BACKGROUND: The protozoancryptosporidiumisan important intestinal parasitic infection in domestic ruminants that has the potential for transmission between humans and livestock throughout the world and Iran. OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to determine cryptosporidiuminfection in different age groupsof cattle and water buffaloesin farms of Mahabad suburb, Iran. METHODS: For this purpose, a total number of 248 fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from rectum of cattle and water buffaloesin farms of 4 villages from May2016 to May 2017. The fecal samples were subjected to floatation technique andcryptosporidiumoocysts were collected using Sucrose Gradient and Percole flotation technique and stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of cryptosporidiuminfection was 50% (124/248). The highest rate of infection was significant in female calves (30.65%) less than one year-old. The highest infection rate was significantly found in summer (20.16%). Cryptosporidium parvum and C. andersoni were identified in 40.32% (100/248) and 9.68% (24/248) of examined cattle, respectively. Mixed infection was 8.47%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that C.parvum was prevalent in cattle of the region, therefore, further molecular studies are recommended to determine the genotypes of the parasiteas a potential zoonotic agent.

BACKGROUND: Abomasal hypomotility plays an important role in pathogenesis of some abomasal disorders such as abomasal bloat which has the same serious side effects associated with using synthetic drugs for its treatment, such as diarrhea and antibiotic resistance. To decreasing these side effects, administration of herbal medicine is a good way. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of oral administration of turmeric aqueous extract on rate of abomasal emptying rate in neonatal lambs. METHODS: This study was conducted on twelve five-day-old Sangsari-female-lambs (average weight 3 kg). All lambs received five oral treatments, including saline (30 ml), erythromycin (400 mg), turmeric 200 mg/kg, turmeric 250 mg/kg, and turmeric 300 mg/kg, respectively. At 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes after each treatment, plasma samples of lambs were taken. The rate of abomasal emptying was determined with acetaminophen absorption test. RESULTS: Treatment with erythromycin and three different doses of aqueous extract of turmeric (200, 250, 300 mg/kg) increased the rate of abomasal emptying in comparison to the negative control treatment, significantly (P<0.05). The stimulatory effect of erythromycin on abomasal emptying was higher than aquatic extract of turmeric, significantly (P<0.05). No clinical side effects were observed following the administration of erythromycin and turmeric in lambs. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that aqueous extract of turmeric has a stimulatory effect on lamb's abomasal emptying but more studies are needed on the effect of this plant’s components on abomasal emptying.

BACKGROUND: Regarding the economic values of meat, adulteration in meat products is probable. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the histological method for the quantitative detection of meat in Kabab Loghme and cooked sausage model. METHODS: Five Kabab samples (containing 70 % meat) and cooked sausage (30, 50, 70 and 90% meat), were prepared. Then, each sample was divided into three parts and one piece was taken from each part and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin. The samples were routinely processed for light microscopy and embedded in paraffin. The paraffin-embedded blocks were cut into 6 μm sections and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H &amp; E) for histological study. RESULTS: The histometrical analysis indicated that the estimated percentages for the added meat in kabab did not show significant difference with the real related percentages. On the other hand, the amount of meat was difficult to estimate especially in cooked sausage. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present research suggest the histological technique as a complementary method for quantitative evaluations of meat in raw meat products. However, the quantitative evaluation of meat in raw meat products was more convenient than in processed ones.

BACKGROUND: Congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy due to reduced maternal immune system could increase the risk of a child's autism disorder. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the Toxoplasma gondii infection in children with autism and normal children. METHODS: The research method was a case control study. The participants included 50 autistic children and 50 normal (N=100) children, aged between 3 and 12 years-old. They were matched according to age, socio-economic status, severity of the disorder, lack of physical and mental illness and other criteria considered in this research. From each group 5ml blood samples were collected to assess the prevalence of antibody against Toxoplasma gondii. To investigate the research hypotheses, the data were analyzed by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The results showed that children with autism had a higher level of frequency contamination with Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection than normal group (p < /em><0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Infection rate of Toxoplasma gondii in children with autism was significantly higher than in normal children.

BACKGROUND: Extracts rich in phenolic compounds have an important role in antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, and pistachio green hull extract is rich in polyphenolic compounds. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green peel of Kalleqouchi and Fandoghi pistachio extract on performance, relative weight of carcass components, blood indices and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: A total 168 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six treatments, four replications and seven chicks. Experimental treatments included unchallenged groups (negative control) and chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus and fed 0, 200 and 400 mg / kg of aqueous extract of Kalleqouchi pistachio and 200 and 400 mg/ kg of pistachio Fandoghi green extract. All infected chicks were inoculated with oral solution containing 3 x 109 CFU of Staphylococcus aureus. Performance characteristics, immunity, blood indices and microbial population of the intestine were determined. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of green pistachio inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus but the ethanolic extract inhibited the growth of lactobacilli. Growth performance of chicks was not affected by the experimental treatments except at day 24, when aqueous extract of 200 mg / kg led to higher body weight gain as compared to control (0.049). Kalleqouchi extract at 400 mg/kg level increased abdominal fat (P = 0.0005) and had no effect on relative weight of other carcass components. The 400 mg/kg Fandoghi green extract and 200 mg/kg kalleqouchi extract increased enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase activity and decreased the concentration of blood total protein (P <0.01). The pistachios extracts at all levels increased total antibody titer compared to control (P <0.02). Pistachio extract reduced total bacterial population of jejunal area compared to negative control (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Application of aqueous extract of pistachio extract improves immune response, decreases blood lipids and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens challenged with Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are mainly developed during the storage of feedstuffs, and their destruction is difficult after the occurrence. The most practical strategy to combat aflatoxins is the use of mycotoxin binders. OBJECTIVES: Comparison of the efficiency of traditional and lab-synthesized polymeric mycotoxin binder with gastrointestinal microflora modulating feed additives in amelioration of aflatoxin effects in broiler chicken. METHODS: A total of 240 1-day old broilers (Ross 308, straight forward) were examined in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates of 12 birds for 24 days of study duration. Treatments were: 1. The negative control, feed without aflatoxin or any feed additive, 2. The positive control, aflatoxins contaminated feed (500 µg/kg), 3. Aflatoxins + probiotic (Hypro Tect), 4. Aflatoxins + molecular imprinted polymer (MIP), and 5. Aflatoxins + commercial toxin-binder (Zarin-binder). The growth performance of birds was measured during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, some biochemical and immunological analyses were performed on blood samples. Some bone characteristics were studied on tibia samples. RESULTS: Supplementation of probiotics and toxin-binder in aflatoxin-contaminated feed improved the aflatoxin-induced reduction of feed intake and body weight gain in the first 10 days of the experiment (p < /em><0.05), compared to positive control group. Aflatoxin alone (the positive control) or with the feed additives did not affect feed conversion ratio. Aflatoxin reduced the levels of serum total protein, albumin, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc (p < /em><0.05). Use of probiotic, MIP and commercial toxin-binder, in aflatoxin-contaminated feeds, has alleviated the adverse effects of aflatoxin on serum albumin (p < /em><0.05). The tibia weight increased in probiotic and MIP fed broilers compared to the birds fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed without additives-the positive control (p < /em><0.05). The highest tibia breaking strength was observed in probiotic fed birds, which was different from that of the positive control group. The tibia length was decreased by the aflatoxin compared to the negative control birds (p < /em><0.05). Anti-SRBC titers were decreased in aflatoxin contaminated group without feed additive supplementation-positive control (p < /em><0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The tested feed additives in present study exerted just partial protection against some aflatoxicosis effects. The extent of effectiveness of studied feed additives in amelioration of aflatoxicosis affects on performance, immunological, skeletal and serum biochemical parameters could be ranked as probiotics, MIP and toxin binder, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Balance in the amount of minerals in the aquatic animal’s diet is very important. Phosphorus is one of the most important minerals in fish and aquatic animal’s nutrition. Phosphorus is important not only for the proper growth and fish health, but also for excessive phosphorus excretion that may cause water pollution and algal bloom. OBJECTIVE: In this study the effects of adding monoammonium phosphate in the diet of fish (Cyprinus carpio Koi) and its comparison with monocalcium phosphate were investigated. METHODS: 650 koi fish weighing 17 g were distributed in 15 tanks (5 treatments - each in three replicates) and mono-ammonium phosphate-fed diets at three levels (0.75, 1.5 and 3% of the diet), monocalcium phosphate in one level (3% of the diet) and a control group (no phosphorus supplementation) were fed for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices and feed conversion ratio in fish fed 3% monoammonium phosphate showed the best results. The control group showed the lowest weight gain and the highest feed conversion ratio. Blood phosphorus was also significantly correlated with increasing monoammonium phosphate. The highest level of calcium in the blood was observed in the group fed monocalcium phosphate (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the improvement of growth and nutrition indices, adding 1.5 to 3% monoammonium phosphate in the diet of koi fish was suggested.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a common bacterial disease in humans and livestock, which leads to reduced production and reproductive disorders in ruminants and also causes major economic losses to villagers and farmers. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of different Leptospira interrogans serovars in ruminants population of Lorestan province and assess the role of environmental and host factors on the severity of the serological infection. METHODS: For this purpose, referring to livestock and sheep and goat flocks in different cities of Lorestan province, 691 blood samples were collected including 258 sheep, 195 goats and 238 cows, and then, the point of infection with seven different serovars of Leptospira interogans was assessed using microscopic agglutination test. Hosting factors such as age, gender and also environmental factors including geographical area, rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and altitude of sampling area from the sea level were recorded, and their probable role in the seroprevalence was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Results of this study showed that the overall prevalence of leptospirosis in cattle, sheep, and goats examined in the Lorestan province was 26.05 % (95 % CI: 19.7-31.23), 22.48 % (95 % CI: 16.95-25.16) and 14.87% (95 % CI: 9.37-20.36), respectively. There was no statistically significant (p < /em>>0.05) difference from the point of age groups and sexes. The most prevalent contaminant serovars for cows, sheep, and goats with seropositive reaction against leptospira were grippotyphosa (41.93%), canicola (32.76%) and canicola (48.27 %), respectively. The results showed environmental factors including relative humidity (p < /em>=0.02), annual rainfall (p < /em>=0.001) and altitude from the sea level of sampling location (p < /em>=0.03) have a significant effect but the annual temperature does not have a significant effect (p < /em><0.05) on the seroprevalence of Leptospira. Also, more positive reactive animals in the eastern and western areas of Lorestan province were found (p < /em>>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Leptospirosis is endemic in livestock population of Lorestan province and environmental factors play a significant role in the severity of infection, which increases the need for attention to the geographical areas at risk.

BACKGROUND: Detection of ovulation time using progesterone measurement is important to inseminate or breeding during the optimum time. OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was evaluation of bovine progesterone semi-quantitative test kit for estimation of blood serum progesterone levels in bitch. METHODS: Five healthy intact anestrus bitches were used in the present study. Dogs were treated with cabergolin until onset of proestrus. Vaginal cytology, ultrasonography and blood sampling were performed from the 7th day of proestrus until two days after ovulation. Blood serum samples were divided as follows: one part to measure progesterone level by using RIA, and the other part was investigated by bovine progesterone semi-quantitative test kit. Ovarian changes were evaluated by ultrasonography and assessment of the estrus cycle was performed by vaginal cytology examination. RESULTS: Following Spearman analysis, significant positive correlation was observed between the semi-quantitative test kit and RIA results (r=0.916; p < /em>=0.00). The results of ROC and Kappa analysis suggested that the highest diagnostic accuracy of progesterone semi-quantitative test kit was observed in the blood serum progesterone levels of 2 and 5 ng/ml. The sensitivity and specificity of the used kit at the level of 5 ng/ml of progesterone were 88.5 and 93.7 %, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the used kit at the level of 10 ng/ml of progesterone were 82.4 and 96 % and at the level of 10 ng/ml were 82.4 and 96%, respectively. The observed scores during the late proestrus were 2-3 and just one dog showed score 4. During the estrus phase, in two dogs scores 4-5 and in three dogs scores 3-5 were revealed.   CONCLUSIONS: Bovine progesterone semi-quantitative test kit is useful for estimation of estrus cycles in bitch. Scores of 4 and 5 of semi-quantitative test kit indicate ovulation time and proper breeding time.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella are endemic on most large intensive dairy farms and salmonellosis is a common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Disease and mortality usually reflect a variety of management events and environmental stressors that contribute to compromised host immunity and increased pathogen exposure. OBJECTIVES: In this study, PCR method was used to identify Salmonella Enteritidis, Infantis, Dublin and serovars isolated from diarrhea samples and aborted fetuses of Tehran and Alborz provinces dairy Farms. Further observation showed that the isolation of S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis is closely related to the consumption of contaminated poultry meat powder in diet of cows. METHODS: Forty-one Salmonella were isolated from diarrhea and aborted fetus samples in Tehran and Alborz provinces Farms and were confirmed by biochemical assays, then the isolates were identified by serological methods by polyvalent and monovalent Salmonella antisera. DNA of samples was extracted by Boiling method and was tested by PCR. Salmonella serovars were identified according to the presence of specificgenes for Salmonella Enteritidis, Infantis and Dublin.  RESULTS: All samples were tested by PCR were positive. 32 samples were identified as Salmonella Enteritidis (78/04 %), 4 samples were identified as Salmonella Infantis (9/77 %) and 5 samples were identified as Salmonella Dublin (12/19 %). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, it seems that PCR can be used as a alternative method to the expensive and time consuming biochemical and serological methods for identifying Salmonella serovars. As Salmonella Enteritidis was usually isolated from poultry, isolation from cows may be due to has been used chicken meat powder in diet of the dairy farms.