BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridge (MB) is generally defined as a superfacial muscular band that forms sporadic or multiple across the coronary artery in dog, cat, sheep, and human. OBJECTIVES: From the view of embryology MB is a preformatted structure with coronary artery during  forming. The type of study in human is during sonography and angiography examination, but in veterinary science the study on MB is  done after death examination. METHODS: This study was performed on over 50 sheep hearts that were prepared from slaughterhouse of Shahr e kord. First, pericardium was opened and the heart brought out of the pericardial cavity and then the hearts were studied with concentrated light and lens on both sides. After the M B recognition,  their length and width were measured by a ruler. In both sides of the heart,the MB was  divided into 1/3 proximal, 1/3 middle and 1/3 distal. In all of the studied hearts, only 10 samples (20%) had M B. RESULTS: The average length of recognised MBs was 1.55±1.17 (SD) cm and  with width of 1.09±.092 (SD) cm. The positive samples were transferred to histology laboratory for preparation of cross section of heart and were stained with  H&E staining.CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal section showed the long fibers of myocardium with continual narrow fibers and intercalated discs were located between them.

BACKGROUND: Lactoperoxidase is an enzyme of the oxidoreductase family. Lactoperoxidase is an important antimicrobial agent. Applications of lactoperoxidase are being found as a preservative in food and cosmetics. Immobilized LPO provides several significant benefits such as: easily separated from the reaction products, reducing production costs by efficient recycling and control of the process. Objectives: Purification and immobilization of lactoperoxidase extracted from camel milk using sodium alginate polymer. Methods: The lactoperoxidase was purified from camel milk by using sephadex G-100 gel filtration CM and sephadex C-50 ion-exchange chromatography. Encapsulation was carried out by using LPO, sodium alginate, glycerol and Tween 80. Afterward, the microcapsules were stablized by calcium ion (1%). Efficiency of encapsulation was calculated. The particle size and distribution were measured with particle size analyzer. Morphology and formation of the particles were studied  using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Stability of encapsulated and uncapsulated  LPO was studied at 4 °C during 70 days. Results: After purification and purity measurement by SD-SPAGE, concentration of 0/28 micrograms per liter for each of the fractions was obtained. Microencapsulation efficiency was 84% and microcapsules  less than 200 nm were formed. Observation by SEM confirmed the formation of microparticles. Microcapsules have a relatively smooth surface, spherical with low tenacity as well. Stability of encapsulated enzyme at 70 days was obtained 81%. Conclusions: Immobilization of Lactoperoxidase extracted from camel milk  using sodium alginate is a good method to increase performance of the enzyme.

BACKGROUND: Poultry production in houses and high stocking density, results in                increase in mortality because of different diseases. Objectives: Investigating the effective managerial and environmental factors on mortality in industrialized poultry farms, proportion of each factor and ranking farms based on mortality risk to solve some problems of Iran’s poultry farm insurance. Methods: Samples were taken from 47 broiler, 20 layer and 30 broiler breeder farms of 16 Iranian provinces which were selected based on geographical location, climate and outbreaks of diseases. House characteristics were evaluated by precision measurement. Parameters such as heat exchange, light intensity, atmospheric conditions (inside oxygen and ammonia concentration, acidity and moisture of litter) and quality of equipment (ventilator capacity, heating & cooling systems) were measured. Based on collected data,  managerial index was defined and calculated. Parameters related to sanitary condition, birds’ health and immunization were measured by blood anti body titer. A total of 97 poultry farms were included in the investigation and 27231 measurement data were recorded. Results: Average mortality in broiler, layer and breeder farms was 15.4, 11.2 per period and 1.9% per month, respectively. According to stepwise minimum Wilk’s Lambda discriminant regression, the highest standardized coefficient belonged to vaccine accomplishment (VA) followed by house ventilator capacity (VM), immunization against avian influenza (AIG), farm biosecurity (SHOW), drinker type (DRIN), precipitation rate (RAIN) and temperature management index (TMI): Mortality Risk(0,1)=-2.622+1.533 VA-1.135 SHOW+0.739 AIG+0.551 DRIN-0.016 VM+0.003 RAIN+0.002TMI. Main variables of models which were fitted to layer and broiler breeder flocks were health and ventilation. Conclusions: 6 managerial and environmental factors, immunization of flock against diseases, farm biosecurity and house ventilation had the greatest impact on ranking the mortality risk.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasmosis is an infectious disease of poultry and a major cause of economic losses due to decline in growth, egg production, reduction in egg hatching and exacerbation of viral and bacterial respiratory diseases. Objectives: The purpose of this study was detection of serological prevalence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in broiler breeders of Mazandaran province and to suggest control strategies against mycoplasmosis. Methods: All breeder farms that were in production period in Mazandaran province were sampled (74 farms in 14 cities); blood samples were collected from 45 birds in each farm. Sera samples were examined by RSPA and ELISA tests based on the instructions of OIE. Results: In this study, by the RSPA test, 3 out of 74 farms (4%), 15 out of 553 houses (2/7%) were positive. From 5626 collected sera samples, 139 samples (2.5%) were positive in RSPA and 124 samples (2.2%) in ELISA. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of MG infection was 4% during the selected period and zone of study.  Statistical analysis showed that biosecurity situations were significantly better in negative farms (p=0.04). There are some deficiencies in quality of biosecurity situations despite  implementing biosecurity principles in farms. Establishing of farms near villages or the development  of villages, keeping backyard birds close to the farms and employees living in villages are some of the  biosecurity principles that were not followed in infected farms.

BACKGROUND: Recent investigations  have identified anthelminitic effects of many medicinal plants particularly from condensed tannin sources. In addition, gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants have a negative effect on the farming industry worldwide. Objectives: The aim of the present study was  to determine the potential anthelmintic effects of Quercus robur extract on alimentary canal nematodes in naturally infected sheep by faecal egg count reduction test (EPGRT). Methods: The crude aqueous extract was prepared from Quercus robur as tannin extract. The nature and intensity of helminth infection was determined by coprological examination. The faecal samples of 600 sheep were collected from different regions of Kurdistan province. The samples were examined by flotation method (Clyton-Lane technique). Fifteen sheep with the most count in egg per gram (include Marshallagia, Nematodirus and Trichostrongylids) were divided into three groups of five animals: First group (test group) were drenched with Quercus robur extract at 3.75g/kg, second group (positive control group) received Albendazole 2.5%, orally at 5mg/kg and third group (negative control) without treatment. Results: The results of faecal examination  3 days after administration indicated significant reduction of EPG in both group’s treatment and positive control groups, 90.76% and 90.83% respectively, whereas there was no effect in the third group. Results were evaluated by Chi-square analysis and showed significant differences between treatment and negative control groups (p≤0.05). Nosignificant differences were observed between treatment group and positive control group (p≥0.05). Conclusions: Results reveal that aquatic extract of Quercus robur has anthelminitic activity and further large scale studies are suggested to confirm pharmacologic effects of this herbal extract.

BACKGROUND: To reduce adverse environmental effects resulting from repeated use of chemical contaminants, herbal extracts are a natural suitable alternative in aquaculture. Objectives: The present study investigated the effects of Biarum carduchorum and Quercus Infectoria Gall extracts on percentage of hatching and survival rate in the early growth stage of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae compared with malachite green (MG). Methods: To assess the percentage of hatching and survival rate in the early growth stage, B. carduchorum was used at 400 mg/l for 30 minutes per day, Q. Infectoria Gall at 40 mg/l for 30 minutes per day and MG as the positive control at 2 mg/l for 20 minutes per day. Normal control without any treatment was also included. Each treatment trial was provided in three replicates.  Results: The obtained results showed that the mortality level in normal control was significantly higher than other groups in the hatching stage (p<0.05). Also, the mortality rate in eggs treated with B. carduchorum was significantly lower than both MG and Q. Infectoria Gall groups (p<0.05). The mortality rate in eggs treated with Q. Infectoria Gall was significantly higher than MG group (p<0.05). In addition, the mortality rate of the produced larvae was significantly higher in both Q. Infectoria Gall group and normal control groups than the other two groups (p<0.05).Conclusions: The results showed that use of B. carduchorum at 400 mg/L is able to significantly improve the survival rate of rainbow trout eggs and larvae during incubation period. It can be comparable to MG.

BACKGROUND: Based on the information no research has been done on the identification and isolation of anaerobic fungi in the Baloochi sheep’s rumen in the dry climate up to now. Objectives: The purpose of this research was the separation and study of the appearance morphology of anaerobic fungi in the Baloochi sheep’s rumen in Sistan region. Methods: The semi-defined medium environment was used in this research for cultivation, separation and purification of anaerobic fungi. Sampling from the solid and liquid contents of 50 Baloochi sheep was done randomly in Zabol slaughterhouse and these samples were used as the source of fungus to inoculation to culture. The roll bottle method was used for purification of rumen fungi. The antibiotic solutions (ampicillin, penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol) were used for inhibiting growth of bacteria. Samples of pure fungi were transferred to culture and were observed after growth in glass slide with light microscope. The separated fungi were all monocentric and had rhizoid. Results: With regard to morphologic characteristics the genera of Neocallimastix and Piromyces and species of Piromyces communis, Piromyces minutus, Piromyces rhizinflata, Caecomyces communis was isolated in rumen of Baloochi sheep. Conclusions: With identification of these fungi species in rumen of Baloochi sheep, it is recommended to perform molecular test and enzyme extraction for further survey of characteristics in future research.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of melatonin on semen quality and quantity changes and increase of reproductive efficiency in Lori-Bakhtiari ram in the non-reproductive season. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin on testicular size and semen qualitative and quantitative changes in the non-breeding season is Lori-Bakhtiari rams. METHODS: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of melatonin on the quantity and quality of semen and testicular diameter in 8 Lori- Bakhtiari rams (4 control rams and 4 treatment rams) for 10 weeks during spring 2013. Each ram in the treatment group was received three tablets of 18 mg implantable melatonin subcutaneously at the base of ear after 5 weeks from the start of the trial. RESULTS: Semen parameters and testicular diameter measurements were evaluated on a weekly basis. No significant differences were observed between 2 groups before melatonin implanting. A significant difference was observed after melatonin implanting between 2 groups in the mean of testicular diameter (treatment: 33.5±0.25 and control: 30.67±0.07 cm), in semen volume (treatment: 1.34±0.03 and control: 0.87± 0.04 ml) and in sperm concentration (treatment: 1.76±0.05 and control: 1.37±0.04 109/ml) (p<0.05). However, other parameters including average of lives sperm percentage, total sperm motility, sperm progressive movement and percentage of abnormal sperm were not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this experiment showed that the use of melatonin in the non-reproductive season resulted in increase of testicular size, semen volume and sperm concentration in Lori-Bakhtiari ram. However, the rest of the semen parameters have not been affected.

BACKGROUND: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) comprises a group of genes, which plays a central role in immune response. The exon 2 of BuLA-DRB3 is part of the MHC class II in buffalo that highly polymorphic, found to be associated with resistance/susceptibility to infections and also with production parameters. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to identify BuLA-DRB3 polymorphism in Khuzestan buffaloes and compare this population with other Iranian and world buffalo populations. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 136 unrelated Khuzestan river buffaloes. After DNA extraction, second exon of BuLA-DRB3 was amplified by the seminested PCR method. Then, the fragments produced by amplifying second exon were cut by RsaI restriction enzyme according to van Eijik method. In the following, allelic frequencies, genotype frequencies, expected and observed homozygosty and heterozygosity were calculated. RESULTS: In restriction fragment analysis 13 and 24 different allelic and genotype patterns were identified for RsaI restriction enzyme, respectively. 10 out of 13 alleles were previously reported. The most frequent genotype was oo)0.1691) and then followed by hh (0.1544) ,ll(0.1103), lw (0.0955), lh (0,0808), ha (0.0661) and lo (0.0514). Also four most frequent alleles were o (0.2721), h (0.2316),l (0.2316)and w (0.1176), respectively. These seven genotypes and four alleles form 72.76% and74.29% overall genotype and allele frequency of population.  In addition, estimation of heterozygosity/homozygosty and deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibriumofcorresponding population revealed observed homozygosty is more than heterozygosity and departure of population from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that exon 2 of the BuLA-DRB3 gene is highly polymorphic among Khuzestan buffaloes and although, there is differences between buffalo’s genetic polymorphism of distinct world regions, Khuzestan buffaloes’ population is similar to Egyptian buffaloes’ population.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, use of herbs as dietary irritant growth factors and replacing it with artificial materials in aquaculture is discussed. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil is one of herbal medicines which its antioxidant and antibacterial properties have been proved in humans and animals. So it can be an alternative option in order to achieve artificial growth stimulants properties. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of rosemary oil as a medicinal herb on growth parameters and gut morphology of beluga juveniles (Huso huso). METHODS: Six groups (three replicate/group) of 126 fish with initial mean body weight of 130.94 ± 5.28g were fed with diets containing 0 (control), 0/01, 0/1, 1 and 2 % of rosemary oil and a group of oxytetracyclin (30mg/kg) for 8 week. At the end of the trial, the growth parameters (final weight, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio) were calculated. Then, beluga intestinal biopsy was performed and the mean villi length, width and surface were measured in the treatments. RESULTS: Significant increase were observed in villi length (2/25±0/11mm), width (0/52±0/01mm) and surface (1/17±0/07mm) in fish fed with diets containing 1ml/kg rosemary oil (p<0/05). There were no significant differences in growth parameters between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: According to the significant increase of beluga intestinal absorption area and slight improvement of growth parameters in fish fed with diets containing rosemary extract compared to the control group, it seems that rosemary oil can act as a growth stimulant. So it can be considered as an alternative to artificial growth stimulants in aquaculture industry.