BACKGROUND: Abomasal ulcer is a disease of digestive system in ruminants. The clinical signs vary widely depending on the type of abomasal ulcer. The economic losses of this disease include decreased milk yield and mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the frequency, type of ulcer, pathological, hematological, and electrocardiographic indices in the slaughtered cattle in Sanandaj abattoir. METHODS: A total of 400 cattle were randomly selected with both sexes and 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and ≥4 years of age. They were grouped during three seasons and the abomasal ulcer was evaluated. Blood sample was collected and electrocardiogram was recorded before they were slaughtered. Abomasal lesions were assessed macroscopically and histopathologically in the slaughtered cattle. RESULTS: Out of the 400 abomasom examined, 51 (12.75 %) were affected by abomasal ulcers, all of which were type-1 ulcer. Subtypes 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. 35 cattle (68.7 %) had the types of arrhythmia. The most frequent of them was sinus arrhythmia and sinus tachycardia. Neutrophilia and reduction in MCHC were significantly more than the other hematological indices (p < /em>˂0.05). There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of abomasal ulcers and arrhythmia, gender, age, and season (p < /em>˂0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between electrocardiographic and hematological indices in the affected cattle (p < /em>˂0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed a high prevalence of abomasal ulcer in the studied area. They also indicated that the electrocardiographic and hematological changes could be helpful in the diagnosis of abomasal ulcer.

BACKGROUND: The use of natural immune stimulants is one of the most effective methods for strengthening immunity and preventing diseases in fish. OBJECTIVES: Due to the abundance of red algae (Laurencia caspica) in the Caspian Sea, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this algae on growth performance and blood indices of rainbow trout. METHODS: The present study was performed on 750 randomly selected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in 5 experimental treatments including an algal extract-free diet (control), and diets supplemented with 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% of algal hydroalcoholic extract. During the experimental period, fish were sampled to measure growth performance and blood indices every two week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices were not affected by the algal extract at the end of eight weeks of feeding. There were no significant differences in fish survival at different treatments. Total counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin concentration and neutrophil and monocyte percentages were affected by algal extract with significant increases compared to the control group (p < /em><0.05). Results of serum biochemistry showed that significantly increased total protein, albumin and globulin and also significantly reduced ALT, AST and ALP compared to the control in rainbow trout. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study oral use of red algae (L. caspica) as an immune stimulant in rainbow trout (O. mykiss) was recommended.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial agents can alter physiological status and immunity system of the host, and use of hematological indices are the appropriate marker for monitoring them. OBJECTIVES: The present study intended assessment of changed hematological indices of rainbow trout challenged with streptococcosis/lactococcosis agents following oral administration of florfenicol. METHODS: The purchased fish (55±7.5 g) were examined through a randomized blocks design in the replicated 6 treatments consisting of without/with the infectious challenge of each pathogen separately and without/with medicated feeding in 15 mg/kg-1 BW for 10 consecutive days. Doses of Streptococcus iniae (2.87×107 CFU/ml) and Lactococcus garvieae (6.8×105 CFU/ml) equal to 30% of LD50 values were applied in the main experiment. At the end of trial, blood was sampled via caudal vein. Measurement of hematocrit and hemoglobin has been accomplished according to standard methods, and the number of blood cells was counted by hematocytometer. RESULTS: Findings pointed out PVC%, Hb value and RBCs count of groups that received the drug were reduced significantly than control (p < /em><0.05). 10-day administration of flornfeicol in the mentioned dosage could cut down lymphocytes statistically (p < /em><0.05). On the other hand, monocytes, neutrophils, and other blood cells were enhanced following administration of therapeutical dosage (p < /em><0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that oral consumption of florfenicol could improve innate immunity, especially through enhancement of hematocytes. However, due to reduced frequency of blood lymphocytes, and as the problem of anemia in fish following drug consumption is still observed, it is recommended that in case of reduction of losses and improvement of clinical symptoms, the lowest FDA-suggested levels of the antibiotic for treatment should be used.

BACKGROUND Agricultural pesticides can cause environmental pollution and damage to aquatic organisms. Bensulfuron-methyl is a widely used herbicide in agricultural fields, especially rice fields. Despite the solubility of Bensulfuron-methyl in water and its entry into aquatic environments, limited research has been conducted on the toxicity of this herbicide in aquatic organisms.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of chronic toxicity of Bensulfuron-methyl in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).METHODS: The fish were divided into four groups. Group 1 was considered as a control, and groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % of the 96 h lethal concentration 50 of Bensulfuron-methyl equal to 0, 0.162, 0.324 and 0.486 g/L.  After 21 days, blood samples, serum levels, and liver tissue of fishes were analyzed.RESULTS: The number of white blood cells increased in groups 2 and 3 (received 0.162 and 0.324 g/L Bensulfuron-methyl) compared to group 1, while a significant decrease was observed in group 4 (received 0.486 g/L Bensulfuron-methyl) compared to other groups. The number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, and the percentage of hematocrit in groups 3 and 4 showed a significant decrease compared to other groups, and the values of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were not significantly different in any groups. The amount of total serum protein in groups 3 and 4 decreased significantly compared to the control group. Serum glucose showed a significant increase in groups 3 and 4 compared to other groups. The values for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes showed an increasing trend with the increase of Bensulfuron-methyl concentration. The most liver tissue damage was observed in group 4, which included hyperemia, hepatocyte vacuolar degeneration, edematous cell infiltration, bile duct hyperplasia, and hepatic necrosis.CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the concentration of Bensulfuron-methyl can cause liver tissue damage and changes in hematological and serum biochemical markers in common carp.

BACKGROUND: Yersiniosis is known as one of the most prevalent bacterial diseases in fish, which causes high mortality and economic losses in cultured fish farms every year. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to investigate the changes in hematological indices and gut histopathology in Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) exposed to Yersinia ruckeri. METHODS: 60 Caspian roach broodstock with an average weight of 63.4 ± 2.1 g were divided into three groups (with two replicates for each group), including one treatment, one positive control, and one negative control groups. The treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with Yersinia ruckeri bacterium at a dosage of 3.8 × 107 cell/fish. The positive group just received normal saline (0.9 % NaCl) via intraperitoneal injection. No injection was performed in the negative control group. RESULTS: Symptoms appeared on the fourth day after exposure and 20 % of the fish in the treatment group died 5 days after the challenge. Cumulative mortality reached 53 % on day 9 after the challenge.  According to hematological analysis, the challenge with Yersinia ruckeri led to a significant increase in white blood cell counts (WBC) compared to the control groups. Moreover, 10 days following exposure, the treatment group experienced hypochromic macrocytic anemia. Gut histopathology was characterized with necrosis and detachment of intestinal epithelial cell and inflammatory cells infiltration in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the obtained results herein, Yersinia rackeri can cause acute disease in Caspian roach; therefore, preventing and controlling this disease is essential for these fish in infected regions.

BACKGROUND: In the past decades, medicinal plants were used to enhance the specific and non-specific defense mechanism and to increase resistance to disease. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Curcuma longa L. on the hematological factors of Huso huso. METHODS: In this study, 90 beluga with average weight of 2.403± 0.006 Kg were kept on Shahid Rajai reproduction, culture and rehabilitation of sturgeon for 20 days. This number of fish were distributed in the three groups with the names curcumin, control (+) and control (-) with three replicates. After one week adaptation with experimental environment fish were injected intraperitoneally. In curcumin group 400 mg/kgbw curcumin extract at the maximum volume of 0.5 ml was used. In control (+)and in control (-) without injection 0.5 ml of physiological serum was kept just to check fish experimental conditions. Blood was taken at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days post injection. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin and blood indices such as MCV, MCH, MCHC in the curcumin group was higher  than the control group (control (+) and control (-)). CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study showed that use of curcumin in beluga has high impact on increasing Hematology parameters.