BACKGROUND: Population growth and the need for food, especially proteins, have increased the interest in using inexpensive and available supplements to increase protein production. ObjectiveS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Qom region zeolite as a supplement to the histological and histochemical structure of broiler chicken intestine and to compare it with commercial zeolite. Methods: In this experimental study a total of 200 broiler chicks were purchased from Qom poultry and randomly divided into five groups including the control group; the experimental group of Qom zeolite which was subsequently subdivided into three different doses including (Z1 = 0.5 %, Z2 = 1%, Z3 =1,5%); and finally the anzymite group which received the commercial zeolite. 42 days later, 10 samples were selected from each group and after tissue preparation, the slides were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, PAS period, and toluidine blue; then microscopic assays were applied using the Image-j 1.49f software. Data analysis was done with SPSS 20 and One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. PResults: The height of the epithelial cells decreased in the anzymite group but the number of mucosal glands and goblet cells increased significantly (P<0.05). Except for Z1 group in other Qom zeolite treatment groups (Z2 and Z3), the number of goblet cells increased significantly (P<0.05). Therefore, the effect of zeolite higher than 1.5% may be comparable with anzymite. Conclusions: Our results showed that zeolite does not have any effect on increasing the absorption rate of the small intestine, but could stimulate the function of goblet cells and intestinal glands, so Qom zeolite with higher percentage could have the same effect as anzymite

BACKGROUND: Honey bee Chalkbrood disease is a fungal disease that is distributed in apiaries in the north provinces of Iran. Chalkbrood causative agent is Ascospaharea apis that can survive in colonies products for many years. Many chemical materials are used for control of Chalkbrood disease in honeybee colonies that can make some problems in honeybee consumer products, so  that survival of safe material and methods for honeybee colonies treatments is a important aim in honeybee research field. OBJECTIVES: In this study antifungal effects of the Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum on the Ascospharea apis causative agent of honey bee Chalkbrood disease is examined. METHODS:  Simultaneous inoculation, Agar spot, Confrontation assay, Overlay assay methods are used. LABs are cultured in MRS and A.apis is cultured in SDA media. RESULTS: L.casei and L.acidophilus had moderate effects on the A.apis growth, but B.bifidum and LABs cell free supernatants(CFS) could not  inhibit growth of  this fungi. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this survey show that LABs have antifungal activities on the honey bee Chalkbrood disease agent in culture medium and may be used as an alternative method for control of this disease in the honeybee colonies.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals as well as human worldwide. Human is infected with Toxoplasma parasites by eating half-cooked meat of livestock or oocyte. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of Toxoplasma in aborted fetuses of sheep using the serological method in North Khorasan province. METHODS: In this study, from 2015 to 2017, 133 samples of the thoracic fluid in aborted fetuses of sheep from different cities of North Khorasan Province were collected and sent to the central laboratory of Bojnourd. For each sample, a questionnaire was prepared for gathering information such as age and city, and then, the antibody level was determined in each sample by ELISA method. RESULTS: In this study, the age of 133 aborted fetuses of sheep was more than 120 days. Also, of the 133 aborted fetuses of sheep, 14 samples (10.53%) were infected with Toxoplasma parasites. The highest and lowest rate of Toxoplasma infection was observed in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Also, the most infection was found in Shirvan and Faroj cities. Results of chi-square test showed that there was a significant difference between year and abortion in sheep due to infection with Toxoplasma parasite (P<0.05). There was not significant difference between the frequency of this parasite infection and aborted fetuses in different areas (P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that Toxoplasma gondii infection is one of the causes of abortion of sheep in North Khorasan province, and sheep is one of important sources of meat and dairy products in this area, Therefore, observance of public health tips and the complete cooking of meat and boiling milk is emphasized.

BACKGROUND: The probiotic must survive in sufficient numbers after gastric and duodenal transit to be able to colonize the large intestine. The viability of a probiotic in the human upper GI tract is mainly influenced by low acidity of the stomach and bile salt in the small intestine. Currently, consumers are more interested in natural antibacterial compounds as food preservatives, like herbal essential oils and extracts. To provide a balance between sensory acceptability and antimicrobial efficacy, the use of sublethal concentrations of EOs in combination with other preservation methods has been proposed. However, it should be considered that bacterial cell exposure to sublethal stresses may result in decreased sensitivity to the same stress and even to other stresses. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress response of probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, pre-exposed to sublethal level of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO. METHODS: The sublethal and lethal levels of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO, bile salt and pH stresses were determined for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Then stress response of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG pre-exposed to the sublethal level of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO were compared to cultures which were challenged directly with the lethal level of each stress (control). The growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was also assessed under bile salt and acid pH stress condition. RESULTS: The sublethal and lethal levels of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO and the lethal level for bile salt and pH were 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm, 0.2% and 2.5 respectively. In the test tubes, the number of cells that survived increased significantly and the growth curve of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been affected in pre-exposed cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to sublethal concentration of Ziziphora clinopodioides EO can induce cross-protection against bile salt and pH stresses.

BACKGROUND: European chub (Squalius cephalus) is a member of Cyprinidae family and is classified as fresh water fishes which live in a group in roaring rivers. Siahrood runs from the south east to the Caspian Sea. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was determination and identification of parasites of European chub in the Siahrood river. METHODS: In the current study, a total number of 96 fishes with average weight of 42 ± 3 gr and average length of 15 ± 1 cm were collected during winter, spring, summer and autumn 2015. The collected fishes were transported to parasitology lab with oxygenated plastic bags and were kept in aquarium till examination. Sample collection was conducted from skin, gills, fins and eyes and prepared wet mount was studied with optical microscope. Samples which are positive for presence of parasite were fixed and identified at the level of genus or species by biometric characterization and identification keys. RESULTS: In the present study, 6 species of endo parasites and ecto parasites were detected from different organs of Siahrood’s European chubs that included: 2 protozoan species from gills, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis with the highest positive samples in summer; Trichodina sp. with the highest positive samples in spring; 1 Myxozoa species from the intestine, Myxobolus  muelleri with the highest positive samples in winter; 3 Monogenea species, Dactylogyrus vistulae and Diplozoon paradoxum from the gills with highest positive samples at autumn and summer respectively; Gyrodactylus mutabilitas from the gills and the skin with the highest positive samples in summer. CONCLUSIONS: It seems the major factors affecting the variable presence of parasites in different seasons are ecological and environmental variation of the river in different seasons and the effects of these changes on fishes physiology and parasites life cycle.

BACKGROUND: Lameness is regarded as a serious issue in dairy cattle which can ultimately lead to a drastic reduction in milk production as well as conception, and the possibility of early removal of cattle from the herd. Short claw and thin sole play the chief role in excessive pressure on the heel and lateral grooves, which in turn are the direct consequences of heel erosion and lameness. OBJECTIVES: Current study intended to investigate the simultaneous occurrence of these two events at epidemic proportions in cattle. METHODS: This study was performed in 110 Holstein newborn heifers. Lame cows were chosen based on the fact sheet approved by AABP, (the American Association of Bovine Practitioners). The “Thin sole” criteria included a length of ˂7.5 cm at the posterior wall, along with ˂5 cm in sole (measured by claw check). Existence of dark V-shape lesions in lateral grooves was considered as heel horn erosion. RESULTS: In 50 newborn heifers, thin sole and lateral grooves ulcer which affect rear limb digits almost equally, were diagnosed and clinically approved. The lowest posterior wall (66.54 ± 1.02 mm) and the lowest sole thickness (43.98 ± 1.78 mm) were observed in the left hind limb. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, these two above mentioned conditions are called “New Concrete Disease” and the lameness due to these two lesions was clinically considered.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive methods are desirable and important for therapeutic purposes and animal modeling of intervertebral disc disease. Most  therapeutics and models are delivered and induced invasively rather than minimally invasively. Application of minimally invasive approaches in intervertebral disc, which is closed to critical structures, would be advantageous. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to introduce and evaluate a new approach for percutaneous needle placement using computed tomography for injection and aspiration of the canine lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: This study was performed on eighteen healthy dogs in two different intervals. In each interval, three intervertebral discs were chosen and a spinal needle with suitable gauge were inserted at the center of the disc through the annulus fibrosus into the nucleus pulposus using computed tomography. RESULTS: Accuracy and agility of needle placement showed better results with progression of study. The number of needle placement in proper position was one time minimally and three times maximally. Only in 10.2% of cases was minor hemorrhage observed in needle puncture site. The average time for placement of every needle was 141 s. No unexpected complication was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Needle placement into the canine intervertebral disc could be applied in a simple and fast procedure for therapeutic and research purposes without any complication.

BACKGROUND: In order to compensate for the elimination of antibiotics from the poultry industry, finding suitable alternatives to improve the productive traits and the health of the birds is essential. Among them, naturally occurring compounds and additives are one of the best options in this regard. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium humate and probiotic application and their interactions on feeding broiler chicks on biochemical, immunological and blood metabolites of broiler chicks. METHODS: 336 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used from 1 to 42 days old. A 3×2 factorial experiment on the basis of completely randomized design was done with four replications. Experimental factors were: three sodium humate levels (0, 0.35 and 0.45% of diet) and two probiotic levels (0 and 0.02% of diet). RESULTS: The best feed conversion ratio was obtained at the finisher 1 and 2 and the whole period at the use of 0.35% of diet (P ≤0.05). The highest live weight of the last course was obtained in the treatment of 0.35% sodium humate in diet (P ≤0.05). The production index improved at a level of 0.35% of sodium humate compared to other treatments (P ≤0.05). The percentage of carcass was higher in the group receiving probiotic and sodium humate than the control group. The abdominal fat pad percentage was lower in the probiotic and humate sodium group than in the control group (P<0.05). In terms of interactions, villi length was highest in treatments receiving 0.35 of sodium humate and 0.02% of probiotic in  diet, as well as 0.45%  of sodium humate and 0.02%  probiotic in  diet (P<0.05). The highest levels of SRBC and G-type immunoglobulin were obtained in groups receiving 0.45% sodium humate and 0.02% probiotic in diet. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, use of sodium humate about 0.35% and probiotic 0.02% in diet of broiler chicks improves the growth performance, carcass traits  and morphological characteristics of the intestine.

BACKGROUND: Phytase enzyme (EC 3.1.3.8), is used to increase the availability of phosphorus in the feeding of monogastric animals. Increasing public attention to environmental issues, improving livestock nutrition and human health have led to considerable attempts to increase its activity or prevent its inhibition as a food additive. OBJECTIVES: Determination of inhibitory or activating effect of methanolic extract from aerial parts of some herbs, as rich sources of secondary metabolites. METHODS: Phytase was partially purified from wheat barn. After preparation of methanolic extracts from aerial parts of plants, their effects on phytase activity were measured at four concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/ml. Micro plate assays were performed at 405 nm. RESULTS: Among analysed plant samples, extracts from Pedicularis sibthorpii Boiss, Phlomis persica Boiss, Solenanthus Circinatus Ledeb, Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl, had appreciable inhibitory effect, while extracts from Astragalus caraganae Hohe, Hypericum scabrum L, Linum album Ky.ex Boiss, Valeriana sisymbriifolia Vahl, Euphorbia denticulate Lam, Rindera lanata (Lam.) Bge, had a considerable activation effect. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this report, plants with positive effect on phytase activity, could be used as food additive along with phytase to improve phosphoros uptake. On the other hand, plants with negative effect on phytase could be viewed as unwanted sources in monogastric animals feeding.

BACKGROUND: The histogenetic study is a useful and practical laboratory method for obtaining basic and effective information in order to reveal the process of histogenesis and development of organs in different stages during the embryonic period. This applied method helps us to understand the formation time of each organ and its tissue structure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to study the histogenesis and histochemistry of the pheasant liver during the embryonic period. METHODS: Sixty fertile eggs were placed in the incubator and sampling was performed from day 5 to the end of incubation period. The liver samples were fixed in 10% Buffered Formalin and the slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson Trichrome (MT). RESULTS: In this study, liver parenchyma, changes in the hepatocytes and their glycogen storage, as well as the appearance time of canaliculi, biliary ducts, central veins and port spaces were investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the time of the formation of the organs and structures in various birds relate to different incubation period or species variations. In this research, as the first study on the liver histogenesis of the pheasant, the formation of this organ from the fifth day to the end of the fetal period was examined and it was observed that the evolution and tissue development of the liver is completed until the eighteenth day of incubation period.