Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:6 Issue: 3, Summer 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the onset, duration of action and potency of cis-atracurium in dogs. Ten apparently healthy dogs of various breeds were used in this study. The age and weight of the dogs were 3.2 ± 2.4 year and 17.7 ± 4.8 kg, respectively. All dogs pre-medicated with acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg and morphine 0.5 mg/kg. After induction of general anesthesia with thiopental, the dogs were intubated and anesthesia maintained with halothane in oxygen. After reaching good depth of anesthesia, cis-atracurium were injected intravenously at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg and neuromuscular blockade (NMB) evaluated by counting visual responses to train-of-four (TOF) nerve stimulation on ulnar nerve. All four responses eliminated in 9 out of 10 dogs. The onset was 4.8 ± 1.3 min and the duration of NMB lasted for 24.4 ± 9 min. The quality of relaxation was good according to surgeons. It is concluded that cis-atracurium is an effective neuromuscular blocking agent in the dog, although its potency varies slightly in different dogs.

To study the growth process of perikaryon and nucleus of spinal neurons, 15 domestic male dogs in 5 age groups including 42-day-old fetus, 52-day-old fetus, newborn, 6-month-old and adult dogs were studied. After preparation of animals, the spinal cord was dissected and then the spinal segments were studied by light and electron microscopy. The results of the present study showed that the maximum diameter of perikaryon and nucleus in all age groups belonged to the eighth cervical segment and the minimum diameter of nucleus belonged to the first coccygeal segment in 42-day-old fetus, the seventh thoracic segment in 52-day-old fetus, first coccygeal segment in newborn and the fourth thoracic segment in 6-month-old and adult animals, respectively. The minimum diameter of perikaryon in all age groups belonged to the first coccygeal segment except in 42-day-old fetus, which was related to the fourth thoracic segment.

Cattle lameness is one of the biggest problems dairy producers are facing today. May be regular hoof trimming consider as one of the most efficient and easy way to save normal function of the hooves. In according to Toussaint Raven method of functional hoof trimming, toe length is the most determinant of the procedure. Seventy mm from the coronary band at the toe region is considered as a safe distance for performing the first cut, but following this cut, lameness due to the trauma to sensitive tissue in some animals is a common problem. The current anatomic study was performed to determine the proper distance between cutting surface on dorsal wall of the hoof and coronary band. The distance between coronary band and the terminal margin of the sensitive tissue, after mid-sagittal section, considered as β length. Three hundred hooves collected from slaughtered cattle were divided into three groups, according to the breed (A: registered Holstein, B: cross breed, C: native breed). The most important determining factor in different breeds were their weight as animals in group A weighted more than 550 kg, Group B less than 550 and more than 400 and group C weighted less than 400 kg. Mean (mm) ± SD of β length were 62.2 ± 8.46, 57.3 ± 8.12 and 49.5 ± 7.75 in groups A, B and C, respectively; which was significantly different from each other (P<0.05). β length in lateral digits were slightly longer than medial digits but the difference were not significant. With regard to upper limit of deviation in β length it seems that 80 mm length is safer in registered Holstein cattle.

In the present study, different structures of the stroma and parenchyma of pancreas in Mehraban breed of male sheep were histomorphometrically studied. Animals were collected from different age groups including fetus, neonate, young and old adults. In each group, 3 animals and total of 12 animals were used. Histomorphometric studies consisted of the determination of volume density of stromal and parenchymal structures and the percentages of islet cells in different age groups. The results indicated that volume density of endocrine portion and connective tissue elements of pancreas between fetus and neonate and also between neonate and adult were significantly different. There was an apparent significant difference in volume density of blood vesseles between neonate and old adult. A significant difference was also seen in volume density of ducts in the right lobe of neonate pancreas compared to the left lobe and body of pancreas, but no significant differences were seen in the other age groups. There was a significant difference in the mean number of beta cells in old adult compared to others, which indicated that this endocrine cell increased at this age. The percentages of endocrine cells varied in different age groups, but the predominant cell type of islets was beta and then alpha cells. There was low number of delta cells. The highest percentages of beta, alpha and delta cells were found in neonate, young adult and fetus, respectively. The lowest percentages of these cells were observed in fetus, neonate and neonate, respectively.

This study was conducted in three phases for identification of protective antigens in Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum that can induce the best protection in the sheep and cattle. In the first phase of study, H. anatolicum anatolicum was cultured for preparing enough antigens. Then, four antigenic preparation, viz, whole tick supernatant antigen (WTSA), whole tick pellet antigen (WTPA), gut supernatant antigen (GSA) and gut pellet antigen (GPA) were made partially fed adult female H. anatolicum anatolicum. Four groups of five rabbits were immunized with the antigens in Freund’s adjuvant emulsion and a fifth group was kept as control. The rabbits were challenge with ten pairs of homologus ticks and characteristic representing tick feeding and fertility were recorded and compared between groups. A significant decrease in percent of engorgement, index feeding, percent of oviposited, weight of egg and index fertility were observed in GSA immunized rabbits.

Electrophoretic analysis of isoenzymes in 8 enzymatic systems were used for differentiation of 4 isolates of chicken Mycoplasmas including two strains of M. gallisepticum, one strain of M. gallinarum and one unknown isolate in comparison with a vaccinal strain of M. agalactiae that basically is a pathogen in small ruminants. The enzymatic systems were lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose dehydrogenase (GlDH), glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), galactose dehydrogenase (GalDH), 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), malic enzyme (ME), glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) and alkaline phosphatase (AP). The number of isoenzyme patterns obtained for LDH, GlDH, G6PD, GalDH, 6PGDH, ME, GPI and AP enzymatic systems were 2, 3, 2, 4, 2, 3, 3 and 0, respectively. Except AP enzyme system which is not active in Mycoplasma species, it is concluded that isoenzyme pattern of 7 other studied enzymatic systems, could differentiate between chicken Mycoplasmas and the small ruminant’s strain. Based on the isoenzyme patterns of GalDH system, 2 strains of M. gallisepticum were differentiated from M. gallinarum and the unknown isolate. Isoenzyme patterns of ME system was able to differentiate M. gallinarum from the other chicken isolates. The isoenzyme patterns of GPI system were different for the two strains of M. gallisepticum. The isoenzyme patterns of GalDH, GPI and ME systems, showed that the unknown strain of chicken Mycoplasma is a strain of M. gallisepticum and it is closely related to one of the known M. gallisepticum isolates.

The objectives of this investigation were to describe the distribution, morphological structure and determination of the gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT) area in the buffalo large intestine where it is the site of damage in many diseases like bovine virus diarrhea (BVD), colitis and colonic infection. The macroscopic results showed that buffalo large intestine contained two lymphatic patches: A- ileocecal lymphatic patch (ICLP) which it was located at the ileocecal entrance and it has an elliptical shape. B- colonic lymphatic patch (CLP) which was located in the proximal loop of ascending colon with tongueform, fingerform or crownform shapes and it was placed 24.99 ± 1.27 cm distal to ICLP. The average elevation of ICLP was increased significantly up to 3-year-old but it decreased in 3-5-year-old (P<0.05), which indicates the beginning of the regression in ICLP. The area of ICLP was increased significantly from 6-12 months (8.6 ± 3.96 cm2) to 3-5-year-old (17.4 ± 9.13 cm2), (P<0.05). The elevation of CLP was less than ICLP and was not seen any significant differences in the elevation of CLP in different ages. The average area of CLP patches was increased with the age. In buffalo, like cattle, there were two types of lymphatic nodules: the propria nodules and the lymphoglandular complex. In propria nodules, lymphatic follicles were mainly in the lamina propria and in the lymphoglandular complexes, the lymphatic follicles were almost completely located under the muscularis mucosa. The number and diameter of lymphatic follicles of ICLP were more than CLP. The number and diameter of lymphatic follicles were decreased in two types of patches by age but more interesting finding was observation of more significant regression in CLP with the age.

Thermostable vaccine against Newcastle disease (ND) is a potential alternative to chicken vaccination in villages, since cold chain is not needed in this process. The purpose of this study was to investigate thermostability and efficacy of I-2 vaccine against ND. The vaccine tested for sterility, intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) and 50% embryo infectious dose (EID50). The wet vaccine stored at 20ºC for 1, 2 and 4 weeks named A, B and D, respectively. Each preparation (107.5 EID50) was used to inoculate twenty, 4-week-old chicks via eye drop. All groups except the control were vaccinated twice in 2 weeks interval. Haemagglutination inhibition test used for evaluation of the antibody response. Two weeks after the first vaccination, a peak titer of about log.26 and log.24.6 was observed in A and B groups, but D group did not induce any antibody response in their sera. All the vaccinated groups responded to vaccination after second trial and produced mean titers of log.26.2, log.26 and log.25.4 were observed, respectively.

The aim of this study was to compare crown-rump length (CRL), trunk diameter and number of heartbeats of embryos and fetuses in heifers and pluriparous cows and also to compare the growth pattern of these structures and their correlation with fetal age. Six nulliparous heifers and seven pluriparous cows (third to seventh of gestation) of the Holstein breed were selected and impregnated. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed twice weekly during days 26-80 of their pregnancies. By day 80, there was no significant difference in CRL and trunk diameter of embryos and fetuses of heifers and pluriparous cows. All of the measurements had a highly significant correlation with fetal age (P<0.0001) except for pluriparous cows in which the fetal heartbeat was significant at p<0.05. The correlation coefficients (CC) of the CRL, trunk diameter and number of heartbeats in the fetuses of heifers and cows were as follows: 0.97, 0.98, -0.74 and 0.97, 0.98, -0.23, respectively. The growth pattern of the CRL and trunk diameter was quadratic in heifers and cows. Also the heartbeat in the fetuses of heifers decreased progressively in a quadratic pattern from day 31 through day 80. However, heartbeat in the fetuses of cows changed in an approximately stable or intermittent range. Moreover, standard error of heartbeats in the fetuses of cows was high. It was concluded that all of the measurements in heifers and cows are suitable for estimation of fetal age, except for heartbeat in the fetuses of pluriparous cows. This measurement is not practically recommended, due to a low CC and high standard error. In addition, there was no significant difference between the CRL and trunk diameter in heifers and cows until day 80 and this difference probably will become more pronounced in late pregnancy.

Considering that most urinary calculi in ruminants are formed in sigmoid flexure, urethral process and urinary bladder, these organs were collected from slaughtered male sheep from Fars Meat Complex. The first step was to take a radiograph. All parts of the penile urethra and urinary bladder were then palpated for possible presence of calculi. Finally, the urethra and urinary bladder were opened using a surgical blade. Out of 600 specimens, only two (0.3%) had urolithiasis: one of them was in the urethral process and the other one was in the sigmoid flexure. The two cases were from flocks grazing ranges located in the north of the province where the climate is cold and animals are mainly fed on concentrates. They were both rams: one was 2.5 and the other 4-year-old. The composition of one calculus was struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) and the other was made of apatite [calcium phosphate, Ca3 (PO4)2].

Histogenesis and histomorphometric studies of skin from regions of the face, neck, shoulder and fore-limb were carried out on 75 healthy sheep fetuses, which were collected from Urmia slaughter-house. After measurement of the crown-rump (CR) for determining the age of fetuses, tissue specimens were collected and fixed in 10% buffer formal saline, processed and sectioned into 5–7 µm thick layers. The sections were stained with H&E method and observed by graduated objective lens. To study the reticular, elastic and collagen fibers and mast cells, appropriate staining methods such as PAS, Verhoeff, Van Giesson and toluidin blue were used, respectively. This study showed that the differentiation of epidermis begins from the end of the second month and rate of epidermal growth in the hind-limb was more than that in other regions studied. Melanocytes were appeared in 61–65 days of fetal period in epidermis. The hair follicles were seen as cell accumulations in epidermis that protruded toward dermis in the first half of the third month. The hair follicles growth rate was found to be more in the hind-limb and less in shoulder than that in the other regions studied. Sebaceous and sweat glands were appeared from the second half of the third month. They were quickly increased in the first half of the fourth month in all studied regions. The sweat glands growth rate on the hind-limb was more than the other sites. The growth of sebaceous glands in shoulder was continued till the fifth month. The relationship between thickness of epidermis and its cell layer numbers in all areas were significant (P<0.05) and their correlation coefficient (r = 0.78) in the hind-limb was more than that observed in other regions studied. Collagen fibers were appeared during 65–75 days of fetal life, and their accumulation in deep regions of dermis (90–95 days) caused differentiation of dermis to papillary and reticular layers. Reticular and elastic fibers were appeared during 55–60 and 70–75 days of fetal life, respectively. Mast cells were scattered in deep regions of dermis in fifth month of fetal period.

The aim of this project was to study the influence of the sex and age factors on the wall structure of the esophagus of the dog. Eighteen mixed breed dogs, (9 male and 9 female) in three age groups (3 neonate, 3 sexually mature and 3 old) were used. Animals were euthanized and after removing the whole esophagus, full thickness transverse sections were cut from the proximal, middle and distal parts. Microscopic sections of these samples were prepared and then examined for minimum and maximum thicknesses of the tunicae mucosa, submucosa and muscularis. Due to the absence of lamina muscularis mucosa in the proximal part of canine esophagus, the tunicae mucosa and submucosa in this region were collectively named tunica mucosa-submucosa. Results obtained from this study showed that there is a large increase in the thickness of tunica mucosa-submucosa and mucosa, from neonatal to sexually mature stages followed by a smaller increase between sexually mature and old stages in both sexes. We also found that the thickness of the mucosal layer is greater in distal part of esophagus than its middle part in all three age groups and both sexes. The thickness of tunica submucosa of the middle and distal parts and tunica muscularis of the proximal, middle and distal parts of esophagus showed a large increase between neonatal and sexually mature stages followed by a smaller decrease between sexually mature and old stages in both sexes. Also we found that the thickness of the submucosal layer is greater in distal part of esophagus than its middle part in all three age groups and both sexes. The thickness of the muscular layer showed a progressive increase from proximal part to the distal part in all age groups and both sexes. The differences between two sexes in the thickness of esophageal layers do not follow a constant pattern.

Seven healthy and sexually adult ewes were slaughtered. Immediately after slaughter, whole reproductive systems of animals were collected. Different tissues including: corpus luteum, ovary, muscular and mucosal layers of uterine horn, uterine body, cervix, vagina and vestibula were carefully separated and arginase specific activity (ASA) was determined in tissue extract and compared by modified paranitrophenylglyoxal (PNPG) method. The result of this study indicate that although all the tissues contained different amounts of arginase activity, based on the level of ASA, ewe reproductive system may categorized in two groups which have significant difference (P<0.05). The mucosal layer of vagina showed lowest ASA (32.85 IU/mg tissue soluble protein) in the first group and in the second group, mucosal layer of cervix had highest ASA level (85.14 IU/mg tissue protein). Presence of this enzyme at different levels in all parts of ewe reproductive system may be related to different rate of cell proliferation, differentiation or some other unknown physiological and biochemical activities of the enzyme in this system.

This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of uterine tubes abnormalities in dromedary camels. The uterine tubes of genital tracts of 96 slaughtered non-pregnant camels were examined grossly and microscopically. The pathological changes observed were salpingitis (2.08%), uterine tube duplication (1.04%), accessory uterine tubes (1.04%), segmental aplasia and hydrosalpinx with cystic hyperplasia of the uterine tubes, ovary and uterus (1.04%). The effects of these abnormalities on fertility of these camels were not detected because the history of their reproduction was not available. In the present study, for the first time, uterine tube duplication, accessory uterine tubes and simultaneous occurrence of cystic changes in uterine tubes, ovary and uterus were reported in dromedary camel.

Disorders of laying hens’ reproductive system such as: egg-peritonitis, salpingitis and oophoritis have been gaining increasing attention due to immense economic losses that are being inflicted by these conditions on the growing poultry industry. In order to determine the incidence of salpingitis, oophoritis and egg peritonitis in cull laying hens, 1041 cull laying hens from commercial laying farms in Fars province were necropsied. Among these 86 (8.26%) cases showed at least one lesion in their reproductive system, of which 37 (3.55%) carcasses exhibited gross lesions of both egg peritonitis and salpingitis, salpingitis 37 (3.55%), egg peritonitis 7 (0.67%) and oophoritis 5 (0.48%). The overall condition was found to be 86 (8.26 %). Bacterial culture of 86 suspected cases of inflammatory reactions of the ovary, the oviduct and the peritoneal cavity yielded Esherichia coli in 62 (5.95%) of cases, Salmonella spp in 4 (0.38%) of cases, Proteus Vulgaris in 2 (0.19%) of cases and Klebsiella in 1 (0.09%) of cases and mixed bacterial infection in 9 (0.86%) cases. No bacteria was isolated from 8 (0.76%) of suspected cases. Lesions at gross and microscopic level and also bacteriological findings were recorded and compared with other workers results.

Pyothorax (thoracic empyema) in two females 4 and 3.5-4-month-old cats are reported. The cats were referred to Small Animal Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, with the clinical signs and symptoms of acute fever, severe respiratory distress, anorexia and malaise. The clinical and radiological examinations pointed to an accumulation of fluid within the thoracic cavity. Because of the severity of the disease the animals died without obtaining any treatment. In post mortem examination, a bilateral pyothorax was diagnosed. Both Pasteurella multocida and Nocardia asteroides and Pasteurella multocida alone were isolated from case 2 and case 1, respectively.