BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated negative association of anogenital distance (AGD) with fertility in dairy cows; however, the mechanism of inverse relationship is not completely understood. In this regard, post-partum uterine infections and their corresponding risk factors could diminish fertility of cows, yet there has been no research exploring the relationship between AGD and postpartum disorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between AGD and postpartum reproduc-tive performance in dairy cows. METHODS: AGD of Holstein dairy cows of a commercial dairy herd (n = 290) was measured in millimeter at the first postpartum examination (days 28 to 32 postpartum). The cows were classified into three categories based on the AGD length, including short (20% of cows with lowest values), intermediate (60% of cows with moderate values) and long (20% of cows with highest values) AGDs. Additionally, data of postpartum reproductive variables were retrieved form the herd database. Data was analyzed using SAS software version 9.4. RESULTS: The rate of dystocia, twinning, retention of fetal membranes, puerperal metritis and clinical endome-tritis, calf birth weight, and days to first service did not differ among the various AGD categories (P>0.05). However, proportion of male offspring was lower in the short AGD cows than intermediate and long AGD cows (P<0.05). Furthermore, the first service conception rate was greater in the intermediate anogenital distance group than short and long anogenital distance groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the present study showed suboptimal first postpartum conception rate in the cows with minimal and maximal length of anogenital distance and indicated that this inferior fertility was not mediated through alteration in the rate of postpartum reproductive disorders

BACKGROUND: The ossicles comprise three small bones (malleus, incus, and stapes) known as the smallest bones in the body that play an essential role in transmitting sound to the inner ear. OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to compare the structure of the middle ear in native sheep and cattle. METHODS: To study the details of middle ear ossicles in Lori sheep (n=5) and native cattle (n=5), bio-anatomical parameters of the malleus, incus, and stapes ossicles were measured. Animals were male and adult. In this study, the ossicles were carefully described by the appropriate devices, and after separation, the ossicles were measured using a caliper and digital scales. Bio-anatomical changes were evaluated under magnification provided by stere-omicroscope. RESULTS: The cow's middle-ear ossicles differed from those of sheep in some details. The results revealed obvi-ous differences in length, width, and thickness of malleus, incus, and stapes in cows compared to sheep. However, further differences were observed in the malleus compared to the other two ossicles when the ossicles of the two species were evaluated. After examining the two studied species, the least difference was observed between the ossicles of the two animals in the stapes. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, this study could compare middle ear ossicles between sheep and native cattle in the Shahrekord province. Anyway, it is conceivable that the biometric sizes of the middle ear ossicles may be af-fected by animal species

BACKGROUND: Kefir is a fermented milk product containing some anticarcinogenic organic compounds with nutritional benefits, which made it one of the natural dairy beverages extensively consumed. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of two selective probiotics on the values of acidic criteria and probiotic survival in the kefir produced in this study. METHODS: In the first step, the cow milk, preheated at 90oC for 5 min, was inoculated with the commercial starter and divided into two groups. They were complemented with L. acidophilus LA-5 and L. paracasei 431 and incu-bated at 30oC for 6 h. They were then preserved at refrigerated temperature up to 14 days and then sampling was carried out to evaluate the changes of values of organic acids (lactic acid and acetic acid), pH, titratable acidity and survival of probiotic complemented bacteria on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days. RESULTS: The pH values of L. acidophilus LA-5 and L. paracasei 431 were 4.34 and 4.36 at the beginning of the cold storage and reached 4.27 and 4.31 at day 14. The acidity of L. acidophilus LA-5-complemented kefir on the 1st day was 0.80 gr/100 gr higher than L. paracasei 431-complemented kefir which showed 0.72 gr/100 gr. Lactic acid was ranging from 1.57 to 2.40 gr/100 mL or 2.17 to 2.42 gr/100 mL (from the 1st to the 14th day) in the kefirs complemented with L. acidophilus LA-5 and L. paracasei 431, respectively. In the kefirs complemented with L. acidophilus LA-5 and L. paracasei 431, the acetic acid was stable (from 0.11 to 0.13 gr/100 mL) during 14 days but increased in the later (from 0.11 to 0.23 gr/100 mL) .The survival of both bacteria was higher than 7 logs CFU/gr in the kefir. CONCLUSIONS: Adding L. acidophilus LA-5 and L. paracacei 431 can moderate the acidity of the kefir and extend the survival of complementary probiotics at a standard level during two weeks of cold preservation.

Decision making for sustainable development must be reviewed based on the new insights into Infection and immunity and the impacts of mathematical modeling on vaccination and disease control. Regarding to important role of immune genes in disease resistance and controlling production traits, immunogenetics parameters should be considered in modeling for disease control. Investigating the polymorphism as well as associations and linkages to traits in native animals, as a genetic resource of our country, would be worthwhile and can be used in future native breeding programs.Decision making for sustainable development must be reviewed based on the new insights into Infection and immunity and the impacts of mathematical modeling on vaccination and disease control. Regarding to important role of immune genes in disease resistance and controlling production traits, immunogenetics parameters should be considered in modeling for disease control. Investigating the polymorphism as well as associations and linkages to traits in native animals, as a genetic resource of our country, would be worthwhile and can be used in future native breeding programs.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin (OX) is the third-generation platinum anticancer drug used to treat various types of cancers. Although oxaliplatin has a renal metabolism, the evaluation of its nephrotoxicity is limited. OBJECTIVES: This study describes the morphometry of mouse kidneys using stereology following OX treatment. METHODS: Twenty Balb/C healthy male adult mice were divided into two groups. The mice from group 1 re-ceived 3 mg/kg oxaliplatin three times a week for 21 days, and in group 2 the mice were injected with saline. The left kidneys were used to measure the kidney volume, the volume fraction of cortex and medulla, glomerular vol-ume, glomerular mean volume, glomerular number, epithelial volume, and length of the proximal (PCT) and distal (DCT) convoluted tubules. RESULTS: No significant differences in total kidney volume, the volume of cortex, and medulla were observed between control and experimental animals (P≥0.05). No differences were observed in either epithelial volume of PCT and DCT or total length of PCT and DCT between the control and experimental group (P≥0.05). The glomer-ular volume fraction, total glomerular volume, mean glomerular volume, and glomerular number did not differ between control and the treated animals (P≥0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results did not demonstrate any deleterious effect of OX in the mentioned dose on kidney structure in mice. These findings may help infer contradictory outcomes of different studies in this field and promote future investigations.

BACKGROUND: Germinated Barely and Earth Apple were used as a source of prebiotic to enhance fish health and welfare. OBJECTIVES: The effect of adding different levels of both germinated barley and earth apple powders in Cypri-nus carpio diets was evaluated. METHODS: First Diet (Control diet free of any additives), diets in treatments of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 with 2.5, 5, and 7.5 gr/kg diet of each of barley and earth apple powders respectively on an equivalent basis of protein. RESULTS: T4 with 7.5 gr Earth apple was higher significantly (P≤0.05) in Gill index. T5 with 2.5 gr Barley was significantly higher (P≤0.05) in the Kidney index. Spleen somatic index was higher in all treatments except for T2 and T4. T2 and T5 were significantly higher in the Hepatosomatic index. Using germinated barely and earth apple powder in intestine indices either weight or length, the T7 with 7.5 gr Barley has more impact on the fish intestine. T3 with 5 gr Earth apple was higher significantly (P≤0.05) in each meat index in terms of Fish weight without viscera and Fish weight without viscera &amp; head. CONCLUSIONS: Earth Apple powder as a source of prebiotic enhances the health parameters in biological pa-rameters (P≤0.05).

BACKGROUND: Nanoparticles are popular carriers for gene therapy and drug delivery. Their low toxicity effects, as well as their ability to accumulate and enter mammalian cells, illustrate their importance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of molybdenum trioxide nano-particles on liver structure and function. METHODS: Thirty-five adult Wistar rats were studied and placed in five groups. The control group took any drug, the solvent group received normal saline, and groups 3, 4, and 5 received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kgBW molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles (MoO3 NPs), respectively, by intraperitoneal injection for 35 days. In the end, serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, T3, T4, TSH, and VLDL were investigated. Moreover, liver tissue was evaluated in terms of morphometrical, histological, histochemical, and image analysis. The Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson's Trichrome, and Periodic Acid Schiff staining methods were utilized for liver tissue evaluation. RESULTS: The results showed that molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles significantly increased serum levels of the liver enzymes and thyroid hormones and decreased TSH in MoO3 NPs groups compared with control and solvent groups. Also, histomorphometric and histochemical evaluation and image analysis of liver tissue indicated adverse effects of MoO3 NPs on liver tissue. They showed that the accumulation of carbohydrates in hepatocytes was de-creased, and collagen fibers stained by Masson's Trichrome staining were increased in MoO3 NPs groups. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that nanoparticles such as MoO3 NPs affect and damage the histological structure of the hepatocytes. Also, MoO3 NPs can alter serum levels of liver enzymes by affecting and damaging hepatocytes.

The accessory hepatic lobe is an extremely rare anomaly reported in humans and animals. A large domed solid mass and two smaller masses were noticed during thorax dissection in a six-year-old mixed breed male dog with no previous history of the disease, which was fixed to be used in the anatomy hall. The masses were placed adjacent to the diaphragm, between the lung's right and left caudal lobs. The masses with a common thick vascular pedicle had pierced the diaphragm and run to the falciform ligament of the liver. Histological findings showed liver tissue and hepatocytes were arranged radially around the central vein. There were sinusoids between the hepatocyte plates, dilated as telangiectasia in some areas. The study of the pedicle revealed a normal elastic artery, normal vein, and normal biliary duct crossed to the falciform ligament in the abdomen. The macroscopic and microscopic findings revealed type I intrathoracic ectopic liver.

BACKGROUND: Developmental anatomy is a prerequisite for a real understanding of gross anatomy and teratol-ogy. It is concerned with the sequential stages of embryonic and fetal development, beginning with fertilization. Moreover, it helps to describe developmental changes and abnormalities, heredity, sexing, and the appearance of vestigial structures. Powerful advancements in molecular genetic manipulation and assisted reproductive technolo-gies are employed during embryo and fetal development, and these efforts have had profound impact on animal production worldwide. OBJECTIVES: The present study was carried out to investigate the onset and stages of osteogenesis in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). METHODS: Forty mature rabbits (33 does and 7 bucks) with a mean weight of 2 kg were included in this study. They mated twice at a ratio of three does to one buck on day zero (0). Mounting was carefully observed to ensure mating occurred and was confirmed by the physical examination of the vulva for swelling and redness, while preg-nancy diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography and abdominal palpation. Embryos and fetuses were extracted via a ventral incision on the abdominal and uterine walls of one pregnant doe each day after euthanization with thiopental sodium at the dose of 31 mg/kg body weight intravenously. Diaphonisation was employed in studying osteogenesis. RESULTS: Osteogenesis began at fetal day 21 (F21) using diaphonisation. In the skull, the bones of the splanchnocranium appeared before the neurocranium. The centrum and transverse processes were the first identifi-able features of all different types of bone in the vertebral column to be ossified. The spinous process and the fusion of the sacrum and sternum were not detected throughout the gestation period. It was also observed that the epiphys-eal and articular ends of none of the bones, neither in the fore nor hind limbs were ossified throughout gestation. Specifically, while the primary ossification centers of the middle phalanges were the last to appear in the manus and pes, all the carpals were absent, and only the calcaneous was evident in the tarsal bones. CONCLUSIONS: We recorded the onset of osteogenesis and subsequent development throughout the gestation period of rabbits, which has added some valuable information to the documented literature on the bone development of this species.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diseases among dairy cows is high in the postpartum period, which reduces dairy enterprise and higher demands for antibiotics. Considering this, the notion of promoting heath and reducing antibiotic application in dairy cow medicine by taking advantages of bioactive phytochemicals in herbal extracts is emerging. OBJECTIVES: This study's main purpose was to investigate the effects of supplementing Holstein dairy cows' ration in the close-up period by Immunofin® polyherbal aqueous extract on the normal physiology, clinical health, and hematological and biochemical parameters of postpartum dairy cows. METHODS: In this experiment, the herbal extract was supplemented in a close-up period diet for cows in the treatment group (n=10). However, cows in the control group (n=10) received precisely the same ratio as the placebo. The clinical health of cows was assessed, and some of their biochemical and hematological parameters were com-pared between the two groups. RESULTS: Cows in the treatment group had a lower incidence of retained fetal membrane and metritis (P=0.01). In addition, cows in the treatment group had a lower concentration of serum nonesterified fatty acid (P<0.001), and a lower number of peripheral blood leukocytes and lymphocytes count among cows in the treatment group (P<0.0001). In contrast, their mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume were higher (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Immunofin® supplementation in a close-up period had no negative impacts on prepartum cows' clinical health and could desirably alter some of the clinical, biochemical and hematological pa-rameters.