Experiment was conducted to determine effect of Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil on stored spermatozoa. Semen collection was performed by using 15 mature roosters twice a week at four times. In each session, ejaculates were pooled and split into seven parts. The amounts of 0 (EO0), 50 (EO50), 100 (EO100), 200 (EO200), 400 (EO400), 600 (EO600) and 1000 (EO1000) ng/ml Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil were added to each part. Samples were chilled to 4°C and maintained for 72 h. Sperm assessment was performed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated after 48 h. Results showed that there was no interaction between Zataria multiflora essential oil and incubation time on membrane integrity, sperm motility and viability (p > 0.05). The highest sperm progressive motility (80.43%), viability (86.31%) and functional membrane integrity (85.81%) was observed in EO200 (p < 0.05). The lowest sperm motility (61.31%) and viability (73.31%) was observed in EO1000 (p < 0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde was lowest in EO200 (0.17 nM/ml, p < 0.05). Therefore, addition of 200 ng/ml Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil to semen improved longevity of rooster spermatozoa at 4°C.

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a zoonotic skin disease of small ruminants, caused by an epitheliotropic parapoxvirus and has a worldwide distribution with significant economic importance. The objective of this study was to determine clinicopathlogic abnormalities in goats naturally infected with CE. Thirty two goats, 16 affected with CE and 16 normal healthy goats were used in this study. CE was confirmed by histopathology and PCR. Blood samples were collected from jugular veins for hematological and biochemical analysis. The PCV, WBC and neutrophil counts of CE affected goats were significantly higher than those in the unaffected goats (p < 0.05). Serum biochemical analysis revealed significantly higher levels of BUN, glucose, MDA and iron concentrations as well as CK, AST, GGT and catalase activities in CE affected goats than healthy animals (p < 0.05). The serum activity of catalase, SOD and GPx in goats with CE were significantly lower than those in normal goats. Creatinine concentration in serum of goats with CE was significantly lower than that in heathy ones (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum total protein, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, and cholesterol concentrations between CE affected and healthy goats. The alterations observed in hematological and biochemical parameters of CE affected goats could be related to weight loss, subnutrition, oxidative stress and pathological changes including inflammation and secondary bacterial infection. These findings could be useful for the management of cases of sheep and goats with CE.

Despite the development of novel drugs and technologies in combating the infectious diseases, they remain as a global health challenge. The use of conventional antimicrobial drugs are always associated with problems such as antimicrobial resistance, adverse effects, and inefficient drug delivery. In this regard, the unique physiochemical properties of the nanoparticles have led to increase in the researches on nanoparticles and their application as promising antimicrobial products. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are new carrier systems developed as an alternative to traditional nanoparticle vehicles. The solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), lipid-drug conjugates (LDCs), Lipid-core nanocapsules (LNCs) and lipid-polymer nanoparticles (LPNs) are carriers with a lipid matrix showing advantages for different applications due to the use of biodegradable, and biocompatible lipids. LNPs have exclusive properties owing to their ultra-small size and high surface area, thereby, they are able to increase drug targeting, treatment efficiency and reduce the toxicity of antimicrobial drugs. LNPs are often used as sustained release systems, and they also used for improving drug bioavailability. It has been found that the composition and structure of LNPs are two critical factors that may influence their pharmaceutical performance in different body organs. This review focuses on the development of LNP systems for antimicrobial drugs delivery and gives an overview on the modern LNP- based therapeutic strategies against the infections. The mechanism of action and advantages of these nanoparticles as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-parasitic agents are highlighted in this review.

The implantable drug products are developed mainly to sustain the drug release. This study was conducted to formulate and evaluate cross-linked films of chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (β-GP) for the sustained delivery of enrofloxacin (ENR). Two types of formulations, single-layer (F1 and F2) and triple-layer (F3 and F4) films, were prepared. In vitro drug release, kinetic modelling, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, morphological and microbiological studies were performed. Drug release from F1 and F2 continued up to 5 hours but from F3 and F4, it was extended over 96 and 168 hours, respectively. The cumulative drug release for F1, F2, F3 and F4 were 72.6, 70.1, 90.5 and 82.4%, respectively. The inhibition zones of bacterial growth by using positive controls and single layer films were significantly greater than those of triple-layer films (p < 0.05), indicating sustained drug release pattern of the multi-layer films.These findings suggest that the triple-layer chitosan/ β-GP films could be effective to deliver ENR for a long period.