BACKGROUND: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a group of genes which codes for binding of antigenic peptides and presenting them to T cells. MHC molecules polymorphism is associated with presenting different antigens, immune and autoimmune responses. One of the most important dog MHC genes is DRB1. The association between this gene and its alleles with Atopic Dermatitis has been reported. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the association between canine Atopic Dermatitis and DLA-DRB1 alleles has been evaluated using HRM (High Resolution Melting) genotyping method. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 20 dogs with Atopic Dermatitis and 20 healthy dogs. Frequency of different DRB1 genotypes, as well as heterozygosity and homozygosity of alleles were analyzed using HRM. Their associations with Atopic Dermatitis were evaluated by statistical analysis. RESULTS: Based on the HRM analysis, genotypes were grouped in 9 types (A-I). Statistical analysis showed that the presence of type D allele in the exon II of DLA-DRB1 gene increases the risk of Atopic Dermatitis (Odd ratio=0.206 and p < /em>=0.064). A significantly increased risk of Atopic Dermatitis in heterozygous samples was also observed (Odd=0.158 and p < /em>=0.090). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that some alleles of DLA-DRB1 gene can play a role in the sensitivity or resistance to Atopic Dermatitis in dogs.

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: Balance in the amount of minerals in the aquatic animal’s diet is very important. Phosphorus is one of the most important minerals in fish and aquatic animal’s nutrition. Phosphorus is important not only for the proper growth and fish health, but also for excessive phosphorus excretion that may cause water pollution and algal bloom. OBJECTIVE: In this study the effects of adding monoammonium phosphate in the diet of fish (Cyprinus carpio Koi) and its comparison with monocalcium phosphate were investigated. METHODS: 650 koi fish weighing 17 g were distributed in 15 tanks (5 treatments - each in three replicates) and mono-ammonium phosphate-fed diets at three levels (0.75, 1.5 and 3% of the diet), monocalcium phosphate in one level (3% of the diet) and a control group (no phosphorus supplementation) were fed for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices and feed conversion ratio in fish fed 3% monoammonium phosphate showed the best results. The control group showed the lowest weight gain and the highest feed conversion ratio. Blood phosphorus was also significantly correlated with increasing monoammonium phosphate. The highest level of calcium in the blood was observed in the group fed monocalcium phosphate (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the improvement of growth and nutrition indices, adding 1.5 to 3% monoammonium phosphate in the diet of koi fish was suggested.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias play an important role in reducing the performance of racing horse. There are no studies that maintained the same condition for all horses, and in previous studies, the conditions for all horses were not the same. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of arrhythmias during exercise include warm-up and trotting. METHODS: This study was carried out on 30 sport horses. Modified base-apex has been used for electrocardiogram recording. Electrocardiogram was taken by telemetry device in all conditions, all horses were examined in the electric lounge. Warm-up period was 10 minutes and consequently 10 minutes trotting was done, and ECG was recorded during exercise. RESULTS: 18 horses had SVPCs during warm-up and 9 showed SVPCs during trotting; also, 4 horses showed VPCs during trotting. AVB II happened in one horse during warm-up. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of SVPCs and VPCs during rest is abnormal, but it is common during physical activity. To better understand the importance of these arrhythmias more studies are needed.

BACKGROUND: The Schirmer tear test (STT) is widely used in both human and veterinary ophthalmology. Two types of STTs have been developed: STT I and STT II. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to determine the reference value for measuring tear production of the Caspian horse by using the Schirmer tear test strip. METHODS: Twenty apparently healthy male and female Caspian horses, aged between 2 and 15 years old and weighing between 192±32 Kg were selected. After physical examination and reviewing the horse's health history and assuring their health, the Schirmer tear test was performed. To produce a higher volume of tears in horses, compared to other animal species, we used the Schirmer tear strip (Schirmer‐ Eickemeyer®, Germany), for 30 seconds instead of one minute in the lower conjunctival sac. In this study, we investigated the effect of age and gender on tear production in the Caspian horse, as well as the comparison between the left and right eyes tear production. RESULTS: The study shows that the results of STT I in the study animals illustrated the mean±SD STT I value was 23.38±3.6 mm/min (range, 15–30 mm/30s). Based on the results of this study, the variants of age and gender had no significant effects on the STT1 results in the Caspian horses. No significant difference was noted between the amount of tear production in the left and right eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the importance of rapid diagnosis of dry eye syndrome and preventing its subsequent disorders such as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, the results of this study can be used as the reference value in the future to measure the amount of moisture of caspian horses of the Caspian horse.

BACKGROUND: Infectious and noninfectious causes of lameness result in economic losses in the dairy industry. Digital dermatitis (DD), interdigital necrobacillosis (IDNB) and heel erosion (HE) are considered as the most important infectious causes of lameness. OBJECTIVES: Current study was done in order to evaluate annual incidence of infectious causes of lameness in four different dairy farms in Charmahal &amp; Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Khorasan Razavi and Mazandaran provinces of Iran. METHODS: Records of 71896 hoof trimming and inspections during 2012-2013 on 10100 dairy cows were recorded and analyzed. All information was recorded by professional hoof trimmers and veterinarians during study. RESULTS: Heel erosions (HE) were recorded between 0-13, DD between 0-145 and IDNB between 0-47 cases in each month in different dairy farms that were significantly different. Digital dermatitis (DD) in spring (8.62 percent), IDNB in winter (2.79 percent) and HE in spring (0.68 percent) show the highest seasonal incidence; however, seasonal incidence of infectious causes of lameness were significantly different. Total incidence of 19.18 and 17.45 percent were recorded in 2012 and 2013 that was significantly different for DD. Distribution of infectious lesions were different among different dairy farms as annual incidence of DD was recorded as 32.97 and 30.1 in farm 3 and 0.93 and 0.68 in farm 2 in 2012 and 2013 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present survey showed that overall, 20 percent incidence of infectious lesions plays a very important role in financial losses of large dairy farms and needs special attention.

BACKGROUND: Dicrocoeliasis is one of the commonest parasitic diseases of the bile ducts and gallbladder in a wide range of mammals including ruminants and sometimes human being. The disease is really important in medicine, economy, and veterinary medicine. Annually, slaughter house loses a huge amount because of losing a great deal of valuable proteins in people daily diets. In order to bring the disease under control, morphological and molecular analysis of parasite in endemic districts is essential. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to determine the morphological as well as molecular characterization of cattle, sheep and goats isolated from Dicrocoelium by applying ND1 genetic marker in the Markazi province, Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study 480 fresh adult worms were collected from livers of 120 cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in abattoirs in Markazi province. To diagnose the species of parasite, morphometric indices of mature worms were calculated based on standard parameters. Then DNA of 60 isolates with different morphometric characteristics was extracted and PCR reaction was performed for a part of ND1 (mtDNA). PCR was purified and its sequence was defined, the percentage of genetic similarity was compared to cases registered by GenBank and the exact species of parasite was recognized. RESULTS: The morphometric analysis in all isolates was as follows: testicles were sequential, the length and the width of the worm for all cattle, sheep and goat isolates were 7994±967µm, 6844±100µm, 6570±110µm (P<0.0001) and 1649±339µm, 1490±221µm and 1430±252µm (P<0.0001) respectively. The proportion of the length to the width was 4.87±0.641, 4.58±0.625, and 4.64±0.622 respectively. All the results mentioned above confirmed Dicrocoelium dendriticum in the hosts of the district under investigation. The analysis of the gel electrophoresis in all isolates showed the existence of band 200pb.The percentage of genetic similarity to the registered items, cases were determined by the Gen bank between 97 and 99 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular identification and morphometric assays clearly showed that D. dendriticum is the only agent of Dicrocoeliasis among cattle, sheep and goats in the Marakazi province, Iran. Molecular diagnosis of parasite by applying genetic marker of the nucleus is recommended.

BACKGROUND: Enzymes are organic catalysts that trigger and/or accelerate chemical reactions. OBJECTIVES: This research was done to compare the separate and combined levels of commercial multienzymes on feeding efficiency and carcass chemical composition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). METHODS: Total number of 96 common carp fingerlings weighing 13.06±2.56g were distributed in six treatments including control (without multienzyme), 1 g/kg Combo, 1.5 g/kg Combo, 1 g/kg Natuzyme Plus, 1.5 g/kg Natuzyme Plus and mixture of 1g/kg Combo+1 g/kg Natuzyme Plus in two replicates for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices such as the final weight, percentage of body weight increase, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and average daily growth in treatment 1g/kg Natuzyme Plus showed significant differences compared to other experimental treatments (P<0.05). Also, all experimental treatments had better condition in comparison with the control. The highest condition factor was seen in fish fed 1.5 g/kg Natuzyme Plus which showed significant difference with 1.5 g/kg Combo (P<0.05). Common carp fingerlings fed mixture of Combo+Natuzyme Plus recorded a slight increase in protein content of carcass compared to other dietary treatments. Fish fed multienzymes had less (P>0.05) lipid content of carcass in comparison with the control. There was no significant difference in ash and moisture contents of carcass (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to results, it can be stated that Natuzyme Plus at the level of 1.5 g/kg can be effective in improvement of growth performance and feed efficiency in farmed common carp fingerlings.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of probiotics in aquaculture is constantly growing due to the numerous benefits conferred on the fish health. Degradation of probiotics in gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important challenges in probiotic efficacy. Encapsulating of probiotics within a physical barrier has been found to increase probiotic viability in fish gastrointestinal tract. Objectives: In this study the effect of encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum with alginate/chitosan nano particles in in vitro situation and their effects in Huso huso were evaluated. Methods: Firstly, in vitro probiotic potential including: pH and bile resistance, gastrointestinal juice tolerance was evaluated. Then effects of encapsulated probiotic were evaluated in Huso huso. 480 juvenile H. huso were randomly divided into four treatments in triplicates. Fish in T1 were fed with alginate/chitosan enriched free probiotic diet, T2 received encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, T3 received bacteria without any encapsulation and T4 received basic diet as a control group. All treatments were fed with experimental diets for 60 days and study lasted for 15 days with control diet in all fish. Fish samples were taken on days 30, 60 and 75 and bio chemically compared among the treatments. Results: Results of first phase of study showed that mostly all probiotic properties of encapsulated bacteria were more appropriate than control treatment (P<0.05). Encapsulation of bacteria in both procedures enhanced almost all immunological parameters compared to control treatment (P<0.05). Higher Ca and Mg of plasma were observed in fish fed with Lactobacillus plantarum nano/microencapsulated and alginate/chitosan at day 30 and 60, whereas decreased TRI of plasma was observed in fish fed with Lactobacillus plantarum nano/microencapsulated at day 30. Conclusions: It can be concluded that nano encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum with alginate/chitosan not only improved in vitro probiotic effects of L. plantarum, but also it can increase Biochemical parameters of H. huso and could improve the positive performance of probiotics activity.

BACKGROUND: Extensive effort is focused on identifying genomic conserved antigens in development of effective vaccine against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Antigen 43 is one of the members of a large secreted protein family named autotransporters in the E.coli and other gram negative bacteria. Autotransporter proteins have a similar conserved structure. Some of them are recognized during both experimental and naturally occurring ETEC infections. Antigen 43 is represented as a potential target in vaccine development because of its virulence functions such as cell aggregation, biofilm formation and its presence in convalescent sera from human patients with ETEC diarrhea. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we carefully investigate antigenic structure and immunogenicity of the Antigen 43 protein of strain 510 E.coli isolated from calves by experimental methods and immunoinformatics tools. METHODS: Amino acid sequence, physico-chemical parameters, stability, secondary and tertiary protein structure, the ability of induction the B and T cell immune responses by having the effective epitopes and also the allergenicity assessment were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, we identified 15 peptide sequences that can potentially induce B and T cell immune responses and finally, 9 of them were introduced as antigens. CONCLUSIONS: The results of in-silico analysis on this protein suggested that it can be used in bovine colibacillosis vaccine development.