BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the main monohydroxylated derivative of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) formed in liver and excreted into milk. AFM1  creates  certain hygienic risks for human health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine AFM1 level in raw milk samples in Yazd province. METHODS: This investigation was a descriptive-cross sectional study. Eighty raw milk samples were collected from four cities (Yazd, Taft, Mehriz and Sadogh) in Yazd province in winter and spring seasons. The concentration of AFM1 was determined by ELISA method. The analysis of the results was performed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: All samples (100%) were contaminated with AFM1, with the concentrations ranging from 3.18 to 92.24 ng/l with a mean concentration of 22.07 ng/l. AFM1 level in 13.7% of raw milk samples was higher than the maximum tolerance limit of 50 ng/l accepted by the European Union (EU). The contamination level of AFM1 in winter samples (28.21 ng/l) was higher than spring samples (15.92 ng/l). Also, the highest and lowest contamination levels were observed in milk samples collected from Sadogh (mean 42.21 ng/l) and Yazd (12.79 ng/l) cities, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated AFM1 was detected with a mean concentration of 22.07 ng/l in milk samples of Yazd province. Moreover, 13.7% of samples contained AFM1 at hazardous levels for human health.

BACKGROUND: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious disease of young birds. Differentiation between classical virulent and very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) isolate is very important for the poultry industry to choose the right vaccination program. Molecular and serological tests are time consuming and have variable sensitivity. However, the melting curve analysis is relatively fast method with high precision. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the melting curve analysis for differentiation of some Iranian IBDVs which their identity had been previously determined by RT-PCR/RFLP analysis. METHODS: In this study, after RNA extraction and reverse transcription and Real Time RT- PCR of IBDVs, high melting resolution at temperatures ranging from 81 to 92°C were performed. RESULTS: The findings of this study showed that in the high resolution melting curve analysis, the viruses were classified from A to D. Three vaccine strains of D78, Gumbokal, Bursa CE; IBD L; Bursine 2; and all field viruses were placed in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. High resolution melting curve analysis after normalization also showed all viruses of this study were placed in 4 HRM genotypic group. Three strains, D78, Gumbokal, Bursa CE, produced similar and non-differentiable curve but were different from other vaccine and field strains. Two other vaccine strains, IBD L and Bursine 2, were different from each other and other viruses. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the real-time RT-PCR HRM technique is cost-effective and reliable among the currently used methods and can be used for differentiation of IBDV isolates.

BACKGROUND: Canine infestation of ectoparasites is of medical and veterinary importance worldwide and in Iran due to transmission of pathogen agents. OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to determine prevalence and species diversity of ectoparasites in dogs of Gilanegharb suburb of Kermanshah province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 138 dogs (93 sheepdogs and 45 watchdogs) were randomly selected and examined from March 2012 to May 2013. The body surface was investigated for ixodid ticks and removed along with the mouthparts. The mites were also removed directly from the skin and/or using skin scraping and then digested. Fleas and lice were collected from body surface of examined dogs and identified. RESULTS: The results indicated that 65 sheepdogs (47.11%) and 43 watchdogs (31.16%) were infested with ectoparasites. There was a significant difference between prevalence and sex in dogs aged less than one-year-old (p≤0.05). The maximum and minimum ixodid ticks infestations were respectively for Rhipicephalus sanguineus (35.36%) and H. marginatum marginatum (3.06%). Tick indices (number of tick per each animal) were 2.13 with the highest body distribution in ear (24.82%) of R. sanguineus (p≤0.05). The frequency of ixodid tick infestation was significantly higher in spring (33.82%) than other seasons. Thirty five dogs (25.14%) out of all examined dogs were infested with Sarcoptes scabiei (15.33%), Demodex canis (9.81%), Ctenocephaloides canis (6.52%), Pulex irritans (3.62%), and Trichodectes canis (4.35%). CONCLUSIONS: From the results of the current study, it was concluded that there was species diversity in dogs’ ectoparasites fauna which can be transmitted to humans and served as the carrier for spreading the infective agents in the region.

BACKGROUND: The nematodes which belong to Haemonchus genes have high ability to show genetic and morphological changes. They can live with convenient adaptation in different hosts. OBJECTIVES: A Morphologic and Morphometric comparative study on Haemonchus nematodes from domestic ruminants in the southeast of Iran and comparison of studied parameters with the results of other researches around the world. METHODS: During an annual period the 100 adult Haemonchus nematodes (50 male and 50 female) were  collected from each domestic ruminant (sheep, goat, cattle and camel) from Nehbandan (southern  Khorasan), Zabol and Zahedan (Sistan and Balouchestan) in the southeast of Iran. In present study the measured parameters are: Total body length of male and female adult nematodes, gubernaculum length, right and left spicule length, the distance between spicule spine and the spicule posterior end, the distance between anterior cervical spine and the anterior end of nematode, the egg diameters.  Also, the anterior sections were observed in order to study the longitudinal cuticular ridges (Synloph). The achieved data from nematodes of each host were compared with others using (One Way Anova and Tukey tests), also such comparison was done with the results of one of the standard sources (Soulsby 1982) using One Sample T Test. RESULTS: The results of present study showed that some of the parameters such as spicule length, distance between right spicule spine and the spicule posterior end, and Synloph pattern in nematodes from sheep and goat are mostly similar to Haemonchus placei. The significant statistical differences in present study results showed high polymorphism in Haemonchus nematodes in the area. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that such high polymorphism in present nematodes, especially from sheep and goat has been created due to mating of native nematodes and foreign species with the source of imported cattle.

BACKGROUND: This study was initiated to improve our understanding  of the health and environmental impact of silver nanoparticles (Ag-np). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is application and direct effects of silver nanoparticles on Zebra fish (Danio rerio). METHODS: After characterizing the AgNPs using TEM, EDX, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, XRF and SEM methods, their effects on some vital tissues have been tested successfully in vitro. In this study, 540 fish (2±0.05 g) were randomly divided into 9 groups in triplicate for acute tests (0,10, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mg/kgfood). After short term (96h), chronic toxicity tests were evaluated using under lethal concentration (100, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kgfood) fed with experimental diet for 8 weeks. Fish in groups 1 to 4 were fed by food supplemented with 100, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg food, respectively. Group 5 was fed with basal food without supplementation. After histopathology, heavy metals were measured by spectrum photometry reveal. RESULTS: According to the results of acute tests, the 96h LC50 values in 24, 48, 72 and 96h were 804.601, 486.637, 323.696 and 195.208 mg/kgfood AgNPs for the Zebra fishes respectively. According to the results of chronic toxicity tests, fed via oral administration of AgNPs produced significant histopathological effects. Also, the most important histopathological effects of AgNPs were observed in the liver (vasculature and exposure, degeneration of some hepatocytes), intestine (increase in the submucosa layer, narrowing of the intestinal lumen  and reduced intestinal absorption), gills (clubbing of gill secondary lamaleas, hyperplasia, hyperemia and shortening of the primary lamaleas gills) and kidney (degeneration, high increase in interstitial cells and dilatation of Bowman’s space of glomeruli), respectively. The greatest bioaccumulation of silver occurred in the liver, gills and muscle of fish respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The release of untreated nanoparticle waste to the environment should be restricted for the well-being of human and aquatic species.

BACKGROUND: Lactic acid bacteria are the most common class of bacteria used in aquaculture as probiotic. ObjectiveS: In this study the effects of various levels of Lactobacillus casei on the growth performance and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile Shirbot were evaluated. Methods: Four hundred-eighty juvenile Shirbot weighing 40 g were divided randomly in four treatments (in triplicate). Treatments of A, B and C were fed with 5×106 CFU g-1, 5×107 CFU g-1, 5×108 CFU g-1, respectively for 60 days. Control group was fed with free-probiotic diet. After the period, treatments were fed with free-probiotic diet for 15 days. Growth indices and digestive enzymes were examined on days 0, 30, 60 and 75. Results: In the Treatment B, Specific Growth  Ratio, Daily Weight Growth and Relative Growth Rate, after 30 days from the beginning of experiment improved considerably which, compared to control group had significant difference (p<0.05). Activity of chymotrypsin enzyme in treatment of group B after 30 days and similarly, trypsine in treatment of group C after 30 and 60 days, were increased significantly compared to control group (p<0.05). In the other points of sampling and enzymes, considerable difference was not seen (p>0.05). Conclusions: Results showed that 5×107 CFUg-1 of Lactobacillus casei for 30 days and 5×108 CFUg-1 for 60 days, are the best doses of probiotic.

BACKGROUND: Honey is recognized as having different biological properties including antioxidant effects. Phenolic acids and flavonoids are the main antioxidant in this apiary product. OBJECTIVES: In this study eight samples of Sabalan honey were screened to evaluate the antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content. METHODS: Antioxidant activity of honey samples was determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) method and β-carotene bleaching assay, total phenolic and flavonoid by Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride methods, in addition, in all samples, some physicochemical parameters (pH, acidity, diastase activity, existence or nonexistence of HMF) were measured according to Iranian National Standardization N92. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (one-way). RESULTS: Total phenolic and flavonoid content of honeys ranged respectively from 15.71- 41.58 (mg GAE/100g honey) and 3.80-13.20 (mg QE/100g honey). Antioxidant activity was between 23.19%-94.25%, β-carotene bleaching inhibition 69.54%-85.69%, pH ranged from 3.63-3.83, Acidity 11.99-20.50 mEq/kg , diastase activity of all samples was negative except sample No.1. All samples had positive HMF results. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the above results, it could be concluded that the honey samples have significant antioxidant activity. All parameters of physicochemical test were according to the international specifications except diastase and HMF tests, which may be due to improper processing and storage condition, heating treatment, old honey,etc.

Background: Colisepticemia is an acute fatal disease in farm animal neonates. Clinical finding of septicemia is non-specific and cannot be differentiate from signs of non-infectious disease or disease with local infection such as diarrhea. Object: Evaluation of clinical signs variations in calves with experimental septicemia with Escherichia coli O111:H8. Methods: Colisepticemia were experimentally induced in ten Holstein bull calves after an adaptation period. Vital signs and 7 clinical criteria were recorded from 24h before septicemia until 48h after that. Blood culture was performed and treatment was done based on antibiogram from 24h after challenge. Results: Changes of suckling reflex and shock were not significant. Changes of appetite, dehydration, behavior, standing ability, total score from 24h before the challenge to 24h after treatment were significant(P

BACKGROUND: Heat stress reduces the poultry performance through physiologic changes. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of tryptophane on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chickens under heat stress condition. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates (pen), 10 birds in each replicate. The chickens of experimental treatments were fed basal diet (control group) and the diets plus the different levels of 100, 120 and 130 and 140% of the Ross strain tryptophane requirements. The experimental diets were used during the finisher period (day 25 to 42 of age) and under heat stress (32±1 ºC as cyclic from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM). RESULTS: The results showed that the weight gain was  increased linearly by increasing the tryptophane level to 110% of Ross requirements but increasing the tryptophane level to 120, 130 and 140% caused the deteriorated weight gain (p<0.05). The feed conversion ratio was linearly decreased during the finisher and whole the period by supplementation of tryptophane to 110 and 120% but the higher tryptophane levels (130 and 140%) increased the feed conversion ratio during these two periods (p<0.05). Increasing the tryptophane level to 130% of Ross requirements caused a linear increase in the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, alanine amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase (p<0.05). Dietary supplementation of tryptophane had no effect on the blood urea, protein, creatinine, albumin, glucose and cholesterol at day 42 of age but triglyceride (p>0.05). Increasing the tryptophane level to 140% caused the lower blood triglyceride content (p<0.05). CONLUSIONS: Totally, the results of recent experiment show that consumption of 110 and 120% tryptophane of Ross requirements is the best level for performance improvements in broiler chickens under heat stress.

BACKGROUND: The insoluble fiber content of poultry feeds is often considered as an unfavorable factor which reduces the nutritive value of diet. OBJECTIVES: The effects of barley hulls on performance traits of broiler chickens were evaluated. METHODS: The experiment was carried out using 200 Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates. The experimental diets  consisted of a control hulls-free diet and four diets containing 0.75 or 1.5 percent barley hulls with particle sizes of less than 1 mm or between 1-2 mm. RESULTS: The dietary type did not affect feed intake of the experimental groups. In the whole the experimental period, the weight gain and feed conversion ratio in the broiler chickens feed, the diet that contained 1.5% barley hulls with 1-2 mm particle size improved compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the jejunum, fiber feeding resulted in an increased goblet cell number as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Unexpectedly, barley hulls feeding reduced the villi height compared to the control group (p<0.05). In jejunum the crypt depth in control birds was more than the treatment fed 1.5% barley hulls with less than 1 mm particle size (p<0.05). The ratio of crypt depth to villus height in control group was more than the birds fed the diet that contained 1.5% barley hulls with less than 1 mm particle size (p< 0.05). In ileum the chickens fed the control diet had more lactobacillus and less Escherichia coli than the majority of the treatment fed barley hulls. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of 1.5% barley hulls with particle size of 1-2 mm in diet improved performance traits of broiler chickens. On the other hand, using 1.5% barley hulls as a lignocelluloses source increased lactobacillus growth and reduced Escherichia coli population. This alteration in intestinal micro flora suggests a prebiotic effect for barley hulls in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens.