Pentoxifylline mitigates detrimental impact of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis on sperm characteristics, reproductive hormones and histopathology in rats.

The protective role of pentoxifylline (PTX) on sperm characteristics, reproductive hormones and histopathology following carrageenan-induced chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) was investigated in male Wistar rats. Thirty-six rats were grouped into six rats per group. Group 1 (control) received saline normal. Group 2 received a single intraprostatic dose of 3% carrageenan (50 µl) on day 1 (CNP). Groups 3 and 5 received cernilton (standard drug) and PTX orally at 100 and 50 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days respectively. Groups 4 and 6 received a single dose of 3% carrageenan (50 µl) intraprostatically on day 1 followed by cernilton and PTX orally at 100 and 50 mg/kg on the eighth day for 14 consecutive days respectively. Prostatic index, serum prostatic specific antigen, malondialdehyde, testosterone and luteinising hormone levels were significantly increased (p < .05), whereas serum follicle-stimulating hormone, sperm count, motility and viability were significantly decreased (p < .05) in CNP group. Histopathology of prostate revealed leucocyte infiltration, large involutions and projection into the lumen in CNP group and these aberrations were improved by PTX. According to these findings, we concluded that PTX effectively mitigated detrimental impact of CNP on sperm characteristics, reproductive hormones and histopathology in rats.

Effects of Parenteral Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Hematological Parameters of Healthy Holstein Bulls.

Vitamin D has been shown to play physiological functions beyond calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and control bone metabolism in the body since its cellular receptors are present in numerous tissues. A total of 20 healthy bulls were divided into four groups to evaluate the effect of different doses of vitamin D3 on the number of bovine blood cells. Groups A, B, C, and D received 11,000, 22,000, 33,000, and 44,000 units/kg of vitamin D3, respectively. The control group was injected with 10 ml of physiological saline intramuscularly. Blood samples were taken before the injection, as well as 2, 4, and 6 days after the injection; furthermore, the white blood cell counts (including granulocytes and lymphocytes), hematocrit, haemoglobin, and platelets were examined by a cell counter. The results showed that vitamin D could cause leukopenia (e.g., neutropenia and lymphopenia), thrombocytopenia, as well as an increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the blood. Although the mentioned increase or decrease is largely dose- and time-dependent, the first and best group to indicate this is group B. To find the second group, the investigation of the long-term effects of injections, especially in high doses, and evaluation of different tests are required with larger groups over a longer period.

Possible Acute Poisoning by Sinapis arvensis in Sheep: Clinical, Laboratory and Necropsy Findings.

An outbreak of possible acute poisoning by Sinapis arvensis occurred in a flock of 50 fat-tailed sheep located in the Semnan province of Iran. Sinapis arvensis is an annual or winter annual plant of the genus Sinapis in the family Brassicaceae, commonly known as field mustard, wild mustard or charlock. The poisonous constituents are volatile oil of mustard, the alkaloid sinapin, and the alkaloidal glucoside sinalbin. The flock was grazing in land containing high amounts of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) in late spring. Seven sheep (aged between 1 and 5 years) died within approximately 3 days. The affected animals displayed signs of depression, reluctance to move, tachycardia, tachypnea, mucoid and hemorrhagic nasal discharges, pale conjunctiva, ataxia, abdominal pain, bruxism, and anorexia. Rectal temperature in these animals was normal to high (39-41.5 °C). Ruminal movements were reduced (1-2/min). Serum biochemical levels in affected sheep showed marked increases of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorous (P) and a marked decrease in calcium (Ca). In urinalysis, marked hemoglobinuria and proteinuria were observed. Necropsy findings included congestion in lungs and hemorrhage on the epicardial and endocardial heart surfaces, on the surface and medulla of the kidneys, and abomasal mucosa. The liver was also congested with a nutmeg pattern. Rumen contents included digested materials and large quantities of seeds and stems of wild mustard. For the first time, our findings confirmed wild mustard toxicosis in sheep in Iran.

Introducing a combined Leishman-Giemsa stain as a new staining technique for avian blood smears.

BACKGROUND: The use of conventional stains including Giemsa, Wright and Leishman have become an essential tool for differential diagnosis of cells in peripheral blood. AIMS: The aim of the study was to develop a new combination of Leishman-Giemsa (L&G) stain for avian blood smears and to compare its efficacy with conventional staining methods. METHODS: Three sets of peripheral blood smears, one smear for L&G stain and two other smears for Leishman and Giemsa stains, created from 50 broiler chickens blood samples. All the three sets of slides were blind screened by two expert clinical pathologists and scored based on the staining characteristics (4 parameters) such as nuclear features of red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC), cytoplasmic features and cytoplasmic granularity of WBC. The average grading score assigned by two experts for each staining method were compared. RESULTS: The average grading score of two conventional Leishman and Giemsa staining methods were significantly lower (P<0.001) than new L&G staining method in avian nuclear features of the RBC and WBC. The L&G stain gave a better clarity of nuclear features of avian RBC and WBC. The new L&G staining technique created significant differences (P<0.001) in cytoplasmic features of avian WBC compared to the other two methods. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, the results of the present study showed that the avian blood cells are more desirable stained with a new combination of L&G stain. In addition, it gives a better nuclear and cytoplasmic differential staining than the conventional Giemsa and Leishman stains when used alone.

Distribution of Antibiotic Resistance Genes among the Phylogroups of Escherichia coli in Diarrheic Calves and Chickens Affected by Colibacillosis in Tehran, Iran.

Antibiotic resistance occurs in the endogenous flora of exposed population in addition to pathogenic bacteria. This study was conducted to evaluate the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes among 63 isolates of Escherichia coli of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in diarrheic calves and poultry. According to the results, B1 and B2 were the most prevalent phylogroups of E. coli in calves and poultry carcasses, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance was observed in 76% of the isolates, and 62% of the strains were multi-drug resistant. Antibiotic resistance in E. coli strains obtained from calves strains was significantly higher than those obtained from poultries. Additionally, the strains of B1 and D phylogroups had the highest and lowest antimicrobial resistance, respectively. At least one encoding gene for integrone was detected in 23 strains (36.5%) and Class I integron had the highest prevalence. Accordingly, this study gave baseline information on the magnitude of the resistance problem and its genetic background in E. coli from domesticated animals of the Tehran, Iran. Moreover, the power of oligonucleotide array technology in the discrimination of different genotypes during a short time was confirmed in this study.

Comparison of effects of age and sex on serum protein electrophoretic pattern in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Semnan, Iran.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age and sex on the concentration of total serum protein measured by the biuret method and protein fractions determined using cellulose acetate electrophoresis in apparently healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius). Blood samples were collected from 21 camels (12 males and 9 females). The camels were further divided into two groups: 12 young camels at the age of 3 months to 2 years and 9 adult camels at the age of 3-15 years. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis of serum proteins identified five protein fractions in adult camels as young camels, these five protein fractions include albumin, α1 and α2, ß and γ-globulins. In adult camels, serum levels (g/l) of total protein, albumin, α1-globulins, α2-globulins, ß-globulins and γ-globulins were 80.9±3.10, 42.9±3.10, 1.3±0.22, 2.2±0.30, 11.8±0.30 and 22.6±0.20, respectively. However, in young camels, these levels (g/l) were 66.8±2.90, 40.2±2.40, 1.0±0.14, 2.6±0.30, 10.6±0.80 and 12.3±1.20, respectively. The albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio was 2.08±0.28 in adult camels and 3.77±0.53 in young ones. The mean serum concentrations of total protein and γ-globulins were significantly (P<0.05) higher and the A/G ratio was significantly lower in adult camels compared to young camels. The mean concentrations of γ-globulins were significantly higher and the A/G ratio was significantly (P<0.05) lower in females compared to male camels. The results of the present study indicate a significant effect of age and sex on the concentrations of some of the serum protein fractions in dromedary camels.

Combination of oocyte and zygote selection by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test enhanced prediction of developmental potential to the blastocyst in cattle.

The cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from local abattoir. After aspiration, the COCs were allotted into four treatments to evaluation of brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test. Control treatment (C): oocytes were cultured directly (without exposure to BCB) after recovery in in vitro production (IVP) process. Oocyte treatment (OBCB): immediately after aspiration, COCs were incubated in modified Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (mDPBS) supplemented with 26µM of BCB for 90min and classified into two classes: oocytes with blue cytoplasm coloration (OBCB+: more competent oocytes) and oocytes without blue cytoplasm coloration (OBCB-: low competent oocytes). Directly after classification, the oocytes were maintained undisrupted in the IVP process. Zygote treatment (ZBCB): After oocyte collection, maturation and fertilization, zygotes were stained with BCB for 10min and categorized into three ways, according to whether they were highly stained (ZBCB++: low competent zygotes), moderately stained (ZBCB+: moderate competent zygotes) and unstained (ZBCB-: more competent zygotes). Directly after classification, the zygotes were maintained undisrupted in the culture process. Oocyte and zygote treatments (OBCB/ZBCB): COCs were stained with BCB after recovery and classified into two classes (OBCB+ and OBCB-). After fertilization, the zygotes produced from OBCB+ and OBCB- oocytes were further stained with BCB for 10min and categorized six ways (OBCB+/ZBCB++, OBCB+/ZBCB+, OBCB+/ZBCB-, OBCB-/ZBCB++, OBCB-/ZBCB+ and OBCB-/ZBCB-). Directly after classification, the zygotes were maintained undisrupted in the culture process. The selection rate produced from OBCB treatment (OBCB+; 54.3%) was greater (P<0.05) than ZBCB treatment (ZBCB-; 44.3%). In addition, the selection rate produced from double application (combination of oocyte and zygote selection) of BCB test (OBCB+/ZBCB-: 28.8%) was less (P<0.01) than single application of BCB test (ZBCB-: 44.3%or OBCB+: 54.3%). The percentage of blastocyst production from OBCB+ oocytes (35.7%) and ZBCB- zygotes (36.6%) were greater (P<0.05) than that from C oocytes (25.7%), OBCB- oocytes (16.5%), ZBCB++ (13.5%) and ZBCB+ zygotes (21.3%). However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the percentages of blastocyst production between OBCB+ oocytes (35.7%) and ZBCB- zygotes (36.6%). The proportion of blastocyst production from double application of BCB test (OBCB+/ZBCB-: 48.0%) was greater (P<0.05) than that from single application of BCB test (OBCB+: 35.7% or ZBCB-: 36.6%). In conclusion, current results confirmed that combination of oocyte and zygote selection by BCB test enhanced the efficiency of selecting for high quality embryos, compared to the single BCB test.