Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:17 Issue: 1, Winter 2016

The use of liposome as an adjuvant and a vaccine carrier has been cited previously in the literature. It has also been shown to be effective in enhancing the immunogenicity of vaccine candidates. BALB/c mice immunized subcutaneously with outer membrane protein (OMP) of Brucella abortus S19 vaccine strain entrapped in a commercial cationic liposome (S19-OMP-liposome) for vaccine delivery, showed enhanced protection (P

Foot-and-mouth disease is an important viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. Inactivated whole particle virus vaccines are still widely used in prophylactic vaccination campaigns. The choice of adjuvant is a very important factor in enhancing immune responses and the efficacy of inactivated vaccines. Montanide ISA 61 VG is a new ready-to-use mineral oil-based adjuvant developed by SEPPIC Inc. (SEPPIC, France) with high-potential immune responses needed for clinical protection against FMD infection. In this study, we compared the efficacy of two FMD vaccines either formulated with the new oil-based adjuvant ISA 61 VG and saponin, or with aluminum hydroxide gel and saponin. Both vaccines contained the same antigen payloads of O2010/IR. Two groups of 15 naive cattle received a single vaccination with different doses (full dose, 1/3 dose and 1/9 dose) to calculate their PD50 (50% protective dose) after being challenged with the homologous virulent virus. The mean neutralizing antibody titer was determined at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after vaccination, measured by a micro neutralization test. The new vaccine improved humoral immune responses by 19%, while inducing a higher geometric mean. The titer for neutralizing antibodies was 2.91 log10 compared to the alum-gel based adjuvant vaccine which was 2.44 log10 (P-value=0.1782). The new vaccine showed a PD50 value of 10.05 as compared to a PD50 value of 4.171, respectively. According to the results, the FMD vaccine formulated with the new oil adjuvant, ISA 61 VG, shows potential as an alternative vaccine for routine and emergency vaccinations in the FMD enzootic region.

Quantitative histology of the descended testis of unilateral cryptorchid bucks was compared with testis of normal bucks to evaluate the reproductive potentials of the scrotal testis in unilateral cryptorchids, using light microscopy techniques. The contralateral scrotal testes of the unilateral cryptorchids and the testes of the normal bucks contained profiles of seminiferous epithelium and each showed histological evidence of normal activity. The mean heights, lengths, lumen diameter, diameter of the seminiferous tubules were significantly higher in the contralateral scrotal testes when compared to the retained testes of the unilateral cryptorchid bucks (P

In recent times increasing occurrence of dermatophytosis, especially among the school children in eastern India was evidenced along with increased tendency of keeping companion animals such as dogs and cats. This study was undertaken to detect the occurrence of dermatophytes with antifungal susceptibility among the companion animals. A total of 1501 healthy companion animals comprising 1209 dogs and 292 cats belonged to individual owners in and around Kolkata (West Bengal, India) were examined for the evidence of dermatophytosis during 2011-2013. The collected samples were subjected to direct examination by standard KOH mount technique. The samples were inoculated into both Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) with 0.05% chloramphenicol and 0.5% cycloheximide and dermatophyte test medium (DTM). Each of the fungal isolate was identified based upon its colony characteristics and hyphal and conidial cells it produced. Antifungal susceptibility of the isolates was tested by broth micro dilution assay using fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, griseofulvin and amphotericin-B antifungals. Among the 1209 samples from dogs and 292 samples from cats, 253 (20.93%) and 109 (37.33%) samples were positive for dermatophytes by direct examination. Three identified species of dermatophytes with predominant occurrence were Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Ketoconazole (0.06-0.5 μgm/ml), itraconazole (0.03-0.5 μgm/ml) and amphotericin-B (0.03-0.5 μgm/ml) showed lowest MIC values against M. canis, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum, respectively. This is the first systemic report of dermatophytes in healthy companion animals with large numbers of samples in India.

Sperm mediated gene transfer can be an inexpensive and simple method in animal transgenesis; however its efficiency is poor, mainly due to the spermatozoa’s lesser uptake of exogenous DNA. In the present study, the effects of lipofection and other augmentation techniques, such as sperm freezing and spermatozoa treatment with triton X100 and DMSO, on exogenous DNA uptake by sheep spermatozoa and motility of sperms with plasmid uptake were evaluated. In the first experiment, ram sperms were incubated with a complex of rhodamine labeled plasmid (p-EGFP) and Lipofectamine 2000TM. In the second, spermatozoa were treated with Triton X-100TM or DMSO or were frozen without cryoprotectant. The results indicated that there was no significant difference (P

The objective of this study was to investigate the propensity of permethrin (PTN) to induce oxidative stress and changes in enzyme activities in liver of rainbow trout and its possible attenuation by vitamin C. Forty-eight fish were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 treatment groups and their livers were used for liver perfusion control (0 μgL-1 permethrin and 0 mgL-1 vitamin C), PTN-0.16 (0.16 μgL-1 permethrin), PTN-0.32 (0.32 μgL-1 permethrin), PTN-0.64 (0.64 μgL-1 permethrin), Vit. C (17.2 mgL-1 vitamin C), and PTN-0.64 Vit. C (0.64 μgL-1 permethrin and 17.2 mgL-1 vitamin C). Results obtained showed that permethrin significantly (P

Q fever is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide and is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of C. burnetii infection in aborted sheep in eastern Turkey using PCR. A total of 200 fetuses were collected from aborted sheep belonging to 200 herds in different locations in the eastern part of Turkey. Foetal organ samples such as liver, spleen, lung and stomach were taken and the DNA was purified from two hundred pooled samples. PCR analysis of C. burnetii presence in infected organs was performed, and 4 samples (2%) were found positive. In addition, the pooled organ suspensions were inoculated to embryonated chicken eggs, and PCR analysis of yolk sacs showed C. burnetii DNA in 5 samples (2.5%). This study shows that C. burnetii infection has an important role in sheep abortions in eastern Anatolia region.

The present study was carried out to characterize the cervical mucus (CM) collected when inseminating Holstein cows and to relate the secretion pattern with pregnancy. The mucus was collected from mid-cervix of 64 cows with spontaneus estrus (SE) and induced estrus (IE). The quantity, pattern and consistency of the mucus, pH, arborization patterns and the sperm motility were observed. The levels of progesterone and estradiol 17β in serum were also determined. Pregnancy detection was performed by means of transrectal ultrasonography 60 days after insemination. Mucous secretion of cows with SE was significantly different from those with IE, showing a lower degree of crystallization (SE 2.00; IE 2.75) and a lower level of steroid hormones (P4: SE 0.17 ng/ml and IE 0.33 ng/ml (t 1.99547 α 0.05); E2: SE 30.95 pg/ml and IE 47.76 pg/ml (t 1.99495 α 0.05). Progesterone level was significantly lower and estrogen significantly higher in pregnant cows (P) in relation to that observed in non pregnant females (N) (P4: P 0.20 ng/ml and N 0.44 ng/ml (t 1.99602 α 0.05); E2: P 54.77 pg/ml and N 40.75 pg/ml (t 1.99505 α 0.05). In conclusion pregnancy was associated with acopious, clear and watery discharge (similar to egg white), with an arborization degree of 2.25, presence of atypical fern leaves together with rosette formations and needles or thorns on rails due to low levels of progesterone accompanied by high concentrations of estrogens.

Red hot pepper is a plant that belongs to the Solanaceae family and is known as Capsicum annuum. Capsaicin is the active ingredient of cayenne pepper. Ghrelin is a hormone, which consists of polypeptide structure. Ghrelin also contributes to growth hormone secretion, energy balance, food intake and body weight regulator. The aim of this study was the localization and expression of ghrelin in the ovaries of rats treated with capsaicin during the postnatal development. Ninety female Sprague-Dawley rats (21 d) were used. The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=30 each) as pubertal, post pubertal and adult. Each group was subdivided into three groups. The first subgroup (control) was given no injections. The second subgroup (vehicle) received only 0.3 cc solvent and the third subgroup (experiment) received subcutaneous injection of equal volume of capsaicin (1 mg/kg/d) for 42, 56, and 70 days. Ghrelin immunoreactivity was determined in ovarian follicular granulosa cells, interstitial cells and corpus luteal cells. A ghrelin immunopositive reaction located in the cytoplasm of cells in all groups. These results indicate that prolonged administration of low dose capsaicin does not affect ghrelin expression. However, follicular atresia was seen in lower rate in capsaicin treated group in comparison to other groups.

The aim of this study was to examine the possible morphological and morphometric changes resulting from vitrification of embryos at the cleavage stage. In this study, 30 mice early-cleavage embryos at different stages of cleavage, resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, were examined before and after vitrification. Digital images were taken from embryos before and after vitrification. Zona pellucida thickness, differences in zona pellucida thickness, and diameter and volume of blastomeres and embryos as morphometric parameters and current rating of appearance of embryos as morphological parameters, have been studied. According to our findings, there were significant mean differences in all morphometric parameters of the two groups except in the zona pellucid thickness (P≤0.05). With regard to the morphological parameter, the decrease in embryo quality was observed but it was not significant. According to the results, although little quantitative change observed is not necessarily synonymous with harmful intracellular damage, it seems that it is better to examine vitrification method more accurately. Because by making subtle changes in concentration and type of consumed solutions or techniques used, the changes may be minimized.

Carpal chip fractures are common causes of lameness in racehorses. Due to disadvantages in surgical management, adjuvant treatment modalities are usually necessary. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the potential to differentiate into other cell types including bone and cartilage cells. Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is produced during ADSCs isolation from adipose tissue. The purpose of this report was to present the successful management of a grade III chip fracture in the right carpus of a 5-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by intra-articularly injected autologous SVF one month after the arthroscopic removal of the fracture. This treatment resulted in lameness improvement and short rehabilitation period to previous racing activities. High performance levels and no recurrent injuries were recorded during a twenty month follow-up period.