BACKGROUND: Early resumption of ovarian activity after parturition could positively influence the fertility of dairy cows. Ovulation of the first postpartum follicular wave and formation of corpus luteum that secretes progesterone can sub-stantially benefit the resumption of ovarian cyclicity in cows. In this regard, the presence of a dominant follicle in the ovary before day 10 postpartum could enhance ovulation rate in the first postpartum follicular wave. Pregnant mare serum gon-adotropin (PMSG) is one of the hormones with the potential to improve the growth of follicles. OBJECTIVES: Accordingly, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of PMSG injection six days after parturition on reproductive parameters in dairy cows. METHODS: The subjects were randomly assigned to the two groups of control (N=74) and treatment (N=79). Cows in the control group received no treatment, while animals in the treatment group received 500 IU PMSG on day six postpartum. In both experimental groups, cows were subjected to Presynch-Ovsynch protocol 30-35 days postpartum. The subjects that experienced estrus during the Presynch-Ovsynch protocol were inseminated. On the other hand, the cows that were not in estrus during this period were subjected to fixed-time insemination at the end of the Presynch-Ovsynch protocol. Pregnancy was diagnosed 45 days after artificial insemination using the rectal examination. RESULTS: In the control group, 66.22% of cows were inseminated based on estrus detection and 33.78% of cows were inseminated at fixed times. In the intervention group, 68.35% of cows were inseminated based on estrus detection and 31.65% of cows were inseminated at fixed times. The first-service conception rate (FSCR) was 27.03% and 48.1% in the control and treatment groups, respectively (p =0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the injection of 500 IU PMSG six days after parturition could enhance FSCR in dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: Persian fallow deer (PFD), Dama dama mesopotamica, is one of the rarest members of the Cervidae family currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. OBJECTIVES: Morphological variations in the skulls of male and female PFDs were evaluated in this investigation. METHODS: In cooperation with the Department of Environment, skulls and mandibles were obtained from five male and four female animals. After the usual practices of bone cleaning, the specimens were evaluated for morphological differences. Next, 29 parameters were measured on the skulls and mandibles by a digital Vernier caliper for morphometric studies. In addition, ten, six, and nine landmark points were defined on the left lateral photos of mandibles, dorsal, and left lateral photos of skulls, respectively. The points were digitized on two-dimensional images using the TpsDig2 software. The shape differ-ences between the two genders were analyzed using discriminate function analysis in the MorphoJ software. RESULTS: The interfrontal ridge was more prominent in male PFDs than in female animals. Moreover, there were some significant differences in the measured parameters, mostly in the mandible. The geometric morphometric evaluations showed no significant differences between the two genders. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present investigation revealed some morphological differences between the skulls of male and female PFDs

BACKGROUND: The probiotics must be alive in sufficient numbers and one of the main stress factors that probiotic strains should tolerate is food preservatives, like herbal essential oils (EOs). To provide a balance between sensory accept-ability and antimicrobial efficacy, the use of sub-lethal concentrations of EOs in combination with other preservation methods has been proposed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sub-lethal level of Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil (ZEO) stress on viability of microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum, and examine physicochemical and sensory properties of probiotic yoghurt during 28 days of storage. Moreover, the survival of probi-otics was evaluated in gastrointestinal conditions. METHODS: The sub-lethal and lethal levels of ZEO were determined for Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Both probiotics (109 CFU/mL) were exposed to sub-lethal dose of ZEO on MRS broth for about 2 h and then microencapsulated with alginate-chitosan. First, viability of encapsulated probiotics was estimated in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. After preparation of yoghurt, enumeration of free and encapsulated probiotics in yoghurt was done. Finally, physicochemical and sensory properties of probiotic yoghurt were measured. RESULTS: According to the GC-MS, Thymol (41.70%), alpha-terpineol (7.31%) and carvacrol (5.39%) were the most commonly detected components in the ZEO. The lethal doses of ZEO for L. acidophilus and B. bifidum probiotic bacteria were 1750 and 1500 ppm, respectively. Encapsulation and exposure of probiotics to sub-lethal dose of ZEO increased significantly the survival of probiotics in both gastrointestinal conditions and during 28 days of yoghurt storage (p <0.05). Furthermore, encapsulation and exposure of probiotics to sub-lethal dose of ZEO did not significantly change the pH of yoghurt samples (p >0.05). On the other hand, syneresis was not significantly different in all samples (p >0.05). The group exposed to ZEO obtained the lowest score for flavor. However, significant differences were observed between the exposed and other groups in the term of flavor, texture and overall acceptability (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to sublethal concentration of ZEO could be used as a prebiotic in probiotic yoghurt contain-ing probiotics so as to improve the survival and viability of microcapsulated probiotics and enhance some of the physico-chemical and sensory properties.

BACKGROUND: Anaplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular, gram-negative microorganism, which be-longs to the family Anaplasmatacea and can be transmitted by ticks and other arthropods. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the status of Anaplasma spp. infection by microscopy and molecular methods in dromedary camels in Bushehr province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 139 blood samples were collected from dromedary camels in Bushehr province. Giemsa staining and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted to detect Anaplasma infection in the drome-dary camels. RESULTS: We found that 27 (19.4%) out of the total 139 blood samples were suspected for the presence of Ana-plasma spp. by morphological study. The PCR and nested-PCR sequencing results showed 111 (80%) and 134 (96%) samples positive for Anaplasma spp. and BLAST search in NCBI GenBank presented 100% identity with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular results presented the high frequency of Candidatus Anaplasma camelii in camels, in Bushehr city.

BACKGROUND: The decline in poultry meat quality can occur due to the oxidation of lipids and proteins during the storage period. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of using Alhagi maurorumin a broiler diet on the oxidation of the lipids and proteins of broiler breast fillets during frozen storage. METHODS: A total of 54 male 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into three groups of basal diet as the control group and basal diet supplemented with 10 and 20 g/kg of A. maurorum fed for 42 days. After slaugh-ter, breast fillets were kept at -18℃ for 9 months and peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl content, and organoleptic assays were performed on samples every 3 months. RESULTS: The PV, TBARS, and carbonyl content of both treatment groups at all time points of frozen storage were significantly lower than that of the control group. Statistically, no difference was found between the samples of the two supplemented groups. Moreover, the sensory evaluation revealed no significant difference between the treatment and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study, the incorporation of A. maurorum in broiler diets delayed lipid and protein oxidation in the breast meat.

BACKGROUND: Prebiotics are non-digestible feed ingredients that improve the immune system. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to assess the changes caused by the addition of prebiotics to the feed on carcass characteristics and also chemical composition, physical characteristics, color, texture, and fatty acid profile of chicken pectoral muscles containing Eimeria species. METHODS: Forty-one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to four treatments, including nega-tive control (NC), positive control (PC), positive medicated with coxidine (COX), and positive medicated with prebiotics (PRE). After 42 days, carcass characteristics of the chickens were recorded, and also physical character-istics, chemical composition, color, texture, and fatty acid analysis of breast meat were determined. RESULTS: Infection with Eimeria species diminished carcass characteristics. PRE had higher final body weight, hot carcass weight, and breast and thigh muscle weights. Drip loss, pH, cooking loss, fat, ash, dry matter, and texture properties of broilers’ breast meat did not show any significant differences among the experimental groups. Dietary supplementation with prebiotics increased the crude protein content of breast meat. Infection with Eimeria species decreased the a-value of breast meat. Dietary supplementation with prebiotics decreased the amount of fatty acids 16:1 and 18:1 and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) compared to NC. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with prebiotics is a promising strategy with the potential to compensate for the negative effects of infection with Eimeria spp. on carcass characteristics, protein content, and color of breast meat of broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Moringa oleifera seeds are known for their high protein and vitamin content. Antioxidants are abundant in these seeds. Aqueous extraction was done. After that, an acute toxicity test was performed. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to see how a graded dose of M. oleifera aqueous seed extracts altered testicular pathology, gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves in Wistar rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. METHODS: The rats were A, B, C, D, and E were randomly assigned to five groups with group E serving as the control group. The rats in Groups A to D were inoculated intra-peritoneal with 1× 106 virulent T. brucei brucei, and they were held for one week to demonstrate clinical signs before starting the extract therapy. Every day at 10:00 a.m., the rats were given treatment for five weeks with (75, 100, 125, and 150) mg/kg of M. oleifera aqueous seed extract for groups A, B, C, and D respectively. While the control group E received 0.5 mL/kg of water. For hema-tological indices, blood samples were collected every Monday between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. All of the rats were humanely sacrificed at the end of the six-week experiment, and their gonadal and extragonadal sperm stores were collected, tested, and processed for histopathology. RESULTS: After treatment, the rats' gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves (groups A to E) showed a substantial increase (213±1.1a; 221±2.1; 250±0.0c; 259±2.6d; 295±2.6e) × 106 and (115±1.1; 160±2.1; 153±0.0; 167±2.6; 120±0.6) × 106 respectively, compared to control group at P < 0.05 level. Sperm concentration of the right epididy-mis (60.0±1.1a; 90.2±2.1b; 96.5±0.0c; 98.7±2.6d; 69.4±0.6e) × 106 were significantly higher compare to the left epididymis (55.0±1.1; 69.8±2.1; 56.5±0.0; 68.3±2.6; 50.6±0.6) × 106. The PCV (%) and WBC (103/μL) levels in groups A, B, and C were significantly greater following infection than that in group E. Infection with T. brucei at weeks 2 and 3 shows poor semen characteristics, thereafter the semen quality has improved. CONCLUSIONS: Moringa oleifera aqueous seeds extract has drastically abridged the impact of trypanosomosis and enhanced the semen quality of the experimental rats.

BACKGROUND: Canine brucellosis may occur due to Brucella spp. other than Brucella canis. Brucella bacterium is transferred between dogs, ruminants, and humans. Therefore, there is a need for vaccinating the hosts of Brucella, especially dogs. OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluates the efficacy of Rev.1 against B. melitensis in experimentally infected dogs. METHODS: Twelve Brucella-negative dogs were divided into two groups of test and control. The animals in the experimental group were vaccinated with Rev.1. After vaccination, sera of the dogs were tested by the standard tube agglutination test (STAT) and Rose Bengal test (RBT). Five months following vaccination, dogs in both groups were inoculated with 3×109 CFU of B. melitensis biotype 1. Serum samples were taken after inoculating the bacteria and were examined using the STAT and RBT. The specimens of lymph nodes and reticuloendothelial organs were collected for bacteriological culture. RESULTS: After the inoculation of Brucella, the antibody titer was significantly higher in the control dogs than in the experimental group. B. melitensis biotype 1 was isolated from all the control dogs, but it was isolated from three dogs in the test group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of the current study, we recommend further studies on the immuniza-tion of dogs with the Rev.1 vaccine along with vaccinating small ruminants.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM), as a metabolic disease, has a high rate of mortality all over the world. In recent years, there is accumulating evidence that show this complex multifactorial disease has various effects on reproductive system. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of parsley (Petroselinum cris-pum) leaves on spermatogenesis and pituitary-gonadal axis in male streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: In the present study, 60 male rats were divided into 5 groups of 12 animals in each: control, DM control and 3 experimental groups (treated with doses 1, 2, and 4 gr/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of parsley leaves gavage for 28 days). DM was induced 48 h after intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg). At the end of the treatment, rats were bled from the heart and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels were measured. The testes of rats were isolated and weighed. Assessment of the sperm motility and evaluation of the seminiferous cells were performed using light microscopy. RESULTS: Comparison of LH, FSH and testosterone in rats treated with doses 1 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of the plant revealed a significant increase as compared to the diabetic control group (P≤0.05). In addition, the results of histopathological evaluation elucidated a significant increase in the sperm cells number, and motility, testis weight, and total sperm count. It also improved condition of the seminiferous cells in the experimental group (1 mg/kg) compared to the diabetic control group (P≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that parsley (P. crispum) hydroalcoholic extract can be effective in decreasing repro-ductive disorders in DM patients.

BACKGROUND: Improving the reproductive performance of dairy cows requires estrus manipulation using estrus synchronization protocols. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to assess the effect of reducing the length of estrus synchronization pro-tocol by two doses of prostaglandin injection on the reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows. METHODS: At first, all cows received GnRH (day 0) followed by PGF2α on day 7 and GnRH on day 17. Next, cows were assigned randomly to one of the three groups: Group 1) PGF2α injection on days 22 and 23, estradiol benzoate injection on day 24, Group 2) PGF2α injection on days 23 and 24, estradiol benzoate injection on day 25, and Group 3) Control group; injection of PGF2α on day 24, injection of estradiol benzoate on day 25. Estrus detec-tion was performed twice a day up to 48 h (AM/PM) based on the signs of estrus, and fixed time AI protocol was used after 48 h if not previously inseminated. RESULTS: The conception rate in group 2 was significantly higher than the control group (P≤0.05) and tended to be higher than group 1 (P=0.079). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the hypothesis that a decline in the period of follicle dominance by re-ducing the interval between GnRH and PGF2α through two PGF2α injections improved the fertility of lactating dairy cows.