BACKGROUND: Biofloc technology is considered  a method that degrades organic waste by microorganisms and produces bacterial flocculation. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate of the application of biofloc technology in therearing of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings in intensive culture. METHODS: The experiment was designed in four treatments (Commercial diet as a control, 75% commercial diet + Biofloc, 50% commercial diet + Biofloc, 25% commercial diet + Biofloc) with carp fingerlings (Initial weight 58 ± .2 g) over a period of one month. Water exchange in Biofloc treatments was 1% during 24 h while water flow through system was used in control. At the end of experiment, all fish were intraperitoneally injected with 12×107 colony forming units (CFU) of Aeromonas hydrophila per fish. RESULTS:The results of the experiment indicated that the highest weight gain was observed in fingerlings fed 75% commercial diet + Biofloc that differed significantly from the group fed 25% commercial diet + Biofloc (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between control and 50% and 75% commercial diet as well (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in case of condition factor, viscerosomatic index (VSI) and survival in experimental treatments (p>0.05). Also, Biofloc significantly increased ash content in muscle (p<0.05). The highest mortality (64.2 %) was observed in control inchallenge of Aeromonas hydrophila. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Biofloc technology can increase growth performances of carp fingerlings in intensive system and decrease water exchange via quality improvement.

BACKGROUND: Improvement of hatchability in aging broilerbreeder has economic justification. OBJECTIVES: The main objective ofthis study was to determine the effect of dietary Anethum graveolensessential oil on egg quality, some plasma metabolites and hatchability inbroiler breeder hens. METHODS: A total number of eighty hens and eightcocks from Ross 308 strain of 105 weeks old were divided into four groups withtwo replicates within each (10hens+ 1cock). The diets were supplemented without essential oil (Control) and with 10, 20 and 40 ml essential oil/100kg dietsfor four weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among thegroups in Haugh unit and yolk index. While, there were significant differencesin egg weight, egg shape index, shell thickness, shell ratio, yolk color andshell weight. Plasma triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)and egg yolk cholesterol concentration were not influenced by dietary essentialoil of Anethum graveolens. Whereas essential oil increased plasmacholesterol significantly, it also significantly decreased plasma glucose.Hatchability and fertility were positively affected by supplementation ofessential oil in the diet. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showedthat supplementing diet with  Anethumgraveolens essential oil improved hatchability of total eggs set of broilerbreeders.

BACKGROUND: The correct usage of  wastes in animal nutrition causes  decrease in environmental pollution. Apple pomace as an energetic matter and source of digestible fibers for ruminants is a proper alternative for forage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of diets containing dried apple pomace on digestibility, rumination, microbial fermentation and blood glucose and urea of Arabi sheep. METHODS: In the first step, 0, 10, 20 and 30% dried apple pomace replaced with alfalfa were used in the experimental diets. According to the result, gas production and digestibility of diet containing 30% dried apple pomace was higher than the other diets (p<0.05). Therefore, in the second step, 8 Arabi sheep were fed with diet without apple pomace (control) and diet containing 30% apple pomace for 45 days. RESULTS: The result showed that nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, NDF and ADF) were not significantly affected by the diets (p>0.05), but rumination activity of diet containing apple pomace decreased (p<0.05). Blood metabolites (glucose and urea) showed no significant differences between experimental diets, but blood glucose was higher in control treatment. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration was 14.48 and 17.49 mg/dl (p>0.05), and pH was 6.30 and 6.16 for control and apple pomace treatment, respectively (p<0.05). The rumen protozoa numbers increased with apple pomace (p<0.05). Diet containing apple pomace increased gas production potential and digestibility of wheat straw by rumen microorganism and bacteria (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that alfalfa replaced with 30% dried apple pomace in Arabi sheep’s diet can improve digestive activity of rumen microbes and nutrient fermentation and digestibility.

BACKGROUND: Mastitis is an important health disorder in dairy herds which affects milk production, animal reproduction and production. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the cumulative incidence of mastitis in dairy herds in Tehran province.  METHODS: From 679 dairy herds in Tehran province that have more than 50 animals, 32 dairy herds were selected randomly and animals that had calved from March 2007 to March 2008 were followed until the next calving or culling. In total 10506 animals were included in the study. The information on number, parity, occurrence of mastitis was gathered from registry forms. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of mastitis in this study was calculated 35.8% (95% Confidence interval (34.9-36.8), 3764 animals of 10506). Incidence of mastitis was increased by the increasing parity of animals, and animals in fifth parity have the most incidence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed the incidence of mastitis in this area is very high and it is necessary to control it.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is considered as one of the most important infections in ruminants. The flukes are found in the blood vessels of animals. This parasite has been observed in many countries such as: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Iraq and parts of Europe. OBJECTIVES: Aim of this study was to determine the contamination of Schistosoma turkestanicum in sheep in the central region of Mazandaran province during the year 2012-13. METHODS: Based on the high mortality rate reported by Mazandaran Veterinary Organization in some herds in the cities of the north of Iran During investigation 21.2% mortality was seen in infected herds by necropsy; Schistosoma turkestanicum was diagnosed  as cause of death. Examined infected herds and fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of sheep.  Samples were examined by flotation method and obtained results were analyzed by statistical tests. RESULTS: During present study which was performed in five central cities of Mazandaran, the highest infection rate was found in Babolsar and the lowest was found in Moghrikola region of Babol. Mortality rate was also evaluated based on gender and it was shown that mortality rates in females were higher than in males (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ornithobilharziosis, is considered one of the endemic diseases in some parts of Iran and several epidemics have occurred in recent years in Iran. Because this parasite causes  significant economic losses in herds of sheep and goat in Iran, due to its location in the ruminants body and because Mazandaran province is one of the important foci of infection, more attention of the veterinary organization and its institutions is needed for better and greater control of infection.

BACKGROUND: The Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion venoms are known to contain α-toxin peptides, many of which interfere with K+ ion channel function. These toxin peptides have important value in  the pharmacology and physiology studies of specific K+ channel of cells. OBJECTIVES: Given the  lack of information of the molecular biology of peptides in the toxin of Iranian scorpions, the aim of this study is Amplification and Analyses of cDNA sequence coding for a peptide toxin from the venomous gland of the Khuzestan province scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from the venom glands of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus collected from  Khuzestan province of Iran and then cDNA was synthesized with the modified oligo (dT) primer. By applying the Semi-nested RT-PCR using homologous primers, the fragments of 227 bp were amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: The full-length sequence of coding region was 174 bp which  contained an open reading frame of 57 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 6.434 KDa and theoretical pI of 5.12. It contains a signal peptide of 19, propeptide of 4 and a mature peptide of 34 amino acids. For comparison of this peptide with the similar sequences registered in NCBI database, BLAST program was used. This protein with homology to the “Scorpion toxin-like domain” belongs to the Toxin-6 super family. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple alignment of the putative amino acid sequence of this gene exhibited the highest sequence identity with lesser Asian scorpion M. eupeus venom potassium channel α-toxin-1. This high sequence similarity indicates that this gene is a member of α-toxin from the Iranian Mesobuthus eupeus.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridge (MB) is generally defined as a superfacial muscular band that forms sporadic or multiple across the coronary artery in dog, cat, sheep, and human. OBJECTIVES: From the view of embryology MB is a preformatted structure with coronary artery during  forming. The type of study in human is during sonography and angiography examination, but in veterinary science the study on MB is  done after death examination. METHODS: This study was performed on over 50 sheep hearts that were prepared from slaughterhouse of Shahr e kord. First, pericardium was opened and the heart brought out of the pericardial cavity and then the hearts were studied with concentrated light and lens on both sides. After the M B recognition,  their length and width were measured by a ruler. In both sides of the heart,the MB was  divided into 1/3 proximal, 1/3 middle and 1/3 distal. In all of the studied hearts, only 10 samples (20%) had M B. RESULTS: The average length of recognised MBs was 1.55±1.17 (SD) cm and  with width of 1.09±.092 (SD) cm. The positive samples were transferred to histology laboratory for preparation of cross section of heart and were stained with  H&amp;E staining.CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal section showed the long fibers of myocardium with continual narrow fibers and intercalated discs were located between them.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have more functional effects and less survival  under hard acidic-bile circumstances of digestive system, and foodstuff products situation has persuaded investigators to find techniques to resolve this problem. Microencapsulation as a useful method has a perceptible effect in this regard. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the protective role of double coated beads of calcium alginate-chitosan-eudragit S100 achieved from microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus as a predominant flora of human and animals gut. Methods: Following activation of starter culture of L.acidophilus in MRS-broth medium,  centrifuge (at aspeed of 5000 rpm for 10 minutes) was used to purify bacteria. Extrusion technique was used for Microencapsulation of probiotic bacterium. The survey of beads solidity was carried out for 12 hours and the study of survival of microencapsulated bacteria was done for 120 minutes inside hydrochloric acid, phosphate buffer and digestive powder solution.  MRS-Salicin-agar and pour plate method and incubation at 37oC for 48 h was done for cultivation. Data were analyzed by means of an independent t-test. Results: Shape and size of beads were shown by optical microscope. The consequences demonstrated that survivability of microencapsulated bacteria in the mentioned conditions, in both situation with and without mechanical tensions, is significantly more than free bacteria (p<0/05). Conclusions: Microencapsulation with calcium alginate- chitosan-eudragit S100 plays a significant role  in increasing the rate of L. acidophilus viability.

BACKGROUND: Lactoperoxidase is an enzyme of the oxidoreductase family. Lactoperoxidase is an important antimicrobial agent. Applications of lactoperoxidase are being found as a preservative in food and cosmetics. Immobilized LPO provides several significant benefits such as: easily separated from the reaction products, reducing production costs by efficient recycling and control of the process. Objectives: Purification and immobilization of lactoperoxidase extracted from camel milk using sodium alginate polymer. Methods: The lactoperoxidase was purified from camel milk by using sephadex G-100 gel filtration CM and sephadex C-50 ion-exchange chromatography. Encapsulation was carried out by using LPO, sodium alginate, glycerol and Tween 80. Afterward, the microcapsules were stablized by calcium ion (1%). Efficiency of encapsulation was calculated. The particle size and distribution were measured with particle size analyzer. Morphology and formation of the particles were studied  using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Stability of encapsulated and uncapsulated  LPO was studied at 4 °C during 70 days. Results: After purification and purity measurement by SD-SPAGE, concentration of 0/28 micrograms per liter for each of the fractions was obtained. Microencapsulation efficiency was 84% and microcapsules  less than 200 nm were formed. Observation by SEM confirmed the formation of microparticles. Microcapsules have a relatively smooth surface, spherical with low tenacity as well. Stability of encapsulated enzyme at 70 days was obtained 81%. Conclusions: Immobilization of Lactoperoxidase extracted from camel milk  using sodium alginate is a good method to increase performance of the enzyme.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) possess a variety of virulence genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of infections caused by this agent. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the genes encoding collagen binding (cna) and fibronectin binding (fnb) adhesion factors in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food and clinical specimens. METHODS: During the time period 2010-2013, a total of 38 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical specimens and 32 isolates from food samples were collected. All isolates were identified biochemically and subjected to DNA extraction. The accuracy of DNA extraction from each isolate was confirmed by PCR amplification of aroA gene and then the presence of cna and fnb genes in the extracted DNAs was assessed by PCR, using the specific primers. RESULTS: The results showed that among 38 isolates from clinical specimens, 15 (39.5%) &amp; 32 (84.2%) and among 32 isolates of food origin 10 (31/2%) and 16 (50%) isolates had cna and fnb genes respectively. Thirteen clinical (34.21%) and 6 food isolates (18.7%) were positive for both fnb and cna genes and 4 clinical (10.5%) and 12 food isolates (37.5%) were lacking both genes. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, it is concluded that, although these adhesion genes are not present in all Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates, but their prevalence is high and using the products of these genes in vaccines may be effective in protecting against infections caused by this bacterium.