Iranian Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology
Volume:14 Issue: 3, Summer 2022

There is a demand for using new alternative strategies to improve the health and production of poultry. One of them is the magnetization of the drinking water. Hence, this review article was designed to discuss the different effects of magnetized water on the poultry production traits, carcass traits, immune response, antimicrobial activity, blood parameters, and oxidative stress. Exposure of water to different magnetic fields positively rearranges the chemical structure and consequently improves its quality. Broilers received magnetized water showed an improvement in the body weight gains and the feed conversion ratios; layers revealed increasing in the eggs quantity and quality, and breeders exhibited an increase in the fertility and hatchability parameters. Improving of the dressing and carcass traits have been shown after providing magnetized water. Moreover, magnetized water may not only enhance the humoral immunity and decreases the pathogenic microbial load, but also increases the beneficial bacterial populations. Amelioration in the liver and kidney enzymes and other blood parameters as well as relieving of the oxidative stress were also detected in birds supplied with magnetized water. In conclusion, more research work should be carried out in this area and also more encouragement and awareness of poultry farmers to treat birds with magnetized water.

Lice are permanent, obligate ectoparasites for birds and mammals. Bovicola caprae causes hypersensitivity, irritation, dermatitis, anemia, lower weight gain, and lower productivity in goats. This study was conducted to investigate B. caprae by molecular methods based on the mitochondrial genome in the West and Northwest of Iran. A total of 1017 samples of chewing lice collected from ten cities in five provinces were identified using diagnostic keys. After DNA extraction and PCR, samples were sent for sequencing. Morphological results were consistent with molecular examinations. Nucleotide sequencing of samples isolated from different cities based on mitochondrial genome showed 100% intraspecific similarity. The sequences of B. caprae isolated in this study appeared in a branch next to the Canadian and Chinese samples in the phylogenetic tree with more than 90% similarity. The results of mitochondrial gene analysis in the present research showed that this fragment is useful for showing intraspecific similarity and species and genus differentiation of B. caprae.

The present study was conducted to assess the seasonal breeding of Caspian horses in 10 mares during a year. Mares were divided into two age groups: 3-6 years (young) and 7-19 years (old). Blood samples (n=530) were collected weekly. The ovarian activity was evaluated by the concentration of progesterone. Mares with serum progesterone concentrations consistently higher and lower than 1 ng/ml were considered cyclic and non-cyclic, respectively. Results showed an interaction between time and age on the concentration of serum progesterone, ovarian activity, body weight, and body condition score (BCS) (p < 0.05). In March, the concentration of serum progesterone was higher in young mares (7.84 ± 1.14) than in old mares (1.26 ± 1.14, p < 0.05).  The serum progesterone was higher in old mares than in young mares during July-November (p < 0.05). Ovarian activity was higher in young mares than in old mares during February-April (p < 0.05). Ovarian activity was higher in old mares than in young mares during July-November (p < 0.05). The length of the breeding season was higher in old mares than in young mares (p < 0.05). BCS was higher in young mares (4.4 ± 0.22) than in old mares (3.2 ± 0.22) in February (p < 0.05). Body weight was lowest in the young mares during September-January (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between ovarian activity and BCS of Caspian mares. Finally, seasonal breeding was shorter and earlier in young Caspian mares compared to old mares.

Melophagus ovinus (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is considered one of the main ectoparasites that attack sheep, however, in Ecuador information about this parasite is limited. In this study, the prevalence of Melophagus ovinus in sheep was examined in Tungurahua province, Ecuador. For this purpose, sampling was performed in some semi-intensive and backyard sheep farming systems in different locations in Tungurahua. Significant differences were detected in the prevalence of M. ovinus between different locations, being higher in Ambato (39.3%), followed by Quero (33.5%), Mocha (32, 3%), Pelileo (30.7%), and Tisaleo (28%). Meanwhile, a significant decrease in prevalence was observed in Patate, Cevallos, and Píllaro ranging from 7.5% to 18%, and no Melophagus ovinus was detected in Baños. No relationship was observed between the number of ectoparasites and the gender or age of the host sheep. A higher incidence was observed in males (58.45%) than in females (41.55%), even though it was not statistically significant according to Pearson's Chi-squared (p/ = 0.492). Similarly, when considering the effect of the age of an animal on the incidence of M. ovinus, no significant association was found based on Pearson's Chi-squared (i>p/i>= 0.314). However, the animals aged 1-3 and older than 5 years showed a higher prevalence. This study highlights the need for further studies on the prevalence of Melophagus ovinus in producing areas.

The effects of curcumin and its nano-micelle form on body weight, insulin resistance, adiponectin, and blood biochemical parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were studied. Diabetes was induced in fifty male Wistar rats which were divided into five groups treated with 1) no dietary supplements, 2 and 3) 40 and 80 mg curcumin/kg of feed, and 4 and 5) 40 and 80 mg nano-micelle curcumin/kg of feed. A group of ten untreated male Wistar rats was also considered a healthy control group. The serum concentrations of AST, ALT, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and adiponectin, as well as insulin resistance, were assessed. Body weight and weight of liver, heart, and pancreas were also evaluated. Induction of diabetes increased the serum concentrations of AST, ALT, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C, and insulin resistance and decreased the serum levels of insulin, adiponectin, and HDL-C, as well as body weight and weight of the heart and pancreas (p < 0.05). Nano-micelle form of curcumin alleviated the negative effects of glucose, lipid profile, and liver enzymes in diabetic rats (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the nano-micelle form of curcumin showed better efficiency compared to curcumin for improving the adverse effects of diabetes. It can be suggested that the nano-micelle form of curcumin at specific doses might be useful for diabetes treatment.

Bacterial infections of the uterus are known to be an important cause of infertility in the mare. The objective of this study was to determine the species of bacteria isolated from the uterus of infertile Arabic mares, and investigate how identified bacteria are related to parity. A total of 18 Arabic mares with a history of long-term infertility were evaluated. The age range of mares was 4-23 years. For statistical analysis, logistic regression and Chi-square test were used by Proc Logistic of SAS. In this study, low-volume uterine flush and culture techniques were used. P. aeruginosa was the most prevalent bacterium isolated from 26.32% of mares as pure or in conjunction with E. coli, K. pneumoniae, or Citrobacter spp. Furthermore, 23.68% of bacterial infertility cases were related to E. coli. Pure growth of E. coli was observed only in one case. However, mixed growth with P. aeruginosa, S.zooepidemicus, and S. aureus was very prevalent. The present study revealed that the most prevalent bacteria isolated from chronic endometritis in Arabic mares were gram-negative bacteria (p < 0.05), while in some cases may be accompanied by gram-positive bacteria. C. albicans was isolated in only 8% of mares with chronic endometritis. Moreover, older age and higher parity number of the mares were not related to the presence of intrauterine fluid or the species of bacteria (p > 0.05). It can be concluded that the most prevalent bacteria isolated from infertile Arabic mares with chronic endometritis are gram-negative bacteria.

A lateral abdominal hernia is relatively a less common incidence resulting from abdominal wall defects in cows and heifers than other types of hernias. This is usually an acquired defect, and heifers at the farm and field levels can be affected by accidental trauma or as the sequelae of poorly handled abscesses or wounds in the abdominal region involving the rupture and tear of the regional muscular intersections. An affected heifer was clinically examined, and an oval-shaped swelling on the right lateral side of the abdomen and cranial to the stifle skinfold was detected with a palpable sac having the characteristics of a prominent ring and reducible herniated mass covered by subcutis and intact skin. Being diagnosed as a right lateral abdominal hernia, the case was further surgically treated by herniorrhaphy to reconstruct the abdominal wall defects. Postoperatively, the animal was provided with intensive care and supportive medications. There are several reports on ventrolateral and ventral abdominal hernias in small ruminants; however, case studies focusing on the clinical diagnosis-based treatment of right lateral abdominal hernia in large ruminants have rarely been reported.