BACKGROUND: Ichthyophthiriasis induced by a freshwater teleost pathogen “Ichthyophthirius multifiliis” is one of the most important parasitic diseases with substantial economic losses to the aquaculture industry. Although malachite green, copper sulphate, formalin, and chloramine-T have been used to treat ichthyophthiriasis, there are  no chemicals that can be used safely and effectively to control this parasitic disease. As a result, application of natural, safe and strong components to prevent ichthyophthiriasis is of great importance. Objective: The aim of the present research is to determine the short-term effectiveness of tannic acid (TA) on the parasite theronts of I. multifiliis. Methods: In this study, TA as a main phenolic acid at different concentrations (0.0-7.0 mg/L) was applied to determine its acute toxicity against I. multifiliis theronts in various exposure times (1-3 h). The results were also statistically compared to the findings obtained from the control treatment and the positive control sample (15mg/L  formalin). Results: There was a significant and direct correlation between TA concentration and exposure time in order to enhance the mortality rate of I. multifiliis theronts. An increase in levels of TA and exposure time in the studied ranges can significantly intensify the mortality number (P<0.05). The used natural phenolic constituent similar to 15 mg/L formalin led to a significant reduction in number of these theronts (> 80%) at 60 min. Conclusions: Use of a standard phenolic agent such as TA at higher concentration and longer exposure time can potentially decrease the number of I. multifiliis theronts and control ichthyophthiriasis.

BACKGROUND: Free cyanide is a potent toxic agent in the aquatic environment.  Freshwater fish are the most cyanide-sensitive group with high mortality at free cyanide concentrations above 20 μg/L. Exposure to cyanide ions can cause stress, increased mortality and place an appreciable metabolic load on fishes. Rhodanese is a ubiquitous mitochondrial enzyme in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes that detoxifies cyanide (CN-) by converting it to thiocyanate (SCN). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to determine and compare the pattern of tissue distribution of Rhodanese in different tissues of four native Barbus fish including Mesopotamichthys sharpey, Tor grypus, Luciobarbus xanthopterus and Luciobarbus barbulus. METHODS: Fishes (10 from each species) with length of 32.5 ± 6.5 and weight of 440 ± 110   were collected from five major fishing reservoirs of Karoun River including Gotvand, Shushtar, Molasani, Darkhoine and Ahvaz. Rhodanese activity was assayed by the method of Sorbo in the liver, kidney, gill and intestine. The unit of enzyme activity was defined as micromoles thiocyanate formed per minute at 37 °C and pH 9.2 and enzyme activity was expressed as U/mg protein. RESULTS: Rhodanese activity was detected in all tissues studied, albeit in different amounts. Specific activities of Rhodanese (U/mg protein) in different tissues ranged from 0.135 to 0.337 in the liver, 0.113 to 0.262 in the kidney, 0.121 to 0.157 in the gill, and 0.094 to 0.162 in the intestine, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The highest activity of Rhodanese in all four species was observed in the liver and kidney, followed by the gill and intestine. Our results suggest that Rhodanese may be functional in many physiological activities in these species which needs to be clarified in detailed.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the prevalent medical problems. Post Traumatic Epilepsy (PTE) is one of the complications of TBI. Traumatic and ischemic brain injuries are amongst the well-known risk factors of developing PTE Objectives: The present study tends to figure out changing kindling parameters in the model of the classical electrical epilepsy following traumatic brain injury. Methods: Male Wistar rats became epileptic using the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy. Rats underwent stereotaxic surgery. Five days thereafter, trauma was exerted to the temporo-parietal cortex of the rats by Controlled Cortical Impact (CCI) device causing a 2 mm lesion. After 24 hours, kindling stimulations were started. Each stimulus is delivered at an intensity of 200-500 µA, with 50 Hz frequency with monophasic square wave train stimulations once daily. One control group with no trauma and just kindling stimulation was considered in experimental groups. A sham group was also considered in which animals underwent all procedures including surgery and kindling stimulations without trauma. Results: Mean number of 14 stimulations is needed for kindled state in control and sham groups. Traumatic rats became kindled with a significantly lower number of electrical stimulations (5 stimulations). The after discharge duration (AD) at stage 5, after discharge duration (AD) at stage 3, total duration of seizure behavior (SD) and duration of stage 5 seizure behavior (S5D) in traumatic rats were higher than threshold with control and sham group. The threshold of seizures in traumatic rats was significantly lower than the threshold in control and sham groups. Conclusions: Classical electric kindling after trauma has a significant effect on the parameters of the kindling.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Campylobacter associated food-poisoning has gradually increased and it is considered to be the major cause of widespread infectious disease of the recent century. Although the poultry are the most important reservoirs and source of transmission of Campylobacter to human, urban wild birds like the ducks with faecal contamination of environment cannot be excluded from being the contributing source of Campylobacter spp. for human and animals. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the faecal contamination of C.jujuni and C.coli in urban ducks in the North of Iran. Methods:From March to April 2016, a total of 75 stool samples were collected from urban ducks in Sari, Amol, Ghaem Shahr and Babol, Mazandaran province, Iran to evaluate the presence of Campylobacter spp. using triplex PCR. 16srRNA, mapA and ceuE genes were targeted for Campylobacter spp., C.jujuni and C.coli respectively. Results: 13 of 75 samples (17.33%) were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. Faeco prevalence of C.jujuni and C.coli was 84.6% and 15.4% .The prevalence of C.jujuni was significantly more (p< 0-0.5). Conclusions: The results of this study have shown prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in urban ducks in the North of Iran is relatively high and may be considered a potential risk factor for human Campylobacteriosis in Iran, especially in children

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst is an infection with global distribution that is caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm of Echinococcus. The long-term survival of the hydatid in the host shows the parasite has advanced highly effective strategies for escaping the host defense. Deaths are caused by parasitic infections which are often due to tissue damages that result in host cell death, this is known as apoptosis. So it is important to know the process and the role of apoptosis that is created or controlled by a parasite. OBJECTIVES: Investigation of cytotoxicity effect, induction of apoptosis and mechanism of induction of apoptosis of cattle hydatid fluid on bovine lymphocyte cells as efficient cells of immunity were studied. METHODS: In this study, the cytotoxicity effect of bovine hydatid fluid (HF) on lymphocyte cells was investigated as effective immune cells against Echinococcus granulosus by MTS method. Then the mean of the expression of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 genes in bovine lymphocytes treated/untreated was determined with fertile and infertile hydatid cyst fluid using Real Time PCR method. RESULTS: The viability mean of lymphocytes was significantly lower in the fertile HF treated lymphocytes compared to both infertile HF-treated lymphocytes and cell control. Bax gene expression was significantly (P=0.046) higher in the fertile HF-treated lymphocytes compared to both infertile HF-treated lymphocytes and cell control. Although Caspase 3 was higher in this group, the difference was not significant. Also, expression of Bcl-2 gene in fertile fluid treated lymphocytes was found to be lower than that of infertile and control. CONCLUSIONS: Present study indicates that hydatid cyst fluid molecules can probably induce apoptosis in immune cells in vitro and the parasite’s ability to stay alive for a long time in the host by controlling the host immune response from the apoptosis pathway.

BACKGROUND: Due to the incomplete microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract in infant animals, the occurrence of any kind of stress causes gastrointestinal microbial imbalance and gastrointestinal disorders in the animal. The use of probiotics in diets of experimental animals improves the production of volatile fatty acids in rumen as the main stimulants of ruminal papillae. In this case the beneficial microbial population promotes in the rumen and its products improve the health and animal performance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of Protexin™ probiotics in milk replacer on digestive tract development and ruminal parameters of suckling Zel lambs. METHODS: To conduct this experiment, 24 male lambs were used at 10 days of age with mean weight (4.2 ± 0.53 kg) in 4 treatments and 6 replicates per each treatment as individual pens for 60 days. Treatments include control (without probiotic) and 3, 6 and 9 g (×109 cfu/g) of probiotic in milk replacer. In day 60 of experiments, pH values were measured by a portable digital device and ammonia nitrogen and number of protozoa in rumen fluid were measured in laboratory. Ruminal morphological results were studied after animal was slaughtered. RESULTS: The results of ruminal parameters showed that adding 9 g probiotic resulted in a significant increase in ammonia nitrogen and number of ruminal fluid protozoa compared to other levels (P<0.05). There were not significant differences in pH and VFA of ruminal fluid indicated no significant difference among treatments. In rumen morphology results, there was a significant difference between treatments in weight of empty whole digestive tract, rumen, omasum and abomasums weight and the volume of reticulum and abomasum (P<0.05) and this difference was significant between treatment of 9 g probiotic and other treatments. Also, the effect of experimental treatments was significant on length and width of the rumen papillae (P<0.05), so that level of 9 g probiotic was higher than other levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the addition of probiotic in milk replacer of experimental lambs significantly increased ruminal VFA and developed the ruminal morphological traits, so that in these traits, amount of 9 g probiotic had better performance than the other levels.

BACKGROUND: Although numerous reports support the beneficial effects of supplementing chromium (Cr) on broiler performance under normal and stress conditions, the optimal level has not been determined yet. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of supplemental Cr on performance, cortisol, and thyroid hormones of broiler under normal and stress conditions. METHODS: A total of four hundred forty-eight broilers were used. Broilers allocated into 2×4 factorial experiment included: stress (normal and stress) and 4 levels of supplemental chromium (0, 1000, 2000, 3000 ppb) since day 18. A completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 4 replicates (14 birds per replicate) was used. Dexamethasone used as a stressor for one week (stress period, STP) then experiment continued to day 46 (recovery period, RCP). RESULTS: Feeding 1000 and 2000 ppb Cr improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased T4 compared to 0 and 3000 ppb Cr in stressed broilers in STP (P<0.05). Feed intake (FI), body weight (BW) and T3 concentration were higher in broilers fed with 1000 ppb Cr in the diet and reared without stress in STP (P< 0.05). Despite the negative effect of stress on performance in RCP, dexamethasone-stressed broilers had better FCR. Feeding stressed birds with 1000 ppb Cr increased blood cortisol whereas it reduced cortisol in the normal-reared birds. CONCLUSIONS: The Dietary supplementation of 1000 and 2000 ppb Cr reduced deleterious effects of physiological stress. Moreover, 1000 ppb Cr improved FI and BW of broilers under normal condition at first week. Feeding high level of chromium under normal and stress conditions did not improve the performance.

BACKGROUND: Poultry meat belongs to perishable foods and the major concern of food industries is the microbial spoilage of poultry meat. OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of chitosan (CH) coating enriched with different concentrations of Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil (ZEO) in comparison with control group on some of the sensory and microbial properties of chicken breast fillets during storage at refrigerated temperature for 12 days.   METHODS: Essential oil extraction was done by hydro-distillation method and its chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the present study, chicken breast fillets separately were dipped in 2% CH solution containing ZEO at concentrations 0, 0.5 and 1% and then stored at refrigerated condition for 12 days. After that chicken fillets were studied at 7 intervals (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 days) regarding microbial (Total mesophilic and Psychrotrophic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae) and sensory (color, odor and taste) examination. RESULTS: The most important compounds of the ZEO were geraniol (20.62%), carvacrol (18.17%), thymol (5.39%), α-terpineol (7.49%) and 4-terpineol (6.83%). Results of this study revealed that in the treatments coated with CH containing ZEO, total viable counts (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria, Psychrotrophic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae familysignificantly (P<0.05) decreased as compared to control group during the storage period. Based on the results of the present study, coating of chicken fillets with chitosan alone or chitosan containing 0.5 % concentration of ZEO showed better sensory properties. CONCLUSIONS: CH coating enriched with 0.5 % ZEO has potential to extend shelf life of chicken fillets without any unfavorable organoleptic properties.

BACKGROUND: Cobalt is an essential nutrient for ruminants which is required for the synthesis of vitamin B12 by the ruminal microflora. Cobalt deficiency can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12, which plays a major role in many metabolic reactions in the body. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate cobalt status in the serum and liver of cattle. METHODS: In different seasons, the blood serum and liver concentration of cobalt in slaughtered cattle in Urmia city were measured by atomic absorption in 151 and 196 cattle, respectively.   RESULTS: The results of cobalt measurement indicated that in 12.6% of serum and 21.4% of liver samples the concentration of cobalt was less than normal range with the Mean ± SD value of 0.64 ± 0.25 µg/dl and 0.15 ± 0.04 µg/gDM, respectively. The seasonal variations of cobalt values were assessed in serum and liver samples and following results were obtained: spring (2.18 ± 1.64 µg/dl, 0.23 ± 0.13 µg/gDM), summer (3.42 ± 1.04 µg/dl, 0.42 ± 0.27 µg/gDM), autumn (3.45 ± 0.37 µg/dl, 0.47 ± 0.38 µg/gDM) and winter (2.75 ± 0.59 µg/dl, 0.35 ± 0.09 µg/gDM). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, it seems that there is a subclinical deficiency of cobalt in cattle of this region and it is recommended that preventive measures be considered to prevent the complications and disorders caused by its clinical deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) imposes significant economic losses to the commercial poultry industry in our country and worldwide. However, in Iran scattered and relatively few studies have been done in order to characterize NDV isolates.   OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to characterize two vNDV isolates obtained from commercial poultry farms in Isfahan province in 1999 through Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene complete sequencing. METHODS: Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene of each NDV isolate was amplified and sequenced using specific primers and then phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: Based on complete coding sequence of HN gene analysis, studied isolates showed close relationship with genotype XIII and subgenotype XIIIa NDV strains. Analysis of both complete HN gene and partial F gene lead to identical results and same classification of studied viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Results of present study are useful  for a better understanding of molecular epidemiology of indigenous NDV strains and determining important molecular differences between field and commonly used vaccinal strains related to main immunogenic proteins.