BACKGROUND: Maturity of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) ovary takes place at 2-8 years old and it is depends on photoperiod and environmental water temperature. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify  macroscopical and microscopical structure of silver carp  ovary in  two categories of  body weight, total body length and  at  2 and 4 years old  in Khuzestan province climatic conditions. Methods: 20 silver carp ovaries were studied in two groups: Group 1(G1): 10 fish with total body length 46 ±1.33 Cm and weight 1050±0.09 grand approximately 2 years old. Group 2(G1): 10 fish with total body length 86±3.64 Cm and weight 5460±800 gr and approximately 4 years old. For the histometrical studies, 5-6 µ sections were made by routine paraffin embedding method and stained by H&amp;E and PAS. Results: Microscopic results showed that ovaries of G1 covered by a thin loose connective capsule which numerous of egg-bearingtrabecula extended from capsule into ovaries. These trabecula contained primary germ cells, oogonium, chromatin nocleolus, perinocleolus and cortical alveolus follicles. Ovaries of G1 do not have yolk and mature follicles. But in ovaries of G2, growth and mature follicles were observed and mature follicles were most follicles. Histometrical results showed that there are not a significant differences in diameter of follicles, oocytes and oocytes nucleolus in G1 and 2. The maximum and minimum diameter of follicles were seen in mature and chromatin nucleolus follicles respectively. The Zona plucida thickness was increased from corticalalveolus (1.53±1.11 mm) to mature follicles (6.88±0.21 mm) significantly (p<0.05). ConclusionS: The most interesting finding of this study is that in Khuzestan Province climate, the ovary of silver carp fish in G1, with average weight 1050 ±0.09 gr and total length 46±1.33 Cm and approximately of 2 years old is immature but ovary of G2 with average weight of 5460± 800 gr and total length 86±3.64 Cm and approximately 4 years old is mature.

Neuroendocrine cells are of the peptide and amine secreting cells and because of endodermal origin, exist in respiratory and gastrointestinal system. The report confirms the presence of a tumor using immunohistochemical methods. A hepatic mass was detected in a 10-year-old male mixed–breed dog which was referred with clinical history of frequent vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and syncope. Biochemical and hematological abnormalities included elevation of ALT and AST levels, leukocytosis and anemia. Radiographically the large hepatic mass and multifocal metastatic nodular areas in the other organs were observed. At necropsy the liver had a multilobulated firm mass involving whole caudate lobe of the liver. On the cut section, the tumor was grey sanguineous with hemorrhagic surface and numerous necrotic foci. Microscopically, there were unencapsulated, highly cellular neoplastic proliferations with few hemorrhagic foci in the liver that had a trabecular pattern to Rosette formation which were separated by a fibrovascularstroma. The neoplastic cells were round to oval, with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei. Metastases were observed in lungs, kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes and even in the arteries of the tunica albuginae of the testes. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for NSE and S100 protein. They were negative for CEA, Chromogranine A, CD34, AE1/AE3, CK20 and Hepatic Antigen (HA). Negative CEA, CK20, CD34 and HA disproved the probability for collangiocarcinoma, metastatic carcinoma, hematopoietic and vascular origin and hepatocellular carcinoma of this tumor respectively. Immunohistochemical demonstration of NSE and S100 protein supported the diagnosis of the Carcinoid like. However, negative reaction for Chromogranine A does not disprove neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Newcastle disease is one of the most serious viral diseases in the poultry worldwide. OBJECTIVES: Since the traditional strategies have been hardly effective in controlling the disease, the purpose of this study was to introduce new methods for early and rapid diagnosis of Newcastle. The present study helps to reduce further damage to the poultry industry. METHODS: RNA extraction was performed, using RNease mini kit, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Extracted RNA with 68.23×109 copy numbers was prepared as serial dilutions of 100 μL for RT-PCR and RRT-PCR reactions. RRT-PCR and RT-PCR were performed, using commercial kit and RNease mini kit, respectively.  RESULTS: Results showed that amplification was done according to prepared dilution equal 10-34 for RRT-PCR reaction and a visible band observed on 1.5% Agarose gel up to 10-20 for RT-PCR reaction. Based on the results observed, RRT-PCR and RT-PCR reactions are able to detect 10-34 and 10-20 copy numbers of primary sample, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of RRT-PCR reaction is almost twice compared with RT-PCR reaction, also RRT-PCR reaction is able to diagnose Newcastle disease virus in infected samples with 10,000 copy numbers of the RNA virus less than RT-PCR.

BACKGROUND: Causing site direct mutation can be one of the efficient methods to evaluate the characteristics and properties of various genes. Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic infectious disease that would cause great economic losses. Thus, recognition of pathogenic and immunogenic factors in the genus Brucella can lead to control this health problem. Objectives: Considering the importance of site direct mutation in identification of genome structure and numerous ways to achieve this goal, Overlap Extension PCR is introduced as an improved technique for the removal and replacement of the gene target. Methods: For this study, with two-step PCR using specific primers, upstream and downstream fragments from target gene and antibiotic resistance cassette from plasmid pET28a (+), were reproduced and were connected to each other. The resulting fragment was cloned in specific position of pBluescriptIISK(-) plasmid by the restriction enzymes. Then, the construction was transferred into the genome of Brucella abortus by electroporation method. Results: Fusion PCR product was obtained without any change in the nucleotide sequence and then it was cloned into pBluescriptIISK (-) plasmid, finally the construction was replaced and the target gene was deleted. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the Overlap Extension PCR is an optimized and modified technique to create mutations in the bacterial genome structure and can easily be used in the family Brucella.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important heart diseases in dogs is valvular insufficiency, which can be evaluated by diagnosis ways such as phonocardiography, echocardiography, etc. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate of valvular insufficiencies with phonocardiography and echocardiography and using phonocardiography technique in detection of cardiac valvular disease in practice. METHODS: This survey was done on 180 five-year-old dogs which 30 of them had valvular insufficiency. They have been referred to radiology section and echocardiography technique was used after listening to heart sounds and recording heart murmur and surveying by phonocardiography. The type and location of valvular insufficiency was diagnosed by phonocardiography and then echocardiography was used, the results from both techniques was compared afterwards. RESULTS: In all of these 30 dogs, murmur was systolic and mitral insufficiency and mitral regurgitation were diagnosed by phonocardiography. using echocardiography, the mitral insufficiency was confirmed in 28 dogs, one of them has been diagnosed to have tricuspid inssufiency and pulmonary stenosis in addition to mitral insufficiency. In two cases no abnormality sign has been detected. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, it is recommended to use phonocardiography technique in order to pre-diagnose the valvular insufficiency, it's type and location and use echocardiography to determine the process of disease and control this progress.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonosis that is prevalent among human and animal. Today, a large percentage of animal and human population suffer from its side effects. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of anti-Brucella antibodies in flock- and animal-level in districts of south of Kerman province. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 300 herds of 7 districts in the area were selected randomly; 10 samples of sheep and goats in each flock were randomly selected. Out of 3000 samples, 2952 samples were examined using Rose-Bengal test; Wright and 2-ME tests were done on positive samples. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression in Stata 11.2 were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of anti-Brucella antibodies in animal- and flock-level was 6.4 and 25.3 percent, respectively. The chance of being infected in sheep was 2.12 times of goats. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Brucella was considerably high in animal- and herd-level in this area. It is necessary to empower Iran Veterinary Organization in financial aspects to control this infection.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is one of the most important adipocytokines that regulate male and female fertility via AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 receptors. Recently expression of adiponectin system and its negative regulatory role on hypothalamus-pituitary axis have been confirmed. Objectives: No information is available about the expression pattern of adiponectin and its receptors in hypothalamus-pituitary axis in domestic animals. Here for the first time, we studied hypothalamus-pituitary adiponectin system gene expression in different stages of bovine estrous cycle. Methods: Anterior pituitary and hypothalamus were collected from Holstein cow at the local abattoir. The estrous cycle was classified to four phases (proestrous, metstrous, early luteal and late luteal) based on macroscopic examination of ovaries and uteri. Gene expression analysis of adiponectin and its receptors was done using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR Probe MasteKit) and according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. E2 and P4 levels were measured using ELISA method. Results: Our results demonstrated that adiponectin and its two receptors were expressed in pituitary and hypothalamus of cyclic cow. Maximal expression of adiponectin was observed in early luteal phase, while it was expressed at minimal level during the proestrous stage. We observed no significant changes in the expression of AdipoR1 in both tissues at different stages of estrous cycle. The highest expression of AdipoRII in both tissues was detected during the proestrous stage, while it expressed at minimal level during the late luteal phase. E2 and P4 had respectively negative and positive correlations with adiponectin expression levels in hypothalamus and pituitary. Conclusions: Based on our results that demonstrated adiponectin was minimally expressed at proestrous stage and other data about the negative action of adiponectin on LH secretion from pituitary, we concluded that adiponectin may has role in the hormonal function of this axis during the estrous cycle.

BACKGROUND: Reptiles, especially turtles that inhabit both on land and water, have made some special adaptations. Many people keep turtles as pets. Therefore, the anatomical knowledge of turtles should be more carefully evaluated and used for therapeutic purposes. One of these turtles is European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Most of vital systems are enclosed by the carapace and the plastron so it cannot be examined customarily by clinicians. The noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques provide detailed information concerning these organs. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to give complete topographic information and knowledge about the position of the non respiratory organs of the coelomic cavity in the European pond turtle using Computed Tomography (CT) and usual anatomic methods. METHODS: 10 adult turtles (5 female, 5 male) were selected. All scans were obtained on a two detector scanner. In anatomical study three female and three male turtles were dissected. Two other female and male turtles were sectioned transversely. RESULTS: The results showed some differences in the position of the organs including stomach, gall bladder, liver and heart with those of other species. Moreover, the topography of the organs is described in retracted and protruded neck in this article. Retraction of the neck had an influence on the position of the organs such as oesophagus, stomach, liver and heart. CONCLUSIONS: The general morphological features of the non respiratory organs of the coelonic cavity of European pond turtle were examined by CT images and macroscopically in this study. Significant differences were found compared with other species.

BACKGROUND: Toxocara canis is a zoonotic disease that commonly infects canids. Mammals and birds are sometimes infected with this disease as paratenic hosts. It can also cause accidental infection in humans. The increase in the number of stray dogs, the expansion of urban gardens, and the proximity of dogs to humans increase the risk of human infection with Toxocara canis.OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in dogs and foxes in Zanjan province, Iran.METHODS: A total of 484 fecal samples of stray dogs (n=355), rescue dogs (n=49), guard dogs (n=50), and foxes (n=30) in Zanjan were randomly collected from June 2021 to February 2022. The microscopic examination was done following formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation procedures. Finally, the PCR method was used to confirm the presence of Toxocara canis in positive samples.RESULTS: Microscopic study revealed that, out of 484 samples, 21 (4.3%) were positive for Toxocara/ Toxascaris eggs. Between these positive samples of dogs and foxes, only 6 samples from dog feces were confirmed as a Toxocara canis infection by the PCR method.CONCLUSIONS: There is an increase in the prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in stray dogs in Zanjan, Iran. Given the presence of dogs in parks and residential areas, there is a risk of human infection with Toxocara canis, emphasizing the importance of adhering to treatment and prevention protocols in dealing with stray dogs.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is a heavy metal harmful to animals and humans. Exposure to it causes inflammation, apoptosis, or necrosis in numerous tissues, including the adrenal.OBJECTIVES: The present research investigates the effect of cadmium toxicity on the expression of genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis. Inflammation increases the rate of parenchymal cell death, and fibrosis will only fill the place of dead cells without being able to perform the function of the primary parenchyma.METHODS: In this research, cadmium chloride with a concentration of 20 mg/kg was added to the diet of ten mice in two groups of five. On the 30th day of the study, the adrenal glands were quickly sent to the laboratory. The expression of NF-kB/MAPK, hematoxylin, eosin tissue staining, and immunohistochemistry (CD163) were performed.RESULTS: The inflammation mentioned in others’ research can also be associated with the activation of the nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB) pathway. NF-κB gene products initiate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 pathways. Previous studies indicate that MAPK induces necrosis or apoptosis in tissues. In histopathology, dense and possibly pyknosis nuclei are more common in the cadmium group. The higher expression of the CD163 molecule in the cadmium group reveals the beginning of the fibrosis process after chronic inflammation.CONCLUSIONS: This report provides more basic data to investigate the mechanism of adrenal damage in cadmium poisoning. Cadmium causes the death of cells by affecting the inflammatory pathways. Additionally, the stimulation of the fibrosis process causes greater irreparable damage to the damaged tissue of the adrenal gland.