BACKGROUND: Leptin as a cytokine-like hormone is derived from ob gene (one of the major effect genes on birth weight and growth traits) and is secreted by adipose tissue. This hormone with binding to its receptors in the hypothalamus, inhibits food intake and increases energy consumption. OBJECTIVES: There is not any report about expression of leptin gene in response to oral administration of selenium in livestock. In the present study, the effects of selenium nanoparticle and sodium selenite on the transcription of leptin gene in placenta were studied. METHODS: Twenty, four-month pregnant ewes within the same age were selected randomly. During the 21 days leading up to birth, oral administration of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) with dosages of 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg B.W. and sodium selenite with dosage of 0.1 mg/kg B.W. was carried out. At the same time the control group was fed distilled water in equal volume. With sampling of the placenta during childbirth, transcription amount of leptin gene was determined by RT PCR Real Time based on a comparison assay of 2-ΔΔCt. Results: The results of this study showed that leptin gene is expressed in placental tissue. The oral administration of selenium nanoparticle and sodium selenite caused a significant increment in terms of expression of mentioned gene in comparison to the control treatment. Also, there was a significant difference between the supplements, so that the highest leptin gene expression in placenta was observed in selenium nanoparticle treatment with dose of 0.1 mg and then supplement with selenium nanoparticles with dose of 0.05 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Selenium causes an increment of leptin gene expression in placental tissue.

BACKGROUND: Reproductive diseases are among the most important life threatening problems in captive female iguanas. Egg binding is a reproductive disorder in which female iguana cannot lay one or more of its eggs, mainly caused by improper husbandry. Physiological and pathological process of egg production such as egg binding in iguanas has to be assessed more. Objectives: In this study, diagnostic value of two modalities, radiography and ultrasonography, have been compared for evaluation of egg binding in green iguana. Methods: In this study ultrasonography and digital radiography were used as non-invasive methods to evaluate and describe dystocia in captive female green iguanas. Ultrasonography was performed in ventral aspect of abdomen in two sagittal and transverse planes. While radiographic images were taken in both dorso-ventral (DV) and lateral projections. Results: Ultrasonography provided more accurate and informative results than digital radiology. Radiography can be used to detect gravidity and presence of large eggs or follicles. Heterogeneous echogenic eggs or follicles, with different egg size, irregularity in egg borders and echogenic free fluid in celomic cavity were detected in egg-bound green iguanas. Among these ultrasongraphic evidences, the strongest sign was presence of echogenic free fluid in celomic cavity. However digital radiography is unable to delineate fluids in celomic cavity following egg binding in green female iguanas. Among two radiographic positioning, dorso-ventral view provides more information than lateral images. Conclusions: In conclusion, when we encounter a female green iguana with clinical signs of egg binding, ultrasonography has more advantages than radiography, however both modalities can be informative

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli is a particularly complex species that is grouped into pathotypes of partly zoonotic intestinal pathogenic E. coli and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Strains belonging to ExPEC are able to cause various clinical signs in hosts and due to similar genetic determinants, these hosts may act as a source of infection for each other. OBJECTIVES: Recent reports of outbreaks of human urinary tract infections (UTIs) have stimulated interest in the potential that E. coli from animals has to cause human UTIs via the food supply especially poultry meat, so we aimed to assess the genetic relationships between strains from these two hosts. METHODS: A total  of  260  E. coli  isolates  were  obtained  from human  UTI’s (160 strains) and  poultry colibacillosis cases (100 strains)  and  phylogenetic  grouping  was  done  based  on  the Triplex-PCR  method and virulence genotyping was carried out using a modified Tetraplex-PCR detecting hly, iucD, papEF and sfa/focDE genes. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of results demonstrated that prevalence of B2 & D phylogroups in human UTI’s (77%) and D & A groups in poultry strains (66%) are higher than others, considerably. Statistical analysis showed that distribution of A phylogroup within poultry isolates versus human and B2 phylogroup within human isolates versus poultry ones were higher, significantly. It was shown that iucD is noticeablymore prevalent in poultry strains rather than human isolates,. Also, sfa/focDE gene was significantly more distributed in human strains than poultry isolates. CONCLUSIONS: In sum, despite the minor genetic differences between isolates from both hosts, our results showed that there are major genetic similarities in E. coli isolates from human UTI and poultry colibacillosis cases in the region and these two hosts can play an important role as infection source for the other one.   ________________________________________________________________

Backgrounds: In endurance riding, the exercitation ability of horses during long periods and distances wre evaluated. Objectives: investigating the causes of elimination among participated horses in the 2013-2014 national endurance rides. Methods: by being present at four competition courses. Results: out of 176 horses, 74 (%42) were eliminated and the data of 23 horses (%13) as a control group was collected. Lameness was the highest cause of elimination, with 29 (%39.2) horses. High heart rate was in the second stage, by assigning 13 (%17.55) horses. Elimination because of illegal cases had been the next major reason, which allocated up to 12 horses (%16.2). Metabolic disorders, flutter, excessive exhaustion and dehydration, had 7(%9.5), 10(%13.5), 1(%1.35) and 2(%2.7) cases respectively. Significant correlation was found between the gender and the occurrence of flutter, so that 8 of 10 cases (%80) of the flutter cases were among males. As the distance was rising, the number of elimination because of metabolic disorders had increased too, that means there was significant relationship between these recent parameters. There were significant correlations between preservation method and metabolic disorders and dehydration. As the league progressed, the number of total elimination was enhancing too, but the difference between elimination because of illegal reasons and flutter was noticeable; each of them had opposite process. Significantly, both serum calcium concentration (mg/dl) means of all eliminated blood samples (10.10±0.37) and the control group (11.19±0.17) have been higher than serum calcium concentration of the group eliminated due to flutter (9.41±0.34) (P<0.05). Significantly, the mean of serum total protein concentration (g/dl) of the group which was eliminated because of the flutter incidence (7.87±0.11) has been higher than all eliminated samples (7.75±0.11) and the control group (6.61±0.16). Conclusions: The results of the indurance competition in this research in our country are alike with international data in other countries.

Backgrounds: Avian Influenza is viruses from the Orthomyxovirida family. This disease, in poultry, turkey, and many other birds caused by different subtypes of type A influenza virus.Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate probability infections of H5 and H7 subtypes of AI viruses in commercial and backyard poultry in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in Iran’s commercial and domestic poultry from September to December in 2013. The samples were examined with the HI test to differentiate H5&amp; H7. A total of 1315 premises and 29058 birds were sampled. Results: All premises were negative for H7 subtype and five premises (3 broiler breeders and 2 villages) out of 1315 were positive in HI test. All the collected swab samples from H5 seropositive premises were PCR negative for detection of H5. The results of our study showed that existing live bird marketing with OR=19.68(CI 95% 2.18-177.38) and existing duck farm within up to a 3 km radius with OR=11.33 (CI 95% 1.30-96.68) were risk factors for H5 sub type. Conclusions: Based on live bird marketing role in transmission and spreading of Influenza viruses specially at the time of migration season in country and the probability of hunting and selling of them at these markets, continuous monitoring of these markets for early detection of probable infections and preventing the spread of infection to other poultry is recommended.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary toxic metabolite produced by some Aspergillus species, particularly Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and A. parasiticus that contaminate feedstuffs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination of the concentrate and corn silage samples to toxigenic fungi and aflatoxin B1 in cattle farms of Yazd province in Iran. METHODS: A total of 80 samples of concentrated feeds and 80 samples of silage feeds were collected from cattle breeding farms of 4 cities in Yazd province in winter and spring seasons (40 samples in each season and one sample from each cattle farm). The samples were cultured on mycological media in order to isolate and determine the amount of the toxigenic fungi. Concurrently, the content of AFB1 was measured in feedstuff samples using ELISA technique. RESULTS: The results indicated that the most frequent fungi isolated were Aspergillus spp. (49.3%), Penicillium spp. (23%), Mucor spp. (22.3%) and Fusarium spp. (4.8%) in winter and Aspergillus spp. (46.9%), Penicillium spp. (21.8%), Mucor spp. (28.5%) and Fusarium spp. (2.8%) in spring from all understudy feedstuffs. The mean of AFB1 in feedstuffs were 0.25 and 0.21 µg/kg in winter and spring, respectively. According to statistical analysis of the results, significant differences were observed between the frequency of Aspergillus isolates and other fungal species (p<0.05) and also between toxigenic fungi, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium, with other isolated fungi (p<0.05). Among toxigenic fungi, significant differences were observed between Aspergillus and Penicillium species, Aspergillus and Fusarium species and Penicillium and Fusarium species (p<0.05). Significant relationship was observed between the amount of toxigenic fungi and AFB1 in feedstuffs (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained by this study show that rapid and specific detection of aflatoxigenic fungi is essential to ensure the mycological safety of animal feedstuffs.

BACKGROUND: Hemolytic anemia and resultant hypoxia can cause a dysfunction in the body functions. Iron delivered from hemolysis of erythrocytes can also stimulate oxidative stress. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of crocin on renal quality in animals that were exposed against hemolytic anemia induced by phenilhydrazine. METHODS: Forty-nine male and adult mice (20 – 25 g) were grouped within 7 groups. First group was control and treated with normal saline, and test groups were nominated as 2, 3, and 4 and were treated with phenyl hydrazine 2, 4, and 6 mg/100g/48 h (i.p.). Animals in groups 5, 6, and 7 were treated with crocin (200 mg/k/day, i.p.) in addition of 2, 4, and 6 mg/100g/48 h phenyl hydrazine. After 35 days, the blood samples were collected directly from the heart and after centrifugation (5 min and 3000 rpm), the serum samples were subjected to evaluate the Malondialehyde (MAD) level and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and renal were fixed in 10% formal saline for Paraffin sections. After tissue processing sample staining with H&amp;E method. RESULTS: This study showed that hemolytic anemia effects in proximal tubule of renal cortex, elso showed that the phenylhydrazine administration resulted in a dose-dependent declining of TAC and the crocin administration slightly was able to protect from TAC reduction. Moreover, PHN increased MDA level in serum in a dose-dependent manner, while co-administration of crocin with PHN significantly (P<0.05) reduced the rate of lipid peroxidation.while those groups which were treated with crocin showed a remarkable improvement in testis parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a protective effect of Crocin against the anemia-related hypoxia on renal parameters. The protective capacity of Crocin might relate to its known antioxidant power.

BACKGROUND: Recently chitosan nanoparticles have been applied as an immunostimulant and adjuvant in biomedical fields. OBJECTIVES: In this study the adjuvant effects of nanochitosan, derived from shrimp shell's chithin, on immunogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila vaccine in common carp were evaluated. METHODS: Totally 300 juvenile common carp (51±5.6 g, Mean ±SD) were randomly divided into four groups each contained three subgroups with 25 fishes. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were immunized intraperitoneally with A. hydrophila vaccine. No adjuvant used in group 1, but nanochitosan and freund adjuvant were used with vaccine in groups 2 and 3 respectively. Group 4 (Control) injected with normal saline instead of vaccine. Fish were immunised at days zero and 14 and fishes were reared in the same situation for 6 weeks. Serum samples were taken every other weeks and immunological parameters including WBC, serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity, serum complement activity, NBT reduction activity, total protein and globulin levels and anti A.hydrophila antibody titer were compared among the groups. At the end of experiment all groups were challenged with LD50 concentration of A. hydrophila and mortality recorded for ten days. RESULTS: WBC, serum lysozyme and complement activity, NBT activity, globulin level and anti A.hydrophila antibody titer were increased in nanochitosan and freund groups compare to control group (P<0.05). Serum bactericidal activity and serum albumin level showed no significant change among the groups (P>0.05). Challenge mortality decreased in immunised groups compare to control. CONCLUSIONS: Nonochitosan posses proper adjuvant effects which is comparable with freund adjuvant and can be a good candidate as an alternative to current adjuvant in fish vaccines.

Peritonitis, pericarditis and meningitis due to salmonella enterica in a Kermani ewe Summary : CASE HISTIRY : A Kermani ewe was examined because of inappetance and illthrifness. CLINICAL PRESENTATION : Clinical examination showed normal heart rate , tachy pnea, muffled heart sounds , stiff neck , dullness , dehydration , rumen atony and paled mucosal membrane . DIAGNOSITIC TESTING : Post mortem examination revealed pericarditis, peritonitis, intestinal adhesion, mesenteric thickness as well as meningeal thicknesses. Salmonella enterica was isolated in bacterial culture from affected tissues . ASSESSMENTS : Although there are some previous reports regarding the association between salmonella infection and peritonitis, pericarditis and meningitis in domestic animals, to the best of our knowledge, there is no previous report about the concurrent peritonitis, pericarditis and meningitis due to salmonella in ruminant . Key words : Peritonitis , Pericarditis , Meningitis , Salmonella , Sheep . . . . . .

BACKGROUND: Today ticks usually develop resistance to pesticides, it is therefore necessary to search for alternatives to those currently available. In the meantime the active principles of plants with acaricidal properties are a promising alternative for the control of ticks and other arthropods. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this work was evaluation of the effect of Matricaria Chamommila extract on larval and adult stages and mortality rate of Argas persicus and determination of the tick sensitivity to this plant extract. METHODS: In this study immersion method was used in order to determine of efficacy of extract on larval stage and mortality of ticks. To determine the lethal concentration, 3 suspensions 8%,2%,0.5% and 60% ethanol as control group was used from this extract. Tick immobility after turning them on their back was used as a viable or non-viable criterion. RESULTS: This extract showed considerable pesticide effects in comparison with control group (p<0.05%). Mentioned extract showed 60% mortality in 0.5 % concentration and 100% mortality in other used concentrations while the effect of extract was 0% in adult ticks. CONCLUSIONS: Our result showed that extract of Chamomile has considerable pesticide effect on larval stage of Argas, while against adult tick has no effect.