BVDV and BHV-1 are considered as worldwide, complicated and economically significant infections associated with a range of clinical syndromes in cattle. As clinical syndromes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, abortion and reproductive losses were repeatedly reported in dairy herds in suburbs of Arak, this study was planned to determine the prevalence of antibodies to BVDV and BHV-1 in industrial dairy herds in the region. For this purpose, a total of 803 serum samples from 12 non-vaccinated herds were collected between June to October 2008 and evaluated for BVDV and BHV-1 antibodies using commercially available ELISA kits. Antibodies were detected against BVDV in all herds, but only one herd was free from BHV-1. The prevalence rate of 54.3% and 35.6% was estimated for BVDV and BHV-1, respectively. In addition, statistical analysis showed significant associated seropositivtiy to both infections. The results notably exhibited that both BHV-1 and BVDV infections are highly prevalent in the region, indicating that control measures should be implemented to reduce the prevalence rate of these infections.

Mycoplasmosis is one of the most important diseases in the poultry industry. Its causative agent, mycoplasma has various species, which two of them, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are the most important species. Due to the enormous losses in the production farms of industrial poultry, achieving a rapid, accurate and definite diagnosis of mycoplasma is of great importance. An early and definite diagnosis can guarantee the farm management on keeping herd health. In many countries such as Iran, the disease and its complications have still remained as a serious problem. Given this issue, we decided to identify the mycoplasma infection from broiler poultry flocks through culture method. 150 carcasses of broiler chicken belonging to 50 broiler flocks were sampled in which the signs of air sacs involvement and secretions in the airways, trachea and bronchi were seen. Samples taken from trachea, palatine cleft, nasal passages and air sacs, were cultivated into PPLO liquid medium using membrane filters (0.45 micron). They were incubated at 37 °C and were examined for pH (color) changes for every 48 hours. During the first 24 hours after cultivation, every color change to yellow or dark visible with the bare eye was considered as bacterial contamination, therefore, the contaminated samples were removed from the incubator. The color change in the liquid media was compared with the uninoculated medium as negative control. If a color change was observed in the liquid media after 48h, subculture was done in the PPLO agar. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 14 days. They were examined for mycoplasma colonies using a microscope with magnification of 10 in every other day. The results showed that out of 150 samples obtained from 50 broiler flocks, 16 (10.66%) were positive for mycoplasma, while in terms of contamination, 4 flocks (8%) were positive. The contamination of positive cultures was finally confirmed through PCR method with universal primer.

The chick model is a useful research tool to investigate the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Recognition of appropriate markers for detection of chick enteric ganglia will allow better utilization of this model to study abnormalities of the ENS. This study aimed to validate a set of antibodies for avian ENS studies on wax sections. The specimens were taken from jejunum and colorectum of early post-hatching chicks, fixed in 4% buffered formaldehyde and stained using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin and S-100 immunohistochemical biomarkers were employed on paraffin-embedded blocks to identify enteric ganglia. The immuno-reactivity scoring was recorded using a semi-quantitative fourtiered system (0, 1+, 2+, and 3+). In jejunum specimens, the immune-reactivity of GFAP was significantly higher than both synaptophysin (p=0.001) and S-100 (p=0.001). There was also a significant difference (p=0.03) between the immune-reactivity induced by NSE and S-100 in the jejunum samples. Significant differences were observed between GFAP immuno-reactivity and both synaptophysin and S-100 (p=0.013; and p =0.005, respectively) in the samples collected from colorectum. The level of immuno-reactivity between NSE and both synaptophysin and S-100 biomarkers in the colorectal specimens were also different significantly (p=0.02 and 0.007,respectively). The results of the present work showed that GFAP and NSE biomarkers can be used with high immuno-reactivities to examine the chick enteric ganglia as an appropriate animal model in ENS developmental disorders.

Stem cells are generally defined as clonogenic cells capable of both self-renewal and differentiation. Probably the best method for long-term preservation of spermatogonial stem cells is cryopreservation. In this study, effects of Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Testosterone on viability rate of cryopreserved spermatogonial stem cell after Thawing were investigated. Sertoli and spermatogonial cells were isolated from 3-5 months old calves. Cocultured sertoli and spermatogonial cells were treated with Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Testosterone in treatment groups before cryopreservation. Results indicated that Follicle Stimulating Hormone increased viability rate of cryopreserved spermatogonial cells in comparison with Testosterone and control group. In conclusion, using Follicle Stimulating Hormone provided proper bovine spermatogonial stem cell culture medium for in vitro culture and cryopreservation of these cells.