BACKGROUND: Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoa,which causes abortion in cattle worldwide. OBJECTIVES:The present study was designed to estimate the rate oftransplacental transmission of N.caninum to aborted fetuses inseropositive dams in dairy farms in Mashhad area, Iran.METHODS: Two hundred blood samples of dam with abortedbovine fetuses were collected from dairy farms from 2008 to2010. First , the maternal sera in each aborted case were tested byusing ELISA method, and then the brain samples of abortedfetuses were examined for detecting DNA of N. caninum, usingthe PCR method. RESULTS: In this study, 38 (19%) of dams' serashowed seropositive reaction against N.caninum infection, andalso 23 (10.5%) aborted brain fetuses showed positive reactionby PCR. A significant association was observed betweenN.caninum-serapositie dams and infected aborted fetuses(p<0.0001). In the present study, 20 (86%) infected fetuses wereaborted from seropositive, and 3 (13%) of the fetuses wereaborted from seronegative dams. CONCLUSIONS: Based on theresults of molecular and serology examination, the rate oftransplacental transmission of N. caninum infection in dairycattle were calculated as 52%.

BACKGROUND: Fasting is an alternative method to induceanorexia. OBJECTIVES: The biochemical factors of liver andserum and clinical signs were measured and documented in fivenon-lactating, non-pregnant cows following eight days of fasting.METHODS:Five crossbred, non-lactating, and non-pregnantcattle were used in this study. They were fasted for 8 days_ totalfood deprivation; however, they had free access to water. Liverbiopsies were carried out one day before food deprivation (day0) and 8 days after food deprivation by ultrasound-guidedbiopsy. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein beforeand during fasting. The concentrations of triglyceride (TG), totallipids, glycogen, phospholipids, and total protein in liver andNEFA, BHBA, TG, total cholesterol, glucose, total lipid, APOA1, and APO B in blood serum were measured and compared.RESULTS: The results of this study showed that fasting for 8 daysreduces respiratory rate by 52% and heart rate by 12.5% and hasno significant effect on rectal temperature. The concentrations ofthe liver triglyceride (TG) and glycogen significantly increased(p=0.046) and decreased (p=0.007) on day 8, respectively. Therewere no significant differences in the content of liverphospholipids (p=0.83), total lipids (p=0.29), and total protein(p=0.23). The serum concentrations of NEFA and BHBAincreased significantly (p=0.008) at the end of fasting period. Nosignificant differences in the concentrations of serum TG(p=0.057), total cholesterol (p=0.93), glucose (p=0.108), totallipid (p=0.27), APO A1 (p=0.762), and APO B (p=0.92) werenoticed on days 0 and 8. CONCLUSIONS: The results of thepresent study showed that fasting, like anorexia (as a result ofdiseases), induces fat mobilization from adipose tissue inresponse to the induced negative energy balance.

BACKGROUND:Class II transactivator (CIITA) is a dominanttranscriptional element, controlling numerous genes in theimmune system. CIITA is expressed in a constitutive pattern inantigen presenting cells although its expression can occur inother cell types. Since the revelation of CIITA, there have beenconsiderable advances toward understanding its role as anactivator of MHC II genes in humans and mice; nonetheless,there is a lack of published data for this gene in other animals suchas chickens. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were todetermine the expression of class II transactivator (CIITA) inchicken and analysis of the CIITA gene sequence between fourIranian indigenous chicken ecotypes. METHODS:After securingthe research accuracy and optimization of reaction conditions,cDNA and DNA samples of gene were obtained from fourIranian indigenous chicken ecotypes. The PCR and RT-PCRproducts were sequenced and the data were analyzed bybioinformatics software. RESULTS: Comparison of thesequencing results with the reference sequence of the red junglefowl revealed that these sequences belonged to the predictedCIITA gene. There was a high conservation rate in the sequenceof CIITA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that like otherspecies, CIITA is transcripted in chickens' immune system cells.Further studies on chickens must be done to reveal CIITAroles inimmune responses of chickens.

BACKGROUND: Colibacillosis, caused by different serotypes of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), is one of the important diseases in poultry industry. The isolate O78 is the most prevalent serotype of APEC in Iran. One of the APEC virulence factors, increased serum survival (iss) gene, is related to serum resistance. The usual form of colibacillosis in avian is extraintestinal, and serum resistance is applied one way by APEC to reach internal organs; hence, it appears that the control of colibacillosis in poultry regarding the deletion of iss and the construction of a serum sensitive APEC strain is beneficial. Additionally, the knowledge about APEC serum resistance could be extended using mutant strains. OBJECTIVES: The present study was an attempt to generate an iss mutant strain from native APEC-O78 strain |c|1378 and to study the level of serum resistance of native APEC-O78 strain c1378 in comparison with its mutant (APEC-O78 strain c1378|D|iss). METHODS: The lambda red recombinase system was utilized to delete iss gene in native APEC-O78 strain c1378. This strain was first transformed with the plasmid pkD46 to introduce the lambda red recombinase system and then the PCR product with sequence homology to the iss gene and a kanamycin resistance marker was transformed into the APEC-O78 strain c1378. Serum sensitivity of mutant and wild type strain was investigated by microtiter test. RESULTS: The generation of mutant was successful and the iss was replaced with kanamycin resistance cassette. Also, it was observed that the mutant was sensitive to serum. However, serum sensitivity of iss deleted mutant was not statistically different from its parents. CONCLUSIONS: Application of lambda red recombination could be a simple and useful technique for production of a precisely defined gene deletion. Also, there may be some genes that compensate the activity of iss gene.

BIV is a well-known bovine immunosup-pressive cause, but its pathogenesis has not been well characterized. It seems that it is possible that cofactors such as co- infection with other bovine viral pathogens may play a role in enhancing the pathogenesis of BIV infection; BVDV also has immunosuppressive effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was determination of possible correlation between BIV and BVDV infections. METHODS: Blood samples were randomly collected from a total of 1800 cattle in dairy industrial farms in Isfahan and Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari provinces of Iran. First BIV or BVDV positive sera were screened by ELISA, and then samples were analyzed to detect BIV proviral DNA or BVDV RNA, using PCR. RESULTS: Out of 1800 blood samples, 19 (1.06%) samples were BVDV positive, while BIV positive samples were 10 (0.55%). Nine (0.5%) samples contained both BIV and BVDV genomes and were positive in ELISA, while one of the samples (0.05%) was only BIV positive. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was a statistically significant relationship between BIV status and BVDV infection using Chi square and Pearson's correlation coefficient test (p=0, r=0.65).

The mucus layer plays an important role as an intermediate for the protection of the gut against acidic chyme, digestive enzymes, and pathogens; in addition, it acts as a lubricant and facilitator of nutrient transportation. Phytogenic compounds seem to promote intestinal mucus production. OBJECTIVES: The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of low and high levels of energy and amino acids in combination with turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon on chicken performance and expression of mucin 2 gene. METHODS: The eight experimental groups consisted of diluted and condensed diet with and without the addition of 5g/kg of each turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon to the diet. Chicken performance was recorded. Expression analysis of the mucin 2 gene was carried out by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Body weight gain, feed intake, FCR, and mortality rate were not affected by diets (p>0.05). A significant (p<0.05) reduction of the mucin 2 gene expression was observed in chickens fed by condensed diet; however, the expression increased by supplementation of turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon. CONCLUSIONS: These results, in addition to the function of herbs in increasing the activity of some enzymes which is possibly related to the mucin biological pathways, showed that the application of turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon could be useful in poultry diets. It appears that supplementation of turmeric, thyme, and cinnamon could increase mucin 2 gene expression in the small intestine, and this can improve intestinal digestive function and defense.

Analyzing the synovial fluid is one of the common methods to diagnose the articular problems to detect the stage and express the prognosis. Such gross, cytological, and biochemical analysis of synovial fluids can aid in the diagnosis of various joint diseases. Objectives: Normal values for synovial fluid in the camels have been described previously; however, there are no reports regarding concentr-ation of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines in camelids synovial fluid. Hence, the present study tried to compare the synovial fluid inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in clinically healthy and arthritic tarsal joints of dromedary camels. Methods: 46 male dromedary camels, 5 to 10 years old, were used in this study. 33 camels did not have any clinical articular abnormalities while 13 camels had gross articular problems such as lameness and swollen tarsal joints. Collecting the synovial fluids was extracted from the healthy and arthritic tarsal joints immediately after slaughter. Then, the concentration of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were measured in samples. Results: Concentration of all measured parameters in arthritic joints were significantly higher than clinically healthy joints (p<0.05). The synovial fluid concentration of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were 5.379, 4.285, 25.503, and 1.904 times higher in arthritic joints than normal joints, respectively. Conclusions: The articular inflammatory processes can increase the synovial fluid concentration of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines. Information about the normal values of these parameters and their changing patterns may help camel rearing systems during arthrititis by assessing the health status of joints in the camels; in addition, the information about normal values can be diagnostically valuable when considering diseased animals.

BACKGROUND: Betaine has been shown to be antioxidantand methyl donor effects in our recent studies. OBJECTIVES: Inthe present study, the antioxidant and methyl donor properties ofbetaine in levodopa/benserazide-mediated hyperhomocysteinemiaand levodopa-induced oxidative stress in rat's kidney wereexamined. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats were dividedinto levodopa (LD), Betaine (Bet.), levodopa plus betaine(LD/Bet.), levodopa plus benserazide (LD/Ben.), levodopa plusbetaine-benserazide (LD/Bet.-Ben.), and control groups. Theexperimental groups received LD (3 × 100 mg/kg), Bet. (1.5%w/w of the total diet), Ben. (3 × 25 mg/kg), and distilled waterwas given to controls for 10 consecutive days, orally by gavage.RESULTS: Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrationdecreased significantly in Bet.-, LD/Bet.-, and LD/Bet.-Ben.-treated rats compared to LD/Ben. group. Thiobarbituric acidreactive substances concentration (as a lipid peroxidationmarker) in renal tissue reduced statistically in betaine group incomparison with LD and LD/Ben. groups. Renal catalaseactivity increased significantly in LD-treated rats whencompared to controls. Renal superoxide dismutase activitysignificantly decreased in LD-treated group when compared toLD/Ben. group. However, there was not any significantdifference in renal glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity amongthe groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that LD andLD/Ben. have side effects in kidney due to induction ofhyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress. In contrast, betaineacts as a promising antioxidant and methyl donor agent versusLD-induced complications.

BACKGROUND: Canine Distemper (CD) is a lethal systemicdisease affecting a wide variety of terrestrial carnivores.OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to survey epidemiologicaland molecular characteristics of the canine distemper virus(CDV) strains circulating in Iran. METHODS: In this study, 19CDV-suspected unvaccinated dogs from Northeast and center ofIran were analyzed for presence of CDV nucleoprotein (NP) geneusing Nested-PCR during 2008- 2011. Different biological samplesof 14 dogs were positive. RESULTS: The phylogenetic analysisbased on partial NP gene sequences indicated the presence of twomajor clusters that are clearly different from vaccine strains in Iran.One cluster belongs to the European group and the other one to theArctic group. CONCLUTIONS: Due to a lack of phylogeneticanalysis on CDV in countries bordering Iran, except Turkey, theancestor of Iranian sequences specially Iranian Arctic sequencescould not be definitely identified. This study is the first report onphylogenetic analysis of CDV from domestic dogs in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The acute phase response is beneficial to theanimal in restoring homeostasis, and measuring the circulatingacute phase proteins, cytokines, and enzymes can be used toevaluate the innate immune system's responses to invader agentssuch as bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Measurement of theseparameters has shown to be useful as diagnostic and prognosticmarkers in animal endotoxemia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of thepresent experimental study was expression of the acute phaseresponse following the induction of endotoxemia by Escherichiacoli serotype O55:B5 in sheep and the relationships among the acutephase response parameters during endotoxemia and their changingpatterns. METHODS: Five clinically healthy 1-year-old Iranian fattailedewes (25±1.5 kg, bodyweight) were randomly selected andlipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli serotype O55:B5 wasinfused at 20 μg/kg intravenously to each animal. Fluid therapy wasperformed in all ewes over 120 minutes after lipopolysaccharideinjection and continued for 180 minutes. Blood samples werecollected from all ewes prior and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 24 hours afterlipopolysaccharide injection and sera were separated. Serumconcentrations of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosisfactor-alpha, interferon-gamma, superoxide dismutase, andglutathione peroxidase were assayed. RESULTS: The rapid andsignificant elevation of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumornecrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were seen afterendotoxemia induction. Serum concentrations of superoxidedismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly decreasedafter intravenous lipopolysaccharide infusion. The results of thepresent experimental study showed that haptoglobin, serumamyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma atall hours studied after endotoxemia induction were positivelycorrelated together. These parameters were negatively correlatedwith superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase at all hoursafter lipopolysaccharide infusion. CONCLUSIONS: The results ofthe present experiment can provide evidence for associationsamong acute phase proteins, cytokines, and enzymes and theirchanges during endotoxemia in sheep.