BACKGROUND: Recent investigations  have identified anthelminitic effects of many medicinal plants particularly from condensed tannin sources. In addition, gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants have a negative effect on the farming industry worldwide. Objectives: The aim of the present study was  to determine the potential anthelmintic effects of Quercus robur extract on alimentary canal nematodes in naturally infected sheep by faecal egg count reduction test (EPGRT). Methods: The crude aqueous extract was prepared from Quercus robur as tannin extract. The nature and intensity of helminth infection was determined by coprological examination. The faecal samples of 600 sheep were collected from different regions of Kurdistan province. The samples were examined by flotation method (Clyton-Lane technique). Fifteen sheep with the most count in egg per gram (include Marshallagia, Nematodirus and Trichostrongylids) were divided into three groups of five animals: First group (test group) were drenched with Quercus robur extract at 3.75g/kg, second group (positive control group) received Albendazole 2.5%, orally at 5mg/kg and third group (negative control) without treatment. Results: The results of faecal examination  3 days after administration indicated significant reduction of EPG in both group’s treatment and positive control groups, 90.76% and 90.83% respectively, whereas there was no effect in the third group. Results were evaluated by Chi-square analysis and showed significant differences between treatment and negative control groups (p≤0.05). Nosignificant differences were observed between treatment group and positive control group (p≥0.05). Conclusions: Results reveal that aquatic extract of Quercus robur has anthelminitic activity and further large scale studies are suggested to confirm pharmacologic effects of this herbal extract.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is considered as one of the most important infections in ruminants. The flukes are found in the blood vessels of animals. This parasite has been observed in many countries such as: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Iraq and parts of Europe. OBJECTIVES: Aim of this study was to determine the contamination of Schistosoma turkestanicum in sheep in the central region of Mazandaran province during the year 2012-13. METHODS: Based on the high mortality rate reported by Mazandaran Veterinary Organization in some herds in the cities of the north of Iran During investigation 21.2% mortality was seen in infected herds by necropsy; Schistosoma turkestanicum was diagnosed  as cause of death. Examined infected herds and fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of sheep.  Samples were examined by flotation method and obtained results were analyzed by statistical tests. RESULTS: During present study which was performed in five central cities of Mazandaran, the highest infection rate was found in Babolsar and the lowest was found in Moghrikola region of Babol. Mortality rate was also evaluated based on gender and it was shown that mortality rates in females were higher than in males (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ornithobilharziosis, is considered one of the endemic diseases in some parts of Iran and several epidemics have occurred in recent years in Iran. Because this parasite causes  significant economic losses in herds of sheep and goat in Iran, due to its location in the ruminants body and because Mazandaran province is one of the important foci of infection, more attention of the veterinary organization and its institutions is needed for better and greater control of infection.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridge (MB) is generally defined as a superfacial muscular band that forms sporadic or multiple across the coronary artery in dog, cat, sheep, and human. OBJECTIVES: From the view of embryology MB is a preformatted structure with coronary artery during  forming. The type of study in human is during sonography and angiography examination, but in veterinary science the study on MB is  done after death examination. METHODS: This study was performed on over 50 sheep hearts that were prepared from slaughterhouse of Shahr e kord. First, pericardium was opened and the heart brought out of the pericardial cavity and then the hearts were studied with concentrated light and lens on both sides. After the M B recognition,  their length and width were measured by a ruler. In both sides of the heart,the MB was  divided into 1/3 proximal, 1/3 middle and 1/3 distal. In all of the studied hearts, only 10 samples (20%) had M B. RESULTS: The average length of recognised MBs was 1.55±1.17 (SD) cm and  with width of 1.09±.092 (SD) cm. The positive samples were transferred to histology laboratory for preparation of cross section of heart and were stained with  H&amp;E staining.CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal section showed the long fibers of myocardium with continual narrow fibers and intercalated discs were located between them.