BACKGROUNDS:There are some evidences that cholesterol can affect fish reproductive system. OBJECTIVES: In this study the effect of high diet cholesterol on fish sex hormones and gonads weight was investigated. METHODS: A randomized experiment was conducted on 90 immature common carp. The fishes were divided into three groups with three replicates each (control, 0.5% cholesterol diet, and 1% cholesterol diet). After one-month feeding, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone were measured. RESULTS: The level of progesterone in control group, 0.5% cholesterol and 1% cholesterol diet were 1.83±0.42, 2.45±0.38 and 2.62±0.52 ng/ml, respectively. Also the level of estrogen in control group, 0.5 % and 1% cholesterol diet were 3670.34±186.26, 3791.20±98.48, and 3836.78±81.74 pg/ml, respectively., while those of testosterone levels were 1.75±0.319, 2.09±0.425, and 2.25±0.321 ng/ml, respectively. The highest and the lowest body weight and gonad weight were observed in fish fed %1 cholesterol and the control, respectively. The results showed positive effects of cholesterol on sexual hormones, the 0.5 % cholesterol diet and the 1% cholesterol diet did not show any significant difference in the sexual hormones levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the effect of cholesterol on the these sex hormones, gonad weight, body length and body weight was significant (p

BACKGROUNDS: Seminoma is frequently observed in human and canine testes especially in cryptorchids. Canine and human seminomas are typically associated with leukocytic infiltration. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the type of lymphocytes that infiltrate to seminomas. METHODS: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were evaluated by immunohistological techniques in 5 dogs with diffuse seminoma. Routine pathological examination of these specimens showed diffuse seminoma with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in all cases. RESULTS: Lymphocytes in seminomas were predominantly T cytotoxic (CD3+, CD8+) cells. These cells were distributed diffusely, but patchy around the vessels. B-cells were also identified as some rare single cells diffusely scattered in the tumoral parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the lymphocyte infiltrating cells are mainly T lymphocytes particularly CD8 cytotoxic type. BACKGROUNDS: Seminoma is frequently observed in human and canine testes especially in cryptorchids. Canine and human seminomas are typically associated with leukocytic infiltration. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the type of lymphocytes that infiltrate to seminomas. METHODS: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were evaluated by immunohistological techniques in 5 dogs with diffuse seminoma. Routine pathological examination of these specimens showed diffuse seminoma with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in all cases. RESULTS: Lymphocytes in seminomas were predominantly T cytotoxic (CD3+, CD8+) cells. These cells were distributed diffusely, but patchy around the vessels. B-cells were also identified as some rare single cells diffusely scattered in the tumoral parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the lymphocyte infiltrating cells are mainly T lymphocytes particularly CD8 cytotoxic type.

Background: Dicrocoelium dendriticum, a liver trematode of herbivores, and man is very prevalent among ruminants of Iran, resulting in causing significant economic losses. Recently its phenotype polymorphism has been found in Iran, a phenomenon that may affect the protein profile of the parasite. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the somatic protein profiles of D.dendriticum in different ruminants in Iran. Methods: Adult worms were collected from infected livers of sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo and camel. Somatic antigens were prepared separately by centrifugation of the homogenized adult worms and their patterns were determined using SDS-PAGE. Results: Our findings revealed 18-20 protein fractions in somatic proteins of D. dendriticum of sheep and goat and 12, 11 and 10 in that of buffalo, cattle and camel respectively showing similar molecular weights of 14.4 to 116 kDa. Similar protein bands were seen in sheep and goats samples; but not for in other samples. Conclusions: The results showed polymorphism in the somatic protein patterns of D.dendriticum isolated from different hosts. A different number of protein bands with similar molecular weights of somatic antigens of D.dendriticum are described for the first time in the present study.

BACKGROUND: Infectious Bovine Rhinotrachitis (IBR) caus-ed by Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BoHV-1) was first, observed in one of the Tehran Industrial cattle breeders, with importation of cattle in 1965. Later, the isolation of bovine herpes virus approved the existence of the disease in the most of the provinces of the Iran. OBJECTIVES: Presence of antibodies against BoHV-1 was evaluated in young bovines of north, south and central provinces of Iran. METHODS: Bovines with age 1 to 4 years old, non-vaccinated and without clinical symptoms were included in the study. 558 serum samples were collected equivalent to 10% of the population in each farm. The sera were tested by ELISA and micro serum neutralization (MSN) in monolayers of MDBK cells using BoHV-1 reference strain. RESULTS: The results of ELISA showed that 56% (314/558) were positive and 44% (244/558) were negative for BoHV-1 specific antibody. Whoever MSN assay showed that 48% (269/558) were negative and 52% (289/558) were positive. These positive sera demonstrated that 54% had serum neutralization titer between 4-16, 35% on 32 to 64 and 11% on 64. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the virus is actively circulating and transmitting in young herds and is a constant source of infection in the herd.

Cutaneous round cell tumors have been classified as mast cell tumor (MCT), histiocytoma (HCT), lymphosarcoma, undif-ferentiated round cell tumors and occasionally rhabdomyosarcoma in veterinary medicine. An adult cock (Gallus domesticus) showing a large solitary integument mass raised on dorso bilateral of cervical part, extending to intercapsular and cranial mid part of the back was referred to the birds clinic of the faculty of veterinary medicine at the university of Tehran. Microscopic examination revealed she-eted cells with large, round to oval nuclei with each one containing one or more prominent nucleoli with scant cytoplasm. The myofibrils of the neck were degenerated by aggressive tumor cells. The condition was differentiated from other round cell tumors by electron microscope, histochemical staining, as well as the application of a large panel of antibodies. Polymerase chain re-action failed to confirm the involvement of both Marek's disease virus and avian leukosis virus subgroup-J. It was concluded that the tumor cells were consistent with both B-cell lymphocytes and histiocytes that unusually covered the entire dermal layer of dorsal neck skin. This unusual cutaneous lymphoma was named as lymphoblastic histiocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Inbreeding is one of the major problems of small size herds of red deer in refuge wildlife parks. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to use estrus synchronization technique in red deer (Cervus elaphus) based on natural mating to control the dominancy and social rank of stags and inbreeding. METHODS: In this study, hinds (n=6) were captured and caged at breeding season (early October) in Semeskande Wild Life Refuge Park. The captured hinds were treated with intravaginal progesterone devices (CIDR) for 12 days, followed by injection of 250 IU PMSG at the time of CIDR withdrawal. After 48 hours, all 6 hinds were released from cages. RESULTS: In estrus phase, the chase sequences started and the old dominant stag could not control all of the hinds in his territory so the two other young stags successfully mated with the other hinds. Four out of six hinds became pregnant and the calves were born in early June. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the estrus synchronization technique in Refuge Wildlife Park which is based on natural mating, can be used successfully to control inbreeding easily and give young stags the opportunity to copulate.

BACKGROUND: Taxonomy and identification of the ticks in the genus Hyalomma, the most significant vectors of animal and human pathogen agents, have always been debatable. Scientists believe that variation within the taxa of the genus Hyalomma is the most important factor which causes misidentification. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to identify valuable characters for male H. anatolicum anatolicum by statistical methods. METHODS: Tick specimens from 11 geographical regions in Iran including Khuzestan, Lorestan, Sistan & Baluchistan, Yazd, South and Razavi Khorasan provinces as well as an island in southern Iran were studied. Totally, 3 qualitative and 9 quantitative characters were measured by a stereomicroscope armed with scaled lens and the data were analyzed by SPSS software. Also, coefficient of difference (C.D.) was calculated for some important characters. Then, varied shapes of species were drawn with a drawing tube connected to a light stereomicroscope. RESULTS: One way ANOVA test revealed significant differences among the quantitative characters in 11 zones (p0.14) in the lateral grooves length/scutum length ratio character were found. The C.D. value equal to 1.28, is a conventional level of subspecific differences but is lesser in this study than this category. CONCLUSIONS: The present study focused on the determination a quantitatively relative stable trait for differentiating H. a. anatolicum. Therefore, lateral groove is introduced as a reliable character for interspecific identification of species. Our study supports this matter since the value of this character, relative to scutum length in the under studied regions was not statistically significant. This means that the variation range of the mentioned character in the specimens is much limited.

In May 2007, a suborder Shoka deer calf about one month of age was found in a preserved area of Arasbaran in the East Azerbaijan province. From an ecological view point, the Arasbaran area is uniquely labelled as a reserve biosphere. he calf had diarrhea that recovered after treatment. During rearing, The calf received pasteurized- homogenized milk from market as well as milk of a goat. After 3 weeks, the animal suddenly showed acute depression, anorexia and hypothermia. Antimicrobial and supportive therapy was ineffective and the calf died 12 hours after showing clinical signs. At necropsy, chemical rumenitis and hemorrhagic enteritis was observed. Pure Escherichia coli was isolated from liver, lungs, rumen and small intestine contents. Histopathologic examination revealed severe chemical rumenitis and necrohemorrhagic enteritis. Absence of mother, intake of milk from other species and stress of capture were predisposing factors. Entry and fermentation of milk in rumen provoked chemical rumenitis and stasis of digestive system could be responsible for septicemic Colibacillosis (colisepticemia) and death in this Shoka calf.

Background: Propolis, a honeybee product, has been used empirically for centuries and was always mentioned as an immunomodulatory. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the effects of propolis on growth indices, innate immune responses and haematological parameters of Barbus barbulus were investigated. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty juvenile Barbus barbulus, weighing 102±8.2g were randomly divided into four equal groups in triplicate. Groups 1 to 3 were fed basal food supplemented with 0.1, 0.5, 1% of Propolis-ethanolic -extract (PEE) in diet for 60 days. Control group received basal diet free of PEE. At the end of experiment, growth indices were measured in all groups. Various immunological parameters (serum lysozymme and bactericidal activity, complement activity, total serum protein and globulin) as well as hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH and MCHC) of Barbus barbulus were compared among the groups. Then the fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. RESULTS: Oral administration of different level of PEE induce no significant change, neither in growth indices nor in haematological parameters of B. barbulus (p>0.05). Significant increase in serum Lysozyme and bactericidal activity, total serum protein and WBC were seen in G2 and G3 compared to the control group (p

An adult common mynah ( Acridotheres tristis ) was presented with severe signs of progressive depression , anorexia , debilitation , and also a history of moderate pododermatitis for the last two months . Hepatomegally was diagnosed clinically and radio-logically . The bird died a couple of hours after referral . Postmortem examination revealed typical liver enlargement with yellowish brown discoloration . Diffused hepatocytes fatty degeneration was demonstrated in histopathology and hepatic lipidosis was diagnosed as the main lesion in the liver . Providing a very small enclosure and a single low quality perch with minimal activity opportunity led to pododermatitis. Subsequent further activity restriction and feeding a high energy diet to the bird were possibly the triggers of this metabolic disorder. Regarding the bird species , providing appropriate diet and enclosure are essential for having healthy pet birds , and is often ignored by negligent or uninformed owners .