BACKGROUND: Prebiotics are non-digestible feed ingredients that improve the immune system. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to assess the changes caused by the addition of prebiotics to the feed on carcass characteristics and also chemical composition, physical characteristics, color, texture, and fatty acid profile of chicken pectoral muscles containing Eimeria species. METHODS: Forty-one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to four treatments, including nega-tive control (NC), positive control (PC), positive medicated with coxidine (COX), and positive medicated with prebiotics (PRE). After 42 days, carcass characteristics of the chickens were recorded, and also physical character-istics, chemical composition, color, texture, and fatty acid analysis of breast meat were determined. RESULTS: Infection with Eimeria species diminished carcass characteristics. PRE had higher final body weight, hot carcass weight, and breast and thigh muscle weights. Drip loss, pH, cooking loss, fat, ash, dry matter, and texture properties of broilers’ breast meat did not show any significant differences among the experimental groups. Dietary supplementation with prebiotics increased the crude protein content of breast meat. Infection with Eimeria species decreased the a-value of breast meat. Dietary supplementation with prebiotics decreased the amount of fatty acids 16:1 and 18:1 and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) compared to NC. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with prebiotics is a promising strategy with the potential to compensate for the negative effects of infection with Eimeria spp. on carcass characteristics, protein content, and color of breast meat of broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Improving the reproductive performance of dairy cows requires estrus manipulation using estrus synchronization protocols. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to assess the effect of reducing the length of estrus synchronization pro-tocol by two doses of prostaglandin injection on the reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows. METHODS: At first, all cows received GnRH (day 0) followed by PGF2α on day 7 and GnRH on day 17. Next, cows were assigned randomly to one of the three groups: Group 1) PGF2α injection on days 22 and 23, estradiol benzoate injection on day 24, Group 2) PGF2α injection on days 23 and 24, estradiol benzoate injection on day 25, and Group 3) Control group; injection of PGF2α on day 24, injection of estradiol benzoate on day 25. Estrus detec-tion was performed twice a day up to 48 h (AM/PM) based on the signs of estrus, and fixed time AI protocol was used after 48 h if not previously inseminated. RESULTS: The conception rate in group 2 was significantly higher than the control group (P≤0.05) and tended to be higher than group 1 (P=0.079). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the hypothesis that a decline in the period of follicle dominance by re-ducing the interval between GnRH and PGF2α through two PGF2α injections improved the fertility of lactating dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to minimize the effect of time and temperature on the serum biochemical param-eters and determine the stability limits of each analyte in pre-centrifuged blood samples.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the stability limits of 10 analytes in Turkoman racehorses blood samples stored in different temperatures and time points.METHODS: The whole blood samples from healthy horses (n=10) were stored for 2 h (baseline), 6, 12, 24, and 48 h at 25ºC or 4ºC. The commercial kits (Parsazmoon, Tehran, Iran) were used for the samples analysis.RESULTS: Albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), and phosphorous (P) exhibited remarkable changes at 25ºC. The storage time for as long as 12 h at 25ºC had no significant effect on urea, total protein (TP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The stability of alanine transaminase (ALT) in serum samples stored at 25ºC was for 24 h and for LDH was for 48 h at 4ºC. Aspartate transaminase (AST) was the most unstable analyte at different storage times at both temperatures. Urea, TP, ALB, TB, and P were stable at 4ºC for as long as 6 h. Creatinine and ALP were affected by 24 and 48 h storage times at both temperatures. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in AST and ALT activities between two temperatures. No significant difference was observed in creatinine, urea, and TB concentrations between two storage temperatures at any of the storage times.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that some analytes have acceptable stability in the clotted blood samples stored at 4°C for 6 h.

BACKGROUND: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) majorly infects the poultry, and despite high rates of vaccination, it is still circulating in different geographical regions. Due to the high mortality rate, the economic loss of Newcastle disease (ND) is enormous. OBJECTIVES: The molecular characterization of NDV isolates from chicken farms in Northern Iran, during 2017-2018, was the main goal of this study. METHODS: We isolated and characterized five NDVs from commercial broiler and backyard chicken farms during severe disease outbreak. The partial coding sequence of fusion (F) genes of isolates was determined and compared with those of other published NDVs. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the isolates were grouped into sub-genotype VII.1.1 (formerly known as VIIl). All isolates carried multi‐basic amino acid residues at the cleavage site of fusion protein, typical of virulent strains. Studied NDV isolates had high homology with the prevalent genotype NDV strains that currently circulate in China and Republic of Korea (96.94%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that NDV sub-genotype VII.1.1 (VIIl), circulating among chicken farms, may be a dominant sub-genotype. Considering the genetic variation between the used vaccine strains (B1, LaSota, and Clone 30, all belonging to genotype II) and circulating NDVs, it is recommended that a contemporary homologous virus should be developed as the vaccine strain to avert the outbreaks of genotype VII viruses.

BACKGROUND: Fracture healing is one of the important issues in medicine and veterinary. Therefore, finding new tech-niques with fewer side effects and faster healing is taken into consideration. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the composites of micro ostrich eggshell (μ-OES) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite on the healing of bone defect in rat calvarium. METHODS: Defects of 7 mm were made by a trephine in the calvaria of 45 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups and the defects in each group were filled with micro-composites that contained ostrich eggshell or HA or were left empty. The animals were euthanized at three different time points of 14, 28, and 42 days post-operation. Histological and serological assessments, such as measuring alkaline phosphatase were carried out at the same time points. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the granulation tissue formation of the treatment and control groups 14 days post-operation (p ≤0.05). The difference between μ-OES and HA treatment groups was not statistically significant (p >0.05). On days 28 and 42, there were no significant differences between the groups. However, in the center of the defect, the mean of healing in the μOES group was higher than the two other groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated the potential efficacy of μOES as a bone substitute in a rat calvarial defect model

BACKGROUND: Avian Metapneumovirus (AMPV) causes mild to acute contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract in turkey and chicken with different mortality rate. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to molecular detection and subtyping of AMPV infection in broiler flocks using RT-PCR method in Semnan province on samples from 2016 to2020. METHODS: Sampling was carried out from the upper part of the trachea, choana, and sinuses of broiler chickens from the 85 broiler flocks. All flocks were more than 3 weeks of age. In total 10 swabs were taken from each flock, while each 5 were pooled as one sample (total two samples per flock). The samples were transferred to the laboratory for RNA extraction and RT-PCR amplification. RESULTS: Out of 85 tested broiler flocks, 30 (35.3%) were positive for AMPV using the Nd/Nx primer set. In addition, 28 positive samples were found to be of subtype B using the Ga/G12 primer set and 2 remaining positive samples were non-subtype B, probably A, C or D subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Since AMPV vaccination was not performed in Semnan province, it can be concluded that some cases were infected with the natural viruses. Therefore, vaccination could be effective in controlling AMPV-induced respiratory distress.

BACKGROUND: Frequent drug dosing and animal handling are usually required in conventional antimicrobial therapy but sustained release formulations can improve compliance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of a novel sustained release enroflox-acin (ENR) hydrogel in comparison to a conventional ENR formulation in rabbit animal model. METHODS: A total of 20 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups and received a single dose of ENR or blank by subcutaneous (SC) injection as following: Group 1 (n=8) received ENR (10 mg/kg) using a conventional product (Enrovet®); Group 2 (n=8) received ENR (33.3 mg/kg) using a hydrogel formulation; and Group 3 or control group (n=4) received equal volumes of a blank hydrogel formulation. Blood samples were collected at different time points post-dosing. ENR concen-trations in plasma were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method and PK parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental analysis. RESULTS: The ENR hydrogel released the drug in a sustained manner with mean residence time (MRT) of 78.4 ± 15.3 h, which was significantly more than that of the conventional formulation (7.39 ± 2.37 h, p <0.05). However, maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) for ENR hydrogel (1.41 ± 0.76 μg/mL) was significantly less than that of the conventional product (2.86 ± 0.79 μg/mL). The relative bioavailability (Frel) was not significantly different between the two formula-tions. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrogel formulation significantly increased the MRT of ENR. Hence, it could be a promising delivery system to prolong the pharmacological activity of ENR in animals and enhance compliance.

< p>BACKGROUND: Clostridium perfringens, as a bacterial agent causing foodborne illnesses, is of great importance in thefood industry. On the other hand, the increasing concern of antibiotic resistance is forcing humans to find an alternative toantibiotics.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extracts of grape pomace, pistachio peel,and pomegranate pomace against Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) in the presence or absence of resistant starch(RS) as a prebiotic.METHODS:The RS (Fibersol-2) was purchased, and the extracts of grape pomace, pistachio peel, and pomegranate pomacewere prepared. The total phenolic content and tannin of extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and standard tannic acidmethod, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the extract with or without RS was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against C. perfringens.RESULTS:Our findings showed that 100 ppm of pistachio peel extract could act as an inhibition factor against the growthof C. perfringens. The RS alone was not able to prevent C. perfringens growth. In contrast, 400 ppm dilution of RS+grapepomace extract could restrain C. perfringens growth. In contrast, the pomegranate pomace extract with and without RScould not inhibit its growth. On the other hand, the RS±pistachio peel extract could not prevent C. perfringens growth, incomparison with other treatments.CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that grape pomace extract, both with and without RS, effectively prevented C.perfringens growth.

BACKGROUND: The liver and heart are two main damaged organs in ascites syndrome in fast -growing broilers. Using silymarin with a protective effect on the liver and heart may be a beneficial strategy to decrease ascites-induced mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the cardiohepatic effects of silymarin in broilers fed on mash and pellet diets by assessing electrocardiographic (ECG) indices and some serum biochemical parameters. METHODS: A total of 120 Arbor Acres chicks were allocated to 6 groups and treated as follows: basal mash diet (CM); basal pellet diet (CP); silymarin at 500 ppm of mash (M500) and pellet diets (P500); and silymarin at 2500 ppm of mash (M2500) and pellet diets (P2500). RESULTS: CP had higher serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) enzymes compared to CM (p <0.05). P2500 had a higher total protein and lower aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and CK-MB compared to CP (p <0.05). T-duration, ST-segment, and R-R intervals were longer in CP compared to CM and were shorter in P2500 than in CP and P500 (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pellet diet led to changes in some biochemical and ECG indices in broilers, and silymarin at the 2500 ppm dose can be used as a hepatoprotective and cardioprotective compound to modulate cardiohepatic failure in susceptible broilers.

Moving towards globalization, food packaging requires longer storage time, quality control, and hygienic measures based on international standards. Nanotechnology can meet all these needs and implement the essential factors for packaging, storage, protection, marketing, distribution, and communications. Polymer nanotechnology can provide new food packag-ing materials with suitable mechanical, inhibitory, and antimicrobial properties along with nanosensors to track and control food conditions during transportation and storage. In this survey, the latest innovations and applications of nanomaterials in food packaging using improved, active, and smart nanotechnology are reviewed. Moreover, the current business situation, understanding of the health concept in these technologies, as well as the limitations of recently advanced polymer nano-materials that can effectively change the food packaging industry are discussed