Iranian journal of veterinary research最新文献

Background: Cryopreservation of ram semen is a very challenging process. Loss of motility during freezing does not allow artificial insemination of rams.

Aims: This study aimed to determine whether the inclusion of liquid propolis extract in semen diluents affects the cryopreservation efficiency of ram semen.

Methods: Six Akkaraman breed rams were considered for semen study. Semens were combined with Tris+egg yolk extender containing and without (control) propolis at different concentrations (0.25%, 0.50%, 1%, 2%, and 4%). Semen was frozen using routine ram semen freezing procedures. After thawing, motility and kinematic parameters were analyzed by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA), and viability, acrosomal damage level and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed by flow-cytometer in all groups. Additionally, fatty acid levels in total semen were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC), and vitamin and cholesterol levels were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, oxidative stress, HOS test, and morphological analyzes were performed after freezing and thawing.

Results: The 0.5% propolis group showed a significant increase in total and rapid motility, LIN, membrane integrity, and antioxidant levels compared to the control, and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and low mitochondrial membrane potential (LMMP) levels. Compared to the control, the group containing 4% propolis damaged spermatozoa and caused a significant decrease in total, progressive and rapid motility and high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP), Glutathione S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT) levels.

Conclusion: We showed that adding 0.5% propolis to semen extenders to increase the freezability level of ram semen increases the survival of spermatozoa after freeze-thaw and ensures the success of freezing.

Background: With the increase in human population, the consumption of livestock products such as sheep meat has also increased. Sheep are the reservoir and shedder of Escherichia coli that can be transmitted to humans. Aims: Characterization of fecal E. coli isolated from sheep in slaughterhouse.

Methods: Stool specimens were collected from 30 apparently healthy sheep from different flocks in Shiraz industrial slaughterhouse. The resistance of E. coli isolates against 10 antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion method. The presence of three major extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes and five tetracycline resistance genes as well as seven virulence genes were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Using the microtiter plate method, the biofilm formation ability of E. coli isolates was investigated.

Results: The highest frequency of resistance was to amoxicillin (100%) followed by tetracycline (25%). All E. coli isolates were susceptible to gentamicin and nitrofurantoin, and only one isolate was resistant to the tested third-generation cephalosporins. Multidrug resistance phenotype was observed in 16.7% of the isolates. bla _TEM (25%) was the most prevalent ESBL gene and tetA (62.5%) was the most prevalent tetracycline resistance gene in the isolates. crl, csgA, fimH, and bcsA genes were present in all isolates, and the prevalence of papC and afa genes was 95.8% and 83.3%, respectively. In total, 62.5% of the isolates were biofilm producers.

Conclusion: According to the concept of One Health, the presence of virulent antibiotic-resistant biofilm producing strains of E. coli in sheep is a risk to public health.

Background: Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) resulted in a substantial economic loss in Western India during 2019 to 2021.

Aims: The study aimed to characterize fowl adenovirus (FAdV) from field outbreaks.

Methods: The study was conducted on 290 liver samples from 66 poultry flocks. The samples were subjected to histopathology and molecular detection, followed by phylogenetic typing of the partial hexon gene of the virus.

Results: Spiking mortality (14%) was recorded from day 21 to day 35 with peak mortality at the 28th day of age. The necropsy showed a pale and enlarged liver with hemorrhagic and yellowish necrotic foci, accumulation of straw-colored transudate in the pericardial sac which resulted in a flabby appearance of the heart, heart enlargement, and hemorrhages on the spleen, enlarged and congested kidneys. The virus inoculation resulted in stunting and poor feathering with hepatomegaly, hemorrhages and yellowish necrotic foci on the liver as well as greenish discoloration, and kidney swelling in SPF embryonated chicken eggs. Out of 29, 16 liver samples yielded 1219 bp amplicons specific to hexon gene fragments. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis identified 14 isolates as FAdV species E serotype 11 and two as species D serotype 8b. Conclusion: The results indicated that FAdV-8b and FAdV-11 strains are involved in disease outbreaks in western India.

Background: Buffalo reactivity during milking affects milking procedures, milk yield, and quality.

Aims: This study evaluated the influence of milking reactivity on the yield, composition, somatic cell count, pH, and electrical resistance of milk in Jaffarabadi buffaloes.

Methods: A 1-4 point scale, based on leg movement, was used to assess the milking reactivity of buffaloes (n=40). Based on the milking reactivity score, animals were classified into four groups: reactivity score-1 (RS1), reactivity score-2 (RS2), reactivity score-3 (RS3), and reactivity score-4 (RS4). The influence of milking reactivity on yield, composition, somatic cell count, pH, and electrical resistance of milk was observed.

Results: Buffaloes with RS1 and RS2 produced significantly (P≤0.001) higher daily milk yield, 6% fat-corrected yield, solid-corrected yield, and energy-corrected yield than the RS3+4 group. Milking reactivity score did not influence milk fat, protein, lactose, ash, solid-not-fat, total solids content, and the fat: protein ratio. However, daily yield of milk fat (P<0.001), protein (P=0.001), lactose (P=0.001), ash (P=0.002), solid-not-fat (P=0.001), and total solids (P<0.001) were significantly higher in buffaloes in the RS1 and RS2 groups than in the RS3+4 group. Milk somatic cell count and somatic cell score were not influenced by milking reactivity score (P>0.05). Milk density and pH did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between groups. However, the electrical resistance of milk in the RS1 group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the RS2 and RS3+4 groups.

Conclusion: Milking reactivity influences daily milk yield, milk component yield, and electrical resistance, but not milk composition in Jaffarabadi buffaloes.

Background: Spoilage is very common in vacuum-packed sliced emulsion-type sausages during refrigerated storage. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of cell-free supernatant (CFS) of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the spoilage bacteria isolated from vacuum-packed sliced emulsion-type sausages as biological preservatives.

Methods: These products from various companies were examined to find the spoilage bacteria. A total of 43 LABs were screened for inhibitory activity against the spoilage bacteria. The MIC₉₀ of protective bacteria and the inhibitory effect of different components obtained from these bacteria was investigated.

Results: Four LAB were confirmed as the predominant spoilage bacteria, including Enterococcus mundtii, Latilactobacillus sakei, Latilactobacillus curvatus, and Weissella viridescens. Six strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356, Lactobacillus helveticus PTCC 1332, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CEC 17484, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LL441, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, and Pediococcus acidilactici DSM 20284 were able to produce proteinaceous antimicrobial metabolites against the four spoilage agents, which were selected as protective bacteria. CFS of the protective bacteria inhibited four spoilage bacteria by more than 88%. The MIC₉₀ of all protective bacteria was less than 10 mg/ml against E. mundtii and L. sakei. After neutralizing acid and H₂O₂ of the CFS of P. acidilactici, it was still quite effective against E. mundtii and L. sakei. The sausage's pasteurization temperature did not affect the bacteria's active metabolites.

Conclusion: The substances derived from these bacteria can be applied as biopreservatives in sliced sausage, even in the pre-pasteurization stage of these products.

Background: Pets are exposed to a multitude of carcinogenic substances in the modern world. Consequently, high rates of cancer are observed, particularly in middle-aged cats and dogs. Although bisphosphonates have been incorporated into the treatment of human cancers, there are few animal-specific studies. As the number of cancer cases in animals continues to rise, it becomes increasingly important to evaluate anticancer drugs on a species-specific basis.

Aims: The present study aimed to examine the impact of zoledronic acid (ZA) on apoptotic pathways in canine osteosarcoma (OSA) cell lines.

Methods: The apoptotic effects of ZA administration on D-17 canine OSA cells were analysed by determining apoptotic DNA breaks, caspase-3, -8 and -9 levels by ELISA method and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by qRT-PCR. The effect of ZA on the colony formation capacity of cells was evaluated by crystal violet staining method. The mineral binding capacity of ZA application in cells was investigated by Alizarin Red S staining technique. The change in alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity in OSA cells due to ZA treatment was determined using the colorimetric method. The antimetastatic effect was determined using the wound healing method, which evaluated the migration potential of cells.

Results: While ZA application did not show a significant cytotoxic effect in the cells in the first 24 h, a decrease observed in the viability of the cells depending on the increasing dose and time. Low dose ZA (1, 5, 7.5, 10 µM) concentrations increased mineral content and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity. A significant decrease was found in the expression levels of survivin, which determines the cell survival, depending on the dose and time.

Conclusion: It is expected that our obtained data will contribute to the more effective treatment of the disease by creating different treatment options for clinicians in the light of increasing knowledge in cancer cell biology.

Background: Assisted reproduction techniques in birds have contributed to many species' conservation and sustainable use. One of these techniques is semen cryopreservation, which is possible following the discovery of suitable cryoprotectants.

Aims: This study aimed to characterize the fresh and post-thaw ejaculates of different species of birds of prey.

Methods: The following species were included in the study: red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) n=3, golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) n=3, and Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) n=3. Twenty-five ejaculates were obtained for each species. The percentage of spermatozoa motility, viability, and morphology were evaluated.

Results: Evident differences were observed among the ejaculates of the three species, particularly in sperm length and between the fresh and post-thaw parameters of the same species in which the motility reduced to approximately 40% after thawing. It was demonstrated that sperm cryopreservation of the studied species was possible using the same freezing protocol.

Conclusion: This study showed that sperm characteristics could influence the parameters obtained during their in vitro conservation, both in the fresh and post-thaw states.

Background: Estrus synchronization is an important assisted reproductive technology to improve the reproductive performance in ewes. Various protocols have been used with variable success rates, however; literature regarding field applicable estrus synchronization is meagre.

Aims: The present study was designed with the aim to evaluate the estrus synchronization protocols on reproductive performance in ewes using different hormones.

Methods: Experimental ewes were divided randomly into three groups (n=15). Ewes of all groups received intravaginal sponge for 12 days. Subsequently, NP₄-GnRH and NP₄-eCG groups received 8 µg of buserelin acetate or 200 IU of eCG intramuscularly, respectively on day 12 whereas NP₄-Insulin group received insulin 0.2 IU/kg body weight subcutaneously for three consecutive days started on the day of sponge removal. Estrus detection commenced 24 h after sponge removal in NP₄-GnRH and NP₄-eCG groups and 24 h following last injection of insulin in NP₄-Insulin group. The ewes in estrus were separated and pen mated. The conception rate was determined by ultrasonography.

Results: The estrus response and conception rates were 71.43, 92.86 and 53.85%, and 70.00, 84.61, and 71.43%, respectively in NP₄-GnRH, NP₄-eCG, and NP₄-Insulin groups. The lambing rates were the same as the conception rates. The single and multiple birth rates were 71.41, 36.36 and 60.0%, and 28.57, 63.64, and 40.0% whereas prolificacy was 128.57, 190.91, and 140.00%, respectively in NP₄-GnRH, NP₄-eCG, and NP₄-Insulin groups.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the estrus synchronization protocol including intravaginal progesterone sponge and eCG was found to be more effective under field conditions.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has ameliorative effects for treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) disease. Moreover, there is a growing interest in using MSCs-derived secretome (Sec) containing trophic factors secreted by MSCs for KOA treatment. Recently, some studies have suggested that the combination of MSCs and Sec has the potential to treat the diseases.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of combined administration of infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP)-derived MSCs, a type of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), for treating degenerated cartilage in a rat model of KOA.

Methods: IPFP-ASCs were isolated from the IPFP of male rats. Sec was obtained from IPFP-ASCs in the fourth passage. Eight weeks after the induction of KOA by collagenase II, the rats were divided into 5 groups (n=5), including a control group with no treatment, and four experimental groups that received sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan^®, Hya), ASCs, Sec, and IPFP-ASCs+Sec, respectively by an infrapatellar injection. To perform the pathological and radiological evaluations, the animals were sacrificed 8 weeks later.

Results: Our findings indicated that combined administration of the IPFP-ASCs and Sec statistically (P<0.05) improved scores of medial tibial and femoral condyles and medial fabella osteophytes. Also, it statistically (P<0.05) enhances the cartilage surface, matrix, cell distribution and population viability, and subchondral bone indices. No statistical difference was observed between IPFP-ASCs+Sec and IPFP-ASCs.

Conclusion: Administration of IPFP-ASCs+Sec has a therapeutic potential to treat KOA in rats. However, there is no difference in the combined administration of IPFP-ASCs and Sec with IPFP-ASCs alone.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) represents a major concern in the avian industry worldwide and limited studies have investigated Colistin resistance among APEC in Algeria.

Aims: Investigate antibiotic resistance, in particular, Colistin, and mediated-Colistin resistance (mcr) genes, as well as the virulence genes in APEC.

Methods: One hundred E. coli were isolated from poultry suspected of colibacillosis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done on 14 antibiotics by the disk diffusion method. Colistin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed by the broth microdilution method. Using multiplex PCR, mcr genes (mcr-1 to 5) and 7 virulence-related genes were investigated in Colistin-resistant isolates.

Results: Results showed high resistance to Tetracycline (99%), Nalidixic acid (92%), Doxycycline (90%), Ampicillin (89%), Ofloxacin (74%), Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim (72%), and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (57%); in addition, 92% of isolates were multidrug resistant. The rate of resistance to Colistin was 27% (27/100) of which 96.3% (26/27) of isolates carried the mcr-1 gene. Twenty-five of the Colistin-resistant isolates (92.59%) had at least three virulence genes. The most frequently isolated virulence genes were: fim H (96.3%) followed by hlyF, iroN, and iss (77.7%, each), iutA and ompT were found in 59.25% and 55.5% of isolates, respectively. The most prevalent combination of virulence factors was hlyF-iss-iroN-iutA-ompT-fimH.

Conclusion: This is the first report which highlighted Colistin resistance with the detection of mcr-1 in APEC isolates in the area of study. Colistin resistance and carriage of mcr-1 in virulent and multidrug-resistant isolates of E. coli are alarming and a surveillance program to limit the spread of these pathogens is mandatory.