BACKGROUND: Herbal immunostimulants have numerous potential benefits in comparison to vaccines and drugs like antibiotics in aquaculture. OBJECTIVES: In this study, effects of administration of Echinacea purpurea in oral and intra peritoneal routs on some hematological and immunological parameters of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were investigated. METHODS: A total of 240 healthy juvenile grass carp were randomly divided into four equal groups in triplicates. Group 1 received 400 mg/kg b.w. Echinacea in intra peritoneal injection. Group 2  received 0.5% Echinacea in their daily food. Group 3 and 4 were considered as injection control and oral control, respectively. Fish were bled on day 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 of study. Sera samples were assayed for immunological parameters: lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, complement activity and NBT reduction assay. Blood samples were also used for hematological parameters: (PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC and Leukocyte differentiated count). RESULTS: Results showed that serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity as well as complement and NBT reduction activity were significantly higher in i.p. treatment than the control group (p<0.05), while in oral treatment bactericidal and NBT reduction activity increased significantly on days 30 and 40 (p<0.05). Hematological assay shows no significant differences in PCV, Hb and RBC values at each sampling period in oral and injection compared to controls (p>0.05) but WBC count and  rate of heterophils showed an increase in injection treatment group compared with the control (p<0.05). Mortality rate after challenged with A. hydrophila decreased in Echinacea treated treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that administration of E. purperea stimulates some nonspecific immune responses in grass carp and therefore it can be recommended as an herbal immunostimulant in fish.

Introduction and objective: Salmonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens have been infected a wide range of domestic and wild animals. Opportunistic wild carnivores such as Golden jackal (Canis aureus) which stray in high numbers around the rural areas can act as potential sources of salmonella spp in humans and wild &amp; domestic animals in North Iran.The object of this survey was to examine the Salmonella spp infection including the antibiotic-resistant pattern in golden jackals in Golestan and Mazandaran Province.Material and Methods: Between 2013 and 2015, fecal samples of 50 road-killed Golden jackals (Canis aureus), were collected and analyzed for Salmonella contamination by classical microbiological culture methods and PCR followed by serotyping and determining of antibiotic resistant pattern.Results: 5 Salmonella belonging to 2 serotypes: S typhymurium (3/5) and S arizona (2/5) were isolated by culturing and PCR. The rate of Salmonella contamination was similar between females and males and higher incidence detected in jackals under 2 years old.Conclusion: 10% Salmonella infection of sampled golden jackals highlights the neglected role of this species in zoonotic diseases dissemination and posing a great threat to human health in rural areas of Golestan and Mazandaran Provinces.The epidemiological study on role of wild animals in the spread of salmonella and developing strategy for salmonellosis prevention and control seems necessary.

BACKGROUND: Biological control of parasites by using entomopathogen fungi is the one of the recommended ways to control them instead of using the chemical agents. Entomopathogen fungi are not pathogenic for animals and plants, while ticks are one of the most important parasites of animals that can transmit very important microbial pathogens. Ixodes ricinus is a hard tick that infests animals and human. OBJECTIVES: This study demonstrated enzyme assay of entomopathogen fungi hosted on Ixodes ricinus.  METHODS: Enzymatic activities of chitinase, lipase and protease of fungal structures on the killed tick bodies have been assayed by standard sphectrophotometric methods.  RESULTS: Chitinase, lipase and protease activities showed significant differences among different fungal strains (p<0.05). This research, which was done for first time in Iran demonstrated the effect of some enzymes which affect on acaricidal  properties of native strain of entomopathogenic fungi  in Iran. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the relationship between enzyme level of fungal strains and  the possibility of selecting more effective strains of entomopathogenic fungi

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites due to the growth of molds in animal feed. Lactic acid bacteria are microorganisms that can absorb aflatoxins. Objectives: the effect of the yeast Lactobacillus rhamnosus (PTCC 1637) on Aflatoxin B1 detoxification and absorption of toxin in in vitro (the cow rumen) was investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, the bacteria used in various treatments (live-treated, autoclave, heat-treated, treated with acid 100ºC) 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 at times one and two hours were incubated at 37°C. The amount of toxin residues was measured by ELISA using Europroxima kits. RESULTS: The results showed that microorganisms have been treated in an autoclave have the largest amount toxin removal (90.5 percent) (p<0.05). Also with increases the incubation time, the amount of toxin absorbed significantly (78%) increased (p<0.05) and with increasing concentrations of toxin in vitro the bacteria’s ability to absorb toxin increases. Conclusions: As a solution to the livestock feed industry bacterial cell wall or its compounds can be helpful in reducing Aflatoxin B1 toxin.

BACKGROUND: Semen cryopreservation process with increased reactive oxygen species levels (ROS) plays a decisive role on the sperm cellular organelles (cell membrane, mitochondria and DNA). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adding different levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) antioxidants before freezing on motility, total progressive motility, viability and positive response to hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) parameters after Bull semen was frozen. METHODS:  In this study, four bulls aged 4-5 years were used and 20 times the semen collection (5 ejaculates per bull) was performed. SOD (100 and 150 IU/ml) and GSH (5 and 7.5 mM) antioxidants were added to Tris - egg yolk extender. Diluted semen samples with or without additives were manually filled with straw and the free end of the straws were sealed by sealing machines; then, semen were frozen by semi-automatic freezing machine, using liquid nitrogen. After thawing the samples, the total and progressive motility, sperm viability and positive response to the HOST parameters were determined at zero and 2 h of incubation. RESULTS: Adding SOD and GSH antioxidant levels did not reveal significant differences between treatments in any of the semen parameters in the initial hour of incubation after thawing. Two hours incubation of post-thawed semen samples containing SOD (100 IU/ml) significantly improved total motility, viability and membrane integrity of the sperm (p<0.05). Also, in samples containing SOD (150 IU/ml), sperm membrane integrity was maintained (p<0.05). In the semen samples with antioxidant GSH (5 mM), total motility and membrane integrity of the sperm are considerably improved after thawing (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that using SOD and GSH antioxidants as freezing semen extender additives can  improve post-thawed bull semen quality.

Back grounds: Thyroid hormons have an important role in regulation of metabolism of protein and energy metabolism in animals , particularly in ruminents.Objectives: In this study it was investigated the histopathology of thyroid glands and hormonal changes of T3 and T4 in water buffalo in Ahvaz, IRAN.Methods: The thyroid gland tissues and blood samples were collected from 89 slaughtered buffaloes ( 66 females, 23 males). thyroid glands were selected and cut in to small pieces for standard histological processing, then the samples were stained with ( H &amp; E) procedure and microscopically evaluated. Serum T3 and T4 concentration were measured by elisa methods. The data analyzed by the use of T- test. Results: The results showed that) 31% (of thyroid glands have pathological lesions. The lesions respectively includes; focal hyperplasia ( 31.5 %), metaplasia ( 2.2 %), and chronic thyroiditis ( 1.1%). Also the results showed that) 30.3%( female and )52.2 %( male buffaloes have pathological lesions.We found that T4 concentration of normal buffaloes without thyroid gland lesions was significantly higher than the other buffaloes ( P= 0.02).Conclusions: This study showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between T3,T4 concenterations in buffaloes with thyroid gland lesions ( r = 0.4 , P<0.05), while this correlation was weak between normal buffaloes ( r = 0.1, P>0.05).

BACKGROUND: The application of medicinal herbs with high anti-oxidant properties could reduce the detrimental effects of oxidative stress and free radicals under heat stress and improve the performance of broilers. OBJECTIVES: The effects of rosemary powder and extract on growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broilers were evaluated under heat stress. METHODS: For studying the effect of experimental treatments including control, different levels of rosemary powder (5, 10 and 15 g/kg), rosemary extract (3.5,7 and 10.5 g/kg) and Vit-Asp (1 g/L) on growth performance (feed intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio), carcass characteristics and blood parameters (cholesterol, triglyceride, hematocrit, glucose and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio), 160 one-day old chicks (Ross male-308) were used applying a randomized complete block design with 8 treatments, 4 replicates and 5 chicks per replicate during a 42-day period. Heat stress schedule was 32±2ºC as cyclic from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM. RESULTS: Rosemary had significant effects on feed intake and final live weight of chicks (p<0.05) but not on feed conversion ratio (p>0.05). Significant effects from rosemary on glucose and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio were found (p<0.05). The effects of rosemary on carcass characteristics, cholesterol, triglyceride and hematocrit were not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In general, inclusion of rosemary in broilers diet under heat stress improved the performance because of anti-oxidant effects.Keyword: Rosemary, performance, blood parameters, heat stress, broilers

BACKGROUND: The rearing of large body size and high ability to twinning by genetic selection and nutritional strategies is expanding. However, lambs’ performance and decreased losses related to the multiple-bearing around lambing can affect the efficiency of multi-bearing. Recognition and control of changes in metabolic factors priparturient have vital importance. Pre-lambing and immediately after lambing could be considered as the most important and critical period of ewe life which affects heath and performance of ewes and lambs. Objectives: This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of protected methionine supplementation during pre-lambing period on metabolic factors of twin-bearing ewes through priparturient period and their lambs as well. Methods: Sixteen pregnant Afshari ewes weighting 91.5 ± 5.3 kg and  117 ± 1.5 days of pregnancy were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments containing no methionine supplementation and 3gr/kg DM of protected methionine. They were individually fed total mixed ration twice a day. Dry matter intake was recorded daily; the blood samples were drawn on days -30, -15, +1 and +30 related to lambing; ewes’ BWs were measured on days -40, -20, -10, +1, +10 and +20 related to lambing; lambs were weighted on days of birth, +15, +30 and +60. Results: The BW of lambs of ewes supplemented with protected methionine was greater than the control group (p<0.05), protected methionine affected pre-lambing blood urea and albumin concentration (p<0.05), plasma cholesterol was higher in control group (p<0.05) and total protein and albumin tended to be significant (p<0.1) and other blood factors were not influenced by treatments. Conclusions: These results show that blood metabolites are influenced as animals approach  the lambing time. In addition, rumen protected methionine resulted in improved birth weight of multi-bearing ewes’ lambs and caused improved blood metabolites related to N, considering the interaction between time and treatment.

Backgrounds, there are limited choice of analgesic agent in horse medicine, and mostly because of side effects usage of analgesics is contraindicated in horses. Objectives, introduction of compounds which have little side effects whith good analgesic affects. Methods, this study was undertakan in 6 healthy horses, in control group they received normal saline. In treatment group CRI of lidocaine and xylasine has been administered, and data was recorded at the beginning of infusion and 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 minutes after starting the infusion at time 50 infusion was stopped and 15, 30 and 60 minutes after that data was recorded as well. Analgesic effect was evaluated by algometer. NIBP, Temperature, Heart rate, respiratory rate, sedation, intestinal sounds was evaluated at each time points. Results, 30 minutes after starting the infusion analgesic effect has started and there was significant difference between control and treatment group this effect last until the end of infusion and after the CRI this effect disappeared gradually. Conclusions, simultaneous infusion of xylasine and lidocanie has significant analgesic effect. But it needs more study in fields like laminitis cases to prove the efficacy of combination of xylazine and lidocaine.

Background: Candidiasis is a fungal infection that is often caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans) and in a few cases caused by other Candida species. Infection of gastrointestinal tracts including mouth, esophagus and stomach, as well as enteritis and diarrhea are the most common form of the disease in cattle. Clinical findings: In January 2015 reduction in milk production and severe watery diarrhea were observed in a dairy farm located in Varamin city Tehran, Iran. So that 57.1% of cows with high milk production efficiency and 40% of cows with low milk production efficiency involved severe watery diarrhea. Laboratory tests: in clinical examination of affected animals vital signs such as number of breathing, heart rate, as well as the quality and number of ruminal movements were quite normal. No unusual sings were seen in CBC pattern of affected animals. In stool samples of affected animals no viruses or bacteria were detected while specimens were positive for yeast contamination RapID commercial kits used to identify the genus and species of yeast and C. famata was diagnosed as the cause of diarrhea. Final evaluation: Reports of diarrhea caused by fungal pathogens in animals is very low and Candida species, especially C. albicans and C. glabrata are known as the main causes of fungal diarrhea in animals .This study is the first repot about occurrence of C. famata diarrhea in adult cattle. So that C.famata could be considered as one of the potential causes of diarrhea in cattle.