Background: European pond turtle is one of the two species of freshwater turtles in Iran. Regarding clinical examinations and diagnostic imaging techniques, it is necessary to have complete anatomical information on this turtle.Objectives: This study provided complete morphometric and normal two-dimensional computerized tomographic scanning information of the vertebrae of European pond turtles.Methods: Ten European pond turtles were used in this study. Computerized tomography (CT) scans were taken from each anesthetized turtle. Then, morphometric parameters were measured in the CT scans of the vertebral column.Results: Atlas was the shortest of the cervical vertebrae, and the eighth cervical vertebra was shorter than the previous vertebrae. The articular surface of the caudal articular processes of the eighth cervical vertebra was bent, and these surfaces were almost vertical. Transverse process width had remained constant in the cervical vertebrae. The transverse process was not observed in the dorsal vertebrae. The first dorsal vertebra had a different shape than others.Conclusion: The particular shape of the last two cervical vertebrae, especially the arched shape of the eight vertebrae. The seventh and eighth cervical vertebrae have the largest transverse distance between caudal articular processes that seem necessary for cervical motion. The limited space of the caudal cervical vertebrae inside the shell chamber can be the reason for the reduction in the length of these vertebrae. The absence of a spinous process in the seventh and eighth cervical vertebrae of the neck may be related to their specific position in the neck retraction.

Background: Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound widely used in industry and medical fields such as Anatomy and Pathology. Exposure to this chemical negatively affects the skin, mucous membrane, and respiratory system. It can pass through the blood-brain barrier, potentially causing neurotoxicity. According to studies, formaldehyde might be involved in memory impairment and the cognitive decline process in Alzheimer disease (AD).Objectives: This study aimed to simulate chronic occupational formaldehyde exposure in rats and study its impacts on passive avoidance conditioning and anxiety.Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 6 rats each. After an adaptation period, the rats were exposed to 1, 2, and 3 ppm formaldehyde vapor in an exposure chamber, 6 hours per day for 7 days. The control group was exposed to saline. After the exposure period, a shuttle box for passive avoidance conditioning and an elevated plus-maze test for assessing anxiety levels were performed. The data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test for group comparison in SPSS and SAS software. Results: In the shuttle box test, formaldehyde dose-dependently decreased escape-through latency and increased the percentage of dark compartment entries (P<0.0001). In the elevated plus maze test, the percentage of time spent in open arms decreased by increasing the dosage (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Based on these findings, formaldehyde exposure can negatively alter brain function and cause memory impairment and anxiety.

Background: Nanoparticles are increasingly exposed to ecosystems and people due to their large-scale manufacture and usage. The use of nanomaterials has increased their discharge into the aquatic environment.Objectives: This research evaluated the protective effect of Spirulina platensis against liver damage and oxidative stress in grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) after exposure to Iron oxide nanoparticles.Methods: Juvenile grey mullets were randomly classified into 12 equal groups: Group 0, 96h control group; Group 1, 60 days control group; Group 2, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) at 15mg/kg for 96h; Group 3, IONPs at 15mg/kg for 60 days; Group 4, S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 96h; Group 5, S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 60 days, Group 6, IONPs at 15mg/kg+S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 96h; Group 7, IONPs at 15mg/kg+S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 60 days; Group 8, IONPs at 15mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 96h; Group 9, IONPs at 15mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 60 days; Group 10, S. platensis at 300mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by IONPs at 15mg/kg for 96h; Group 11, S. platensis at 300mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by IONPs at 15mg/kg for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, samples of the liver were extracted and subjected to analyses to measure reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA)Results: MDA levels in the liver were shown to have dramatically risen in the current investigation, but antioxidant SOD and GSH activity in the IONPs-treated group had significantly reduced compared to the controls. When compared to fish solely treated with IONPs, S. platensis treatment dramatically reduced liver MDA and CAT activity and raised SOD and GSH.Conclusion: All prior metrics significantly improved when IONPs-induced liver damage in fish was prevented by spirulina. By scavenging free radicals, reducing inflammation, and restoring endogenous antioxidant defense systems, S. platensis therapy has a protective effect in the liver of grey mullet against damage and oxidative stress in the IONPs.

Background: Salmonellosis is one of the important diseases in the poultry industry, which also causes public health concerns.Objectives: We studied the effects of enrofloxacin and herbal medicines on growth performance, blood parameters, meat oxidation, and cecal microbial population in broilers challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST).Methods: A total of 240 one-day-old (male) Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 groups: negative and positive control, enrofloxacin, and three herbal medicines (A, B, and C) containing different proportions of cinnamon, thyme, licorice, and marjoram extracts with compounds of organic acids. The dosage of enrofloxacin and A, B, and C herbal medicines were 1, 1, 1, and 2 mL/L in drinking water, respectively, prescribed from days 16 to 21. On day 10, all groups except negative control were challenged with 1 mL suspension containing 1×107 CFU/mL ST. Performance traits were measured in intervals of 1-10, 11-24, 25-42, and 1-42 days. Blood parameters, meat oxidation, and cecal microbial population were measured on day 21.Results: Among the challenged groups, medicine C and enrofloxacin showed the lowest levels of Salmonella infection (P<0.05). Medicine B had a better effect on performance traits (P<0.05). Medicine A had the lowest amount of malondialdehyde in meat. Medicines A and B caused the lowest cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum (P<0.05).Conclusion: The above-mentioned herbal medicines can be used as beneficial additives in poultry nutrition to improve growth performance, reduce the Salmonella population in the gastrointestinal tract, and cholesterol, triglycerides, and meat oxidation.

Background: Lactoferrin is a natural biological active cationic protein that can be used as a yogurt additive to inhibit the growth of foodborne pathogens.Objectives: The present study evaluated the antimicrobial effects of lactoferrin against Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans inoculated in laboratory prepared yogurt at refrigerator temperature.Methods: The pre-warmed skimmed milk was inoculated by commercial starter and then divided into 3 parts, each inoculated by different inoculum and a certain concentration of lactoferrin (0.5% and 1.5%) and incubated at 42oC for 4 h till curd formation. Tenfold serial dilutions were performed for each group and refrigerated at4±1oC  for up to 14 days to be examined every day.Results: The obtained results showed that the treated yogurt samples with lactoferrin had significant reductions in B. cereus, Ent. faecalis, and C. albicans counts than untreated samples (control positive). Generally, yogurt samples treated with 1.5% lactoferrin showed the highest reduction percentages on B. cereus and C. albicans than 0.5% lactoferrin. In addition, B. cereus showed more susceptibility to lactoferrin than Ent. faecalis; the maximum reduction of the inoculated B. cereus was observed on the sixth day of the incubation to be 99.99%. Maximum reduction of the tested C. albicans was observed after the seventh day. Conclusion: The application of lactoferrin showed a potentially significant antimicrobial effect against B. cereus, Ent. faecalis, and C. albicans in refrigerating conditions, so lactoferrin is recommended to be used in yogurt production for safe product manufacturing.

Background: All organisms need iron for their survival and metabolic activity, and the healing process of patients depends on this element. Hence, its deficiency can negatively affect patients’ quality of life and cause disorders. Although iron deficiency is proven an important comorbidity in human and canine patients with heart failure, no research has been published on the role of iron in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Objectives: This research aimed to determine and compare the iron status of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with and without congestive heart failure.Methods: Based on laboratory, radiographic, and echocardiographic findings, 45 client-owned cats were studied and divided into three groups: control, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) without congestive heart failure, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure. Iron and ferritin concentrations, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and serum transferrin saturation (TSAT) percentage were measured and compared in all cats. Statistical nonparametric testing was used to analyze the data.Results: No groups illustrate any statistically significant difference for iron concentration (P=0.3), ferritin concentration (P=0.853), TIBC (P=0.1), and TSAT (P=0.639). The highest iron concentration and the lowest transferrin level and the transferrin saturation percentage were observed in the HCM group with congestive heart failure. Also, cats without congestive heart failure had the lowest TIBC compared to other groups.Conclusion: Unlike previous studies in dogs and humans, our study did not show a significant difference between cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy regarding iron status.

Background: Adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin are metabolism regulatory factors affecting milk production and reproductive performance.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin serum concentration in predicting Holstein cows’ reproductive and milk production indexes in the post-partum period. Methods: In this research, 45 clinically healthy and pregnant Holstein dairy cows were randomly selected near the forthcoming calving. Blood samples were taken from the jugular veins of cows 15 days before and after parturition, and serum concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, and some other metabolic biochemical parameters were measured. The animals were monitored for milk production and reproductive parameters for 3 consecutive months. Results: Findings showed no significant difference in adiponectin concentration between the pregnant and non-pregnant cows following the first artificial insemination (AI); however, pre- and post-partum serum concentrations of leptin, ghrelin, and insulin were higher in conceived cows following the first AI (P<0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between post-partum serum adiponectin concentration, the number of services before conception, and mean milk production levels (P<0.05). However, adiponectin did not have a long-lasting effect on the reproductive and milk production indexes because of other studied variables.Conclusion: It was concluded that the post-partum increased serum adiponectin and ghrelin and decreased leptin concentrations could not predict the reproductive and milk production indexes.

Background: Parturition depression is an important physiological problem, and several attempts have been made to ascertain this physiological phenomenon. Natural monoterpenes like α-pinene have numerous beneficial properties, but no studies have been done on their antidepressant potential in postpartum animals.Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of prenatal administration of α-pinene on the antidepressant-like behavior of mice following delivery. Methods: Pregnant female mice were randomly assigned into four groups. In the control group, the animals were injected with saline on their 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17 gestation days (GD). In groups 2 to 4, pregnant female mice were injected with α-pinene (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg, respectively) at GD 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17. On day 2 postpartum, open field test (OFT), rotarod, forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) were used to evaluate the antidepressant activity of α-pinene in mice. Also, serum samples were taken to determine the antioxidant activity.Results: According to the results, α-pinene (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) significantly increased activity in OFT and staying on the rotarod (P≤0.05). Also, α-pinene (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) diminished immobility time (s) in TST and FST on postpartum mice (P≤0.05). α-pinene (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) decreased malondialdehyde while increased glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant status levels in postpartum mice as compared with the control group (P≤0.05).Conclusion: It seems that prenatal administration of the α-pinene can alleviate postpartum depression via its antioxidant property in mice.

Background: Organic acids and their salts are known as appropriate substitutes in feed for improving the health, growth, and performance of fish. Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary lactic acid supplementation on immunological factors, hepatic enzyme activity, and plasma proteins in common carp, Cyprinus carpio. The fish were fed the diets mentioned above for 56 days, then their growth performance, humoral immunity, and plasma hepatic enzymes were assessed.Methods: A total of 180 fish (mean weight=25 g) were randomly distributed in twelve tanks (150 L water in each tank) as four treatments, fed diets containing 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 g/kg lactic acid (T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively).Results: At the end of the feeding trial, T2 showed significantly higher growth performance than T0. Plasma total protein, albumin, and globulin levels of T1-T3 were significantly higher than that of T0. However, plasma protein levels decreased significantly by elevation in dietary lactic acid concentration (10 g/kg). No significant differences were observed in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity among the treatments, although alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity decreased significantly in fish-fed dietary lactic acid supplementation (T1-T3) compared with the control group (T0). All humoral immunity parameters (lysozyme, complement, immunoglobulin, and bactericidal activity) increased significantly in T1-T3 treatments compared to the T0 group.Conclusion: Overall, dietary lactic acid supplementation improves growth performance, humoral immunological parameters, and hepatic health. According to the results, dietary lactic acid (2.5-5 g/kg) is recommended for preparing common carp feed.

Uterine Prolapse is termed as the eversion of the uterus or casting of ‘’wethers’’ or casting of calf bed. It is a common complication of the third stage of labor and more common in pleuripara than primipara. Uterine prolapse is common in cows and ewes, but rarely seen in mares, dogs, and cats. A six-year-old female pony was brought to the emergency unit at the Obstetrics Unit of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute Orathanadu, with a history of aborted pre-term (eight months) a day before and the mass hanging through the vulva. On clinical examination, the animal was dull and in a standing posture, the congested mucous membrane with tachycardia was noticed. Further examination of the mass revealed severe congestion and edema of the prolapsed uterus with no evidence of fetal membrane remnants. A vaginal examination explored constricted cervix. Blood samples were collected for hematology and serum biochemistry. Upon epidural anesthesia, the prolapsed mass was washed with potassium permanganate solution and then a hypertonic solution. After 10 minutes, the mass was washed with warm normal saline. Using Cetrimide cream as a lubricant and an antiseptic, the mass was reduced and repositioned. No Buhner’s suture was applied. Mare has received 40 IU of oxytocin for the involution process to begin. Systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs were administered for five days. Uterine lavage was done for three days with normal saline and povidone-iodine to aid in uterine clearance. On consequent days, the mare had improved and the cervix was closed with no discharge. The mare had an uneventful recovery.