Background: Co-administration of anesthetics has been employed to decrease potential unpleasant effects associated with single drug. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of co-administration of ketofol with diazepam or midazolam in healthy dogs. METHODS: Six adult mix-breed male dogs were used. After sedation with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg), anesthesia was induced with keteofol (KF; 1 ml contained 5 mg ketamine and 5 mg propofol), ketofol-diazepam (KFD), or ketofol-midazolam (KFM) (1 ml contained 5 mg KF and 2.5 mg diazepam or midazolam) randomly. All the dogs received the three treatments with at least one week interval. RESULTS: The total dose of ketofol used for induction of anesthesia in KF (4.2±0.44 mg/kg) was significantly higher than KFD (2.27±0.6 mg/kg) and KFM (1.68±0.25 mg/kg). The total dose of diazepam and midazolam used in KFD and KFM was 1.00±0.25 and 0.73±0.10 mg/kg, respectively (p>0.05). The time needed for sternal recumbency, standing position and normal walking was longer in KFD and KFM compared to KF (p<0.05). Heart rate (HR) showed significant increase in KF at several time points (p<0.05). Respiratory rate (fr) in KF showed a significant decrease during the anesthesia period compared to the base (p<0.05). HR and fr were more stable in KFD and KFM. Induction and recovery quality in the three treatments were acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Co-administration of ketofol with diazepam and midazolam reduced the required induction dose and prolonged recovery in dogs. Diazepam and midazolam could attenuate the unfavorable effects of ketofol in some cardiorespiratory variables.

Background: There are some reports on the positive effectsof dietary insoluble fiber on the performance of broilers. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine theeffect of inclusion rate and particle size of rice husk in the diet of broilerson the ileal and cecal bacteria populations and small intestine morphology. Methods: The experimental diets  consisted of a control husk-free diet andfour diets containing 7.5 or 15 g/kg rice husk with particle sizes of less than1 mm or between 1-2 mm. Results:The dietary insoluble fiber did not affect feed intake of the experimentalgroups. The best body weight gain and feed conversion ratio was recorded in thebroiler chickens fed the diet containing 15g/kg rice hulls with particle sizeof less than 1 mm (p<0.05). In the duodenum and jejunum, the crypt depth tovilli height ratio in the control group was significantly lower than othergroups (p<0.05). In the ileum, all the birds fed rice husk except the groupfed the diet that contained 15g/kg rice husk with particle size of 1-2 mm,had  higher Lactobacilli and lowerE. coli and coliforms populations than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest thatthe 7.5g/kg dietary inclusion and more coarse particles size of rice husk (1-2mm) were more effective to promote broiler growth performance. The positiveeffects of dietary insoluble fiber on the growth performance of broilers inthis study are probably a result of favorable changes in the bacteria populations of the gastrointestinal tract andnot any improvement in small intestine absorptive capacit

Background: In traditional medicine of some Asian countries it is believed that camphor could act as a sexual depressant. However, limited studies have been published on this issue. OBJECTIVES: In the current study, effects of camphor on testes, sperm and serum factors, and roles of vitamin E as antioxidant in treatment of toxicity of camphor for testes were studied. METHODS: Fifty adult male mice (20-25 g) were categorized into five groups. Control group, two control sham groups received olive oil and combined vitamin E and olive oil respectively, and two treatment groups received camphor and combined camphor and vitamin E, respectively. Camphor with doses of 30 mg/kg/day and vitamin E with doses of 100 mg/kg/day were prepared. All substances were administered using gavage. After 35 days, blood was collected from the animal heart for serology and testosterone assessment. Sperms were collected and tissue samples were removed and fixed in Bouin and liquid nitrogen. Paraffin embedded and freezing sections were stained with H&amp;E and specific stain and studied. RESULTS: Results showed a significant decrease in sperm count, average proportions of  live and mature sperms and major testicular morphometric parameters (p>0.05). Although histochemical changes were seen, no changes were observed in serum testosterone in groups that received camphor. Vitamin E moderated toxicity of camphor in immature sperms, diameter of lumen and TDI index. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that camphor includes adverse effects on parameters of testes and sperm quality. Furthermore, vitamin E, as an antioxidant, can moderate toxicity of camphor.

Background: Avian infectious bronchitis (IB), with avianinfectious bronchitis virus (IBV) as the causing agent, is a ubiquitous endemicdisease of the chicken with devastating effects on its industry. A viralmembrane surface protein called S  notonly induces neutralizing antibodies but also plays an important role in virusbinding and entry to host cells. Technically, S1 protein gene sequencing alsohelps greatly in IBV genotyping. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study wasto characterize Iranian IBV based on S2 gene. METHODS: After RT-PCRamplification, the S2 gene of nine Iranian IBV isolates were sequenced and thencompared with reference strains. RESULTS: The isolates were classifiedinto genotype I as Massachusetts like IB Vs, genotype VII which clustered intotwo branches, VIIa (IS-1494 like IB viruses), and VIIb, and was related to QX-like viruses and Genotype VIII as 793/B like IBVs. CONCLUSIONS: As faras we know, this is the first S2-based classification study on Iranian IBVisolates providing a firm experimental basis to correlate with genotypiccharacterization

Background: Information regarding the metabolic hormones in different metabolic states of high producing dairy cows can aid high producing herds to manage and resolve the metabolic and production problems. Furthermore, it can be considered as a tool to evaluate metabolic status of dairy cows. Herd managers can also evaluate the energy input-output relationships by assessing the metabolic profile to prevent and control  negative energy balance, metabolic disorders and nutritional insufficiencies. OBJECTIVES: The present study was performed to clarify the metabolic hormone profile in each metabolic state of high producing Holstein dairy cows. The results of this research can reveal the normal metabolic state of these animals. METHODS: 25 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were divided to 5 equal groups containing early, mid and late lactations, far-off and close-up dry periods. Blood samples were collected from all cows and sera were analyzed for concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), cortisol and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). RESULTS: Serum T3 concentration in early lactation group was significantly higher than other ones (p<0.05). T4 levels in early and mid lactation dairy cows were lower than other studied groups, significantly. The cows in early lactation and close-up dry periods had the highest and the lowest serum fT3 concentrations, respectively (p<0.05). fT4 in far-off dry cows was significantly higher than others. The highest and the lowest circulating levels of cortisol were detected in mid and late lactation periods, respectively (p<0.05). The lowest concentrations of IGF1 were detected in early lactation period and its highest levels were seen in mid and late lactation and far-off dry cows (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic hormones change in different metabolic states of high producing Holstein dairy cows. The presented metabolic hormone profile can be considered as criteria to monitor the metabolic status of dairy cows at different metabolic states.

Background: Artemisinin is commonly used for the treatment of malaria, but recently has been considered as a potential substance to control poultry coccidiosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the tissue distribution of artemisinin following single or multiple oral administration of different doses in broiler chickens. METHODS: A total number of 390 one day old Ross broiler chicks were divided randomly into two main groups, in the first group 0, 1, 5, 25, 125, 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg artemisinin as a single oral dose was administered on day 44, but the second group were treated with 0, 17, 34, 68 or 136 ppm artemisinin from day 8 to day 44. The HPLC system was used to determine the level of artemisinin in different tissue samples. Data were assessed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey’s test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Maximum concentrations of artemisinin were found in the liver of chickens in both groups in a dose dependent manner.  While, the minimum level was determined in the brain and the kidney of chickens received multiple artemisinin administration;  in the spleen of those chickens a single oral dose was administered. The concentration of artemisinin in the brain reached a plateau at 68 ppm in multiple administration and 125mg/kg at single dose, no shift was found with dose increment. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that tissue accumulation of artemisinin is time and dose dependent. Moreover, redistribution, saturation effect and tissue selectivity were also observed.

BACKGROUND: There is not enough information about theeffects of heat stress and photoperiod on different lobes structure.OBJECTIVES: The present study aims at determining thehistological changes and the rate of changes in each lobes of ratprostate, affected by photoperiod changes and heat stress.METHODS:To this end, 15 adult male wistar rats were divided tothree groups: 1. the control group in which the rats were kept in12L: 12D and 25°C temperature condition, 2. the heat stressgroup in which the rats were kept in 12L: 12D and 42+1 °Ctemperature condition for 4 to 5 hours per day, and 3. thephotoperiod group in which the rats were kept in 16L: 8D and25°C temperature condition. After 30 days, samples were takenfrom different lobes and sections with 5 to 6μ thickness weremade and stained by H&amp;E and PAS. RESULTS: The microscopicresults showed that histomorphometrical structure andhistochemical reactions of the different lobs of normal prostateof the rats are different. The proportion of parenchyma to stromadecreased by heat stress; however, it increased by photoperiod.The maximum changes were seen in ventral lobe. The epithelialthickness, lumen diameter, and number of secretory units alsoincreased by photoperiod (16L:8D), but it decreased by heatstress. The number of secretory cells were increased by heatstress because the cell size decreased; however, they decreasedby long photoperiod regime. The number of folded secretoryunits increased by photoperiod, while heat stress has an adverseeffect (p<0.001). The serum testosterone increased by longphotoperiod and decreased by heat stress (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that long photoperiod hasimportant effects on increasing the rat prostate parenchyma andits activity.

BACKGROUND:Ticks are obligatory blood sucking arthropodsthat can transmit important pathogens. OBJECTIVES: Thedistribution and diversity of ticks fauna were last studied in the northof Iran in 2007. Mazandaran province has a humid climate, whichis favourable to animal husbandry such as sheep breeding. Due tohumid climate, the likelihood of exposure to tick infestation isincreasing. The aim of this study was to determine the ticks founa ofsheep and goats that grazed on the outskirts of mazandaran in 2012.METHODS: During the first 7 months of 2012, a total of 1190 tickspecimens were collected from the whole body of sheep and goatsfrom 23 different points of Mazandaran province. Adult male tickswere identified under a stereomicroscope, according to theidentification keys. RESULTS: The identified tick specimensbelonged to six Genus and 11 species, including Rhipicephalusturanicus (47%), Rhipicephalus bursa (24.6%), Haemaphysalispunctata (17.16%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (4%), Haemaphysalisconcina (3%), Haemaphysalis parva (1%), Hyalommamarginatum (1%), Hyalomma anatolicum (0.6%), Dermacentormarginatus (0.6%), Ixodes ricinus (0.5%), and Boophilus(Rhipicephalus) annulatus (0.3%). Rh. turanicus was the mostabundant tick. CONCLUSIONS: Due to climate change, regularmonitoring of distribution patterns of ticks is an important concernto control the ticks and tick-borne diseases.

BACKGROUND: The Ostrich is an interesting subject concerninganimal evolution and morphology studies. It has been speculatedthat ostrich eyes would have distinct tissue structures and this hasnot been previously studied in detail. OBJECTIVES: The aim of thepresent study was to investigate the histology of the outer layer ofthe ostrich. METHODS: Ten mature ostriches were chosen from anostrich breeding center in Jupar, Kerman, Iran. All of them were ina good shape and healthy condition. After slaughter, their headswere kept in 10 % formalin solution for 7 days and then the eyes wereremoved. Routine histological techniques were done and 6-μmthicksections were cut. Sections were stained with standardhematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) and Masson's trichrome and PAS.The sections were studied under a light microscope. RESULTS:Thecornea of ostrich had both dermal and sclera components and thetwo distinct parts were separated by a distinct zone; in addition, thesclera was divided into an episclera zone and a sclera proper zone.CONCLUSIONS: The outer layer of the episclera composed ofconnective fibers loosely attached to the sclera proper. The innerlayer of the sclera consisted of dense connective tissues with twocartilaginous parts continuing over the oraserrata that composeddense connective fibers and ossicles.

BACKGROUND: Ticks are the most important vectors whichtransmit several arthropod-borne diseases such as theileriosis,babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. OBJECTIVES: An epidemiologicalstudy was conducted in Semnan area to determine thecurrent situation of tick infestation in sheep and assess theefficacy of usage of CIS-cypermethrin against tick infestationunder field condition. METHODES: Sampling was done monthlyon 5% of a sheep herd in a population of 1000 sheep for one year.Ticks were collected, counted, and diagnosed. RESULTS: Ticksspecies affecting sheep were Hyalomma marginatummarginatumin winter quarters and in summer pasture; Dermacentormarginatus and D. raskemensis were the prominent ticks. In themiddle of autumn and during the winter, no ticks were detectedfrom the animals. The preferred sites of tick attachment toinfested animals were perineal region and ears in winter quarters;however, in the summer pastures, the ticks were found only underthe neck area and on the sternum. There was a significantdifference between the numbers of male ticks on ewe and lamb;however, these phenomena were not recorded for female ticks.In this regard, CIS-cypermethrin deeping treatment reduced therate of infestion (almost 100%) after one day of treatment.Nonetheless, in the next sampling after 4 weeks, the rate ofinfestation increased again and reached 50%. CONCLUSIONS:Inorder to control the tick infestation, it is recommended thatspraying be done monthly on the infected areas.