BACKGROUND: Magnetic cell targeting is a novel non-invasive cellular delivery technique. It improves stem cell delivery to and retention in the injury site. Labeling cells with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) is one of the most important steps of this technique. Appropriate SPIONs selection is believed to be of vital importance. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to produce SPIONs which are capable of attaching to Mesenchymal stem cells surface (MSCs). METHODS: Dextran coated SPIONs were produced following co-precipitation method under N2 atmosphere. Bone marrow derived MSCs were isolated and cultured from rabbit humerus bone. Anti-rabbit CD44 monoclonal antibody was attached to the surface of SPIONs and MSCs and were labeled with this final product. SPIONs coating process, particle size, and antibody conjugation efficacy were evaluated using FT-IR, SEM, and Bradford protein measurement assay, respectively. Attachment of antibody-linked dextran coated SPIONs to MSCs was accessed utilizing Prussian blue staining, immunofluorescence analysis, and SEM analysis. RESULTS: Peaks of FT-IR at 3200 cm-1 and 2922 cm-1 are representative of dextran. The average particle size was 56.13±6.67. The average antibody-SPION conjugation ratio was 77.78±6.35%. The average percentage of the labeled cells in Prussian blue and IF analysis were 71.57±2.53 and 95.04±0.95, respectively. MSCs-SPIONs conjugation was also confirmed via SEM analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it could be inferred that mesenchymal stem cells could successfully be labeled with dextran coated-anti CD44 antibody conjugated- superparamagnetic Iron oxide nanoparticles. This product could be used for further in-vitro and in-vivo evaluations.

BACKGROUND: The regulation of appetite and food intake in birds are implemented as complex homeostatic mechanisms at different levels of control. OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to investigate the effects of glycine and strychnine-sensitive receptors on food intake induced with dopamine in neonatal broiler-type chickens. METHODS: This study was conducted in five experiments (each consisting of four treatment groups with 12 birds). In experiment 1, chickens in the control group received intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of saline (with 0.1 % Evans Blue) and different doses of dopamine (10, 20, and 40 nmol) in treatments groups 2-4, respectively. Experiments 2 and 3 were designed similar to the experiment 1 except for the fact that chickens received different doses of glycine (50, 100, and 200 nmol) and strychnine (50, 100, and 200 nmol) instead of dopamine. Experiment 4 was performed to investigate the mediatory role of strychnine (100 nmol) on food intake induced with dopamine (40 nmol). Moreover, experiment 5 investigated the interaction between non-effective doses of glycine (50 nmol) and dopamine (10 nmol) and their interplay on food intake. Afterwards, cumulative food intake based on bodyweight percentage (BW %) was measured at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after the injection. RESULTS: The obtained findings revealed that effective doses of dopamine and glycine dose-dependently induced hypophagia in neonatal meat-type chickens (p < /em>≤0.05). In addition, injection of strychnine increased food intake and also inhibited the hypophagic effect induced by dopamine (p < /em>≤0.05). Furthermore, co-administration of non-effective doses of glycine and dopamine significantly decreased food intake compared to the groups which only received dopamine or glycine (p < /em>≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that strychnine-sensitive receptors may have a mediatory role in food intake induced by dopamine. Additionally, it seems that glycine and dopamine probably have synergistic effects on food intake control in neonatal meat-type chickens.

BACKGROUND: Mice are the most common laboratory animals used in research. Parasitic infections in laboratory animals affect both the research results and the health of researchers.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the infection status of intestinal parasites of mice in three main animal houses in Tehran.METHODS: In this study, 75 mice (25 from each animal house) were randomly purchased from an animal breeding house in Tehran and investigated. Mice were euthanized and autopsied. In order to study the gastrointestinal protozoa, wet smears were prepared from different parts of the intestine and feces and stained with Giemsa and Ziehl-Neelsen if necessary. Afterwards, the intestinal contents were examined and helminths were separated. If necessary, specific staining was used to diagnose helminths.RESULTS: Among the detected parasites, Aspiculuris tetraptera was the most prevalent (% 93.3). The mice were also infected with Syphacia obvelata (% 62.6), Hymenolepis nana (% 61.3), Tritrichomonas muris (% 22.6), Giardia muris (% 21.3), Spironucleus muris (% 18.6), Hymenolepis diminuta (% 17.3), and Cryptosporidium (% 6.6).CONCLUSIONS: Out of 75 adult mice studied, all had at least one parasite. This can affect the research results and jeopardize the health of researchers and related personnel.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin C and Carum copticum with antioxidant activity may eliminate the negative effects of heat stress on broiler performance and immunity.OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding heat-stressed broilers with Carum copticum seed powder (CSP) and vitamin C (VC) on their growth performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.METHODS: Herein, we carried out A 2*3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with six treatments, including three levels of CSP (0, 0.75 and 1.5 % of diet), two levels of VC (0 and 250 mg/kg of DM of diet), and four replicates, on 240 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers. The collected data were analyzed using PROC GLM of SAS. Treatment means were compared employing the Tukey test.RESULTS: The effect of CSP on their performance was not significant whereas VC treatment improved weight gain significantly (P<0.01). Interaction of CSP and VC on weight gain and feed conversion ratio was significant as broilers fed with 250 mg VC and those fed with 1.5 % CSP had the best WG and FCR (P<0.01). The addition of VC decreased the concentration of alkaline phosphatase in the blood (P<0.05). The heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was reduced through the use of VC and 1.5 % CSP (P<0.05). CSP supplementation at the rate of 1.5 % increased the relative weight of bursa of fabricius (P<0.05). Dripping loss percentage was reduced in birds fed with 1.5 % CP and VC (P<0.01). The effect of CSP and their interaction on water holding capacity was significant and the highest amount belonged to the birds fed with 1.5 % CSP (P<0.01). Additionally, VC increased meat ash percentage compared to the control group (P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that addition of 250 mg VC and 1.5 % CSP could be conducive to improving growth performance, blood metabolites, and meat quality of broilers under heat stress conditions.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring health quality of an agricultural or food product is of significance for consumers and could be a decisive factor in terms of attracting and maintaining the market for manufacturers.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the residues of florfenicol antimicrobial agent in the edible tissue (muscle) of rainbow trout reared in Sepidan County (Fars Province, Iran).METHODS: 50 fresh fish were purchased from 7 farms in Sepidan County. The samples from lateral muscle were taken and kept at -18 °C until the residues drug tests were performed. The florfenicol concentration was measured through the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).RESULTS: The mean of florfenicol residues in fish muscle reared in Sepidan County was significantly less than the drug products evaluation standard value (P<0.05). However, the concentration of this antibiotic sampled from one of the studied farms went beyond from standard value (1.12 µg.g-1). Of course, this difference was not significant (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: It seemed as though the residue levels of florfenicol in the purchased fish reached alarming levels. Meanwhile, it is possible that their average in an area would be within the range of food standards. Thus, it could be suggested that periodic monitoring be carried out continuously by the relevant institutions to ensure that consumer rights are more adequately met.

BACKGROUND: Serological survey of NDV infection from LBMs would give a good picture of Newcastle disease ecology in a country.OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in live bird markets, bird parks, and zoos in Iran.METHODS: From July to December 2016, blood samples were collected from different bird species in each unit. The serum samples were evaluated via Hemagglutination inhibition test. The seropositive sample was considered a serum with antibody titer 4 or more (1.16) in HI, and units with at least one seropositive bird were considered as the contaminated unit. In this study, the serum samples were taken from various bird species (N=2292) selected from 127 bird markets, bird parks, and zoos distributed in 22 Iranian provinces.RESULTS: Among the 127 sampled units, 70 (55.12 %) were found to be seropositive. In addition, among the 2292 sampled birds, the number of seropositive birds were found to be 495. Among different bird species, the highest sero-positive prevalence belonged to chickens and turkeys with 38.7 % and 32.89 %, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested a high prevalence of Newcastle disease in the live bird markets, bird parks, and consequently, across our country. Given the importance of this infectious disease, it is essential to apply appropriate controlling measures, including continuous surveillances of circulating viruses and vaccination programs with conventional vaccines, such as heat-resistant vaccines. On account of the important role of rural poultry and wild birds in Newcastle disease distribution, controlling the disease in rural poultry and continuous surveillance in both can prevent the spread of NDV, particularly to the commercial poultry.

BACKGROUND: Leucine is one of the subgroups of amino acids, which play an important role in the anabolism of muscles, adipose tissue, and the liver by stimulating insulin secretion.OBJECTIVES: Effects of different levels of leucine were investigated on carcass yield, characteristics, and quality, and expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin genes in male broilers.METHODS: Five levels of L-leucine (100, 110, 120, 130, and 140 % of Ross strain requirements) were tested with 250 male one-day-old chicks in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates (containing 10 chicks each). On day 42 of their age, the blood samples of two birds from each replicate (10 birds per treatment) were taken to determine serum IGF-1 gene expression. Subsequently, these birds were slaughtered for analysis of carcass characteristics and quality, and collecting the samples of liver and breast for expression of IGF-1 and insulin genes.RESULTS: Body weight increased by consumption of 140 % of leucine as compared to 100 %. Reduction in feed conversion ratio was observed by feeding 140 % of leucine level. The IGF-1 gene expression of breast and liver increased by 110 % of leucine level. Moreover, feeding 110 % of leucine level caused a higher expression of insulin gene in breast and liver. Consumption of 130 % of leucine improved the meat protein, fat, and ash contents. Furthermore, consumption of 110 % of leucine increased the serum IGF-1 concentration.CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of leucine in broiler diets was found to increase the expression of IGF-1 and insulin genes and consequently, improve the performance and carcass quality. It also decreased the abdominal fat in broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: On account of the importance of iodine in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, different levels of dietary iodine can affect the occurrence of ascites syndrome in broilers.OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to investigate the effects of different sources and levels of iodine on performance, carcass traits, ascites mortality, thyroid hormones, and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens under cold stress condition.METHODS: This experiment was performed using 375 one-day-old male broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with five treatments, five replications, and 15 birds per replication. To induce ascites, the room temperature was reduced to 15 °C from 14 days and this temperature was maintained until the end of the period. The experimental treatments included: control treatment (basal diet with iodine at the recommended level, 1.25 ppm), basal diet + potassium iodide (KI) with iodine levels (6.25 and 3.75 ppm), and basal diet + calcium iodate [Ca(IO3)2. H2O] with iodine levels (6.25 and 3.75 ppm).RESULTS: The effect of the treatments on the performance indices was not significant throughout the experiment. The lowest percentage of ascites mortality, heart weight, and triiodothyronine (T3) were observed in the treatment (6.25 ppm), which was significantly different from the control treatment (P<0.05). The lowest ratio of right ventricle to total ventricles (RV/TV) was related to potassium iodide treatment (6.25 ppm), which indicated tendency (P<0.10). Chickens receiving higher levels of iodine (6.25 ppm) had higher thyroxine than those receiving lower levels (3.75 ppm) (P<0.05) and showed a lower ratio of triiodothyronine to thyroxine compared to those (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results of this experiment implied that the use of higher levels of dietary iodine (6.25 ppm), especially as potassium iodide, reduces broiler’s ascites mortality under cold stress conditions.

BACKGROUND: Ammonia accumulation in warm-water fish pond can lead to mortality or reduction in growth and body immune indices.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic sub-lethal unionized ammonia (NH3) on growth indices and gill and kidney histopathology l, after a 30 – day trial in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).METHODS: Herein, 180 fish with an average weight of 4.5±0.5 g were divided into six tanks. Two groups, including one control group and one treatment group (with three replicates for each one), were considered. The treatment fish were exposed to 0.1 mg/l on un-ionized ammonia (NH3) for 30 consecutive days. Following one -month, ammonia exposure growth indices and histological analysis of gill and kidney were investigated.RESULTS: The results showed that exposure to 0.1 mg/l of NH3 led to a significant reduction in growth indices. Additionally, edema and epithelial lifting with hyperplasia in the second lamella were detected in the gill of the treatment group. The kidney was characterized by focal renal tubules degeneration and necrosis, congestion, and increase in the melano-macrophage centers.CONCLUSIONS: Although chronic exposure to 0.1 mg/l of unionized ammonia was not found to cause mortality in common carp, it could have some side effects, such as a decline in growth indices and histopathological effects in kidney and gill tissues. Thus, for higher production, sublethal levels of ammonia should also be taken into account in common carp ponds.

BACKGROUND: During the modification of several races, which has been done on chickens, there have been several changes in the function of neural pathways and receptor density involved in the control of food intake and appetite. Melanocortin system and its receptors are involved in the central regulation of nutritional behaviour and energy balance. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the role of this system in the central control of food and water intake in birds.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the role of MCR3 and MCR4 receptors in controlling the food and water intake in birds.METHODS: This work was performed on 48 Ross 308 broiler chicks through two experiments (each experiment in four groups). Primarily, stereotaxic surgical guide cannula was implanted in the chickens. Subsequently, in the first experiment, the chickens were divided into the four following groups: the control solution, 0.2, 2, and 10 nmol/5µl of SHU9119 (Non-selective antagonist of MCR3 and MCR4 receptors) In the second experiment, the chickens were also divided in four groups: the received control solution, 0.2, 2, and 10 nmol/5µl of MCL0020 (Selective MCR4 receptor antagonist) via intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. Afterwards, cumulative food and water intake were measured at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes after the injection.RESULTS: The results of this study showed that ICV injection of SHU9119 and MCL0020 increased cumulative food intake (P>0.05), but did not affect cumulative water intake (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings herein, central melanocortin system is one of the systems involved in central control of food intake in birds.