BACKGROUND: The use of feed withdrawal for molt induction can negatively affected the structure and microbial environment of intestine and lead to greater intestinal colonization by salmonella infection. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present experiment was to determine the effects of alfalfa as a high fiber ingredient for molt induction on intestinal morphometric characteristics and performance of commercial laying hens. METHODS: In this experiment 108 Hy-line (W36) laying hens aged 74 weeks in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 6 replicates were used. Using treatments for 12 days molt period were included: 1- control group fed with layer ration (FF), 2- feed withdrawal group (FW), 3- group fed with 90% alfalfa and 10% layer ration (A90). Performance of birds was monitored for 12 weeks after the end of the molting period. RESULTS: Feed withdrawal hens had lowest villus height in all three regions of the intestine (p<0.05).The highest average of deudenal crypt depths was observed in FW hens. In all three regions of the intestine, the lowest amounts of villus index and villus surface was observed in FW hens (p<0.05). In all three regions of the intestine, the highest and lowest average of goblet cells was seen in the A90 and FW hens respectively. The highest mean of post molt egg mass was observed in FW hens (p<0.05). The best FCR was seen in the A90 group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of alfalfa-riched feed for molt induction of laying hens results in improvement of morphometric characteristic of intestine and post molt performance.

BACKGROUND: AmpC and ESBLs as mediated-plasmid extended spectrum β-lactabases are the main factors of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in enterobacteriacea especially E. coli and will follow treatment failure, high costs of treatment in human and economic losses in the poultry industry. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to screen and study the faecal E. coli isolates producing extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC enzymes and related workers. METHODS: A total of 500 cloacal swab samples from broiler chickens and 25 rectal swab samples from workers were collected from five poultry houses around Tehran. All samples were seeded on MacConkey agar and identification of E. coli isolates were performed via biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined against 12 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method as recommended by the clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI2012). Ceftazidim / ceftazidim-clavolanic acid and cefoxitin / cefoxitin-EDTA disks were used for the detection of ESBL and AmpC phenotypes, respectively. phonetic analysis of the drug resistances was performed via SPSS software and Chi-square test. ESBL- producing E. coli screened by PCR for the presence of genes encoding beta-lactamases of TEM, CTX-M and SHV.       RESULTS: A total 467 E. coli isolates were isolated from 88.9% of the samples as 92% and 72.7% of isolates presenting MDR phenotype among chickens and workers respectively. ESBL phenotype detected in 5.5% (26) of poultry isolates while, none of the workers isolates have this phenotype. Six isolates carried both of TEM and CTX-M whereas, five and one isolates were detected only for TEM and CTX-M, respectively. Eighty-eight and nine-tenths percent of ESBL E. coli displayed AmpC phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Since cephalosporins are not used in broilers in Iran, isolation of faecal E. coli isolates producing extended spectrum β-lactamases in broilerchickens can indicate transfer of the resistance genes via plasmids and other mobile genetic elements among Enterobacteriaceae.

BACKGROUND: High grain diets in ruminants increases the risk of digestives disorders such as acidosis which may lead to high economic loss. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid and monensin on gene expression of enzymes involved metabolic pathway of cell proliferation and rumen epithelial intracellular pH regulation. METHODS: Twenty two male Afshari lambs with live body weight of 45 ± 8 kg and six month age were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments replicates for 77days including 21 days adaptation period. Experimental diets were consisted of a basal high concentrate diet (16% CP and 2.75 Mcal/kg ME) and 1) no additive (control, C= 8 lambs), 2) 30 mg monensin/day/head during the whole experimental period (T1= 8 lambs), and 3) (polyunsaturated fatty acidduring the whole experimental period (T2 = 6 lambs). Lambs were killed after 77 days on the treatment diets. RESULTS: Compared with the C treatment, relative abundance of mRNA of monocarboxylate transporter isoforms MCT1, MCT4 and the ketogenic enzyme 3-hydroxy-3 methyl-glutaryl CoA-synthase (HMGCS2) were higher for the T1 treatment. The expression of cholesterolgenic enzyme HMGCS1 was down-regulated for the T1 treatment and that of HMGCS1 was up- regulated for the T2 treatment. The expression of MCT1 and MCT4 were down-regulated for the T2 treatment. Monensin had an additional impact on the mRNA abundance of epithelial SCFA- and acid-base transporters with concurrent changes in rumen epithelial thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that adding monensin and oil as nutritional means to reduce acidosis cause changes in mRNA expression of VFA transferring proteins and limiting enzyme in the synthesis of cholesterol and Ketone bodies in the rumen epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Foot -and- mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Iran. Molecular techniques for diagnosis of persistent infection or carrier animals have shown a potential ability to improve the detection of a low genome copy number in samples. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of foot and mouth disease viral carriers in slaughtered sheep in Mashhad industrial abattoir using RT-PCR. Methods: Samples were isolated from tonsil of 94 slaughtered sheep analyzed by RT-PCR experiment for the detection of FMD, identification of FMD virus serotypes and at the end nucleic acid sequencing were performed. Results: The results showed that the 23 samples (24/5 percent) were positive for the presence of FMD virus RNA, of which 89.9% of cases are type O and 3 cases of FMD samples did not respond. The results of the 1D genome sequencing of the nucleic acid virus showed that FMD virus of sheep (O/IRN/100/2010Sheep), has 92/02% similarity with the virus (O/IRN/67/2001-2005) and 88/42% similarity with the virus (O/IRN/15/2004-2008). Conclusions: This study showed that the percentage of FMDV sheep carriers in Mashhad slaughterhouse was remarkable. Estimation of the frequency of carrier state in cattle and small ruminants is recommended as a monitor of control plan in the region.

BACKGROUND: Haemobartonella (also known as Mycoplasma) is a blood organism of cats and can cause many anemia and many clinical signs in the infected cats. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to calculate the incidence rate of haemobartonellosis in pet cats of Tehran and study its relationship with certain factors. Moreover, some blood parameters in the infected cats were compared with non-infected ones. METHODS: 0.5 ml blood samples from cephalic veins of 120 pet cats in Tehran were prepared and after sending to parasitology laboratory and slide preparing, were stained with Giemsa. Finally, all of the prepared slides were studied with photomicroscope for presence of Haemobartonella. Meanwhile, the relationship between the infection and some factors including age, sex, breed, animal maintenance type, and color of their coats were studied with Chi square method. Moreover, some blood parameters in the infected cats were compared with non-infected by Mann Whitney test. RESULTS: Results showed that out of 120 pet cats in Tehran, 14(11.67%) were infected to Haemobartonella. Statistical analyses didn't show any significant relationship between the infection and the above-mentioned factors. Also, the results showed significant decrease in number of RBC, MCH, MCHC, NRBC, and number of Band cells compared with non-infected cats. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that haemobartonellosis is one of the probable diagnoses, when we have anaemia in pet cats of Tehran.

BACKGROUND: In nature, there are herbal extracts, while capable of reducing aflatoxin B1 in agricultural product by different mechanisms, may also act as growth promoters. OBJECTIVES: In this study, aqueous extract of T. daenensis was evaluated to detoxify contaminated feed with aflatoxin B1 and to determine the effect of growth promoters in Japanese quail. METHODS: To this purpose, at 24 d of age, quails were separated by sex and 80 male quails were randomly divided into experimental units with equal weight and number. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1. basal diet (B), 2. B + AFB1 (500 mg/kg of feed), 3. B + aqueous extract of T. daenensis (2000 mg/kg of feed), 4. B + AFB1 (500 mg/kg of feed) + aqueous extract of T. daenensis (2000 mg/kg of feed). Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and serum total protein were determined at day 45. RESULTS: The results showed that aflatoxin significantly decreased feed intake, body weight gain and total blood protein but increased FCR (p<0.05). The extract significantly increased feed intake and body weight gain, but decreased FCR (p<0.05). The extract did not have any effect on total blood protein. There was an interaction effect between aflatoxin and extract (p<0.05), so that feed intake, body weight gain, FCR and total blood protein were improved in birds offered diet with aflatoxin and extract. CONCLUSIONS: According to the study, the extract has improved the performance in birds and the negative effect of aflatoxin on performance was significantly decreased in birds offered diet with the extract.

BACKGROUND: Considering differences in head size and shape of different Equine breeds, biometric parameters can be an attribute to a particular race. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present paper is to give a numerical definition of morphological characteristics of head region of the Darehshori horse. METHODS: Twenty mature Darehshori horses were studied biometrically. The ear length, ears distance, eyes distance, head length, lateral head length, head width, rostrum length, distance between two mandibles and lateral face length were measured and the averages were calculated. RESULTS: The average of the related characters were as follow; ear length 16.89, ears distance 12.12, eyes distance 15.79, head length 55.26, lateral head length 49.33, head width 20.42, rostrum length 23.68, distance between two mandibles 10.82 and lateral face length 39.88 centimeter. CONLUSIONS: The coefficient of variation of these characters showed that the head length, lateral face length and lateral head length are more reliable characters than the other indices in characterizing the Darehshori horse.

BACKGROUND: The hazardous nature of aflatoxins to human and animals necessitate the establishment of control measures. ObjectiveS: The effect of two medicinal plants, Satureja khozistanica and Satureja macrosiphon, was studied on inhibiting Aspergillus flavus growth and reducing aflatoxin B1-content in the liquid medium. Methods: Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation method, using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Various extracts of plant materials were macerated with various extraction solvents (ethanol, ethanol70% and water extracts). Essential oils (0, 62/5, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/l) and various extracts (0, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 mg/l) of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphon were examined for reducing A. flavus growth and it’s AFB1-content in the liquid medium. Amount of aflatoxinB1 was evaluated by high performance thin layer chromatographymethod. Results: Essential oil of S. khozistanica at the concentration of 375 mg/l as well as its ethanol and ethanol 70% extracts at 4000 and 6000 mg/l  respectively caused complete inhibition of fungus mycelial growth, whereas essential oil and extracts of S. macrosiphon couldn’t inhibit Aspergillus growth completely even at the maximum concentration. Essential oils of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 250 mg/l reduced AFB1-production 98 and 33.52% respectively. Various Extracts of S. khozistanica exhibited stronger anti-AFB1-biosyntesis activity than those of S. macrosiphon, so that, ethanol, ehanol70% and aqueous extracts of S. khozistanica at 4000 mg/l reduced 100, 96 and 32.37% of AFB1-production, respectively. On the contrary, essential oils, ethanol and ehanol70% extracts of both plants couldn’t significantly degrade AFB1-contamination, whereas aqueous extractsof S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 4000 mg/l resulted in degradation of 25 and 32.16% AFB1-content, respectively. ConclusionS: In general, Essential oil and ethanol extract of S. khozistanica considerably inhibited A. flavus growth as well as AFB1-biosynthesis while aqueous extract of S. macrosiphon showed strong AFB1-degradation activity.

BACKGROUND: Granuloca cells have a key role during estroeidogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of number of culture medium granulosa cells on estradiol concentrations and mRNA codding estrogenic and progestagenic enzyme. METHODS: Briefly, follicles between 2 and 5 mm diameter were dissected from the ovaries of adult cows and were collected by rinsing the follicle walls with Dulbecco Modified Eagle medium/F12 (DMEM/F12). The number of cells was counted with a haemocytometer and the viable cells were assessed by the dye exclusion method using 0.4% Trypan Blue. Treatments were 1) 500,000 cell/500 ml, 2) 250,000 cell/500 ml, 3) 500,000 cell/200 ml 4) 250,000 cell/ 200 ml.  All data were analyzed by JMP (SAS). RESULTS: Low plating density increased E2 secretion and mRNA encoding LHR, FSHR and estrogenic enzymes (17βHSD, CYP19), whereas decreased mRNA encoding GADD45β. There were no differences among treatments for RNA and protein concentration. Low plating density also decreased protein amount but there was no difference among treatments for RNA amount. In conclusion, decreased cell density cause increase in mRNA encoding codding estrogenic enzyme gene expression and decrease in mRNA encoding progestagenic enzyme gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Protein concentrations did not changed with decreased cell density therefore we can save cells against harmful effect of increasing cell density.

BACKGROUND: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a central role in regulation and control of the immune responses to infectious diseases. Due to its polymorphism, individual differences in response to vaccines have been observed in different chicken populations. Studying the association of chicken MHC with immune response to vaccines will help the control of infectious disease and vaccination success. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the MHC polymorphism and its association with antibody response against infectious bursal disease (Gumboro), Newcastle (ND) and Influenza (AI) vaccines in Khorasan native chickens. Methods: Diversity of LEI0258 microsatellite marker (MHC genotyping) was investigated by fragment analysis method. Antibody titer against IBD was measured by ELISA and antibody titers against ND and AI vaccines were measured by Haemaglutination Inhibition (HI) assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 21). Univariate regression analysis was performed using weighted least squares with weight number of progeny mean data. Results: Total of 13 LEI0258 microsatellite alleles were identified in Khorasan native chickens which indicated a high genetic diversity in the population. The allele 361 bp had the highest (28.48%) and the allele 350 bp had the lowest (0.69%) frequency, respectively. In evaluating the association of MHC with immune responses, 311 and 313 bp alleles were significantly associated with elevated immune responses to Newcastle vaccine, while allele 266 bp was associated with lower IBDV antibody titers (p<0.05). ConclusionS: According to the important role of MHC in controlling infectious disease resistance or susceptibility and quality of immune responses, these results could be used for selection and improving the populations under selective breeding.