The limitations of rennin application in cheese crafting usually urge the discovery of novel proteases. The Withania coagulans fruits are well-known for their caseinolytic activity in cheese production. The study aims to evaluate some of the factors affecting the milk-clotting activity (MCA) of W. coagulans fruit enzymatic extract in even and odd-toed hoofed-mammals milk. The extracts were prepared by distilled water and normal saline and their protein content were evaluated. The time necessary for the appearance of discernible and discrete particles in the mare and cow milk by the two concentrations of saline and hydro W. coagulans extracts (SE and HE, respectively) was assessed at 35 and 40°C while exposing different levels of calcium chloride. The interaction of these factors on MCA was evaluated using mixed-design ANOVA. Three significant interaction patterns considering the maximum number of factors were revealed (p < 0.05). The higher extract concentration and incubation temperature (40°C) was always effective in producing the utmost MCA in these interactions. The SE was faster than HE in milk clot formation. The cow milk was a more suitable substrate than mare milk for the enzyme activity.

Brucellosis is one of the most important causes of abortion in cattle resulting in significant economic losses and public health concerns in the developing countries. A case-control study was conducted from October 2016 to October 2017 to investigate risk factors of brucellosis in aborted cattle in Jimma zone. During the study period, 141 cases and 282 controls were selected to assess and compare the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies between cases and controls. Cattle that had experienced abortion were defined as cases, whereas controls were cattle that had no record of abortion. Sera samples were collected from both cases and control cattle groups for laboratory tests (serological test). The existence of the anti-Brucella antibodes in serum samples was first tested by the Rose Bengal Plate test, and the all positive samples were confirmed using the complement fixation test. An overall of 4.02% seroprevalence of brucellosis was recorded in the study areas. Antibody against Brucella organism was higher among cases (6.38%) than controls (2.84%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age (OR 14.16, CI=2.91-28.84), breed (OR 5.36, CI=1.76-11.33), herd size (OR 11.82, CI= 1.31-16.17) and species composition (OR 5.10, CI=1.49-13.43) as risk factors (p < 0.05) for Brucella seropositivity. This study documented the occurrence of cattle brucellosis in study areas. Thus, applicable control methods and creating public awareness on the zoonotic transmission of brucellosis should be conducted. Moreover, further study considering more causes should be carried out to identify the specific causes of abortion in cattle for the preparation of the appropriate vaccine.

Diazinon (DZN), as an organophosphorus pesticide (OP), induces oxidative stress leading to the generation of free radicals and causes some pathological changes in the body. The purpose of this study was to assess the protective effects of L-carnitine (LC) and Silybum marianum aqueous extract (SMAE) against DZN-induced hepatotoxicity in male rat liver. Rats were assigned in 9 groups (n=8) including control, sham, DZN15, SMAE100, LC300, SMAE100+LC300, DZN15+LC300, DZN15+SMAE100 and DZN15+SMAE100+LC300. Thirty days after the treatment by oral gavage, blood samples were taken and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP) were measured using photometric method. Besides, the livers of rats were removed and evaluated histopathologically. The DZN15 treatment significantly increased the AST, ALT, ALP and GGT levels (p<0.05) and conversely decreased the Alb and TP levels (p<0.05). Moreover, administration of the DZN15 resulted in lymphocytic inflammation, congestion, apoptosis hepatocyte, and lesser sinusoids space. However, the DZN15+SMAE100+LC300 treatment did not change the ALT, ALP, GGT, Alb and TP levels (p˃0.05) but increased the AST level significantly compared to the control (p<0.05). Besides that, lesser structural alterations and improvement in the liver tissue were observed. The findings suggest that co-administration of SMAE and LC could reduce DZN-induced hepatic tissue damages and improve the hepatic biochemical parameters in rats.

Snake venom is a complex mixture of different compounds which have potential pharmacological properties and may affect mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study we investigate the effects of two Iranian vipers; vipera albicornuta and vipera latifii crude venoms on the viability of MScs in vivo and in vitro. The cells in in vitro tests were treated with different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 μg/100μl) of mentioned venoms for 24, 48 and 72 hours.The cells in in vivo experiment only were treated with v. Latifii venom at the concentration of 1μg/100μl and time intervals as in vitro tests. The cell viability in in vitro experiment was assessed using MTT assay. The results of in vitro experiments showed that maximum cell viability was observed at concentrations of 1 and 2 μg/100μl of v. albicornuta and v. latifi ivenoms aft er 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The results of in vivo experiment showed that the cells treated with v. Latifii venom for 72 hours in situ have the highest proliferation rate after passages three, four and five in comparison to control. The results of this study showed that the v. albicornuta and v. latifi i venoms can affect the confluence and viability of the MSCs.

This research examined the antimicrobial effect of Lavandula stoechas (lavender) and Origanum majorana (marjoram) essential oil against three mastitis-causing pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed that the main components of the lavender and marjoram oils were 17-Pentatriacontene, Linalyl acetate, Eucalyptol, linalool and 3-Cyclohexene-1-ol,4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-,(R)-, α-terpineol, P-cymene, respectively. Broth dilution testing was performed using autoclaved whole milk instead of broth to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of essential oils alone and in combination. In addition, time-kill assay of lavender and marjoram oils were determined in milk up to 24 h. MIC values ranged from 3.12 - 4.37% v/v and MBC between 6.25 - 8.75% v/v for the lavender. The MIC and MBC of the marjoram ranged from 0.62 - 1.87% v/v and 1.25 - 3.75% v/v, respectively. The MIC ranged from 2.5 - 5% v/v and MBC between 5 - 10% v/v for lavender + marjoram combination. In time-kill assays, the presence of lavender and marjoram oils at a sub-MIC concentration significantly reduced the bacterial population in 4, 10 and 24 h. Generally, essential oil of marjoram had greater antibacterial activity than lavender against all mastitis-causing pathogens tested and has the potential to be evaluated as an alternative or adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of bovine mastitis.

Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a major cause of anemia in newborn foals. However, there are no documented data regarding the occurrence of neonatal isoerythrolysis in Arabian horses of Iran, which are mostly raised in Khouzestan province. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of neonatal isoerythrolysis in Arabian horses of Khouzestan and assess the hematologic and serum biochemical profile of affected foals. A total of 20 neonatal foals, under one week of age, and their dams were involved in this study. Clinical examinations revealed no abnormality except in one foal with icteric mucous membranes, lethargy, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypothermia and hemoglobinuria which led to death. The diagnosis of neonatal isoerythrolysis was made based on erythrocyte agglutination in cross-match test between the mare serum and foal erythrocytes with the titer of 1:128, while other studied cases were assumed negative according to the test results. In the laboratory assessment, the foal with hemolytic anemia showed a major decline in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte count along with considerable leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Serum total and direct bilirubin concentrations in the NI case was about ten times higher than in the rest of the foals. This study revealed that neonatal isoerythrolysis can occur in Arabian foals of Khouzestan and is associated with severe anemia and icterus which may lead to death. These findings can be beneficial in the establishment of preventive measures in Arabian horse breeding industry in the region, as well as improving therapeutic methods.

Campylobacter is one of the main bacterial causes of ewe abortion throughout the world. Campylobacter infections are now considered as zoonoses. The objective of this study was an investigation of Campylobacter fetus prevalence among aborted ovine fetuses in the Sistan region (north of Sistan and Baluchestan province). In the present study, spleen and abomasum content samples were obtained from 78 aborted lambs of Baluchi sheep. The samples were examined for campylobacter contamination using PCR method. The overall prevalence of campylobacter infection was 7.7%. The prevalence of infection in fetuses aged three months and under were significantly higher than that in fetuses older than three months. The result of this study showed that C. fetus should be considered as one of the infectious causes of abortion among sheep flocks in Sistan region.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding tramadol to lidocaine for brachial plexus block in sheep. Six healthy, adult ewes weighing 41.7 ± 3.82 kg were used. Using an electrical stimulator, brachial plexus block was performed with lidocaine (4 mg/kg) (LID), lidocaine (4 mg/kg)-tramadol (2 mg/kg) (LTL), and lidocaine (4 mg/kg)-tramadol (4 mg/kg) (LTH). All sheep received the three treatments with one-week interval. The final volume of administered solutions was adjusted to 0.3 mL/kg. Time to the onset and duration of anesthesia as well as changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were determined. Time to the onset of sensory blockade and motor blockade was not significantly different among groups. The duration of sensory blockade and motor blockade were significantly longer in LTH (128.3 ± 9.7 and 151.5 ± 21.5 min, respectively) compared with those of LID (88.6 ± 6.5 and 110.5 ± 21 min, respectively) and LTL (51.6 ± 11.8 and 89.6 ± 22.7 min, respectively). Although the onset of sensory blockade was longer than that of motor blockade in the three treatments, the difference was only significant in LTL. No significant differences were observed in heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature among and within treatments. It was concluded that addition of tramadol (4 mg/kg) to lidocaine, without altering the onset, can provide more prolonged anesthesia than that of lidocaine in brachial plexus block in sheep.

The changes in serum fructosamine concentration of dairy Saanen goats during late pregnancy and early lactation and its relationship to serum glucose, total protein, and albumin concentrations was investigated. Eleven Saanen goats were selected for the study. Blood samples were collected by the jugular vein in 30, 15 and 7 days before the expected time of parturition (D-30, D-15, and D-7, respectively) and also 12 hours and 3, 7, 13, and 42 days post-partum (H+12, D+3, D+7, D+13, and D+42, respectively). The serum concentrations of fructosamine, glucose, albumin, and total protein were measured. The maximum concentration of fructosamine was at 12 hours post-partum and decreased thereafter. Serum concentration of glucose significantly increased from D-15 up to 12 hours post-partum and then decreased and stayed at the same level. The serum concentrations of albumin and total protein significantly increased during post-partum period. There were significant correlations between fructosamine and glucose concentrations at post-partum period and overall time of the study. Linear regression analysis between each sampling amount of glucose and three consecutive fructosamine concentrations revealed significant positive correlation between glucose of each sampling time with the fructosamine of first sampling time thereafter. According to the correlation between glucose and fructosamine amounts during the study, especially post-partum period in Saanen goat, fructosamine measurement could be used as a useful indicator of energy economy and probably stress in Sannen goat; but controversy between reports in ruminants needs further studies for better understanding of fructosamine as energy biomarker in ruminants.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro acaricidal effect of aqueous ozone against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae) under laboratory conditions. For this purpose, aqueous ozone at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 ppm were prepared, and five replicate experiments were carried out using 400 μl of each concentration sprayed on every treatment batch of mites (plus a distilled water control). The mortality rate of mites in treatment and control groups were assessed 24 h post exposure. The mortality rate obtained by concentrations of 4, 5, and 10 ppm were significantly different from the control group (p< 0.05). The highest mortality rate (63.99%) was observed at concentration of 10 ppm. In this study, aqueous ozone showed a dose-dependent acaricidal potency against D. gallinae.