hassan seidi samani

The objective of this study was to compare two estrus induction protocols in Shal ewes (Iranian native breed) during the non-breeding season using progesterone injections and an intravaginal sponge. Non pregnant ewes (n=180), considering their age and BCS were stratified randomly into two groups: progesterone injection (n=54; age: 33.0±3.21 months; BCS, 2.5±0.11) and vaginal sponge (n: 54; age: 37.5±3.58; BCS: 2.6±0.11). The progesterone injection group received four consecutive injections of progesterone (50 mg, SC), 3 days apart. Ewes in the sponge group received an intravaginal sponge (40 mg Flugestone acetate) for 14 days. An intramuscular injection of eCG (300 IU) was given concurrent with sponge withdrawal or 48 hrs after the last progesterone injection. Twelve hours after eCG, estrus was detected by rams equipped with harnesses. Laparoscopic AI was performed 50-56 hrs after eCG injection by fresh semen (100×106 sperm in 0.2 ml per uterine horn). Pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal ultrasonography, 35 days after insemination. The incidence of estrus (74.1%) was greater in the sponge group than injection group (38.9%). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of time to estrus and time to AI after eCG injection. There was no differences between the two groups in the interval from estrus to AI, fertility, prolificacy, and fecundity. Fertility was greater in ewes that were inseminated within 24 hrs after estrous detection in the progesterone injected group (76.2%) compared to the sponge group (42.5%). In summary, due to the similarity in fecundity, as the final indicator of reproductive performance, and less cost, availability and no intervention of reproductive tract, progesterone injection method could be advised for inducing estrus in ewes during the non-breeding season.

The schistosomus reflexus (SR) etymologically refers to an abdominal and or thoracic cleft with eventration of viscera. This pathology is a rare and lethal congenital syndrome in calves, lambs, and goat kids. This condition is likely caused by various factors such as endocrine, metabolic, hereditary, and teratogenic in the first third of gestation, leading to disorders in embryonic development. In this report, a 3-year-old female Alpine goat was examined with a history of dystocia. The presence of an abnormal dead goat kid exposed to the abdominal viscera was detected in the birth canal and delivered successfully with gentle intervention. In the gross pathological examination, signs of the abdominal fissure, visibility of viscera, placement of viscera in a membrane, ankylosis of the limbs, hypoplasia of the right hind limb, inversion of the hind limbs due to inversion of the spine, pulmonary hypoplasia, lack of diaphragm formation and cleft palate were recorded. According to the gross pathology, SR was diagnosed. The present report shows the occurrence of SR in an Alpine goat kid.

Serial progesterone injections followed by human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), instead of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), were used to synchronize estrus in ewes. Shal ewes (n = 189) were assigned into five groups and each group was divided into two sub-groups to receive gonadotropins including eCG (300 IU; intra-muscular) or hMG (one ampoule; subcutaneously, SC). All ewes received prostaglandin (PG) F2α six days after introducing ram (day 0). Ewes received 0 (control), one, two, three or four injections of progesterone (50.00 mg; SC), 72 hr apart. The first progesterone was injected at the time of PG injection. Ewes in treatment groups received gonadotropins 48 hr after the last progesterone injection. Control group ewes received gonadotropins, at the time of PG injection. Mating was recorded after introducing fertile rams. Data were analyzed using GLM and GENMOD procedures in SAS. The incidence of estrus was less in control and ewes received a single progesterone (34.20%) compared to ewes received two (64.10%), three (81.10%) and four injections (68.40%) of progesterone. Time to estrus was earlier in control (45.70 ± 4.41 hr) than progesterone-treated groups (63.60 ± 1.79 hr). Fertility (51.30%) and fecundity (78.40%) of ewes received three progesterone injections were significantly greater than other progesterone-treated groups. There was no significant difference in reproductive indices between eCG and hMG sub-groups. In conclusion, during the non-breeding season, three injections of progesterone, three days apart, starting six days after ram exposure, in association with hMG, 48 hr after the last progesterone injection, could provide a sound reproductive performance in Shal ewes.

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonosis in Middle East and Iran. The purpose of this study was genomic detection of Brucella spp. in sero-positive dairy cattle. We have collected 28,519 blood samples from cows during 2012-2013. Samples were screened by Slide and tube agglutination and 2-Mercaptoethanol tests. Samples with anti-Brucella antibodies titer ≥ 1:80 and ≥1:40 in tube agglutination and 2-ME tests were considered as positive respectively. Tissue samples include: lymph nodes, liver, testicle and kidney from 122 samples of slaughtered cows were collected. The Sero-positive samples were examined by a collection of specific primers for Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, vaccinal strains included RB51 and Rev1 using PCR tests. Results showed that 450 samples were positive in slide agglutination test and 447 samples had anti-brucella antibodies titer equal to or more than 1:80. So they were positive by tube agglutination test. Three hundred eighty nine samples were positive by 2- mercaptoethanol test. PCR test results showed that 46 samples (37.7%) out of 122 samples had a specific sequence of Brucella or otherwise they have an active infection with Brucella species, whereas 62.3% of samples were negative. The PCR results showed that 2 samples (4.35%) were infected by B. melitensis, 2 samples (4.35%) infected by Rev1 strain and 42 samples (91.3%) were infected by B. abortus. The results showed that, as we had expected, the majority of cows were infected by B. abortus. Animals who infected by B. melitensis and Rev1 strain may be a result of contact with sheep or goats. We couldn’t find Brucella genome in 76 samples (62.3%) of sero-positive cows. It may be caused by cross reaction of sera with Brucella species in tests or activation of immune system response and elimination of organism from internal organs.