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.

BACKGROUND: Herpes virus infections are ubiquitous in equine populations worldwide, among them equine herpes virus 4 (EHV-4) is one of the major cause of economic losses in equine industry. Infection with equine herpes virus 4 (EHV4) is well recognized as a cause of respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of prevalence of the EHV4 in horses with clinical signs or history associated with these viruses from four provinces of Iran using the most sensitive method, Real Time PCR Taqman assay. METHODES: Blood samples and nasal swabs were taken from 150 horses with clinical signs or history associated with these viruses from four provinces (Tehran, Golestan, West Azarbaijan and Khuzestan) of Iran. DNA of samples extracted then were used for detection by Real Time PCR. RESULTS: From 150 sampled horses, a total of 18 (12%) were found to be positive for EHV-4. A total of 7 (4.6%) blood samples and 11 (7.3%) nasal swab samples were found to be positive for EHV-4. Out of 47 sampled horses from Golestan province, 45 sampled horses from Khuzestan province, 37 sampled horses from Tehran province and 21 sampled horses from West Azarbaijan, 6 (12.76%), 3 (6.6%), 5 (13.5%) and 4 (19.04%) were positive for EHV-4, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirm the presence of EHV-4 in these provinces of Iran thus consideration should be given to preventive and control programs to dissemination of these viruses.

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: An experimental study with randomized, double-blind crossover trial in excretory urography with Iodixanol (320 mgI/ml) and Na- Meglumine Diatrizoate (760 mgI/ml) in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To compare images quality between Iodixanol and Na- Meglumine Diatrizoate after ureteral anastomosis. METHODS: In this study six healthy mongrel dogs weighing between 15-30 kg were used. Before surgery, all dogs randomly received both drugs in 3 day intervals and control excretory radiography with Iodixanol (500 mgI/kg) and Na- Meglumine Diatrizoate (850 mgI/kg) were taken in all of them at  1, 5, 10, 15,30 and 45 minutes after contrast media injection. After midline celiotomy, left ureter near trigon area was incised and immediately end to end anastomosis was performed in simple interrupted pattern by using polydiaxanon 6/0. After operation at day 90 the same radiographs were taken in all animals. After completion of the study, the obtained radiographs were evaluated and compared independently by a radiologist who was unaware of the used contrast media. The urograms were scored in four categories from lack of opacity (grade zero) to excellent image quality (grade 3) for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Better nephrograms were obtained in right kidneys at 1, 5 and 15 minutes after injection of Iodixanol compared to Na- Meglumine Diatrizoate and in left kidneys the nephrograms were better with Iodixanol injection at  1 minute (P<0.05). With respect to pyelograms in right ureters, Iodixanol had better quality at 1, 10 and 15 minutes (P<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in pyelograms quality in left ureters. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results about better images quality of iodixanol and with regard to the literature that have reported less nephrotoxicity in non-ionic and isotonic iodinated X-ray contrast medium, it can be concluded, Iodixanol is the better drug for excretory urography after ureteral anastomosis in dogs

BACKGROUND: Antibacterial drugs have long been used for prevention and treatment of poultry diseases but their misuse or overuse can make adverse effects on public health including occurrence of drug residues in poultry products. OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency and status of antibacterial drug consumption in broiler production farms in Qum province. METHODS: In the present survey, Qum province was divided into six regions (north, west, southwest, south, southeast and east) and in total 138 broiler production units (59%) were studied by direct interview using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The present study showed that the most frequently used antimicrobial drugs in broiler farms were  sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim (93.4%) followed by enrofloxacin (60.0%), colistin (49.7 %), furazolidone (42.0 %), oxytetracycline (17.5 %), and chloramphenicol (14.6 %). Mean antibacterial consumption rate during a 42-48 day production period was 3.0± 0.37 times per farm. A notable finding in this survey was the high percentage of banned drug usage such as furazolidone and chloramphenicol, indicating the ignorance or unawareness of poultrymen regarding the potential hazards of these drugs on public health. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to widespread and frequent usage of antibacterial drugs in broiler farms, all-out actions are needed to be taken in educational, research and administrative fields of veterinary and animal production sectors for rational and responsible use of these drugs in poultry industry.

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: Despite the fact that immune responses, influenced by dietary nutrients but feed formulation is mainly based on the productive responses, so the immunity indexes were ignored. OBJECTIVES: This was carpeted out study to determine the effects of diets formulation based on different expression systems of energy and amino acids of feeds and requirements on performance and immune responses of Arian chicks. METHODS: A total of 1440 Arian chicks were fed Eight diets that arranged in a 2×2×2 factorial design with 2 systems of energy expression (AMEn and TMEn), 2 methods of amino acids content of feeds (TAAF and DAAF) and 2 methods of amino acids requirement (TAAR and DAAR) from 1 to 42 days of age. Each treatment was replicated six times with each replicate consisting of 15 males and 15 females. RESULTS: The results showed that when the Feed formulation was based on TMEn and DAA, the productive parameters increased compared with AMEn and TAA (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Selection for increase the growth rate in poultry, improve metabolic and physiological processes in order to the use of the feed. Therefore lower proportions of nutrients will be allocated to other vital systems. However the most suitable of immune responses were belonging to treatments were fed diets which were set based on AMEn and received high level of amino acids. There is a negative correlation between immune responses and productive parameters. It is recommended that in normal conditions use of TMEn and DAA system and in stress conditions of AMEn and DAAF×TAAR to feed formulation.

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms are responsible for development of many diseases, which directly or indirectly affect reproductive performance in mares, like various animal species. Fungi are present at mucous membranes of reproductive tract as mycoflora in warm blooded animals. ObjectiveS: The aim of this study was isolation and identification of molds of external reproductive tract in mares. Methods: Samples were collected from genital tract of 151 mares in different ages from horse breeding farms and clubs suburb of Tehran from April to December, 2014. Age, pregnancy, insemination and mating were recorded. Samples were taken by sterile cotton swabs from 3 different sites, (1) vestibule, (2) clitoral fossa and (3) vagina and transferred under cold condition to the laboratory of Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran,Iran. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud glucose agar supplemented with antibiotic (chloramphenicol; 0.005) and kept at 30°C for 10-15 days before being considered negative. Fungal identification relied on morphologic and physiologic features. SPSS Version 20 was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: Totally, 666 filamentous fungi colonies were isolated. Maximum colony (CFUs) were 20 and 37 colonies for each site and horse, respectively. In total, 81.5 percent of mares and 48.3 percent of different sites were positive. The most predominant isolates were Aspergillus spp 362(54.35%), Scopulariopsis 93(13.96%), Cladosporium 35(5.25%), Penicillium 31(4.65%), Alternaria 26(3.90%), Fusarium 20(3.03%). Aspergillus took high occurrence with 362 and A. fumigatus with 156 colonies followed by Scopulariopsis 93, Cladosporium 35 and Pencillium 31. A. fumigatus had significant difference among other fungi pConclusionS: Isolated filamentous fungi could be resident flora of external reproductive tract of mares. These saprophytic pathogen fungi in predisposing conditions could be causative agents of endometritis and infertility in mares.

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to potentiate the immune system of fishes against stresses in farms. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to address the potential effect of Levamisole on immune system of rainbow trout against density stress. METHODS: 1500 fish (average weight of 50 g) were divided into 5 test groups, in which each test group was repeated three times with average density of 33 kg/m3. They were fed with commercial diet supplemented with Levamisole at concentrations of 0 (control), 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg / kg for a period of 45 days. The fishes of all groups were then fed with Levamisole free diet and exposed to 2 and 3-fold density stress for the following 15 days. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 to evaluate the serum compliment and lysozyme activity as well as total immunoglobulins. RESULTS: The results showed that all used concentrations of Levamisole just had significant effect on compliment activity after 45 days feeding period (p<0.05). Higher levels of lysozyme and complement activity as well as total immunoglobulin were observed in 1000 mg/kg Levamisole treated group when exposed to density stresses 2 and 3-fold at the end of trial (day 60) (p<0.05). The highest overall survival was found in group which was treated with 1000 mg/kg of Levamisole. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that using 0/1% Levamisole as an immunostimulator in commercial diet could potentiate rainbow trout against outbreak of high density stresses and increase its overall survival.