BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants have a long history in the treatment of parasitic diseases and are usually free of side effects. Removing and killing tomonts and theronts of this parasite can prevent the parasite pathogenicity in fish. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of Zataria multiflora on both free and parasitic life stages. METHODS: Three soluble forms of Zataria multiflora extract (80 ml/L) were prepared, which contained freshly prepared solution, stored solution at room temperature for one month and stored solution at refrigerator for one month. Afterwards, different dilutions were prepared for each of the solutions and the tomonts and Theronts were treated with different dilutions of the extract. RESULTS: Zataria multiflora extract can kill all theronts at concentrations of 20 ml/L during 6.04 to 6.37 min and concentration of 10 ml/L during 31/2 to 32.4 min, respectively. However, at these concentrations, only 3.46-6.11 % of tomonts were killed herein after 4 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Tomonts were found to be more resistant to the parasiticides than theronts. The use of Zataria multiflora extract significantly reduced tomont reproduction and decreased Ich infectivity prevalence and intensity. Zataria multiflora extract prevented Ich infestation in naive fish and effectively treated infected fish.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is involved in pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Lutein is a herbal compounds with antioxidant properties. OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to evaluate the effect of lutein on body weight and histomorphometry of uterus in experimental PCOS induced with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in mouse models. METHODS: Twenty-four female NMRI mice aged 20 days and weighing 14-17 g were randomly assigned to four equal groups: control, experimental PCOS, and PCOS treated groups with 125 and 250 mg/kg lutein. The induction period of PCOS with oral administration of DHEA (6 mg/100 g, daily) was 21 days and lutein treatment was followed by the induction period of 28 days. The mean body weight of the groups was evaluated on day 0, day 21 (at the end of DHEA treatment), and day 49 (at the end of treatment period) with lutein. The mean diameter of the uterine wall, the mean overall thickness of the uterine wall, the average thickness of the endometrium, myometrium and uterine epithelium, along with the number of endometrial gland branches were measured utilizing light microscope. RESULTS: The results revealed that body weight in the PCOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group on days 21 and 49. Treatment with 125 and 250 mg/kg of lutein reduced body weight in the lutein treated groups compared with PCOS (p < /em><0.01). The mean uterine wall diameter, mean total uterine wall thickness, mean thickness of endometrium, myometrium, and uterine epithelium with the number of uterine endometrial branching were significantly lower in the control and lutein treated groups compared to those in the PCOS group (p < /em><0.05). The use of both doses of lutein (125 and 250 mg / kg) significantly improved uterine histopathological indices, particularly the mean uterine wall diameter (p < /em>=0.0001) compared to the PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Lutein could improve the side effects of induced PCOS by DHEA on body weight and uterine parameters.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of equine musculoskeletal disorders. Bone marrow (BM) and adipose tissue (AT) are the main sources for isolation of MSCs. Although the MSCs derived from various sources have similarities, certain differences have been reported in terms of biological, proliferative, immunological, and differentiative characteristics. They are also different concerning gene expression profiles. So, comparative gene expression analysis on mRNA level via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is believed to be of great value for better characterization of MSCs from different sources.

BACKGROUND: Mastitis could be detected in various ways, including physical, on-farm, and laboratory tests. OBJECTIVES: The present research aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the diagnosis of mastitis using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-based dipsticks and to assess these dipsticks with regard to the effects of different lactation days, the amount of milk production, and parity. RESULTS: Considering bacteriologic culture as a gold standard method for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis, the sensitivity and specificity of LDH test were 68.9 % and 54 %, respectively. The results revealed a high correlation between SCC and LDH. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the response of dipstick and CMT results; with the increase in the CMT score, the score of LDH dipstick increased. By investigating the effects of lactation days, the amount of milk production, and parity, it was determined that the chance of having subclinical mastitis in cows with positive dipstick result was 5.59 times greater than that in cows with negative dipstick result. There were no significant relationships among SCC, LDH, and CMT with lactation days and milk production; meanwhile, with the increase in parity, the three above-mentioned variables showed significant increase. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated that the best methods for subclinical mastitis detection were SCC, CMT, and LDH based dipsticks, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic kidney disease is the most prevalent inherited genetic disease in Persian cats, which is caused by mutations in PKD1 and PKD2 genes. Due to the accumulation of fluids inside the cysts and their pressure on the renal parenchym, the patient is prone to developing symptoms of chronic renal failure.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to compare ultrasonography and molecular tests in diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.METHODS: This study was performed on 97 Persian cats, including 46 male and 51 female cats, with an average age of 6 years (minimum 2 months and maximum 14 years). All the cats were evaluated for the presence of disease using ultrasound and molecular methods.RESULTS: Among 97 females, 32 (33 %) were found to be positive for PKD on the basis of presence of anechoic cysts. In molecular tests, all the cases with cysts in the ultrasonography had mutation in PKD1 gene and 13 cases (13 %) without cysts in ultrasonography were diagnosed to be positive through molecular technique. Among 97 studied cats, 45 (46 %) showed mutated genes. The degree of agreement between the two methods of ultrasonography and PCR was determined by calculating Kapa 0.725 (Cl: 0.592-0.895). The sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasonography were calculated to be 77.11 % and 100 %, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Imaging and molecular methods were utilized to diagnose the disease. The more frequent use of the molecular methods for the diagnosis of the disease compared to the use of ultrasound could be attributed to the higher sensitivity of the molecular technique, the small size of the cysts, the low number of cysts, the low age of the animal, and the presence of cysts in the medula of the kidney. Therefore, the molecular method could be recommended for screening the disease in the early stages. It can also be employed in breeding programs and the removal of cats with this mutated gene.

BACKGROUND: The veterinary Rabies vaccine was produced using BHK-21 cells and PV strain. Although various protocols have been suggested for virus purification, they have an adverse effect on the final production and require further optimization.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to optimize the concentration and purification of the virus for rabies vaccine production.METHODS: First of all, the Pasteur virus strain (PV) was cultured by using BHK 21 cells with DMEM media contain bovine fetal serum (7 %) for five days. Subsequently, the virus purification was done via tangential flow filtration (TFF) system. The quality of purifying viruses was an assessment with titration and SDS-PAGE. Secondly, the virus inactivation was optimized using Minitab software based on three factors, namely time, temperature, and concentration. Afterwards, the inactivity of the samples was tested on mice. Finally, the virus potency was evaluated by the National Institute of Health (NIH) method.RESULTS: The viral titration test in TFF samples revealed that viral titer increased in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). The SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified and concentrated samples showed that the purified virus via TFF had a higher purity compared to the not-concentrated samples. Moreover, the NIH test indicated a 10-fold increase in potency result in the TFF group.CONCLUSIONS: The present study implied that the TFF method is highly suitable for condensation and purification of a high volume of viral fluid and could be applied on an industrial scale to increase the potency of the vaccine produced.

BACKGROUND: As the population grows, there is further need to food, and fish is not an exception. Several fish species are potential sources of common parasites between humans and fish. One of the important diseases common between human and fish is Anisakiasis. The parasitic agent of this disease is the larval stage of the Anisakid family nematodes, including Pseudoterranova and Anisakis.OBJECTIVES: In this study, Epinephelus fish, one of the edible and commercial valuable fishes of the Oman Sea, was examined for the presence of nematodes of the Anizakidae family.METHODS: Fifteen out of the 26 specimens were infected with Nematodes. Nematodes were isolated from fish abdominal area. For morphological study, each nematode sample was first clarified with lactophenol. Subsequently, it was examined using an optical microscope. After morphological examination of these nematodes, DNA extraction was performed. Using primers related to a part of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1), PCR products were 710 bp for PCR reaction. Finally, the amplified fragment was sequenced.RESULTS: The larvae were about 1 to 3 cm long, white, and often twisted. At the anterior end of the parasite, a button was seen, and in some larvae, a terminal spine was observed. In certain larvae, a small abdomen at the end of the esophagus can be seen. Out of the obtained 26 nematode specimens, eight Anisakis specimens were identified following morphological analysis. These specimens had terminal spines and three anterior lips. After sequencing, Pseudoterranova nematode was identified to belong to aniakidae family. Separate clad tree showed paraphylitic for isolated Pseudoterranova.CONCLUSIONS: Morphological examination categorized isolated larvae as the Anizakidae family. Other molecular results of this nematode showed Pseudoterranova krabbei. The results of sequencing this parasite were recorded in the gene bank under the Accession number: MK317965. This nematode was initially isolated from the Oman Sea Epinephelus fish.

BACKGROUND: Optimal levels of minerals in the diet are crucial for improving performance and immune response against the environmental stresses.OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of water supplementation of chelated trace mineral (CTM) on growth performance, hematology, blood biochemistry, antioxidant status, and antibody response in broilers reared under heat stress condition.METHODS: A total of 240 male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated into one of the following five treatments (each consisting of four replicates): (1) positive control (PC; thermoneutral condition), (2) negative control (NC; heat stress condition), (3) low-CTM (NC + low CTM level in tap water), (4) medium-CTM (NC + medium CTM level in tap water),  and (4) high-CTM (NC + high CTM level in tap water). The CTM levels in the tap water for the low-CTM treatment were 0.1, 0.15, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.45 mg/bird/day on days 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, and 41-50, respectively. The respective values were 1.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.0, and 4.5 for the medium-CTM, and 10, 15, 30, 40, and 45 mg/bird/day for the high-CTM water.RESULTS: The average weight gain during the whole experimental period in the medium-CTM treatment was higher compared to that in the negative control treatment, but lower than that in the positive control treatment (P<0.05). The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and total antibody titers against Newcastle disease in the medium-CTM and high-CTM groups were similar to those of the broilers in the PC group, yet better (P<0.05) those of the NC group. The serum superoxide dismutase activity was also higher (P<0.05) in the high-CTM group compared to that of the NC group.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the water supplementation of CTM at a moderate level (1.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.0, and 4.5 mg/bird/day during different rearing periods) could be a strategy to ameliorate the detrimental effects of heat stress in broilers.

BACKGROUND: There are different kinds of phytase from different sources used in poultry nutrition.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of addition of 2 sources of 6- phytase to the diet of male broilers in terms of growth performance, Tibia biometric, breacking straight, mineralization, blood biochemical parameters, and carcase yield.METHODS: Herein, we recruited 216 1-d-old male Ross broilers and divided them to three experimental groups and six replications for 42 D. The treatment (T) diets included: T1 (without phytase (control)), T2 (supplemented with 500 FTU/kg diet of Aspergillus niger phytase (fungi phytase)), T3 (supplemented with 500 FTU/kg diet of phytase produced by a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae by doner Citrobacter braakii gene (genetically modified phytase)).RESULTS: Serum P in the birds supplemented by genetically modified phytase was higher compared with that in the control birds (P<0.05). Additionally, Tibia P in this group was higher than that of birds supplemented by fungi phytase (P<0.05). However, Tibia breaking straight in birds supplemented by genetically modified phytase did not differ significantly with those fed with a diet with fungi phytase. Meanwhile, Tibia breaking straight in birds supplemented by genetically modified phytase was higher than control (P<0.05). Growth performance, Tibia length, diameter, ash, Ca, dry weight, average serum HDL, Triglyserid, Cholesterol, Ca, Alkalin phosphatase, Glucose, Total Protein, and Carcase yeild were not significantly different among any of the treatments.CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of male broilers diet with genetically modified phytase (500 FTU/kg), without any differences in terms of performance, could increase P of serum, P of Tibia and breacking straight of Tibia compared to supplementation diet with Aspergillus niger phytase.

BACKGROUND: Open wounds affecting the distal part of limbs are commonly seen in horses. Due to certain factors, such as limited connective tissue available, potentiated growth of excessive granulation tissue, risk of contamination, and poor response to common treatments, healing of these wounds becomes a major problem for veterinarians on a number of occasions. Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) for enhancing wound healing has received a great deal of scientific attention. Among the MSCs, those derived from adipose tissue are frequently used owing to their availability, large number of cells after the primary harvest, and the capacity to differentiate to different cell lines.OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to evaluate type 1 and 3 collagen genes expression in horse distal limb wounds treated via adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and its comparison with bone marrow-derived stem cells.METHODS: After treatment of the experimental open wounds created in the distal limbs of four horses via autologous MSCs, real-time PCR was used for evaluating and comparing the expression of type I and III collagen genes in the healing wounds.RESULTS: Significant differences in the expression of type I and III collagen genes were observed between the treatment groups. Despite the fact that the greatest collagen genes expression belonged to bone marrow-derived MSCs, no significant differences were seen with adipose-derived MSCs.CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the advantages and an acceptable performance, adipose-derived MSCs could be considered as a novel approach to enhancing limb wound healing in horses.