BACKGROUND: Considering the difference between the rate of multiple ovulation and ovarian activities of different breeds of ewes in different regions, especially out of seasonal breeding condition, finding efficient and effective protocols to induce multiple ovulation out of seasonal breeding would be much appreciated. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine fertility and multiple ovulation rates during summer and investigate the effect of supplementary feeding, and eCG injection prior to mating in the reproductive performance of Zel ewes. METHODES: At the beginning of summer, 135 ewes in Savadkooh region (north of Iran) were randomly selected and divided into six groups. The estrus cycles of ewes, except in control groups, were synchronized using a vaginal sponge for 14 days. In groups 1 (n=22) and 2 (n=22) ewes were fed with supplementary feeding for 21 and 8 days, respectively, prior to mating. In Group 3 (n=26) ewes were fed with the same ration as Group 2 and were injected (IM) with 400 IU eCG at the time of sponge withdrawal. Ewes in Group 4 (n=23) just grazed on the pasture and injected with eCG as Group 3. In Group 5 (n=20) the estrus of ewes was synchronized as other groups, but they were not received any other treatment. Ewes in Group 6 (n=22, Control) received no treatment, and as the same Group 1 and 2 were mated with fertile rams for eight weeks. Experimental ewes were mated with fertile rams (1:8) 48 hrs after sponge removal for 96 hrs. RESULTS: The findings showed that the fertility in group 3 was significantly more than group 2 and 5, but there was no significant difference between the others (p>0.05). The prolificacy and fecundity were significantly higher in groups treated with eCG than the others (p<0.01), however there was no significant difference between groups 3 (with flashing) and 4 (without flashing). CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that vaginal sponge and eCG treatment may improve the multiple lambing and reproductive performance of Zel ewes during summer, and supplementary feeding prior to mating, as described in this experiment, cannot make any significant improvement in multiple lambing.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress declines the performance through physiologic changes of the poultry. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of L-carnitine on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chickens fed with high fat diets under heat stress. METHODS: Two hundred one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design by four treatments and five replicates (pen) 10 birds in each replicate. The chickens of experimental treatments were fed with basal diet (control group) and the diets plus the different levels of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg L-carnitine. The experimental diets were used during the finisher period (day 24 to 42 of age) and under heat stress (32±1ºC as cyclic from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM). RESULTS: The results showed that the chicks fed with the highest L-carnitine had the higher weight gain during the finisher period as compared to control and the lower L-carnitine fed chicks (p<0.05). Furthermore, the feed conversion ratio of birds fed with the medium and high L-carnitine levels (100 and 300 mg) was lower than that of control birds (p<0.05). In orthogonal contrasts, L-carnitine supplementation caused the improvement in weight gain and feed conversion ratio during both the finisher and whole experimental periods (p<0.05). The consumption of highest L-carnitine decreased the abdominal fat as compared to control (p<0.05). In orthogonal contrasts, L-carnitine consumption caused the higher glucose and lower abdominal fat in comparison to control (p<0.05). CONLUSIONS: Totally, the results of recent experiment show that consumption of 300 mg/kg L-carnitine improves the performance of broiler chickens through the increase in dietary fatty acids and energy.

BACKGROUND: The use of feed withdrawal for molt induction can negatively affected the structure and microbial environment of intestine and lead to greater intestinal colonization by salmonella infection. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present experiment was to determine the effects of alfalfa as a high fiber ingredient for molt induction on intestinal morphometric characteristics and performance of commercial laying hens. METHODS: In this experiment 108 Hy-line (W36) laying hens aged 74 weeks in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 6 replicates were used. Using treatments for 12 days molt period were included: 1- control group fed with layer ration (FF), 2- feed withdrawal group (FW), 3- group fed with 90% alfalfa and 10% layer ration (A90). Performance of birds was monitored for 12 weeks after the end of the molting period. RESULTS: Feed withdrawal hens had lowest villus height in all three regions of the intestine (p<0.05).The highest average of deudenal crypt depths was observed in FW hens. In all three regions of the intestine, the lowest amounts of villus index and villus surface was observed in FW hens (p<0.05). In all three regions of the intestine, the highest and lowest average of goblet cells was seen in the A90 and FW hens respectively. The highest mean of post molt egg mass was observed in FW hens (p<0.05). The best FCR was seen in the A90 group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of alfalfa-riched feed for molt induction of laying hens results in improvement of morphometric characteristic of intestine and post molt performance.

BACKGROUND: AmpC and ESBLs as mediated-plasmid extended spectrum β-lactabases are the main factors of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in enterobacteriacea especially E. coli and will follow treatment failure, high costs of treatment in human and economic losses in the poultry industry. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to screen and study the faecal E. coli isolates producing extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC enzymes and related workers. METHODS: A total of 500 cloacal swab samples from broiler chickens and 25 rectal swab samples from workers were collected from five poultry houses around Tehran. All samples were seeded on MacConkey agar and identification of E. coli isolates were performed via biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined against 12 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method as recommended by the clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI2012). Ceftazidim / ceftazidim-clavolanic acid and cefoxitin / cefoxitin-EDTA disks were used for the detection of ESBL and AmpC phenotypes, respectively. phonetic analysis of the drug resistances was performed via SPSS software and Chi-square test. ESBL- producing E. coli screened by PCR for the presence of genes encoding beta-lactamases of TEM, CTX-M and SHV.       RESULTS: A total 467 E. coli isolates were isolated from 88.9% of the samples as 92% and 72.7% of isolates presenting MDR phenotype among chickens and workers respectively. ESBL phenotype detected in 5.5% (26) of poultry isolates while, none of the workers isolates have this phenotype. Six isolates carried both of TEM and CTX-M whereas, five and one isolates were detected only for TEM and CTX-M, respectively. Eighty-eight and nine-tenths percent of ESBL E. coli displayed AmpC phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Since cephalosporins are not used in broilers in Iran, isolation of faecal E. coli isolates producing extended spectrum β-lactamases in broilerchickens can indicate transfer of the resistance genes via plasmids and other mobile genetic elements among Enterobacteriaceae.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonosis in Middle East and Iran. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was genomic detection of Brucella spp. in sero-positive dairy cattle. METHODS: We have collected 28,519 blood samples from cows during 2012-2013. Samples were screened by Slide and tube agglutination and 2-Mercaptoethanol tests. Samples with anti-Brucella antibodies titer ≥ 1:80 and ≥1:40 in tube agglutination and 2-ME tests were considered as positive respectively. Tissue samples include: lymph nodes, liver, testicle and kidney from 122 samples of slaughtered cows were collected. The Sero-positive samples were examined by a collection of specific primers for Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, vaccinal strains included RB51 and Rev1 using PCR tests. RESULTS: Results showed that 450 samples were positive in slide agglutination test and 447 samples had anti-brucella antibodies titer equal to or more than 1:80. So they were positive by tube agglutination test. Three hundred eighty nine samples were positive by 2- mercaptoethanol test. PCR test results showed that 46 samples (37.7%) out of 122 samples had a specific sequence of Brucella or otherwise they have an active infection with Brucella species, whereas 62.3% of samples were negative. The PCR results showed that 2 samples (4.35%) were infected by B. melitensis, 2 samples (4.35%) infected by Rev1 strain and 42 samples (91.3%) were infected by B. abortus. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that, as we had expected, the majority of cows were infected by B. abortus. Animals who infected by B. melitensis and Rev1 strain may be a result of contact with sheep or goats. We couldn’t find Brucella genome in 76 samples (62.3%) of sero-positive cows. It may be caused by cross reaction of sera with Brucella species in tests or activation of immune system response and elimination of organism from internal organs.

BACKGROUND: Freshwater pulmonate family Lymnaeidae are well-known for their role in transmission of diginean trematodes worldwide. Objectives: The study was aimed to investigate the ecology and effects of physical and chemical components of the environment on their distribution and populaion density. Methods: The lymnaeid snails were randomly collected from 16 freshwater habitats in West Azarbaijan Province and water samples were also provided from the habitats for chemical analysis. Results: The distribution patterns of the lymnaeid snails in all the examined sites were almost identical throughout the year except in winter. The snails were mostly found in lentic waters or slow-moving streams with muddy beds. The population densities of Lymnaea auricularia, L. gedrosiana and L. stagnalis significantly differed among the investigated waters during the course of study. The concentration of nitrate had significant positive correlations with the snails’ density while there was no significant correlation between nitrite or phosphate concentration with the population density and body size. Conclusions: The results indicated that distribution and density of the snails were affected by season and physicochemical characteristics of environments. These results can be useful for launching the control programs against parasitic trematodes in the region.

BACKGROUND: Enhancement of the immune system seems to be the most promising method of preventing fish diseases and increasing growth rate. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of dietary administration of Zataria multiflora Boiss and Menthapulegium L extracts on phagocytosis, lysozyme, respiratory burst and total white and red blood cells (WBC/RBC) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Methods: Two hundred and ten fish (100±10 g) were used in a completely randomized design with 7 treatment and 3 replicates in a 2 weeks period (from 0 to 14 d). The basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg food Z. multiflora and M.pulegium extracts. At the end of the experiment (after 14 days), samples from kidney and blood of the fish were collected in order to determine WBC/RBC (by neubauer chamber), serum lysozyme activity (by turbid metric assay, phagocytosic (by number of yeast cells phagocytosed method) and respiratory burst activities (by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium method) of head kidney tissue. Results: The results indicated that the highest ratio of phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity was observed in 50 mg/kg extract concentration of Z. multiflora (p<0.05). The highest WBC lysozyme activities were seen   in 100 mg/ kg extract concentration of Z. multiflora. No significant difference was shown between RBC in treatment groups and control group (p>0.05). The highest ratio of phagocytosis activity was observed in 100 mg/kg extract concentration of M. pulegium (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between WBC /RBC, lysozyme, respiratory burst means in treatment groups and control group (p>0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that 50 and 100 mg/ kg of the methanol Z. multiflora and 100 mg/ kg M. pulegium have positive effects on stimulating of innate immune system in O.mykiss, but the influence of Z. multiflora extract with100 mg/ kg  concentration is  better than  M. pulegium extract.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics, in form of microbial supplements, are known to be a suitable alternative for antibiotics and can affect the health indicators of host. Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the combined effects of dietary autochthonous Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger on haematological and serumbiochemicalparameters of beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles. Methods: This study was based on a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 3 replicates on beluga juveniles with average weight of (mean ±SE) 31.8±2.81g. Beluga Juveniles were divided randomly into 12 fiber glassy tanks with density of 30 fish per tank and were fed with diet contain dietary probiotic with density of 2×106 (Cells/g) for the first treatment, 4×106 (Cells/g) for the second treatment, 6×106 (Cells/g) for the third treatment and basal diet without probiotic for the control group for 8 weeks. Results: Diet supplementing with concentration of 6×106 (Cells/g), significantly improved serum biochemical parameters (p<0.05), however hematological parameters were affected by supplemented diet with probiotics that showed no significant difference in comparison with the control group (p>0.05). Also results indicate that growth factors were improved in experimental treatments in comparison with the control group. Conclusions: The results showed that the use of combination of these species with studied concentrations can improve the performance of some biochemical parameters such metabolites factors, immune, enzymes and serum electrolytes of belugajuveniles. It is recommended that the concentration of A. niger and S. cerevisiae, used for third treatment be used as an immune stimulator for beluga juveniles.

BACKGROUND: Toxocara canis is a zoonotic disease that commonly infects canids. Mammals and birds are sometimes infected with this disease as paratenic hosts. It can also cause accidental infection in humans. The increase in the number of stray dogs, the expansion of urban gardens, and the proximity of dogs to humans increase the risk of human infection with Toxocara canis.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in dogs and foxes in Zanjan province, Iran.METHODS: A total of 484 fecal samples of stray dogs (n=355), rescue dogs (n=49), guard dogs (n=50), and foxes (n=30) in Zanjan were randomly collected from June 2021 to February 2022. The microscopic examination was done following formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation procedures. Finally, the PCR method was used to confirm the presence of Toxocara canis in positive samples.RESULTS: Microscopic study revealed that, out of 484 samples, 21 (4.3%) were positive for Toxocara/ Toxascaris eggs. Between these positive samples of dogs and foxes, only 6 samples from dog feces were confirmed as a Toxocara canis infection by the PCR method.CONCLUSIONS: There is an increase in the prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in stray dogs in Zanjan, Iran. Given the presence of dogs in parks and residential areas, there is a risk of human infection with Toxocara canis, emphasizing the importance of adhering to treatment and prevention protocols in dealing with stray dogs.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is a heavy metal harmful to animals and humans. Exposure to it causes inflammation, apoptosis, or necrosis in numerous tissues, including the adrenal.OBJECTIVES: The present research investigates the effect of cadmium toxicity on the expression of genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis. Inflammation increases the rate of parenchymal cell death, and fibrosis will only fill the place of dead cells without being able to perform the function of the primary parenchyma.METHODS: In this research, cadmium chloride with a concentration of 20 mg/kg was added to the diet of ten mice in two groups of five. On the 30th day of the study, the adrenal glands were quickly sent to the laboratory. The expression of NF-kB/MAPK, hematoxylin, eosin tissue staining, and immunohistochemistry (CD163) were performed.RESULTS: The inflammation mentioned in others’ research can also be associated with the activation of the nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB) pathway. NF-κB gene products initiate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 pathways. Previous studies indicate that MAPK induces necrosis or apoptosis in tissues. In histopathology, dense and possibly pyknosis nuclei are more common in the cadmium group. The higher expression of the CD163 molecule in the cadmium group reveals the beginning of the fibrosis process after chronic inflammation.CONCLUSIONS: This report provides more basic data to investigate the mechanism of adrenal damage in cadmium poisoning. Cadmium causes the death of cells by affecting the inflammatory pathways. Additionally, the stimulation of the fibrosis process causes greater irreparable damage to the damaged tissue of the adrenal gland.