BACKGROUND: There is not enough information about theeffects of heat stress and photoperiod on different lobes structure.OBJECTIVES: The present study aims at determining thehistological changes and the rate of changes in each lobes of ratprostate, affected by photoperiod changes and heat stress.METHODS:To this end, 15 adult male wistar rats were divided tothree groups: 1. the control group in which the rats were kept in12L: 12D and 25°C temperature condition, 2. the heat stressgroup in which the rats were kept in 12L: 12D and 42+1 °Ctemperature condition for 4 to 5 hours per day, and 3. thephotoperiod group in which the rats were kept in 16L: 8D and25°C temperature condition. After 30 days, samples were takenfrom different lobes and sections with 5 to 6μ thickness weremade and stained by H&amp;E and PAS. RESULTS: The microscopicresults showed that histomorphometrical structure andhistochemical reactions of the different lobs of normal prostateof the rats are different. The proportion of parenchyma to stromadecreased by heat stress; however, it increased by photoperiod.The maximum changes were seen in ventral lobe. The epithelialthickness, lumen diameter, and number of secretory units alsoincreased by photoperiod (16L:8D), but it decreased by heatstress. The number of secretory cells were increased by heatstress because the cell size decreased; however, they decreasedby long photoperiod regime. The number of folded secretoryunits increased by photoperiod, while heat stress has an adverseeffect (p<0.001). The serum testosterone increased by longphotoperiod and decreased by heat stress (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that long photoperiod hasimportant effects on increasing the rat prostate parenchyma andits activity.

BACKGROUND:Ticks are obligatory blood sucking arthropodsthat can transmit important pathogens. OBJECTIVES: Thedistribution and diversity of ticks fauna were last studied in the northof Iran in 2007. Mazandaran province has a humid climate, whichis favourable to animal husbandry such as sheep breeding. Due tohumid climate, the likelihood of exposure to tick infestation isincreasing. The aim of this study was to determine the ticks founa ofsheep and goats that grazed on the outskirts of mazandaran in 2012.METHODS: During the first 7 months of 2012, a total of 1190 tickspecimens were collected from the whole body of sheep and goatsfrom 23 different points of Mazandaran province. Adult male tickswere identified under a stereomicroscope, according to theidentification keys. RESULTS: The identified tick specimensbelonged to six Genus and 11 species, including Rhipicephalusturanicus (47%), Rhipicephalus bursa (24.6%), Haemaphysalispunctata (17.16%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (4%), Haemaphysalisconcina (3%), Haemaphysalis parva (1%), Hyalommamarginatum (1%), Hyalomma anatolicum (0.6%), Dermacentormarginatus (0.6%), Ixodes ricinus (0.5%), and Boophilus(Rhipicephalus) annulatus (0.3%). Rh. turanicus was the mostabundant tick. CONCLUSIONS: Due to climate change, regularmonitoring of distribution patterns of ticks is an important concernto control the ticks and tick-borne diseases.

BACKGROUND: The Ostrich is an interesting subject concerninganimal evolution and morphology studies. It has been speculatedthat ostrich eyes would have distinct tissue structures and this hasnot been previously studied in detail. OBJECTIVES: The aim of thepresent study was to investigate the histology of the outer layer ofthe ostrich. METHODS: Ten mature ostriches were chosen from anostrich breeding center in Jupar, Kerman, Iran. All of them were ina good shape and healthy condition. After slaughter, their headswere kept in 10 % formalin solution for 7 days and then the eyes wereremoved. Routine histological techniques were done and 6-μmthicksections were cut. Sections were stained with standardhematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) and Masson's trichrome and PAS.The sections were studied under a light microscope. RESULTS:Thecornea of ostrich had both dermal and sclera components and thetwo distinct parts were separated by a distinct zone; in addition, thesclera was divided into an episclera zone and a sclera proper zone.CONCLUSIONS: The outer layer of the episclera composed ofconnective fibers loosely attached to the sclera proper. The innerlayer of the sclera consisted of dense connective tissues with twocartilaginous parts continuing over the oraserrata that composeddense connective fibers and ossicles.

BACKGROUND: Ticks are the most important vectors whichtransmit several arthropod-borne diseases such as theileriosis,babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. OBJECTIVES: An epidemiologicalstudy was conducted in Semnan area to determine thecurrent situation of tick infestation in sheep and assess theefficacy of usage of CIS-cypermethrin against tick infestationunder field condition. METHODES: Sampling was done monthlyon 5% of a sheep herd in a population of 1000 sheep for one year.Ticks were collected, counted, and diagnosed. RESULTS: Ticksspecies affecting sheep were Hyalomma marginatummarginatumin winter quarters and in summer pasture; Dermacentormarginatus and D. raskemensis were the prominent ticks. In themiddle of autumn and during the winter, no ticks were detectedfrom the animals. The preferred sites of tick attachment toinfested animals were perineal region and ears in winter quarters;however, in the summer pastures, the ticks were found only underthe neck area and on the sternum. There was a significantdifference between the numbers of male ticks on ewe and lamb;however, these phenomena were not recorded for female ticks.In this regard, CIS-cypermethrin deeping treatment reduced therate of infestion (almost 100%) after one day of treatment.Nonetheless, in the next sampling after 4 weeks, the rate ofinfestation increased again and reached 50%. CONCLUSIONS:Inorder to control the tick infestation, it is recommended thatspraying be done monthly on the infected areas.

BACKGROUND: The early stage of Copper poisoning is difficult to be clinically diagnosed in sheep and has not been documented clearly yet. OBJECTIVES: To assess biomarkers in predicting early Copper poisoning in sheep, blood samples were collected from several groups of animals from a naturally Copper poisoning occurrence in an industrial region. METHODS: Animals were divided into four experimental groups; Group A: far from polluted region (Control group), Group B: inside polluted region, apparently healthy and without any clinically jaundice manifestation, Group C: slightly with jaundice signs and hemolytic crisis phase, and Group D: with clear jaundice signs. After collecting blood samples from each group, the serum was analyzed for evaluation of liver enzymes and oxidative stress parameters in different stages of Copper poisoning. In each blood sample, CPK, GGT, AST, ALT, total thiol (T-SH) group, and total proteins were determined. The Copper concentration in the serum, liver, and kidney of the dead animals in group D were also determined. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the blood parameters in group C illustrated by elevated level of serum AST, CPK, and GGT activities and total thiol (as biomarker of oxidative stress) when compared to control groups. In group D, these enzymes, in addition to T-SH, and the total protein were significantly (p≤ 0.05) different from those of the control and the other groups. Measurement of Copper in serum, liver, and kidney of group D (at the end stage of hemolytic phase) confirmed Copper poisoning in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the present study, the measurement of the liver enzyme activities and total thiol just closed to critical hemolytic phase could be reliable biomarkers for predicting Copper poisoning in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis are important tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats which are distributed in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess hematological status in sheep naturally infected with Anaplasma and Theileria spp. to clarify the pathogenic aspects of various species involved in ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis in Ahvaz region. METHODS: 109 sheep were sampled, and blood parasite infections were diagnosed by microscopic examination and PCR. The blood samples were also subjected to hematologic assessment. RESULTS: PCR analysis revealed A. ovis infection in 86.2% of sheep, while mixed infections with A. marginale were also detected in 53.2% of them. However, Anaplasma inclusion bodies were only observed in 32.1% of the tested animals. T. ovis were found in 88% of the inspected sheep by PCR, and 67.8% of them were detected microscopically, as well. Hematologic assessment showed that mean RBC, PCV, Hb, and MCHC were significantly lower, whereas MCV and RDW were higher in the animals with mixed infections of Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria, compared to the uninfected sheep and groups with single infection or without parasitemia. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, it seems that Anaplasma can be activated and induce its pathogenesis in the presence of other infective agents in the carrier or asympthomatic animals. It can also be concluded that mixed infections of Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria may induce a regenerative anemia which is most likely attributable to a combined effect of the two.

BACKGROUND: It is commonly acknowledged that the most safe and method of choice anesthesia in birds is inhalation anesthesia but in some clinical situations, such as tracheal resection, injectable anesthetic agents are the only choice of surgeons regardless of whether or not an anesthesia machine is available. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the quality of anesthesia and recovery time of isoflurane and propofol in domestic pigeons. METHODS: Twenty pigeons (Columba livia domesticus), weighing 302.5±37.95g (Mean ± SD) were randomly allocated to two groups of ten. One group was anesthetized by isoflurane (Iso-group), and the anesthesia lasted for 30 minutes. The other group received 14 mg/kg of propofol (1%) at constant rate (CRI) through basilica (wing) vein catheter to induce anesthesia (Pro-group). 1.33 mg/kg per min of propofol was infused to keep pigeons anesthetized for 30 minutes, using an injection pump. Temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and percentage of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2%) were recorded in all three phases including before induction of anesthesia, during anesthesia at minutes 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30, and after recovery time in both groups. RESULTS: Anesthesia caused significant effects on respiratory rate, heart rate, and SpO2% (p≤0.05). Recovery times in both groups were significantly different (longer in propofol group). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that the pigeons anesthetized with isoflurane have a soft and fast anesthesia; however, the pigeons were anesthetized with propofol, had a rough induction thatwas not uniform for all pigeons. Isoflurane showed that it is safer than propofol to anesthetize pigeons.

BACKGROUND: There is little information about blood supply of the carpal joint in one- humped camel, while there is extensive data about cow and equine species. In order to perform surgeries and diagnostic techniques in carpal region, information about the elements of the joint such as its arteries is necessary. OBJECTIVES: This study aims at describing the origins, arrangements, and branches of the arterial supply of the carpal joint of the adult one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). METHODS: Twelve left forelimbs of camelus Dromedrus without any lameness history were divided into 3 equal groups randomly. The brachial artery, before the elbow joint, was injected with warm water containing red gelatin, red latex solution, and rodopas resin solution separately; then, the arterial supply of the carpal joint was studied. RESULTS: The results showed that the radial, median, and caudal interosseous arteries and their branches supplied the carpal joint. (Supplied the carpal joint) CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that radial artery and its branches such as dorsal and palmar carpal branches were the most important arteries that supply the carpal joint. Median and caudal interosseous arteries support supplying this joint too but the arterial branches supplying the carpal joint in the Bactrian camel are from the radial artery and dorsal interosseous antebrachium branches. In the cow, the common interosseous, median, collateral ulnar and radial arteries give off branches to supply the carpal joint while common interosseous, median,transverse cubital and radial arteries give off branches to supply the this joint in the horse

Background: There is a growing concern on the impact of the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli isolated from animals on public health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of three classes of ESBL genes in E. coli isolates from sheep and broilers at a slaughter in Urmia region, Iran. METHODS: A total of 111 E. coli isolates were obtained from sheep (n=55) and broilers (n=56) fecal samples and the presence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In general, 32 of these isolates carried blaCTX-M, 16 blaTEM, and 17 blaCTX-M plus blaTEM. None of the isolates tested was positive for the blaSHV gene. Among the 55 isolates from sheep, 33 (60%) contained one or more ESBL encoding gene; 15 (27.2%), 10 (18.2%), and 8 (14.5%) isolates were positive for blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and                                                                                                              blaCTX-M+blaTEM, respectively. Among the 56 isolates from broilers, 32 (57.1%) isolates carried at least one ESBL encoding gene; 17 (30.4%) and 6 (10.7%) isolates were positive for blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes, respectively, and the blaCTX-M+ blaTEM was identified in nine isolates (16.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that sheep and broiler feces may be a reservoir of E. coli harboring ESBLs genes, with CTX-M being the predominant β-lactamase type. This may pose a public health risk, which requires future evaluation and control.

Background: Meat products may be unacceptably tough because of the high connective tissue content of meats used in their manufacture. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was using meat acid marination method on some physicochemical and sensory characteristics of beef burgers. METHODS: Meat was marinated in three concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) of lactic and citric acid solutions (1:4 w/v) at 4 °C for 15h and was used in formulation of beef burgers. RESULTS: According to control sample, the highest redness (a*) value was found in the lowest concentration of lactic acid while the lowest a* value was in the highest concentration of citric acid. Shear force value indicated that lactic acid had a tenderizing effect particularly at the lowest concentration and had a positive effect on overall acceptability. Electrophoresis of proteins showed that band intensity had decreased in 0.5% acid treatments, compared to the control sample. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that meat acid marination is an applicable technique to tenderize beef burgers with high percentage of meat.