BACKGROUND: Buffalo is one of the most important animals for the source of milk and meat, and it is also used for draught purposes in Bangladesh. Gastrointestinal parasites in the buffalo calves lead to reduced growth and hinder the development of buffalo industry in Bangladesh. OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to identify the gastrointestinal parasitic load in the buffalo calves at Sylhet district, Bangladesh. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from one hundred seventy (170) buffalo calves from different areas of Sylhet district and samples were examined using sedimentation, and floatation techniques. A morphological examination of parasitic eggs was performed to identify the parasitic species. RESULTS: Among the 170 calves examined in the present study, 62 (36.47%) were found positive with different parasites. Two species of gastro-intestinal parasites were identified, among them 26.47% positive with Neoascarisvitulorum, 5.88% with Strongyloides sp .and 4.12% with Strongyle type. The prevalence of gastro-intestinal (GI) parasites in males (44.12%) was lower than in female (55.88%) calves. A relatively higher worm load was observed in summer (58.82%) than rainy (41.18%) season. The prevalence of Gastrointestinal parasitic infections was significantly higher (p ≤0.05) in calves aged 6 months of age (44.12%) than calves of 6-12 months of age (32.35%) followed by 13-18 months of age (23.53%). EPG (egg per gr of feces) ranged from 50-1950. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the prevalence of GI parasites in buffalo calves in Sylhet is relatively higher regardless of age, sex, and seasons. Data generated through this study will help to adopt necessary measures to control the GI parasitic infections in buffalo calves in developing countries like Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in human societies and ani- mal populations, particularly pregnant women and domestic animals. This life-threatening infection may cause severe consequences in the fetus. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of anti-parasite antibodies in pregnant wom- en and sheep and goat populations of Zabol city, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Southeast Iran. METHODS: Ninety serum samples of pregnant women and 184 serum samples of sheep and goats were collected and anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were examined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Subsequently, the correlation between the seroprevalence of infection and socio-de- mographic data was statistically calculated. RESULTS: Among pregnant women, 13/90 (14%) samples were IgG positive and seroprevalence was signifi- cantly correlated to history of abortion (p <0.05). Among examined sheep and goats, 34 sheep (24.6%) and 3 goats (6.5%) out of 184 (138 sheep and 46 goats) serum samples were positive for parasite-specific IgG. Also, the seroprevalence of infection was significantly associated with animal species (p <0.05), history of abortion (p <0.05) and parity (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of this study, despite the relatively low prevalence of infection in pregnant women in Sistan, given the high prevalence of infection in the small ruminant population of the region, more careful monitoring and control of transmission of infection from small ruminants along with other common vectors of the disease are essential. However, more precise investigations are needed to reveal the epidemiological aspects of the parasite in Sistan.

BACKGROUND: Microbial quality of drinking water is very important in animal health. OBJECTIVES: The present survey was conducted to evaluate the microbial quality of cows' drinking water in dairy farms in Mashhad suburb, Iran, to find out defects in this field. METHODS: Water samples were taken from 30 farms and 4 sites including: Water tanks,  inlet and outlet  of bovine drinking troughs and calves’ water buckets in fall, 2018. The samples were put in sterile falcons, with keeping of the cold chain and immediately sent to the microbiological laboratory. Counting of fecal Streptococcus and Coliform in the specimens were performed by using pour plate and most probable number (MPN) methods, respectively.The contamination frequency of the samples to fecal Coliform and Escherichia coli were determined by using specific biochemical tests. The positive specimens in terms of E. coli were also detected for the presence of serotype O157: H7 by using PCR technique. RESULTS: According to the sampling sites, the contamination frequency with fecal Coliform and Strepto- coccus were recorded 30-100% and 20- 96.67%, respectively. The most frequency of contamination were observed in outlet of bovine drinking troughs. In 3.33% of samples, serotype O157 : H7 and in 6.67% of samples, undefined H7 serotype were diagnosed. There was no statistical significant difference in the level of bacterial contamination of drinking water due to the geographical location of farms (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:It was concluded that except for a limited number of farms, water tanks are relatively safe, while it is necessary to pay particular attention to the high contamination of outlet of bovine drinking troughs and water buckets of calves.

BACKGROUND:Post-partum depression is the most prevalent form of mental illness and herbal therapies are potential alternatives and adjuncts for its treatment. Hesperidin is the major flavonoid isolated from cit- rus fruits which has neuroprotective, antioxidant and antidepressant activity. OBJECTIVES: We studied the effect of exposure to Hesperidin during pregnancy on postpartum antide- pressant-like effects in mice. METHODS: Twelve male and 40 female mice (28-30 gr) were randomly selected and after determina- tion of the pregnancy using vaginal plaque, allocated into 4 experimental groups. Group 1 was kept as control and groups 2-4 were i.p. injected with 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg of hesperidin on days of 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 of pregnancy. The control group received i.p. injection of the saline on the same days. Following postpartum, forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and open field tests were used to eval- uate depressive-like antidepressant activity of hesperidin. At the end of the study, serum Malondialde- hyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined. RESULTS: According to the results, administration of the different levels of the hesperidin (0.5 and 1 mg/ kg) at GD 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 significantly decreased immobility time (S) in TST and FST on postpartum mice compared to control group (p ≤0.05). Pre-partum administration of hesperidin (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) had no significant effect on OFT of control group (p >0.05). Administration of the hesperidin (0.5 and 1 mg/ kg) during the GD significantly decreased MDA levels on postpartum compared to control group (p ≤0.05). Also, pre-partum administration of the hesperidin (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) significantly increased SOD and GPx levels on postpartum mice compared to control group (p ≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested pre-partum administration of hesperidin has antidepressant and antioxidant effect in postpartum mice.

BACKGROUND: Mongooses are small carnivores residing in different regions from Africa to southeast Asia. The Indian gray mongoose (Herpestes Edwardsii) is one of the mongoose species that is mostly found in southern Asia particularly India and the south of Iran. Anatomical studies on the animal's brain have always been of interest to the scientist due to its high importance in various branches of biology, such as zoology, veterinary medicine and ethology. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to enrich the current data pool by providing a histological description of the mongoose’s brain. The present study was conducted to investigate the histomorphologic and histomorphomet- ric aspects of cerebrum and cerebellum of the Indian grey mongoose. METHODS: For this purpose, eight adult mongooses were considered, which were in an end-stage disease or the status of approaching death. In the following, after removing the skull, the brain structure was accurately dissected and placed in 10% buffered formalin. The samples were embedded in paraffin, cut into serial sections and stained using standard Hematoxylin and Eosin protocol. RESULTS: In this study, the thickness of the white matter and cortex layers in the cerebrum and cerebellum, the number of neurons and neuroglia cells per unit area, and morphological features of tissue of the organs were measured and recorded. The results of cell count showed that the cell density of neurons in female and neuroglia in male were higher, significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Also in the cerebellum, the Purkinje cells were oval to round and were very close to the granular layer. CONCLUSIONS: Despite minor differences, it could be concluded that the general morphologic and mor- phometric characteristics of cerebrum and cerebellum for mongoose are similar to the other animals. Although the study of these features has not been done in a wild carnivore so far, these features can be considered as an intermediate between rodents and human.

BACKGROUND: Equine salmonellosis is an important infection with a wide variety of consequences including develop-ment of acute salmonellosis in the cases of predisposing factors, nosocomial infections, public health risk, and environmental contaminations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fecal shedders of Salmonella spp. in the horses of Kurdistan province of Iran using phenotypic and molecular approach. METHODS: A total of 130 fresh feces were randomly collected from horses in four age groups and both sexes in four seasons from all over Kurdistan province. The samples were analyzed for the isolation of Salmonella spp. with culture and biochemical method. An invA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was also carried out for detection of Salmo-nella spp. in pooled fecal samples, simultaneously. The isolates were further serotyped and the antimicrobial profile of the isolates was determined using Kirby-Bauer method. RESULTS: The results showed 1.53% (n=2) and 7.69% (n=10) by bacteriological methods and PCR method, respec-tively. There was no significant relation between the frequencies of Salmonella shedders and age, sex and season (p ≥0.05). The two isolates were recognized as Salmonella Typhimurium, showing 100% resistance against ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, sulphamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol, and 50% resistance against gentamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Rapidity and accuracy of PCR versus phenotypic method makes it an appropriate procedure for the surveillance programs regarding Salmonella detection in feces. Approximately high prevalence of subclinical form in equine salmonellosis or Salmonella fecal carriers in the studied region is instigated to seriously apply strategies to manage and control the distribution of infection to susceptible hosts.

BACKGROUND: Ascites syndrome is one of the most important metabolic disorders in growing broiler chickens world-wide. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of broccoli in comparison to ascorbic acid on controlling pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of 144 one-day old chicks were randomly divided into four groups. Each group included 36 chicks with three replicates of 12 birds. Experimental treatments were control, ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg dietary), and two levels of broc-coli (0.5% and 1% dietary broccoli powder). Growth performance, hematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV), heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, right ventricle to total ventricle weight ratio (RV:TV), serum biochemical factors, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, as well as humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated. RESULTS: Growth performance parameters improved in experimental treatments compared to control, even though it was not statistically significant. The RV:TV ratio in treatment groups was lower than control, and it was significant in ascorbic acid and broccoli 1% (p ≤0.05). H:L ratio decreased in treatment groups than control (p ≤0.05). Nitric oxide and HDL-C levels increased at both broccoli levels than control (p ≤0.05), but LDL-C and triglyceride levels decreased (p ≤0.05). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity were lower and higher in treatment groups than control, respectively (p ≤0.05). There were no significant changes in other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This research showed that addition of broccoli to the diet of broiler chickens, through improving anti-oxidant parameters, increasing serum nitric oxide levels, and decreasing blood pressure, blood lipids, RV:TV ratio, and mortality, could be effective to prevent PHS.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are widely used for the treatment of livestock. Their inappropriate usage leads to various disorders in humans as a result of consuming animal products. Milk is among the foods that are significantly affected by consuming antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare Yoghurt Culture Test (YCT), Four- Plate Test (FPT), and the Copan test for detecting antibiotic residues in raw and pasteurized milk produced in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 146 raw milk samples and 54 pasteurized milk samples were selected randomly from dairy farms and dairy products suppliers. The presence of antibiotics was evaluated by YCT, FPT, and Copan test. In addition, the sensi-tivity of the three tests for tetracycline and penicillin, as the two common antibiotics in the treatment of animals, was compared. RESULTS: Our findings showed that 8.9% of raw milk and 11% of pasteurized milk samples contained antibiotics. However, the levels of antibiotic residues were higher in 2% of the positive samples than maximum residue levels (MRL). Moreover, significant differences were observed between FPT, YCT, and the Copan test (p <0.05). On the other hand, the positive results of YCT and Copan tests were not significantly different (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that a low percentage of milk samples contained antibiotic residues higher than the permissible limit. Furthermore, YCT could be used as an inexpensive, easy, and sensitive method for identifying the residues of penicillin and tetracycline in milk.

Background: Equine wounds, particularly those involving the distal portion of the limbs, often undergo prolonged complex healing and may enter a non-healing state with obvious financial and welfare implications. Poor blood supply and lower levels of oxygen to the lower limbs lead to imbalance of growth factors related to wound healing. Decellular amniotic membrane has been widely used in soft tissue engineering especially skin regeneration due to its biological and mechanical properties. It is used as a scaffold for treatment of partial full thickness wound dressing. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the effects adipose derived mesenchymal cells (ADMSCs) cultured on decellularized amniotic membrane (DAM) in wound healing of distal part of equine limb. METHODS: Stem cells were isolated from adipose tissue in the base of the tail and then cultured and seeded on bovine decellular amniotic membrane. Full thickness excision wounds (2x3 cm) were created on the mid-lateral of all metatarsus of each horse aseptically. The wounds were classified into four groups: the first one covered by DAM seeded by ADMSCs, the second one dressed with only DAM, the third one treated with1% silver sulfadiazine, and the last one as control with no treatment. Digital photographs of wounds were obtained at each bandage change while biopsy samples were obtained for histopathology at days 5, 15 and 30 after treatment. RESULTS:Wounds treated with DAM/ADMSCs significantly demonstrated promotion of wound healing in geometric analysis of total wound area, epithelialization and wound contraction compared with the other groups (P<0.05). Microscopically, re-epithelization of wounds covered by DAM/ADMSCs and DAM at day 5 was significantly more than Control group (P<0.05). Fibroplasia in wounds treated with DAM/ADMSCs and DAM was higher than the group that received sulfadiazine (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate positive effects of using DAM to improve the quality and speed of wound healing. Use of DAM as a scaffold for ADMSCs shows better results.

Background: Avian rotaviruses are one of the important agents of enteritis in birds and have a worldwide distribution. These viruses have an important role in runting and stunting syndrome in chickens. Objectives: The aim of this study was detection and molecular characterization of avian rotaviruses in broiler farms in Guilan province. Methods: In this study, 100 samples were collected on different farms from the intestines of healthy and diseased broiler chickens and tested by RT-PCR targeting of the NSP4 gene. Sequencing of NSP4 gene has been used for characterization of detected viruses. ResultS: Avian rotaviruses were detected in 46% of samples by RT-PCR. Partial sequencing of seven NSP4 genes and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the viruses belonged to group A avian rotaviruses and were 97.52% to 100% homologous. Sequence identity between viruses with previous chicken rotavirus sequences was 31.68% to 99.5%. In comparison with turkey rotavirus Ty-1 and pigeon rotavirus, the homology was 76.98% to 78.22% and 74.75% to 76.98%, respectively. Evident differences were detected between the rotaviruses studied and human and pig rotaviruses with homologies of 31.19% to 38.86% for pig and 47.77% to 48.02% for human viruses. Conclusions: This study was the first molecular characterization of avian rotaviruses in Iran. Results of this study showed that the group A avian rotaviruses are one of the considerable enteric pathogens in broiler chickens of Guilan province. Further study on the whole genome structure could elucidate the evolutionary process of avian rotaviruses circulating in Iran.