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.

Polydipsia/polyuria syndrome is not a common manifestation in birds. Hyperglycemia was found on plasma chemistry in an African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus), which was presented with polyphagia and self mutilation symptoms. Radiography demonstrated signs of mild renalomegaly, air sac involvement which proved to be due to mycoplasma spp. infection on bactriological examination. The polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria were treated successfully by insulin regime but self mutilation around the neck was to be most consistent sign for 45 days since the bird presented to our Faculty’s clinic. The exact origin of the Polydipsia/polyuria and mild hyperglycemia remains unclear but the history of long time topical cortone therapy might be involved.

A 2- year- old male, intact domestic short hair cat was referred to the Veterinary Clinic of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad with a history of inappetence, vomiting, dysuria,stranguria, depression and continuous urine leakage from the skin injury in perineal region. After physical examinations, temperature, pulse and capillary refill time (CRT) were decreased and pale mucosal membranes and dehydration were observed. Palpation of the abdominal region was painful and kidneys were enlarged.Penis was not present in its normal anatomical position. In biochemical analysis, significant rise in BUN (urea nitrogen) and creatinin were noticed.In abdominal radiographs and ultrasonography evaluations distention of the urinary bladder and blockage in urinary tract were identified. According to these results presence of an obstruction was confirmed in the penile urethra, and consequently, perineal urethrostomy (PU) was performed for correction of obstruction and renewed urine outflow. Normal urination established in our patient after PU surgery and common postsurgery complications did not occurred.

Lead poisoning associated to residuals of batteries recycling was diagnosed in a small herd of Holstein cattle. In this outbreak, 10 animals showed clinical signs of lead poisoning, 5 dead and others saved after chelating therapy with CaNa2EDTA.Mean blood lead level of clinically intoxicated cattle was 0.624 ± 0.388 ppm and the levels varied between 0.320 and 1.300 ppm. Blood and milk lead levels of 9 exposed but unaffected cattle ranged 0.250 to 0.590 and 0.060 to 0.290 ppm respectively. Although blood and milk lead levels of those cattle sharply decreased after removal of lead source, some of them showed higher than acceptable levels when samples analyzed 60 days later.Products of all lead exposed cattle may not be safe for human consumption for several weeks and analysis should be performed to ensure their safety.

Theranekron®is commercially available, alcoholic extract of the tarantula cubensis(brown spider).Ten healthy thoroughbred mare racehorses were used at the present study. Blood samples were taken 30 minutes before and 8, 24, 48, 72 and 168h aftersubcutaneousadministration of 10ml Theranekron (1mg/48kg or 0.02mg/kgbw) via a jugular catheter. The results of this study showed that sampling time had a significant effects on the amount of PCV, hemoglobin concentration, RBC number, total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, bilirubin, activity of ALT, and ALP (p0.05). In conclusion, most of the observed changes in hematological and serum biochemical parameters were statistically and not clinically significant. Thus it seems that administration of Theranekron has no adverse reaction in experimental horses.

Borreliosis is a bacterial zoonosis transmitted by arthropods. The infection is more common in dogs than other domestic animals. A one-month-old puppy with fever, jaundice and digestion disorder was referred to Small Animal Hospital. Laboratory results included severely regenerative anemia, neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, strong spirochetemia and significant changes in serum proteins. The attempt to isolate the bacteria in animal laboratory failed. The infection was treated using the antibiotics and the animal completely recovered.

Lipid rich carcinoma is rare in dog and women and is characterized by cells that have an abundant foamy cytoplasm. A 10 year old, mix breed female dog suffered two subcutaneous masses in ventral abdomen was referred to surgery department of veterinary hospital of Ahvaz Shahid Chamran University. Surgical excision and microscopic examination of masses were done. After grading by Elston and Ellis method, istochemical staining was performed such as PAS, Cong red and Oil Red O.Immunohistochemical detection of pKi67, P53, cerbB2 and factor VIII – related antigen were carried out.icroscopically, the masses were two parts; first compose of big cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and euchromatin nuclei and second part cells with scant cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclei and obvious membrane. Grade of tumor was Grade III, poorly differentiated. Positive reaction was seen in vacuolated cytoplasm for Oil Red O. Neoplastic cells of lipid rich area demonstrated intense immunoreactivity for pKi67. All tumor cells lacked p53 and c-erbB2. This is the first report of coincidence of lipid rich carcinoma and solid carcinoma in a dog with description of histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics.

Dirofilaria immitis is a filariid worm which typically lives as adult in the right ventricle of the heart and the pulmonary arteries of the dog, causing the canine heartworm disease.Therapy of canine dirofilariosis due to Dirofilaria immitis is indicated for dogs suffering from clinical signs of the disease (such as chronic cough). The present paper describes diagnostic and treatment features of a D. immitis affected dog in Ahvaz district, Southwest of Iran. The dog had coughing, tachypnea, labored breathing, panting, hind limb edema,weakness, and exercise intolerance, at the time of referral. Auscultation revealed grade III/VI systolic murmur over the left apex of the heart. Giemsa stained blood smears containing microfilaria was morphologically identified as D. immitis. CBC revealed an inflammatory leukogram and mild anemia. Combined therapy with ivermectin (440 μg/kg as single dose),levamisol (10 mg/kg q 24 h for 10 days) and aspirin (10 mg/kg q 12 h for 10 days), during 2 stages, was effective. The number of microfilaria dropped from 1250±50/ml blood pretreatment to 150±10/ml (following the first treatment stage, after 10 days) and reached 0 a day after the second treatment. The animal remained negative regarding D. immitis microfilaremia during a follow-up period of 180 days. This record confirms the efficacy of ivermectin with levamisol and aspirin in the treatment of adult heartworm infection in a dog.