BACKGROUND: Body condition and its relationship with inflammatory indicators in the transition period of ewes can be used as a key to prevent the occurrence of metabolic complications in this period.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the levels of inflammatory markers and their relationship with body condition and energy status in the transitional period in Makuei ewes.METHODS: This study was performed on 45 female peri-parturient Makuie ewes aged 3-5 years with 2-4 breeding lambs. Blood samples from the jugular vein were prepared in three periods, 21 days before delivery, baseline (time zero), and 21 days after delivery.RESULTS: The mean glucose and cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different between the groups with low, moderate, and high body conditions. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations were significantly higher in groups with lower and higher body condition scores (BCS) than in the normal group. There was a significant positive correlation between energy-related indices (NEFA, BHB) and the BCS of the pregnant and lactating ewes. The concentration of fibrinogen, sialic acid, and blood ceruloplasmin increased in the first three weeks and decreased after delivery. These indices significantly increased in relatively obese and lean groups than in the normal group during the study. The correlation of BHB and NEFA with sialic acid, ceruloplasmin, and fibrinogen was also reported in the study groups in the pre- and post-partum periods.CONCLUSIONS: Ewes with normal BCS (2.75-3.25) have a good energy status. Low levels of NEFA in ewes indicate that the mobility of fats is low, and the inflammation process is lower in the transition period of these animals. Furthermore, low BCS can be a predisposing factor for inflammation in ewes during the pre-partum period. This effect may be due to the increased metabolic requirements and compromised immune function associated with negative energy balance in the transition period of ewes.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cells play an essential role in the oxygen transport and the immune system. Moreover, hematologic parameters are an important clinical indicator of various diseases including anemia and metabolic syndrome.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on gene-set enrichment analysis to identify the loci associated with hematological traits using 630K arrays.METHODS: For this purpose, the phenotype records included 498 genotyped Alpine Merino sheep were used for red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and RBC volume distribution width coefficient of variation (RWD_CV). Genome-wide association study was performed with hematological traits using TASSEL software. Using biomaRt2 R package R, SNP was assigned to genes. GO, KEGG, DAVID, and PANTHER databases were used to assign the genes to functional categories.RESULTS: 11 SNP markers on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 20 located in TRPC4, SPAT1, TMCC2 (RBC), KRT26, GPLD1, EPAS1 (HGB), RAC2, HSPD1, PDGFRA (HCT) and BBS1, HAG1, PIK3R3, STXBP5, FCER1G  (MCH, MHCH, RWD_CV) genes were identified. Based on the pathway analysis, 17 pathways from gene ontology and biological pathways were associated with hematological traits (P˂0.05). The pathways have important functions in the development and differential of red blood cells, hypoxia, adaptation process, environmental stress, and platelet activation.CONCLUSIONS: In total, this study supported previous results from the GWAS of hematological traits, and also revealed additional regions in the sheep genome associated with important traits, using these findings could be potentially useful for genetic selection in the breeding programs.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococosis (CE) is known to be one of the most important zoonotic diseases in different parts of Iran. Even though it causes major health problems, there is limited information regarding its transmission cycles and strain of this infection in eastern Iran. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to characterize the strain of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in the slaughtered sheep and goats in Birjand area using morphological and molecular criteria. METHODS: Isolates of E. granulosus were collected from sheep (30) and goats (30) from Birjand slaughterhouse and characterized employing both DNA (PCR-RFLP of ITS1) and morphological criteria (metacestode rostellar hook dimensions). In addition, the fragments of the genes coding for ITS-1 were sequenced. RESULTS: Among the two different identified strains/genotypes (sheep and camel), the sheep strain appeared to be the most common genotype of E. granulosus affecting sheep and goats. All of the 30 sheep samples and 20 out of 30 goat samples were infected with sheep strain. However, the camel genotype was only observed in the goats and 10 out of 30 goat isolates were infected with the camel genotype. The camel genotypes had RFLP patterns, which were different from the RFLP patterns of the rest of isolates (sheep strain). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that the ‘sheep’ strain was the most prevalent strain in sheep and goats in this area. Moreover, the camel genotype (G6) was confirmed to trigger infection in the slaughtered goats of Birjand area.

BACKGROUND: Ovine theileriosis is an important hemoprotozoal disease of sheep and goats in tropical and subtropical regions which causes high economic loss in the livestock industry. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the differential detection of Theileria species in sheep using PCR method. METHODS: Two hundred blood samples of sheep were investigated in order to differentially diagnose Theileria species. DNA was extracted from blood samples and DNA samples were amplified using specific primers designed for 18S rRNA, TamS1 and TaSp genes. RESULTS: In this study, from 200 examined samples, 42 samples (21%) were infected by Theileria spp. and none of them were infected by Babesia spp. Moreover, from these 42 positive samples, 24 samples (57.1%) were only infected by T. ovis. 12 samples (28.5%) were only infected by T. lestoquardi, 2 samples (4.7%) were only infected by T. annulata and 4 samples (9.5%) were simultaneously infected by T. lestoquardi and T. ovis. The results of nucleotide sequencing showed that PCR product of 18S rRNA from T. lestoquardi has 99 and 95% similarity with T. annulata and T. ovis respectively. T. lestoquardi and T. annulata showed 86% similarity. Also TaSp gene of T. ovis in comparison with T. annulata and T. lestoquardi showed 96 and 86% similarity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study could be shown that the two genes (TamS1 and TaSp) from examined three genes could be used for Theileria species specific diagnosis by PCR.

Different species of Panicum have been reported as a cause of photosensitization in sheep, horses, cattle and goats. P. miliaceum grows across different regions of Iran. This plant may contain toxic levels of hepatotoxic steroidal sapogenins. Sapogenins are metabolized in animals to glucuronide conjugates of epsimilagenin which are crystallized in bile, leading to biliary blockage, cholangitis and secondary photosensitization. An outbreak of poisoning was observed in a flock of 170 fat-tailed sheep grazing on pasture of proso millet (P. miliaceum) in Birjand, South Khorasan province of Iran. Affected animals showed tachycardia and tachypnea. Anorexia, reduced rate and amplitude of ruminal movements up to ruminal stasis were observed. Severe head swelling and marked icterus in mucous membranes were observed. Seven affected sheep died. Serum biochemical parameters were analyzed. Marked elevation of BUN, total bilirubin, and the activities of GGT and high level of Ca2+ were observed in comparison with normal ranges. High levels of GGT activity indicates biliary lesions and BUN elevation in serum is probably due to renal failure and both are consistent with exposure to P. miliaceum

BACKGROUND: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that is characterized by high fever, ocular and nasal discharge, pneumonia, necrosis, ulceration of the mucous membranes and inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract leading to severe diarrhea. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus infection in sheep and cattle in Ahvaz. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 100 cattle and 100 sheep that were kept together from different parts of Ahvaz. Blood samples were also taken from 16 vaccinated sheep   against PPR for positive control. The sera were separated by centrifuge at 3000 ×g for 10 minutes and 3 mL of serum was harvested and stored at -20 °C until determination of antibody against PPR using VN method. RESULTS: The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) antibody seroprevalence was 23% in cattle and 58% in sheep and all the sheep samples collected for control were positive for PPR antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates serological evidence for the natural transmission of PPRV from sheep to cattle under natural conditions and provides baseline information on prevalence of PPRV antibodies in cattle and sheep population in Ahvaz.

Dicrocoeliasis caused by the small liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum which live in the bile ducts and gall bladder of wild and domesticated mammals, particularly ruminant. Immunodiagnostic methods are useful for early diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was evaluation of agglutination latex (LAT) and indirect haemagglutination (IHA) tests for diagnosis of Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection in sheep. Methods: Adult worms were collected from infected livers of sheep at a local abattoir. The excretory-secretory and somatic antigens were prepared through homogenization and sonication. Infected sheep with Dicrocoelium dendriticum and non-infected lambs were bleeded to providing positive and negative serum. Somatic and excretory-secretory antigens were added and blended to latex particles. All samples of positive and negative serum were added to latex and considered according to agglutination reaction. In IHA, the sensitive RBC and somatic and ES antigens were added and blended and haemagglutination was evaluated . Results: The sensitivity and specificity of LAT by excretory secretory antigen were 84% and 97/6% and by somatic antigen were 96% and 97/6%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of IHA by excretory secretory antigen were 60% and 92/9%, and bysomatic antigen were 92% and 66/7%, respectively. Conclusions: According to present study, the LAT test by excretory secretory antigen and somatic has high sensitivity and specificity, and it is a quick test and without need to special tools for diagnosis of dicrocoeliosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent investigations  have identified anthelminitic effects of many medicinal plants particularly from condensed tannin sources. In addition, gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants have a negative effect on the farming industry worldwide. Objectives: The aim of the present study was  to determine the potential anthelmintic effects of Quercus robur extract on alimentary canal nematodes in naturally infected sheep by faecal egg count reduction test (EPGRT). Methods: The crude aqueous extract was prepared from Quercus robur as tannin extract. The nature and intensity of helminth infection was determined by coprological examination. The faecal samples of 600 sheep were collected from different regions of Kurdistan province. The samples were examined by flotation method (Clyton-Lane technique). Fifteen sheep with the most count in egg per gram (include Marshallagia, Nematodirus and Trichostrongylids) were divided into three groups of five animals: First group (test group) were drenched with Quercus robur extract at 3.75g/kg, second group (positive control group) received Albendazole 2.5%, orally at 5mg/kg and third group (negative control) without treatment. Results: The results of faecal examination  3 days after administration indicated significant reduction of EPG in both group’s treatment and positive control groups, 90.76% and 90.83% respectively, whereas there was no effect in the third group. Results were evaluated by Chi-square analysis and showed significant differences between treatment and negative control groups (p≤0.05). Nosignificant differences were observed between treatment group and positive control group (p≥0.05). Conclusions: Results reveal that aquatic extract of Quercus robur has anthelminitic activity and further large scale studies are suggested to confirm pharmacologic effects of this herbal extract.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is considered as one of the most important infections in ruminants. The flukes are found in the blood vessels of animals. This parasite has been observed in many countries such as: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Iraq and parts of Europe. OBJECTIVES: Aim of this study was to determine the contamination of Schistosoma turkestanicum in sheep in the central region of Mazandaran province during the year 2012-13. METHODS: Based on the high mortality rate reported by Mazandaran Veterinary Organization in some herds in the cities of the north of Iran During investigation 21.2% mortality was seen in infected herds by necropsy; Schistosoma turkestanicum was diagnosed  as cause of death. Examined infected herds and fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of sheep.  Samples were examined by flotation method and obtained results were analyzed by statistical tests. RESULTS: During present study which was performed in five central cities of Mazandaran, the highest infection rate was found in Babolsar and the lowest was found in Moghrikola region of Babol. Mortality rate was also evaluated based on gender and it was shown that mortality rates in females were higher than in males (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ornithobilharziosis, is considered one of the endemic diseases in some parts of Iran and several epidemics have occurred in recent years in Iran. Because this parasite causes  significant economic losses in herds of sheep and goat in Iran, due to its location in the ruminants body and because Mazandaran province is one of the important foci of infection, more attention of the veterinary organization and its institutions is needed for better and greater control of infection.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridge (MB) is generally defined as a superfacial muscular band that forms sporadic or multiple across the coronary artery in dog, cat, sheep, and human. OBJECTIVES: From the view of embryology MB is a preformatted structure with coronary artery during  forming. The type of study in human is during sonography and angiography examination, but in veterinary science the study on MB is  done after death examination. METHODS: This study was performed on over 50 sheep hearts that were prepared from slaughterhouse of Shahr e kord. First, pericardium was opened and the heart brought out of the pericardial cavity and then the hearts were studied with concentrated light and lens on both sides. After the M B recognition,  their length and width were measured by a ruler. In both sides of the heart,the MB was  divided into 1/3 proximal, 1/3 middle and 1/3 distal. In all of the studied hearts, only 10 samples (20%) had M B. RESULTS: The average length of recognised MBs was 1.55±1.17 (SD) cm and  with width of 1.09±.092 (SD) cm. The positive samples were transferred to histology laboratory for preparation of cross section of heart and were stained with  H&amp;E staining.CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal section showed the long fibers of myocardium with continual narrow fibers and intercalated discs were located between them.