This study investigated the effects of Aloe vera and Salvia officinalis extracts on hematological and haemato-biochemical parameters, histopathology, and resistance against hypoxia stress in Oncorhynchus mykiss. The rainbow trout (10 ± 0.1 g) were fed seven different diets supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of A. vera or S. officinalis extract for 30 days. The feeding in all treatments was continued for 2 weeks using control diet. The fish blood samples were collected on days 30th and 45th, and total red blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin were measured. The glucose and cortisol of serum were examined just before and one hour after hypoxia stress (3 mg L-1) at days 30th and 45th. The gill tissue samples were taken from all treatments for histopathological study at the end of experimental period. The S. officinalis (0.5%) treated group showed a significant increase (p< 0.05) in red blood cells, hematocrits and hemoglobin compared to control group. While the A. vera (1 and 1.5%) treatments revealed significant increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration compared to the control group (p< 0.05). Moreover the glucose and cortisol levels of serum were increased significantly only in S. officinalis (0.5%) treated group after hypoxia stress on days 30th and 45th compared to the control group (p< 0.05). No serious histopathological changes were observed in any treatments and control group. Based on the results obtained, dietary S. officinalis (0.5%) hydroethanolic extract improved the haematological and haemato-biochemical parameters and increased the rainbow trout resistance against hypoxia stress.

Anorexia is a part of the acute phase response (APR). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is frequently used to mimic APR and induces anorexia. The mechanism underlying anorexia associated with APR in chicks is not well understood. In the present study, the possible involvement of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) on anorexic effects of LPS in neonatal chicks was investigated. For this aim, different doses of LPS were administrated via both intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitoneal (IP) routes in order to assess its effects on chick’s food intake. Subsequently, the effect of ICV injection of astressin, a CRF receptor antagonist, on anorexia induced by ICV and IP administration of LPS was investigated. Food intake was significantly decreased following either central or systemic administration of LPS. ICV co -injection of astressin and LPS significantly diminished anorexic effects of central LPS. However, anorexia induced by peripheral LPS was not attenuated by central injection of astressin. These data indicated that the brain CRF receptors are involved in central LPS-induced anorexia in chicks.

The aim of this study was to investigate the fungi and algae isolated from milk samples in dairy cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis from dairy farms around Mashhad, Iran. A total of 503 milk samples were obtained from 10 industrial dairy farms. All samples were simultaneously cultured on the surface of Blood agar, Macconkey agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol. Fungi and algae were identified using phenotypic characteristics. In the examined samples, the bacterial contamination (338 out of 503 samples; 67.20%) was the most dominant followed by algae (93 out of 503 samples; 18.5%), filamentous fungi (32 out of 503 samples; 6.4%) and yeast fungi (26 out of 503 samples; 5.2%).Penicillium spp. (2.8%), Aspergillus spp. (2.6%), Cladosporium spp. (1.2%), Geotrichum spp.(0.4%), Ulucaladium spp., Scopolariopsis spp. and Alternaria spp. (0.2% each), Cryptococcus neofermenes (3%), Candida spp. (1%), Trichosporon spp. (0.8%) and Rhodoturula spp. (0.4%) were the filamentous and yeast fungi isolated from milk samples. Of the 93 algae isolated from 503 milk samples (18.5%), 83 (16.5%) samples were positive for Prototheca zopfii and 10 (2%) samples for Prototheca wickerhamii. According to the results of this study, yeast fungi, filamentous fungi and algae, especially Prototheca spp. are important contaminant factors in milk and contribute to clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis. Therefore, proper sanitation practices and management of dairy herds and judicious use of antibiotics is essential to control the fungal and algal contamination both in the environment and the breast.

Campylobacter is one of the main bacterial causes of ewe abortion throughout the world. Campylobacter infections are now considered as zoonoses. The objective of this study was an investigation of Campylobacter fetus prevalence among aborted ovine fetuses in the Sistan region (north of Sistan and Baluchestan province). In the present study, spleen and abomasum content samples were obtained from 78 aborted lambs of Baluchi sheep. The samples were examined for campylobacter contamination using PCR method. The overall prevalence of campylobacter infection was 7.7%. The prevalence of infection in fetuses aged three months and under were significantly higher than that in fetuses older than three months. The result of this study showed that C. fetus should be considered as one of the infectious causes of abortion among sheep flocks in Sistan region.

This study performed to determine hematological parameters in Saanen goats’ kids from birth until 3 months of age. The whole blood specimens were collected from 20 clinically healthy goat kids (15 females and 5 males). The blood specimens were obtained at 24-48h after birth and 10 ± 2, 28 ± 2, 56 ± 2 and 84 ± 2 days. Hematological variables were determined based on reference laboratory methods. Results showed significant age related changes for most factors (p < 0.05) except for MCHC and the number of monocytes, eosinophils, and band neutrophils. There were significant differences with first sampling time for all parameters (p < 0.01) except for the number of monocytes, eosinophils and band neutrophils. The results of the present study ould be used as reference values for proper interpretation of laboratory results.

Experiment was conducted to determine effect of Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil on stored spermatozoa. Semen collection was performed by using 15 mature roosters twice a week at four times. In each session, ejaculates were pooled and split into seven parts. The amounts of 0 (EO0), 50 (EO50), 100 (EO100), 200 (EO200), 400 (EO400), 600 (EO600) and 1000 (EO1000) ng/ml Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil were added to each part. Samples were chilled to 4°C and maintained for 72 h. Sperm assessment was performed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated after 48 h. Results showed that there was no interaction between Zataria multiflora essential oil and incubation time on membrane integrity, sperm motility and viability (p > 0.05). The highest sperm progressive motility (80.43%), viability (86.31%) and functional membrane integrity (85.81%) was observed in EO200 (p < 0.05). The lowest sperm motility (61.31%) and viability (73.31%) was observed in EO1000 (p < 0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde was lowest in EO200 (0.17 nM/ml, p < 0.05). Therefore, addition of 200 ng/ml Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil to semen improved longevity of rooster spermatozoa at 4°C.

Experiment was conducted to determine effect of Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil on stored spermatozoa. Semen collection was performed by using 15 mature roosters twice a week at four times. In each session, ejaculates were pooled and split into seven parts. The amounts of 0 (EO0), 50 (EO50), 100 (EO100), 200 (EO200), 400 (EO400), 600 (EO600) and 1000 (EO1000) ng/ml Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil were added to each part. Samples were chilled to 4°C and maintained for 72 h. Sperm assessment was performed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated after 48 h. Results showed that there was no interaction between Zataria multiflora essential oil and incubation time on membrane integrity, sperm motility and viability (p > 0.05). The highest sperm progressive motility (80.43%), viability (86.31%) and functional membrane integrity (85.81%) was observed in EO200 (p < 0.05). The lowest sperm motility (61.31%) and viability (73.31%) was observed in EO1000 (p < 0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde was lowest in EO200 (0.17 nM/ml, p < 0.05). Therefore, addition of 200 ng/ml Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil to semen improved longevity of rooster spermatozoa at 4°C.

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a zoonotic skin disease of small ruminants, caused by an epitheliotropic parapoxvirus and has a worldwide distribution with significant economic importance. The objective of this study was to determine clinicopathlogic abnormalities in goats naturally infected with CE. Thirty two goats, 16 affected with CE and 16 normal healthy goats were used in this study. CE was confirmed by histopathology and PCR. Blood samples were collected from jugular veins for hematological and biochemical analysis. The PCV, WBC and neutrophil counts of CE affected goats were significantly higher than those in the unaffected goats (p < 0.05). Serum biochemical analysis revealed significantly higher levels of BUN, glucose, MDA and iron concentrations as well as CK, AST, GGT and catalase activities in CE affected goats than healthy animals (p < 0.05). The serum activity of catalase, SOD and GPx in goats with CE were significantly lower than those in normal goats. Creatinine concentration in serum of goats with CE was significantly lower than that in heathy ones (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum total protein, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, and cholesterol concentrations between CE affected and healthy goats. The alterations observed in hematological and biochemical parameters of CE affected goats could be related to weight loss, subnutrition, oxidative stress and pathological changes including inflammation and secondary bacterial infection. These findings could be useful for the management of cases of sheep and goats with CE.

Despite the development of novel drugs and technologies in combating the infectious diseases, they remain as a global health challenge. The use of conventional antimicrobial drugs are always associated with problems such as antimicrobial resistance, adverse effects, and inefficient drug delivery. In this regard, the unique physiochemical properties of the nanoparticles have led to increase in the researches on nanoparticles and their application as promising antimicrobial products. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are new carrier systems developed as an alternative to traditional nanoparticle vehicles. The solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), lipid-drug conjugates (LDCs), Lipid-core nanocapsules (LNCs) and lipid-polymer nanoparticles (LPNs) are carriers with a lipid matrix showing advantages for different applications due to the use of biodegradable, and biocompatible lipids. LNPs have exclusive properties owing to their ultra-small size and high surface area, thereby, they are able to increase drug targeting, treatment efficiency and reduce the toxicity of antimicrobial drugs. LNPs are often used as sustained release systems, and they also used for improving drug bioavailability. It has been found that the composition and structure of LNPs are two critical factors that may influence their pharmaceutical performance in different body organs. This review focuses on the development of LNP systems for antimicrobial drugs delivery and gives an overview on the modern LNP- based therapeutic strategies against the infections. The mechanism of action and advantages of these nanoparticles as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-parasitic agents are highlighted in this review.

The implantable drug products are developed mainly to sustain the drug release. This study was conducted to formulate and evaluate cross-linked films of chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (β-GP) for the sustained delivery of enrofloxacin (ENR). Two types of formulations, single-layer (F1 and F2) and triple-layer (F3 and F4) films, were prepared. In vitro drug release, kinetic modelling, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, morphological and microbiological studies were performed. Drug release from F1 and F2 continued up to 5 hours but from F3 and F4, it was extended over 96 and 168 hours, respectively. The cumulative drug release for F1, F2, F3 and F4 were 72.6, 70.1, 90.5 and 82.4%, respectively. The inhibition zones of bacterial growth by using positive controls and single layer films were significantly greater than those of triple-layer films (p < 0.05), indicating sustained drug release pattern of the multi-layer films.These findings suggest that the triple-layer chitosan/ β-GP films could be effective to deliver ENR for a long period.