BACKGROUND: Carnitine biosynthesis needs methionine and lysine amino acids, vitamins niacin and ascorbic acid. So the usage of both L-carnitine and vitamin C may  improve the effects of only L-carnitine. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of L-carnitine and vitamin C on the growth performance‚ body composition; blood serum parameters in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, 540 fingerlings with the average weight 40±2 g were arranged in treatments including 3 vitamin C levels: zero, 500, 1000 and 2 L-carnitine levels: zero, 800 (mg/kg diet), with 3 replicates. RESULTS: Results showed weight gain, special growth rate and feed conversion ratio in the level of 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine had a significant increase compared to control (p<0.05). The highest and the lowest lipid content were observed in control and 1000/800vitamin C/ L-carnitine, respectively (p<0.05). The highest protein content was observed in 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine (p<0.05). Cholesterol and glucose showed a significant decrease in 500/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine. It was observed that 1000/800 vitamin C/L-carnitine caused significant decrease in blood triglycerides (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Finally, it was determined that using vitamin C 500 and L-carnitine 800 mg/kg diet caused some improvement in growth performance with no  negative effects on blood parameters.

BACKGROUND: The application of natural compounds including green tea extract (GTE) in food preparation and pharmaceutical industries is limited. Nowadays, encapsulation in nanoliposomes could be used as a delivery system to protect compounds during processing and storage. Objectives: In this study, physicochemical characterization of green tea extract encapsulated in nanoliposomes and its prebiotic activities on two probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium lactis were evaluated in media and ice cream. Methods: At first, GTE encapsulated in liposomes by thin film layer method and with sonication liposomes reached to nanoscale. For evaluation of the prebiotic activity of nanoliposomal GTE on probiotics, 1% of nanoliposomal GTE in the presence of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium lactis was added to MRS broth and ice cream. Results: The mean diameter of nanoliposomes was about 44/7± 1/9 nm and had 0/203 ±0/014 polydispersity index. Entrapment eficiency of nanoliposomal GTE under the optimum conditions was 97%. Moreover, addition of 1% nanoliposomal GTE significantly increased the growth rate of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium lactis in culture media (p<0.05). The lowest reduction of Lactobacillus casei count during storage period was recorded in ice cream containing 1% of nanoliposomal GTE, while the control group showed the reduction of 4/16 log in Lactobacillus casei count. Similarly, addition of 1% of nanoliposomal GTE was most effective on survival of Bifidobacterium lactis in ice cream, since the bacterial count lowered only 0/84 log during the storage compared to 4/4 log reduction in control group. Conclusions:  The considerable effect of nanoliposomal GTE on growth and survival rate probiotics in media and ice cream has been presented in this study and  the use of nanoliposome encapsulation can be proposed as a new method to increase stability of natural compounds, during different processes.

BACKGROUND: Goldfish (Carassius auratus), a carp fish of Cyprinidae family, is one of the most popular aquarium fishes in Iran and also in the world. Ornamental fish trade, especially Goldfish, is aged over a hundred years. If we believe that any aquatic species or country has its own specific and unknown fauna of pathogens, the risks of transmission of these pathogens by importing ornamental fishes (whether at national, provincial or municipal level) will become more obvious. However, few researches have been done about parasitic infections in ornamental fishes. Objectives: Identification and investigation of fish pathogens, especially parasites, prior to transportation to new place is considerably important in the preventing and restricting the transmission of these pathogens.                      Methods: In this study, skin and gills of 100 goldfish were examined by wet mount in order to investigate monogenean parasites. Results: Nine species of parasites from 3 families (Dactylogyridae, Gyrodactylidae and Ancylodiscoididae) were isolated and identified in fishes, including 4 species of Gyrodactylus (Gyrodactylus kobayashii, Gyrodactylus Gurleyi, Gyrodactylus longoacuminatus and Gyrodactylus sp.), 4 species of Dactylogyrus (Dactylogyrus vastator, Dactylogyrus formosus, Dactylogyrus baeri and Dactylogyrus sp.) and 1 species of Ancylodiscoides. Gyrodactylus kobayashii (10%) were the most common parasites found, followed by Dactylogyrus vastator (9%). ConclusionS: Although these fishes are quite resistant against such pathogens, transporting them to a new aquatic ecosystem could transfer these parasites and cause infestation of healthy fishes, which brings about financial losses and casualties.

BACKGROUND: Caspian miniature horse is an Iranian breed of the horse. Some anatomical studies such as topography of the heart have been conducted in recent years. Objectives: Regarding the importance of SA node in regulating the rhythmic contraction of heart, the present study was performed to demonstrate the position of the SA node and its arterial supply. Methods: 4 excised hearts of Caspian miniature horse were used for this study.  The coronary arteries in two horses were injected with a mixture of gelatin and choromopaque and the other two with colored rodopas. The gelatin injected specimens were used for contrast radiography and the rodopas injected specimens were macerated in HCl and the cast  studied for arterial branches. Terminal sulcus and location of SA node was macroscopically detected and separated for histological investigation. Results: Our study showed that the SA node is a small mass of transformed cardiac muscle. It is situated under the epicardium of the right ventricle between the cranial vena cava and the right auricle. The blood is supplied by a few branches separated from the right auricular branch of the proximal branch of left atrial artery. The latter itself is a branch of the left circumflex artery of the left coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves approximately 1% of the population older than 50 years. Classically, PD is considered a motor system disease, and its diagnosis is based on the presence of a set of cardinal motoric signs (e.g. rigidity, bradykinesia, motor and postural reflex disturbance). ObjectiveS: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of lavender (Lavandula officinalis) on motor disorders of pseudo PD rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=7). PD signs were induced by intra-peritoneal (IP) injection of reserpine (5mg/kg) prior to administration of the lavender extract. Three goups of rats received different doses (200, 300, 400 mg/kg, P.O) of the lavender extract and sham group received distilled water at the same volume for six days and two times per day. At the seventh day, Catalepsy and  other signs of PD were measured in the bar test, rotarod and open field. Results: In this study, improvement in signs of Parkinson disease were not observed by applying lavender hydro-alcoholic extract and  motor disorders were not reduced in comparison with sham group. Conclusions: The lavender hydro-alcoholic extract does not have any effect on motor disorders of Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Annexins (including annexin A1 and annexin A2) are important proteins which have some roles in organisms such as intracellular signal conduction, membrane cellular skeletal connection, cellular proliferation and differentiation, especially inhibitory function in inflammation processing. Pasteurella multocida is the most common bacterial pathogen and has high prevalence in pneumonia. Objectives: This study was aimed to determine experimentally annexin A1 and annexin A2 in the serum of calves affected by Pasteurella multocida pneumonia. Methods: In this research, 10 male calves (2 - 4 months) were allocated to two equal groups, one group as the case: 300 ml in dilution 2×109 CFU Pasteurella multocida bacteria and the other as control group: 300 ml normal saline inoculated by special lavage catheter through oral to trachea. Clinical scores were recorded based on available tables. In treatment group, about 18 to 24 hours after inoculation and synchronous with observation clinical signs changes, bronchoalveolar lavage for cytology and bacteriology examination were done of fluids results from washing. Blood sampling was taken from calves jugular vein in both groups then blood serums were examined by using ELISA kits. Results: The rates of annexin A1 and annexin A2  in blood serum of treatment group showed significant increase (using independent t test) compared to control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: It seems these annexins (annexin A1 and annexin A2) can be used as important biomarkers in blood serum to diagnose inflammation processes such as pneumonia.

Background: Anthrax is a widespread disease in Iran and its importance is not only restricted to the economic losses in livestock but also is significant in terms of public health. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anthrax combating program in livestock since 1989 to 2014. Methods: In this study, national strategy of anthrax disease in livestock was evaluated from the beginning to 2014. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Results: Vaccination against anthrax began from 1929. From1989 to 2014, vaccination had been done for 78621001 cattle and 1357680466 small ruminants. In these years, there were 452 and 761 epidemics of disease in cattle and small ruminants respectively. In addition, 666 cattle and 5775 small ruminants were dead due to anthrax. There was no statistically significant relationship between the number of epidemics and vaccination, as well as between the rate of mortality and vaccination in livestock population.Conclusion: Without planning based on epidemiological principles, vaccination alone will not actually be able to decrease the incidence of the disease, so vaccination should be targeted along with control and surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Ostertagia  species are the main domestic ruminants abomasum worms, which cause parasitic gastritis. Parasitic gastritis is associated with disruption of the endocrine structure of abomasum, and influence the function and pH of abomasums. This can lead to weight loss, reduced milk and wool production with potentially mal-digestion of proteins. These cause the economic loss to animal husbandry industry. So, the national research priority in veterinary parasitology is identification of different native species of Ostertagia in Iran. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study is identification and differentiation of Ostertagia species based on the molecular characterization. METHODS: During carcasses inspection at different abattoirs in Rey, Tehran, Mashhad and Bandar Abbas, 180 adult male worms of Ostertagia species from sheep and goat were collected. Morphological analysis was performed based on the morphometric characteristics of spicules. The ITS1, 5.8s and ITS2 ribosomal DNA was ampilified from individual worms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then purified PCR product were sequenced and analyzed by Blast tool. RESULTS: 946 bp PCR products for all sequenced samples were compared with the released sequences of Ostertagia isolates available from GenBank and showed 2-3% differences and 97-98% similarity. CONCLUSIONS: The three species included in the present study are different in terms of molecular property (with 2-3% difference) and it is necessary to determine transmittance pattern and host affinity rules from each one to be used by program managers and evaluators for Prevention and Control programs.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the main monohydroxylated derivative of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) formed in liver and excreted into milk. AFM1  creates  certain hygienic risks for human health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine AFM1 level in raw milk samples in Yazd province. METHODS: This investigation was a descriptive-cross sectional study. Eighty raw milk samples were collected from four cities (Yazd, Taft, Mehriz and Sadogh) in Yazd province in winter and spring seasons. The concentration of AFM1 was determined by ELISA method. The analysis of the results was performed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: All samples (100%) were contaminated with AFM1, with the concentrations ranging from 3.18 to 92.24 ng/l with a mean concentration of 22.07 ng/l. AFM1 level in 13.7% of raw milk samples was higher than the maximum tolerance limit of 50 ng/l accepted by the European Union (EU). The contamination level of AFM1 in winter samples (28.21 ng/l) was higher than spring samples (15.92 ng/l). Also, the highest and lowest contamination levels were observed in milk samples collected from Sadogh (mean 42.21 ng/l) and Yazd (12.79 ng/l) cities, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated AFM1 was detected with a mean concentration of 22.07 ng/l in milk samples of Yazd province. Moreover, 13.7% of samples contained AFM1 at hazardous levels for human health.

BACKGROUND: Infection by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in turkeys may  lead to immunosuppression effects and therefore turkeys could not resist against pathogenic or less pathogenic agents. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to examine the effects of IBDV on response of turkey’s poults to avian influenza virus (AIV).METHODS: A total of 100 day-old poults were divided randomly into 4 equal groups. Groups 1 and 2 were infected with 104CID50 of IBDV by oral route at 1 day of age; groups 1 and 3 were infected with 106 EID50 of AIV (H9N2) by the oculo-nasal route at day 30. Poults of  group 4 were kept  as uninfected control group. All groups were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. Blood  samples  via wing web were collected at days 0, 30, 37, 44, 51  and 58 and anti- NDV and anti-AIV serum titers were measured by HI test. At days 33 and 41 three poults of each group were euthanized and their splenic lymphocytes proliferation repose to phytohaemagglutinin was assessed. RESULTS: Influenza clinical signs were prolonged and more intensive in group 1 than group 3. The mean HI titers to NDV were significantly lower in group 1 than group 3, in all sampling times, but anti-AIV titers were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 3  from days 14 AIV (H9N2) post infection. The lymphocyte proliferation assay with PHA did not show any differences between groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: IBDV suppresses immune response in turkey and causes prolonged and more intensive clinical signs after challenge with AIV.