BACKGROUND: The hazardous nature of aflatoxins to human and animals necessitate the establishment of control measures. ObjectiveS: The effect of two medicinal plants, Satureja khozistanica and Satureja macrosiphon, was studied on inhibiting Aspergillus flavus growth and reducing aflatoxin B1-content in the liquid medium. Methods: Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation method, using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Various extracts of plant materials were macerated with various extraction solvents (ethanol, ethanol70% and water extracts). Essential oils (0, 62/5, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/l) and various extracts (0, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 mg/l) of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphon were examined for reducing A. flavus growth and it’s AFB1-content in the liquid medium. Amount of aflatoxinB1 was evaluated by high performance thin layer chromatographymethod. Results: Essential oil of S. khozistanica at the concentration of 375 mg/l as well as its ethanol and ethanol 70% extracts at 4000 and 6000 mg/l  respectively caused complete inhibition of fungus mycelial growth, whereas essential oil and extracts of S. macrosiphon couldn’t inhibit Aspergillus growth completely even at the maximum concentration. Essential oils of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 250 mg/l reduced AFB1-production 98 and 33.52% respectively. Various Extracts of S. khozistanica exhibited stronger anti-AFB1-biosyntesis activity than those of S. macrosiphon, so that, ethanol, ehanol70% and aqueous extracts of S. khozistanica at 4000 mg/l reduced 100, 96 and 32.37% of AFB1-production, respectively. On the contrary, essential oils, ethanol and ehanol70% extracts of both plants couldn’t significantly degrade AFB1-contamination, whereas aqueous extractsof S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 4000 mg/l resulted in degradation of 25 and 32.16% AFB1-content, respectively. ConclusionS: In general, Essential oil and ethanol extract of S. khozistanica considerably inhibited A. flavus growth as well as AFB1-biosynthesis while aqueous extract of S. macrosiphon showed strong AFB1-degradation activity.

BACKGROUND: Granuloca cells have a key role during estroeidogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of number of culture medium granulosa cells on estradiol concentrations and mRNA codding estrogenic and progestagenic enzyme. METHODS: Briefly, follicles between 2 and 5 mm diameter were dissected from the ovaries of adult cows and were collected by rinsing the follicle walls with Dulbecco Modified Eagle medium/F12 (DMEM/F12). The number of cells was counted with a haemocytometer and the viable cells were assessed by the dye exclusion method using 0.4% Trypan Blue. Treatments were 1) 500,000 cell/500 ml, 2) 250,000 cell/500 ml, 3) 500,000 cell/200 ml 4) 250,000 cell/ 200 ml.  All data were analyzed by JMP (SAS). RESULTS: Low plating density increased E2 secretion and mRNA encoding LHR, FSHR and estrogenic enzymes (17βHSD, CYP19), whereas decreased mRNA encoding GADD45β. There were no differences among treatments for RNA and protein concentration. Low plating density also decreased protein amount but there was no difference among treatments for RNA amount. In conclusion, decreased cell density cause increase in mRNA encoding codding estrogenic enzyme gene expression and decrease in mRNA encoding progestagenic enzyme gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Protein concentrations did not changed with decreased cell density therefore we can save cells against harmful effect of increasing cell density.

BACKGROUND: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a central role in regulation and control of the immune responses to infectious diseases. Due to its polymorphism, individual differences in response to vaccines have been observed in different chicken populations. Studying the association of chicken MHC with immune response to vaccines will help the control of infectious disease and vaccination success. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the MHC polymorphism and its association with antibody response against infectious bursal disease (Gumboro), Newcastle (ND) and Influenza (AI) vaccines in Khorasan native chickens. Methods: Diversity of LEI0258 microsatellite marker (MHC genotyping) was investigated by fragment analysis method. Antibody titer against IBD was measured by ELISA and antibody titers against ND and AI vaccines were measured by Haemaglutination Inhibition (HI) assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 21). Univariate regression analysis was performed using weighted least squares with weight number of progeny mean data. Results: Total of 13 LEI0258 microsatellite alleles were identified in Khorasan native chickens which indicated a high genetic diversity in the population. The allele 361 bp had the highest (28.48%) and the allele 350 bp had the lowest (0.69%) frequency, respectively. In evaluating the association of MHC with immune responses, 311 and 313 bp alleles were significantly associated with elevated immune responses to Newcastle vaccine, while allele 266 bp was associated with lower IBDV antibody titers (p<0.05). ConclusionS: According to the important role of MHC in controlling infectious disease resistance or susceptibility and quality of immune responses, these results could be used for selection and improving the populations under selective breeding.

BACKGROUND: Application of different sources of fatty acids and their effect on ovarian performance is a current issue in animal science and research centers. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different fatty acids in close-up period on population and size of follicles and measuring blood parameters related to the energy state of the body after calving of lactating dairy cows. METHODS: In this study 15 Holstein cows were selected by expected date of parturition (around 30 days before calving) and assigned them randomly within treatments diets. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Cows were fed 1) control (carbohydrate source), 2) Rumen-protected fat (RF) (saturated fatty acids) and 3) Roasted Soybean (RS) (unsaturated fatty acids). Blood sample was collected at 7 day intervals in -21, -14, -7, 1, 7, 14, 21 periods of calving. Also dry matter intake and body condition score cows were recorded. Ovarian activity was monitored by daily transrectal ultrasound scanning from 30 to 40 and 61 to 70 DIM. RESULTS: Average plasma glucose and cholesterol concentration were significantly different among treatment groups. Numerically, follicular classes were higher in cows, fed with fat diet compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this experiment, it seems that application of polyunsaturated fatty acids, to improve the energy and ultimately the function of the ovaries, has more advantage than saturated fatty acids.

Neuroendocrine cells are of the peptide and amine secreting cells and because of endodermal origin, exist in respiratory and gastrointestinal system. The report confirms the presence of a tumor using immunohistochemical methods. A hepatic mass was detected in a 10-year-old male mixed–breed dog which was referred with clinical history of frequent vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and syncope. Biochemical and hematological abnormalities included elevation of ALT and AST levels, leukocytosis and anemia. Radiographically the large hepatic mass and multifocal metastatic nodular areas in the other organs were observed. At necropsy the liver had a multilobulated firm mass involving whole caudate lobe of the liver. On the cut section, the tumor was grey sanguineous with hemorrhagic surface and numerous necrotic foci. Microscopically, there were unencapsulated, highly cellular neoplastic proliferations with few hemorrhagic foci in the liver that had a trabecular pattern to Rosette formation which were separated by a fibrovascularstroma. The neoplastic cells were round to oval, with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei. Metastases were observed in lungs, kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes and even in the arteries of the tunica albuginae of the testes. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for NSE and S100 protein. They were negative for CEA, Chromogranine A, CD34, AE1/AE3, CK20 and Hepatic Antigen (HA). Negative CEA, CK20, CD34 and HA disproved the probability for collangiocarcinoma, metastatic carcinoma, hematopoietic and vascular origin and hepatocellular carcinoma of this tumor respectively. Immunohistochemical demonstration of NSE and S100 protein supported the diagnosis of the Carcinoid like. However, negative reaction for Chromogranine A does not disprove neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite which belongs to apicomplexa phylum. The parasite infects both wild and domesticated animals and human beings as well. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to detect oocyst shedding and diarrhea pattern in experimental cryptosporidiosis and their correlation with weight loss in neonatal calves. METHODS: Twelve Holstein calves of both sexes were obtained at birth from dairy farm and randomly divided into two groups of 6 calves. Six calves were orally infected with 107 C.Parvum oocysts at the 12h post parturition. The control group was not infected. Clinical signs were examined and fecal samples were collected by the rectal examination twice a day. All calves were weighed from day 0 to day 30 with 3 days intervals to determine effects of cryptosporidiosis on weight gain. RESULTS: All infected calves were noticeably depressed and had a decreased appetite from 3 days post inoculation (DPI) while they received colostrum. Subsequently, watery diarrhea with clumps of mucus and yellow or pale changes of feces color were observed. The infected calves have had diarrhea for 5-8 days that remarkably had got dehydrated. The most severity of diarrhea was 4-6 DPI. Oocyst excretion started 4 DPI, peaked at 6 DPI (60.48×106±9.03oocysts/g feces) and continued until 11 DPI. Control calves had no diarrhea and other clinical signs during the whole period of the trial. The mean weight gain of control group was significantly higher than inoculated group during experiment (p<0.001). The Weight of the infected calves was retarded until 9 days old and then risen subsequently. CONCLUSIONS: Present study showed the role of C.Parvum as the primary cause of diarrhea and weight loss among neonatal calves.

BACKGROUND: Eimeria infection is an important part of protozoal infection in ruminants which causes economic lost in animal husbandry of Iran and worldwide. Therefore it is important to implement effective control programs on the prevalence and diversity of Eimeria species in livestocks. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to determine prevalence and Eimeria species diversity in dairy cattle with different age groups under industrial management. METHODS: The present study was carried out in industrial cattle husbandry of Kangavar suburban of Kermanshah province, Iran, from spring 2011 to 2012. A total of 307 fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from the rectum of examined animals. The fecal specimens were subjected for flotation technique and collect Eimeria oocysts. The intensity of infection was determined using McMater method. Eimeria species diversity and frequency was also determined by using oocyst sporulation technique in 2.5% potassium dichromate. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was 31.92% (98 out of 307). The highest prevalence was found in dairy cattle (37%) with 1-3 years old. There was no significant difference between prevalence and different age groups. The highest frequency was significantly in spring (41.66%). The intensity was variable in examined animals which ranged from 3.18×103 to 2.71×105. There was no significant difference between the prevalence and intensity in all age groups. Fecal consistency findings revealed that the highest infection was significantly in dairy cattle with normal fecal consistency in all age groups. According to Laboratory identification, a number of seven Eimeria species were detected in all infected animals. The most common specie was E. zuernii (28.25%) in 5% dairy cattle (1-3 years-old) in spring (30%) and summer (30%). There was significant association between frequency of Eimeria infection and each season during the course of the study. All infected cattle had mixed infections with two (42.85%) and three (3.15%) species of Eimeria. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that cattle Eimeria infection was a problem in dairy cattle of industrial farms in the region. Attention should be paid within seasonal infection in young cattle to avoid probable clinical coccidiosis, particularly in farms with poor hygienic conditions and no prophylactic treatments.

CASE HISTORY: Equine coital exanthema caused by Equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV3) was reported in 1900. At the present time, it has become epidemic among horses. The virus could be transmitted via insemination, iatrogenic, and it basically infects the squamous epithelium of the epidermis. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: In the first week of January 2012 two mature male horses and a mare were imported from Netherland and kept in a stable of a horse riding club located around Tehran. In the first week of December, these animals manifested clinical signs of high fever with repeated intermittently for two times. During this period, one of the male horses developed exanthematous lesions on the penis and perinea tissues which depigmented later. Biopsy specimens obtained from the lesion processed for histopathological examination were stained with Harris H α E and nuclear fast Red methods. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING: Microscopically, ballooning degeneration of squumous epithelium, acantholysis, epithelial ulcers accompanied by multiple bacterial colonies and the herpes virus intranuclear inclusion bodies with margination of nuclear chromatin were evident. Obviously the horse had EHV3 infection and the stresses resulted from high fever led to the reappearance of genital exanthematous lesions. ASSESSMENTS: In spite of the contagious nature of the infection, the native horses kept in the same stable did not manifest any clinical sings of the infection and therefore the disease could be native. Since the EHV2 infection first affects upper respiratory infection with a high fever course and then induces viremia with another high fever period so it might be speculated that the primary disease of the Netherland horses caused by the EHV2 infection.

BACKGROUND: Despite the use of prophylactic chemotherapy and vaccination, coccidiosis is still one of the most devastating diseases in poultry industry. Understanding the immune mechanism helps researchers to prevent this parasitic infection more effectively. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibody response in chickens, induced by a live attenuated vaccine (Livacox Q), before and after challenge, by means of ELISA. METHODS: One hundred and twenty one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups of 30 birds. In 4th day of age, half the birds were orally vaccinated. The challenged groups received the infective dose at 14th day of age via oral administration. Besides recording weight gain, lesion score and oocyst count in 21st day old birds, humoral immunity was assessed by means of ELISA on serum samples taken from 7 and 21day-old birds. Results: Three days post vaccination, the average of optical density (OD) showed significant difference between vaccinated (0.553) and unvaccinated (0.686) birds (p≤0.05). In 21 day-old birds, the OD of unvaccinated-unchallenged (negative control) groups (0.331) differed significantly with vaccinated-unchallenged (0.663) birds. The average of lesion score in vaccinated-challenged birds (2.22) showed significant dissimilarity with unvaccinated-challenged groups. No difference and correlation were observed in comparing average of weight gain and oocyst count with serum optical density among treatment and control groups. ConclusionS: The results indicated that ELISA can be used for evaluating immunity uniformity of a flock after vaccination. Besides inducing antibody responses comparable to challenge with wild oocysts, vaccination with live attenuated coccidiosis vaccines may have inhibitory effects in intestinal lesion scores which are responsible for pathogenesis and economic loss during coccidial infections.

BACKGROUND: Considering the difference between the rate of multiple ovulation and ovarian activities of different breeds of ewes in different regions, especially out of seasonal breeding condition, finding efficient and effective protocols to induce multiple ovulation out of seasonal breeding would be much appreciated. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine fertility and multiple ovulation rates during summer and investigate the effect of supplementary feeding, and eCG injection prior to mating in the reproductive performance of Zel ewes. METHODES: At the beginning of summer, 135 ewes in Savadkooh region (north of Iran) were randomly selected and divided into six groups. The estrus cycles of ewes, except in control groups, were synchronized using a vaginal sponge for 14 days. In groups 1 (n=22) and 2 (n=22) ewes were fed with supplementary feeding for 21 and 8 days, respectively, prior to mating. In Group 3 (n=26) ewes were fed with the same ration as Group 2 and were injected (IM) with 400 IU eCG at the time of sponge withdrawal. Ewes in Group 4 (n=23) just grazed on the pasture and injected with eCG as Group 3. In Group 5 (n=20) the estrus of ewes was synchronized as other groups, but they were not received any other treatment. Ewes in Group 6 (n=22, Control) received no treatment, and as the same Group 1 and 2 were mated with fertile rams for eight weeks. Experimental ewes were mated with fertile rams (1:8) 48 hrs after sponge removal for 96 hrs. RESULTS: The findings showed that the fertility in group 3 was significantly more than group 2 and 5, but there was no significant difference between the others (p>0.05). The prolificacy and fecundity were significantly higher in groups treated with eCG than the others (p<0.01), however there was no significant difference between groups 3 (with flashing) and 4 (without flashing). CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that vaginal sponge and eCG treatment may improve the multiple lambing and reproductive performance of Zel ewes during summer, and supplementary feeding prior to mating, as described in this experiment, cannot make any significant improvement in multiple lambing.