Background: Glucocorticoids have several benefits in large animal medicine but apart from their benefits, there are several disadvantages attributed to the use of these drugs. Among the disadvantages, disturbance in protein metabolism is one of the side effects of glucocorticoids which has been investigated in human and laboratory animals. OBJECTIVES: There are no information regarding the effects of glucocorticoids on protein metabolism in large animals. Hence, the present experimental study was performed to evaluate the protein metabolism following glucocorticoids administration in Holstein calves. METHODS: Ten clinically healthy Holstein calves (6 to 8 months old) were assigned into 2 equal groups (n=5), containing Dexa and Iso. Dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, intramuscularly) and isoflupredone(1 mg/kg, intramuscularly) were administered in Dexa and Iso groups, respectively, on two consecutive days. Blood samples were taken at days 0 (1st drug administration), 1 (2nd drug dministration), 2, 3, 5 and 7, from all studied animals. Sera were assayed for total protein, albumin, globulin, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin. RESULTS: Serum amyloid A and haptoglobinexperience significant increase after administration of both drugs. Isoflupredone induced the synthesis of serum amyloid A and haptoglobin more than dexamethasone (p<0.05). Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and globulin experienced significant decrease after infusion of dexamethasone and isoflupredone (p<0.05). Circulating levels of these proteins in Iso group were lower than Dexa one, significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflupredone and dexamethasone can induce the protein catabolism. Furthermore, the concentrations of serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, as oxidative stress biomarkers, increased following both drugs administrations due to their oxidation effects on proteins. Finally, the effects of isoflupredone on the metabolism of proteins are significantly higher than dexamethasone in Holstein calves.

Background: It has been shown that zinc has an effect on physiological responses in animals and birds. On the other hand, dietary phytase in poultry results in increased availability of zinc. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and Escherichia coli-derived 6-phytase supplemented diets on the plasma metabolites and enzyme activities of broiler breeder hens from 60 to 72 weeks of age. METHODS: A total of 128 breeder hens were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments, with four replicates of four hens each. Blood concentration of Zn, Ca, P, total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL), and plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. RESULTS: Results showed that supplementary ZnO increased plasma Zn, Ca, P, HDL, and total protein (p<0.01) concentrations, as well as enzyme activities of LDH, ALT and AST (p<0.01). Also, a ZnO-supplemented diet resulted in a decrease in plasma cholesterol and TG (p<0.01) levels. Adding phytase to the diet increased plasma (P) and HDL contents (p<0.01). The interactive effect of phytase × ZnO × period on the plasma levels of Zn, P, total protein, HDL, total cholesterol, and the enzymatic activity of LDH, ALT and ALP was significant. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that supplementary ZnO and phytase may improve metabolism and enzymatic activity of aged broiler breeder hens.

Background: Liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is the main cytosolic binding site for long chain fatty acids in hepatocytes. FABPs enhance the uptake of fatty acids into the cell by increasing their concentration due to decreasing concentration of unbound fatty acids inside the cell. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio and feed restriction on L-FABP mRNA expression. Methods: A total of 720, 10-day old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed diets with unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio (U/S) of 2, 3.5, 5, or 6.5 as ad libitum or skip-a-day feeding schedule (during 18–28 days of age). Relative expression of L-FABP mRNA in hepatocytes of broilers was determined using quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Our results show that feed restriction induced the expression of L-FABP gene in the liver of broilers. Moreover, L-FABP gene expression was increased by dietary U/S ratio of 6.5. There was no interaction between dietary U/S and feed restriction on the L-FABP gene expression. Conclusions: Results indicate that birds have a mechanism for regulation of fatty acid transfer under different nutritional conditions.

Dermatophilosis is a bacterial skin infection and wet conditions like, raining and dipping predispose sheep to it. A great economic loss can be caused by this disease because of its effect on the quality of wool. In Iran (near Saveh), there was an outbreak of the disease in a herd and the clinical manifestation was different from that of typical dermatophilosis. Diffuse wide alopecic area accompanied by large amount of purulent discharges were seen. The main lesions were located at the thoracic area. Secondary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and bacteremia caused by staphylococcus was diagnosed and is considered to be the cause of 0.16% mortality.For diagnosis blood samples were obtained for CBC, and bacteriological culture and direct smear were taken from skin lesions. Biopsy was also prepared from skin lesions for histopathologic study and bacteriologic culture. Direct microscopic examination was made on Giemsa-stained smear prepared from crusts and their underlying tissue. Gram stained smear  was also prepared from underlying crusts of skin. After bacteriological and histopathological evaluation, Dermatophilus was determined. A typical railroad track of Gram positive bacteria was seen in Gram and Giemsa stained smear.  Filamentous bacteria in the epidermis were seen in histopathological samples. Infection was controlled by treating herd intramuscularly with 70,000 mg/kg BW procaine penicillin G, twice daily for 5 consecutive days.

Background: A common concern of the poultry industry is the presence of fungal pathogens in the birds’ environment, which may constitute a considerable health hazard to the birds, farmers, and those living in proximity of the farm. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess the mycoflora in the indoor and outdoor environments of poultry breeding houses and studying the efficacy of disinfection methods, including spraying and fumigation, on reducing airspora concentration. METHODS: Indoor air of 12 poultry houses were sampled by exposing Petri dishes containing Sabouraud’s glucose agar after removal of old litter, spraying with disinfectant solutions, and fumigation with formalin plus permanganate. The plates were incubated at 30 °C for seven days and fungi were counted and identified microscopically and macroscopically according to standard mycological methods. RESULTS: A total of 182 and 181 fungal colonies were recovered from indoor and outdoor air of poultry houses, respectively. Candida (30.2%) and Aspergillus (26.9%) species were the most common yeast and mold in the indoor, respectively, whereas Alternaria (37.6%) and Candida (19.3%) species were the most predominant fungi in the outdoor air of poultry houses. Disinfection of the poultry houses using spraying and fumigation methods led to a 38.1% and 75% reduction in airspora concentration (p<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the present study, Candida spp and Alternaria spp had the highest indoor and outdoor concentrations in poultry breeding houses’ air, respectively, and fumigation was the most efficient method in reducing airspora.

Background: Various strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are known as major causes of intestinal and extraintestinal infections in humans and various animal species. Molecular methods are important for the identification of bacterial isolates and nucleotide sequence variations, as well as information on tracking bacterial agents related to the outbreaks, the frequency of the bacterial genetic structure, and the evolution of microbial populations. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of the RAPD method to differentiate E. coli strains. Methods: In this study, 110 isolates of E. coli were analyzed by the RAPD PCR method using two 10bp oligonucleotides. These strains were isolated from humans with urinary tract infections and neonatal calves affected by diarrhea or septicemia. Results: Data analysis showed that 87.5% of human E. coli isolates were correctly classified in the human host group, while 94.3% of calf E. coli isolates were correctly placed in calf groups. It also demonstrated that 100% and 93.3% of isolates were accurately assigned to diarrheic and septicemic calf groups, respectively. ConclusionS: Genetic variation analysis indicated that the percentage of polymorphism among E. coli isolates from humans with urinary tract infections, diarrheic calves, and septicemic neonatal calves were 54.71%, 61.22%, and 62.5%, respectively.

Background: BIV is a well-known bovine immunosuppressive cause, but its pathogenesis has not been well characterized. In recent years, it has been hypothesized that infection with BIV might predispose cattle to be infected by other agents. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate of BIV and Brucella co-infection so that in the future more studies will be done on the issue of predisposing cattle to other microorganisms like Brucella after BIV infection. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from a total of 2290 cattle in Iran (490 and 1800 cattle in non-industrial and industrial dairy farms, respectively from Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces). The BIV-positive animals were detected by Lab-ELISA and nested PCR tests. RESULTS: In this study, the overall prevalence of BIV in Iran was 1.61% (4.5% and 0.83% in non-industrial and industrial dairy farms, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant relationship between BIV status and Brucella infection using Chi square and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test for all of the samples (p=0.0001, r=0.24), samples from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (p=0.044, r=0.13) and from industrial farms in Isfahan (p=0.001, r=0.074).

Background: Camel and sheep have high disperse and tolerance in tropical regions. But different results of harsh condition tolerance ability of them have been reported. ObjectiveS: The objective of this study was to determine the heat stress tolerance in camel and sheep by evaluating changes in blood serum metabolites and to report and compare the serum biochemical profile of sheep and camel during long heat stress of warm summer. Methods: In this experiment, blood metabolites of camel and sheep were taken and compared with each other in four consecutive months during warm months (high summer). Results: There was a significant difference between the values of urea, glucose, total protein, albumin, phosphors, calcium, ALT, ALP, uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, and LDH of sheep and camels. Overall urea, glucose, total protein, albumin, phosphors, and calcium values were significantly higher in camels compared to sheep (p<0.01). Oppositely, sheep had significant higher values for uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, and LDH (p<0.01). However AST and creatinine were not significantly different between sheep and camels. ConclusionS: Sheep sensitivity to heat stress was appeared in increasing in uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, and LDH values compared to camel; so as it might be told sheep had more lipolysis-pattern during heat stress; their high blood LDH and total bilirubin were signs of red blood cell rupture or liver damage; and significant higher blood uric acid value in sheep makes them susceptive to a kidney problem such as gout.

Background: Artichoke extract (AE), containing natural antioxidant compounds, can be considered as a good source of antioxidant potential. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant abilities of AE on broiler meat quality. METHODS: 200 Ross chicken broilers were divided into five equal groups and received 100, 200, 300, and 500 mg/liter of AE in drinking water and pure water in the control group, respectively. Antiradical activity and phenolic content of AE were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and gallic acid measurement before adding extract into drinking water. The broilers received AE extract form 21-35 day of growing phase and the samples from thigh muscles were taken for biochemical analysis in the 42 day of the growing phase. RESULTS: Antiradical activity of AE was 35% and phenolic content was 3.3 g/100g of dry extract. Regarding antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), the AE with dosage of 200 mg/l indicated maximum antioxidant ability compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Supplementation of AE200 mg/l also demonstrated the lowest GPx and CAT activities, compared to the control and AE 300 mg/l groups (p<0.05). Regarding performance weight gain, average daily weight gain, percentage of weight gain in 21 to 35 as well as final weight were similar in control and AE-received groups and AE indicated similar effect for all the treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that administration of 200 mg/l AE in drinking water during growing phase decreased GPx and CAT activities in chicken meat presumably due to down-regulation of gene expression for antioxidant enzymes.

Background: DNA immunization is an appropriate method to produce an immunological response. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces exotoxin A which is highly cytotoxic for eukaryotic cells. Since domains II (translocation domain) and 1b of the toxin have antigenic qualities, so they could be  useful candidates to protect against pseudomonas infections. Objectives: To evaluate if recombinant plasmid containing immunogenic domain of exotoxin A might be protective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Methods: To study the biologic and immunological effects of antigenic domains of exotoxin A, plasmid expression vector (pET28a) containing domain II and 1b of exotoxin was constructed. To evaluate the effects of intracellular recombinant gene expression, BALB/C mice were immunized with the recombinant plasmid and then subjected to third degree thermal injury and the humoral immunity responses were assayed. Results: Immunization with the recombinant plasmid containing translocation and 1b domains of exotoxin A resulted in  increasing antibodies production (IgA and IgG) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. DNA immunization significantly decreased the bacterial count liver, spleen, blood and inoculated burns after challenging with P. aeruginosa and dramatically improved the survival rate of burn-injured mice. Conclusions: Finally, immunization by gene encoding antigenic products may be a good technique for protection against P. aeruginosa infections.