Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:13 Issue: 1, Winter 2012

The aim of the study was to investigate the preventive effects of dietary Garcinia cambogia extract on lipid metabolism and serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyle transferase (GGT) in rats fed high-lipid diet. Thirty female, one-year-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used and separated into three equal groups. Group 1 (control group) was fed basal diet (2% liquid vegetable oil, 0% cholesterol), while the diets of both group 2 and 3 contained vegetable oil (2% liquid and 5% hydrogenated vegetable oil) and cholesterol (3%). 4.5% (w/w) Garcinia cambogia extract was added to the diet of group 3 from day 45. Blood samples were withdrawn from all rats on days 0, 45 and 75. Serum levels of total protein, LDL-cholesterol and phospholipid were lower in the control group than in the other two groups, and there were no significant differences between these two experimental groups at the end of the study (P<0.05). Serum triglyceride concentrations rose significantly in the Garcinia cambogia-supplemented group (group 3). HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly different between the three groups (P<0.05). The highest levels were in the control group. Serum ALT activities were not significantly different between the groups at the end of the study. Serum AST and GGT activities were significantly lower in the groups 2 and 3 than those in the controls, respectively. Fat feeding caused rising lipid indices in serum, while Garcinia cambogia supplementation to the fatty diet failed to decrease the rise in serum lipid indices in the present dose. The higher doses of Garcinia cambogia extract should be investigated.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on chemical composition and nutritive value of whole-plant corn (WPC) ensiled at different stages of maturity. Based on local routine practice, WPC was harvested at three stages of maturity as follows: (1) two weeks before routine harvesting time; (2), one week before routine harvesting time and (3), routine harvesting time. Bacterial inoculant (Ecosyl) was used as homofermentive lactic acid bacteria. The inoculant was applied at the recommended level of 1 × 105 CFu/g of fresh forage which was ensiled for 25 days in plastic polyethylene bags. Three untreated silages were prepared for each harvesting time and considered as controls (C). At the end of the ensiling period, all silages were subjected to chemical analysis, DM degradability and in vitro gas production. All silages underwent good fermentation and pH values decreased to below 4. WPC ensiled one week before routine harvesting time and treated with bacterial inoculant, had the lowest pH, ADF (P<0.05) content and the highest CP content, total gas production, IVOMD, DOMD (P<0.05), ME (P<0.05), fraction “a” (P<0.05) and ED (P<0.05) compared with other treatments. The results indicated that application of bacterial inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum) at the recommended level to WPC harvested at one week before routine harvesting time was more effective in enhancing chemical composition and nutritive value of silages, and provide a well-preserved and high nutritive value feedstuff for ruminants.

The aim of the present study was to determine the protective action of silymarin on acute toxicity due to tetracycline severe overdose in cats. Thirty healthy cats were randomly allotted into five equal groups. Cats in group A were given tetracycline (single dose 120 mg⁄kg, p.o.); group B consisted of cats that received silymarin (single dose 30 mg⁄kg, p.o.) concurrent with tetracycline administration; groups C, D and E were treated as group B, but silymarin was administered 4, 12 and 24 h after tetracycline administration, respectively. The serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), BUN, serum creatinine and total and direct bilirubin were measured before tetracycline administration and 4, 12, 24 and 72 h later. A single oral administration of tetracycline increased, significantly, serum concentrations of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH in all cats of group A, after 24 h (P<0.001). In groups B and C, levels of serum enzyme activities remained within normal values. In group D, there were changes in levels of serum enzyme activities, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). In group E, levels of serum enzyme activities were significantly higher than normal values (P<0.05). The difference was significant between groups A and E with groups B and C for the serum enzymes (P<0.05). In conclusion, silymarin can protect liver tissue against hepatotoxicity in cats with tetracycline severe overdose, particularly in the first 4 h after exposure.

Egg yolk is the most commonly used cryoprotective agent for sperm cryopreservation of several species. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effectiveness of egg yolk from four avian species (domestic chicken, duck, turkey and pigeon) on sperm quality following cryopreservation of the ram semen. Ejaculates were collected, using an electroejaculator, from six fertile rams. Samples were diluted in a tris-citric acid-fructose extender containing egg yolk (15%) and glycerol (5%). Diluted samples were cooled slowly to 5°C over 2 h and equilibrated at that temperature for 2 h. Aliquots of samples were loaded into 0.5 ml straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor for 15 min and stored in liquid nitrogen. Post-thaw progressive motility, live/dead ratio and acrosomal integrity of 200 sperm per slide stained with eosin-nigrosin and giemsa, were evaluated at 0, 2 and 4 h after thawing. Pigeon egg yolk had the most cryoprotective effect in terms of progressive motility, livability and acrosomal integrity (P<0.05). There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in progressive motility, livability and acrosomal integrity up to 4 h after thawing. The results indicated that pigeon egg yolk might be superior to chicken egg yolk for cryopreservation of ram spermatozoa in tris-citric acid-fructose yolk extender, however, further experiments are needed to evaluate its effects on fertility.

Mycoestrogen zearalenone (ZEA) is found in human foods and animal feeds. Its estrogenic potency mainly depends on its biotransformation fate. The hepatic biotransformation of ZEA in rainbow trout was investigated in this study. Various concentrations of ZEA were separately incubated with the hepatic microsomal and post-mitochondrial sub-fractions in the presence of NADPH, and the metabolites were determined by means of HPLC. Moreover, the rate of glucuronidation for ZEA and its reduced metabolites were estimated in the presence of uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid. β-zearalenol (β-ZOL) was found to be the major metabolite of ZEA by both sub-cellular fractions. The enzymatic kinetics analyses indicated that the α-ZOL and β-ZOL production by microsomal fraction were 8- and 2-fold higher than those by post-mitochondrial fraction, respectively. High percentages of ZEA and its metabolites are conjugated with glucuronic acid at the lower concentrations. Data suggest that the hepatic biotransformation of ZEA in rainbow trout resulted in its detoxification as the main metabolite tends to be β-ZOL with weak estrogenic property. Moreover, at certain concentrations, the produced metabolites are entirely conjugated with glucuronic acid, which may consequently cause a prolonged duration of action due to entero-hepatic cycle.

This study investigated the effect of GnRH analogues on inducing ovulation of dominant follicle (DF) and subsequent corpus luteum (CL) lifespan in the presence of norgestomet implant in Holstein heifers. On day 6 to 8 of the estrous cycle (day 0 of the experiment), all heifers (n=15) received norgestomet implant followed by prostaglandin injection on days 0 and 1. On day 4, group 1 (n=4) and 2 (n=4) heifers received 12.5 and 25 μg Alarelin, respectively. Heifers in group 3 (n=3) received 10 μg Buserelin. Heifers in control group (n=4) did not receive any further treatment. Norgestomet was removed on day 8 in the treatment group and kept throughout the experiment in control group. From day 0, blood sampling and ultrasonography were performed. Heifers were monitored after inducing ovulation for 2 consecutive estrous cycles. DF ovulated within 33 h after GnRH injection. Progesterone started to rise on day 3 and declined on day 7.45 ± 0.28 after GnRH injection. Heifers in treatment groups displayed estrus 7.73 ± 0.24 days after GnRH injection followed by spontaneous ovulation. The lifespan of CLs were 5.36 ± 0.28 and 16.9 ± 0.37 days after inducing ovulation of DF in the presence of norgestomet and following spontaneous ovulation, respectively (P<0.05). In conclusion, the half dose of Alarelin induced ovulation of DF and the presence of single norgestomet implant after ovulation may be associated with short luteal lifespan.

In this study the reproductive organs of adult and apparently healthy female Azarbaijan buffaloes were collected after slaughter from abattoir. Through observation of the ovaries, the luteal and follicular phases of each buffalo were specified. A total number of 36 oviducts at follicular phase and 36 oviducts at luteal phase were collected and 3 tissue samples were taken from 3 regions of infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus of each oviduct. Sections were stained through the use of H&E, PAS, verhoffe and toluidine blue methods. Histological observations revealed that the oviduct consists of 4 layers of mucosa, submucosa, tunica muscularis and serosa. The primary and secondary folds decreased both in number and in height from infundibulum to isthmus. Epithelium of folds was composed of simple columnar, although seems pseudostratified in some areas, and contains ciliated and secretory cells. Histomorphometric examinations of three regions demonstrated that the mean height of primary folds increase and the mean thickness of tunica muscularis decrease at follicular phase. The mean thickness of mucosa-submucosa at follicular phase was slightly similar to luteal phase. More visibility of the ciliated cells and mucosal folds in infundibulum and the increase of their height at follicular phase facilitate the capture of the oocyte; the thick tunica muscularis in isthmus transports sperm cells up; and both require promoting fertilization to occur in ampulla.

Indirect plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was standardized and evaluated for its effectiveness in immunodiagnosis of haemonchosis in experimental and clinical cases in sheep by using somatic whole adult antigen of H. contortus. Plate ELISA was standardized using 5 µg/well antigen concentration with 1:100 and 1:1000 of sera and conjugate dilution. Indirect plate ELISA was able to demonstrate the antibody titre at different weeks post infection in experimental sheep. A comparison of plate ELISA on suspected field sera and faecal sample examination by floatation method revealed that 74 samples were found to be positive by ELISA but only ten by faecal examination. Sensitivity of plate ELISA was found to be 80.0%, whereas specificity was 21.42% indicating that this test is quite sensitive for clinical cases; an early diagnosis, however, lacks specificity.

Clinically infected dogs have been identified as the main reservoir hosts of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum. Recently asymptomatic infected dogs were regarded to be as important as clinically ill dogs. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of L. infantum infection among asymptomatic dogs in the southwest and central parts of Iran and to investigate possible risk factors associated with this infection. 548 serum samples were collected from dogs in three Iranian provinces and subjected to direct agglutination test (DAT) in dilutions of 1:80 to 1:20480. Fifty three (9.67%) of the dogs had detectable anti-L. infantum antibodies at dilutions of ≥1:80. Living status of the dogs (household or free roaming) was a potential risk factor for the infection; seroprevalence was significantly higher in free roaming dogs (P<0.001). Dogs of more than 2-year-old had a significantly higher infection rate in comparison with younger dogs (P<0.001). No significant statistical differences were seen between seroprevalences of the male and female dogs. The results of this study show relatively high sero-prevalence of L. infantum infection in evaluated regions and higher seroprevalence in old and free roaming dogs, which shows the importance of environmental contamination and access of the dogs to the other reservoir hosts.

The study was carried out in zoo animals at Islamabad Zoo, Pakistan to know the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis. An overall prevalence of 3.3% was recorded in zoo animals with 3.6% in Bovidae, 3.2% in Cervidae and 0% in Equidae families. The positive animals included spotted deer (1/3; 95% CI = 0.84, 90.57), Chinkara gazella (1/5; 95% CI = 0.51, 71.64) and Blackbuck gazelle (1/30; 95% CI = 0.08, 17.22), while the negative animals were barking deer (0/4), hog deer (0/24), grey gorals (0/2), urial (0/9), mouflon (0/4), nilgai (0/5) and zebra (0/4). The results revealed significant association of live weight and number of calving with the positive tuberculin test, with 32% higher chances for females to show a positive test. Results also showed that odds of a positive test were 1.19 times higher when animal number was less than 10. The results of haematological parameters showed significant differences in total erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin, total leukocyte counts, eosinophil and basophil percentages between positive and negative animals.

To determine the prevalence of animal fascioliasis in coastal regions of the Caspian Sea, during 2006-2007, a total of 2368 faecal samples were collected from sheep (n=1250), cattle (n=975) and horse (n=143). The samples were obtained directly from the rectum of animals. Floatation method was performed for determination of egg per gram of faeces (EPG). Our findings revealed the presence of Fasciola spp. eggs in 9.53, 7.8 and 2.5% of sheep and 32.5, 12.1 and 3.1% of cattle in Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan, respectively. Among the horse faecal samples collected from Golestan and Gilan provinces, no eggs were found in Golestan, while 50% of those of Gilan were infected with Fasciola spp. Cattle was one of the most infected animals in the studied areas. A positive correlation was found between climatic conditions and animal fascioliasis. Among different meteorological factors, rainfall seems to be the strongest factor

Epithelial inclusions were detected in myocardium of a 2-month-old male Holstein calf. Microscopically, nonpurulent myocarditis along with focal tubular and acinar structures covered with cuboidal epithelial cells was seen in the myocardium. Most tubular and acinar structures stained with Masson’s trichrome were found to be surrounded with a dense collagen. Tubular and acinar structures had PAS positive basement membrane. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that tubular and acinar structures were both vimentin and pancytokeratin positive, while the connective tissue was only vimentin positive.

Four fat-tailed ewes from an indoor flock (n=40) were examined for recumbency and depressive nervous signs. They were from a seemingly nonpregnant group of the flock that had been diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasonography. The ration consisted of mainly wheat straw since their separation from the pregnant group. Detection of pregnancy on abdominal palpation along with depressive nervous signs and laboratory findings of hypoglycemia, ketonuria with severe fatty liver at necropsy followed by relevant histopathological findings confirmed an outbreak of primary pregnancy toxemia. While ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis is known as an accurate method, its accuracy could be strongly influenced by technical inexperience and improper implementation of the method. Indecent execution of the technique was considered the key predisposing factor for current outbreak.