BACKGROUND: Ostertagia  species are the main domestic ruminants abomasum worms, which cause parasitic gastritis. Parasitic gastritis is associated with disruption of the endocrine structure of abomasum, and influence the function and pH of abomasums. This can lead to weight loss, reduced milk and wool production with potentially mal-digestion of proteins. These cause the economic loss to animal husbandry industry. So, the national research priority in veterinary parasitology is identification of different native species of Ostertagia in Iran. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study is identification and differentiation of Ostertagia species based on the molecular characterization. METHODS: During carcasses inspection at different abattoirs in Rey, Tehran, Mashhad and Bandar Abbas, 180 adult male worms of Ostertagia species from sheep and goat were collected. Morphological analysis was performed based on the morphometric characteristics of spicules. The ITS1, 5.8s and ITS2 ribosomal DNA was ampilified from individual worms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then purified PCR product were sequenced and analyzed by Blast tool. RESULTS: 946 bp PCR products for all sequenced samples were compared with the released sequences of Ostertagia isolates available from GenBank and showed 2-3% differences and 97-98% similarity. CONCLUSIONS: The three species included in the present study are different in terms of molecular property (with 2-3% difference) and it is necessary to determine transmittance pattern and host affinity rules from each one to be used by program managers and evaluators for Prevention and Control programs.

BACKGROUND: Biological control of parasites by using entomopathogen fungi is the one of the recommended ways to control them instead of using the chemical agents. Entomopathogen fungi are not pathogenic for animals and plants, while ticks are one of the most important parasites of animals that can transmit very important microbial pathogens. Ixodes ricinus is a hard tick that infests animals and human. OBJECTIVES: This study demonstrated enzyme assay of entomopathogen fungi hosted on Ixodes ricinus.  METHODS: Enzymatic activities of chitinase, lipase and protease of fungal structures on the killed tick bodies have been assayed by standard sphectrophotometric methods.  RESULTS: Chitinase, lipase and protease activities showed significant differences among different fungal strains (p<0.05). This research, which was done for first time in Iran demonstrated the effect of some enzymes which affect on acaricidal  properties of native strain of entomopathogenic fungi  in Iran. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the relationship between enzyme level of fungal strains and  the possibility of selecting more effective strains of entomopathogenic fungi

The effect of Antioxidant organic sulfur compounds on performance, prooxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) of the Eimeria-infected broiler chickensBACKGROUND: Use of Garlic Powder (GP) and Total Sulfur Amino acid (TSAA) can improve redox status of broiler chickens fed with and infected by Eimeria and recover the negative effects of coccidiosis. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of GP and TSAA on feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and prooxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) of the chickens challenged with Eimeria oocysts species mix. METHODS: A 2×2×2 split-plot-factorial arrangement of treatments was used. 400 day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were equally assigned to two plots (4 treatments each). Two hundred of the chickens were challenged with Eimeria oocysts species mix by oral inoculation at day 34 (infected plot) and the others were left as unchallenged (uninfected plot). In each plot, broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments and fed one of following diets: basal diet, basal diet plus 0.5% GP, basal diet plus 50% more TSAA based on Ross 2009 recommendations, basal diet plus 0.5 % GP and 50% more TSAA based on Ross 2009 recommendations. RESULTS: The results showed that after inoculation birds with 7.5×102 Eimeria oocysts species mix significantly (p<0.05) reduced the FI to 20% and increased FCR to 14% and also increased serum PAB (p<0.05), especially for infected broilers that were fed with basal diet, however, supplementation of GP and TSAA were better for broiler chickens in infected plot than uninfected plot. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that addition of GP and TSAA to diet may recover the negative effects of coccidiosis  and  improve the performance and redox of broiler chickens infected by Eimeria.

BACKGROUND: Infection by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in turkeys may  lead to immunosuppression effects and therefore turkeys could not resist against pathogenic or less pathogenic agents. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to examine the effects of IBDV on response of turkey’s poults to avian influenza virus (AIV).METHODS: A total of 100 day-old poults were divided randomly into 4 equal groups. Groups 1 and 2 were infected with 104CID50 of IBDV by oral route at 1 day of age; groups 1 and 3 were infected with 106 EID50 of AIV (H9N2) by the oculo-nasal route at day 30. Poults of  group 4 were kept  as uninfected control group. All groups were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. Blood  samples  via wing web were collected at days 0, 30, 37, 44, 51  and 58 and anti- NDV and anti-AIV serum titers were measured by HI test. At days 33 and 41 three poults of each group were euthanized and their splenic lymphocytes proliferation repose to phytohaemagglutinin was assessed. RESULTS: Influenza clinical signs were prolonged and more intensive in group 1 than group 3. The mean HI titers to NDV were significantly lower in group 1 than group 3, in all sampling times, but anti-AIV titers were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 3  from days 14 AIV (H9N2) post infection. The lymphocyte proliferation assay with PHA did not show any differences between groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: IBDV suppresses immune response in turkey and causes prolonged and more intensive clinical signs after challenge with AIV.

BACKGROUND: The Eustachian tube is an osteocartilaginous channel connecting the tympanic cavity with the nasopharynx. There is no anatomical and histological research performed on this organ in buffalo. OBJECTIVES: Anatomical and histological study of Eustachian tube in buffalo will be useful for basic knowledge of this organ. METHODS: For this study 8 adult male and female buffalo's head were provided from slaughter house and their Eustachian tube were studied anatomically, then tissue samples were obtained and paraffin sections were prepared for using of staining methods such as H&amp;E (for general study), Verhoff (for elastic fibers), PAS (for carbohydrates) and Masson's Trichrome Stainning Kit (for collagen fibers). RESULTS: Anatomical results showed Eustachian tube was white and funnel- like tube, no curve and structurally supported by cartilage and in both sexes they had the same structure. Histological and Histochemical results showed the epithelium of Eustachian tube in buffalo is pseudostratified ciliated columnar and in some regions of the Eustachian tube epithelium was stratified squamous. In the first portion of Eustachian tube cartilage was elastic and then eustachian tube cartilage was hyaline. The glands of Eustachian tube in buffalo were mucous and non folicular tubal tonsil could be found around the pharyngeal opening with obviously lymphoid tissue. CONCLUSIONS:. The results of this research can be used as the basic anatomical and Histological knowledge in buffalo..

Background: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and are an important factor in oxidative damage to the kidney and liver. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of turmeric extract and/or sodium bentonite against renal and hepatic damage induced by aflatoxin B1. METHODS: In this experiment that lasted for four weeks 64 male Wistar rats randomly assigned to eight groups containing: control, aflatoxin (AF), turmeric extract (TE), sodium bentonit (SB), TE+SE, AF+TE, AF+SB, AF+(TE+SB). At the end of experiment blood samples were taken from heart and some biochemical analysis has been performed. RESULTS: In the AF group, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and creatinine (P<0.05) significantly increased and uric acid numerically increased (P=0.056) compare to control group. Treatment of AF contaminated group with TE or SB alone remarkably decreased the levels of ALT, ALP, creatinine and uric acid. TE and SB in normal rats had no significant effect on the levels of liver enzyme compare to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present research, it seems that TE and SB alone decrease the harmful effects of Aflatoxin B1 and the combination of them has a potentiating effect.Key words: Aflatoxin B1, Turmeric Extract, Sodium Bentonite, blood parameters, rats

BACKGROUND: FMD is one of the most important animal health problems in the world and is ranked at the top of the list A of potentially epidemic infectious diseases of livestock (OIE). FMD virus infects a wide range of domestic and wild cloven hooved animals and causes clinical signs. The disease is mild zoonotic and 70 wild mammal species from 20 animal families are susceptible to infection. Also, birds are mentioned as transferring agent of FMD virus in several references. OBJECTIVES: The motivation of this study was due to observation of a significant presence of pigeons in FMD involved farms in the epidemic of serotype O2016 in the first months of 2016. METHODS: After hunting of six pigeons gathering food in FMD involved farms, their blood samples were collected. In the laboratory, FMDV genome was traced by RT-PCR with aphtovirus universal primers and final product was sequenced. RESULTS: The 328 bp band indicating a positive result was observed in electrophoresis of all samples. These results were also confirmed in repeated experiments. Then the RT-PCR products were sequenced in both directions. Alignment and BLAST results indicated more than 97% identity of virus from samples with FMD registered viruses in Genebank, demonstrating the presence of FMD virus genome in the blood of the pigeons. CONCLUSIONS: This result indicates FMD virus genome viremia in the blood of pigeons. It is worth noting that pigeons’ infection is very important because this species is a free flight bird and has the possibility of transmitting the virus over long distances, thereby causing new epidemics. Finally, it is necessary for further studies to investigate the possible presence of clinical signs in the pigeons, the possibility of shedding, routs and virus titers of shedding from any of the possible ways.

Back grounds: Thyroid hormons have an important role in regulation of metabolism of protein and energy metabolism in animals , particularly in ruminents.Objectives: In this study it was investigated the histopathology of thyroid glands and hormonal changes of T3 and T4 in water buffalo in Ahvaz, IRAN.Methods: The thyroid gland tissues and blood samples were collected from 89 slaughtered buffaloes ( 66 females, 23 males). thyroid glands were selected and cut in to small pieces for standard histological processing, then the samples were stained with ( H &amp; E) procedure and microscopically evaluated. Serum T3 and T4 concentration were measured by elisa methods. The data analyzed by the use of T- test. Results: The results showed that) 31% (of thyroid glands have pathological lesions. The lesions respectively includes; focal hyperplasia ( 31.5 %), metaplasia ( 2.2 %), and chronic thyroiditis ( 1.1%). Also the results showed that) 30.3%( female and )52.2 %( male buffaloes have pathological lesions.We found that T4 concentration of normal buffaloes without thyroid gland lesions was significantly higher than the other buffaloes ( P= 0.02).Conclusions: This study showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between T3,T4 concenterations in buffaloes with thyroid gland lesions ( r = 0.4 , P<0.05), while this correlation was weak between normal buffaloes ( r = 0.1, P>0.05).

BACKGROUND: The rearing of large body size and high ability to twinning by genetic selection and nutritional strategies is expanding. However, lambs’ performance and decreased losses related to the multiple-bearing around lambing can affect the efficiency of multi-bearing. Recognition and control of changes in metabolic factors priparturient have vital importance. Pre-lambing and immediately after lambing could be considered as the most important and critical period of ewe life which affects heath and performance of ewes and lambs. Objectives: This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of protected methionine supplementation during pre-lambing period on metabolic factors of twin-bearing ewes through priparturient period and their lambs as well. Methods: Sixteen pregnant Afshari ewes weighting 91.5 ± 5.3 kg and  117 ± 1.5 days of pregnancy were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments containing no methionine supplementation and 3gr/kg DM of protected methionine. They were individually fed total mixed ration twice a day. Dry matter intake was recorded daily; the blood samples were drawn on days -30, -15, +1 and +30 related to lambing; ewes’ BWs were measured on days -40, -20, -10, +1, +10 and +20 related to lambing; lambs were weighted on days of birth, +15, +30 and +60. Results: The BW of lambs of ewes supplemented with protected methionine was greater than the control group (p<0.05), protected methionine affected pre-lambing blood urea and albumin concentration (p<0.05), plasma cholesterol was higher in control group (p<0.05) and total protein and albumin tended to be significant (p<0.1) and other blood factors were not influenced by treatments. Conclusions: These results show that blood metabolites are influenced as animals approach  the lambing time. In addition, rumen protected methionine resulted in improved birth weight of multi-bearing ewes’ lambs and caused improved blood metabolites related to N, considering the interaction between time and treatment.

Backgrounds: Unhygienic poultry feedstuffs can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effect on poultry production and public health. Objectives: This study was to investigate the fungal contamination of poultry feed and its ingredients in broiler farms in Torbat Heydarieh, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. Methods: A total of 240 poultry feed samples comprising three different feeds were collected and examined using dilution plating technique. Preparations of all samples from successive dilutions were prepared; and then 0.1 ml of each dilution was cultured on the surface of Potato Dextrose Agar supplemented with Chloramphenicol and was incubated at 27 °C for 7 days. Fungal colony counting was performed based on CFU/gr. The fungi were identified by gross and microscopic features. Statistical analysis of the data were done using SPSS software version 21. Results: In examined samples, fungal contamination was detected in 205 samples (85/14 %) out of 240 samples. The corn (32/5%) was most contaminated feed, followed by soybean (29/16%) and finished feed (23/75%). The predominant fungi isolated were Fusarium spp. (41/3 %), Penicillium spp. (37/9%), Cladosporium spp. (21.3 %), Paecilomyces spp. (17.1%), Aspergillus fumigatus (13/3 %), Aspergillus niger (12.9%) and Yeast spp. (12.9 %). Frequency of toxin -forming fungi was significantly higher than the non- toxin -forming fungi (P<0/001). The mean total count of fungi was estimated 2/9 × 105 CFU/gr.Conclusions: The findings of this research showed the high prevalence of fungal contamination as well as high frequency of toxin -forming fungi. Therefore, the feed raw materials are important vehicles for introduction of fungal organisms into poultry feed and fungal growth reduces the nutritional value of feeds. It should be considered to plan a program in order to control, limit and delete of the fungi from feeds.