Background: Broilers lung mechanisms that regulate endothelin (ET) in the lung are complex and poorly understood. Objectives: Methods: In this experiment lung ET-1 mRNA levels and lung mRNA expression for the ET(A) receptors were determined in lung tissue weekly (term = 42 days, intervals = 7 days). Serum endothelin concentration was also measured at these ages. Results: The study showed that expression of endothelin in lungs of layers and broilers was similar during the first three weeks and the overall trend of ET-1 expression was increasing. However, there was a significant increase of ET-1 expression which started from the fourth week and gradually increased until the end of the commercial life of the chicken (day 42). ET-A expression in the lungs of broilers was significantly higher than layers during the last three weeks of life. Overall, trends of serum ET-1 concentration increased in both layers and broilers, but serum ET-1 concentration in broilers was significantly higher than layers. Conclusions: The higher level of serum Endothelin and expression of ET-1 and ETA in broiler lungs may explain the higher sensitivity of broilers to the vasoconstrictions activity of endothelin and the higher sensitivity of these animals to pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Backgrounds: Subclinical ketosis can cause greater economic loss due to a lack of clinical symptoms. Objectives: The present study was aimed to design a chemical method for measuring serum ketone bodies in the affected subclinical cows. Methods: Acetoacetate concentrations were measured using a nitroprusside reaction and b-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) which was oxidized to acetoacetate using nanosilver particles to determine its concentration. Recovery tests were done for different concentrations of betahydroxy butyrate in bovine pooled serum. Results: Actoacetate levels were in range of 0.1-6 mM, and the values for BHBA were found to be in the range of 0.125-3 mM. Conclusions: It was concluded that this technique can be considered as a simple method for measuring ketone bodies in biological fluids. Backgrounds: Subclinical ketosis can cause greater economic loss due to a lack of clinical symptoms. Objectives: The present study was aimed to design a chemical method for measuring serum ketone bodies in the affected subclinical cows. Methods: Acetoacetate concentrations were measured using a nitroprusside reaction and b-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) which was oxidized to acetoacetate using nanosilver particles to determine its concentration. Recovery tests were done for different concentrations of betahydroxy butyrate in bovine pooled serum. Results: Actoacetate levels were in range of 0.1-6 mM, and the values for BHBA were found to be in the range of 0.125-3 mM. Conclusions: It was concluded that this technique can be considered as a simple method for measuring ketone bodies in biological fluids.

BACKGROUNDS: Uterine infection is a amajor problem in reproductive management. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out the common pathological condition of cattle and buffaloes' uteri in the Ahwaz region and, also to compare uterilesions. METHODS: One hundred and thirty eight cattle and 101 buffalo uteri were examined for macroscopic lesions, opening them through the cervix to the apex of the animals' horns. The prepared tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin, eosin, and Giemsa staining. Standard bacteriorogical works, were used for the isolation and identification of aerobes and anaerobes. RESULTS: Depending on the severity of the lesions, endometritis was scored from mild (level 1) to severe (level 4). Level 1 including 39 cows (19.69%) and 36 buffaloes (28.8%); Level 2 including 37 cows (18.68%) and 28 buffaloes (22.4%); Level 3 including 23 cows (11.61%) and 22 buffaloes(17.6%); and, Level 4 including 17 cows (8.58%) and 5 buffaloes (4%). Other lesions consisted of acute metritis: (cows=4.54%), buffalo=0.8%); chronic metritis (cows= 2.02%) and buffaloes=2.4%; granulomatous metritis cow (0.5%) and buffalo (0.8%); perimetritis (cows (3.3%) and buffaloes (1.6%); pyometra: (cow 0.5%) and buffalo (0.8%); external cysts: (buffalo 0.8%); and, haemangioma: (cow (0.5%) and buffalo (0.8%). No significant correlation was found among the lesions, except for acute metritis, (p=0.475). CONCLUTIONS: Conducting a clinical and paraclinical study on fertile animals in the Ahwaz region is highly recommended to reduce the economic losses due to uterine infection.

BACKGROUNDS: Occurrence of resistance against antiparasitic drugs has made it essential for researchers to find new sources for antiparasitic drugs. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the efficiency of alcoholic extract of worm wood (Artemisia absinthium) on Syphasia parasite. METHODS: Artemisia absinthium extract was examined on 3 groups of mice at 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations. A group of positive control received pyrantel pamoate, while negative control group was treated by a solution containing no extract. Mice were treated orally 28 days after infection by Syphacia eggs. The efficacy of treatment was determined by Syphacia eggs in the feces. RESULTS: In groups that received either 5% or 10% concentrations of A. absinthium extract or pyrantel pamoate, microscopic examinations of the feces demonstrated no Syphacia eggs. CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained from the present study showed that the alcoholic extract of Artemisia absinthium may lead to a decline in the number of Syphacia eggs in the feces with minimal side effects. The extract of this plant can probably be used as a suitable alternative in the treatment of some parasitic diseases.

Background: The use of IgYs in a variety of methods in different areas of research, diagnostics, medical application and biotechnology should be considered widely. Objectives: Development of antibodies against extra cellular domain of influenza M2 (M2e) protein in egg yolk of laying hens. Methods: A Fusion construct harboring C-terminal of bovine heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and influenza M2e coding genes was injected to laying hens. Serum and egg yolk antibodies were screened for the presence of anti-M2e antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Anti-M2e antibodies were detected in egg yolks and sera of injected hens from 13 and 7 days post injection (PI), with the peak titer detected on 41 and 35 days PI, respectively. Conclusions: Anti-M2e IgY titers could be an index for expression potential of pcDNA3.1-M2e-HspC-terminal construct in laying hens. This construct could be considered as a promising tool in production of anti-M2e polyclonal, monospecific IgY antibodies. Such anti-M2e antibodies could be exploited for influenza diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

BACKGROUND: Some of metal ions as environmental pollutants show estrogenic activity. This xenostrogenic compounds can be caused carcinogenicity in organs. The mechanism of carcinogenicity of metal ions is not clarified. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the Transcriptional effects of variety of metal ions on the bovine oxytocin and the thymidine kinase-ERE promoter by estrogen receptor a in MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line. METHODS: Cells were plated into flask (75cm2) at 1.3 density or into 12- well plates (Nunc) at a density of 100000 cells per well and were transfected with a total of 3 µg of plasmid DNA using calcium phosphate coprecipitation. Oestrogen and some metal ions were used for stimulation of transfected cells. RESULTS: Our results showed that copper and cadmium ions activating specifically the oxytocin promoter, and cobalt and possibly, mercury ions activating specifically the ERE-controlled promoter and the majority of the ions did not affect transcriptional activation significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that some metal ions show estrogenic activity by classical or non-classical mechanisms as well as some metal ions exhibit estrogenic activity by undetermined mechanisms in transfected MDA-MB 231 cell line.

Background: Ca is the most important minerals in the body that plays a key rols in the physiological activities, anzymatic reaction and the regulation of myocardial contraction and relax-ation. Ca deficiency causes the heart failure and decrease cardiac contractility. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of long-term dietary calcium deficiency on the heart function of layer hens based on the electro- and echocardiography. METHODS: Ninety Hyline W36 hens were kept for 21 weeks and fed by rations with different amounts of calcium. At 20, 28 and 36 weeks of age, electrocardio-graphic, echocardiographic and post-mortem left ventricular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: S wave amplitude was significantly (p

BACKGROUND: Increasing of oxygen consumption in fast-growing broiler chickens is associated with the more pronounced occurrence of right ventricular hypertrophy and ascites. While, rearing of susceptible chickens in dark condition could reduce the metabolic rate of birds and hence the incidence of ascites. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to investigate a comparative study on the influence of different dark-length schedules on the incidence of ascites and metabolic parameters in fast growing broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of 1000 day-old (Pure Sir Broiler Line Arian) chickens were obtained and subjected to four different lighting programs. Dead birds were autopsied for the lesions of ascites. Weekly growth performance of chickens was determined and blood samples were taken, on days 7, 12, 21, 28, 35 and 42 of age for hormonal analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of ascites was clearly higher in birds subjected to normal lighting program compared with those of dark exposed chickens. Control chickens showed significantly higher body weight compared to the dark exposure group birds at day 21 of age, while it did not differ at days 28, 35 and 42 of age. Such differences was accompanied with the lower levels of plasma T3 and T4 concentrations in dark group chickens than to control chickens at the earlier age (days 12 and 21). CONCLUSIONS: This phenomenon indicated a reduction of metabolic rate and oxygen consumption in dark group chickens that had been led to reducing of ascites incidence. Our data proves that increasing dark-length instead of continuous lighting may be beneficial for rearing of broiler chickens, especially, when the risk of ascites incidence is higher.

Ewe abortion and neonatal mortality are serious problems to sheep farmer. The objective of this paper was to report isolation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from aborted fetuses in a flock in Tehran, Iran. Abortion occurred in 10% of ewes in the flock. The fetuses were well developed and pinpoint, necrotic-like lesions were recorded on the placental cotyledons, whilst the inter -cotyledonary areas appeared normal. E. rhusiopathiae was isolated in pure culture and heavy growth were seen in abomasumal fluid, lungs, heart and liver of fetuses and vaginal discharge of the aborted ewes. The grown bacteria were identified using conventional bacteriological technique and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was confirmed. On the basis of the available evidence, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae might be one of the ovine abortion causes in Iran. Ewe abortion and neonatal mortality are serious problems to sheep farmer. The objective of this paper was to report isolation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from aborted fetuses in a flock in Tehran, Iran. Abortion occurred in 10% of ewes in the flock. The fetuses were well developed and pinpoint, necrotic-like lesions were recorded on the placental cotyledons, whilst the inter -cotyledonary areas appeared normal. E. rhusiopathiae was isolated in pure culture and heavy growth were seen in abomasumal fluid, lungs, heart and liver of fetuses and vaginal discharge of the aborted ewes. The grown bacteria were identified using conventional bacteriological technique and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was confirmed. On the basis of the available evidence, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae might be one of the ovine abortion causes in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Colibacillosis is one of the most economically important diseases of poultry worldwide. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the clonal relatedness and typing of 95 avian Escherichia coli isolates by ERIC-PCR. METHODS: Sixty-three E. coli isolates from two common manifestations of colibacillosis (yolk sac infection and colisepticemia) and 32 isolates from feces of apparently healthy broilers were provided. The PCR amplification reactions were performed in duplicate for all isolates. RESULTS: The molecular weight of the observed bands on gel electrophoresis ranged from 232 bp to 2690 bp. Sixty-five fingerprinting patterns were observed among 95 isolates on the basis of molecular weights and the number of bands. The numbers of 20, 22, and 23 fingerprinting patterns were found among isolates from yolk sac infection, colisepticemia, and feces, respectively. Among different fingerprinting patterns, the number of produced bands differed from 2 to 11. No identical pattern was observed among isolates of three sources. Isolates showing similar patterns in each source group belonged to a single farm. However, a few isolates that had been isolated from different farms also showed similar fingerprinting patterns. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study showed a high degree of polymorphism among E. coli isolates originated from different poultry sources when the respective bacterial genomes were analyzed by the ERIC-PCR and that no specific genotypes were responsible for different manifest-ations of colibacillosis.