BACKGROUND: Despite the use of prophylactic chemotherapy and vaccination, coccidiosis is still one of the most devastating diseases in poultry industry. Understanding the immune mechanism helps researchers to prevent this parasitic infection more effectively. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibody response in chickens, induced by a live attenuated vaccine (Livacox Q), before and after challenge, by means of ELISA. METHODS: One hundred and twenty one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups of 30 birds. In 4th day of age, half the birds were orally vaccinated. The challenged groups received the infective dose at 14th day of age via oral administration. Besides recording weight gain, lesion score and oocyst count in 21st day old birds, humoral immunity was assessed by means of ELISA on serum samples taken from 7 and 21day-old birds. Results: Three days post vaccination, the average of optical density (OD) showed significant difference between vaccinated (0.553) and unvaccinated (0.686) birds (p≤0.05). In 21 day-old birds, the OD of unvaccinated-unchallenged (negative control) groups (0.331) differed significantly with vaccinated-unchallenged (0.663) birds. The average of lesion score in vaccinated-challenged birds (2.22) showed significant dissimilarity with unvaccinated-challenged groups. No difference and correlation were observed in comparing average of weight gain and oocyst count with serum optical density among treatment and control groups. ConclusionS: The results indicated that ELISA can be used for evaluating immunity uniformity of a flock after vaccination. Besides inducing antibody responses comparable to challenge with wild oocysts, vaccination with live attenuated coccidiosis vaccines may have inhibitory effects in intestinal lesion scores which are responsible for pathogenesis and economic loss during coccidial infections.

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: Sheep are a form of investment and a quickly liquidatable resource, particularly in traditional and low income production systems. Tropical and long warm-season regions always affect sheep production negatively. Methods: In this experiment 15 female and 7 male sheep were chosen and their body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate measurements and blood sample for biochemical parameters analysis were taken during May 5 to September 5. Results: Heart rate and respiration rate in male sheep were a little higher compared with female sheep but there was no significant difference between them respiration (56 vs. 55) and beat (120 vs. 118 per min). Rectal temperature wasn’t significant between two sexes (40.6-40.09 C˚). Also skin temperature wasn’t significantly different between two sexes (36.02- 36.08 C˚). The only difference was related to month effect (p<0.05). Sex and month hadn’t significant different effects on blood urea, creatinine, glucose and potassium concentration. Blood urea concentration of female sheep was not significantly higher than male’s (p>0.05). Blood Sodium concentration was significantly different between two sexes so that male sheep had the highest minimum average (p<0.05). There was no significant increase in blood Potassium concentration of female sheep compared to male sheep (p>0.05). ConclusionS: These results indicated that sheep of this region had been well adapted to summer heat stress and they showed usual changes of blood metabolites in response to heat stress.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonosis that is prevalent among human and animal. Today, a large percentage of animal and human population suffer from its side effects. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of anti-Brucella antibodies in flock- and animal-level in districts of south of Kerman province. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 300 herds of 7 districts in the area were selected randomly; 10 samples of sheep and goats in each flock were randomly selected. Out of 3000 samples, 2952 samples were examined using Rose-Bengal test; Wright and 2-ME tests were done on positive samples. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression in Stata 11.2 were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of anti-Brucella antibodies in animal- and flock-level was 6.4 and 25.3 percent, respectively. The chance of being infected in sheep was 2.12 times of goats. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Brucella was considerably high in animal- and herd-level in this area. It is necessary to empower Iran Veterinary Organization in financial aspects to control this infection.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is one of the most important adipocytokines that regulate male and female fertility via AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 receptors. Recently expression of adiponectin system and its negative regulatory role on hypothalamus-pituitary axis have been confirmed. Objectives: No information is available about the expression pattern of adiponectin and its receptors in hypothalamus-pituitary axis in domestic animals. Here for the first time, we studied hypothalamus-pituitary adiponectin system gene expression in different stages of bovine estrous cycle. Methods: Anterior pituitary and hypothalamus were collected from Holstein cow at the local abattoir. The estrous cycle was classified to four phases (proestrous, metstrous, early luteal and late luteal) based on macroscopic examination of ovaries and uteri. Gene expression analysis of adiponectin and its receptors was done using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR Probe MasteKit) and according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. E2 and P4 levels were measured using ELISA method. Results: Our results demonstrated that adiponectin and its two receptors were expressed in pituitary and hypothalamus of cyclic cow. Maximal expression of adiponectin was observed in early luteal phase, while it was expressed at minimal level during the proestrous stage. We observed no significant changes in the expression of AdipoR1 in both tissues at different stages of estrous cycle. The highest expression of AdipoRII in both tissues was detected during the proestrous stage, while it expressed at minimal level during the late luteal phase. E2 and P4 had respectively negative and positive correlations with adiponectin expression levels in hypothalamus and pituitary. Conclusions: Based on our results that demonstrated adiponectin was minimally expressed at proestrous stage and other data about the negative action of adiponectin on LH secretion from pituitary, we concluded that adiponectin may has role in the hormonal function of this axis during the estrous cycle.

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: 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: Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious disease which may cause poor weight gain and low feed efficiency in infected chickens. There are a large number of reported serotypes/genotypes, which makes the control of the disease more difficult through vaccination. However, there are only a few amino acid differences in the S1 protein of vaccine and wild type strains which are responsible for protection. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to compare IBV variants isolated from commercial chicken flocks in Iran with currently used vaccine strains. METHODES: The partial S1 gene of the spike protein, covering a hypervariable and constant regions, was amplified and sequenced using conventional RT-PCR. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences revealed that eight of total nine isolates were divergence at least 21.8% from vaccinal Massachusetts serotypes, and six of nine isolates were divergence at least 22.7% from 4/91, and none of the nine isolates were similar to Dutch-type, D274,vaccine serotypes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are essential for continuous surveillance disease control strategies and monitoring of variants, and thus emphasize on the importance of improving the vaccination program in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Faba bean (Vicia faba) is a rich source of protein and carbohydrates that is used as a vegetable ingredient in diet of livestock, poultry and fish, in many countries. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the effects of different levels of faba bean on the serum lipid levels and liver function of farmed beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). Methods: 144 juvenile beluga (82.38 ± 0.83 g) were located into 18 oval tanks (300 L) and triplicate groups were fed by experimental diets inclusion 6 levels of faba bean (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) for 50 days. At the end of the trial, blood samples were taken from the caudal vein of 54 beluga juveniles and some of biochemical parameters (cholesterol and triglycerides) and liver enzymes such as Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were investigated. Then nine fish per treatment were sampled to measure Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and liver composition per each treatment. Results: The results showed that by increasing the levels of faba bean in diets ALP, AST and LDH contents were significantly decreased compared to the control treatment (p<0.05). However, the lowest level of ALT (0.76±0.2 U/l) was measured in fish fed with 10% faba bean meal (p<0.05). The moisture and fat contents of liver showed significant difference by increasing the levels of faba bean in diet (p<0.05). No significant differences were shown in cholesterol, triglyceride, HSI, liver protein and liver ash contents (p>0.05). Highly significant positive correlation were observed between total protein, cholesterol, AST, LDH, ALP and liver fat (p<0.01).  Conclusions:  Use of lower levels of faba bean (up to 25%) had no significant effect on serum lipids and no adverse effect on liver function of juvenile beluga.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin C is one of the important nutrients in fish culture and as a potent anti-oxidant, is of great importance in preserving cells against oxidation and boosting resistance in stress conditions and against pathogens. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to add high level of vitamin C supplementation to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet reared at high density and analysis of growth indices, survival and carcass composition at two different stocking densities. METHODS: Rainbow trout juveniles with initial body weight of 9.6 ± 0.69 g at two densities of 50 and 100 pieces in 50 liters of water were fed two diets containing the same level of protein and fat. Experimental diets were diet 1 without adding vitamin and diet 2 with adding 1500 mg/kg of vitamin C. A total number of 900 rainbow trout juveniles in four treatments each with three replicates as T50 (0) (with the density of 50 and fed with diet 1), T100 (0) (with the density of 100 and fed with diet 1), T50 (C) (with the density of 50 and fed with diet 2) and T100 (C) (with the density of 100 and fed with diet 2) were randomly distributed in incubators. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of feeding, growth indices, feed conversion ratio and viability were significantly different between treatments (p<0.05). T50 (0) and T50(C) treatments had higher weight gain, specific growth rate and viability than T100 (0) and T100(C) (p<0.05). In the case of feed conversion ratio, it was higher in T100 (0) and T100(C) treatments compared to T50 (0) and T50(C) ones (p<0.05). Carcass composition was not significantly different between treatments (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that vitamin C supplementation in the diet of rainbow trout juveniles did not have significant effects on growth indices, feed conversion ratio, survival and carcass composition but density was a key factor in growth, feed conversion ratio and survival in this species.