Background: Sustained release delivery system can reduce the dosage frequency and maintain the therapeutic level of drugs for a longer time. Biodegradable, biocompatible and thermosensitive chitosan-beta-glycerophosphate (C-GP) solutions can solidify at body temperature and maintain their physical integrity for a longer duration. OBJECTIVES: To develop a novel delivery system based on the integration of liposomes in hydrogel using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for sustained release of danofloxacin in farm animals. METHODS: The MSNs were prepared using N-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and tetraethylortho silica. The liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration method. C-GP solution containing danofloxacin-loaded MSN liposomes underwent different in-vitro tests, including evaluation of the entrapment efficiency, gelation time, morphology, drug release pattern as well as antimicrobial activities against S. aureus and E. coli. RESULTS: The mean pore size of MSNs was 2.8 nm and the mean MSN entrapment efficiency was 45%. Kinetics of danofloxacin release from liposomal hydrogel followed the Higuchi’s model. This formulation was capable of sustaining the danofloxacin release for more than 96 h. The FTIR studies showed that there were no interactions between danofloxacin and hydrogel  excipients. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the formed gel had a continuous texture, while the swelled gel in the phosphate buffer had a porous structure. Microbiological tests revealed a high antibacterial activity for lipomosal hydrogel of danofloxacin-loaded MSN comparable with danofloxacin solution. CONCLUSIONS: The liposomal hydrogel solidified at body temperature, effectively sustained the release of danofloxacin and showed in vitro antibacterial effects.

Background: Since the prohibition of antibiotic growth promoter in poultry ration by the European Union, poultry producers have been  trying to replace them by other growth promoters like medicinal herbs. Lipia citridora is a medicinal  herb enriched by several powerful phenolic compounds and with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which lead to enhancing appetite and growth performance of broiler. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lipia citridora leaves powder (LCLP) on growth performance, carcass traits, blood metabolites, and meat quality of broilers. METHODS: The experiment was carried out with 160 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design. The chicks were allocated to four diets including basal diet and treatment diets which were supplemented with 3 levels of LCLP (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% of diet) in 16-floor pens with 10 chickens each. At the end of the experiment, 2 chicks/pen were selected and the assigned parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: All levels of LCLP improved (p<0.01) feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in all periods except for starter phase. Also, 1% LCLP improved FI (1.49%), BWG (4.20%) and FCR (2.59%) compared to control group during the whole period. Birds fed herbal additive had a significantly higher relative weight of carcass, breast, bursa of fabricius and spleen in 1% LCLP group compared with the control group. Addition of 1% of LCLP decreased (p<0.05) LDL (15.85%), cholesterol (8.73%), triglyceride (8.82%), and increased (p<0.01) white blood cells (8.04). Meat quality enhanced via an intense reduction (p<0.01) in thiobarbituric acid (50.15%) and cooking loss (14.16%). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding showed that the highest level of LCLP in this study (1%) performed the best as improved growth performance, ameliorated serum lipids, increased white blood cells and enhanced the meat quality.

Background: Evaluation of herbicide pollution in aquatic environments needs the great concern and the most important echo-pollutant effects of herbicides are related to their effects on non target aquatic organisms. Native fish can serve as a proper bio-indicator for evaluation  of pollution on aquatic ecosystems. OBJECTIVES: To find environmentally friendly herbicides, in this study the acute toxicity of five widely used herbicides in Iran as aquatic ecosystems pollutants on Luciobarbus esocinus were investigated. METHODS: Acute toxicity (96 h LC50) of five herbicides (Paraquat, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, Trifluralin, Glyphosite and Atrazine) were determined via OECD standard method. L.esocinus exposed to Serial concentrations (more than 6 in triplicates) of each herbicide. Mortalities at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after exposure were recorded and the LC50 were calculated using Probit software. RESULTS: Results showed that acute toxicity of these herbicides are significantly different in L. esocinus. The 96 h LC50 of Paraquat, 2,4-D, Trifluralin, Glyphosite and Atarzine in L.esocinus were 54.66, 138.8, 1.09, 716.83 and 44.30 mg/l respectively. Glyphosite showed lowest toxicity in Luciobarbus esocinus among the five herbicids. The highest toxicity of herbicides in L. esocinus belongs to Trifluralin. The mortality rate of exposed fish to herbicides enhanced either by increasing herbicides concentration or duration of exposure. Mortality patterns during 96 hours of toxicity evaluation were similar in all five herbicides. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the high application and similar efficacy of  herbicides in most of the cane farms of Khouzestan province, and based on different toxicities of these five herbicides for fish as a non targeting organism, Glyphosite is highly recommendable as a proper alternative to Trifluralin, Atrazine, Paraquat and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid.

An adult native cock (Gallus gallus domesticus) referred to the aviary clinic with multiple different sizes of round dermal nodules. The bird died few days later, and was then submitted for further evaluation. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations as well as a PCR test were done to identify type and cause of the tumor. In histopathological assessment of biopsy specimen, it consisted of interlacing bundles of fibroblasts that orientated in different directions with plump or elongated spindle shaped nuclei and fairly abundant  cytoplasm. At necropsy several large  white nodules were implanted in lung and liver. Microscopically the proliferated fibroblastic cells were invaded to both organs, and were similar to those described for skin lesion. The tumor cells had immunoreaction for alpha smooth muscle actin, vimentin and S100 protein, whereas they were negative for desmin and pancytokeratin, suggesting a diagnosis of metastatic neuro-myofibroblastic sarcoma. A PCR test specific for avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) confirmed the presence of that virus in tumor specimens. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed a relatively low similarity in the LTR segment (90%) of the studied virus with other ALV-J strains. It might be the first report of cutaneous neuro-myofibroblastic sarcoma, potentiated to metastasis to other organs  induced by ALV-J.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge in blood constituents isimportant for assessing the physiological status and the health ofanimals. Only a limited number of two-humped camels (Camelusbactrianus) were reared in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran.OBJECTIVES:The present study was carried out to find out whetherthe sex and pregnancy affect thyroid hormones, lipid andlipoprotein profile, and selected biochemical factors in healthyIranian Bactrian camels. METHODS:The evaluated herd containedtwenty clinical healthy Bactrian camels, aged between four andthirteen years. Six of them were non-pregnant, five in the late periodof pregnancy, and nine were male camels. Blood samples (10 mL)were collected from the jugular vein of camels in spring 2013 duringtwo consecutive days. All samples were centrifuged at 3000× rpmfor 15 min and sera were refrigerated at -21°C until analysis.Thyroid function tests were carried out by measuring serum levelsof thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxin(fT4), (T4), and free and total triiodothyronine (fT3), (T3) bycommercially available radio immunoassay kits. The biochemicalparameters were measured using a standard autoanalyser(Hitachi717, Boehringer. Mannheim, Germany). RESULTS: Thelevels of fT4, HDL-Cholesterol, ALP, and glucose in the sera ofpregnant camels were significantly lower than the male and nonpregnantcamels. The serum levels of other parameters were notsignificantly different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thepresent study revealed that heavy pregnancy has a profound effecton certain serum biochemical parameters in Bactrian camels.

BACKGROUND:Mastitis is the most economically importantdisease in dairy industry worldwide. Bulk tank milk (BTM)analysis has been suggested for monitoring the udder healthstatus at herd level. OBJECTIVES: A cross-sectional study wasconducted to evaluate udder health status in 15 Holstein dairyfarms located in Qom province. METHODS: Bulk tank somaticcell count (BTMSCC) was analyzed using opto-fluoroelectroniccounter. Standard plate count, preliminary incubationcount, laboratory pasteurized count, and the number ofenvironmental streptococci, S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, S.uberis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, coagulase negative streptococci,S. aureus and C. bovis were determined using specific culturemedia. Moreover, clinical and subclinical mastitis were diagnosedusing physical examination and California mastitis test,respectively. RESULTS: Most herds had moderate to highBTMSCC and high bacterial counts. The prevalence of clinicaland subclinical mastitis was 1.3% and 24.7%, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicated inefficient stallmanagement, udder hygiene, and milking practices in the herdsinvestigated.

BACKGROUND: Methionine has been suggested as the firstlimitingamino acid for milk production in ruminants. It is importanthow to increase milk protein yield and milk fat in dairy ruminants.OBJECTIVES: This study was set to investigate the effect of rumenprotected methionine (RPMet) on milk composition of lactatingCashmere Rayeni goats. METHODS: 40 healthy singletonCashmere Rayeni goats about 3 to 4 years of age, at the first day oflactation, were randomly divided into 2 equal control andexperimental groups. The experimental group was supplementedwith 5 gr/day RPMet for 60 days. Milk samples of 2 groups weretaken on 30th and 60th days of the study. Milk protein, milk fat, milklactose, and milk Solids-not-Fat (SNF) were determined usingautomatic analyzer. The results were statistically evaluated withSPSS. RESULTS: The supplementation with RPMet did not effectall of the above mentioned parameters during the 60 days of theexperiment (p>0.05), except for the milk fat percentage of theexperimental group which showed significant increase after 60days (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results about milk protein,milk lactose, and SNF were in agreement with previous studies thathad not shown significant differences. Results about milk fat on the30th day were in agreement with the results of several authors whoreported that RPMet did not affect milk fat percentage or yield;however, in the present study milk fat increased significantly on the60th day (p<0.05). To the best of the authors' knowledge, no studyabout the effects of RPMet on milk composition of CashmereRayeni goat has been done.

BACKGROUND: Freezing is a common way and one of the best methods of seafood preservation for long periods of time; however, the freeze thawing process may influence the quality of food. OBJECTIVES: Oxidation and denaturation of proteins, sublimation and recrystallization of ice crystals can cause changes in the quality of the frozen products. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of three different thawing methods including microwave, refrigerator, and water thawing on the quality of pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum). METHODS: For this purpose, the pink shrimps were hunted from Persian Gulf. Then, 200 g of peeled undeveined shrimps were frozen in vacuum-packed polyethylene bags at -40°C. The samples were transferred to Kerman Veterinary School and were kept at -18°C freezer. After four days, the shrimp were defrosted by three mentioned methods. Three cycles of freezing and defrosting with four days intervals were performed. Percentage of thawing loss (%TL), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile base (TVB), and salt-soluble protein (SSP) were detected at each freeze-thaw cycle. RESULTS: An increase in the freeze-thaw cycles increased TBA and TVB value slightly and significantly decreased the SPP value (p<0.05). Microwave thawing method gave the samples with the highest thawing loss in comparison to the other methods in each freeze-thaw cycle (p<0.05). A significant increase was seen in TBA value in water and microwave thawing methods in comparison to refrigerator thawing method (p<0.05). Refrigerator thawing method had higher SSP value in comparison to the other thawing methods (p<0.05). Likewise, there was no significant difference between three mentioned methods in TVB value (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results showed that refrigerator thawing method had lower effect in decreasing chemical quality of the pink shrimp than two other methods, and multiple freeze-thawing processes caused some deleterious effects on the quality of the frozen shrimps.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacteriosis is one of the most commonbacterial intestinal disorders of humans in many countries.A wide range of domestic and wild bird species have been identifiedas natural reservoirs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this studywas to determine the Campylobacter spp from pet birds andscreen the determined Campylobacters for presence of virulencecytolethal distending toxin (cdt) genes. METHODS: A totalof 660 fecal samples from 32 different species of pet birds weretaken and examined for detection of Campylobacter spp. andwere investigated for presence of cdt genes. All the sampleswere collected from clinically healthy birds that were kept incage, zoological parks, and/ or in zoo of Tehran, the capital ofIran. RESULTS: In total, 20 thermophilic Campylobacter weredetected from 8 different avian species. From 20 confirmedCampylobacter spp., 16 samples (80%) were C. jejuni positiveand 4 (20%) were C. coli in species-specific PCR test. Furthermore,out of 20 detected Campylobacter, 13 (65%) harboredthe various subunits of cdtA, cdtB and cdtC genes, and 7 (35%)were negative for all tested cdt genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findingsindicate that the carriage rate of Campylobacter in differentspecies of cage and/or in zoo birds is high and confirm thatcdt genes may frequently be present in campylobacter spp.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia abortus is a zoonotic bacteriumthat commonly causes abortions in ruminants. This microorganismis one of the most important infectious agents causingabortion and major economic losses in sheep and goats worldwide.OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was investigatingthe status of C. abortus infection among small ruminantflocks of some regions in Iran. METHODS: A total of 1440 serasamples from sheep and goats were collected from 113 flocksof 7 provinces and tested with CHEKIT®-ELISA for antibodiesagainst C.abortus. RESULTS: The study detected overall seroprevalencelevels of 25.6% for the individual animals, and81.4% flocks had at least one positive animal. Analysis of differentsheep groups based on their age revealed that the highestnumbers of infected animals were registered in the 2 yearsage group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate thatthe seroprevalence of C.abortus infection in sheep and goats isvery high in Iran. Therefore, it is necessary that Iran’s veterinaryorganization set up appropriate surveillance and controlprograms to reduce economic losses of this disease.