BACKGROUND: Virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) imposes significant economic losses to the commercial poultry industry in our country and worldwide. However, in Iran scattered and relatively few studies have been done in order to characterize NDV isolates.   OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to characterize two vNDV isolates obtained from commercial poultry farms in Isfahan province in 1999 through Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene complete sequencing. METHODS: Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene of each NDV isolate was amplified and sequenced using specific primers and then phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: Based on complete coding sequence of HN gene analysis, studied isolates showed close relationship with genotype XIII and subgenotype XIIIa NDV strains. Analysis of both complete HN gene and partial F gene lead to identical results and same classification of studied viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Results of present study are useful  for a better understanding of molecular epidemiology of indigenous NDV strains and determining important molecular differences between field and commonly used vaccinal strains related to main immunogenic proteins.

BACKGROUND: Femoral head osteotomy in cases of fractures or degenerative diseases is as a routine surgical procedure. Less duration of the healing period and the creation of minimal fibrous tissue and its replacement with bone tissue can be effective in return to health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological changes following administration of platelet-rich plasma at the site of  removed femoral head in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty male New Zealand white rabbits were distributed into two groups including: control (underwent femoral head osteotomy, FHO) and treatment (underwent FHO and planting the platelet-rich plasma on surgical site FHO₊ PRP). In both groups after general anesthesia, femoral head was removed using standard method. In group 2, pre-prepared auto log PRP was used at the site of surgery. After eight weeks all animals were euthanised, femur and its  surrounding healing tissues were cut 2cm  far from the head of femur and removed. Slides were prepared from each sample  through serial sectioning and were stained with H&E and Mason Trichrome. Qualitative changes such as granulation tissues, cartilage and bone formation and their organization and timeliness, thickness of collagen fibers and cellular changes were compared. To quantify the changes, whole surface of the Mason Trichrom stained samples underwent scan with ×50 magnifications and then area of different new formation tissues was measured. Average occupancy levels of each tissue, their ratio to whole surface of sample and to each other in two groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: In PRP treated group ratio of cartilage tissue to granulation tissue and formation of bone to granulation tissue is significantly more than these parameters in control group. Results indicate faster healing on the damaged area in group 2. Also in group 2, cartilage and bone tissues formation in the healing process was more orderly. CONCLUSIONS: PRP could accelerate healing of bone tissue that is cut at the head of the rabbit’s femur. So it seems that the use of PRP as a treatment protocol in these cases could be suggested.

BACKGROUND: Urea is a non-proteinaceous nitrogen source, often used as a substitute for raw ration protein in order to reduce the feeding cost of livestock. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of substitution of different levels of slow-release urea with soybean  meal on feed intake, milk production and composition, and blood parameters of lactating cows in early lactation. METHODS: Twelve Holstein cows were selected at the third birthday, milk production of more than 30 kg per day, and from 10 to 100 days after birth, with four diets, the treatments included 0, 23, 0.46 and 0.69  % of slow-release urea was replaced by soybean meal. Feed intake was measured daily. The milk sample was taken on the day of the start of the experiment and was taken at intervals of 14 days. To measure glucose, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, and low blood levels, were determined  from the start of the test to the end of the test every two weeks. RESULTS: Consumption of feed, milk production and composition did not differ from experimental treatments. Glucose concentration and blood parameters (cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein) did not differ between experimental treatments, but triglyceride and lipoprotein showed a very low density at zero (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that adding slow-release urea to the level of 0.69% had no negative effect on feed consumption, milk production and composition, and blood parameters.

BACKGROUND: Using plastic compounds in food packaging industry creates a lot of problems for the environment. Edible coatings are biodegradable and can control the microbiological and chemical properties of foods. Using herbal essential oils improves the properties of coatings due to their antioxidants and antimicrobial specifications. OBJECTIVES: In this study the effect of potato starch edible coating containing Ziziphora clinopodioides and Thymus daenensis essential oils on chemical and sensory characteristics of refrigerated chicken breast, was evaluated. METHODS: The chicken breast was coated with potato starch containing 0, 0.5 and 1% concentrations of essential oils. Chemical (pH, TVN, TBARs) and sensory tests were performed on days 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 on different samples stored at 4 °C. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software 22 using ANOWA and Nonparametric Kruskal Wallis tests. RESULTS: Treatments with different concentrations of essential oil showed lower values of pH, Thiobarbituric Acid (TBARs) and Total Volatile Nitrogen (TVN) compared to the control samples (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coating with potato starch enriched with different amounts of essential oils, has a preventive effect on chemical degradation. Essential oils with the concentration of 0.5% can be an optimal dose for improving the sensorial properties of chicken breast.

BACKGROUND: The probiotic must survive in sufficient numbers after gastric and duodenal transit to be able to colonize the large intestine. The viability of a probiotic in the human upper GI tract is mainly influenced by low acidity of the stomach and bile salt in the small intestine. Currently, consumers are more interested in natural antibacterial compounds as food preservatives, like herbal essential oils and extracts. To provide a balance between sensory acceptability and antimicrobial efficacy, the use of sublethal concentrations of EOs in combination with other preservation methods has been proposed. However, it should be considered that bacterial cell exposure to sublethal stresses may result in decreased sensitivity to the same stress and even to other stresses. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress response of probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, pre-exposed to sublethal level of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO. METHODS: The sublethal and lethal levels of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO, bile salt and pH stresses were determined for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Then stress response of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG pre-exposed to the sublethal level of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO were compared to cultures which were challenged directly with the lethal level of each stress (control). The growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was also assessed under bile salt and acid pH stress condition. RESULTS: The sublethal and lethal levels of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO and the lethal level for bile salt and pH were 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm, 0.2% and 2.5 respectively. In the test tubes, the number of cells that survived increased significantly and the growth curve of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been affected in pre-exposed cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to sublethal concentration of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO can induce cross-protection against bile salt and pH stresses.

BACKGROUND: Lameness is regarded as a serious issue in dairy cattle which can ultimately lead to a drastic reduction in milk production as well as conception, and the possibility of early removal of cattle from the herd. Short claw and thin sole play the chief role in excessive pressure on the heel and lateral grooves, which in turn are the direct consequences of heel erosion and lameness. OBJECTIVES: Current study intended to investigate the simultaneous occurrence of these two events at epidemic proportions in cattle. METHODS: This study was performed in 110 Holstein newborn heifers. Lame cows were chosen based on the fact sheet approved by AABP, (the American Association of Bovine Practitioners). The “Thin sole” criteria included a length of ˂7.5 cm at the posterior wall, along with ˂5 cm in sole (measured by claw check). Existence of dark V-shape lesions in lateral grooves was considered as heel horn erosion. RESULTS: In 50 newborn heifers, thin sole and lateral grooves ulcer which affect rear limb digits almost equally, were diagnosed and clinically approved. The lowest posterior wall (66.54 ± 1.02 mm) and the lowest sole thickness (43.98 ± 1.78 mm) were observed in the left hind limb. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, these two above mentioned conditions are called “New Concrete Disease” and the lameness due to these two lesions was clinically considered.

BACKGROUND: In order to compensate for the elimination of antibiotics from the poultry industry, finding suitable alternatives to improve the productive traits and the health of the birds is essential. Among them, naturally occurring compounds and additives are one of the best options in this regard. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium humate and probiotic application and their interactions on feeding broiler chicks on biochemical, immunological and blood metabolites of broiler chicks. METHODS: 336 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used from 1 to 42 days old. A 3×2 factorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design was done with four replications. Experimental factors were: three sodium humate levels (0, 0.35 and 0.45% of diet) and two probiotic levels (0 and 0.02% of diet). RESULTS: The best feed conversion ratio was obtained at the finisher 1 and 2 and the whole period at the use of 0.35% of diet (P ≤0.05). The highest live weight of the last course was obtained in the treatment of 0.35% sodium humate in diet (P ≤0.05). The production index improved at a level of 0.35% of sodium humate compared to other treatments (P ≤0.05). The percentage of carcass was higher in the group receiving probiotic and sodium humate than the control group. The abdominal fat pad percentage was lower in the probiotic and humate sodium group than in the control group (P<0.05). In terms of interactions, villi length was highest in treatments receiving 0.35 of sodium humate and 0.02% of probiotic in  diet, as well as 0.45%  of sodium humate and 0.02%  probiotic in  diet (P<0.05). The highest levels of SRBC and G-type immunoglobulin were obtained in groups receiving 0.45% sodium humate and 0.02% probiotic in diet. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, use of sodium humate about 0.35% and probiotic 0.02% in diet of broiler chicks improves the growth performance, carcass traits  and morphological characteristics of the intestine.

BACKGROUND: One of the important parts of the cardiovascular system is the cardiac vessels. Ultrasonography which is the method of choice for evaluating the heart and vessels in all living animals can also be used in this fish. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to make a full understanding of the anatomic and echocardiographic characteristics of these vessels in beluga and suggest standard methods of ultrasonography for this species. METHODS: In this study, a total of 10 immature belugas were selected. The transducer was placed on the ventral surface of the body, between pectoral fins and transverse and sagittal images were obtained. By moving the anterior and posterior regions the vessels were investigated. After the ultrasound examination, anatomic studies were performed. Length and diameter of the vascular compartment were measured and analyzed by SPSS 16 software and Paired Sample T – method (P>0.05). RESULTS: In ultrasonography, blood flow was visible because of the movement of echoic particles. Two precardiac vessels joining between the liver lobes constituted and common vascular compartment before entering the sinus venosus. In the anatomical study, the ventral aorta was bifurcate near the gills. The right liver adjacent to the vessel was shorter and wider than the left one. Moreover, the common vascular compartment was shorter and wider than the liver adjacent to the vessels. The ventral aorta was longer and wider than the right precardiac vessel and common vascular compartment but was shorter than the left precardiac vessel (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Due to lacing thorough anatomic and ultrasonographic studies concerning the cardiac vessels in this species, this study can be a cornerstone for further researches of this kind. In this study the long left precardiac vessel is named Common cardinal vein and wide right vessel is named Hepatic vein.

BACKGROUND: The histogenetic study is a useful and practical laboratory method for obtaining basic and effective information in order to reveal the process of histogenesis and development of organs in different stages during the embryonic period. This applied method helps us to understand the formation time of each organ and its tissue structure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to study the histogenesis and histochemistry of the pheasant liver during the embryonic period. METHODS: Sixty fertile eggs were placed in the incubator and sampling was performed from day 5 to the end of incubation period. The liver samples were fixed in 10% Buffered Formalin and the slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson Trichrome (MT). RESULTS: In this study, liver parenchyma, changes in the hepatocytes and their glycogen storage, as well as the appearance time of canaliculi, biliary ducts, central veins and port spaces were investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the time of the formation of the organs and structures in various birds relate to different incubation period or species variations. In this research, as the first study on the liver histogenesis of the pheasant, the formation of this organ from the fifth day to the end of the fetal period was examined and it was observed that the evolution and tissue development of the liver is completed until the eighteenth day of incubation period.

BACKGROUND: Antibacterial drug use in food producing animals, in addition to the very beneficial effects on the prevention, treatment, and control of infectious diseases, can lead to health risks including microbial resistance and drug residues. This survey was conducted due to the lack of information on the status of antibacterial drug use in dairy farms of Qom province. OBJECTIVES: To study the usage pattern of antibacterial drugs and compliance with public health- related measures in dairy cattle farms in Qom province. METHODS: In this study, 100 dairy herds were surveyed in three areas of Qom province including the southern part (Kahak), West (Jafar-abad and Khalajestan) and central part (Qom and the suburbs) using a questionnaire and direct interview. RESULTS: Injectable oxytetracycline, tylosin, penicillin + streptomycin were the most frequently used antibacterial products in dairy farms of Qom province (94%, 89% and 87%, respectively). A range of other antibacterial drugs showed high percentages of usage, as well. Among the 9 intramammary products, Tetranebalon®/Mastijet Forte® and Linconeocin MC® with 50% and 40% of frequency were the most commonly used products. Also, in a significant percentage of dairy farms, the milk collected from livestock treated with antibacterial drugs for mastitis (35%) or other illnesses (41%) was introduced into the milk reservoirs to be used in humans. CONCLUSIONS: In Qom province, there was an overuse of antibacterial drugs and high percentage of dairy farm units that did not follow the principles of rational drug therapy and the withdrawal times of milk and meat. This could be due to inadequate awareness of livestock workers regarding the public health implications of using these drugs and insufficient monitoring of veterinary authority in the province.