Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of bovine ephemeral fever viruses in Khuzestan province of Iran in 2018 and 2020.

BACKGROUND: Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is an arthropod-borne viral disease caused by the BEF virus (BEFV). This single-stranded RNA virus that affects cattle and water buffalo is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions including Iran. While BEF is a major disease of cattle in Iran, information regarding its agent, molecular characterization, and circulating viruses are highly limited. The current study aimed to, firstly, determine the genetic and antigenic characteristics of BEFV strains in Khuzestan province in Southwest of Iran in 2018 and 2020 and, secondly, to compare them with strains obtained from other areas. RESULTS: By phylogenetic analysis based on the Glycoprotein gene, BEFV strains were divided into four clusters of Middle East, East Asia, South Africa, and Australia; in which the 2018 and 2020 Iranian BEFV strains were grouped in the Middle East cluster with the Turkish, Indian, and Israeli strains. Depending on the chronology and geographical area, the outbreaks of Turkey (2020), Iran (2018 and 2020), and India (2018 and 2019) are proposed to be related. These BEFVs had the highest identity matrix and the lowest evolutionary distance among the studied strains. Multiple sequence alignment of G1, G2, and G3 antigenic sites showed that these neutralizing epitopes are highly conserved among the strains of the Middle East cluster; however, the strains previously identified in Iran differed in three amino acids placed in G1 and G2 epitopes. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that BEFVs circulating in the Middle East are closely related phylogenetically and geographically. They also have similar antigenic structures; therefore, developing a vaccine based on these strains can be effective for controlling BEF in the Middle East.

Evaluation of various levels of sweet almond meal as a source of protein on the production variables and immune response of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of a sweet almond meal (SAM) as a source of protein on performance and immune responses of broiler chickens. Treatments consisted of different levels of SAM (7%, 14%, 21% and 28% of diet) and control diet that was performed in a completely randomized design in 42 days. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics and blood variables were measured on the 42 day of age. Immune response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) was assessed at d 35 and d 42 (7 days after each injection). White blood cell count was done at d 28. The results showed that chickens fed 28% of SAM had lowest FI during the experiment. During grower period and also whole period of experiment, BWG was highest in chickens that consumed 7% SAM. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly increased in chickens fed 28% SAM compared to the other treatments during grower period and also whole period of the experiment. The relative weight of thigh and breast significantly decreased and the relative weight of GIT increased by increasing levels of SAM in the diet. The concentration of cholesterol and LDL significantly decreased in chickens that consumed SAM in the diet. However, the highest glucose and HDL concentration were observed in chickens fed 28% SAM in the diet. Treatments did not have a significant effect on the immune response of broilers (primary and secondary SRBC antibody titres, relative weights of spleen and bursa of fabricius and white blood cell count) (p > 0.05). The results of this study show that a diet supplemented with SAM at the level of 14%, due to the improved FCR and decreased blood cholesterol and LDL concentration, can be a good replacement for soybean meal in broiler chicken's nutrition.

The effect of biofloc produced from a fish farming system on nutrients digestibility, rumen fermentation, feeding behavior, and blood parameters of Najdi goats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biofloc produced from a fish pond on digestibility, rumen fermentation, rumination activity, and blood parameters of Najdi goats. At the first, 200 common carp fish (1.00 g) in two water tanks were used for producing biofloc. Then, 12 goats (average body weight of 32.00 ± 1.50 kg aging eight months) were assigned through a completely randomized design to two treatments (six replicates) and fed for one month. The treatments were comprised of a control diet and a trial diet containing 1.50% biofloc. At the end of the experiment, digestibility of nutrients, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and rumination activity were measured. The results showed that the digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) significantly increased in goats fed with 1.50% biofloc. Also, the rumen protozoa population, plasma glucose, average time of eating, rumination, and chewing per NDF and ADF intakes, total rumination time, and chewing activity were significantly increased. There was no significant difference between treatments for DM intake, ruminal ammonia nitrogen, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, and triglyceride. The pH of rumen fluid significantly decreased in treatment containing biofloc. The results of the current study confessed that the use of biofloc (1.50% DM) as a supplement in Najdi goat's diet can improve the digestibility of the diet. It is recommended further and detailed trials with different levels of biofloc in sheep or different livestock species to know more about this untapped supplement source.

Enzyme-free amplification and detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus RNA using hybridization chain reaction and gold nanoparticles.

A novel bovine viral diarrheal virus (BVDV)-RNA detection method was developed using a combination of the amplification capability of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) with the sensitivity of an unmodified-gold nanoparticle (AuNP) colorimetric detection assay. Two auxiliary probes were designed to target a conserved RNA sequence among the BVDV isolates. The complementary target BVDV-RNA was used as the initiator to trigger a cascade of hybridization events to yield nicked double-helix DNA analogous to the alternating copolymers. DNA in the form of a nicked double helix did not prevent salt-induced aggregation of AuNPs. In contrast, in the absence of the complementary target BVDV-RNA, free hairpins with single-stranded sticky ends adsorbed onto the AuNPs, stabilize them, and prevent salt-induced aggregation of the AuNP. The limit of detection (LOD) for the BVDV-RNA was estimated to be 0.008 tissue culture infective dose (TCID50)/reaction. The method developed was highly selective and specific to detect BVDV isolates in clinical samples. This protocol offers a rapid, simple, and cost-effective assay for detecting BVDV.

Reproductive characteristics and thyroidal function in relation with season in Khuzestan buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls.

High ambient temperature is the major constraint on Buffalo productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance and thyroid gland function in winter and summer seasons in Khuzestan buffalo bulls. Six male indigenous buffaloes of Khuzestan with nearly the same age (2-3 years old) and weight were used. Semen and blood samples through jugular vein were collected, every two weeks throughout the summer and winter seasons. The thyroid hormones and thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in blood serum were measured by radioimmunoassay method. Semen quality was determined, using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) and routine methods. The concentration of thyroxin (T4) was lower in winter than summer (p ≤ 0.05). The level of T3 uptake was higher in cold season than that of in hot season (p ≤ 0.05). The differences of tri-iodotyronine (T3) and TSH concentrations, as well as free thyroxin index were not significant between seasons. The semen volume and spermatozoa parameters including concentration, progressive motility, linear velocity, mean velocity, beat cross frequency, linear coefficient and straightness coefficient were higher in winter than summer (p ≤ 0.05). Semen pH and amplitude of lateral head displacement of spermatozoa were higher in summer than winter (p ≤ 0.05). In winter, there was positive correlation between spermatozoa concentration and T3 value of blood serum (p ≤ 0.05). There were positive correlations between values of semen volume and T4, progressive spermatozoa motility percent and TSH, as well as, total motility of spermatozoa and TSH in summer (p ≤ 0.05). In general, thyroid function and semen quality of Khuzestan buffaloes may be affected by seasons.