Kisspeptin stimulates gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). The GnRH neurons receive inhibitory inputs from ghrelin, RFamide related peptide-3 (RFRP-3), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased levels of GnRH/LH and kisspeptin, and decreased release of GABA, ghrelin,  and RFRP-3. In the present study, the effects of GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, were investigated on GnRH, KiSS1, RFRP-3, and ghrelin gene expression in the hypothalamus of PCOS model rats. For induction of PCOS, female Wistar rats weighing 180-200g received intra-muscular injection of estradiol valerate. Fifteen PCOS rats in three groups received intraperitoneal injections of saline, 5, or 10 mg/kg baclofen for two weeks. The hypothalamic samples were dissected. Gene expression levels of GnRH, KiSS1, RFRP-3, and ghrelin were determined by real time qPCR method. Results revealed that baclofen significantly decreased the mean relative KiSS1 gene expression compared to PCOS group. Also, the mean relative RFRP-3 gene expression significantly increased in the baclofen-receiving rats in comparison to PCOS group. Furthermore, baclofen did not change GnRH or ghrelin mRNA levels in comparison to PCOS group. According to these results it can be concluded that in PCOS condition the GABAergic signaling pathway may suppress GnRH neural activity via down or up regulation of the intra-hypothalamic neuropeptides upstream of GnRH neurons.

The Basolateral Amygdala (BLA) has been shown to have an important role in food-related learning behaviors. Using a novel approach, we have evaluated the role of BLA in food preference and Food memory related to visual cues in rats. Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats, weighing 200–250 g, were used for the experiments. Electric lesion of BLA was produced by passing 1.5 mA of current for 7 s. Food-related behaviors and preferences were evaluated by using an automated apparatus. Geometric visual cues were also constructed. Food-deprived rats were presented with different diets in 6 consecutive trial performances. The number of visits, time consumed on each food zone and port, distance traveled in each visit, and the total amount of food eaten was evaluated. The changes in hippocampal c-Fos expression were determined by immunoblotting. The control sham group showed a high and low preference for biscuit and white flour, respectively. BLA lesion rats exhibited a shifted preference curve. In the sham group, a more significant amount of food consumption was associated with an increased number of references to each zone and port, along with more time spent there. Furthermore, a decrease in hippocampal c-Fos expression was observed in the BLA- lesion animals. Taken together, the basolateral amygdala has a significant role in rats’ food-matched visual-cue memory and high-calorie/sweetness preferences.

Treatment of bacterial diseases such as bovine mastitis with antibiotics has problems such as antibiotic resistance and drug residue in animal products.  Essential oil of medicinal plants have antibacterial activity and are suitable alternatives. This study examined the antimicrobial activity of Salvia officinalis (sage) and Satureja hortensis (savory) essential oils on major mastitis-causing bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. Chemical compositions of essential oils were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of oils were determined with serial broth dilution method using autoclaved whole milk rather than synthetic broth. The effect of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of essential oils on the growth curve of tested bacteria in milk was obtained in 0, 1, 2, 4, 10, and 24 hours. Major compositions of sage and savory essential oils were carvacrol (61.01%), thymol (20.41%), 1R-α-pinene (7.88%), eucalyptol (32.45%), thymol (28.24%), and α-pinene (13.42%), respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration ranged 1.25-2.5% and 2.5-5% for savory, and 0.625-1.25% and 1.25-2.5% for sage, respectively. Savory and sage significantly decreased the S. aureus and S. agalactiae population in 4, 10, and 24 h (p < 0.05) and E. coli population in 10 and 24 h (p = 0.01). The sage and savory essential oils had antibacterial effects against three tested bacteria, and sage had a stronger effect than savory because of stronger antibacterial components (carvacrol and thymol). Further in vivo tests are recommended to evaluate the efficiency of these essential oils on the treatment of bovine mastitis.

The present study was conducted to perform a molecular comparison of Pulex irritans based on the mitochondrial genome in four different climatic regions including the Caspian Sea region, a mountainous region, Persian Gulf region,  and the Central Desert region, and based on nuclear ribosome genome in the west and northwestern Iran. A total of 1937 adult flea samples were collected including 1019 P. irritans (52.61%) and 918 Ctenocephalides canis (47.39%) from various hosts including humans (14.1%), sheep (22%), goats (33.5%), dogs (25.6%) and houses (6.7%) between April 2018 and May 2019. The samples collected from different hosts had similar morphological characteristics. However, there were slight differences based on mitochondrial markers and nuclear ribosomal markers in the study populations. The results from the phylogenetic tree based on three nuclear ribosome and mitochondrial markers showed that despite the slight differences in this sequence of different hosts and cities, all samples from different regions are in the same phylogeny. The results of ribosomal and mitochondrial genome analysis showed that these pieces are useful for demonstrating intraspecific similarity, and differentiation at species level and genus of P. irritans.

Our continually changing world has created new demands in society and has profoundly affected ecosystems, cultures, and professions. Ignoring the requirements and consequences of this ever-changing milieu could have devastating effects on all aspects of veterinary medicine. With the increasing global interconnections, several concepts have been created that should be addressed by the veterinary profession; otherwise, some instabilities will affect both the job and the society. In this article, these concepts will be critically analyzed and synthesized to portray an integrated perspective to address the necessities for the economic success of food animal practice, as well as describing the complicated role of veterinary medicine in the future. The first concept is the “evolving veterinary education”, introduced by OIE in 2009, to address the new requirements of competent veterinarians who are able to respond and adapt to modern trading and business requirements. The second concept is “One-Health”, which was introduced to address an integrated and all-inclusive perspective to health issues. All the specifications of this new concept are reflected in each letter of the word HEALTH (Humans, Ecosystems, Animals, Living Together, Harmoniously). The third concept is related to the “virtual water” theory, the total water consumed in the process of every activity, namely, the water footprint. It has been estimated that about 1000 and 15,500 liters of water are consumed in the process of production of a liter of milk and a kilogram of meat, respectively. Finally, the carbon footprint concept has been introduced to measure the total greenhouse gases emissions that enter into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide equivalent through individuals, events, organizations, services, places, products, and industries. The veterinary profession has a critical role and responsibility in the integration of the four abovementioned concepts.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate seed powder on cadmium-poisoned testicular tissue in Japanese quail. A total of 270 day-old Japanese quail chicks were assigned to six treatment groups, control group, cadmium 50 ppm (group II), pomegranate seed powder (1 and 0.5 %; groups III and IV, respectively), pomegranate seed powder 1% + Cd 50 ppm (group V), pomegranate seed powder 0.5% + Cd 50 ppm (group VI). Stereological parameters in testes and TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were determined. Testicular components showed a significant reduction in area surface and volume density in the cadmium-exposed groups compared with controls (p < 0.05). It was found that in the cadmium induction group, TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher compared to the normal level (p < 0.05). The results showed that pomegranate seed powder could increase the area surface and volume density of testicular germinal ingredients and decrease the content of TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride (p > 0.05) in cadmium poisoning testis. These results show that cadmium has destructive effects and pomegranate seed powder has prevented the development of these effects on stereological and lipid parameters.

Chlamydophila abortus is one of the major causes of pregnancy failure (abortion) in sheep and goats in many countries. In the present study, milk samples from sheep and goat herds of West Azerbaijan, Iran were examined for C. abortus using PCR and nucleotide sequencing. A total number of 360 milk samples were randomly collected from sheep (n=180) and goats (n=180) of three different regions of West Azerbaijan province during 2018. DNA was isolated from samples and the nested-PCR was employed targeting the 16S rRNA gene for detection of Chlamydia spp. The omp gene was amplified and sequenced for the characterization of detected C. abortus.The results showed that 8.61% (95% CI: 6.13%–11.96%) of the examined samples (11.67% sheep and 5.56% goat milk samples) were positive for C. abortus. The frequency of positive samples in the central region was significantly higher than in other regions. Positive samples for C. abortus from animals with a history of abortion were significantly higher than those without a history of abortion. Positive samples in autumn were significantly higher than the other seasons and also, in animals more than four years old were significantly higher than other age groups. Sheep infection was significantly higher than the goats. Phylogenetic analysis based on the helicase gene showed that two sequenced isolates clustered closely with the other C. abortus isolates reported in the GenBank. In conclusion, small ruminants in West Azerbaijan province were contaminated with C. abortus and they could shed this organism into the milk.

The current study aimed to see how the central dopaminergic and cannabinoidergic mechanisms affect melanocortin-induced food intake in the neonatal layer chickens. In this regard, 9 experiments were designed. In experiment 1, chicks injected with control solution, MTII (2.5, 5, and 10 ng). In experiment 2, control solution, L-DOPA (125 nmol), MTII (10 ng), and L-DOPA + MTII were applied to the birds. Experiments 3-9 were similar to experiment 2, except birds injected with 6-OHDA (150 nmol), SCH23390 (5 nmol), AMI-193 (5 nmol), NGB2904 (6.4 nmol), L-741,742 (6 nmol), SR141716A (6.25 µg), and AM630 (5 µg) instead of L-DOPA. Then, cumulative food intake was recorded at 30, 60, and 120 min following injection. According to the results, in comparison with the control group, dose-dependent hypophagia was observed in 3-h food-deprived neonatal layer chickens following ICV injection of MTII (2.5, 5, and 10 ng) (P<0.05). ICV injection of L-DOPA and SR141716A increased hypophagia induced by MTII in chickens (P<0.05), while 6-OHDA greatly suppressed MTII- induced hypophagia (P<0.05). In addition, SCH23390 and AMI-193 greatly weakened the MTII-induced hypophagia in neonatal layer chickens (P<0.05). However, NGB2904, L-741742 and AM630 had no role on hypophagia induced by MTII (P>0.05). These results demonstrated that melanocortin-induced hypophagia in the neonatal layer chickens is likely mediated by D1, D2, and CB1 receptors.

This study aimed to determine the influences of antioxidants additives on motility characteristics of different goat spermatozoa types including frozen/thawed, fresh, and chilled samples. Ejaculates from five Shami bucks were collected during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Spermatozoa samples from the three types were incubated in media containing 2 and 4 mM oxidized glutathione (GSSG), 5 and 10 mM L-cysteine,10 and 25 mM taurine, and no additives (control). Motility characteristics were analyzed by a computer-aided sperm analyzer (CASA). Except for taurine, the addition of antioxidants resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the percentage of motile sperm (MOT %) after spermatozoa thawing. When fresh sperm samples were collected during the non-breeding season and treated with both GSSG and L-cysteine, the values of the velocity parameters VAP, VSL, and VCL increased significantly (p < 0.05). No significant effects were noted for the velocity parameters when 10 and 25 mM of taurine were added to the chilled spermatozoa, while GSSG and L-cysteine had principally affected MOT % of this spermatozoa type. The rapid spermatozoa subpopulation was the most influenced category by the three antioxidants compared to the slow and medium grades, especially in the case of fresh and frozen/thawed types. In conclusion, the effects of different antioxidants on goat spermatozoa motility largely depend on the used concentration and also on the type of spermatozoa pattern.

A two-year-old queen was referred to the surgery section of veterinary hospital with lateral recumbency position and the primary diagnosis of dystocia. The queen was highly lethargic and dehydrated, with a pale mucous membrane, a rectal temperature of 37.3 °C, and no vaginal discharge during first inspection. The primary examination revealed a big mass in the abdominal cavity, which was followed by other diagnostic investigations. Due to a huge and encroaching tumor and the patient's owner's refusal to accept any further therapies, the queen was euthanized during an exploratory celiotomy. This report describes a large Hemangiopericytoma (HPCy) in a domestic short-haired queen diagnosed based on physical examination, radiography, ultrasonography, histomorphology, and immunohistochemical reactivity. The results of pathology revealed a whorls around blood vessels and the "fingerprint" pattern of tumor with negative S-100 immunohistochemistry staining.   In dogs, HPCy is a common neoplasm, but it is a seldom finding in cats. There is no previous report of HPCy in the abdominal cavity as observed in the presented case to the authors' knowledge.