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: Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive method used in diagnosis and treatment of many disorders in animals, however, its application in smaller species is limited in literature which can be contributed to the challenges faced while performing a minimally invasive procedure in smaller mammals. OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the feasibility and ideal port placement considering heart as the target organ in rabbit. Also, the impact of ventilation protocol on rate of mortality was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were used in this experiment. Approaches used for the introduction of the camera were Para-xiphoid and intercostal space, the optimal spot for insertion of the second trocar relative to the camera was also evaluated, lung damage and rate of mortality were assessed under two different mechanical ventilation modes of pressure-controlled and volume-controlled. RESULTS: Surgical view gained through the para-xiphoid approach is rather panoramic and spatial than the direct intercostal view, maneuver on the heart with an instrument is easier when the 5th intercostal space is used for the second trocar. With the help of PCV, lungs sustain less damage and atelectasis can be avoided till the end of the procedure and therefore, less mortality is experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Para-xiphoid approach and the correct ventilation protocol provides sufficient working space under good vison, which makes the rabbit thoracoscopic heart model a practical model that can be used in many cardiac experiments.

BACKGROUND: The interdigital pouch is an invagination of the skin which locates between the digits in several species of the artiodactyla. It secretes pheromones that play important biological functions in the conspecific chemical communication. OBJECTIVES: This study has been carried out in order to determine the anatomical and radiological structure of the interdigital pouch in native goats. METHODS: Eighty interdigital pouches (40 forefeet and 40 hind feet) of 10 female and 10 male, one to three-years-old, healthy native goats in slaughterhouses of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari were selected. After dissection, topography of each pouch was determined in the feet. For radiologic studies, contrast urografin media were injected into the pouch and then radiographs and photographs were obtained. Different parts of each pouch were identified and measured between the two limbs in both sexes. Data were analyzed by t-test. RESULTS: In native goats, the pouch, which was observed in all feet,  was a primitive type and located in the space between two hooves at the level of pastern joint. The pouch represents an equilateral triangle with an apex next to the first phalanx and the base near the second phalanx. The best radiographic view for pouch in native goats was dorsopalmar or dorsoplantar. Detection of the pouch in the forelimb was more than that of the hindlimb. Except for the base of pouch, the means of the other parts in male were significantly higher than females. It is difficult or impossible to define the exact radiological and topographical limits of the pouch in goat, due to the absence of secretion, excretory duct and orifice and also the dispersion of structure. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, it can be concluded that although the interdigital pouch has only been reported in sheep, deer, moufflon and antelope, it was also found in native goats, but it is not common.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases widely occur through bacteria such as Salmonella spp. in different hosts such as domestic animals and human. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to isolate Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria from poultry feces and in vitro assessment of antimicrobial effects of 9 species of Zagros native medicinal plants. METHODS: Ethanol extracts of jooshir, shallots, Iranian eremurus, artichokes, sheng, amaranth, sorrel, oregano and harmel were extracted through rotary vacuum system. Furthermore, 12 strains of Salmonella Typhimurium were isolated from poultry feces in Sistan region. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of plant extracts were determined through micro dilution method. Sensitivity of different strains to antibiotics was tested through standard Kirby-Bauer diffusion disk methods. RESULTS: Salmonella Typhimurium strains are resistant to Penicillin (100%), Ampicillin (100%), Tetracycline (16.6%), Amikacin (8.3%) and Oxacillin (75.0%). Results of the antimicrobial assay have shown that extracts of amaranth, jooshir and artichokes had the highest MIC against Salmonella Typhimurium. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study showed that according to the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from poultry, antibiotic treatment, in particular with penicillin, ampicillin and oxacillin with the bacterium resistance of 75 to 100% would not be effective. In contrast, using plant ethanol extracts especially jooshir, amaranth and artichokes could be recommended as an alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza is one of the most important diseases both economically and from a public health viewpoint. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of AI-H9N2 in live bird markets, bird gardens, parks and zoos. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2016.  In each unit, 40 blood samples from different bird species and 60 cloacal samples from waterfowl (ducks and geese) were taken. All sera samples were tested by HI for detection of antibodies against H9N2 virus. The birds with sera titer =>4 (log2) and units with at least one positive bird were considered as positive. Swab samples were tested by RT-PCR method using two pairs of primers to detect M and H9 gene of H9N2 virus. RESULTS: 2638 sera samples from birds in 127 units in 22 provinces and 3001 swab samples from duck and goose were taken. 73 units out of 127 (57.48 %; 95 % confidence interval, 66.2 % - 48.4 %) and 720 birds from a total of 2638 birds (27.29 %: 95 % confidence interval, 29.6 % - 25.6 %) were sero-positive. Among the bird species, the highest seroprevalence was 47.6 % and 45.3 % in turkey and chicken, respectively and the lowest seroprevalence was 13.8 % and 16.3 % for ducks and geese, respectively. 39 pooled samples from 18 units (14.75 %) were positive. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed high prevalence and circulation of avian influenza H9N2 viruses among poultry in these markets. Organizing the markets by improving the health and biosecurity of the markets, and it is necessary to educate the people and continuously surveillance the birds that offered in the markets to control the disease.

BACEKGROUND: Toxoplasmosisis one of the most important zoonotic diseases in Iran and the world. OBJCTIVES: Due to the high consumption of lamb meat and the high frequency of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Iran, the aim of study was to determine frequency of Toxoplasma infection in the slaughtered sheep of Mashhad area. METHODS: In order to do this study, from summer 2015 to spring 2016, 25 blood and 25 heart muscle samples were seasonally collected from Torghabae slaughterhouse in Mashhad area. The samples were transferred to parasitology laboratory. First, the blood samples were centrifuged and the serum samples were isolated, then a portion of the heart muscles sample was taken for PCR examination. The sera and muscles samples were kept at -20 ºC in freezer until examination time. The sera samples were examined to detect antibody against T.gondii by ELISA method. DNA of heart muscle was extracted by commercial extraction kit and was examined to detect Toxoplasma DNA by nested –PCR. RESULTS: In the present study, of 100 sampled sheep, only 1 (1%) of the serum samples was seropositive, while 22 (22%) of the DNA samples were PCR positive. In this study, the highest frequency of Toxoplsma PCR-Positive was seen in spring and the lowest in summer in sheep. Also, the result of this study showed that the agreement between the molecular and EISA method was “fair”. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the high frequency of Toxoplasma infection in heart muscle of sheep, it seems that the risk of transmission of Toxoplasma infection from sheep meat is high.

BACKGROUND: Congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy due to reduced maternal immune system could increase the risk of a child's autism disorder. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the Toxoplasma gondii infection in children with autism and normal children. METHODS: The research method was a case control study. The participants included 50 autistic children and 50 normal (N=100) children, aged between 3 and 12 years-old. They were matched according to age, socio-economic status, severity of the disorder, lack of physical and mental illness and other criteria considered in this research. From each group 5ml blood samples were collected to assess the prevalence of antibody against Toxoplasma gondii. To investigate the research hypotheses, the data were analyzed by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The results showed that children with autism had a higher level of frequency contamination with Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection than normal group (p < /em><0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Infection rate of Toxoplasma gondii in children with autism was significantly higher than in normal children.

BACKGROUND: Extracts rich in phenolic compounds have an important role in antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, and pistachio green hull extract is rich in polyphenolic compounds. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green peel of Kalleqouchi and Fandoghi pistachio extract on performance, relative weight of carcass components, blood indices and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: A total 168 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six treatments, four replications and seven chicks. Experimental treatments included unchallenged groups (negative control) and chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus and fed 0, 200 and 400 mg / kg of aqueous extract of Kalleqouchi pistachio and 200 and 400 mg/ kg of pistachio Fandoghi green extract. All infected chicks were inoculated with oral solution containing 3 x 109 CFU of Staphylococcus aureus. Performance characteristics, immunity, blood indices and microbial population of the intestine were determined. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of green pistachio inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus but the ethanolic extract inhibited the growth of lactobacilli. Growth performance of chicks was not affected by the experimental treatments except at day 24, when aqueous extract of 200 mg / kg led to higher body weight gain as compared to control (0.049). Kalleqouchi extract at 400 mg/kg level increased abdominal fat (P = 0.0005) and had no effect on relative weight of other carcass components. The 400 mg/kg Fandoghi green extract and 200 mg/kg kalleqouchi extract increased enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase activity and decreased the concentration of blood total protein (P <0.01). The pistachios extracts at all levels increased total antibody titer compared to control (P <0.02). Pistachio extract reduced total bacterial population of jejunal area compared to negative control (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Application of aqueous extract of pistachio extract improves immune response, decreases blood lipids and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: The decreases in insulin sensitivity and extensive perinatal lipolysis are common causes of metabolic diseases related to energy metabolism in ewes. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to study the effect of organic zinc on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance indices in early lactating ewes. METHODS: 18 Ghezel ewes were divided into three groups based on organic zinc supplementation, including CTR: (basal diet without Zinc), LZn: (basal diet supplemented with 30 mg Zn/kgDM) and group 3, HZn: (basal diet supplemented with 300 mg Zn/kgDM). RESULTS: The results of this study showed no significant differences between the experimental groups in glucose, NEFAs, BHB, cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin concentrations. Furthermore, the effect of zinc on the insulin to glucose ratio was not significant among the experimental groups (p < /em>>0.05). Supplementation of zinc-methionine significantly increased serum zinc concentration in ewes (p < /em><0.001). The area under the curve (AUC60, AUC120) was the highest for the control group and LZn and the lowest for HZn group (p < /em><0.05). The rate of glucose clearance in zinc-methionine supplement recipients was higher compared to the control group. The time to reach half maximal glucose concentration in zinc treated ewes was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < /em><0.001), indicating an improvement in insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that Zinc is effective in improving the NEB and preventing insulin resistance in early lactation. It is possible that in sheep, the tissue responsiveness to insulin is enhanced with dietary Zn supplementation, and present findings suggest that dietary Zn-Met may improve energy balance and insulin resistance in lactating ewes.

BACKGROUND:  Among infectious diseases, Newcastle disease, due to being highly contagious and its rapid spread among poultry and other bird species, is a deadly viral disease and is considered a global threat to the poultry industry. Objectives: To determine the occurrence of Newcastle disease in poultry broiler farms reported to the Iranian veterinary organization during the study period. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study from September 2013 to March 2015. During this study, from 185 farms and a total of 3700 bird sera, cloacal and tracheal swabs were sampled and tested using a haemagglutination inhibition test and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction respectively. Results: In this study, of a total of 185 farms reported to the Iranian Veterinary Organization, 115 farms (62.16%, 95%CI: 55.17-69.14) were positive for Newcastle disease viruses and then using specific primers, 69 farms (37.3%, 95%CI: 30.33-44.26) had vaccinal pathotype (non-acute) and 46 farms (25%, 95%CI: 18.76-31.23) had acute pathotype (field virus). The mean±SD age of infected poultry was 24.63±5.38 days and antibodies titer against Newcastle disease virus was 5.97±1.21. The highest mortality rates were observed in the spring (32.34%) and winter (26.9%), respectively. Mazandaran (37%) and Isfahan (22%) province had the highest percentage of farms with Newcastle disease. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested virulent Newcastle virus strains are circulating in the Iranian commercial broiler farms in the mentioned time and with high occurrence. Therefore, the relevant authorities need to make correct decisions to reduce the risk of Newcastle disease in the Iranian poultry industry and its control.