Background: The dromedary spleen plays a crucial role in the immune system and maintaining homeostasis. However, there is limited research on the developmental changes in the spleen during the first few years of a dromedary’s life.Objectives: The objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the developmental changes in the dromedary spleen during the crucial first three years of life. This aim was achieved through a multi-faceted approach involving macroscopic examination, which entailed measuring the absolute and relative mass of the spleen and morphometric analysis. Additionally, histological and histomorphometric analyses were employed to study the cellular composition of the spleen at different ages. Methods: Five groups of dromedaries were examined in Southeastern Algeria. Their spleens were analyzed using both gross anatomy and histological examination. The cellular composition of their spleens was studied on histological slides of different ages, stained with hematoxylin and eosin.Results: The results showed that the spleen’s size, weight, and volume significantly increased as the animals grew. The splenic mass of the animal of the first group showed an average absolute mass of 251±14.19 g, whereas in the fourth group, they showed an average mass of 318±23.91 g. Also, the length, width, and thickness showed average values of 43.78±1.95 cm, 19.44±1.52 cm, and 1.88±0.16 cm, respectively, at 8 months. However, they showed average values of 49.6±1.86 cm, 24.32±1.69 cm, and 3.18±0.34 cm, respectively, at the age of 3 years. The cellular composition of the spleen changed over time, with a higher percentage of lymphoid tissue at 8 months, more red pulp at 1 year, and a higher percentage of white pulp at 2 years. Finally, the spleen had a mature mixture of red and white pulp and fully developed immune function by 3 years.Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the development and maturation of the dromedary spleen. The findings have important implications for understanding the health and well-being of these animals. The results could potentially contribute to the development of better strategies for the management and care of dromedaries.

Background: Canine distemper (CD) is the dogs’ most contagious and lethal viral disease. Despite the widespread use of vaccines to control CD, the prevalence of the CD virus (CDV) has increased at an alarming rate in recent years. Objectives: To identify the genotypes responsible for the neurological and non-neurological clinical forms of CD and to investigate the presence of the virus in the neurological and non-neurological forms of the disease. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the samples were collected from 70 CD suspected unvaccinated dogs with clinical signs of distemper. All cases were tested with rapid tests and separated into 3 groups based on clinical signs and symptoms. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), respiratory secretion, and fecal samples of allall 70 cases were examined for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After sequencing the hemagglutinin gene (H gene), phylogenetic analysis of the gene isolated from CDVs was carried out using MEGA software, version 7. Results: The RT-PCR results showed that the respiratory secretion sample in the non-neurological CDV group (85%) and the neurological CDV group (80%) had the highest level of virus contamination. However, in the non-neurological CDV group, the CSF sample (40%) had a high level of infection. In neurotic groups, cases older than 12 months showed the highest percentage of distemper contamination, and in the non-neurologic CDV group, those between 3 and 6 months were more involved. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the H gene revealed the CDV as a member of the endemic Arctic-like genetic lineage. Conclusion: The genotypic examination of the hemagglutinin gene of the distemper virus reveals that the recent isolates of neurologic and non-neurologic clinical forms of CDV in Iran are similar. In positive rapid test cases, the PCR test of respiratory secretions for virus detection ranks with the highest sensitivity. In neurologic cases with negative rapid test results, PCR of CSF had the highest sensitivity, so it may serve as a diagnostic criterion.

Background: Ascites or pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) is one of the significant problems in the poultry industry. Therefore, various studies have been conducted on its contributing factors. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of vitamin E in reducing the mRNA levels of caspase-1 (CASP1), caspase-2 (CASP2), and caspase-3 (CASP3) genes involved in the apoptosis pathway. Methods: Ninety fast-growing 1-day-old chickens (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to three equal groups, including sham (basal diet), control (basal diet+1.5 mg/kg of triiodothyronine [T3]), and treatment group (basal diet+400 mg/kg of vitamin E+1.5 mg/kg of T3). To induce ascites, 1.5 mg/kg of T3 was added to basal diet from the seventh day to the end of the experiment. On the 21st and 49th days after rearing, 15 chicks from each group were randomly selected. The right ventricle/total ventricle weight ratio (RV/TV) and the expression levels of CASP1, CASP2, and CASP3 genes in the lung and right ventricle of all three groups of broiler chickens were measured and compared. Results: Although there was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of the RV/TV ratio on day 21 post-reared (P≥0.05), a significant decrease was detected in the vitamin E-receiving group compared to the control group with respect to the RV/TV ratio on day 49 post-reared (P<0.05). Also, vitamin E reduced the relative expression of CASP1, CASP2, and CASP3 at 49 days of age in the lung and heart tissues of broiler chickens with ascites (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it seems that vitamin E can reduce some apoptosis genes (CASP1, CASP2, and CASP3) associated with pulmonary hypertension in broilers.