Background: Argas persicus has a great importance for health and veterinary, it can transmit many infectious agents such as Borrelia anserina (avian spirochetosis) and Aegyptianella pullorum. Distinguishing Argasidae due to close morphological relationship is difficult. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we performed molecular analyses based on PCR and sequencing of Amplicon derived from 16S rRNA and COX1 genes of A. persicus specimens in several provinces of Iran.     Methods: Out of seventy Argas persicus collected and confirmed morphologically, eight ticks were chosen from five provinces of Iran for gene analysis. Their DNA were extracted and amplificated using primers derived from 16 S ribosomal RNA and COX1 genes using PCR. Then the amplicons were sequenced and analyzed by Chromas software and sequence alignment program (Clustal W). Phylogenetic analysis was also conducted using MEGA ver. 6.06 with a maximum-likelihood method. RESULTS: Sequencing results indicated that all eight samples belonged to A. persicus species. Their nucleotide sequencing revealed that the interspecific sequence differences of both genes (16S rRNA genes and COX1) between our isolates were very infrequent. All isolates from different provinces were conserved across regions except for one isolate that exhibited a difference of only 1 nucleotide. Within Phylogenetic tree, A. persicus formed a clade with A. persicus from other regions of the world (South Arica, Italy, China, and South Australia). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested a very close phylogenetic relationship between A. persicus specimens obtained from different regions of Iran. Keywords:

Background: Identifying the animal species origin in meat and meat products is important for preventing adulteration and protecting consumers in terms of health and religious convictions. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is known as a suitable method for identifying meat species. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to use a species-specific PCR assay for the detection of mislabeling in cooked sausage meats as adulterants by use of multiplex PCR. METHODS: A total of 114 samples including sausage labeled containing 40%, 55% and 70% red meat of 10 different brands were collected from various markets and supermarkets. Following genomic DNA extraction from cooked sausages which were claimed to be made of red meat, multiplex PCR was performed to detect adulteration in processed food.  RESULTS: According to the analysis, 60 sausage samples showed that they consist of only meat from chicken (52.6%), 48 sausage samples consist of meat from beef and chicken (42.1%) and only 5.3% of the examined sausages were prepared with the meat of beef (6 samples). CONCLUSIONS: This high rate of undeclared chicken meat in sausage samples is most probably due to achieving more profit. Our results indicated that the meat species substitution occurs often in processed meats like sausages, which indicates the need of more governmental controls.

Background: Cardiac murmur and subsequently cardiac failure is one of the poor-performance causes in athletic horses. Attention to murmur character is vital during heart examination. Polo is a sport which demands very high stress on horses, which may result in more stress on cardiovascular system. Objectives: In this study we assume that high pressure on polo horses makes them more susceptible to valves insufficiency as a result of high velocity across valves. Methods: 136 polo horses were evaluated in this study, and all participated in polo matches. Both sides of chest were heard carefully by two clinicians and murmur characters recorded in detail. Afterward the accuracy of auscultation finding was proved by echocardiography, in echocardiography examination all the valves were evaluated carefully for any trace of regurgitation or stenosis across valves. Results: Forty-seven horses showed cardiac murmurs during auscultation (34.55%). Thoroughbred had the highest rate of murmur, with 71% of murmurs observed in this breed. Grade 2 murmurs were more frequent than others and 24 horses showed Grade 2 murmurs. And tricuspid had the highest involvement and 24 horses had tricuspid regurgitation. Conclusions: This study is the first report of cardiac murmur in Polo horses, which showed the high presence of tricuspid and aortic murmur. The difference between prevalence of murmurs in this study and other ones was not remarkable

Background: Feeding behavior is regulated via a complex network which interacts through diverse signals from central and peripheral tissues. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of the current study was to determine the role of central cannabinoidergic (CBergic) system on ghrelin-induced hypophagia in 3-h food deprived (FD3) neonatal chicken. METHODS: In experiment 1, chicks were ICV injected with control solution, ghrelin (0.6 nmol), SR141716A (selective CB1 receptors antagonist, 6.25 µg) and ghrelin + SR141716A. In experiment 2, chickens received ICV injection of (A) control solution, ghrelin (0.6 nmol), AM630 (selective CB2 receptors antagonist, 1.25 µg) and ghrelin + AM630. In experiment 3, chickens were ICV injected with control solution, 2-AG (selective CB1 receptors agonist, 2µg), GSK1614343 (selective ghrelin receptors antagonist, 6 nmol) and 2-AG + GSK1614343. In experiment 4, the birds received control solution, CB65 (selective CB2 receptors agonist, 6.25 µg), CB65 + GSK1614343. Then the cumulative food intake was measured until 120 min post injection. RESULTS: According to the results, ICV injection of the ghrelin, significantly decreased cumulative food intake (P<0.05). Co-injection of the ghrelin + SR141716A and/or ghrelin + AM630 significantly amplified ghrelin-induced hypophagia compared to control group (P<0.05). Hyperphagia observed by ICV injection of the 2-AG (2 µg) (P<0.05). Co-injection of the 2-AG + GSK1614343 increased food intake compared to control group (P<0.05). ICV injection of the CB65 (1.25 µg) significantly increased food intake (P<0.05). Also, co-injection of the CB65 + GSK1614343 significantly amplified cumulative food intake in FD3 neonatal layer-type chicken (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested ghrelin-induced hypophagia mediates via CB1 and CB2 receptors in neonatal layer-type chicken

BACKGROUND: Autoxidation is an irreversible reaction which occurs with the effect of oxygen in the air, and results in unpleasant taste and smell that are known as the signs of rancidity in oil. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the antioxidant potential of clove, summer savory and tarragon essential oils (EOs) in grape seed oil was evaluated. METHODS: Effects of EOs at different concentrations (0.3, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 %, v/v) on peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of grape seed oil at 60 ºC were investigated. RESULTS: Results showed 1.5% clove showed the lowest PV (52.13 meq/kg) at the end of the period. Among EO- treated samples, the highest PV was seen in samples treated with tarragon. There was no significant difference between the TBARS of samples containing 1% clove and 1.5% savory at day 10 of storage. TBARS of clove treated samples increased slightly toward the end of storage and similar trend was observed for savory-treated samples. TBARS values of tarragon treated samples at each storage time were higher than those for clove and savory EOs. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant activity of EOs in grape seed oil was as follows: clove > summer savory > tarragon.

BACKGROUND:  Struvite crystals (Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate) are one of the most common causes of urolith formation in cats. Presence of these crystals in urea leads to urinary obstruction and idiopathic cystitis. The prevalence of urinary crystals has increased in recent years, thus there has been a growing interest in development of noninvasive, fast responsive therapies. Vitamin C is a safe compound with antioxidant properties. This vitamin is known as urine acidifier as well. Since struvite crystals are more soluble in acidic pH, it could be expected that vitamin C application could improve crystals dissolution as well as their disposal. It could also prevent other complications. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to analyze the effects of vitamin C in reducing the rate and intensity of struvite crystals with current long term therapies such as diet alteration, acidifier’s applications and diuretics. METHODS: Ten male domestic cats with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease were selected. Struvite crystalluria was confirmed by urine analysis and ultrasonography. Cats were divided to treatment and control groups each containing 5 cats. Both groups were treated by conventional therapies for two weeks, however, during the 1st week the treatment group received injectable vitamin C (100 mg/kg, every 24h, SC) and the control group received oral DL Methionine (200mg/cat, every 8h), in addition to conventional therapies. Urine was collected at days 0, 7 and 14 and its pH, specific gravity and number of crystals were calculated. Presence of floating echogenic foci was evaluated using ultrasound. RESULTS: Significant decrease in struvite crystalluria was observed in both groups. However, in group treated by vitamin C this decrease was faster and more effective. In addition, in case of obstruction, vitamin C showed better therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, vitamin C injection could be a therapeutic approach in treatment of urinary tract obstructions where fast response is needed to avoid further complications. Oral methionine seems to be a suitable choice for prophylaxis in patients with moderated signs and relatively high urine pH or continuing therapy to prevent recurrence of disease.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium septicum has played a significant role as a causative agent of many acute fetal diseases in man and animals. Alpha- toxin is the main factor in the pathogenesis of C. septicum with hemolytic, necrotic and lethal activities. OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to evaluate alpha-toxin purification and antibody production rate against a local strain of C. septicum NH2 which could be applied in diagnosing kits, potency test of the vaccines, and other related applications. METHODS: Local strain of C. septicum NH2 was cultured in liver broth. Alpha-toxin in supernatant purified by three steps: the first step was done by 25% and 60% of ammoniums sulfate precipitation and continued by DEAE-Sephadex ion exchange chromatography, and finally finished in gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. Alpha-toxin was assayed in all steps and purification procedures were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. After immunization of rabbits with alpha- toxin and serum collection, immunoglobulin was separated by three purifying steps: ammoniums sulfate, ion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. Serum purification process was evaluated by electrophoresis, double immunodiffusion (DID), single radial immunodiffusion (SRID), western blot, and SDS-PAGE. RESUTLS: SDS-PAGE results showed the alpha-toxin and anti-alpha-toxin were purified partially. Double immunodiffusion and single radial immunodiffusion methods detected the specific antibody. Heavy and light chains of anti-alpha-toxin separated by 2ME in electrophoresis reacted with 48 kDa alpha-toxin during the western blot without any reaction to other proteins in nitrocellulose paper. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a modified protocol for C. septicum alpha-toxin and anti-alpha-toxin production. The purification method is more economical and faster than previously reported procedures, and anti-alpha-toxin production is  an advantage in detection of C. septicum infection

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the prevalent debilitating neurodegenerative disor- ders. Accordingly, researchers are working on methods to modify PD progression. Previously, the neuro- protective effects of betaine, as a methyl donor agent in homocysteine metabolism, have been demonstrated in animal models of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and memory deficits. OBJECTIVES: It was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of betaine in an animal model of PD. METHODS: In male Wistar rats under two-week course of oral betaine administration (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg per day), the behavioral, biochemical, and histological evaluations were conducted one week follow- ing unilateral nigral 6-OHDA injection. RESUTLS: Betaine administration with dose of 200 mg/kg, one week before and after 6-OHDA lesioning, was associated with a meaningful reduction in the plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in comparison with the control and sham groups (P < 0.05). Our evaluations revealed a remarkable improvement in motor asymmetry induced by apomorphine in the rats under treatment of betaine 200 mg/kg. Moreover, in this group, a significant decrease of malondyaldehyde (MDA) concentrations was detected in the brain tissues, as well as a significantly diminished neuronal cell loss (percent) in substantia nigra pars compacta (P < 0.05). The results of 50 and 100 mg/kg betaine groups were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our findings indicate the antioxidant neuroprotective effects of betaine in this animal model of PD and it is in concordance with betaine properties in decreasing the plasma levels and possible neurotoxic effects of Hcy.

Osteomyelitis of the vertebral body is a rare condition, and its prognostic is reserved in several species, caus- ing spinal cord involvement, and neurological manifestations. In foals, the disease can be resulted from an infection caused by several bacteria, in which R. equi has a higher incidence among the responsible agents. The objective of this report is to describe the osteomyelitis occurrence on the structures that constitute the atlantoaxial joint in a 115 day-old foal. At the cervical spine radiographic exam suspected a fracture in the odontoid process. After the radiograph results, associated to the clinical manifestations, and the owner’s interest, it was decided to euthanize the animal. In order to find a more accurate diagnosis, a myelography and a myelotomography were performed. The radiograph was not enough to identify precisely the vertebral disorders, whilst the computerized tomography detected the lesions related to the condition was confirmed later with necropsy and histopathological evaluation.

Melanomas are malignant neoplasms originating from melanocytes. They reported in birds.  In this  case, macroscopic and microscopic (the histopathologic and IHC) findings supported a final diagnosis  of cutaneous malignant melanoma in a mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos). A female mallard duck  (Anas platyrhynchos) was observed with a mass on the ventral portion of the neck. The bird was anes- thetized with Diazepam/Ketamine. A skin incision was made on the ventral surface of the mass and blunt dissection was performed to separate the mass. The incision was sutured by a simple interrupted suture pattern. Mass was surgically excised for histopathological evaluation. Histologically, the mass was composed of nests and sheets of anaplastic, epithelioid, multinucleated and polygonal cells con- taining variable amounts of brown to black granules of melanin. The neoplasm showed immunoreactiv- ity for S-100 and Melan-A in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells. Based on the histopathological and IHC findings, this is the first report of malignant melanoma in a mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos).