BACKGROUND: High grain diets in ruminants increases the risk of digestives disorders such as acidosis which may lead to high economic loss. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid and monensin on gene expression of enzymes involved metabolic pathway of cell proliferation and rumen epithelial intracellular pH regulation. METHODS: Twenty two male Afshari lambs with live body weight of 45 ± 8 kg and six month age were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments replicates for 77days including 21 days adaptation period. Experimental diets were consisted of a basal high concentrate diet (16% CP and 2.75 Mcal/kg ME) and 1) no additive (control, C= 8 lambs), 2) 30 mg monensin/day/head during the whole experimental period (T1= 8 lambs), and 3) (polyunsaturated fatty acidduring the whole experimental period (T2 = 6 lambs). Lambs were killed after 77 days on the treatment diets. RESULTS: Compared with the C treatment, relative abundance of mRNA of monocarboxylate transporter isoforms MCT1, MCT4 and the ketogenic enzyme 3-hydroxy-3 methyl-glutaryl CoA-synthase (HMGCS2) were higher for the T1 treatment. The expression of cholesterolgenic enzyme HMGCS1 was down-regulated for the T1 treatment and that of HMGCS1 was up- regulated for the T2 treatment. The expression of MCT1 and MCT4 were down-regulated for the T2 treatment. Monensin had an additional impact on the mRNA abundance of epithelial SCFA- and acid-base transporters with concurrent changes in rumen epithelial thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that adding monensin and oil as nutritional means to reduce acidosis cause changes in mRNA expression of VFA transferring proteins and limiting enzyme in the synthesis of cholesterol and Ketone bodies in the rumen epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblasts are one of the important cells in wound healing. These cells create a proper bed for keratinocytes migration and wound contraction.Wound healing in distal limb of horses has complications, such as formation of exuberant granulation tissue (EGT). The main factor in this problem is overgrowing of fibroblasts. ObjectiveS: The purpose of the present study was to compare fibroblast growth curve in isolated skin from horses’ neck and distal limb. Methods: 5 horses with normal hematological and clinical signs were selected. Two samples of full thickness of skin were taken from the neck and lateral metacarpal region of each horse asseptically. Then the samples were washed with PBS minced and placed in ventilated flask 25 cm2. After attaching samples to flask, 5 ml culture medium(RPMI-1640 with 10% FBS) were added and the flask was placed in an incubator at 37°c in 5% CO2. After leaving a sufficient number of cells from tissues adhered to the bottom of the flask, the cells were passaged to a new ventilated flask. After growth and proliferation of cells, they were passaged again and a suspension of cells in culture medium (10000 cells/ml) was maked. To each cell of a 24-well plate, one ml of this suspension was added. After 48 hour, cells of 3 well were detached with tripsin daily, counted and viability determinted within 8 days. Results: There was no significant difference between viable cells number but there was significant difference in viability percent of cells in neck and distal limb. The mean of population doubling time (PDT) for fibroblasts of neck is 31.73 hours and for fibroblasts of distal limb is 26.4 hours. This difference was not significant. ConclusionS: With regard to different viability percentage, it seems that the appoptosis in fibroblasts of neck skin is more regular than distal limb skin.

BACKGROUND: SDFT, DDFT and suspensory ligament are the most important tendons and ligament of the palmar aspect of the metacarpus that contribute to stability mechanism. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the tendons and ligaments of the palmar surface of metacarpus in Anatoly donkey and compare them with those in horse. METHODS: 14 healthy Anatoly donkeys without lameness were selected to detect the tendons, ligaments and their accessories on the palmar surface of metacarpus in both left and right forelimbs after euthanasia. 4 horses were also selected and their tendons and ligaments in palmar surface of metacarpus were compared with those in Anatoly donkeys.  RESULTS: DDFT and suspensory ligament in this region were similar in Anatoly donkeys and horses but SDFT in Anatoly donkeys had an accessory ligament in the palmar surface of the metacarpus that was originated from the deep fascia of carp after the carpal joint and was joined to the SDFT. CONCLUSIONS: This second accessory ligament of SDFT has not been observed in the studied horses and has never been reported in the related references. The results of this study can be used in to diagnose and treat lameness in Anatoly donkeys by radiologists and surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Fish are constantly exposed to various pathogens and parasites in particular. Gyrodactylus from Platyhelminthes is an important monogenean ectoparasite that can cause disease and economical losses to cultured, wild, salt and fresh water and ornamental fish. Gyrodactylus appears to be one of the most prevalent parasites of ornamental fish especially in Cyprinids. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify morphometric and molecular characteristics of Gyrodactylus parasite on Carassius auratus (Linnaeus, 1758). Methods: Gyrocactylus parasites were isolated from skin, fins and gills of the fish with wet mount slide and were examined under light microscopy. The morphometrical characterization of Gyrodactylus specimens was performed using the measurements and drawings of opisthaptoral hard parts of the parasites. The molecular species description was based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of partial sequence of 5.8S region of ribosomal RNA (5´CGATCATCGGTCTCTCGAAC3´) and partial sequence of internal transcribed spacer2 (ITS2) of ribosomal RNA (5´TTAAGGAAGAACCACTAGAG3´). ResultS: Gyrodactylus species morphology identification was performed using Yamaguti (1961) identification key. The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were compared with GenBank sequences. Conclusions: Based on morphometric analysis and sequencing, the Gyrodactylus specimens were described as Gyrodactylus kobayashi. Combination of molecular techniques with morphological analysis seems to be the best approach to identification of Gyrodactylus spices.

BACKGROUND: Sarcocystis infection is one of the most common zoonotic protozoon diseases caused by different Sarcocystis spp. Objectives: Due to the importance of this infection in public health, the infection rate of macroscopic and microscopic cysts in sheep and cattle of abattoir of Shahriar, was investigated. Methods: 138 slaughtered sheep and cattle were selected randomly and their esophagus, diaphragm, heart, tongue, masseter and intercostal muscles were separated. In order to find cysts, the samples were examined by two methods: direct observation for macroscopic cysts and finding microscopics cysts by smear dab, Giemsa staining and microscopic investigation for bradyzoites of parasite. Results: In slaughtered samples, there was no macroscopic cyst but microscopic cysts were positive in 93.48% of cattle and 86.95% of sheep by impression smear method. The results showed the significant difference between different muscles and microscopic cysts (p<0.05) .Heart and esophagus were the most infected and tongue was the least infected part. Infections in males were more than females in both sheep and cattle. There was no significant different in various ages of cattle, however, infection in sheep less than one year old, were higher than the other ages. ConclusionS: Due to the heavy Sarcocystis infection in meat of cattle and sheep and the importance of this parasite in public health, it is suggested to avoid eating raw and undercooked meat and conduct preventive measures such as closer inspection of carcasses and local or total removal of slaughtered in abattoir.

BACKGROUND: The repetitive use of antibiotics in different fields (veterinary and medicine) improves the emergence and occurrence of the resistance phenomenon in pathogenic bacteria. Due to the problem of antimicrobial resistance, it is an urgent need to discover new drugs and alternative treatments for the control of bacterial diseases in aquaculture. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate antibacterial effects of methanol and hexane extracts of medicinal plants Rattles (Prosopis farcta), datura (Datura stramunium L) and milkweed (Calotropis procera L), the major pathogenic bacteria of fish, including Aeromonas hydrophila, Yersinia ruckeri and Streptococcus iniae. METHODS: Extraction was performed using a rotary evaporator. To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the standard microdilution method (Dilution in broth) was used and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined based on MIC values obtained for each extract. RESULTS: The results showed that the effect of most potent extract, methanol extract obtained from fruit rattle on the three studied bacteria, with MIC and MBC are 25, 50mg/ml, respectively. The most sensitive bacteria to methanol and hexane plant extracts, is bacterium Streptococcus iniae and Aeromonas hydrophila and Yersiniaruckeri bacteria were resistant. The studied extracts had stronger antibacterial properties against gram-positive bacteria compared to gram-negative. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, it seems that the use of methanol extract of Prosopis farcta fruit is effective for treatment of bacterial diseases in aquaculture.

BACKGROUND: Pre-purchase radiographic examinations of horses are very important for the diagnosis of possible disorders.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the variation and frequency of common disorders of the tarsus in pre-purchase radiographic examinations of horses and assess the effect of age, sex, and type of hind limb (right or left) on the occurrence of these disorders.METHODS: In this study, we used the radiographs taken from the tarsal joints of the right and left hind limbs in 110 horses for a two-year period which were requested for pre-purchase radiographic examinations. Among these radiographs, the cases that included the standard position of the tarsal joint were evaluated for the existing disorders and the effect of age, sex, and type of involved hind limb.RESULTS: The most frequent disorders were osteoarthrosis (32.27 %), osteochondritis dissecans (5.91 %), and soft tissue swelling (1.36 %). The least common disorders were calcification, desmopathy, and tenosynovitis, each with a prevalence of 0.45%. Also, most of the tarsal ​​joint disorders had a mild degree of severity (80 %). The prevalence of disorders was 100 % for horses aged <4 years (4 out of 4) and 49.1 % for horses aged >4 years (52 out of 106). No significant difference was observed in terms of gender (P=0.65) and type of involved hind limb (P=0.17).CONCLUSIONS: Considering the prevalence of tarsal joint disorders in horses, pre-purchase radiographic examination can be very important for predicting the future health and performance of the horse. Therefore, radiographic evaluation of the tarsal joint should always be a part of pre-purchase examinations in horses.

BACKGROUND: The bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a relatively newly recognized gram-negative, facultative, slow-growing bacillus that forms part of the normal oral flora of dogs and cats. Considering the pathogenicity of this bacterium in humans, determining its prevalence is very important for public health as well as the health of dog owners.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus in the normal oral flora of healthy dogs.METHODS: After taking samples from the saliva of 32 healthy dogs without oral, dental or digestive diseases at different ages, breeds, and sexes, they were placed in a test tube containing 10 mL of sterile peptone water with sterile plastic brushes, and immediately sent to the bacteriology laboratory under sterile conditions. The samples were cultured on a chocolate agar medium containing 5 % defibrinated sheep blood. Then, all the samples were kept in a greenhouse for 48 hours at a temperature of 37 °C and under anaerobic conditions. Using a loop, the grown pink colonies were isolated and to confirm the identification of the isolates, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was used in three main steps: Gene extraction, PCR reaction, and electrophoresis.RESULTS: Out of 32 saliva samples, four positive cases of Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteria were identified by PCR diagnostic method.CONCLUSIONS: Given that Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacterium is present in the oral flora of healthy ​​dogs, dog owners should have sufficient and favorable knowledge about this bacterium and related diseases. The PCR method can be used to detect this bacterium.

BACKGROUND: Coronaviruses, which mainly cause gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, have been identified in various species. Among the extensive genomic data of disease-causing Coronaviruses in humans and animals, some similarities can be analyzed by in-silico methods.   OBJECTIVES: In the present study, comparative genome analysis of medical and veterinary medicine Coronaviruses was performed to obtain more accurate information about the genetic similarities and differences of different members of this family.METHODS: The genomic sequences were retrieved from NCBI and Virus Pathogen Resource databases. Using the NCBI database blast algorithm, all sequences were aligned with the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence, and similarity was obtained. Amino acid sequences of structural and non-structural proteins associated with coding regions (CDS) were aligned separately with the SARS-CoV-2, and their similarities were calculated. The 3D structure from each protein was compared with the corresponding protein in SARS-CoV-2, and Template Modeling Scores (TM-Score) were obtained. A phylogenetic tree of different species of the Coronaviridae family was drawn based on nucleotide and amino acid sequence data.RESULTS: Nonstructural coding gene sequences detected the highest interspecies similarities in nucleotide, amino acid sequence, and 3D structure (nsp12, nsp13, nsp14, and nsp16). The ORF1ab, encoding non-structural proteins, carries essential functions for viral replication.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the transcription complex is highly conserved among human and animal Coronaviruses. A comparison and analysis of the Coronaviridae transcription complex can be considered a key target for diagnosing, developing antiviral therapies, and designing vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory pathogenic beta-hemolytic streptococci in horses, including Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, the causative agent of strangles disease, Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus is an important cause of respiratory disease and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis has been isolated from nasal swabs taken from horses with a history of respiratory disease.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of respiratory tract infections originating from beta-hemolytic streptococci in the provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil.METHODS: During this study, 121 horses with clinical respiratory symptoms were sampled. After performing clinical examinations and recording clinical signs in special worksheets, sampling of the upper part of the respiratory tract was performed using nasopharyngeal swabs. The samples were sent to the laboratory in a standard transfer medium with cold chain.RESULTS: In this study, out of 121 samples collected from horse breeding clubs from 10 different regions of northwestern Iran, 51 were negative for beta-hemolytic streptococci while the results were positive for the other 70 samples (P<0.001). Regarding the positive samples for beta-hemolytic streptococci, the results of differential cultures were as follows: eight cases of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, 57 cases of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, and five cases of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. There was no significant relationship between the frequency of beta-hemolytic infections with variables of gender, race, and geographical area (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the statistical test showed a significant relationship between the frequency of infection with these bacteria and the variable of clinical symptoms (P<0.001). Moreover, the frequency of beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections was significantly associated with age (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results herein suggested that the bacterial cause of the majority of respiratory infections in infected and sampled horses in the provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Ardabil at the time of sampling was Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and that this organism is a potential pathogen for respiratory diseases in horses in these provinces.