BACKGROUND: Loss of calcium around calving can lead to diseases of transition period and reduce animal economic life. Prevention of milk fever and subclinical hypocalcemia is crucial and important in this period. Repeated doses of oral calcium chloride at calving is a method to prevent hypocalcemia and associated complications. ObjectiveS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of oral calcium chloride at calving on serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in transitional period of Holstein dairy cows fed with anionic and cationic diets. Methods: Forty-two Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided in 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 14), fed diet with negative DCAD without calcium chloride supplementation. Group 2 (n = 14), fed diet with negative DCAD and supplemented with calcium chloride at calving and 12 h later. Group 3 (n = 14), fed diets with positive DCAD and supplemented with calcium chloride at calving and 12 h later. Blood samples were collected at calving and 6 h and 12 h and 1d, 2 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 and 28 d after calving. Serum concentrations of Ca, P and Mg were measured by conventional methods. Results: The pattern of changes in serum levels of calcium and magnesium in different groups in different time periods (time × treatment interaction) were different (p<0.0001). Changes in serum phosphorus levels in different time periods were statistically significant (p<0.0001), but its mean was not affected by the treatment groups (p=0.7164).                    ConclusionS: In addition to anionic diets, supplemental calcium chloride should be used to prevent subclinical hypocalcemia in high-producing dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, disorder in lipid metabolism has been increased markedly in companion animal’s population. Hyperlipidemia is a common sign of obesity in dogs, which is characterized by hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglycemia. OBJECTIVES:  The purpose of the present survey is to determine the effect of obesity on blood lipid profile changes (including triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C) and comparing the decisive indicators of obesity in dogs in Ahvaz district. METHODS: Three groups of thirty dogs  referred to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz were studied between  2012-2014. The dogs in group A (control), had good body condition score (BCS= 4 to 5). The dogs were all thin (BCS= 1 to 3) in group B, and all obese in group C (BCS= 6 to 9). All of the studied dogs were selected from small breeds (Terrier, Spitz, Pekingese and Shih Tzu), of both sexes and ranging from 1 to 7 years old. Fasting blood samples were collected from all dogs and lipid profiles including serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured using commercial kits. RESULTS: Hyperlipidemia was confirmed in dogs of group A (normal) in 4 cases (13.33%), group B (thin) one case (3.33%), and group C (obese) in 19 cases (63.33%). Data analysis showed that there was a significant difference between group C (224.83±74.34) with groups A (149±39.66) and B (131.80±24.37) for triglyceride level (p<0.001), as well  a significant difference was seen between group C (229.40±60.36) with groups A (178.80±50.17) and B (151.47±23.45) and between group A with B for cholesterol level (p<0.05). The difference was significant for LDL-C between group C (67.10±22.83) with groups A (47.97±13.01) and B (43.07±13.08) (p<0.001), but there was no difference between various groups for HDL-C (p>0.05). The effects of age, gender and breed on the measured values did not show a significant difference between three groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present survey showed that there was a correlation between obesity and hyperlipidemia in dogs. Determination of body condition score (BCS) can be as a predictive agent in characterization of lipid profile status. Modification of diet and weight loss is necessary in obese dogs.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have demonstrated the important role of hippocampal serotonergic receptors in the emotional memory formation. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the possible role of hippocampal serotonergic receptors in emotional memory formation in several animal model tasks. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of ventral hippocampal (CA3) 5-HT4 receptors in emotional memory formation of rats in elevated plus-maze task. METHODS: 102 male Wistar rats were divided to 16 groups  (n=7), randomly. Two guide cannulae were implanted bilaterally, into the left and right hippocampi, using stereotaxic apparatus. At the test time and following the injections of saline, 5-HT4 receptor’s agonist and/or antagonist, the elevated plus-maze was used for evaluation of the emotional memory. RESULTS: A pre-test intra-CA3 injection of competitive agonist (RS67333; 1.2 µg/rat) and competitive antagonist (RS23597-190; 1.2 µg/rat) of 5-HT4 receptor, increased OAT% and OAE% by themselves while only the RS23597-190 decreased the closed arm entries, indicating that these drugs impaired the memory formation. Also, a pre-retest intra-CA3 injection of RS67333 and RS23597-190 (1.2 µg/rat) increased OAT% and OAE% by themselves, indicating that these drugs prevented the recall of the memories that formed on first day. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that the hippocampal 5-HT4 serotonergic receptor have an important role in memory formation and memory recall, at the time of emotional arousal and stressful situations.

BACKGROUND: Neospora caninum is a protozoanintracellular parasite which is considered as one of the main factors forrecurrent abortions of dairy cattle in various countries such as Iran. Thisparasite leads to negative economic impacts such as decline in reproduction,reduced amount of milk, and long calving intervals. OBJECTIVES: Therehave been numerous tests to determine the cause of abortion. PCR test isconsidered as a suitable method to specify Neospora caninum DNA and itcan determine the DNA in tissue samples and body fluids of the aborted fetus.This study aims to use PCR to evaluate parasites in the tissues of abortedfetuses so as to detect the best tissue for determining the parasite. METHODS:In this study, 82 aborted fetuses in the first six months of 2015 were studied.The tissues were selected from brain, liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys and rennetfluids. The NP21plus primer was used to detect the presence of Neosporacaninum in samples. After conducting the PCR Test, samples with 340bp bandin Gel electrophoresis were considered as positive. Statistical data from thesurvey of Neospora caninum’s presence in selected tissues were evaluatedby SAS (version 9.2) software. RESULTS: Contamination with this parasitewas found in 34 brain samples (41.5%) of aborted fetuses. In 2 (2.4%) and 4(4.9%) of the aborted fetuses, parasite DNA was found in lung and liver tissuesalong with brain tissues, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Due to significantdifference of infection of brain tissues in comparison to other tissues, ourstudy considers brain tissue as the most appropriate sample for detecting Neosporacaninum infection in aborted fetuses in PCR method

BACKGROUND: Due to the globally increasing diabetes and widespread side effects after using the synthetic drugs, a lot of researches are being undertaken  in order to replace chemicals with natural substances with similar biological effects. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare pancreatic histopathological changes between Glibenclamide and Mentha spicata extract consumed in diabetic Wistar rats. METHODS: 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided to four groups (six rats per group) including healthy group (negative control), diabetics (positive control). Group 2 included diabetic rats treated with 2mg/kg Glibenclamide (standard anti-diabetic drug), Group 3 were diabetic rats treated with 300mg/kg aqueous extract of menthe spicata. Group 4 included positive control. Diabetes was induced through intraperitoneal injection (150mg/kg) in groups 2,3 and 4. All treatments were carried out daily by gavage for 21 days. After the treatment period, and euthanizing rats, pancreatic tissues were fixed and prepared for staining with H &amp; E and Gomori methods to differentiate α and β cells and other changes of Langerhans islets. Average area of islets and (total islets area/total pancreas) was calculated. Total cells average count per mm2 of islets and beta cells density were examined in random selected microscopic fields. Changes in shape of cells and their nucleis were considered. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test in SPSS software. RESULTS: The results showed that alloxan can induce severe damage on beta cells and Glibenclamide and aqueous extracts of Mentha spicata can be taken to prevent further destruction of these cells. Statistical results showed that although Glibenclamide has  effects but there is no significant difference between aqueous extracts of Mentha spicata and Glibenclamide in their effects on the pancreas islets of diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Because the aqueous extract of Mentha spicata has strong antioxidant properties, It may prevent the damaging effects of free radicals on the beta cells of Langerhans islets. As a result, due to side effects of chemical drugs, compared to the use of this extract, it can be more useful and prevent further destruction of pancreatic beta cells rather than chemical drugs used in diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are natural fungal toxins that weaken the immune system and damage the liver. OBJECTIVES: The effects of seeds and whole plant powder and extract of Milk thistle (MT) plant in reducing the negative effects of feeding aflatoxin (AF) on broiler chickens blood parameters and immune response were examined. METHODS: 192 one-day old chicks (Ross 308) for 35 days in a completely randomized design with six treatments, four replicates and eight birds per repetition were used. The experimental treatments included: 1) control, 2) contaminated control (CC), 3) CC + 0.5 percent of MT seed powder, 4) CC + 1 percent MT plant powder, 5) CC + 600mg/kg MT plant extract, 6) CC + 1000mg/kg MT plant extract. RESULTS: The treatments had no significant effect on plasma concentrations CHOL, HDL, LDL, ALP, LDH, AST, ImG and ImM. Feeding contaminated diet increased alanine aminotransferase enzyme compared with healthy control (P≤0.05). The addition of 0.5 percent MT seed powder, 1 percent MT plant powder and 1000mg/kg MT plant extract to the contaminated diets decreased alanine aminotransferase enzyme compared to the contaminated control (P≤0.05). Inclusion of 1 percent MT plant powder to AF infected diet significantly increased the antibody titer compared with healthy control and contaminated control (P≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that compared to other treatments, 1 percent MT plant powder was more effective in reducing the negative effects of feeding AF in broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Honey is an excellent food product with health-giving characteristics. On the other hand, the honey quality can change based on various factors. OBJECTIVES: Physicochemical experiments intend to investigate the honey quality in four geographic directions of Kurdistan province shelf-life and the containers the honey is placed in. METHODS: In this research, totally 96 samples from 4 apiaries in various parts of the province were prepared and maintained in various dishes/containers and various (time) periods at 25.5±3.5 °C. After preparing the samples, some factors including moisture, reducing sugars, sucrose, pH, acidity, the ratio of fructose to glucose, ash, diastase, hydroxyl methyl furfural were evaluated. RESULTS: The result showed the moisture total average, reducing sugars, sucrose, pH, acidity, the ratio of fructose to glucose, and ash were 13.79%, 77.67%, 2.22%, 3.86, and 21.39 of meq/kg, 1.09% and 0.13%, respectively. Qualitative examinations showed, there was the distance in all samples but no HME. With the increase in shelf-life time, metabolites in the ratio of fructose to glucose and acidity increased significantly, but the factors, moisture, pH were reduced significantly (P<0.05). Various containers had no significant impact on physicochemical characteristics of honey. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, one can say that the comparison between the obtained amounts with the current standards, quality of the honey samples were standard and favorable. According to the results of this study, honey can remain at room temperature in different containers for 9 months and maintain anacceptable quality.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays essential oils with antioxidant properties are used in order to increase the shelf life of pre-cooked food. Objectives: This study was carried out to compare the effect of Cumin and three methods of cooking, frying, oven baking and steaming on oxidative changes of pre-cooked fillet of rainbow trout. Chemical (DPPH(1,1- Diphenyl- 2- picryl hydrazine) for Cumin and FFA (Free Fatty Acid), PV(Peroxide value), TBARS) ، Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and sensory indicators, were evaluated during  4 months storage at freezing temperatures. Methods: Fillet samples were treated with Cuminum cyminum EOs and BHT. The study was based on application of cooking methods, frying at 180° C for 4 min in sunflower oil, baked in the oven at 200 °C for 22 min and steamed at 200 °C for 22 min and oxidative changes were evaluated during the period of storage as frozen fillets. Results: The FFA formation showed increase in all groups, oven baked rainbow trout fillets gave the highest increase (P<0.05). The highest value of PV was obtained from fried fillets treated with C. cyminum EOs (4.92  ± 0.23 meq/kg). The TBARS values were not significantly different with fresh-raw fillet after cooking (P>0.05), but the treated samples with EOs generally showed slower oxidative changes than those of the untreated samples. Based on the sensory evaluation, fillet fried was found as a preferred cooking method and also, the additions of C. cyminum EOs have positive effect on sensory quality of baked rainbow trout. Conclusions: Differences in cooking methods includin frying, oven baking and steaming showed that rainbow trout fillet treated with C. cyminum EOs under the frying method are more desirable in terms of chemical changes and sensory analysis compared with the other treatments.

BACKGROUND: Ascites is a metabolic disease that has negative effects on broiler chickens. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the effect of cold induced ascites on performance, meat quality and quantity indices and some blood indices of broiler chickens with cold induced ascites. METHODS: Three hundred one-day-old female chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with two treatments of control (under normal temperature) and ascitic (under cold stress) with five replicates and 30 birds per each replicate. RESULTS: The results showed that cold-induced ascites caused the lower performance, carcass weight and thigh and breast meat (P<0.05). Furthermore, ascites caused the increased anus temperature and thigh lightness (L) and redness (a) at day 42 of age (P<0.05). Cold induced ascites decreased the enzymes of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, uric acid, albumen and malondihaldehyde in blood at day 42 of age (P<0.05). The higher blood hematocrit and hemoglobin were observed in ascetic birds (P<0.05). CONLUSIONS: In conclusion, cold induced ascites increase the meat lightness through the increased peroxidation and decreased antioxidants of the body. Moreover, ascites cause the higher anus temperature by increasing the body basal metabolism.

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.