Comparison of serum 25(OH) vitamin D, parathormone and immunity marker concentrations between dogs with transmissible venereal tumour and healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2 D) is vital in the homeostasis of calcium and bone health as well as in the prevention of many disorders such as neoplasms. Epidemiological data show that low concentrations of both 1,25(OH)2 D and its precursor 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D) are associated with an increased risk of a variety of human tumours. OBJECTIVES: To investigate 25(OH)D, parathormone (PTH) and immunity marker concentrations in dogs with transmissible venereal tumour (TVT). METHODS: 25(OH)D, PTH and various biochemical and immunity markers were evaluated in dogs with TVT (n = 26) and in healthy (n = 30) dogs. RESULTS: 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with TVT in comparison with healthy dogs. In contrast, PTH, immunoglobulin G and interleukin (IL)-9 concentrations were higher in the dogs with TVT. Other variables, including IL-10, interferon γ, calcium and inorganic phosphate, were not statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased serum 25(OH)D concentration may be a risk factor for the development of canine TVT; however, cause-and-effect remains incompletely understood. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact role of 25(OH)D in canine TVT and whether vitamin D supplementation may be useful prophylactically or as an adjunct to chemotherapy.

Association of precalving serum NEFA concentrations with postpartum diseases and reproductive performance in multiparous Holstein cows: Cut-off values.

BACKGROUND: High concentrations of NEFA relative to a defined reference or 'cut-point' values before calving can predict the risk of specific or collective periparturient disease events. OBJECTIVES: A field-based cohort study was conducted to evaluate the value and critical points of serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) at the precalving time to predict the occurrence of postpartum diseases and reproductive performance in dairy cows. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 521 high-yielding dairy cows at 1 week (±3 days) before calving and NEFA levels were measured. Health and reproduction information of each cow includes dystocia, retained placenta, milk fever, metritis, mastitis, pregnancy in the first insemination and pregnancy in the first two inseminations, and culling in the first 60 days of lactation and milk production. RESULTS: Our results show that there are significant relationships between precalving NEFA with the probability of pregnancy at the first and the first two inseminations after calving. The cows that had NEFA concentrations less than 0.5 mmol/L at the last week of pregnancy were 3.51 and 3.15 times more likely to be pregnant at first insemination and the first two inseminations, respectively. Also, our results showed that there are significant relationships between precalving NEFA concentration and the likelihood of dystocia and milk fever. The probability of dystocia and milk fever occurrence were 2.56 and 1.91 times greater in those cows that had NEFA concentrations more than 0.3 mmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicated that Increasing NEFA during the prepartum period could adversely affect the reproductive efficiency of dairy cows.

Variations of some adipokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and energy characteristics during the transition period in dairy cows.

Limited information exists about the relationship of adipose tissue with inflammation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism during the transition period in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to assess the changes and relation of some adipokines, cytokines, oxidative biomarkers, and serum biochemical parameters related to energy balance (EB) in cows during the transition period. Thirty multiparous Holstein cows were selected based on estimated parturition date, and blood samples were collected from jugular vein on one-week prepartum and one and three weeks postpartum and used to measure the parameters. The serum levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase, and total antioxidant capacity increased significantly, and glucose, urea, triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) decreased significantly after parturition. The serum values of adiponectin, resistin, leptin, and cytokines including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were not changed significantly during the experiment. The results of the Pearson correlation revealed a significant negative correlation between BHB with glucose, albumin, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and a positive correlation with TG and malondialdehyde. Also, there was a significant direct correlation between insulin and leptin, adiponectin, resistin, IL-6 and TNF-α in the whole experiment period. These emphasize the difficulty of dairy cows to manage the energy requirements during the transition period. It can be stated that adipokines and cytokines may have an essential role in the metabolic status in this period, and control of their production and, or secretion could be helpful in EB during the transition period.

The effects of age, sex, breed, diet, reproductive status and housing condition on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D in the serum of healthy dogs: Reference values.

BACKGROUND: Optimal amount of vitamin D for the proper functioning of the immune system is different from the required vitamin D amount for bones to prevent rickets. However, reports on vitamin D reference values in dogs are minimal, and there is still not enough information regarding the relationship between vitamin D and various variables such as disease, age, breed, diet type, and so on, as well as its relationship with haematological and serum biochemical parameters. OBGECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine reference values of 25(OH) Vit D in dogs and its concentration in different groups, categorized based on age, sex, breed, housing conditions, and diet, as well as 25(OH) Vit D relationship with hematology and serum biochemistry parameters. METHODS: In this study, 90 healthy dogs were selected to determine the reference value of 25 (OH) Vit D of serum after evaluating of their haematological and biochemical parameters to assess their general health. Dogs were divided into different groups according to above-mentioned variables. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D was subsequently measured by the ELISA method. RESULTS: The median concentration of 25 (OH) Vit D was 52.50 ng/ml with minimum and maximum amounts of 14.00 and 155.57 ng/ml, respectively. No significant difference was observed between 25 (OH) Vit D levels in the studied dogs regarding their different age, sex, breed, diet, housing condition, and reproductive status. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D concentration is directly correlated with the number of band neutrophils (p < 0.05). We also witnessed indirect correlations between serum 25 (OH) Vit D levels and the number of blood eosinophils and serum glucose (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the present study age, sex, breed, housing condition and age had no significant effects on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D. According to correlations of vitamin D with MCH, band and eosinophil numbers and glucose, vitamin D may have a role in erythropoiesis and leukocytes response and also in energy metabolism in dog.

Effects of Various Anticoagulants on Biochemistry Analytes From Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica).

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of anticoagulant and no anticoagulant on routine biochemical analytes in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Blood samples were obtained from 8 clinically healthy pigeons. The sample obtained from each bird was divided into 4 blood collection tubes containing either ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), lithium heparin, sodium citrate, or no anticoagulant. The concentrations of creatinine, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, total protein, albumin, and iron, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were measured in blood from each of the blood collection tubes. The values of the measured parameters, with the exception of iron, were significantly lower in the citrated plasma samples compared with the serum samples, even after correcting for dilution. In the lithium heparin plasma samples, significant decreases in albumin, triglyceride, calcium, total cholesterol, and ALP, and a significant increase in iron, were observed compared with the values in the serum samples. The concentrations of total protein, creatinine, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, as well as the activities for AST and ALP, were significantly lower in the EDTA plasma samples compared with the serum samples. In conclusion, the anticoagulants had significant effects on most of the measured parameters compared with serum. The findings of the present study suggest that a lithium heparin sample is the most appropriate plasma sample for the measurement of blood biochemical parameters in the domestic pigeon.

Age-related changes in thyroid hormones, some serum oxidative biomarkers and trace elements and their relationships in healthy Saanen goat kids during the first three month of age.

BACKGROUND: Early-life diseases in dairy animals are main causes of economic loss in livestock production. Oxidative stress (OS) and thyroid hormones are important inter-related components in the normal physiology of this critical period of life. However, limited information regarding their physiology in goat kids is available. This study was conducted to investigate the age-related changes of thyroid hormones, some serum oxidative biomarkers and trace elements in healthy Saanen goat kids. METHODS: Nineteen newborn healthy Saanen goat kids (14 females and five males) were studied longitudinally from birth until three months of age. Blood sampling was performed 24-48 h after birth and was repeated on 10 ± 2, 28 ± 2, 56 ± 2 and 84 ± 2 days of age. The serum levels of thyroid hormones, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn) and molybdenum (Mo) were measured. RESULTS: Age-related changes were observed for all measured variables except for MDA (p < 0.05). A decreasing trend was detected throughout the study in thyroid hormones, T3: T4 ratio and Mn (p < 0.01). Some factors decreased from birth to day 10 (Se) or day 28 (TAC and GSH) and followed by an increasing trend that extended to day 84 (p < 0.01). There were significant correlations between thyroid hormones and TAC, as well as Mn levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that specific age-related reference values are essential for proper interpretation of the serum level of thyroid hormones and Mn in Saanen goat kids during the first three months of life. In addition, given the high level of thyroid hormones particularly during the first days of life, and their relationship with oxidative biomarkers and trace elements, improving the antioxidant system in this critical period is essential.

Effects of vitamin D3 injection in close-up period on insulin resistance and energy balance in transition dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: Many studies in dairy cows are towards calcium homeostasis and there is a lack of knowledge about the effect of vitamin D in preventing insulin resistance and improving energy balance in the transition period of dairy cows. METHODS: The trial was conducted in a commercial dairy farm with about 1500 lactating cows in Tehran province, Iran. Twenty-four Holstein cows had been randomly selected and divided into control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, 12 cows, received a single dose of 8,000,000 IU vitamin D3 intramuscularly and in the control group, 12 cows were injected placebo (distilled water) 2-8 days before the expected calving time. Blood samples were collected between 8 and 10 AM 2 h after feeding on 21 and 7 days before calving and 1,3,7,15 and 30 days after calving. 25(OH)vitamin D, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin, nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), albumin, total protein, glucose, urea, triglyceride, cholesterol and aspartate amino transferase (AST) were measured by commercially available kits. The insulin resistance index was calculated. RESULTS: Vitamin D3 injection significantly affected the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D, urea, insulin and insulin resistance index (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, the amounts of glucose, NEFA, BHBA concentration and AST activity were higher in control group (p ≤ 0.05). Time had a significant effect on the amounts of most measured variables except IGF-1 and insulin. There were no group and time interactions for measured variables. CONCLUSION: It seems that injection of vitamin D3 in close up period influenced lipolysis potentially modifying energy metabolism and resulted in reducing insulin resistance.

Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in horses: hormonal and biochemical study (19 cases).

To investigate the hormonal and biochemical profiles of horses with osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), serum insulin, cortisol, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, fasting blood glucose (FBG), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high- and low-density lipoproteins, albumin and uric acid were measured in horses definitely diagnosed with OCD (n=19) as well as clinically normal horses (n=18). Proxies representing insulin sensitivity [reciprocal of square root of insulin concentration (RISQI)] and beta cell responsiveness [modified insulin to glucose ratio (MIRG)] were calculated. Body fat percent (BF%) was estimated according to fat depth over the rump using ultrasonography. Body condition score (BCS), weight, and waist circumference were also determined. Glucose was significantly higher and MIRG, BCS, BF% and TG were significantly lower in OCD- horses compared to control group. Based on BCS scores, horses in control group were overweight. The results of the present study, higher FBG and lower MIRG, might implicate the existence of a footmark of insulin/glucose derangement. The body mass index and muscle mass were not measured in this study; nonetheless, a lower BF% might implicate a higher body muscle mass in OCD affected horses, which were comparably underweight compared to control group. While insulin resistance does also occur in human individuals and horses with lower BF%, horses with higher muscle mass may show greater potential for exercise, which in turn, exerts greater physical pressure on cartilages. An underlying hormonal predisposition could make these horses more prone to OCD, originally triggered by mechanical pressures.

Supplementation of overripe pulp extract and green peel extract or powder of banana fruit peel (musa. cavendish) to diets of neonatal dairy calves: Effects on haematological, immunological and performance characteristics.

The present study investigated the effects of overripe pulp and green peel extract and powder of banana fruit (Musa. cavendish) on haematological, biochemical, immunological, health, and performance of Holstein dairy calves. In all, 40 newborn calves were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals. In the control group, animals received no banana meal. In group 1, calves were supplemented with 2 g (dry matter)/kg body weight/day of overripe banana pulp extract. The calves in group 2 were supplemented with 1 g (dry matter) of overripe banana pulp extract/kg body weight/day and 1 g (dry matter) of green banana peel extract/kg body weight/day. The animals in group 3 were supplemented with 2 g/kg body weight/day of green banana peel powder. The feeding period of calves on the tested supplements was 5 days. Blood samples and other evaluations were taken on day 0 (at birth, before supplementation) and on days 7, 15 and 30. Just a trend towards better average daily weight gain was seen in groups 2 and 3 than others (p = 0.073). Significant group and sampling time interactions were seen for the quantities of RBC (group 1 was lower than other groups at day 30), MCV (group 3 was lower than other groups at day 30) and MCH (group 1 was higher than other groups at day 30) (p < 0.05). A trend towards significance in values of IgG (group 1 was lower than other groups at days 15 and 30) and bilirubin (higher values at day 7 in groups 1 and 2 than control, higher amounts at days 15 and 30 in groups 3 and 2 than control, respectively) was also observed. In conclusion, banana supplementation in neonatal calves had beneficial effects on the values of RBC, MCV, MCH, bilirubin, IgG and average daily weight gain in dairy calves.

The Effects of Parenteral Iron Administration on Thyroid Hormones, Hematology, Oxidative Stress Characteristics, Performance, and Health in Neonatal Holstein Calves.

The present study investigated the effect of iron supplementation on thyroid hormones concentrations, oxidative stress characteristics, complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry, and performance and health in calves of two groups: test group (n = 17, intramuscular injection of 500 mg iron-dextran on the 2nd day of life) and control group (n = 17, intramuscular injection of normal saline at the same time). Blood samples were taken from all of the calves instantly after birth and at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 90 days of age. Duration of treatment for diseases, body weight, height, and length were measured at each sampling time to evaluate growth and health. The results indicated that age (sampling time) had a significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on the values of all measured variables except for ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) amount and band neutrophil number. The treatment (group) had no significant effect on the amount of measured variables. Significant interactions between sampling time and group were found for white blood cell count (WBC), adult neutrophil, and bilirubin amounts (p ≤ 0.05). Significant higher amounts of hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (Hb) at day 28 and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) at day 7 were seen in the test group compared with control group. Test group in comparison with control group had significantly lower amount of WBC at day 7; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), band neutrophils, and lymphocytes at day 14; and number of platelets at day 28. Growth and total weight gain and mean daily gain had no significant differences between the two groups. The duration of treatment for pneumonia and diarrhea was not significantly different between trial groups. The results show that parenterally administration of iron to newborn calves had no effect on improving erythropoiesis, performance, thyroid metabolism, oxidative/antioxidative situation, and health of dairy calves.

Colostrum fails to prevent bovine/camelid neonatal neutrophil damage from AFB1.

Exposure to environmental toxicants that affect the immune system and overall health of many mammals is mostly unavoidable. One of the more common substances is the mycotoxins, especially carcinogenic aflatoxin (AF)B1 which also causes immune suppression/dysregulation in exposed hosts. The present study analyzed the effects of naturally occurring levels of AFB1 on apoptosis of healthy bovine and camelid neonatal neutrophils (PMN) that were isolated both before and after host consumption of colostrum. Cells from bovine and camel neonates (n = 12 sets of PMN/mammal/timepoint) were exposed for 24 h to a low level of AFB1 (i.e. 10 ng AFB1/ml) and then intracellular ATP content and caspase-3, -7, and -9 activities (determined by bioluminescence) were assessed. The results indicated a significant lessening of intracellular ATP content and equivalents of luminescence intensity in AFB1-treated PMN in all studied samples, i.e. isolated pre-and post-colostrum consumption. In contrast, caspase-3, -7, and -9 activities in both pre- and post-colostrum consumption bovine and camelid PMN were noticeably increased (∼>2-fold). The damaging effects of AFB1 were more pronounced in bovine neonate PMN than in camelid ones. These results showed that camelid or bovine neonatal PMN collected pre- and post-colostrum are sensitive (moreso after consumption) to naturally occurring levels of AFB1. While merits of colostrum are well known, its failure to mitigate toxic effects of AFB1 in what would translate into a critical period in the development of immune competence (i.e. during the first few days of life in bovine and camelid calves) is surprising. The observed in vitro toxicities can help clarify underlying mechanisms of immune disorders caused by AFs in animals/humans.

The haematological, proinflammatory cytokines and IgG changes during an ovine experimental theileriosis.

Malignant ovine theileriosis is caused by Theileria lestoquardi, which is highly pathogenic in sheep. Theileriosis involves different organs in ruminants. Little is known about the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of T. lestoquardi infection. The aim of this study was to measure concentration changes of proinflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin G (IgG) during an ovine experimental theileriosis and correlate it with clinical and haematological parameters. During an experimental study, seven healthy Baluchi sheep (four females and three males) about 6-8 months old were infected with T. lestoquardi by feeding of infected unfed ticks on the sheep's ears. The infected sheep were clinically examined during the study and blood samples were collected on days 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17 and 21. The haematological parameters were analysed by an automatic veterinary haematology cell counter and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IgG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All infected sheep had temperatures above 40 °C on days 3-4 post infection (PI). The maximum temperature was noted on day 7, and it remained high until day 21. The parasitaemia of T. lestoquardi infection increased from 0.01% (day 7 PI) to 3.3% (day 21 PI). The mean white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet values slightly increased on day 2 PI and decreased by day 17 and day 21 PI. The percentage parasitaemia and fever had a negative correlation with the numbers of WBCs, RBCs, lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets. The serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines increased and peaked on day 12 and thereafter decreased to levels lower than 0. Out of all tested cytokines, the concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher, as early as day 2 PI. No significant changes were observed for the IgG levels during the course of disease. A significant and strong correlation was observed between IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ values and a moderate correlation between IL-6 and the numbers of lymphocytes in the present study. A strong correlation was determined between the percentage parasitaemia and haematological parameters in T. lestoquardi-infected sheep. In addition, preliminary results indicate that the measurement of the serum concentrations of IL-6 in combination with haematological parameters could be considered a good marker to estimate the pathogenicity of T. lestoquardi strain.

Bacterial ghost of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) serotype O78:K80 as a homologous vaccine against avian colibacillosis.

Avian Colibacillosis is among the major causes of economic loss in the poultry industry worldwide, with a more vivid impact on developing countries. The involvement of several bacteria has made it challenging to develop effective vaccines for this disease, particularly because it is notoriously difficult to make a vaccine that contains all the contributing pathogenic bacteria. Here, we report the design and fabrication of a bacterial ghost (BG) of E. coli O78:K80, which is among the major bacterial serotypes responsible for this disease. The generated ghost is then exploited as a homologous vaccine against Avian Colibacillosis. We demonstrate that hole formation in the cell wall of E. coli O78:K80 can happen properly in optical densities as high as 0.8 compared to the 0.3-0.4 standard for bacteria like E. coli TOP10. This is especially advantageous for mass production of this ghost which is a vital factor in development of any BG-based vaccine. Compared to E. coli TOP10, we faced a great challenge in transforming the wild type bacteria with the E-lysis plasmid which was probably due to higher thickness of the cell wall in O78:K80. This, however, was addressed by treating the cell wall with a different combination of ions.The vaccine was administered to Ross 308 broiler chickens via injection as well as through their respiratory system at a dose of 1010 BGs, repeated 3 times at weekly intervals. Chickens were then challenged with the wild type O78:K80 at a dose of 1011 bacteria together with Infectious Bronchitis H120 vaccine (as immunosuppressant) one week after the last immunization. Air sac lesions were significantly reduced in BG vaccinated groups in comparison with the control group. The levels of IFNγ, IgA and IgY were measured in the serum of immunized chickens as an indication of immune response and were compared with those of the chickens vaccinated with killed bacteria. The results show that O78:K80 BG can be used as an efficient homologous vaccine against Colibacillosis disease in poultry. We expect our findings can serve as the starting point for designing more sophisticated vaccines that contain all three major pathogenic bacteria involved in avian Colibacillosis.

Relationships between oxidative stress, haematology and iron profile in anaemic and non-anaemic calves.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between oxidative stress, haematology and iron profile in neonatal dairy calves. Serum and haemolysate malondialdehyde (MDA), serum total antioxidant capacity, thiol groups, iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and red blood cell (RBC) parameters were assessed in two groups: anaemic calves (n=14) and non-anaemic calves (n=16). Blood samples were collected from all of the calves within 24-48 hours after birth and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age. A significant decrease in serum iron amount and transferrin saturation value (P<0.05) and a significant increase in haemolysate MDA concentration (P<0.05) in the anaemic calves were observed, when compared with non-anaemic calves. Total antioxidant capacity and thiol groups showed a significant positive correlation with iron profile and RBC parameters (haematocrit and haemoglobin) in the anaemic calves at day 21 (P<0.05). On the other hand, the concentration of haemolysate MDA was inversely correlated with the value of serum total antioxidant capacity (P<0.05). The results of the present study revealed that anaemic calves showed more severe oxidative stress than non-anaemic calves. In addition, iron insufficiency may be linked to the impairment of antioxidant defence system and oxidative damage of erythrocytes in the neonatal calves.

Experimental Theileria lestoquardi infection in sheep: Biochemical and hematological changes.

Malignant theileriosis (Theileria lestoquardi infection) is a hemoparasitic tick-borne disease that affects both wild and domestic small ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate biochemical and hematological characteristics of sheep after being experimentally infected by T. lestoquardi. T. lestoquardi infection was induced in seven Baluchi sheep of six-to-eight months old via experimentally-infected Hyalomma anatolicum adult ticks. Biochemical and hematological parameters were measured twice a week during the three weeks' post infection. Twenty-three biochemical analytes and seven hematological ones were measured. After three to four days infection, body temperature rose above 40°C. Maximum and minimum parasitaemia were 3.3% and 0.28%, respectively. Piroplasms and schizont were seen on average from days 7.2 and 4 post infection, respectively. The concentrations and activities of Alb, HDL, ALT, T3, T4, Ca, Fe, Mg, iP, WBC, RBC, PCV, Hb, Plt, neutrophil and lymphocytes significantly decreased (P≤0.05) during experimental infection. However, concentrations and activities of BT, GGT, Glu, BUN, Crea, FIB and Cu significantly increased (P≤0.05). There was no significant change in the serum amounts of Chol, LDL, TG, VLDL and Zn. The observed hypoalbuminemia and increase of FIB concentrations referred to pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Moreover, the raising of GGT activity indicates liver damage, cholestatic disorders or schizont infiltration. The disease stress and corticosteroids are suspected to cause the Glu concentration increase. The present study is aimed at improving the knowledge of malignant theileriosis.

An experimental ovine Theileriosis: The effect of Theileria lestoquardi infection on cardiovascular system in sheep.

The malignant ovine theileriosis is caused by Theileria lestoquardi, which is highly pathogenic in sheep. Theileriosis involves different organs in ruminants, but the effect of the disease on the cardiovascular system is unclear. To understand the pathogenesis of T. lestoquardi on the cardiovascular system, Baluchi breed sheep were infected with the mentioned parasite by releasing unfed adults of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, which were infected with T. lestoquardi. The infected sheep were clinically examined on days 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, and 21, and the blood samples were collected for biochemical parameters measurement. At termination of the experiment, the infected sheep were euthanized and pathological examinations of heart tissue were conducted. During experimental infection of sheep with T. lestoquardi, activities of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase, were significantly increased (P˂0.05), while a conspicuous decrease (P˂0.05) was observed in creatine phosphokinase activities. Alterations made in biochemical factors almost coincided with the presence of piroplasm in the blood and schizont in lymph nodes. Maximum and minimum of parasitemia in the sheep stood between 3.3% and 0.28%, respectively. In addition, electrocardiography revealed sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, sino-atrial block and ST-elevation, atrial premature beat, and alteration in QRS and in T waves' amplitude. Heart histopathological examination showed hyperemia, infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells into interstitial tissue, endocarditis, and focal necrosis of cardiac muscle cells. In addition, in one of the sheep, definite occurrence of infarction was observed. The results indicate that T. lestoquardi infection has devastating pathological impacts on the cardiovascular system of sheep. Furthermore, measurement of the cTnI amount is a useful biochemical factor for diagnosis and for better understanding of the severity and progression of the disease and its effects on cardiac tissue.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Ehrlichia canis Infection among Companion Dogs of Mashhad, North East of Iran, 2009-2010.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of canine ehrlichiosis and risk factors of this disease in companion dogs' population of Mashhad, North East of Iran. Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is a zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia canis. METHODS: During September 2009 until November 2010, 250 companion dogs from Mashhad, North-East of Iran, were examined for serum antibody detection against E. canis by means of immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) and factors associated with a positive antibody response. RESULTS: There was a very low prevalence of anti-E. canis antibodies (0.8%, 2/250) among studied dogs. The antibody titers for two seropositive dogs were 1:80 and 1:160, respectively. One (0.4%) of seropositive dogs was infested with, R. sanguineus. In blood smears from one of infested dogs (0.4%), typical morulae of E. canis was observed in lymphocytes. The results confirm that the lowest occurrence of reactive dogs indoors probably related to low tick infestion. CONCLUSION: This is the first report that describes serological evidences of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in North-East of Iran. Results suggested that E. canis infection in owned pet dogs from North of Khorasan was not endemic from 2009 to 2010. Additional molecular studies are necessary to confirm E. canis infection and to identify the local strains of the organism.

Effects of Dexamethasone and Insulin Alone or in Combination on Energy and Protein Metabolism Indicators and Milk Production in Dairy Cows in Early Lactation - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of dexamethasone and insulin, when administered at 3rd or 10th day of lactation on energy and protein metabolism in dairy cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred Holstein cows were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial. The cows were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments at 3 or 10 days in milk: control group, 10-mL i.m. injection of sterile water, group insulin, s.c. injection of 100 units of insulin, group dexamethasone, i.m. injection of 20 mg of dexamethasone, group insulin plus dexamethasone, i.m. injection of 20 mg of dexamethasone and 100 units of insulin. The cows randomly assigned to receive the treatments on 3 or 10 days of lactation. Serum samples obtained at the time of enrollment, time of treatment and at 2, 4, 7 and 14 days after intervention. The sera were analyzed for ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, cholesterol, albumin, urea, and aspartate amino transferase (AST). Data were analyzed using a repeated measures mixed model that accounted for the effects of parity, body condition score, dystocia, retained placenta, metritis and the random effect of cow. RESULTS: There was no significant interaction of group of treatment and time of intervention (day 3 or 10 post-partum) on serum components. Cows that received insulin or dexamethasone alone or in combination, had lower BHBA 2 days after treatment compared with control cows, whereas concentrations of NEFA, were unaffected suggesting that glucocorticoids lipolytic effects do not appear to be important in healthy cows. AST activities significantly reduced in cows that received dexamethasone with or without insulin at 2 and 4 days after treatment. Albumin and urea concentrations 2 days after treatment were higher for cows that received dexamethasone only or dexamethasone plus insulin compared with control and Ins received cows. There were no treatment effects on test-day milk production, milk fat and protein percentages. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that administration of glucocorticoids in early lactation resulted in short-term improvement of metabolism in postpartum dairy cows in biochemical terms.

Clinical, laboratory and pathological findings in sub-acute monensin intoxication in goats.

Toxic effects of monensin, a polyether antibiotic mainly used as a coccidiostat, have been described in a wide range of animals. The present study was performed to investigate the toxic effects of monensin in goats. Seven adult goats were administered sodium monensin, 13.5 mg kg(-1), daily for five consecutive days via gastric gavage. Monensin toxicity was evaluated by clinical signs, serum biochemistry and pathology. Monensin exposure caused diarrhea, tachycardia and reduction in ruminal movements and body temperature. Significant increase of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase were observed in monensin exposed goats. Reduction of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and elevation of serum malondialdehyde and troponin I were inconsistent. In necropsy, there were effusions in body cavities, vacuolar degeneration and coagulative necrosis in cardiac and skeletal muscles and renal tubular necrosis. These findings suggested that monensin intoxication in goats leads to cardiac, skeletal and renal damage and a wide range of biochemical abnormalities. Oxidative stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of monensin poisoning.

Transabdominal ultrasonography of the ruminal mucosa as a tool to diagnose subacute ruminal acidosis in adult dairy bulls: a pilot study.

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is frequently encountered in ruminants on high-concentrate rations and characterized by mild to moderate rumen pH depression. Although the measurement of rumen pH is considered as a gold standard approach to diagnose SARA, rumen fluid collection is conceived as a cumbersome and invasive procedure. In the present study, the suitability of transabdominal ultrasonography to identify structural changes of the rumen mucosa associated with SARA was explored. Five adult rumen canulated bulls previously adjusted to a roughage-based ration were switched in 10-day intervals to rations with increasing concentrate content. Seven rations with a concentrate content ranging from 5% to 95% were fed. The rumen pH and rumen mucosal thickness were measured at the end of each 10-d feeding period. The left flank was divided into 12 acoustic windows and the mean rumen mucosal thickness for each acoustic window determined for each ration. Repeated measure ANOVA and stepwise regression analyses were conducted. Increasing the dietary concentrate content resulted in thickening of rumen mucosa which was most pronounced in the upper part of the ventral rumen sac and the least pronounced in the uppermost and lowermost parts of the rumen. The intersection of a horizontal line going through the costochondral junction and a vertical line coming from the third lumbar vertebra was found to be most suitable to identify animals with rumen pH < 5.5 at 4 h post feeding. We conclude that transabdominal ultrasonography of the rumen mucosa has the potential to be a suitable, non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify adult ruminants with SARA.