BACKGROUNDS: Heavy metal toxicity has confirmed to be a critical threat to animals’ health. It has been proved that heavy metals can cause immunosuppression. Although, it is said that damage of immune function plays a contributing role in the increasing incidence of infectious diseases. The increasing use of rural habitats by jackals make them suitable to monitor the impact of anthropogenic on health status of the animals. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether exposure to immunosuppressive heavy metals is associated with infectious disease in golden jackals (as representative of wild canids). So mercury and lead concentrations, frequency of CPV-2 infection and the relation between heavy metal concentrations and CPV-2 infection incidence were analyzed in golden jackals. METHODS: 30 Road-killed golden jackals were necropsied. Concentrations of Pb and Hg were measured by AAS in kidney and liver samples. VP2 gene of the CPV genomic DNA was applied to detect CPV-2 infection in fecal samples by PCR. RESULTS: Mean concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) of Hg and Pb were 0.15 ± 0.11 and 0.25 ± 0.18 in kidneys, and 2.8 ± 0.91 and 4.7 ± 1.03 in livers. CPV-2 detected in 8 (24%) samples. Mean concentrations of Hg and Pb, were meaningfully higher in the jackals that were CPV-2 infected compared to non- CPV-2 infected jackals. CONCLUTION: This pilot study has linked heavy metals bioaccumulation to viral infection. Further work is required to estimate the exact role of heavy metals in susceptibility of jackals to CPV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is known as a cardiac biomarker in determining the myocardial damage of diseases which affect the heart muscle. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the serum cTnI concentration in Markhoz Breed goats suffering selenium (Se) deficiency and its correlation with electrocardiographic parameters, and activity of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes, as well as to determine the diagnostic value of troponin in that disease. METHODS: Blood samples of 94 goat kids of Markhoz breed with the age less than one month were taken, serum analyzed for the assessment of cTnI, CK and AST, 2 ml blood was used for determination of selenium concentration. Electrocardiography was recorded from all kids by using base-apex lead. Kids were divided into two groups based on serum selenium concentration. RESULTS: The concentration of cTnI was significantly higher in deficient kids compared with the control group. Results indicated significant negative correlation between cTnI and selenium concentration. There was no significant correlation between cTnI and AST, CK in deficient kids. Results show no significant difference in concentration of AST, and CK enzymes for two group of deficient kids and control group. The presence of arrhythmia is significantly higher in deficient kids than control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the measurement of serum cTnI concentration can be useful in diagnosis of kids suffering from Se deficiency. Also ECG can be used aiming at the diagnosis of arrhythmia in kids with Se deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Dairy cows undergo physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation and cardiovascular system may alter during these periods. OBJECTIVES: Understanding the physiological effects of production periods of dairy cows on heart electrical activities can aid to better monitoring the cardiovascular system in these animals. METHODS: Five multiparous Holstein dairy cows were studied from their early lactation to close-up dry periods. Electrocardiogram recordings and blood samplings were performed from each cow at their different productive states. Sera were separated and the concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were evaluated in all specimens. RESULTS: There were no significant changing patterns in P, Q, S and T amplitude from early lactation to close-up dry periods (P>0.05); However, the R amplitude was significantly increased from early to late lactation and then decreased to close-up dry period, subsequently (P<0.05). P wave had the longest and Q wave had the shortest durations during different productive states. There were no significant changing patterns in PR, QT and ST intervals from early lactation to close-up dry periods (P>0.05) but RR interval in dry periods was significantly longer than lactating ones. Serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, potassium, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were decreased significantly from lactating cows to non-lactating ones (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The heart electrical activities of dairy cows at each production period were different from another one. The differences among serum electrolyte levels may affect the electrocardiographic findings at each production period which may alter the production and conduction of cardiac electrical impulses. Furthermore, the cardiac activities in different production periods could have a significant impact on the levels of circulating cardiac enzymes.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcal foodborne intoxication is the most common cause of foodborne illnesses by Staphylococcus aureus strains and most are caused by the enterotoxins of S. aureus. Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is the most frequently responsible for staphylococcal food poisoning outbreaks. From a food safety and human health point of view, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may provide a promising strategy in the fight against S. aureus.OBJECTIVES: Increasing product shelf life, and enhancing the safety of food and human health using natural microflora are the aims of this study. METHODS: In this study we evaluate the inhibitory effects of three lactobacillus strains isolated from yoghurt, namely lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus fermentum and lactobacillus paracasei, on the growth and enterotoxin production of Staphylococcus aureus by co-incubating each strain with enterotoxigenic S. aureus at two temperatures: 25 and 35°C. Expression of the SEA gene of S. aureus was assessed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: All the strains decreased the bacterial count at both temperatures compared to the control. This effect was greater at 25°°C than at 35°C. The production of SEA, SEC and SEE was inhibited by all the isolates tested. Furthermore, expression of the sea gene was significantly suppressed in S. aureus co-cultured with the lactobacillus isolates and the greatest impact was on Lactobacillus acidophilus at 35 ° C. CONCLUSINS: This research highlights the potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional foods for use as natural preservatives in foodstuffs and suggests a new approach for biocontrol of Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus in the definitive host particularly in dog is the significant complication in the endemic area. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is serological detection of E. granulosus in the infected dogs. METHODS: Dot-ELISA based on the copro-antigen and recombinant EPC1 antigen (rEPC1) for antibody detection was performed. Blood and fecal samples were collected from eleven treated poppies with 90000–100000 protoscoleces (90% viability) and four treated poppies with distilled water as controls, on day before challenge and 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days post challenges. Furthermore, the blood and fecal samples were collected from 35 naturally infected dogs. RESULTS: In terms of experimentally infected dogs, sensitivity and specificity of Dot- ELISA were close for both antigens (copro- antigen, rEPC1) that were determined to be 100%, 88% for copro–antigen, and 100 and 94% for rEPC1, respectively. In the context of naturally infected dogs, our findings showed similar sensitivity in Dot –ELISA based on the anti-body detection (using rEPC1), and antigen detection (using copro–antigen), (100%), while these methods provided different specificity about 75% for rEPC1 and 58% for copro–antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that both antigens are qualified. REPC1 antigen is not capable to detect the infection during the first 15 days post-infection, whereas the antibody cannot be detectable. REPC1 protein may work for screening of E. granulosus, while copro-antigen can be useful for diagnosis of current acute infection. However, both methods are recommended for screening of sheepdog, guard dogs and police dogs.

BACKGROUND: The preliminary survey made about congenital goiter in goats in Garmsar township indicated that the disease occurs much more in Beetal-cross than native goats raised in the same area. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare of serum triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations in pregnant and lactating Beetal-cross and native goats in Garmsar township. METHODS: One hundred Beetal-cross (n=50) and native (n=50) does in 4 groups (25 pregnant Beetal-cross, 25 lactating Beetal-cross, 25 pregnant native and 25 lactating native) were used in this study. Blood samples were obtained via jugular venipuncture and analyzed for serum T3, T4 and TSH concentrations. RESULTS: Breed had a significant (P<0.05) effect on T4 concentration and pregnancy had a significant (P<0.05) effect on T3 and TSH concentrations. No significant differences were seen for serum T3, T4 and TSH concentrations between pregnant and lactating native does. However, in the pregnant Beetal-cross, serum T3 and T4 concentrations were lower (P<0.05) and TSH concentration was higher (P<0.05) than lactating Beetal-cross does. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study highlight the relationships between thyroid activity and breed in the goat species that may play a role in more occurrence of congenital goiter in Beetal-cross in Garmsar township.

BACKGROUND: Manipulation of rumen microbial population for improving animal performance is done by several methods including medicinal plants. Matricaria chamomille (chamomile) and Cichorium intybus (chicory) are two medicinal plant with antibacterial effect that there is little information about the effects of them on rumen microflora. OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of chamomile and chicory powder on performance, ruminal microbial population and some blood parameters of sheep. METHODS: 9 Dallagh sheep were used in a change over design experiment at three 21-d periods (14 days as adaptation and 7 days for sample collection). Treatments were: 1) control )without additive(, 2) chamomile ( contained 10% chamomile powder) and 3) chicory (contained %10 chicory powder). Rumen fluid was collected before, 4 h and 8 h after morning feeding and a blood sample was obtained 3 h after morning feeding at last day of each period. RESULTS: Weight gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, total count of bacteria, acid lactic bacteria, rumen pH, blood glucose and total protein were not affected by treatments. Diet containing 100g chicory significantly decreased plasma triglyceride versus chamomile but the difference was not significant compared with control. Coliforms in rumen fluid at 4 hours after morning feeding were lower in chamomile treatment than control (P<0.05). Lambs received chamomile and chicory powder had significantly higher Rumen protozoa number before morning feeding. In conclusion, although Matricaria chamomille and Cichorium intybus dry powder had some significant effects on rumen microbial population but had no effect on performance, growth and blood metabolites.

BACKGROUND: Semen cryopreservation might be influenced by sperm concentration. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate three different semen concentrations [100 (C100), 50 (C50), and 25 (C25) × 106 spermatozoa/mL] on freezability of bull semen. METHODS: On each collection day, four ejaculates were collected (a total of 24 ejaculates from four bulls), pooled and divided to three equal parts. Each part was diluted to reach to one of the above mentioned final semen concentration and then frozen. After thawing, sperm motility, apoptosis status and mitochondrial activity were assessed. RESULTS: The results showed that C100 resulted in significantly higher total sperm motility compared to C50 and C25 groups. The percentage of live spermatozoa was significantly higher in C100 compared to C50 and C25 groups. Also, C25 resulted in significantly higher early and late apoptotic spermatozoa compared to C50 and C100 groups. The mitochondrial activity was significantly lower in C25 compared to C100 and C50 groups. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that low sperm concentrations (as low as 50×106) may be less advantageous for cryopreservation.

Background: The knowledge of blood parameters is important for assessing the physiological status and health of animals. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the effect of heavy pregnancy on some serum indices of dromedary camels. METHODS: Twenty clinically healthy female dromedary camels aged between 4-5 years were divided into two equal groups: I: pregnant camels in their last trimester; and II: non-pregnant age-matched controls. The concentration of glucose, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, total protein, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and the activity of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), was measured. RESULTS: The results of this study show that the concentrations of glucose, calcium and phosphorus remained unchanged in pregnant camels compared to non-pregnant ones. The concentrations of serum BUN and creatinine in pregnant camels were higher, and these aforementioned differences were significant (p=0. 02 and 0.003 respectively). GGT activity was lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant camels (p=0. 04). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in BUN and creatinine levels might be part of the homeorhetic mechanisms for adaptation of camels during heavy pregnancy. The high urea-recycling rate in camels may transfer urea to the gastrointestinal tract as a source of “non-protein nitrogen” instead of being excreted as urine. The reduction of GGT as at the time of heavy pregnancy, may be attributed to its conversion to glutathione, as an antioxidant.

Background: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), which is the causative agent of colibacillosis, harbors several putative virulence genes. An important trait of APEC for both poultry and public health is antibiotic resistance. Objectives: In the present study, some potential virulence genes of APECs isolated from Northeast of Iran and their resistance to the quinolones antibiotics were studied. Methods: The conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the presence of four virulence genes, including iss, cvi, iuc, and tsh, in 52 isolates of E. coli from avian colibacillosis and 11 isolates from feces of apparently healthy chicken. Disk diffusion method was used to also determine the resistance of all the isolates against nalidixic acid, norofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin. Results: The presence of iss and tsh virulence genes in isolates from diseased chickens was significantly higher than isolates from healthy chickens. There was no significant difference between APEC and fecal E. coli when it comes to quinolone resistance. However, cvi and iuc genes were significantly higher in susceptible isolates of E. coli from healthy chickens. Conclusions: iss and tsh genes are more prevalent in APEC isolates than in fecal isolates. There is no association between lack of virulence and resistance to quinolones in E. coli isolates from diseased chickens.