BACKGROUND: Exogenous phytase enhances the utilization of plant phytate phosphorus in poultry. OBJECTIVES: In the present study the effects of exogenous phytase was investigated on tibia bone characteristics of white quail. METHODS: In a 2x2 factorial arrangement, eighty, 11-day old unsexed chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments of 20 replicates. All birds received one of four experimental diets with two levels of aP (5.2 or 3.9 g kg-1) and two levels of phytase (0 or 500 FTU kg-1). On day 25, all birds were weighed, sacrificed, and blood samples were obtained for the determination of blood phosphorus. Both tibiae were excised for the determination of ash, calcium and phosphorus content, bone length and thickness, and breaking strength. RESULTS: Birds which had received lower aP diets showed lower levels of blood phosphorus as well as tibia bone weight, ash, calcium, phosphorus, bone thickness and strength when compared with the higher aP fed birds. CONCLUSIONS: Adding phytase to the lower aP diet was able to restore the above-mentioned variables. Phytase increases rigidity and strength of tibia by enhancing the availability of phytate phosphorus to the quail. This is important, particularly when the bird is grown for flight and hunting.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza (AI) viruses have been isolated from a wide diversity of free-living avian species representing several orders. Since 1998, H9N2 AI outbreaks have been one of the major problems in Iranian poultry industry. In 2006, H5N1 was reported in swans in the north of Iran first , but until now there has been no official report from commercial flocks in Iran. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was Molecular Surveillance of Avian Influenza in Bird Parks of Tehran, Iran. METHODS: In this study, 100 fecal samples from different avian species of Public and Bird Parks (The avian species included Pigeon, Duck, Swan, Parrot, Crow and Sparrow) were collected in Tehran, in the central region of Iran during November and December 2009. RNA extraction and RT-PCR have been done according the WHO Instruction for detection of Influenza Type A. RESULTS: In 14% of samples genetic materials (RNA) were detected. Species including duck and sparrow were positive. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of AIV detection in this these species in Iran. Due to emergence of new H1N1 influenza and bird flu throughout the world and in regional countries, surveillance programs for monitoring the spread of these viruses need to be redesigned. Surveillance activities for AI in wild birds should be continued to provide further virological (subtype) and epidemiological (Phylogenic Study) information about circulating viruses.

BACKGROUD: Naturally, the prevalence of hydatid cyst of sheep increase with age and accompany with structural changes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence of hydatid cyst in sheep and its structure with age. METHODS: During 2009, 786 sheep in different age groups (1 to 6“ |years) slaughtered at Babol abattoir, Mazanderan province were examined for hydatid cyst infection through visual examination, palpation and slicing the infected organs into pieces. The number of cysts was counted and their mean volume, diameter, and number of protoscoleces in different age groups were determined. RESULTS: Our findings showed the overall prevalence rate of infection 35.2%. There was a significant relation between age and considered parameters (p

BACKGROUND: Garlic (Allium sativum) is known for its anti-bacterial properties, but information on its effects against bacteria species that are important in fish diseases is scarce. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to use garlic as a natural product to improve the aquatic animal health status so as to compensate the demand for environment-friendly products for sustainable aquaculture. METHODS: For this purpose thee methods of extraction including: row garlic extract, water, ethanol and methanol extract were used for in-vitro toxicity tests on Aeromonas sobria by disk diffusion and tube test. RESULTS: According to results in 200 and 400 mg/mL concentrations of ethanol extract of garlic, the inhibition zone of bacterial growth was 7 and 10 mm respectively. There was no inhibition zone for all concentrations of methanol extract of garlic. In water garlic extract the inhibition zone for concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg/mL were 8, 10 and 14 mm respectively. For 100% and 50% raw garlic the inhibition zone was 27 and 8 mm respectively. MIC for Aeromonas sobria in ethanol extract, water extract and raw garlic were estimated as 200, 100 mg/mL and 10% respectively. MBC for these extracts was also estimat-ed as 300, 100 mg/mL and 25% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that raw and water extract of garlic have the highest antibacterial effect. Ethanol extract had a lower effect and methanol showed no bacteriostatic effect. Therefore, garlic extract can inhibit the growth of Aeromonas sobria, an important fish pathogen, and may have therapeutic value, particularly for carp.

BACKGROUND: Group A bovine rotavirus (BRV-A) is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in newborn calves. OBJECTIVES: Major types of BRV-A in Tehran, Alborz and Qazvin were detected in this study. METHODS: A total 125 fecal samples of calves showing clinical signs of diarrhea were collected from 26 industrial dairy farms located in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz and Qazvin, during two years. RESULTS: BRV-A was detected in 39.2 % (49/125) of total samples using a commercial ELISA kit. Thirty five positive samples were analyzed by seminested multiplex RT-PCR for P and G genotyping. G10 was the most prevalent genotype, accounting for 57.1% of samples, G6 accounted for 22.9% of samples and in 5.7% of samples (2/35), mixed infection of both genotypes G6 and G10 were detected. Also, the detected P types were P[11] and P[5], accounting for 71.4% and 14.2%, respectively. In our study, none of the genotypes G8 and P[1] were detected. The incidence of genotype combinations cor-responded to the B223-like strains (G10P[11]), UK-like strains (G6P[5]) and KN4-like strains (G6P[11]) were 51.4%,14.3% and 8.6%, respectively. Mixed infections G6/G10P[11] were detected in 2.85% of all samples analyzed with RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the determination of P genotypes of BRV-A and distribution of the most common BRV-A strains circulating in Iran. Our study also indicated that the incidence of the G genotypes of BRV-A in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz and Qazvin, which is one of the greatest husbandry centers in Iran, has changed in the past years. Furthermore, this finding could be valuable in rotavirus vaccine design.

BACKGROUND: Poultry and poultry products are among the major sources of Salmonella infections for humans. Increasing occurrence of antimicrobial resistance among Salmonellae has become a serious public health concern. The detection of extended spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) producers among Salmonella spp. has increased in recent years. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance pattern of Salmonella, and to understand whether ESBLs were present in Salmonella isolated from poultry farms and slaughterhouses from various parts of Iran. METHODS: A total of 314 isolates of Salmonella spp., 272 of poultry and 42 from human origin, collected during winter 2005-2011 were characterized for antimicrobial resistance and the presence of ESBL genes in this study. Phenotypic Disk diffusion method was performed for detection of anti-microbial susceptibility against 16 antimicrobial agents according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute's recom-mendations (CLSI, 2005). To detect the presence of ESBL genes in 30 isolates out of 61 phenotypical resistant isolates, PCR amplific-ation was used by employing specific primers for screening of the CTX-M and CMY groups, respectively. RESULTS: The highest resistance to ceforoxime in poultry and cefixime in human isolates was observed, and multidrug resistance (MDR) was seen with a maximum seven antimicrobial agents. The PCR detection of CTX-M and CMY genes in all isolates including five phenotypically ESBL positive isolates was negative. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the incidence of resistance to cephalosporins and the frequency of MDR among Salmonella isolates from poultry farms in Iran. The prevalence of MDR Salmonella isolates from poultry are of particular concern as these strains can transmit to humans through the food chain

Background: Nowadays, Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria is the newest method for increasing the survival ability of probiotics in Food products. The Lactobacillus acidophilus as a probiotic bacterium has more beneficial effects and the low survival of this bacterium under food processing conditions and adverse environment have been studied by many researchers. OBJECTIVES: In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus was added to mayonnaise sauce as either free cells or encapsulated and the survival of probiotic was evaluated during storage for 30 days at 4oC. METHODS: The emulsion method was performed for the microencapsulation process of Lactobacillus acidophilus. A morphological characteristic of capsules was indicated by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The microencapsulation with calcium alginate-resistant starch significantly affected (p

Background: Probiotics and especially Lactobacilli are among the most important components widely used in food technology. Isolation and characterization of indigenous probiotics should be performed in native populations. OBJECTIVES: In order to isolate lactobacillus spp. from Iranian traditional Lighvan cheese to be used as starters, 15 cheese samples were randomly selected and tested for technological and probiotics properties. METHODS: Lactobacilli were characterized using culture-based and bio-chemical techniques and results were verified using PCR analyses of the 16S rRNA region. The probiotic characteristics of these bacteria were studied by acid and bile tolerance. The susceptibility of different isolates against a number of important antibiotics was tested. The technological traits of LAB were assessed using measurement of acid production and analyzing salt tolerance. The isolates were also screened for proteolytic and lipolytic activity. RESULTS: Of the 12 samples containing Lactobacilli, 10 belonged to L. plantarum while 2 were close to L. bulgaricus spp. All isolates were tolerant to 3% NaCl and 9 tolerated 6-8% NaCl. Almost all isolates were lipase-positive at 37 °C and 30 °C. Nine Lactobacilli were shown to be protease-positive at 37°C. Two isolates were completely tolerant to pH 1.55, 4 had intermediate resistance, 4 were of weak resistance and 1 was sensitive. All but one isolate were tolerant to 0.03% bile acid. Some isolates were shown to be sensitive to erythromycin, ampicillin, tetracycline, amikacin and rifampicin. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that most of the isolated Lactobacilli can be used as industrial cheese starters and/or as native probiotics in production of functional foods.

Background: According to literature, there are differences among different species of animals in respect to absorption of D-xylose. OBJECTIVES: In two experiments, the differences that might exist in absorptive capacity of small intestine for D-xylose, in different types of chicken were tested. METHODS: In experiment one, 2 groups of nine adult layer type males (48 weeks) and females (58 weeks), and in experiment two, 4 groups of ten young (4 week) broiler type or layer type male or female chickens were dosed D-xylose solution (50 mg/mL, 500 mg/kg BW), orally. One blood sample before, and 5 others immediately after the administration of D-xylose solution, were taken from wing vein of the birds at 30 minute intervals for 150 minutes, and the concentration of D-xylose in plasma was measured. RESULTS: In experiment one, D-xylose concentration reached its peak at 60 to 90 min in both adult males and females, and followed a quadratic trend with time (r2 for adult males = 0.735 and adult females = 0.801). In experiment two, D-xylose concentration reached its peak at 60 min for all experimental groups and followed a quadratic trend with time (r2 for broiler type male = 0.681, broiler type female = 0.850, layer type male = 0.695 and layer type female = 0.748). CONCLUSIONS: D-xylose test was shown to be a sensitive tool for the evaluation of intestinal absorption capacity of chicken. This test revealed that there were some differences in absorption function of intestine among the birds with different breeds, sexes, ages, and nutritional demands

BACK GROUND: Bluetongue virus (BTV) is recognized to infect ruminants all around the world, and its prevalence mainly depends on the BTV situation, vectors distribution, weather patterns and susceptibility of the host. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to draw a correlation between the prevalence of BTV antibodies and climate changes in Iranian Azerbaijan Province. METHODS: Sera samples were collected from sheep, in a period of a year between 2008- 2009. The seroprevalance of Bluetongue antibodies were evaluated using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, considering monthly weather changes in the Province, recorded by the Iran Meteorological Organization. RESULTS: The infection rate was found to be 55.9% and there was a peak BTV prevalence of at 81% (p