BACKGROUND: Maturity of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) ovary takes place at 2-8 years old and it is depends on photoperiod and environmental water temperature. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify  macroscopical and microscopical structure of silver carp  ovary in  two categories of  body weight, total body length and  at  2 and 4 years old  in Khuzestan province climatic conditions. Methods: 20 silver carp ovaries were studied in two groups: Group 1(G1): 10 fish with total body length 46 ±1.33 Cm and weight 1050±0.09 grand approximately 2 years old. Group 2(G1): 10 fish with total body length 86±3.64 Cm and weight 5460±800 gr and approximately 4 years old. For the histometrical studies, 5-6 µ sections were made by routine paraffin embedding method and stained by H&amp;E and PAS. Results: Microscopic results showed that ovaries of G1 covered by a thin loose connective capsule which numerous of egg-bearingtrabecula extended from capsule into ovaries. These trabecula contained primary germ cells, oogonium, chromatin nocleolus, perinocleolus and cortical alveolus follicles. Ovaries of G1 do not have yolk and mature follicles. But in ovaries of G2, growth and mature follicles were observed and mature follicles were most follicles. Histometrical results showed that there are not a significant differences in diameter of follicles, oocytes and oocytes nucleolus in G1 and 2. The maximum and minimum diameter of follicles were seen in mature and chromatin nucleolus follicles respectively. The Zona plucida thickness was increased from corticalalveolus (1.53±1.11 mm) to mature follicles (6.88±0.21 mm) significantly (p<0.05). ConclusionS: The most interesting finding of this study is that in Khuzestan Province climate, the ovary of silver carp fish in G1, with average weight 1050 ±0.09 gr and total length 46±1.33 Cm and approximately of 2 years old is immature but ovary of G2 with average weight of 5460± 800 gr and total length 86±3.64 Cm and approximately 4 years old is mature.

Neuroendocrine cells are of the peptide and amine secreting cells and because of endodermal origin, exist in respiratory and gastrointestinal system. The report confirms the presence of a tumor using immunohistochemical methods. A hepatic mass was detected in a 10-year-old male mixed–breed dog which was referred with clinical history of frequent vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and syncope. Biochemical and hematological abnormalities included elevation of ALT and AST levels, leukocytosis and anemia. Radiographically the large hepatic mass and multifocal metastatic nodular areas in the other organs were observed. At necropsy the liver had a multilobulated firm mass involving whole caudate lobe of the liver. On the cut section, the tumor was grey sanguineous with hemorrhagic surface and numerous necrotic foci. Microscopically, there were unencapsulated, highly cellular neoplastic proliferations with few hemorrhagic foci in the liver that had a trabecular pattern to Rosette formation which were separated by a fibrovascularstroma. The neoplastic cells were round to oval, with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei. Metastases were observed in lungs, kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes and even in the arteries of the tunica albuginae of the testes. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for NSE and S100 protein. They were negative for CEA, Chromogranine A, CD34, AE1/AE3, CK20 and Hepatic Antigen (HA). Negative CEA, CK20, CD34 and HA disproved the probability for collangiocarcinoma, metastatic carcinoma, hematopoietic and vascular origin and hepatocellular carcinoma of this tumor respectively. Immunohistochemical demonstration of NSE and S100 protein supported the diagnosis of the Carcinoid like. However, negative reaction for Chromogranine A does not disprove neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite which belongs to apicomplexa phylum. The parasite infects both wild and domesticated animals and human beings as well. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to detect oocyst shedding and diarrhea pattern in experimental cryptosporidiosis and their correlation with weight loss in neonatal calves. METHODS: Twelve Holstein calves of both sexes were obtained at birth from dairy farm and randomly divided into two groups of 6 calves. Six calves were orally infected with 107 C.Parvum oocysts at the 12h post parturition. The control group was not infected. Clinical signs were examined and fecal samples were collected by the rectal examination twice a day. All calves were weighed from day 0 to day 30 with 3 days intervals to determine effects of cryptosporidiosis on weight gain. RESULTS: All infected calves were noticeably depressed and had a decreased appetite from 3 days post inoculation (DPI) while they received colostrum. Subsequently, watery diarrhea with clumps of mucus and yellow or pale changes of feces color were observed. The infected calves have had diarrhea for 5-8 days that remarkably had got dehydrated. The most severity of diarrhea was 4-6 DPI. Oocyst excretion started 4 DPI, peaked at 6 DPI (60.48×106±9.03oocysts/g feces) and continued until 11 DPI. Control calves had no diarrhea and other clinical signs during the whole period of the trial. The mean weight gain of control group was significantly higher than inoculated group during experiment (p<0.001). The Weight of the infected calves was retarded until 9 days old and then risen subsequently. CONCLUSIONS: Present study showed the role of C.Parvum as the primary cause of diarrhea and weight loss among neonatal calves.

CASE HISTORY: Equine coital exanthema caused by Equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV3) was reported in 1900. At the present time, it has become epidemic among horses. The virus could be transmitted via insemination, iatrogenic, and it basically infects the squamous epithelium of the epidermis. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: In the first week of January 2012 two mature male horses and a mare were imported from Netherland and kept in a stable of a horse riding club located around Tehran. In the first week of December, these animals manifested clinical signs of high fever with repeated intermittently for two times. During this period, one of the male horses developed exanthematous lesions on the penis and perinea tissues which depigmented later. Biopsy specimens obtained from the lesion processed for histopathological examination were stained with Harris H α E and nuclear fast Red methods. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING: Microscopically, ballooning degeneration of squumous epithelium, acantholysis, epithelial ulcers accompanied by multiple bacterial colonies and the herpes virus intranuclear inclusion bodies with margination of nuclear chromatin were evident. Obviously the horse had EHV3 infection and the stresses resulted from high fever led to the reappearance of genital exanthematous lesions. ASSESSMENTS: In spite of the contagious nature of the infection, the native horses kept in the same stable did not manifest any clinical sings of the infection and therefore the disease could be native. Since the EHV2 infection first affects upper respiratory infection with a high fever course and then induces viremia with another high fever period so it might be speculated that the primary disease of the Netherland horses caused by the EHV2 infection.

BACKGROUND: The immunity and health of newborn calf are related to immunoglobulins uptake from colostrum where treatment of colostrum may improve the uptake. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of controlled heat-treating of colostrum and antibiotic addition on immunoglobulins absorption, performance and health parameters of calf. Methods: The colostrum pool was prepared from multiparous dams and was frozen after the treatments. Colostrum was fed immediately after the birth three times a day for 2 days. Twelve newborn Holstein calves were divided into three treatment groups including 1) raw colostrum (control), 2) heat-treated colostrum, and 3) colostrum with oxytetracyclin in a completely randomized design. Blood samples were obtained in days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 via jugular vein. Health score and fecal point were determined daily. Results: Results showed that heat-treating of colostrum increased immunoglobulins uptake and their apparent efficiency of absorption (p<0.01), where a 24% increase in blood immunoglobulins concentrations and a 15% in their apparent efficiency of absorption were observed by heating the colostrum compared with control group and a lower increase was observed compared with antibiotic group. No significant differences were observed in weight gain, weaning time and weight as well as the amount and time of beginning starter intake among groups. Feed conversion ratio did not affected by the treatments. There were no significant differences in blood cells counts among groups. Calves fecal point was not affected by the treatments but health score was increased by using heat-treated colostrum where scour incidence was reduced (p<0.05). Conclusions: Results of the study showed that controlled heat-treating of colostrum is an effective and practical method to improve immunoglobulins absorption and reduce scour incidence in calf.

BACKGROUND: K99 pilus antigen is one of the major adherence factors found on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) of neonatal calves. It causes severe diarrhea in newborn calves via the production of heat-stable enterotoxin (STa).With increasing concern over the spread of antimicrobial resistance, the development of alternative to conventional antibiotics such as colicin is urgently needed. Colicin is an antimicrobial peptide produced by one strain of E. coli to suppress the growth of other strains of E.coli. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the control of E.coli k99 and the efficacy of colicinogenic E.coli (CEC) in adult mice. Methods: The mice, used antibiotic were divided into four groups. The first group did not receive any inoculation. The second group was fed just with 0.5 ml colicin solution. The third group was fed just with 0.5 ml E.coli k99 suspension. The fourth group was first fed by 0.5 ml E.coli k99 suspension immediately after oral administration of CEC suspension. Fecal samples of mice in four groups were taken 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days after inoculation and colony forming units (CFUs) were monitored per gram feces. ResultS: The results showed that CEC has inhibitory effect against E.coli k99. There were observed significant differences between the amounts of E.coli k99 recovered from the feces of mice in fourth group with the amount of E.coli k99 recovered from the feces of mice in third group. Conclusions: The data presented here support this claim that CEC plays a significant role against E.coli k99. Furthermore, the study suggested colicin warrants further evaluation as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics for use to control of E.coli k99.

BACKGROUND: Sheep are a form of investment and a quickly liquidatable resource, particularly in traditional and low income production systems. Tropical and long warm-season regions always affect sheep production negatively. Methods: In this experiment 15 female and 7 male sheep were chosen and their body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate measurements and blood sample for biochemical parameters analysis were taken during May 5 to September 5. Results: Heart rate and respiration rate in male sheep were a little higher compared with female sheep but there was no significant difference between them respiration (56 vs. 55) and beat (120 vs. 118 per min). Rectal temperature wasn’t significant between two sexes (40.6-40.09 C˚). Also skin temperature wasn’t significantly different between two sexes (36.02- 36.08 C˚). The only difference was related to month effect (p<0.05). Sex and month hadn’t significant different effects on blood urea, creatinine, glucose and potassium concentration. Blood urea concentration of female sheep was not significantly higher than male’s (p>0.05). Blood Sodium concentration was significantly different between two sexes so that male sheep had the highest minimum average (p<0.05). There was no significant increase in blood Potassium concentration of female sheep compared to male sheep (p>0.05). ConclusionS: These results indicated that sheep of this region had been well adapted to summer heat stress and they showed usual changes of blood metabolites in response to heat stress.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress declines the performance through physiologic changes of the poultry. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of L-carnitine on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chickens fed with high fat diets under heat stress. METHODS: Two hundred one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design by four treatments and five replicates (pen) 10 birds in each replicate. The chickens of experimental treatments were fed with basal diet (control group) and the diets plus the different levels of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg L-carnitine. The experimental diets were used during the finisher period (day 24 to 42 of age) and under heat stress (32±1ºC as cyclic from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM). RESULTS: The results showed that the chicks fed with the highest L-carnitine had the higher weight gain during the finisher period as compared to control and the lower L-carnitine fed chicks (p<0.05). Furthermore, the feed conversion ratio of birds fed with the medium and high L-carnitine levels (100 and 300 mg) was lower than that of control birds (p<0.05). In orthogonal contrasts, L-carnitine supplementation caused the improvement in weight gain and feed conversion ratio during both the finisher and whole experimental periods (p<0.05). The consumption of highest L-carnitine decreased the abdominal fat as compared to control (p<0.05). In orthogonal contrasts, L-carnitine consumption caused the higher glucose and lower abdominal fat in comparison to control (p<0.05). CONLUSIONS: Totally, the results of recent experiment show that consumption of 300 mg/kg L-carnitine improves the performance of broiler chickens through the increase in dietary fatty acids and energy.

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: One of the most important heart diseases in dogs is valvular insufficiency, which can be evaluated by diagnosis ways such as phonocardiography, echocardiography, etc. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate of valvular insufficiencies with phonocardiography and echocardiography and using phonocardiography technique in detection of cardiac valvular disease in practice. METHODS: This survey was done on 180 five-year-old dogs which 30 of them had valvular insufficiency. They have been referred to radiology section and echocardiography technique was used after listening to heart sounds and recording heart murmur and surveying by phonocardiography. The type and location of valvular insufficiency was diagnosed by phonocardiography and then echocardiography was used, the results from both techniques was compared afterwards. RESULTS: In all of these 30 dogs, murmur was systolic and mitral insufficiency and mitral regurgitation were diagnosed by phonocardiography. using echocardiography, the mitral insufficiency was confirmed in 28 dogs, one of them has been diagnosed to have tricuspid inssufiency and pulmonary stenosis in addition to mitral insufficiency. In two cases no abnormality sign has been detected. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, it is recommended to use phonocardiography technique in order to pre-diagnose the valvular insufficiency, it's type and location and use echocardiography to determine the process of disease and control this progress.