فصلنامه دامپزشکی ایران
سال هفدهم شماره 70 (بهار 1400)

Determining the effect of single versus double ovulations on progesterone concentration and luteal tissue volume is so important for better reproductive management in goats. The aim of the present study was to establish the relationship between ovulation number, luteal tissue volume and progesterone concentrations in Mamasani goats. For this purpose, the uteri and ovaries of 192 goats were collected in a slaughterhouse during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Before slaughtering, blood samples were taken and analyzed for assaying progesterone concentrations. Study groups in the non-breeding season were: 1-single ovulation, 2-unilateral double ovulations and 3-bilateral double ovulations of non-pregnant goats. The groups in the breeding season were: 1-non-pregnant single ovulation, 2-non-pregnant unilateral double ovulations, 3-non-pregnant bilateral double ovulations, 4-pregnant single ovulation with one fetus, 5-pregnant single ovulation with two fetuses, 6-pregnant unilateral double ovulations with one fetus, 7-pregnant unilateral double ovulations with two fetuses, 8-pregnant bilateral double ovulations with one fetus, and 9-pregnant bilateral double ovulations with two fetuses. Results showed that the right ovary had a pivotal role in ovulation during the non-breeding and breeding season. In both pregnant and non-pregnant gravid goats, the total volume of corpora lutea (CLs) as well as the serum progesterone concentration was higher after double ovulations. The total volume of CLs and the concentrations of serum progesterone in goats carrying two fetuses with single ovulation was significantly higher than that of animals with single ovulation and one fetus. It was concluded that although a higher concentration of progesterone in goats is associated with the total volume of luteal tissue, this level is not a reliable predictor for the number of fetuses per goat.

An increase in the broad usage of metal oxide nanoparticles in biological applications may have novel interactions with biological systems and result in emerging health problems. In this study, the effect of aluminum oxide (Al2O3, 35-45 nm) and zinc oxide (ZnO, 30 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) on the mutation of codon 248 of the p53 gene, a key gene in the tumor cell suppression, was conducted in the cellular growth medium. After 72 hours of exposure to the mentioned NPs (5, 10, 25, 50 μg/ml), lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells were evaluated through MTT assay for cytotoxicity and subsequent PCR and sequencing analysis for in vitro genotoxicity assessment. After zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NPs) treatment, cells underwent substantial cytotoxicity, and these toxicities were significant at doses of 25 and 50 𝜇g/mL. Regarding aluminum oxide nanoparticles (nano-alumina, Al2O3-NPs), a concentration of 50 𝜇g/mL affected the viability of MRC-5 cells. There was no significant difference in other treated groups compared to the control. Interestingly, the mutation in the 248 codons of the P53 gene was observed following 72 hours incubation of MRC-5 cells with 5 𝜇g/mL of Al2O3-NPs. This mutation occurred in the form of the CGG to CCG, transforming the arginine codon into proline generators. The mutation in codon 248 p53 (replacement cytosine instead of guanine) will result in non-functional P53 protein production. Hence, following the modulation of p53 in lung cells, the possibility of cancer emerging will be increased. Moreover, determining the nanoparticles' accurate cytotoxic concentration is of great importance to reduce deleterious effects on the body's normal cells.

Several factors affect the quality of raw milk including the health of livestock, the milking style, and the hygiene and status of milking equipment. This study aimed to evaluate the indicator-bacteria related to the bulk tank milk management of dairy farms in Kerman County. The results will help in planning and performing good farm management practices. The bulk tank milk samples of 15 dairy farms were collected aseptically on the ice during cold and hot seasons. Total bacterial count (TBC), coliform count (CC), laboratory pasteurized count (LPC), Staphylococcus aureus count (SC), and somatic cell count (SCC) of the samples were assessed on every day of sampling. The questionnaires were also completed by the researchers at the farms. A mixed-design ANOVA with a significant level of 0.05 was performed to assess the interactions between different levels of management factors, laboratory results, and the seasons. During the cold season, LPCs, CCs, and SCCs were lower than in the hot season. The TBC of bulk tank milk in farms with a dirt floor was lower than other farms using concrete or roughcast (p < 0.05). Employing milking unit workers from the farmer’s family significantly reduced the CCs of the bulk tank milk. The TBC of bulk tank milk in farms that performed the teat dipping procedure before or after milking tended to reduction (despite non-statistical significance). Application of management factors such as teat drying by disposable paper towel, teat post-dipping, and dry cow therapy by long-act intramammary antibiotic ointment is considered seriously in more than 50% of the farms. Scientific education of management tips to stockmen and employment of committed workers will be very effective in the simultaneous implementation of all basic hygienic actions and therefore increasing the quality of the produced milk.

The effect of different dietary levels of Biotronic® Top3 (Biomin, Austria) on hemolymph biochemical parameters, hemolymph enzymes and immune parameters of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was investigated. 375 Shrimps (mean initial weight: 4.28±0.05g) collected from the commercial farm and stocked randomly in 300L polyethylene tanks in triplicates. The shrimps were fed with commercial diet (4005, Faradaneh Company) supplemented with different levels of Biotronic® Top3 (0: Control, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4%) for 56 days (8 weeks). At the end of the experiment, the biochemical indices, levels of hemolymph enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH), hemolymph immune parameters (Lysozyme and Phenoloxidase), and cellular hemolymph parameters of experimental shrimps were compared. The dietary inclusion of 2% and 4% of Biotronic® Top3 led to an increase in hemolymph enzymes. Shrimp were fed with supplemented diets also had lower levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride and higher levels of protein, calcium and creatinine. Addition of Biotronic® Top3 in the feed had a positive effect on the cellular and humoral immune responses of shrimps. The results of this study showed that the best performance of dietary supplementation of Biotronic® Top3 on L. vanammei was observed at level of 1%.

Teeth eruption and wearing, especially incisors and canines, are the most practical parameters used in the clinical and physical examination of the animals.  This study aimed to evaluate age-related changes in the dentition of domestic dogs in Ahvaz, Iran, to determine a relationship between arrangement of teeth and age of dogs.  The present study was conducted on 173 Terrier dogs referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, which had a birth certificate. The animals were divided into 7 age groups of 1: 0 - 2, 2: 2 - 8, 3: 8 - 18, 4: 18 - 36, 5:36 - 60, 6:60 - 120 and 7: more than 120 months. The age estimation was presented based on dental profile and compared with the ancestral age. The crown length of incisors and canines were measured in the left maxillary hemi arch using a digital caliper, followed by imaging. In this study, computer and statistical studies were performed on the dental profile, correlation between crown length and age, as well as teeth wearing rate, and dental morphology. A comparison of crown length of incisors in each group showed that teeth I1, I2, and I3 had the minimum to maximum crown lengths, respectively. The correlation of estimated age with ancestral age in the studied dogs was very significant. This study showed that age assessment using teeth is one of the most important practical and true methods for age estimation in dogs.

The thymus is an organ of the lymphatic and immune system that has great importance in young animals. This study aimed to evaluate the dimensions, echogenicity and location of the thymus in healthy mongrel puppies during the first 5 months of life using radiography and ultrasonography. For this study, two pregnant bitches from mongrel breeds were prepared and five healthy male puppies isolated after their parturition for monthly evaluation in the first 5 months of life. Radiographic evaluation of the thymus was done on plain radiographs in right lateral and ventrodorsal views. Ultrasonography also was performed with a 7.5 MHz linear transducer, while the animal was restrained on dorsal recumbency position and slightly tilted to the right or left side. Based on a two-way analysis of variance, only age had a significant effect on the dimensions of the thymus gland. The highest means (±SD) of length, width, surface and volume of the thymus were estimated 32.00±2.35 mm, 7.08±0.43 mm, 1.62±0.5 cm2 and 0.72±0.38 cm3, respectively, at 2 months-old puppies. On the other hand, the lowest means (±SD) of length, width, surface and volume of the thymus were estimated 24.26±2.29 mm, 6.08±0.28 mm, 1.16±0.44 cm2 and 0.47±0.21 cm3, respectively, at 5 months-old puppies. Thymus shadows were observed in only four radiographs taken from the ventrodorsal view of puppies. Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that the thymus of mongrel puppies was regressed at about 4 months-old and ultrasonography as an available and method of choice can determine the exact dimensions of the thymus compared with X-ray examination.

This experiment was conducted to isolate and identify tannin-degrading bacteria from deer gut and to use these bacteria in improving of the nutritive value and gas production parameters of conocarpus and eucalyptus leaves. Isolation, tannase enzyme activities and processing of eucalyptus and conocarpus leaves with these isolates was conducted for 10 days. The result of molecular identification based on DNA sequencing indicated that isolates of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A7, A8 and A9 were similar to Klebsiella pneumoniae while A6 isolate belonged to Acinetobacter sp. Acinetobacter sp. and K. pneumoniae A2 had the highest and lowest enzymatic activity of tannase, respectively. Bacterial fermentation decreased tannin of conocarpus and eucalyptus leaves and the lowest was for processing with K. pneumoniae A7 and Acinetobacter sp A6. Bacterial processing had no effect on the gas production potential of conocarpus leaves, but the gas production rate was increased; while ferementation caused an increase in the gas production potential and rate of eucalyptus leaves. The highest fermentation parameters were found in conocarpus and eucalyptus leaves processed with K. pneumoniae A9. These results indicated that K. pneumoniae and Acinetobacter sp. as tannin degraders isolated from deer gut improved fermentation parameters of conocarpus and eucalyptus leaves and can be used to enhance the nutritive value of tannin rich plants.

Alfalfa is one of the most important phytoestrogenic plants which contains epigenine, comsterol and coumarin and it has a variety of effects on reproduction in domestic animals. Some of the studies have shown alfalfa has negative effects on the fertility of domestic animals. Given that reproductive hormones play major role in fertility, "in this study, the effects of alfalfa were investigated on reproductive hormones in male adult rats". For this purpose, 30 rats were divided in two groups of treatment and control. Treatment groups received alfalfa during 30, 45 and 60 days. Based on the results, level of Blood plasma FSH in the first treatment group (30 days) was significantly higher than the control group, but in the second (45 days) and third (60 days) treatment groups, insignificantly increased. Rate of Blood plasma LH in first and second groups were insignificantly increased, but in the third treatment group significantly increased. Testosterone level of blood plasma in the first treatment group showed a significant decrease and in the second treatment group insignificantly decreased, but in the third treatment group were significantly increased. The levels of estradiol in all treatment groups increased. Conclusion the results of this study showed that use of alfalfa for up to 60 days did not have negative effects on reproductive hormones in male rats.

With the expansion of industrial processes, heavy metal pollution for example lead has become a serious problem. they have the ability to pass through organs and causes them to malfunction. One of the target organs of lead is ovarian tissue. Lead is also able to cross the blood-placental barrier and transferred to the fetus. It is also possible to pass lead through milk to the newborn. This study was performed to investigate the effect of low dose mother's lead Consumption on the development of the ovaries using stereology technique in rats as animal models. In the present study, Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. The groups included the Control group and 4 experimental groups of Pre-pregnancy, Pregnancy, Lactation and Pre-pregnancy-pregnancy-lactation. The experimental groups received 0.2% lead acetate, with 0.5cc glacial acetic acid– through drinking water. Acetate consumption was in such a way that in the pre-pregnancy group 30 days before mating, in the pregnancy group during 21 days of pregnancy, in the lactation group during 21 days of lactation, and in the pre-pregnancy-lactation group from 30 days before mating to the end of lactation they received lead acetate through drinking water. On the 65th day after the birth, all infants were killed in the laboratory and left ovarian specimens were collected for stereological studies. Examination of the results showed that the total volume of ovary, cortex, medulla, interstitial tissue and total volume of adult reproductive follicles were not significantly different between the experimental groups of pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, lactation and pre-pregnancy, pregnancy-lactation and the control group. Examination of the corpus luteum volume results showed that the pre-pregnancy group had a significant decrease compared to the pregnancy group. The present study showed that exposure of mothers to low-dose lead acetate reduces the volume of corpus luteum, especially during pre-pregnancy.

Although hypophosphatemia is a major metabolic disorder in cattle, a clinically useful method has not been proposed for its rapid screening in cattle. This study aimed to evaluate bone biomarkers and lumbar vertebrae plasticity in cows with hypophosphatemia. Among referral cows suspected of hypophosphatemia, 27 hypophosphatemic and 10 healthy cows were recruited. Firstly, the plasticity of transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae was determined. Serum levels of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, bone sialoprotein (BSP), and ALP activity were assayed. Results revealed a significant increase in serum ALP activity and a significant decrease in vitamin D in the hypophosphatemic compared with the healthy cows. Serum BSP had an insignificant increment in the patients than the healthy group. The patients were segregated into 3 subgroups of severe, moderate and mild hypophosphatemia. Serum ALP activity was higher in severe hypophosphatemic than the other subgroups. A strong negativecorrelation was observed between serum phosphorus concentration and severity of lumbar vertebrate plasticity. In conclusion, hypophosphatemia was associated with significant changes in bone remodeling biomarkers. Since degree of lumbar vertebrate plasticity was directly related to the intensity of hypophosphatemia, it can be used for clinical screening and determining the degree of hypophosphatemia in cattle.

This study was carried out to investigate the morphology of the oval foramen in the fetal stage of dromedary camel fetuses by routine dissection. The hearts were obtained from 21 fetuses that were collected from Yazd slaughter house of Iran. The Crown Vertebral Rump Length (CVRL) of fetuses were from 10.1 to 85 cm and estimated gestational age calculated from 81.9 to 270 days old. The results showed that anatomical structures of oval foramen in fetal camels concluded of septum primum (valve of oval foramen), foramen secundum, septum secundum and a large passageway called oval foramen (foramen ovale). The septum primum was a flat, long thin, white color and unfenestrated membrane (fold) in all fetuses. The thin fold was in the lower portion of formen secundum and constituted about %75 to %100 of the lumen of the oval foramen in the small to large fetuses, respectively. So, it constituted a large proportion of lumen and was large enough to cover the opening of oval foramen, specialy in large fetuses. The septum secundum was a thick, short and crescent-shaped fold above of ovale foramen. The oval foramen showed like an oval passage way between free border and arms of septum secundum. It was concluded that despite of size of heart and oval foramen, all structural arrangements of heart oval foramen in fetus of camel are similar to reports about other mammals and human.

In November 2019 five samples of diseased tetra fish from a fish propagation center were referred to the faculty laboratory. Diseased fish exhibited irritation, flashing, anorexia, respiratory distress (gasping) and some fresh sore on body surface, especially head region. In this study, the classic sign of Ichthyophthiriasis (i.e., white spots) was not seen on fish skin, but pathological changes and a significant number of the parasite was seen on the gills and operculum region. The density of infestation was greater in gills and in fins and skin the intensity of the parasite was lower. The tissue scraping was examined by photomicroscope and large (50 to 1000 μm) trophonts were seen in wet and Giemsa stained dry smears. In histopathologic sections, the parasites have elicited moderate gill cellular reactions, hyperplasia and shortening of the secondary lamella. Theront or early trophont stage was seen attached to the basal layer, under the epithelium of the gill. The fish stock was successfully treated by changing the water salinity, elevating the water temperature and Lateux-Meyer mixture bath.