BACKGROUND: Food infections caused by Campylobacter are one of the gastrointestinal inflammations in humans is health and economic losses in the community is important. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter contamination in chicken skin samples of Urmia, using bacterial culture and polymerase chain reactions.                 METHODS: 80 samples of chicken skin from the Protein Gostare Sina slaughter house located in the city of Urmia in equal numbers in the winter and spring seasons were collected. The survival of Campylobacter after 24 hours in refrigerated conditions  was studied in samples. Positive samples were used for DNA extraction and PCR. To investigate the phylogenetic isolates, positive samples PCR were sequenced. RESULTS: 58/75% of chicken skin using bacterial cultures, Campylobacter were positive. The Results study the survival Campylobacter in cold conditions after 24 hours, showed that no significant decrease in the survival Campylobacter as well as contamination levels were significantly higher in spring than in winter, which may be due to the high temperature of environment that created the favorable conditions for Campylobacter. CONCLUSIONS: Chicken skin is the reservoir  of Campylobacter. This issue of public health care and control at all stages of production and supply of poultry products, also the transfer of it to other parts of poultry carcasses should be considered.

BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb) induced oxidative stress is known to suppress growth performance in broiler chickens. The current study was carried out in an attempt to describe the specific underlying mechanisms of such phenomenon. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Pb-induced oxidative stress on performance, antioxidant status and behavioral responses of broiler chicken. METHODS: Eighty day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatment groups of 4 pen replicates, namely i) basal diet containing no lead supplement (control) and ii) basal diet containing 200 mg Pb/kg of diet. RESULTS: The results showed that addition of lead decreased body weight gain (p<0.01) and feed conversion ratio (p<0.01). Also, consumption of contaminated diet significantly increased MDA and H/L Ratio and significantly decreased SOD and GPx activity (p<0.01). Moreover, addition of 200 mg/kg diet significantly increased sitting pasture and aggression behavior and decreased feeding behavior (p<0.01).               CONCLUSIONS: Our data conclude that Pb-induced oxidative stress adversely suppressed feed conversion ratio and growth performance. The proposed underlying mechanism for such phenomenon is Pb-induced oxidative stress by impaired antioxidant status and feeding behavior decreased the growth performance.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous chickens could serve as precious genetic resources that should be considered in conservation and breeding programs. The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) has a strong association to disease resistance/susceptibility, production and reproduction traits in chicken. Therefore, identifying its polymorphism in populations under selective breeding could be used for selection of disease resistant and higher productive breeds. MHC association with quantitative traits could be  a result of its linkage with causative genes controlling these traits. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a candidate marker for phenotypic traits in chicken which are associated with important production and reproduction features. Objectives: Based on this hypothesis, MHC polymorphism and its association to IGF1 gene (as a marker for production traits) were investigated in Khorasan indigenous chicken. Methods: In total, 313 DNA samples that belonged to the Khorasan indigenous chicken were analyzed. LEI0258 microsatellite marker and fragment analysis method was used for MHC genotyping. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the IGF1 5’-UTR was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PstI restriction endonuclease enzyme. Linkage disequilibrium between MHC and IGF1 loci were also determined using SAS/Genetics software and likelihood ratio test. Results: Collectively, 25 different alleles (185-493 bp) and 76 genotypes of LEI0258 microsatellite were identified in Khorasan population. Two alleles, A (PstI -) and B (PstI +) and three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were identified for IGF1 gene. Significant linkage disequilibrium (p=0.0083) was observed between LEI0258 and IGF1 loci in this population. Conclusions: These results indicate a high MHC genetic diversity in Khorasan indigenous chicken as a valuable genetic resource. Results from MHC/IGF1 linkage study confirm the hypothesis that MHC association with production traits could be as a result of MHC linkage with causative genes controlling the traits.

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: Today the use of natural substances plays a major role in improving the growth and immunity of aquatic organisms. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Iron nanoparticles with Lactobacillus casei as a probiotic on growth parameters and probiotic counts in rainbow trout intestine. METHODS: Seven hundred and twenty fish with 12±0.49 g initial weight were prepared and after acclimatized to the laboratory conditions divided randomly into six groups. First group was selected as control, other groups were fed with a commercial diet supplemented with 108 CFU/g Lactobacillus casei (group 2), 50 µg/kg Iron nanoparticles (group 3), 100 µg/kg Iron nanoparticles (group 4), 50 µg/kg Iron nanoparticles with 108 CFU/g Lactobacillus casei (group 5) and 100 µg/kg Iron nanoparticles with 108 CFU/g Lactobacillus casei (group 6), respectively. Biometry and intestine bacteriologic examination were carried out at days 0 and 60. RESULTS: Results showed that growth parameters (weight gain, body weight gain, specific growth rate, daily growth rate, and condition factor and food conversion rate) were significantly higher in group 5 compared with the other groups. Also, intestine bacterial counts increased by using Iron nanoparticles in combination with Lactobacillus casei. The fish that received 100 µg/kg Iron nanoparticles and probiotic had significantly higher bacterial counts in their intestine compared with the other groups. CONCLUSSIONS: Based on the obtained results we conclude that diet supplementation with Iron nanoparticles and Lactobacillus casei as a probiotic could significantly improve growth parameters in rainbow trout. However, these results would warrant further study on the clinical application of these agents.

BACKGROUND: The use of chemical materials such as malachite green to disinfect fish eggs is banned in many countries due to its reversed environmental effects. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of metalonic sumac extract as antifungal agent on eggs of Schizothorax zarudnyi during the incubation period and to compare its effects with malachite green. METHODS: 24 hours after fertilization, eggs were treated with four concentration of Methanolic sumac extrat (500, 750, 1000, 1250 mg/L) using static bath method every 12 h for 20 min and 0.1 mg/L malachite green using the same method every 12 h for 6 min. There was also a control group with no treatment to better analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the maximum and minimum fungal infection was observed respectively in control group with %20.23±0.51 and the samples treated with 1250 mg/L sumac extraction with %0.91±0.51. Furthermore, no significant differences in fungal infection, fertilization and survival rate were found among treated and untreated eggs (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Since no apparent deformities and abnormalities were observed in hatched larvae, suggested sumac extract with 500 mg/L concentration, as an environmental friendly matter, can be used for disinfection of S. zarudnyi eggs during incubation period.

BACKGROUND: H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIV) A have become panzootic in Eurasia over the last decade and have caused several human infections in Iran since 1998 and inactivated vaccine has been used in chickens to control the disease. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze H9N2 viruses that have infected broiler in Tehran Province, Iran between 1998 and 2008 based on Matrix gene. METHODS:  The complete coding region of Matrix (M) gene from 8 of H9N2 subtype isolated from chicken flocks in Tehran Province during 1998-2007 was amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: Sequence analysis and phylogenetic studies of H9N2 viruses on the basis of data of viruses in this study and other selected strains available in the GenBank were conducted and determined variations among these sequences at different levels. Sequence analysis revealed a large number of similar substitution mutations and close evolutionary relation among sequences of M gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all our isolates belonged to the G1-like sublineage. In this study, it was determined that Iran’s isolates have been in two separate branches and have the most similarity with Pakistan, United Arab Emirate and occupied Palestine’s isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence indicates that M genes of H9N2 circulating in Iran during the past years were not well conserved. Our finding emphasizes the importance of reinforcing AIV surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Application of different sources of fatty acids and their effect on ovarian performance is a current issue in animal science and research centers. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different fatty acids in close-up period on population and size of follicles and measuring blood parameters related to the energy state of the body after calving of lactating dairy cows. METHODS: In this study 15 Holstein cows were selected by expected date of parturition (around 30 days before calving) and assigned them randomly within treatments diets. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Cows were fed 1) control (carbohydrate source), 2) Rumen-protected fat (RF) (saturated fatty acids) and 3) Roasted Soybean (RS) (unsaturated fatty acids). Blood sample was collected at 7 day intervals in -21, -14, -7, 1, 7, 14, 21 periods of calving. Also dry matter intake and body condition score cows were recorded. Ovarian activity was monitored by daily transrectal ultrasound scanning from 30 to 40 and 61 to 70 DIM. RESULTS: Average plasma glucose and cholesterol concentration were significantly different among treatment groups. Numerically, follicular classes were higher in cows, fed with fat diet compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this experiment, it seems that application of polyunsaturated fatty acids, to improve the energy and ultimately the function of the ovaries, has more advantage than saturated fatty acids.

BACKGROUND: Minerals are essential materials in animal reproduction. The determination of these elements is valuable in relation to different conditions in Arabian horses. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of pregnancy on certain macro and micro minerals in Arabian horses. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from one hundred apparently healthy mares from different regions of Ahvaz including 50 pregnant mares (light, medium, heavy) and 50 non-pregnant mares. Macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium) and micro-minerals (copper, zinc and iron) were measured, using standard common laboratory methods. Methods of O-cresol phetalein, Molybdate reduction, Xylidil blue were used for measurement of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium respectively. Flame photometry was used for measurement of sodium and potassium. Amounts of copper, zinc and iron were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy.  RESULTS: In order to analyze the results, all the data was statistically compared by SPSS-17.0 software. The study of serum calcium levels between the pregnant and non-pregnant mares showed that the differences were not significant. In this study there was significant differences between serum phosphorus levels between pregnant and non-pregnant mares (p<0.05). The serum phosphorus levels during different stages of pregnancy was significantly different (p<0.05), and the level of serum phosphorus during pregnancy declined in total compared to non-pregnant mares. Serum magnesium did not show significant differences between two groups. Serum sodium levels, compared to the other two groups, did not show significant changes. Changes in serum potassium levels showed significant difference between two groups of pregnant and non-pregnant mares (p<0.05). The level of potassium in pregnant mare’s serum was less than non-pregnant, and the least level of this element was seen in medium pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Except phosphorus, potassium and zinc, other minerals did not affected different stages of pregnancy. Although the relationship between these changes and pregnancy can be the result of physiological processes, the other factors such as parity, age, nutrition, season, weather conditions and other factors should not be ignored in the evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Brownbanded Bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium punctatum) is one of the cartilaginous fish that lives in the Persian Gulf. OBJECTVES: The purpose of the present study is to study the effects of thyroid hormone on reproductive system of this specious. METHODS: In this investigation, 36 individual of Brownbanded Bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium punctatum) in both autumn (before reproduction) and spring (period of reproduction) seasons were caught from Dervish’s Creek located at the northern of Persian Gulf. After weighing, biometry, sex determination and the numbering of sharks, (the sex is determined through clasper which is observed in male and not in female), ELISA was used to measure serum thyroid hormone concentrations. RESULTS: The results showed that T3 and T4 hormones were increased dramatically in the reproductive season compared with the non-breeding season (p<0.05). On the other hand, by classifying the sharks into different groups, we found that the levels of thyroid hormone were higher in the blood of larger sharks compared with the smaller ones (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is probable that T4 hormone levels will increase dramatically for the development of eggs in the female shark.