia machine is available. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the quality of anesthesia and recovery time of isoflurane and propofol in domestic pigeons. METHODS: Twenty pigeons (Columba livia domesticus), weighing 302.5±37.95g (Mean ± SD) were randomly allocated to two groups of ten. One group was anesthetized by isoflurane (Iso-group), and the anesthesia lasted for 30 minutes. The other group received 14 mg/kg of propofol (1%) at constant rate (CRI) through basilica (wing) vein catheter to induce anesthesia (Pro-group). 1.33 mg/kg per min of propofol was infused to keep pigeons anesthetized for 30 minutes, using an injection pump. Temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and percentage of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2%) were recorded in all three phases including before induction of anesthesia, during anesthesia at minutes 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30, and after recovery time in both groups. RESULTS: Anesthesia caused significant effects on respiratory rate, heart rate, and SpO2% (p≤0.05). Recovery times in both groups were significantly different (longer in propofol group). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that the pigeons anesthetized with isoflurane have a soft and fast anesthesia; however, the pigeons were anesthetized with propofol, had a rough induction thatwas not uniform for all pigeons. Isoflurane showed that it is safer than propofol to anesthetize pigeons.

BACKGROUND: There is little information about blood supply of the carpal joint in one- humped camel, while there is extensive data about cow and equine species. In order to perform surgeries and diagnostic techniques in carpal region, information about the elements of the joint such as its arteries is necessary. OBJECTIVES: This study aims at describing the origins, arrangements, and branches of the arterial supply of the carpal joint of the adult one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). METHODS: Twelve left forelimbs of camelus Dromedrus without any lameness history were divided into 3 equal groups randomly. The brachial artery, before the elbow joint, was injected with warm water containing red gelatin, red latex solution, and rodopas resin solution separately; then, the arterial supply of the carpal joint was studied. RESULTS: The results showed that the radial, median, and caudal interosseous arteries and their branches supplied the carpal joint. (Supplied the carpal joint) CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that radial artery and its branches such as dorsal and palmar carpal branches were the most important arteries that supply the carpal joint. Median and caudal interosseous arteries support supplying this joint too but the arterial branches supplying the carpal joint in the Bactrian camel are from the radial artery and dorsal interosseous antebrachium branches. In the cow, the common interosseous, median, collateral ulnar and radial arteries give off branches to supply the carpal joint while common interosseous, median,transverse cubital and radial arteries give off branches to supply the this joint in the horse

Background: There is a growing concern on the impact of the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli isolated from animals on public health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of three classes of ESBL genes in E. coli isolates from sheep and broilers at a slaughter in Urmia region, Iran. METHODS: A total of 111 E. coli isolates were obtained from sheep (n=55) and broilers (n=56) fecal samples and the presence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In general, 32 of these isolates carried blaCTX-M, 16 blaTEM, and 17 blaCTX-M plus blaTEM. None of the isolates tested was positive for the blaSHV gene. Among the 55 isolates from sheep, 33 (60%) contained one or more ESBL encoding gene; 15 (27.2%), 10 (18.2%), and 8 (14.5%) isolates were positive for blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and                                                                                                              blaCTX-M+blaTEM, respectively. Among the 56 isolates from broilers, 32 (57.1%) isolates carried at least one ESBL encoding gene; 17 (30.4%) and 6 (10.7%) isolates were positive for blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes, respectively, and the blaCTX-M+ blaTEM was identified in nine isolates (16.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that sheep and broiler feces may be a reservoir of E. coli harboring ESBLs genes, with CTX-M being the predominant β-lactamase type. This may pose a public health risk, which requires future evaluation and control.

Background: Meat products may be unacceptably tough because of the high connective tissue content of meats used in their manufacture. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was using meat acid marination method on some physicochemical and sensory characteristics of beef burgers. METHODS: Meat was marinated in three concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) of lactic and citric acid solutions (1:4 w/v) at 4 °C for 15h and was used in formulation of beef burgers. RESULTS: According to control sample, the highest redness (a*) value was found in the lowest concentration of lactic acid while the lowest a* value was in the highest concentration of citric acid. Shear force value indicated that lactic acid had a tenderizing effect particularly at the lowest concentration and had a positive effect on overall acceptability. Electrophoresis of proteins showed that band intensity had decreased in 0.5% acid treatments, compared to the control sample. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that meat acid marination is an applicable technique to tenderize beef burgers with high percentage of meat.

Polydactyly is the congenital presence of one or more extra digits. The extra digit often does not contain a full complement of bones. Unilateral syndactyly and polydactyl mixed-breed dog was used as a case study. A three-month old unvaccinated intact female mixed breed dog weighing 8 kg, presented with a deformity of the left forepaw was used for this study. The deformity had been present since birth according to the owner. During physical examination the dog was given a lameness score of 0/5 for the affected limb. A complete blood count, and serum biochemistry did not reveal any abnormalities. Radiographs of both distal forelimbs were obtained. These showed Fused 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones, a rudimentary metacarpi and a hypoplastic digit located on the axial side of the distal end of the left forelimb. As a result of the lameness score of 0/5 and the owner’s lack of interest, a decision was made to monitor the condition and consider surgery once the dog had grown larger. It seems this is the first case of polydactyly associated with syndactyly and the rudimentary metacarpal bone.

Background: In recent years, dietary fat supplementation has become a common practice and fat supplemented diets have had variable effects on animal performance and carcass characteristics. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the effect of  increasing the levels of sesame oil on performance, rumen parameters and plasma lipid profile in finishing Chal lambs. METHODS: Eighteen male lambs were fed with control (C; without sesame oil) and the diets contained low level (LSO; 2.5%) and high level (HSO; 5%) of sesame oil. RESULTS: The addition of fat had no effect on dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass weight. Treatments with sesame oil had no effect on rumen ammonia concentration and total protozoal count. Ruminal pH was numerically smaller (p=0.14) for control compared to lambs fed diets containing 2.5 and 5% sesame oil. Treatments had no effect on total VFA, acetate, butyrate, valerate and isovalerate concentrations. The propionate concentration decreased (p=0.04) by supplementation of sesame oil compared with the control. Total cholesterol (TC) and HDL increased and the tendency for VLDL and triglyceride (p=0.13) to increase was observed by treatment groups when compared with the control. Glucose concentration and LDL were not affected by treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Sesame oil had no effect on the performance and carcass weight of lambs but there was decrease in blood cholesterol concentration.

Background: Coccidiosis is recognized as the parasitic disease that has the greatest economic impact on poultry production. Modern poultry production is largely dependent upon anticoccidials. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the efficacy of two chemical anticoccidials (Clopidol and Diclazuril) on oocyst shedding and their probable effects on growth performance and feed efficiency of broilers in experimental coccidiosis. Methods: One hundred and twenty Ross 308 one day old broilers were randomly assigned into 4 groups: CON+, infected with Eimeria mixed oocysts but not medicated; CON-, not infected and not medicated; CLO, infected and medicated with Clopidol; DIC, infected and medicated with Diclazuril. Chickens in all groups except negative control were inoculated by mixed sporulated oocysts of pathogenic Eimeria at the end of the 3rd week of age. Oocyst shedding was counted using a Mc Master counting chamber. Body weights, body weight gains, and feed conversion ratio were determined on weekly basis. Results: Obtained results showed that Diclazuril was more effective in reducing oocyst shedding than Clopidol. As expected, mean body weight in the positive control group was lower than other groups. But surprisingly, no significant difference was found between Diclazuril or Clopidol treated birds and positive control group, at the end of the experiment. In comparison of weight gain in different treatment groups except for the 4 and 5th week, no significant difference was found in different groups. In the last week of the experiment, difference in weight gain between groups was not significant. According to feed conversion ratio (FCR)  results, anticoccidial supplementation did not have any significant effect on improving FCR. ConclusionS: It is reported that some anticoccidials reduce feed consumption and feed conversion. It seems that neither of the present synthetic anticoccidials is completely satisfactory in controlling coccidiosis economic losses and new strategies are urgently required.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacilli are known as a valuable sourceof antimicrobial compounds and have a high potential of use infood biopreservation against food related microorganisms.OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial potency of 63 dairy lactobacilliisolates against four highly important food-related microorganismswere evaluated. In addition, a new way in data organization wasintroduced, which led to a more informative and rationalcomparison of indicator microorganisms' susceptibilities to a setof compounds. Correlation of pH and antimicrobial propertieswas investigated. METHODS: Microbroth dilution assay wasused to evaluate indicator microorganisms' susceptibility tolactobacilli CFCS (cell free culture supernatant). Results wereorganized by both the conventional way - demonstrating theminimum inhibitory and lethal concentrations of CFCS - and anew suggested method, representing comparative effectivenessof each CFCS specimen against indicator microorganisms ofcomparison interest. RESULTS: Susceptibilities of tested strainswere in the following order: Escherichia coliO157:H7 > Listeriamonocytogenes > Aspergillus parasiticus> Candida parapsilosis.Despite the high susceptibility of L. monocytogenes, it showedthe highest resistance to death among the tested microorganisms.Eefficiency of Lactobacilli CFCS in killing the tested strainsshowed the following susceptibility order: E. coli O157:H7 > A.parasiticus> C. parapsilosis> L. monocytogenes. Antimicrobialproperty was in correlation with the pH value of CFCS. PH hada pronounced impact on susceptibilities of C. parapsilosisand E.coli in pH values of concentrated CFCS lower than 4 and 4.5,respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Potency of lactobacilli isolates ingrowth inhibition of the indicator microorganisms was foundpromising, and the suggested data organization method providedadditional information, leading to more precise comparison ofindicator microorganisms.