BACKGROUND: Red blood cells play an essential role in the oxygen transport and the immune system. Moreover, hematologic parameters are an important clinical indicator of various diseases including anemia and metabolic syndrome.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on gene-set enrichment analysis to identify the loci associated with hematological traits using 630K arrays.METHODS: For this purpose, the phenotype records included 498 genotyped Alpine Merino sheep were used for red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and RBC volume distribution width coefficient of variation (RWD_CV). Genome-wide association study was performed with hematological traits using TASSEL software. Using biomaRt2 R package R, SNP was assigned to genes. GO, KEGG, DAVID, and PANTHER databases were used to assign the genes to functional categories.RESULTS: 11 SNP markers on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 20 located in TRPC4, SPAT1, TMCC2 (RBC), KRT26, GPLD1, EPAS1 (HGB), RAC2, HSPD1, PDGFRA (HCT) and BBS1, HAG1, PIK3R3, STXBP5, FCER1G  (MCH, MHCH, RWD_CV) genes were identified. Based on the pathway analysis, 17 pathways from gene ontology and biological pathways were associated with hematological traits (P˂0.05). The pathways have important functions in the development and differential of red blood cells, hypoxia, adaptation process, environmental stress, and platelet activation.CONCLUSIONS: In total, this study supported previous results from the GWAS of hematological traits, and also revealed additional regions in the sheep genome associated with important traits, using these findings could be potentially useful for genetic selection in the breeding programs.

BACKGROUND: Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, also known as jaagsiekte, is a chronic, contagious, and transmissible lung cancer. It is prevalent in ovine spp while rarely occurring in caprine with long incubation period. The disease is mostly observed in older animals (over 2 years old).OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to determine the prevalence of the disease based on histopathological diagnosis and investigate its correlation with age and sex in the slaughtered local sheep in Garmsar (Semnan province).METHODS: Herein, the lungs of 9030 slaughtered sheep are morphopatthologically examined for the presence of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma.RESULTS: Based on the morphopathological examination, ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma was observed in the lungs of 438  (4.87 %) out of 9030 sheep. That said, 250 indicated the classical form, as firm, white to grayish coalescing masses mostly in the cranio-ventral lobes; this form is associated with wet cut surface and frothy fluid in the airways. The remaining 188 sheep showed the atypical form, as small, clear demarcated nodules mostly in diaphragmatic lobes associated with dry cut surface and minor fluid in the airways. Almost similar histopathological changes were seen in the two forms. An acinar or papillary growth of neoplastic cells in the alveoli and polypoid proliferation of bronchiolar epithelium were observed in both forms. However, there were variable amounts of connective tissue, and infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the interstitial tissue of the affected alveoli and no metastatic lesion in the lymph nodes. The peribronchial and peribronchiolar lymphoid aggregates were consistent features in most of the cases studied.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study, as the first report of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma in sheep from Garmsa county, revealed the higher prevalence of this disease compared to that reported in previous reports in the country. Moreover, according to the obtained results, atypical and classical forms represented different stages of a single disease spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Cheese is recognized as a source of foodborne illness worldwide.OBJECTIVES: In this study, the growth inhibition of Aspergillus flavus inoculated on Iranian white cheese was investigated using cold atmospheric plasma and Zataria multiflora essential oil individually and in combination along with their effect on the sensory properties of cheese .METHODS: Slices of cheese cut in the presence and absence of 100 ppm of Zataria multiflora essential oil were exposed to cold atmospheric plasma for 2 and 5 minutes and stored in a refrigerator for 60 days. Afterwards, they were incubated in 5 time intervals (days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60) and each was evaluated over a period of 10 days at 25 °C.RESULTS: Based on the results, the plasma inhibitory effect had a pattern dependent on the plasma flow time and the increase in the flow time reduced the radial growth rate of mold. At all times of plasma flow, a significant inhibitory effect was observed on the mold growth compared to the control group (P<0.05). In terms of growth inhibition percentage, the lowest inhibition was detected in the presence of essential oil alone and the highest inhibitory property resulted from 5 minutes of plasma flow with essential oil. There was no difference between the sensory properties of plasma-treated cheese and the essential oil in combination with those of plasma-treated samples alone. The findings also showed that the addition of essential oil had no effect on the sensory properties of cheese.CONCLUSIONS: Gliding arc plasma has inhibitory effects on the growth of Aspergillus flavus mold in cheese without adverse sensory changes, but the conditions must be optimized for industrial applications.

BACKGROUND: Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria is an area that has rapidly expanded over the recent years. It is one of the new methods of improving probiotics stability, through which the biological agents are protected with an enclosed coating to release the active agents within the coating at a controlled rate in time and under special conditions.OBJECTIVES: The present study the aims to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum microencapsulation with chitosan/alginate microparticles on the oxidative response of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus).METHODS: Herein, 240 pieces of Nile tilapia, with an average weight of 15.56±0.02 g, were randomly divided into four groups as follows: group1 or control with a diet without probiotics, groups 2, 3, and 4 respectively with a diet containing 108 Log CFU/g of unencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, a diet containing microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, and with feed containing alginate with chitosan without the presence of bacteria. They were fed for 60 days at the rate of 2 % of body weight twice a day.RESULTS: The activity level of oxidative enzymes, biochemical factors, and liver enzymes of the Nile tilapia fish were investigated. The findings revealed that oxidative enzymes, biochemical factors, and liver enzymes were positively affected in the groups with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum (P<0.05). The three enzymes of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were higher in the micro-encapsulated probiotic group compared to the two groups of probiotics and alginate with chitosan without the presence of bacteria, and all the three groups performed better compared to the control (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Microencapsulation of probiotics maximizes the efficiency of probiotics in reducing oxidative stress.

In bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis, cattle are known as the main host, and sheep are relatively resistant. Sheep become infected only when there is very close contact between cattle and sheep or when the mycobacterium is abundant in the environment. In the present study, a case of generalized tuberculosis was reported in the sheep of the Sanandaj slaughterhouse.The examined animal carcass was transferred from the slaughterhouse to the University of Kurdistan microbiology laboratory and was dissected under complete health safety conditions. In the carcass examination, necropsy lesions (generalized tubercular granulomas) were visible in different organs and mediastinal lymph nodes, bronchioles, mesentery, and liver portal system. These lesions were seen in the lymph nodes of different body parts, including the lung, liver, digestive system, reproductive system, bladder, and different muscles, including the peritoneal muscle, diaphragm muscle, and abdominal muscles.Diagnostic tests included clinical observations, Ziehl-Neelsen staining for Mycobacterium bacteria, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular technique. In Ziehl-Neelsen staining, Mycobacterium acid-fast bacilli were seen in red color on the pale blue background of the slide. Also, the product of 499 base pairs was amplified in the specific PCR reaction, which confirmed Mycobacterium bovis.The present report shows that Mycobacterium bovis strains present in the region can be transmitted to sheep and cause disease with severe clinical symptoms. This report is critical, particularly for mixed cattle and sheep farming. Since cattle and sheep are kept together in many breeding farms in Kurdistan province, special attention was paid to the possibility of transmission of bovine tuberculosis to sheep and humans.

BACKGROUND: Gallibacterium anatis is a recently defined genus, which is a member of the Pasteurellaceae family. This advantageous pathogen is frequently found as part of the normal microflora of the upper respiratory tract and lower genital tract of the healthy poultry. Provided with appropriate conditions, it leads to various diseases, such as salpingitis, peritonitis, and loss of egg production with mortality in layer flocks. According to previous studies, multiple antibiotic resistance has been observed among G. anatis isolates, which can impose high costs on layer flocks. Due to the lack of the pathognomonic symptoms in the conflicts caused by this bacterium,  not enough comprehensive research has been conducted to date on the condition of this disease in Iran.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the infection rates of this bacterium via PCR.METHODS: 295 tracheal swabs were collected from 10-layer flocks. Subsequently, the suspected colonies were isolated and identified with morphological features, differential cultivation, and PCR.RESULTS: 43.72 % of the samples were positive.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that laying farms in Iran were infected with Gallibacterium anatis; thus, certain measures should be taken to control the factors reducing the production of layer flocks.

BACKGROUND: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes are two important pyogenic bacteria that cause many annual economic losses worldwide. Currently, antibiotic resistance of these bacteria is on the rise. Early detection of infection with these bacteria is important for controlling the infections caused by these two bacteria.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the contamination of cattle cutaneous abscesses with  Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes in five large cattle farms around Tehran and propose an accurate method for a rapid detection of these two bacteria.METHODS: Out of 60 cows involved in cutaneous abscesses in the summer of 2018, sterile sampling was performed to diagnose the bacterial agent that caused the abscess. Bacteriological examination of the samples was performed using standard biochemical reactions and polymerase chain reaction using specific primers.RESULTS: Of the 60 samples studied, 25 % (15.60) were isolated as Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and 20 % (12.60) as Trueperella pyogenes. In 55 % of the samples (33.60), both bacteria were present simultaneously. All the samples detected using biochemical reactions were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction.CONCLUSIONS: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes are the main causes of cutaneous abscess in cattle farms around Tehran. Because the accurate diagnosis of the cause of abscesses is very important for effective treatment, polymerase chain reaction, based on 16S-23S rDNA and 16S rRNA, can be used to rapidly and accurately detect these bacteria in the early stages of the infection.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the protein and amino acid content of diet or altering the dietary electrolyte balance were suggested as the effective strategies to prevent the harmful effects of the heat stress in poultry.OBJECTIVES: This study surveyed the effects of various levels of threonine and dietary cation-anion balance on the broiler chickens under the heat stress conditions.METHODS: 700 one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were used for 6 weeks under high- temperature conditions. This experiment was conducted using a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design, with 7 treatments (5 replicates per treatment and 20 birds per replicate). Experimental factors included two threonine concentrations (recommended level and 10 % above recommended level) and three dietary electrolyte balances (175, 250, and 325 mEq/kg). The control group considered the treatment with a normal threonine concentration (recommended level) and a dietary electrolyte balance of 250 mEq/kg under optimal temperature conditions.RESULTS: Although there was no interaction between threonine level and electrolyte balance, the electrolyte balance of 175 meq/kg increased the performance index compared to the electrolyte balance of 250 or 325 mEq/kg (P<0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio and villus surface area in the jejunum improved with an electrolyte balance of 175 or 250 mEq/kg (P<0.05). A decrease in the dietary electrolyte balance increased in the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (P<0.05). Besides, an increase in the population of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the cecum, as well as an increase in protein digestibility, were observed by increasing levels of threonine in the diet (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, a high level of threonine or a low electrolyte balance in diet (175 mEq/kg) may improve the performance, metabolizable energy, and intestinal microbial flora of broilers reared under heat stress.

BACKGROUND: Stocking density is one of the most important problems in the poultry industry, which impair their production and welfare.OBJECTIVES: This experiment was done to evaluate the effect of organic selenium supplementation on the growth performance, blood metabolites, and the meat quality of broiler chickens in different stocking densities.METHODS: 216 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were used in 2×2 factorial arrangements by 2 stocking densities (7 and 15 birds/m2) and 2 levels of selenomethionine (0 and 0.4 mg/kg) in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates.RESULTS: The feed intake (FI), and body weight gain (BWG) were significantly affected by the stocking density and selenomethionine (SE-MET) supplementation in the overall experiment (P<0.05). FI and BWG decreased and feed conversion ratio decreased in 15 bird’s density, while SE-MET inclusion improved these traits (P<0.05). Increasing stocking density increased the plasma glucose (P<0.05). Blood glutathione peroxidase and lymphocyte levels reduced at 15 bird’s density, while increased by 0.4 mg SE-MET supplementation (P<0.05). Increasing stocking density increased blood heterophil, while SE-MET inclusion decreased it (P<0.05). Meat pH and cooking loss were not affected by stocking density. Dripping loss (DL) increased, and water holding capacity (WHC) decreased at 15 bird’s density, but 0.4 mg SE-MET decreased DL and significantly increased WHC (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that increasing stocking density had the negative effects on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens; however, the supplementation of 0.4 mg of SE-MET to diet can improve the growth performance, blood metabolites and meat quality of broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Blowfly (Lucilia sericata; Diptera: Calliphoridae) is an external parasites of domestic animals and the causative agent of myiasis, which is involved in the transmission of a  number of bacterial pathogens. Application of chemical insecticides is one of the most common methods for controlling this pest, which have recently been reported resistant populations of L. sericata to some insecticides. Therefore, identifying and recommending new and low-risk insecticides for humans and environment is of prime importance.OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to investigate the toxicity of insecticides deltamethrin, spinosad, pyridalyl, and pirimiphos-methyl on the third instar larvae of L. sericata.METHODS: In the present study, the bioassay tests were performed by immersion of larvae in concentrations of insecticides that caused 10 to 90% mortality of larvae, as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design. Additionally, the median lethal concentration (LC50)  was determined from the probit analysis of bioassay data for the studied insecticides.RESULTS: The results of analysis of variance and the comparison of the mean mortality (%) of third instar larvae were significant at the level of 1% probability. According to bioassay tests, the estimated LC50 values for deltamethrin, spinosad, pyridalyl, and pirimiphos-methyl were 186.49, 26.88, 85.08, and 134.97 mg L-1, respectively. Overall, the results revealed that spinosad and pyridalyl had the highest lethal effect on blowfly larvae while deltamethrin had less advers effects on this pest.CONCLUSIONS: Spinosad, as a relatively new insecticide, with very low toxicity towards mammals and other non-target organisms, showed the highest lethal effect on blowfly larvae and can be an appropriate alternative to older insecticides in controlling this pest.