BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is a common disease in the neonate calf which imposes significant economic burden on cattle industry around the world. During the first week after birth, Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC) strains carrying F5 fimbria are one of the most important pathogens causing calf diarrhea. F5 fimbria is involved in early stage of pathogenesis and is responsible for attachment of bacteria to enterocytes; this attachment is mediated by FanC protein of F5 fimbria. Antibodies directed against F5 fimbriae play a significant role in prevention and control of the disease. Objectives: Evaluation and expression of recombinant expression of F5 Fimbriae of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli associated with calf diarrhea. Methods: In the present study,  the fanC region of F5 fimbria was cloned in a pET28a plasmid. Results: The recombinant construct was confirmed by sequencing and protein production in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) was evaluated by western blotting procedure. Conclusions: Based on our findings, the recombinant FanC protein or the BL21 (DE3) strain are suitable candidates to develop an effective vaccine against calf colibacillosis or use in a diagnostic kit for F5+ ETEC.

BACKGROUND: Tilapia is one of the important farmed fish in the world. In the recent years this fish has been grown for evaluating the possibility of farming in climate status of Bafgh region. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was identification of some important bacterial pathogens in farmed tilapia. METHODS: In this study thirty fish with 153.4 g (average weight) and 20.12 cm (average length) were randomly collected from ponds. Some bacteriological and biochemical tests such as gram staining, Catalase, H2S production, Indole and motility were used. For definitive identification of isolates, PCR test was done by use of special paired primers. For each bacterium a target gene is detected. RESULTS: From two bacterial groups, gram positive and gram negative, six species were identified. In the gram positive group, Lactococcus graviaea and in the gram negative group, Yersinia ruckeri, Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio alginoliticus, V. parahemoliticus and V. vulnificus were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding of different bacterial agents in the fish farm environments is essential for cultivation of tilapia. There are different bacterial agents, each of which can be considered to threaten the living conditions of fish. Respecting the health management leads to increasing  fish immunity and helps  their survival in the cultivation status.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, medicinal plants have becomean important option for use in aquaculture industry. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine meanlethal concentration (LC50) and investigated the anesthetic effectof Topped lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) on common carp(Cyprinus carpio) juveniles. Methods:Mean lethal concentration of essential oil was calculated based on the OECD(Organization Economic Cooperation and Development) standard in static system.For determining  LC50, 150common carp juveniles with mean body weight of 26.96 ± 1.98 g were used in 6groups and one control group and each group with three replications (7juveniles were used for each replication). After Compatibility period (about 2weeks), juveniles were exposed to different concentrations including 71.12,72.11, 73.11, 74.13, 75.16 mg/l that were calculated by logarithmic formula.Juvenile behavioral changes and mortality were recorded in the time period at24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after exposed to Topped lavender essential oil.Determination of Topped lavender essential oil anesthetic effect was done in 6groups (with 3 replicates), as 10 fish exposed to increasing concentrationsincluding 0 (control), 160, 165, 170, 175 and 180 mg/l. Results: Mean lethal concentration(LC50) after 96 hours was obtained 99.70 mg/l. The lowest time for completionof anesthesia (stage 3 anesthesia) was obtained at a concentration of 170 mg/lwith 3.74± 0.35 min and the full recovery of this concentration was obtained at3.91±0.55 min. The results showed that the best anaesthetic concentration ofTopped lavender essential oil was 170 mg/l. Conclusions: It seems that Topped lavender essential oilcould be used as anesthetic agent

BACKGROUND: Loss of calcium around calving can lead to diseases of transition period and reduce animal economic life. Prevention of milk fever and subclinical hypocalcemia is crucial and important in this period. Repeated doses of oral calcium chloride at calving is a method to prevent hypocalcemia and associated complications. ObjectiveS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of oral calcium chloride at calving on serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in transitional period of Holstein dairy cows fed with anionic and cationic diets. Methods: Forty-two Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided in 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 14), fed diet with negative DCAD without calcium chloride supplementation. Group 2 (n = 14), fed diet with negative DCAD and supplemented with calcium chloride at calving and 12 h later. Group 3 (n = 14), fed diets with positive DCAD and supplemented with calcium chloride at calving and 12 h later. Blood samples were collected at calving and 6 h and 12 h and 1d, 2 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 and 28 d after calving. Serum concentrations of Ca, P and Mg were measured by conventional methods. Results: The pattern of changes in serum levels of calcium and magnesium in different groups in different time periods (time × treatment interaction) were different (p<0.0001). Changes in serum phosphorus levels in different time periods were statistically significant (p<0.0001), but its mean was not affected by the treatment groups (p=0.7164).                    ConclusionS: In addition to anionic diets, supplemental calcium chloride should be used to prevent subclinical hypocalcemia in high-producing dairy cows.

Abstract Background: Very clinical cases of mineral deficiency, specially associated with copper in sheep of Khuzestan province have been annually seen; whereas the studies on soil and forage related mineral and effects of them on zonal domestic animals are rare. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the copper, sulfur, iron, molybdenum and zinc of soil and pastures forages status in order to see the probable correlation of these elements with copper and zinc serum of sheep in Susngerd town of Khuzestan province. Methods: 5 soil and forage samples and 50 blood samples from sheep that were grazing in the area were taken. All the samples were sent to the institute of radiation at atomic energy organization of Iran for the elements measurement. The soil samples were alkaline digested and read by ICP-OES apparatuses. After acidic digesting, forage samples were read by ICP-MS apparatuses. Serum levels of copper and zinc were also measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: The averages iron and sulfur content of soil were higher than international standard and critical levels, while the averages copper and molybdenum were within normal range. The mean of soil zinc in comparison to the crisis amounts was in the lower level (p= .05). Comparing the mean values of forage elements with their critical levels showed that sulfur and iron were higher than standard levels. The results revealed that the serum copper and zinc were lower than normal and sheep under this investigation were mostly in a borderline deficiency status. Conclusions: It seem that high levels of sulfur and iron in pastoral forages reduces intestinal absorption and bioavailability of copper and zinc in sheep grazing in the under study areas.

BACKGROUND: The trachea is the main air passages which is important for taxonomic reasons. The structure of trachea varies considerably in different avian species. OBJECTIVES: This study has been carried out in order to determine the histological and histochemical structure of the trachea in ostriches. METHODS: Sixteen tracheas of 8 female and 8 male nine-month-old healthy blue-necked African ostriches in slaughterhouse of Isfahan were selected. Each trachea divided into cranial, middle and caudal portions and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Tissues sections were stained with H&amp;E and special stains included Masson’s trichrome, Verhoeff’s, Foot’s, Van Gieson’s, Periodic acid-Schiff, and Alcian blue. RESULTS: The trachea of blue-neck ostriches was composed of tunica mucosa-submucosa, cartilaginous, muscular and serosa. The epithelium was ciliated pseudostratified columnar contained simple alveolar goblet mucous glands. These glands reacted negatively to Periodic acid-Schiff but positively to Alcian blue. The propria-submucosa was composed of dense connective tissue. The muscularis mucosa was absent. Tunica cartilaginous and muscular was made up of sternotrachealis muscle and cartilaginous rings. The rings were only composed of hyaline cartilage. There is no osseous tissue in the tracheal rings. Tunica serosa was composed of loose tissue contained parasympathetic ganglia, adipose tissues, vessels, and all the connective fibers. Three final cartilage rings were shaped tympanum of the syrinx. The histological structure of the trachea showed no significant differences between the male and female ostriches. Except for the decreased number of mucous glands in caudal portion of the trachea, the histological structures of the trachea showed no considerably differences among various portions. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, it can be concluded that although the histological and histochemical structure of the trachea in ostrich was similar to those of some other species, but that there were also some differences.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are natural fungal toxins that weaken the immune system and damage the liver. OBJECTIVES: The effects of seeds and whole plant powder and extract of Milk thistle (MT) plant in reducing the negative effects of feeding aflatoxin (AF) on broiler chickens blood parameters and immune response were examined. METHODS: 192 one-day old chicks (Ross 308) for 35 days in a completely randomized design with six treatments, four replicates and eight birds per repetition were used. The experimental treatments included: 1) control, 2) contaminated control (CC), 3) CC + 0.5 percent of MT seed powder, 4) CC + 1 percent MT plant powder, 5) CC + 600mg/kg MT plant extract, 6) CC + 1000mg/kg MT plant extract. RESULTS: The treatments had no significant effect on plasma concentrations CHOL, HDL, LDL, ALP, LDH, AST, ImG and ImM. Feeding contaminated diet increased alanine aminotransferase enzyme compared with healthy control (P≤0.05). The addition of 0.5 percent MT seed powder, 1 percent MT plant powder and 1000mg/kg MT plant extract to the contaminated diets decreased alanine aminotransferase enzyme compared to the contaminated control (P≤0.05). Inclusion of 1 percent MT plant powder to AF infected diet significantly increased the antibody titer compared with healthy control and contaminated control (P≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that compared to other treatments, 1 percent MT plant powder was more effective in reducing the negative effects of feeding AF in broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Yeasts are microorganisms that have the ability to absorb aflatoxins. Objectives: The effect of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PTCC 5177) on aflatoxin B1 detoxification and absorption of toxin in in vitro (the cow rumen) was investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, the yeast used in various treatments (live-treated, autoclave, heat-treated, treated with acid  100 °C) was prepared and added to the rumen of cattle. Aflatoxin B1 in different doses (0, 5, 10, 20) ppb in the rumen were added and were incubated at 37°C for one and two hours. The amount of toxin residues was measured by ELISA using Europroxima kits. RESULTS: The results showed that microorganisms that have been treated in an autoclave have the highest amount of toxin removal (90.5%) (p<0.05). Also, with increases in the incubation time, the amount of toxin absorbed significantly increased (78%) (p<0.05) and with increasing concentrations of toxin in vitro the yeast’s ability to absorb toxin increases. These results demonstrate  that the major toxin is absorbed by the yeast cell wall and therefore non-living microorganisms shown an ability to absorb higher. This is because the composition of the yeast cell wall mannoprotein that are effective at absorb in toxin. CONCLUSIONS: As a strategy for the animal feed industry the use of glycomannan yeast cell wall can be useful for reducing aflatoxin B1.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, infertility is one of the major problems of human societies. OBJECTIVES: To study oral administration of bulk milk and milk of late pregnant cows on spermatogenesis of male rats. METHODS: The first group of rats from day 1 of pregnancy until the end of lactation and then their male pups to maturity were treated with late pregnant cow’s milk. The second group from day 12 of pregnancy up to 15 days after delivery was treated with late pregnant cow’s milk. The third group of rats from day 1 of pregnancy until the end of lactation and then their male pups to maturity were treated with bulk milk. The fourth group from day 12 of pregnancy up to 15 days after delivery was treated with bulk milk. Rats in the control group during the study period were only fed with special food of rats and at the end viability, types of movement (progressive and in-place movement, immobility), number of sperms and also the serum testosterone level were elevated. RESULTS: Administration of both types of milk had no effect on in-place movement and also viability of sperms of experimental groups but they could cause a significant increase in sperm  immobility and a significant decrease in number of sperms of experimental groups. Also,the level of serum testosterone of experimental groups was significantly reduced in comparison with control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, it was determined consumption of late pregnant cow’s milk and bulk milk when it contains high estrogen can cause changes in some sperm species that are involved in male reproduction.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans that is associated with Gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori is transmitted through food and water and fecal-oral and oral-oral routes and colonized in the stomach and intestines of humans and several animal species including dogs and cats, and therefore the possibility of transmission of infection from animals to humans exists. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in humans, related and unrelated to dogs and cats in Ahvaz, as well as its relationship with host and environmental factors. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 356 volunteers, including 147 related and 209 unrelated individuals with  dogs and cats and evaluated by ELISA. RESULTS: Apparent and real seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection were 58.4% (95% CI: 53.3 – 63.3 percent) and 44.53% (95% CI: 39.33 – 49.73 percent), respectively. The apparent prevalence in related and unrelated individuals with the dogs and cats were 72.1% (95% CI: 64.8-79.4 percent) and 48.8% (95% CI: 42-55.6 percent), respectively (p<0.001). The risk of infection in related individuals compared with unrelated was 2.71 (95% CI: 1.73 – 4.26) (p<0.001). This study showed that exposure to cats and dogs, education, history of gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal disorders and marital status are significantly correlated with infection. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that contact with dogs and cats can be a risk factor for Helicobacter pylori infection in humans and preventive and control measures should be considered by health authorities.