BACKGROUND: The grivet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), a non-human primate (NHP), has contributed sig-nificantly as an animal model in a variety of biological systems due to its similarities with human. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to establish a detailed procedure for in vitro maturation (IVM) of germi-nal-vesicle stage oocytes, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro embryo culture (IVC) of grivet monkey. METHODS: The reproductive organs were obtained from10 adult male and 4 adult female grivet monkeys after the proper anesthesia. The ovarian follicles were aspirated by aspiration technique or by the means of oocyte recov-ery with centrifugation (ORC). For the sperm recovery, the epididymides were dissected from the testicles and the tails of the epididymides were minced in the sperm washing medium and incubated for 15 min. At the time of insemination, a portion of the pre-incubated spermatozoa (10 μL) was introduced into 90 μL of fertilization medium containing about 20 matured oocytes. RESULTS: The data on the oocyte recovery rate and IVM showed significant increase (P<0.05) in the COCs recovered via ORC technique (9.8±0.41 and 90.90%) comparedto the recovered COCs using aspiration (4.45±0.32, 80.00%). The results showed similarity in the rate of cleavage in both groups (ORC and aspiration) (71%). The rate of embryo development to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the ORC group (43%) compared to the aspiration group (33.33%). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the oocyte recovery technique is of great importance in terms of non-human primates' COCs competence in the in vitro embryo production (IVEP). On the other hand, it is well documented in the current research that the commercial ART medium used in the human infertility clinics is well applicable for the grivet monkey IVEP.

BACKGROUND: Pain is an unpleasant experience that serves as a survival mechanism and is mediated via the central and peripheral nervous systems. Manna of hedysarum, also called Persian Manna or Taranjebin, is known to have medical properties in Persian traditional medicine. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of the current paper is to determine the possible antinociceptive effect of Manna of hedysarum as well as the neurotransmitter systems involved, in mice. METHODS: The first experiment was designed to reveal the effective dose of Manna of hedysarum. Adult male albino mice were injected with Manna of Hedysarum (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) Ethanolic Extract (MHEE) or morphine (5 mg/kg). In experiment 2, MHEE (400 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), and MHEE (400 mg/kg) plus naloxone (2 mg/kg) were injected. Experiments 3-5 were similar to experiment 2, except that naloxone was replaced with L-NG-Nitro Arginine Methyl Ester (10 mg/kg), cimetidine (12.5 mg/kg), and cyproheptadine (4 mg/kg). Then the formalin test was performed, and the paw licking time was measured. RESULTS: Based on the findings, MHEE reduced the pain response in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). The co-injections of MHEE with mentioned antagonists significantly decreased the antinociceptive effect of MHEE on the licking and biting time of the injected paw (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that MHEE has an antinociceptive effect in mice and possibly acts on opioidergic, nitrergic, histaminergic and serotonergic systems

BACKGROUND: Intensive aquaculture, which is always associated with high concentrations of nitrogen pollu-tants, can lead to increased economic damage and energy loss, and increased fish mortality. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the histomorphometry of the skin and stress indices of the Nile tilapia on exposure to different concentrations of ammonia. METHODS: In this study, Nile tilapia fingerlings were prepared and kept in the tub for adaptation, oxygenation, and feeding. A Range Finding test was performed on the fishes to find the ammonia killing range. Then, an acute toxicity test was performed on tilapia fish for 96 hours. For sub-lethal toxicity studies, 120 Nile tilapia fry were divided into 4 groups, including three groups based on different percentages of LC50 96 h (10, 20, and 30% LC50 96h) and a control group. The groups were exposed to ammonia for 14 days in an environment with constant tem-perature and pH control. Finally, histological examination and stress indices were performed on fish. RESULTS: The results showed that a higher concentration of ammonia resulted in tissue damage, including dis-coloration and skin blackening, and behavioral changes, including swallowing air from the water surface, decreased appetite and decreased mobility which finally resulted in death in these animals (P≤0.05). The highest and lowest glucose levels were reported for the control group and 2.7 mg/L. In addition, stress indices were significantly in-creased in experimental groups (P≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained from this study showed that increasing the amount of ammonia can lead to irreversible tissue damage to the structure of the skin and other tissues. In addition, the increase in oxidative stress in the Nile tilapia was due to the increase in ammonia, which led to lesions in these fish

BACKGROUND: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, especially Aspergillus spp, on grains and animal feeds. The most important mycotoxins are aflatoxins, including aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in the feed ingredients of livestock and poultry and to evaluate the effect of the season and spatial variation on aflatoxin contamination. METHODS: Ninety-three feedstock samples were collected from three major factories in Kermanshah province, Iran, during four seasons. The samples were analyzed by HPLC, and values for aflatoxins were determined. The sum of the aflatoxins was determined as the total for each sample. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 23 using general linear model (GLM) based on complete block design (samples and seasons). RESULTS: Six out of 93 samples were positive for aflatoxin B1. Positive samples were mainly related to cold seasons. Moreover, no significant difference was found between the positive samples in terms of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, and total). CONCLUSIONS: The aflatoxin B1 levels in animal feed were found higher during rainy seasons compared to the summer season. The aflatoxin B1, carried over from feed to livestock and poultry products in different seasons, may cause high contamination in livestock and poultry products at levels over the tolerance limit. Therefore, continuous surveillance of aflatoxins is required in animal feeds to reduce animal and consequently human exposure

Postmortem examination is an important part in evidence-based medicine to understand deterioration of clinical signs or causes of death in euthanized or deceased individual animals or even populations. The object of postmortem analysis is to improve clinical treatment and therapy, to confirm suspected diagnosis, to manage breeding strategies or to clarify in forensic cases the conditions, which had led to death (neglect, animal abuse). In analogy to virtopsy in human medicine, Diagnostic imaging modalities have been applied in post mortem veterinary medicine, which we call Vetvirtopsy.We hypothesize, that Vetvirtopsy can be used as a method for certain clinical/post mortem questions to improve the reliability of the diagnosis. In some questions, Vetvirtopsy actually can replace conventional necropsy. The aim of this overview study is to compare Vetvirtopsy to conventional necropsy in variable causes of death in animals and to define its possibilities and limitations. Deceased or euthanized pets and wild animals were collected. The methods used are imaging techniques such as postmortem digital radiography, postmortem ultrasound, postmortem computed tomography and postmortem magnetic resonance tomography in combination with image-guided tissue sampling to address the open questions about clinical symptoms or causes of their death. The case series in this project shown that using diagnostic imaging technique is feasible in answering different clinical ante-mortem and post-mortem clinical and forensic questions; however, there is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the diagnostic imaging and sampling under imaging guidance.

BACKGROUND: Fasciolosis is a parasitic disease of ruminants, and it is associated with liver damage, decreased meat and milk production, growth retardation, and even death. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the hepatic lesions associated with fasciolosis and to document the histopathological findings seen in the livers of cattle naturally infected with Fasciola species in Kwara State, Nige-ria. METHODS: Livers from 386 cattle were sampled at the place of slaughter for this study. Livers with lesions were subjected to gross and histopathological examinations. The univariate analysis (Chi-square) test was used to deter-mine the association between each risk factor and the presence or absence of Fasciola species in livers. RESULTS: Of the 386 livers of cattle sampled, 90 had pathological lesions representing 23.31% (95% CI = 19.30 –27.73). Among the pathologic livers, hepatic enlargement was recorded as the most prevalent lesion (37.78%),while hepatic hemorrhage was the least prevalent lesion (6.67%). Fasciola species was detected more in congestedlivers (14.81%), followed by fibrotic livers (10.00%). There were no Fasciola species in other types of liver lesions. The difference in the prevalence of Fasciola species among types of liver lesions was statistically significant(P<0.01; Chi-square (χ2) value = 49.10; degree of freedom (df) = 5). CONCLUSIONS: Fasciolosis is associated with hepatic congestion, and severe histopathologic lesions are seen in the livers of slaughtered cattle naturally infected with Fasciola species in Kwara State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium parvum is a coccidian parasite with worldwide distribution. OBJECTIVES: It is considered one of the most important causes of diarrhea in many vertebrate species and im-munocompromised humans. Due to the lack of effective treatment of cryptosporidiosis, protection strategy against this species can be focused on encouraging the immune system through vaccine development. METHODS: For this aim, we prepared oocysts lysate as a whole antigen vaccine candidate (420 μg) and immun-ized 3 pregnant cows 4 times every 2 weeks from 70 days to parturition. As a control group, 3 unimmunized pregnant cows were used. After parturition, each calf was fed with colostrum of his dam and challenged at 12h of age with 1×107C. parvum oocysts. RESULTS: In contrast to the test group, the calves in the control group developed severe watery diarrhea with excretion of oocysts from 4 days post-infection. The calves in the test group, which received the hyperimmune colostrum, showed no clinical signs and a significant reduction in oocysts excretion. CONCLUSIONS: The whole antigen prepared from oocysts of C. parvum can be considered a suitable candidate for immunizing pregnant cows producing hyperimmune colostrum.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering is a potential technique for treating bone tissue abnormalities in the short and long terms. Aside from that, the use of 3D printing technology has considerable advantages in the production of bioengineering scaffolds for the treatment of patient-specific bone defects. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to fabricate and characterize the 3D printed polycaprolactone/hydroxy-apatite (PCL-HA) scaffolds modified with Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF). METHODS: The scaffolds were fabricated using 3D printing technology to provide a suitable environment for the bone regeneration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and compression tests were utilized to characterize the scaffold morphology, microstructure, and mechanical properties, respectively. The potentials for the cell adhesion, proliferation, biocompatibility, and differentiation were also investigated. RESULTS: The 3D PCL-HA scaffold with linked pores had a moderately rough surface as a result of hydroxyap-atite (HA) nanoparticles incorporation, which resulted in the increased mechanical properties. Increased bone cell proliferation on the PCL-HA/PRF scaffold surface was seen as a result of the enhanced hydrophilicity and porosity of the PCL-HA/PRF scaffold as compared to the PCL scaffold. The MTT assay results showed that the PCL-HA/PRF scaffold was much more cyto-compatible than the PCL and PCL-HA scaffolds, which was a major im-provement. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that 3D printed PCL-HA scaffold supplemented with Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF) may be an effective scaffold for the bone tissue regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Cytokeratins are non-contractile intermediate filaments engaged in anchoring and structural functions forming a network to support cytoplasm. Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) expression in human breast carcinomas has proved to be a useful differentiation marker, but its expression in canine mammary gland tumors is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) expression in human breast carcinomas has proved to be a useful differentiation marker, but its expression in canine mammary gland tumors is poorly understood. METHODS: This research was based on the immunohistochemical study of CK7 in 17 cases of canine mammary gland neoplasms obtained from the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. Masson’s trichrome staining was performed to differentiate between collagen fibers and smooth muscle. RESULTS: CK7 protein was detected in both epithelial (1 benign mixed tumor, 1 fibroadenoma, 1 complex carcinoma, and 1 carcinoma mixed type) and myoepithelial (1 fibroadenoma, 1 benign mixed tumor, 3 complex carcinomas, 1 ductal carcinoma, and 1 carcinoma mixed type) cells. Fine and thick collagen fibers were observed in the sections stained by Masson’s trichrome. CONCLUSIONS: Despite using CK7 as a differentiation marker in human breast cancer, CK7 had a controversial ex-pression in the epithelial and myoepithelial cells in canine mammary gland neoplasms. Based on the results, CK7 could not be considered as an independent marker for the canine mammary glands epithelial cell detection and a prognostic factor in canine mammary gland neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Gentamicin is an effective antibiotic with some important side effects, such as nephrotoxicity. There is evidence of renoprotective effects and antioxidant properties for camel milk. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the impact of camel milk on the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin was evaluated. METHODS: The present study was performed on four groups of six Wistar rats. Group 1(C), as the control group, received exclusively normal saline injections and the rats in group 2 (GM) received intraperitoneal gentamicin injections at the dose of 100 mg/kg for the last ten days. The animals in group 3 (CM) were fed by 5 mL/rat/day of camel milk through gavage for 15 days. Group 4 (MGM) was fed camel milk only for the first five days followed by gentamicin injections for 10 days. Serum urea, creatinine, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured and kidneys were studied histopathologically. RESULTS: Increased concentrations of urea and creatinine along with the decreased level of SOD were found in the GM group. Histopathologic changes, such as eosinophilic casts in the tubular lumen, capillary congestion, glomerulonephritis, necrosis, interstitial nephritis, and edema were more common in the GM group, in comparison with the C, CM, and MGM groups (p <0.05). The elevations in serum urea and creatinine (p <0.05) were significantly prevented by the co-administra-tion of camel milk and gentamicin. Moreover, a significant increase in the serum activity of SOD was revealed in the GM group (p <0.05). Camel milk significantly prevented tissue injury, in comparison with the GM group (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that gentamicin-induced histological and biochemical alterations in the kid-ney decreased significantly due to camel milk consumption