BACKGROUND: Colostrum is the first milk produced after birth and is particularly rich in immunoglobulins, growth factors and antimicrobial peptides. Therefore, maintenance and storage of bovine colostrum has always been considered due to benefits of colostrum for the calf. Microbial contamination of colostrum is a concern because it is thought that bacteria in colostrum may interfere with passive absorption of colostral antibodies. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chemical preservatives and natural fermentation on quality and storage of colostrum. METHODS: Colostrum from the first milking of five Holstein cows was stored separately. Then colostrum samples were studied at days 1, 10, 20, and 30 of storage after treatment. All samples underwent microbiological culture for total plate count and detection of Escherichia coli, Coliforms, mold and yeast. Then whey was provided from untreated and treated samples at the end of 30th day and SRID (single radial immune diffusion) test was performed for assaying IgG antibody. Then the effect of treatments on colostrum antibody level was studied. RESULTS: The results showed that potassium sorbate did not have a role in reducing E.coli and coliforms count. However, it has prevented an increase in E.coli and coliform count during 30 days. Formic acid and propionic acid reduced the number of E. coli and coliform (p<0.05). In addition, the two organic acids promoted the growth of mold and yeasts compared with potassium sorbate. Nonetheless, the mentioned three treatments did not have an important role in reducing total count (p>0.05). The natural fermentation contributed to the decline of E. coli and coliform count while total count increased one day after treatment compared with other treatments, however among the treatments, formic acid and potassium sorbate were more effective than propionic acid and natural fermentation treatment for maintaining hygienic quality of colostrum. The result of measuring IgG antibody indicated that potassium sorbate has had more protective effect than other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The results exposed that potassium sorbate and formic acid are better than other treatments to maintain colostrum quality with regard to increasing shelf life of colostrum.

BACKGROUND: The function of molecules of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is to bind antigenic peptides and display them on the cell surface for recognition by T cells. MHC polymorphism is related to suseptibility or resistance to immune-mediated and infectious diseases. High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis is a novel and powerful technique in molecular biology for the detection of genetic polymorphisms and can be used for discrimination of MHC alleles and genotyping. OBJECTIVES: Discrimination of dog MHC alleles (DLA-DRB1) by high-resolution melt analysis. METHODS: Forty blood samples were collected from dogs referred to Small Animal Teaching Hospital of faculty of veterinary medicine, University of Tehran. After DNA extraction and amplification the exon 2 of DLA-DRB1, HRM and Melt Curve analysis was carried out. Direct sequencing was used for checking the HRM patterns. RESULTS: Following the HRM and Melt curve analysis, forty samples could be classified into 8 genotypes (A to H). Most frequent was A (25.00%) and then C and E (each one 15.00%). In total, 82.5% and 17.5% of samples were heterozygote and homozygote, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the HRM technique was used for DLA-DRB1 gene alleles typing for the first time. Confirmation HRM results through sequencing results revealed that HRM can be used for discrimination of DLA-DRB1 alleles.

BACKGROUND: Today ticks usually develop resistance to pesticides, it is therefore necessary to search for alternatives to those currently available. In the meantime the active principles of plants with acaricidal properties are a promising alternative for the control of ticks and other arthropods. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this work was evaluation of the effect of Matricaria Chamommila extract on larval and adult stages and mortality rate of Argas persicus and determination of the tick sensitivity to this plant extract. METHODS: In this study immersion method was used in order to determine of efficacy of extract on larval stage and mortality of ticks. To determine the lethal concentration, 3 suspensions 8%,2%,0.5% and 60% ethanol as control group was used from this extract. Tick immobility after turning them on their back was used as a viable or non-viable criterion. RESULTS: This extract showed considerable pesticide effects in comparison with control group (p<0.05%). Mentioned extract showed 60% mortality in 0.5 % concentration and 100% mortality in other used concentrations while the effect of extract was 0% in adult ticks. CONCLUSIONS: Our result showed that extract of Chamomile has considerable pesticide effect on larval stage of Argas, while against adult tick has no effect.

BACKGROUND: The induction of triploidy is an effective strategy for the production of sterile fish for aquaculture and has usually been reported to be accompanied by modifications in physiological characteristics. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of triploidy induction on growth performance and amino acid profiles in rainbow trout. METHODS: Eight female (total weight 1600 ± 246 g) and six male (total weight 1393 ± 186 g) four-year-old healthy rainbow trout were used in this study. Triploidy was inducted through the application of heat shock of 28 ºC for 10 min to eggs 10 min post fertilization in an aquarium equipped with a heater. During the 38 days of rearing period, the fish were fed a rainbow trout commercial diet (BioMar, France) 12 times a day at the rate of 7% of their body weight. Fish ploidy level was determined by erythrocyte size measurement. RESULTS: Based on red blood cell analysis, the overall triploidization success level was 87.1%. Growth performance was significantly higher in diploids as compared to triploids (p<0.05). The levels of non essential amino acids increased and the levels of essential amino acids decreased as an effect of triploidy induction. CONCLUSIONS: Triploidy induction in rainbow trout affects growth performance and amino acid profiles in rainbow trout.

BACKGROUND: A clean bowel preparation prior to X-ray examination is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to compare the effect of senna and polyethylene glycol on the bowel preparation of dogs before abdominal radiography. METHODS: Six adult healthy mongrel dogs from each sex ranging in age from 18 to 30 months received either 4 or 8 g/kg polyethylene glycol or 20 mg/kg senna through an orogastric tube 3 weeks apart. Food was withheld approximately 12 hours prior to drug administration. Radiography was performed 12 hours after bowel preparation. Only water was given ad libitum to animals during the day before radiography. Radiologist who was unaware of the method of bowel preparation, reviewed the standard radiographs and graded the feces and gas in the colon and rectum, fecal radio-opacity and quality of radiographs on a scale of 0 to 3 (0=inadequate to 3=excellent). Dogs were observed for any drugs side effects up to two weeks after administration of the laxatives. RESULTS: The cleanliness scores of colon for the 4 and 8 g/kg polyethylene glycol and senna groups were similar, 2.17±0.41. Also, the cleanliness scores of rectum for the 4 and 8 g/kg polyethylene glycol and senna groups were 2.50±0.55, 1.83±0.75 and 2.50±0.55, respectively. Both polyethylene glycol dosages and senna significantly improve bowel cleansing score in dogs (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to colon cleansing scores, fecal radio-opacity and quality of radiographs (p≥0.05). 8 mg/kg polyethylene glycol significantly reduces feces impaction in rectum versus 4 mg/kg (p<0.05). There were no clinical differences between the two groups for any of the side effects. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that 8 mg/kg polyethylene glycol and senna are safe and effective methods of colon cleansing, well tolerated by dogs.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic bone disease is a common disease in the pet reptiles. Early diagnosis of this disease has an important role in the treatment and prevention from complications. Since metabolic bone diseases causes bone density to decrease, it is assumed the CT scan can be used as a suitable method to diagnosis early changes in the bone density. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was providing a range of cortical and trabecular Hounsfield Numbers of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in the healthy green iguana by the aid of computed tomography which can be used as a reference. METHODS: Twelve healthy green iguanas were included in this study and based on the body length were divided into three groups. Complete information about maintenance including maintaining environment and nutrition conditions were recorded in questionnaires designed for this study. Lateral and dorsoventral radiographs were obtained using digital radiology to confirm the health of the skeletal system. To achieve CT plans, the animals were restricted by warping method. After obtaining topogram, with the aid of Osteo Protocol, cross sectional images were acquired from random thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. CT images were subsequently evaluated in Syngo MMWP VE40A Medical Software. The results were analyzed using SPSS statistic software. RESULTS: According to statistic results, the mean Hounsfield Number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were presented due to the body length of the green iguana. Since the cortical bone density of lumbar vertebrae in all three groups  varied meaningfully and  only variable “body length” was considered influential on cortical mineral bone density of lumbar vertebrae. Cortical bone density of lumbar vertebrae can be used as a reference for detecting the early bone density changes in green iguana.             CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography can be an excellent alternative for early detection of the MBD in pet green iguanas.

BACKGROUND: Ambient temperature has a significant effect on the thyroid gland function. Thyroid gland can be assessed by ultrasonography and measurement of thyroid hormones. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this survey was normal ultrasonographic findings of thyroid gland in cat in warm (July) and cold (February) seasons. METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 native, adult healthy cats. Thyroid hormones including T3 and T4 were measured in each cat before ultrasonography. After finding thyroid gland, echogenesity, length, width and height of each lobe (right and left) were measured. RESULTS: Both thyroid lobes were scanable and symmetrical on each side. In sagittal plane it had a fusiform shape and in transverse plane it appeared as an oval or roughly triangular structure. The thyroid parenchyma was homogenously echogenic. The echogenecity of the gland was more than the neck muscles and no difference was seen between cold and warm seasons. Dimensions of each lobe were slightly larger in cold season than warm season. The differences in width and volume were significant (p<0.05) but the differences were not significant in length and height (p>0.05). The mean of the length, width, height and volume of both lobes were in normal range for cat with the same weight. Total means of length, width, height (mm) and volume (cm3) of both lobes were 17.2, 2.6, 2.7, and 0.07 in two seasons respectively. Also, the difference was significant in concentration of T3 and T4 hormones between cold and warm seasons, so that thyroid hormone concentrations were higher in cold season than warm season (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the reduction in air temperature has an extraordinary effect on increasing thyroid gland size and thyroid hormone concentrations in native adult cats in Ahvaz district. This effect can be due to the influence of cold in the increase of body metabolism and thyroid gland function.

BACKGROUND: Betaine is a derivative of three methylates of glycine amino acids, found in the body of many animals. Objectives: The study was conducted to investigate the effects of betaine supplementation in the diet on gene expression and activities of lipogenic enzymes, and lipid levels of blood and liver in broilers. Methods: A total of 320 broilers were evaluated (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates, with the diets consisted of the control treatment which did not use the betaine supplementation. The second, third and fourth treatments contained 0.05, 0.08 and 0.11% betaine hydrochloride 98%, respectively. Results: Betaine supplementation to the diet has no significant effect on lipoprotein lipase gene expression, and the activities of enzyme Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase (p> 0.05). Betaine supplementation caused a significant decrease in liver cholesterol and triglyceride chicks fourth treatment (containing betaine hydrochloride 0.11 percent) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: In general, the results show that in broilers lipoprotein lipase gene expression and the activities of enzyme Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase are less influenced by betaine.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the most dangerous worldwide infectious zoonotic diseases that are common between ruminants and human. Consumption of infected milk and by-products is the major transmission source to human. In Iran, sheep compared to cow, has a higher rate of contamination with brucellosis. Therefore, early detection and precision could be a starting point for any efficient program to control the disease in human and animals. For brucellosis monitoring, milk ring test (MRT) is recommended but the test is not reliable in sheep herds. Perhaps a more realistic outcome could be achieved by changing the antigen used in MRT. OBJECTIVES: Comparison of two Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis antigens in MRT for detection of Brucella antibodies in milk, as well as monitoring contamination of  ewe’s milk in Dezful region by detection of B. abortus and B. melitensis genes using PCR. METHODS: In this research, 220 milk samples from 16 different herds were collected from Dezful region’s nomadic at Khuzestan province. As the first step, MRT by two antigens, B. abortus and B. melitensis, were conducted on the samples. Next, the samples were subjected to detect Brucella genes using PCR technique. RESULTS: Results showed that 47 (21/3 %) out of 220 cases were positive by MRT test, in terms of both antigens of B. abortus and B. melitensis. In PCR, out of 220 samples, only 9 (4%) samples were positive for specific genes of B. melitensis which were MRT positive as well. CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference between B. abortus and B. melitensis antigens was not observed in MRT. Although the nature and basis of PCR and MRT methods for the diagnosis of brucellosis is different but a significant difference between the results obtained by PCR and MRT showed that MRT even by changing of antigens is still not authentic. Considering that various methods of identification have their limitations, it is recommended that in ewe’s milk samples, in addition to using a serological method as screening, PCR and culture methods should be used for definitive diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Medicinal herbs are used in poultry production to improve carcass quality, immunity and also lessen the use of antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding coriander seed and ginger root powders to diet on performance, carcass traits, intestinal E.coli count and some serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. METHODS: One-hundred-sixty Cobb500 chicks were divided into four treatment groups with four replicates. Treatments as a completely randomized design were 1) basal diet (control), 2) basal diet plus 1.5% of coriander seed, 3) basal diet plus 0.75 %of ginger root powder, and 4) basal diet plus 1% coriander seed+ 0.5% of ginger root powder. At the end of the study, one bird from each replicate was slaughtered for blood sampling and carcass analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the effect of treatments on feed conversion ratio of chickens was significant at during days 1-28 (p<0.05). The lowest feed conversion ratio was observed in coriander+ginger. Carcass analysis showed that the effect of treatments on abdominal fat weight, bourse and gizzard weights of chickens were significant (p<0.05). The greatest gizzard relative weight was in ginger+coriander group while the lowest abdominal fat and bourse relative weights were in ginger group. The treatments had significant effect on blood cholesterol and HDL concentrations (p<0.05). The lowest cholesterol level was observed in ginger group but the greatest HDL level was in coriander+ginger group. Effect of treatments on intestinal E.coli count was significant (p<0.05). Coriander+ginger treatment had the lowest E.coli in the ileum. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the level 0.75 ginger powder in broiler diets has positive effects on reduction of abdominal fat, bourse, cholesterol and also reduces the intestinal E.coli population. Ginger+coriander in the diet by reducing feed conversion ratio and population of E.coli caused an improvement in growth performance of broiler chickens.