BACKGROUND: In aquaculture the fast growth, high feed efficiency and increased resistance against pathogens are favorable. One of the suitable approaches for improving the growth indices and resistance against pathogens is the application of probiotic bacteria. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nano/microencapsulated Lactobasillus bulgaricus by nano alginate/chitosan on the growth rate and feeding efficiency of great sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles. METHODS: This experiment was conducted in a completely random design in four groups and group (5) with triplicate. 375 fish weighing (27.28±2.86 gr mean±SD), were randomly divided in to five equal groups in triplicates. The test groups were as follows: fish in T1 were fed with alginate/chitosan without bacterium, fish in T2 were fed with encapsulated bacteria with emulsification method, fish in T3 were fed with encapsulated bacteria with Ionicgelation method, fish in T4 were fed with only bacteria and control group. The fish were fed  3% of body weight per day. RESULTS: The results showed  the highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was measured in T3 (1.64±0.11) and the lowest was observed in T4 (1.14±0.06).The highest values of SGR, PER, FER in T4 were seen among  the  treatments at days 30 and 60.                                                                                                                                             CONCLUSIONS: According the result, nanoalginat/Chithosan used for encapsulation of probiotics can be lead to decrease in growth performance compared to the other treatments.

BACKGROUND: Different breeds of horses have distinct andspecific metabolic profiles which reflect the health status of horses. OBJECTIVES:The present study was performed to determine the circulating metabolicbiomarkers and their correlations in Darehshori horses. METHODS: Bloodsamples were taken from 56 Darehshori horses (5 to 7 years old). They weredivided into 2 groups containing 26 non-pregnant and non-lactating mares and 30stallions. Sera were separated and assayed for glucose, insulin,beta-hydroxybutiric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, triglycerideand high, low and very low density lipoproteins. RESULTS: Serum concentrationof beta-hydroxybutiric acid in stallions was significantly higher than inmares. The remaining metabolic biomarkers showed no significant differencesbetween the two studied groups. There were negative and non- significantcorrelations between insulin and glucose in both sexes. Insulin was negativelycorrelated with cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low densitylipoproteins in studied groups. The negative relationships were seen amongglucose and cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low densitylipoproteins in mares and stallions. In both groups, non-esterified fatty acidand beta-hydroxybutiric acid were negatively correlated with serum lipidprofile. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provided ageneral pattern for normal values of metabolic profile biomarkers innon-pregnant mares and stallions of Darehshori horses. These values also helpveterinarians to diagnose metabolic abnormalities of this breed. However,season, age, management, nutritional and different physiological states mayalter the values of these biomarkers and in interpreting the changes, theseconditions should be considered

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza virus H9N2 subtype and Ornithobacteriumrhinotracheale (ORT) causes histopathological lesions in birds. Yet, thereis not any study on tissue lesions caused by these pathogens co-infection inspecific pathogen free (SPF) chicks. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this studywas to evaluate the type, severity and extent of histopathological lesionsinduced by co-infection of H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus and Ornithobacteriumrhinotracheale in SPF chickens. METHODS: Sixty, one-day-old SPFchicks were divided randomly into three groups of twenty. At 21 days, thechicks in the first group were infected with H9N2 subtype AI virus and thesecond group was inoculated with H9N2 subtype AI virus and ORT simultaneously.The third group was inoculated with PBS as control. Then, three birds from eachgroup were randomly selected and euthanized and autopsied at 2  till 16 days post-inoculation (DPI). Thetissue samples were collected from trachea, lungs, liver, spleen, thymus, kidneys,cecal tonsil and bursa of fabricius. They were cut into 5 to 6 μm thicknesssections using paraffin embedding method and were stained by Hematoxylin andEosin (H&E). RESULTS: The severity of histopathological lesions inthe second group was higher than first group. Tissue changes were not observedin control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed thatinfected chickens with H9N2 subtype AI virus and ORT simultaneously causeexacerbated histopathological lesions compared to H9N2 subtype of AI virus

BACKGROUND: Cryptorchidism is a congenital anomaly in which one (unilateral cryptorchidism) or both (bilateral cryptorchidism) testes fail to descend into the scrotum.                  OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical and histological structure of the inguinal testis in the adult donkey. METHODS: In this study, after examination of the 59 donkeys, three of them with unilateral cryptorchidism in inguinal region were identified. These animals were euthanized, and their testicles were removed and evaluated biometrically. Then, the samples were fixated in 10% formalin solution and after sectioning, were stained with Hematoxylin-eosin and PAS, and examined under a light microscope. RESULTS: The results showed that the inguinal testes were stiff, epididymis was not determined and their size and weight were less than scrotal testes. The difference between the weight of cryptorchid and healthy testicles was statistically significant (p<0.05). Seminiferous tubules had lost their natural shape and inner cavity tubes did not have germ cells, and only a limited number of Sertoli cells could be seen. Remaining seminiferous tubules were only visible in the mediastinum. The cortical and subcapsular regions were without tubes and were occupied by loose connective tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that the inguinal testes in adult donkeys lost their natural structure and more connective tissues and blood vessels are substituted.

BACKGROUND: Rumen health in ruminants has a great importance because its function has a great deal with milk, meat and fetus production. Many factors can affect the rumen health and destruct its function and performance. OBJECTIVES: this research investigates histopathology lesions resulted from ruminants in the sheep. METHODS: for this purpose, macroscopic examination in 1562 rumens of the slaughtered sheep Sanandaj was done. Among these, 23 rumens has lesions placed in drums of formalin 10% for macroscopic evaluations by means of Hematoxylin and Eosin coloring were referred into the pathobiology lab. RESULTS: in Macroscopic observations, swelling (65.22%), swelling and focal congestion (30.43%) and looming papillary (4.35%) were detected. The highest microscopic signs in the rumen lesions included: sub mucosal edema (32.69%), ruminate eosinophilic (23.07%), parakeratosis (13.46%), granulomatous ruminate (7.69%), watery degeneration and acute purulent ruminate (5.76%). CONCLUSIONS: pathologic lesions of rumen can be due to hyperplasia change in the result of mechanical agitation, stress, parasitic diseases, and mature woody forage.

BACKGROUND: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus is an important tick, which can transmit parasites and bacteria to cattle. It can also cause hides damage, growth reduction and sometimes paralysis. So, the tick infestation can be regarded as a major problem in the livestock industry. Different control methods including the chemical ones are used to fight ticks, but because of developing resistance to chemical treatments, researchers try to find some immunogenic proteins for vaccine production. Investigating these tick proteins could be an important step in the identification of biological molecules for the purpose of developing control strategies. OBJECTIVES: The aims of present study were to evaluate and analyze Boophilus annulatus larval extract proteins by 2- dimensional gel electrophoresis patterns (proteomic profiling) and identification of some its immunogenic proteins by two dimensional immunoblotting and  MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry  referred to as Mazandaran strains. METHODS: The steps followed here were: tick preparation and culture, 1-D electrophoresis, and then 2-D electrophoresis, Western blotting and Mass spectrometry and then Mass data were analyzed by Mascot software. RESULTS: Analysis of the produced 2D image identified approximately 80 protein spots with different Molecular weight and PI by Coomassi blue staining. Based on immunogenicity (through Western blotting) and high concentration, 10 protein spots (between 14 and 97 kDa) candidates for MALDI TOF and MALDI TOF - TOF MS.  Among the 10 proteins spots, Vitellogenin, Vitellogenin-2 precursor, tropomyosin, hypotethical protein ISCW001652 were identified proteins with immunogenic properties. Also, quantification analysis showed some proteins had more quantity in soluble larvae protein extract and some such as vitellogenin had some isoforms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study could be a preliminary step towards selecting proteins candidated to develop vaccines against ticks.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin contamination in animal and poultry and its carry over to human beings is important in causing different diseases like Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis and finding methods to lessen toxin adsorption in animal and poultry tissues has a direct impact on health of animal products. OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the impact of natural toxin binder in broilers contaminated with aflatoxin B1 on performance, immunity and morpholgy of intestine. METHODS: 400 day-old broiler chicks under 4 treatments, 5 replicates and 20 chicks per replicate in completely randomized design manner were studied for 42 days. Experimental treatments were: 1- negative control (basal diet with out aflatoxin contamination); 2- positive control (basal diet + 0.6 mg/kg aflatoxin B1; 3- basal diet along with 1g/kg natural toxin binder and 4- basal diet + 1g/kg natural toxin binder. RESULTS: Presence of aflatoxin in diet reduced all performance indexes significantly (p

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: In recent years, disorder in lipid metabolism has been increased markedly in companion animal’s population. Hyperlipidemia is a common sign of obesity in dogs, which is characterized by hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglycemia. OBJECTIVES:  The purpose of the present survey is to determine the effect of obesity on blood lipid profile changes (including triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C) and comparing the decisive indicators of obesity in dogs in Ahvaz district. METHODS: Three groups of thirty dogs  referred to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz were studied between  2012-2014. The dogs in group A (control), had good body condition score (BCS= 4 to 5). The dogs were all thin (BCS= 1 to 3) in group B, and all obese in group C (BCS= 6 to 9). All of the studied dogs were selected from small breeds (Terrier, Spitz, Pekingese and Shih Tzu), of both sexes and ranging from 1 to 7 years old. Fasting blood samples were collected from all dogs and lipid profiles including serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured using commercial kits. RESULTS: Hyperlipidemia was confirmed in dogs of group A (normal) in 4 cases (13.33%), group B (thin) one case (3.33%), and group C (obese) in 19 cases (63.33%). Data analysis showed that there was a significant difference between group C (224.83±74.34) with groups A (149±39.66) and B (131.80±24.37) for triglyceride level (p<0.001), as well  a significant difference was seen between group C (229.40±60.36) with groups A (178.80±50.17) and B (151.47±23.45) and between group A with B for cholesterol level (p<0.05). The difference was significant for LDL-C between group C (67.10±22.83) with groups A (47.97±13.01) and B (43.07±13.08) (p<0.001), but there was no difference between various groups for HDL-C (p>0.05). The effects of age, gender and breed on the measured values did not show a significant difference between three groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present survey showed that there was a correlation between obesity and hyperlipidemia in dogs. Determination of body condition score (BCS) can be as a predictive agent in characterization of lipid profile status. Modification of diet and weight loss is necessary in obese dogs.