Effects of feed restriction and supplementary garlic oil on blood metabolites in ewes.

The effects of garlic oil (GO) on serum fatty acids, lipid profiles and energy-related blood metabolites in feed-restricted fat-tailed ewes were investigated. For this purpose, twenty-eight dry, non-pregnant Makuei ewes (about three years of age; 45.00 ± 2.20 kg of body weight) were assigned randomly to four experimental groups including group 1 receiving basal diet as total mixed ration (TMR) without GO supplementation (control group), group 2 receiving 100% basal diet supplemented with GO (10.00 mg kg-1 BW), group 3 receiving 70.00% basal diet without GO supplementation and group 4 receiving 70.00% basal diet supplemented with GO (10.00 mg kg-1 BW). The main experimental period started eight weeks after performing adaptation and dietary allocations. Feed restriction reduced serum glucose levels along with higher serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, ß-hydroxybutyrate, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and very low-density of lipoprotein. Following feed restriction, the serum palmitic and oleic acids concentrations were increased. Garlic oil supplementation had a desirable effect on feed-restricted animals through lowering serum BHB and palmitic and oleic acids concentration and increasing the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the serum. These findings demonstrated that GO had the potential to reduce body-fat mobilization, thereby lowering the risk factors for disorders associated with negative energy balance in underfed ewes in the periparturient period.

Antiulcer properties of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract on experimental models of gastric ulcer in mice.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is used in folk medicine for treatment of stomach disorders including peptic ulcers. The hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (HEGG) was evaluated for antiulcerogenic activity and acute toxicity profile in mice. Various doses of HEGG (50-200 mg/kg) were administered orally to animals of different groups. Omeprazole and cimetidine at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg were used as positive controls, respectively. Stomach was opened along the greater curvature then ulceration index was determined examining the inner lining of stomach. Oral administration of the extract at 1600 mg/kg did not produce toxic symptoms and mortality in mice. 2950 mg/kg was determined as the oral LD50. The HEGG (50-200 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in ulcer index in HCl/Ethanol-induced ulcer. G. glabra extract (50-150 mg/kg) showed antiulcer activity against indomethacin-induced gastric lesions dose dependently. The extract effectively inhibited formation of gastric lesions induced by ethanol. The extract (200 mg/kg) was more potent than omeprazole (30 mg/kg). HEGG reduced the ulcer index in hypothermic stress induced gastric ulcers in mice and the antiulcer effect was comparable to that of cimetidine. The results indicated that G. glabra hydroalcoholic extract exerted an antiulcergenic effect that could be associated with increase in gastric mucosal defensive factors.

Lead and cadmium in raw buffalo, cow and ewe milk from west Azerbaijan, Iran.

In this study, 300 raw buffalo, cow and ewe milk samples from five townships in west Azerbaijan, Iran, were analysed. Lead and cadmium were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean concentration of lead and cadmium in buffalo milk samples was 0.018 ± 0.001 and 0.003 ± 0.001 mg/kg, respectively. Mean concentration of lead and cadmium in cow milk samples was 0.007 ± 0.001 and 0.001 ± 0.001 mg/kg, respectively, and in ewe milk, these mean values were 0.010 ± 0.001 and 0.002 ± 0.001 mg/kg, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that lead and cadmium concentrations in buffalo milk were significantly higher than those in cow and ewe milk. Moreover, the concentration of these heavy metals in ewe milk was significantly higher than that in cow milk. It was also found that concentration of these selected toxic metals in milk increased with increasing age of the animals.

Seroepidemiology of bluetongue disease in small ruminants of north-east of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and distribution of bluetongue virus antibody in sheep and goats in 25 townships of Khorasan Razavi. Bluetongue is an infectious, non-contagious, arthropod born viral disease of ruminants and has been reported from most of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. METHODS: A total number of 1 034 serum samples from sheep and goats were collected and transmitted to Serological Laboratory of Veterinary Council of Khorasan Razavi. Serums were screened for the presence of group-specific bluetongue virus antibody using competitive Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (c-ELISA). RESULTS: The seropositivity of sheep and goats for bluetongue was found to be 89.2%. The highest prevalence rate was seen in Taybad, Khalil-abad and Torbat-jam (100%) and the least prevalence rate was seen in Jovein (55%). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the majority of animals in the north-east of Iran are infected with bluetongue virus. High correlation between abortion history and seroposivity emphasize the economical importance of bluetongue virus in the sheep herds of the region.

Heavy metals in raw cow and ewe milk from north-east Iran.

The presence of toxic metals in milk may create significant health problems for the population. In this study, 1440 raw cow and ewe milk samples from 18 townships in north-east Iran were analysed in four different seasons. Lead, cadmium and mercury levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean concentration of lead, cadmium and mercury in cow milk samples was 12.9 ± 6.0, 0.3 ± 0.3 and 3.1 ± 0.3 ng g⁻¹, respectively, and in ewe milk samples, these mean values were 14.9 ± 7.8, 1.6 ± 1.2 and 3.1 ± 0.3 ng g⁻¹, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that lead and cadmium concentrations in ewe milk were significantly higher than in cow milk. Concentrations of these metals in ewe milk varied significantly with different seasons. As the concentrations did not exceed the safety limits, they could not pose a serious danger to public health.

Acute oxalate intoxication associated to ingestion of eshnan (Seidlitzia rosmarinus) in sheep.

An outbreak of acute oxalate intoxication in a sheep flock was associated to Seidlitzia rosmarinus (Chenopodiaceae) with a mortality rate of about 19%. Affected sheep showed marked azotemia and hypocalcemia. Post-mortem findings included congestion and hemorrhage in visceral organs, ruminitis frequently associated with precipitation of birefringent calcium oxalate crystals, and acute nephrosis with numerous birefringent calcium oxalate crystals in renal tubules. This is the first report of oxalate poisoning due to ingestion of S. rosmarinus in sheep.

Individual and combined effect of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and allicin on blood and tissue lead content in mice.

It has been shown that garlic and its main bioactive component, allicin, as natural chelating agents can reduce blood and tissue lead content in animal models. In this study the effect of allicin, alone or combined with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), in decreasing lead content of blood and tissues of mice was evaluated. Swiss albino mice were exposed to 1000 ppm of lead in water for 35 days and then placed in various treatment groups including groups administered oral allicin, DMSA, or their combination. The concentrations of lead in blood, kidney, liver, bone and brain were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Both, allicin and DMSA decreased the blood and tissue lead concentration. There was an additive effect of the combined administration of allicin and DMSA in reducing bone lead. No side effect was observed in all treated groups. Combined use of DMSA and allicin seems to be a better choice in the treatment of chronic lead intoxication.