BACKGROUND: Lameness is regarded as a serious issue in dairy cattle which can ultimately lead to a drastic reduction in milk production as well as conception, and the possibility of early removal of cattle from the herd. Short claw and thin sole play the chief role in excessive pressure on the heel and lateral grooves, which in turn are the direct consequences of heel erosion and lameness. OBJECTIVES: Current study intended to investigate the simultaneous occurrence of these two events at epidemic proportions in cattle. METHODS: This study was performed in 110 Holstein newborn heifers. Lame cows were chosen based on the fact sheet approved by AABP, (the American Association of Bovine Practitioners). The “Thin sole” criteria included a length of ˂7.5 cm at the posterior wall, along with ˂5 cm in sole (measured by claw check). Existence of dark V-shape lesions in lateral grooves was considered as heel horn erosion. RESULTS: In 50 newborn heifers, thin sole and lateral grooves ulcer which affect rear limb digits almost equally, were diagnosed and clinically approved. The lowest posterior wall (66.54 ± 1.02 mm) and the lowest sole thickness (43.98 ± 1.78 mm) were observed in the left hind limb. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, these two above mentioned conditions are called “New Concrete Disease” and the lameness due to these two lesions was clinically considered.

BACKGROUND: In order to compensate for the elimination of antibiotics from the poultry industry, finding suitable alternatives to improve the productive traits and the health of the birds is essential. Among them, naturally occurring compounds and additives are one of the best options in this regard. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium humate and probiotic application and their interactions on feeding broiler chicks on biochemical, immunological and blood metabolites of broiler chicks. METHODS: 336 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used from 1 to 42 days old. A 3×2 factorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design was done with four replications. Experimental factors were: three sodium humate levels (0, 0.35 and 0.45% of diet) and two probiotic levels (0 and 0.02% of diet). RESULTS: The best feed conversion ratio was obtained at the finisher 1 and 2 and the whole period at the use of 0.35% of diet (P ≤0.05). The highest live weight of the last course was obtained in the treatment of 0.35% sodium humate in diet (P ≤0.05). The production index improved at a level of 0.35% of sodium humate compared to other treatments (P ≤0.05). The percentage of carcass was higher in the group receiving probiotic and sodium humate than the control group. The abdominal fat pad percentage was lower in the probiotic and humate sodium group than in the control group (P<0.05). In terms of interactions, villi length was highest in treatments receiving 0.35 of sodium humate and 0.02% of probiotic in  diet, as well as 0.45%  of sodium humate and 0.02%  probiotic in  diet (P<0.05). The highest levels of SRBC and G-type immunoglobulin were obtained in groups receiving 0.45% sodium humate and 0.02% probiotic in diet. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, use of sodium humate about 0.35% and probiotic 0.02% in diet of broiler chicks improves the growth performance, carcass traits  and morphological characteristics of the intestine.

BACKGROUND: One of the important parts of the cardiovascular system is the cardiac vessels. Ultrasonography which is the method of choice for evaluating the heart and vessels in all living animals can also be used in this fish. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to make a full understanding of the anatomic and echocardiographic characteristics of these vessels in beluga and suggest standard methods of ultrasonography for this species. METHODS: In this study, a total of 10 immature belugas were selected. The transducer was placed on the ventral surface of the body, between pectoral fins and transverse and sagittal images were obtained. By moving the anterior and posterior regions the vessels were investigated. After the ultrasound examination, anatomic studies were performed. Length and diameter of the vascular compartment were measured and analyzed by SPSS 16 software and Paired Sample T – method (P>0.05). RESULTS: In ultrasonography, blood flow was visible because of the movement of echoic particles. Two precardiac vessels joining between the liver lobes constituted and common vascular compartment before entering the sinus venosus. In the anatomical study, the ventral aorta was bifurcate near the gills. The right liver adjacent to the vessel was shorter and wider than the left one. Moreover, the common vascular compartment was shorter and wider than the liver adjacent to the vessels. The ventral aorta was longer and wider than the right precardiac vessel and common vascular compartment but was shorter than the left precardiac vessel (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Due to lacing thorough anatomic and ultrasonographic studies concerning the cardiac vessels in this species, this study can be a cornerstone for further researches of this kind. In this study the long left precardiac vessel is named Common cardinal vein and wide right vessel is named Hepatic vein.

BACKGROUND: The histogenetic study is a useful and practical laboratory method for obtaining basic and effective information in order to reveal the process of histogenesis and development of organs in different stages during the embryonic period. This applied method helps us to understand the formation time of each organ and its tissue structure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to study the histogenesis and histochemistry of the pheasant liver during the embryonic period. METHODS: Sixty fertile eggs were placed in the incubator and sampling was performed from day 5 to the end of incubation period. The liver samples were fixed in 10% Buffered Formalin and the slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson Trichrome (MT). RESULTS: In this study, liver parenchyma, changes in the hepatocytes and their glycogen storage, as well as the appearance time of canaliculi, biliary ducts, central veins and port spaces were investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the time of the formation of the organs and structures in various birds relate to different incubation period or species variations. In this research, as the first study on the liver histogenesis of the pheasant, the formation of this organ from the fifth day to the end of the fetal period was examined and it was observed that the evolution and tissue development of the liver is completed until the eighteenth day of incubation period.

BACKGROUND: Antibacterial drug use in food producing animals, in addition to the very beneficial effects on the prevention, treatment, and control of infectious diseases, can lead to health risks including microbial resistance and drug residues. This survey was conducted due to the lack of information on the status of antibacterial drug use in dairy farms of Qom province. OBJECTIVES: To study the usage pattern of antibacterial drugs and compliance with public health- related measures in dairy cattle farms in Qom province. METHODS: In this study, 100 dairy herds were surveyed in three areas of Qom province including the southern part (Kahak), West (Jafar-abad and Khalajestan) and central part (Qom and the suburbs) using a questionnaire and direct interview. RESULTS: Injectable oxytetracycline, tylosin, penicillin + streptomycin were the most frequently used antibacterial products in dairy farms of Qom province (94%, 89% and 87%, respectively). A range of other antibacterial drugs showed high percentages of usage, as well. Among the 9 intramammary products, Tetranebalon®/Mastijet Forte® and Linconeocin MC® with 50% and 40% of frequency were the most commonly used products. Also, in a significant percentage of dairy farms, the milk collected from livestock treated with antibacterial drugs for mastitis (35%) or other illnesses (41%) was introduced into the milk reservoirs to be used in humans. CONCLUSIONS: In Qom province, there was an overuse of antibacterial drugs and high percentage of dairy farm units that did not follow the principles of rational drug therapy and the withdrawal times of milk and meat. This could be due to inadequate awareness of livestock workers regarding the public health implications of using these drugs and insufficient monitoring of veterinary authority in the province.

BACKGROUND: Chicken major histocompatibility complex region (MHC) is important in the productive traits, immune responses, resistance to infectious diseases and phylogenetic relationships. OBJECTIVES: This study was investigated for single nucleotide polymorphisms of MHC region related to the immune system in commercial broiler and layer chickens. METHODS: One hundred blood samples were taken from commercial broiler and layer chickens and genomic DNA was extracted by salting out method. The allelic polymorphisms were investigated in B-L, B-F and B-G loci using PCR-RFLP and MspI enzyme. RESULTS: For two commercial broiler and laying populations, in the 374 bp locus of B-L, only BB genotype was detected but in the 1048 bp locus of B-F, two genotypes of CG and GG were identified in broiler chickens. The C allele contained four bands of 515, 410, 75 and 47 bp, and the G allele with five bands of 410, 302, 213, 75 and 47 bp. In B-G (401 bp) locus, three genotypes of MM, MN and NN and two alleles of M with one band (401 bp) and N with two bands (350 and 51 bp) were identified. In total populations, the Shannon information index was calculated to be 0.45 and 0.73 in markers loci of B-F and B-G, and the fixation index values were -0.20 and 0.34, respectively. The highest observed heterozygosity index for B-F and B-G loci was 0.34 and 0.23, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the confirmation of the presence of polymorphism in two loci of the B-F (in commercial broiler population) and B-G (in commercial broiler and layer populations), these sites can be used as genetic marker in breeding programs to increase resistance to diseases.

BACKGROUND: Yersiniosis or enteric redmouth disease (ERM), caused by Yersinia ruckeri, is a serious bacterial disease in the farmed salmonids that causes economic problems in this industry. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to assess the experimental pathogenicity of Yersinia ruckeri in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). METHODS: Two hundred Rainbow trout weighting 100-120 g, challenged with different strain of Yersinia ruckeri were obtained from affected trout farms using intra peritoneal injection route at a concentration of 108 cells/ml (0.1 mL per fish) to evaluate the virulence of these isolates. Each treatment group included 10 fish in two replicates and control fish received 0.1 mL sterile normal saline (0.9% NaCl). Following the intra peritoneal challenge, macroscopic and microscopic findings were determined. The most virulent strain was then used to determine the lethal concentration (LD50) using both intra peritoneal and bath method at dilutions of 103-1010 cells/mL. RESULTS: Macroscopically, anorexia, lethargy, circular swimming near the surface, blackening of skin, exophthalmia, hyperemia and hemorrhage in different parts of body, anal prolapse, enlarged liver and spleen were observed. Microscopically, hyperemia of hepatic sinusoids and vessels, necrosis and vacuolization of hepatocytes, increase in the abundance of macrophage centers in kidney, dilatation of Bowman’s space, degeneration and necrosis of kidney tubules, severe necrosis and detachment of intestinal villi, hyperplasia and clubbing of epithelial cells of secondary lamellae, spleen cell necrosis, goblet cell hyperplasia and thickening of epidermis layer in the tongue mucosa were observed.  The LD50 of intra peritoneal injection was calculated 1.2×106cells per fish 48 h post challenge. In bath route, LD50 was obtained 5×108 Cells/ml after 96 h. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from this study show virulence diversity of native strains.

Backgrounds: Avian Influenza is viruses from the Orthomyxovirida family. This disease, in poultry, turkey, and many other birds caused by different subtypes of type A influenza virus.Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate probability infections of H5 and H7 subtypes of AI viruses in commercial and backyard poultry in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in Iran’s commercial and domestic poultry from September to December in 2013. The samples were examined with the HI test to differentiate H5&amp; H7. A total of 1315 premises and 29058 birds were sampled. Results: All premises were negative for H7 subtype and five premises (3 broiler breeders and 2 villages) out of 1315 were positive in HI test. All the collected swab samples from H5 seropositive premises were PCR negative for detection of H5. The results of our study showed that existing live bird marketing with OR=19.68(CI 95% 2.18-177.38) and existing duck farm within up to a 3 km radius with OR=11.33 (CI 95% 1.30-96.68) were risk factors for H5 sub type. Conclusions: Based on live bird marketing role in transmission and spreading of Influenza viruses specially at the time of migration season in country and the probability of hunting and selling of them at these markets, continuous monitoring of these markets for early detection of probable infections and preventing the spread of infection to other poultry is recommended.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary toxic metabolite produced by some Aspergillus species, particularly Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and A. parasiticus that contaminate feedstuffs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination of the concentrate and corn silage samples to toxigenic fungi and aflatoxin B1 in cattle farms of Yazd province in Iran. METHODS: A total of 80 samples of concentrated feeds and 80 samples of silage feeds were collected from cattle breeding farms of 4 cities in Yazd province in winter and spring seasons (40 samples in each season and one sample from each cattle farm). The samples were cultured on mycological media in order to isolate and determine the amount of the toxigenic fungi. Concurrently, the content of AFB1 was measured in feedstuff samples using ELISA technique. RESULTS: The results indicated that the most frequent fungi isolated were Aspergillus spp. (49.3%), Penicillium spp. (23%), Mucor spp. (22.3%) and Fusarium spp. (4.8%) in winter and Aspergillus spp. (46.9%), Penicillium spp. (21.8%), Mucor spp. (28.5%) and Fusarium spp. (2.8%) in spring from all understudy feedstuffs. The mean of AFB1 in feedstuffs were 0.25 and 0.21 µg/kg in winter and spring, respectively. According to statistical analysis of the results, significant differences were observed between the frequency of Aspergillus isolates and other fungal species (p<0.05) and also between toxigenic fungi, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium, with other isolated fungi (p<0.05). Among toxigenic fungi, significant differences were observed between Aspergillus and Penicillium species, Aspergillus and Fusarium species and Penicillium and Fusarium species (p<0.05). Significant relationship was observed between the amount of toxigenic fungi and AFB1 in feedstuffs (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained by this study show that rapid and specific detection of aflatoxigenic fungi is essential to ensure the mycological safety of animal feedstuffs.

BACKGROUND: Hemolytic anemia and resultant hypoxia can cause a dysfunction in the body functions. Iron delivered from hemolysis of erythrocytes can also stimulate oxidative stress. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of crocin on renal quality in animals that were exposed against hemolytic anemia induced by phenilhydrazine. METHODS: Forty-nine male and adult mice (20 – 25 g) were grouped within 7 groups. First group was control and treated with normal saline, and test groups were nominated as 2, 3, and 4 and were treated with phenyl hydrazine 2, 4, and 6 mg/100g/48 h (i.p.). Animals in groups 5, 6, and 7 were treated with crocin (200 mg/k/day, i.p.) in addition of 2, 4, and 6 mg/100g/48 h phenyl hydrazine. After 35 days, the blood samples were collected directly from the heart and after centrifugation (5 min and 3000 rpm), the serum samples were subjected to evaluate the Malondialehyde (MAD) level and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and renal were fixed in 10% formal saline for Paraffin sections. After tissue processing sample staining with H&amp;E method. RESULTS: This study showed that hemolytic anemia effects in proximal tubule of renal cortex, elso showed that the phenylhydrazine administration resulted in a dose-dependent declining of TAC and the crocin administration slightly was able to protect from TAC reduction. Moreover, PHN increased MDA level in serum in a dose-dependent manner, while co-administration of crocin with PHN significantly (P<0.05) reduced the rate of lipid peroxidation.while those groups which were treated with crocin showed a remarkable improvement in testis parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a protective effect of Crocin against the anemia-related hypoxia on renal parameters. The protective capacity of Crocin might relate to its known antioxidant power.