Assessment of the duration of maternal-derived antibodies specific to the Mycoplasma agalactiae vaccine in goat kids.

BACKGROUND: Contagious agalactia (CA) is one of the most important diseases in the small ruminant industry in Iran. The historical aetiology of this disease is Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma). The main way to control this disease, in addition to management measures, is vaccination. In ruminant newborns, determining the age of first vaccination against Ma is a challenge due to the interference between colostrum-derived maternal immunity and vaccination-induced immunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consistency of maternal-derived antibodies specific to the Ma in goat kids blood serum born from the vaccinated does. OBJECTIVES: Dtermination of level of antibody against Ma in goat kids born from vaccinated dams against Ma. Assessment of duration of protective level of maternal derived antibody in goat kids serum, after receiving colostrum from vaccinted mother with Ma vaccine. Determination the best time vaccination against Ma in goat kids receiving colostrum from vaccinated dams. METHODS: 20 Saanen goat kids were studied in two groups of 10 animals including control (receiving colostrum from unvaccinated does) and treatment (receiving colostrum from vaccinated does). Indirect Elisa was used to evaluate serum specific antibodies to Ma in goat kids (control and treatment groups) from birth to 100 days of age. RESULTS: After receiving a sufficient amount of colostrum, the goat kids in the treatment group had a significantly higher S/P% than the control group until 56 days after birth (p < 0.05) and at 70-100 days after birth, there was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that 56-70 days of age could be a good age to give the first dose of CA vaccine in goat kids, but more studies are needed on the effectiveness of this vaccine at this age.

Ultrasonographic approach and findings in calves with hydranencephaly.

BACKGROUND: Teratogenic viral infections may proceed to hydranencephaly in cattle. Post-mortem and antemortem diagnosis can be achieved by necropsy or ultrasonography, CT-scan and MRI techniques. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine how effective ultrasonography approach is in detecting hydranencephaly in calves. METHODS: In this study, ultrasonography images were obtained from brains of nine Holstein claves, of the same age, with neurological signs (due to Akabane virus infection), approaching from the caudal part of the temporal bone. To confirm the obtained images, the same approach was used to obtain images from a normal calf of the same age. The thickness of the temporal bone was measured and compared in seven affected and the healthy calves, using CT-scan images. RESULTS: In ultrasonographic images, temporal bone (as a hyperechoic structure) and temporal cortical mantle (as an echogenic structure) were noted in the right and left side of the skull. The medial part of the image showed presence of fluid in an anechoic region, instead of brain parenchyma. Falx cerebri was also seen as a floating hyperechoic line in the middle part in all patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the thickness of temporal bone in normal and affected calves (p = 0.502). All findings were confirmed by necropsy. CONCLUSIONS: Transtemporal approach is a novel and easy approach to study the brain in calves. This is the first study on the hydranencephalic brains of claves, using ultrasonography by transtemporal approach.

Retraction Note to: Prevalence of ixodid ticks on cattle and sheep northeast of Iran.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1007/s12639-014-0576-6.].

Prevalence of ixodid ticks on cattle and sheep northeast of Iran.

A survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hard tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle and sheep north of Iran. The aim of study was to determine the prevalence of hard ticks on cattle and sheep in the mountainous areas of Golestan province and their geographical distribution. A total of 26 ticks were collected from 22 infested cattle and 26 ticks were collected from 12 infested sheep during activating seasons of ticks in 2013-2014. The species collected from cattle and sheep were Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma asiaticum, Rhipicephalus bursa and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The results show that these are dominant tick species in the surveyed area.

Clinical and cytological characteristics and prognostic implications on sheep and goat Theileria infection in north of Iran.

The present research was carried out during 3 months from early June through late August, in northern zones of Iran. In addition, the present study was performed on 300 sheep and goats, in which 50 specimens were isolated based on clinical signs, blood smears and lymph node puncture. The results indicated clinical signs of theileriosis in sheep (with more prominent signs) and goats were diagnosable. The reliable clinical signs in sheep and goats included fever, tachycardia, cough, increased respiratory rate, mucosal pallor, anorexia, ruminal hypomotility and lymph node enlargement. Furthermore, the frequency of cough, abnormal pulmonary sounds, anorexia and ruminal hypomotility were significantly more in sheep than goats (P < 0.05).

A survey on prevalence and pathological findings of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep in Iran.

In a survey of 430 Lori-Bakhtiari sheep at a slaughterhouse in Iran, gallstones were found in the gallbladder of 7 sheep (1.6%). Biliary calculi were more frequent in adult and female sheep (P < 0.05). Chemical analysis of the gallstones revealed 6 sheep with pigment (bilirubin) stones and 1 sheep with cholesterol stones. Chemical composition of bile in these sheep was evaluated. Bacteriologic analysis of the bile in the affected sheep revealed bacteria (Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.) in 5 sheep. Microscopic examination of gallbladders revealed focal calcification, cystic glands, necrosis and atrophy of mucosal layer, edema, diffuse and focal infiltration of lymphocytes in submucosal layer, and hypertrophy of smooth muscles in sheep with gallstones. It was concluded that the prevalence of both types of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep is low. Cholelithiasis can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, but it is not likely to become clinically significant.

Blood parameters in female Zandi lambs as affected by liver biopsy methodology.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the normal blood parameters of Iranian fat-tailed sheep (Zandi) and their changes due to rapid liver biopsy technique with a tru-cut biopsy needle. In ten ewe lambs, blood samples were collected from jugular vein and biopsy needle was inserted through the dorsal one third of the 11th intercostal space, on the right hand side of the lambs and liver specimen was collected. Physical examinations were performed on alternate days during the experiment. Blood collection was done on both before (day 1) and after (day 17) the biopsy. All animals were slaughtered at day 17. Values were compared using paired t test. While biopsy did not make any significant changes in mean values of body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, PCV, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, total serum protein, AST, ALT, and serum calcium (p > 0.05), it made a significant difference on the values of ALP (p < 0.001), serum inorganic phosphate (p = 0.035), and magnesium (p = 0.013). Necropsy examination revealed the points of hitting the biopsy needles on the diaphragmatic surface of the livers, surrounded by a zone of intense hyperemia. Peritoneal adhesions accompanying with typical strands of fibrous connective tissue between diaphragmatic surface of the liver and adjacent abdominal wall were found in two cases.

The development of the pupillary light reflex and menace response in neonatal lambs and kids.

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the pupillary light reflex and menace response in neonatal lambs and goat kids. Thirty lambs and 33 kids were assessed daily from birth until the pupillary light reflex and menace response had become established. All animals had a controlled pupillary light reflex within 20 h of birth. Lambs and kids had developed menace responses by 8 ± 3 and 14 ± 2 days, respectively. The Mann-Whitney test revealed a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the ages at which lambs and kids developed a menace response. Male kids developed this response significantly (P = 0.006) later than females. There was no sex difference in the menace response in the lambs. Overall, the findings indicated that lambs develop a menace response earlier than kids, and female kids develop this response more rapidly than their male counterparts.

Serological survey of antibodies against BVD virus in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Iran.

This serological survey was carried out to detect antibodies in dromedary camels against BVD virus in Iran. A total of 137 serum samples, were collected from camels at Khorein abattoir in suburbs of Tehran and examined for BVDV, using the serum neutralization test (SNT). Twenty seven of the 137 camels (19.7%) were positive for BVDV antibodies. It was found that the rate of seropositive camels in Iran is substantially higher compared to figures published in most other countries. This study indicated an increased frequency of infection rate with increasing age of camels. The frequency of positive cases was not significantly different between male and female camels.

The effects of hypervitaminosis A in sheep following intramuscular administrations of vitamin A.

Ten ewe lambs (median age 11 months and average weight 29.2+/-2.5 kg) were used in the present study. They were divided into two groups: test (n=5) and control (n=5). Housing and all diets were identical. In the test group vitamin A was injected into the thigh muscle at a daily dose of 5000 IU/kg body weight for 16 days. The average final body weight of sheep in the test group was significantly (P<0.05) less than the control group. All animals were slaughtered at day 17. The lambs' feet were X-rayed to evaluate any difference for radiographic signs between test and control groups. No significant differences were seen for PCV, WBC, differential leukocyte count, and total serum protein between groups. There were no significant differences for serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities and serum calcium, inorganic phosphate, and magnesium concentrations between groups. Histological examination revealed an increased number of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of the stellate cells of the liver in the test group. The results showed that daily administrations of vitamin A approximately 150 times greater than the daily requirement were well tolerated by sheep.

The pupillary light reflex and menace response in neonatal calves: the role of environmental isolation on development of the menace response.

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the pupillary light reflex in neonatal calves and the effect on the development of the menace response of keeping them in individual stalls. Seventy-three Holstein calves were divided into test (n=44) and control (n=29) groups and the animals were kept in individual stalls for the first 32+/-4 and 73+/-5 days post partum, respectively. They were then moved to group pens. All calves in both groups were observed daily from the first day after birth until the pupillary light reflex and menace response had become well established. All 73 calves had a positive pupillary light reflex on the first day post partum. None of the animals developed a menace response during the time they were housed in individual stalls. Over 14 days (test group) and 12 days (control group) after the calves had been moved to the group pens they became positive to the menace response at ages 41+/-4 and 81+/-5 days, respectively. The Mann-Whitney test revealed a significant difference (P<0.001) in the ages of the calves with positive menace responses between groups. Group rearing may produce more visual threats to the eyes and the calves learn the menace response by closing the lids in response to sudden alarming movements.