https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/ Journal of Veterinary Research en daily 1 Sat, 20 Feb 2027 00:00:00 +0330 Sat, 20 Feb 2027 00:00:00 +0330 https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105936.html BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst, caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) is one of the most significant zoonotic diseases and a major global public health concern. In endemic regions, this parasite exhibits substantial genetic diversity in its biological characteristics. To date, 10 distinct genotypes of E. granulosus (G1–G10) have been identified. Studies worldwide demonstrate that the genotypic variation and complex nature of E. granulosus influence the parasite’s life cycle, transmission pathways, pathogenicity, antigenicity, immunogenicity, drug response, epidemiology, and disease control strategies.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to perform a molecular characterization of bovine hydatid cyst strains collected from a slaughterhouse in Zabol, south of Iran.METHODS: This study was conducted in the autumn and winter of 2022 on 50 samples with a definitive diagnosis of hydatid cyst collected from a slaughterhouse in Zabol city. DNA was extracted from protoscolices and germinal layers, followed by PCR amplification of the ITS2 gene. The PCR products were then digested with the restriction enzyme HpaII and the samples were sequenced.RESULTS: The PCR product ITS2 was 750 bp in size and was digested with HpaII restriction enzymes. According to the Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, the isolates belonged to a single species named E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1–G3 complex) and sequencing also confirmed the results.CONCLUSIONS: Based on the determination of parasite genotypes in the region, a sheep transmission pattern is proposed, which can provide the appropriate prevention pattern according to the life cycle of the parasite. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105295.html BACKGROUND: Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) is one of the most prevalent bacterial pathogens responsible for foodborne illnesses transmitted through chicken meat. Given the escalating threats posed by antibiotic resistance in this bacterium, the application of bacteriophages as modern biocontrol agents has gained significant importance.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to isolate and characterize indigenous bacteriophages effective against S. enteritidis from wastewater of industrial poultry slaughterhouses and to evaluate their efficacy in controlling Salmonella contamination in chicken meat.METHODS: Twenty 50-mL samples of wastewater were collected from an industrial poultry slaughterhouse in Tehran, Iran, for phage isolation. Purification and propagation of the bacteriophage were performed using the double-layer agar method and plaque assay. The isolated phage was characterized in terms of morphology, host range, lytic activity, multiplicity of infection (MOI), adsorption efficiency, one-step growth curve, stability under various temperature and pH conditions, as well as preventive and corrective treatments on chicken meat.RESULTS: The purified bacteriophage belonged to the Siphoviridae family and exhibited a broad host range of 90% against S. enteritidis serovars. The highest lytic activity and optimal bacteriophage efficacy against the bacterium were observed at an MOI of 0.01. The maximum adsorption percentage occurred within the initial 8 minutes, reaching a peak of 92% at 12 minutes. The phage VMUT_SIR1 demonstrated stability at a temperature range of -18°C to 70°C and pH values of 4 to 12. In treatments applied to chicken meat, the optimal MOI of the bacteriophage yielded the best results in corrective treatment at 25°C, achieving a 2.88 Log CFU/g reduction within the first 6 hours, and a 2.4 Log CFU/g reduction over 24 hours in corrective treatment with the phage at 4°C.CONCLUSIONS: The bacteriophage VMUT_SIR1 exhibited substantial potential as a biological disinfectant for controlling Salmonella in chicken meat production in the conducted study. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105935.html BACKGROUND: One of the most important and stressful periods in a dairy cow's life is the transition period (3 weeks before and 3 weeks after calving). Mineral and vitamin supplements have beneficial effects on controlling the negative effects of oxidative stress during the transition period in dairy cows.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effects of mineral and vitamin supplement injections on oxidative stress indices during the transition period of Holstein cows.METHODS: In this study, 32 cows in late pregnancy were randomly divided into four groups: Control group (no vitamin and mineral supplement injection), treatment group 1, receiving injectable vitamin supplements (A, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B5, B12 and C), treatment group 2, receiving injectable mineral supplement (calcium, magnesium, copper and phosphorus elements), and treatment group 3, receiving both injectable vitamin and mineral supplements. Injection was performed subcutaneously 28 days before calving. Blood sampling was performed to investigate the effect of mineral and vitamin supplements on inflammatory indices and oxidative stress 21 days before delivery, on the day of calving, and 21 days after delivery.RESULTS: The results showed that the treatment groups showed a significant decrease in beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, reactive oxygen species, and oxidative stress index compared to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the three treatment groups demonstrated a significant increase in the serum antioxidant capacity of dairy cows compared to the control group (P< 0.05). The effect of time on the concentration of NEFA, BHB, ROS, SAC, and OSI in different treatment groups was significant throughout the entire period (P<0.05). The interaction effect of group and time on the measured parameters was also significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous injection of mineral and vitamin supplements is recommended for dairy cows in the prenatal transition period due to the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105937.html BACKGROUND: Physical decline in older roosters negatively affects their mating behavior and hatchability in broiler breeder flocks. Energy-producing compounds such as guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) may help address this issue.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of GAA on sperm characteristics and testicular histology in older roosters, and hatchability rate in a broiler breeder flock.METHODS: A total of 144 hens and 18 roosters from a Ross 308 breeder flock were divided into three groups; one control group feeding based on the Ross 308 feeding guides, a treatment group receiving 1200 mg/kg of GAA (CreAmino), and a treatment group receiving 1600 mg/kg of CreAmino. Each group consisted of 48 hens and 8 roosters, with 6 replicates per treatment. Data were recorded done for 20 weeks, starting from week 41. The data included body weight, testicular weight, quantitative and qualitative sperm characteristics, serum concentrations of creatinine, nitric oxide, insulin, and testosterone, as well as histological testicular parameters and egg hatchability rates.RESULTS: No significant differences in sperm characteristics were found among the groups. However, both CreAmino treatment groups showed a significant increase in the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and Leydig cells, as well as an increase in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the germinal epithelium, compared to the control group (P≤0.05). Serum keratin levels were significantly elevated in the CreAmino 1200 group during the second sampling period compared to the CreAmino 1600 and control groups (P≤0.05). Furthermore, serum nitric oxide concentrations were significantly higher in the CreAmino 1600 group during the second sampling period and in the control group during the third sampling period, compared to other two groups (P≤0.05). The hatchability rates were not significantly different among the groups.CONCLUSIONS: The use of 1200 mg CreAmino can improve both quantitative and qualitative sperm characteristics and histological parameters in older roosters. However, the treatment with GAA does not significantly affect hatchability rate in broiler breeder flocks. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105541.html BACKGROUND: Although coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are among the predominant pathogens causing bovine mastitis, limited data are available on CoNS associated with infections in Iran.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, antibiotic resistance patterns, and virulence-associated genes among various CoNS species isolated from bovine milk samples in Karaj City, Iran, during 2023.METHODS: Over 6 months, 318 milk samples were collected from 3 selected dairy in the suburb of Karaj, Iran. CoNS isolates were identified to the species level using biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility to 14 antibiotics was assessed, and the presence of the mecA and mecC genes was investigated in methicillin-resistant isolates. Additionally, the presence of virulence-associated genes, including enterotoxins (sea–seq), hemolysins (hla, hlb, and hld), tsst, and pvl was examined in all confirmed isolates.RESULTS: A total of 125 CoNS isolates were recovered and classified into 7 species: Staphylococcus epidermidis (39%), S. sciuri (16%), S. simulans (11%), S. warneri (10%), S. haemolyticus (9%), S. chromogenes (8%), and S. capitis (7%). Methicillin resistance, associated with the mecA gene, was identified in 55% of the isolates. The highest antibiotic resistance rates were observed against penicillin (84%), erythromycin (79%), and ciprofloxacin (77%). The virulence genes sea, sec, seg, seh, sek, sem, sen, seo, sep, seq, hla, hlb, and pvl were detected in 36%, 10%, 17%, 4%, 34%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 3%, 36%, 10%, 13%, and 3% of the isolates, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight the significant role of CoNS species in bovine mastitis and underscore the need for effective infection control policies and the prudent use of appropriate antibiotics to successfully treat infections caused by CoNS. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105938.html Osteopetrosis, or “marble bone disease”, is a rare condition that causes bones to grow abnormally and become overly dense. Genetic disorders and/or viral infection contribute to the development of this bone disease. Osteopetrosis can result in a defect in the formation or activity of osteoclasts or an overgrowth of osteoblasts and osteocytes. Osteopetrosis has been reported in humans and different animals, including cows, dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, and birds. This study reports a case of osteopetrosis in a white leghorn rooster.The case was an 18-20-week-old white Leghorn rooster with clinical manifestations of relative anemia in unfeathered regions, walking with a stilted gait, and a “boot-like” appearance of tarsal and metatarsal bones.Bone lesions in macroscopic pathology observations and bilateral radiological images were symmetrical, with bone tissue growth inclined towards the center and a spindle-shaped appearance in some long bones. In addition, due to the growth of bone tissue towards the center, the cavity and bone marrow space were small or completely obliterated, which could explain the anemia caused by osteopetrosis.Based on the history of clinical manifestations, macroscopic and radiological findings, advanced osteopetrosis was diagnosed in an adult white leghorn rooster. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105710.html Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death in women, and resistance to standard treatments highlights the need for new therapeutic strategies. FINO2, a potent inducer of ferroptosis, and pirfenidone, an antifibrotic agent, have shown promising potential in targeting tumor survival and growth pathways. Objective: This study aimed to explore the antitumor effects of FINO2 and pirfenidone, both alone and combined, in a mouse model of breast cancer, focusing on ferroptosis induction, oxidative stress markers, and tumor microenvironment changes. Methods: The model was established using the 4T1 cell line in Balb/C mice. Cells were gently mixed with Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and 100 μl of this suspension (containing 1×10^5 4T1 cells) was injected either subcutaneously or into the mammary fat pad of the right flank of the mice, using a G28 insulin syringe. After injection, a 14-day delay was allowed to ensure tumor development. Tumor formation was confirmed after 7 to 10 days, when the tumor reached 0.5 cm ×0.5 cm. Mice with mammary tumors were then divided into treatment groups: FINO2, pirfenidone, doxorubicin, the combination of FINO2 and pirfenidone, and a control disease group. Tumor volume was measured, and qRT-PCR was used to assess Iron Regulatory Protein 2 (IRP2) gene expression related to ferroptosis. Histopathological analysis with trichrome staining was conducted to examine fibrosis, and oxidative stress levels were measured using the total oxidative stress (TOS) assay. Results: FINO2 significantly induced ferroptosis, demonstrated by changes in IRP2 and related genes, while pirfenidone reduced tumor-associated fibrosis. The combined treatment of FINO2 and pirfenidone produced the most notable effects, including the most significant reduction in tumor volume, increased oxidative stress, and decreased fibrosis compared to individual treatments and controls. Conclusion: The combination of FINO2 and pirfenidone effectively triggers ferroptosis and alters the tumor microenvironment, leading to reduced tumor growth and the potential to overcome drug resistance in breast cancer. These findings emphasize the clinical potential of this combined approach. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_105939.html Background :Ovarian torsion is an emergency condition caused by the rotation of the ovary around its axis, leading to reduced blood flow, ischemia, and tissue necrosis. Ghrelin, a hormone with multiple physiological roles including apoptosis modulation and cell death regulation, has been proposed as a potential agent for managing ischemia-reperfusion injury in the ovary.Objective :This study aimed to investigate the effects of ghrelin on the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax and anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 in the ovaries of rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods: In this experimental study, 21 female rats were randomly assigned into three groups: Sham (normal saline treatment without ischemia), Ischemia (induced ischemia-reperfusion and treated with normal saline), and Ghrelin (induced ischemia-reperfusion and treated with ghrelin). Ghrelin was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 nmol, 30 minutes before ischemia induction and simultaneously with torsion. After completion of the experiment, ovarian samples were collected for immunohistochemical evaluation of Bax and Bcl-2 expression.Results: Ghrelin treatment significantly decreased Bax expression in corpus luteum, stroma, granulosa, and theca cells compared to the ischemia group (P<0.05). Additionally, Bcl-2 expression was significantly increased in granulosa and theca cells (P<0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in corpus luteum and stroma cells (P>0.05). Histopathological assessments revealed relative tissue improvement with reduced inflammation and necrosis in the ghrelin-treated group compared to the ischemia group.Conclusion: These findings suggest that ghrelin exerts a protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion-induced ovarian injury by reducing apoptotic cell death. Therefore, ghrelin may serve as a promising therapeutic adjunct for managing complications related to ovarian torsion. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_106067.html BACKGROUND: Reducing the concentration of energy and nutrients in laying hen diets, as a cost-saving strategy, can impair productive performance, eggshell quality, and physiological status. The use of feed additives such as phytase enzyme and vitamin–mineral premix (VMP) has been proposed as a nutritional approach to compensate for these reductions.OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of phytase (PHYTA GOLD) and VMP supplementation (SuperShell) in diets containing standard or reduced nutrient levels in laying hens.METHODS: A total of 320 Lohmann LSL lite laying hens (54–66 weeks of age) were allocated to a completely randomized 2×4 factorial experiment with eight replicates of five birds each. Experimental treatments included two nutrient levels (recommended level; SND, and low-nutrient diet; LND) and four supplementation regimens: (1) no supplement, (2) phytase, (3) VMP, and (4) phytase + VMP. Compared to the SND, the LND was formulated having 50 kcal/kg less metabolizable energy, 1% less crude protein, and 0.1% less of each available phosphorus and calcium.RESULTS: A significant interaction between nutrient level and supplement type was observed for egg mass, feed conversion ratio, and the proportion of abnormal eggs (P<0.05). Dietary supplementation, particularly the combination of phytase and VMP in the LND, had greater effects than in the SND. Reducing nutrients in LND decreased yolk weight index, serum triglyceride, and phosphorus concentrations, while increasing serum glucose and alkaline phosphatase activity (P<0.05). Phytase improved Haugh unit, energy digestibility, and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), and reduced alkaline phosphatase activity, whereas VMP increased eggshell weight and thickness (P<0.05). The combined use of phytase and VMP improved eggshell breaking strength and crude protein digestibility (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that phytase and VMP exert a synergistic effect on improving productive performance, eggshell quality, and nutrient digestibility, particularly in low-nutrient diets, and can be recommended as an effective strategy in laying hen nutrition management. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_106108.html Background: Salmonella Typhimurium, a Gram-negative bacterium, causes salmonellosis in humans and livestock. Beyond hygiene measures, vaccination with next-generation vaccines exhibiting minimal side effects represents a fundamental approach to combating this deadly disease.Objective: This study aimed to design and construct a recombinant immunogenic chimera structure comprising the OmpL antigen from Salmonella Typhimurium and the HBHA adjuvant, and to evaluate its expression in a prokaryotic system.Methods: For this purpose, the DNA extraction process was performed from Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria and also the B.C.G vaccine. Each of the OmpL and HBHA genes was amplified using flagded primers and connected to each other using the SOE-PCR reaction. Next, to connect the recombinant HBHA-OmpL chimera to the pET22b(+) expression vector, both were first subjected to double-digestion treatment and then ligated together using T4 ligase enzyme. Finally, the recombinant construct was transferred into E.coli (DH5α) and E.coli BL21 (DE3) using a heat shock process. After gene expression induction, protein purification was performed using a nickel NTA chromatography resin column. Finally, the quality of recombinant protein expression was evaluated using 12% SDS-PAGE gel.Results: Amplification of HBHA and OmpL genes, construction of the chimeric structure, and transformation of the expression vector into E. coli DH5α and BL21(DE3) cells were validated by PCR, SOE-PCR, and colony-PCR, respectively. Successful expression and purification of the 49.5 kDa recombinant HBHA-OmpL protein was confirmes by 12% SDS-PAGE.Conclusion: The recombinant HBHA-OmpL immunogenic construct was successfully expressed in a prokaryotic system, demonstrating feasibility for developing a candidate vaccine against Salmonella Typhimurium. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_106109.html BACKGROUND: Ostrich belongs to the group of broad-breasted birds. Despite the many morphological similarities of this bird with other birds, it also has some differences from them. OBCECTIVES: Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the process of organogenesis and histogenesis of the liver in ostrich. This study will be the basis for future studies in the field of experimental embryology. METHODS: In order to carry out this study, thirty-six fertilized ostrich eggs of 5, 9, 14, 20, 25, 30, 34, 38 and 41 days old (four samples from each age group) were selected and their livers were examined anatomically, histologically and morphometrically. The liver of the ostrich embryo was examined macroscopically and microscopically and compared with the embryos of birds such as chicken, pheasant, partridge, duck and turkey. RESULTS: In addition to the similarities between the liver of this bird and other birds, there were significant differences such as the division of the lobes, the shape of the lobes, the gallbladder, the time of final liver development, the time of the appearance of the first bile ducts, the time of the appearance of the first Kupffer cells, the color of hepatocyte cells and the number of cells of the Remak plates. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the species differences that exist between birds, the existence of anatomical, morphological and histological differences between the liver of this bird and other birds is understandable. In addition, there are differences in the times of development and appearance of organs between the ostrich and others. However, the liver of the ostrich embryo is somewhat similar to the embryos of other native birds. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_106110.html AbstractBackground: Pestiviruses, Bluetongue and Akabane viruses are important pathogens of ruminants causing a variety of clinical and subclinical manifestations. These viruses can also cause infertility, abortion and fetal malformation in infected animals. Clinical and postmortem observations, together with epidemiological data, that may have also been confirmed by laboratory tests imply that these viruses distributed in Iran. Also, seroepidemiological studies indicate that these viruses are prevalent in susceptible population of the country. Aims: This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the seroepidemiological rate of Pestiviruses, Bluetongue and Akabane viruses in domestic susceptible population (cattle, sheep and goat) of Qazvin province. Materials and Methods: Using simple random sampling method, a total of 290 animals including cattle, sheep and goats in 30 Epidemiological Units (E.Units) were selected for sampling. Blood samples were collected from the animals as a specific questioner was also completed for each animal. The obtained sera were tested for antibodies against Pestiviruses, Bluetongue and Akabane viruses by using commercial competitive ELISA kits. The data description and seroprevalence rate were defined for each of the viruses. Also, association between seroprevalence rates and risk factors was evaluated by using univariate regression analysis. Results: At herd level, 96.67%, 43.34% and 20% of the E.Units were seropositive to Pestiviruses, Bluetongue and Akabane viruses, respectively. Also, the overall seroprevalence rate of these viruses was estimated to be 56.89%, 18.97% and 4.14%, respectively. Conclusion: Compatible with the previous studies, these results also indicate that these viruses are prevalent in Iran. High prevalence of Pestiviruses, which are significantly prevalent in cattle and industrial farms, is particularly considerable point of this research. Comprehensive research on virology and epizootiology of these agents, establishing scientific and practical programs for prevention and control of these viruses, particularly Pestiviruses, is recommended.. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_106183.html Background: Canine parvovirus is one of the leading causes of mortality in puppies. Rapid diagnosis of this disease plays a key role in the timely initiation of treatment and reduction of complications and fatal outcomes. However, despite their high diagnostic power, standard diagnostic methods face limitations in low-resource settings. In addition, the dependence of hemagglutination-based assays on specific biological resources, such as porcine erythrocytes, has limited their practical application in many clinical and field environments.Objective: From a clinical perspective, the availability of rapid diagnostic methods capable of detecting parvoviral antigens in fecal samples while simultaneously assessing the host immune response can be beneficial for early therapeutic decision-making. Nevertheless, such methods cannot replace standard assays with higher sensitivity and reproducibility. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a slide agglutination test (SAT) for rapid detection of the virus in fecal samples and a slide inhibition test (SIT) for antibody detection in serum, as complementary and supportive tools alongside reference methods, particularly in resource-limited settings. In this regard, feline erythrocytes were used as an accessible alternative to porcine erythrocytes.Methods: SAT and SIT were performed using feline and rhesus erythrocytes on 33 fecal samples that tested positive by a rapid immunochromatographic assay. The tests were conducted at three different temperatures (4, 25, and 37 °C). The performance of these methods was evaluated based on PCR and cell culture results as reference standards, and agglutination activity under different conditions was compared.Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the SAT were estimated to be 92% and 95%, respectively, and this assay showed close agreement with PCR results. The SIT was able to completely inhibit agglutination in all positive samples.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the use of feline erythrocytes instead of porcine erythrocytes reduces some common limitations and facilitates the field application of SAT and SIT. These methods are not intended to replace standard diagnostic assays with higher sensitivity and reproducibility, but rather can serve as auxiliary screening tools in resource-limited environments to support improved management of canine parvoviral infection. https://jvr.ut.ac.ir/article_106184.html Background: Feed contamination with Salmonella is one of the most important bacterial contaminations and a major route for transmission of this bacterium to flocks. Feed disinfection is considered a common method to control such contaminations.Objective: This study, conducted under In vitro condition, aimed to evaluate the effects of three disinfectants Termin-Gold (aldehyde compounds and organic acids), Formalin, and Nanosil-Dan (hydrogen peroxide and silver nanoparticles) and two application methods (addition to the complete feed at production or to the premix one week prior to final mixing) on the elimination of Salmonella Enteritidis from broiler feed.Methods: The experiment was carried out in a randomized design with three replicates. Six treatments were included: control feed, Formalin in premix, Formalin in final feed, Nanosil-Dan in final feed, Termin-Gold in premix, and Termin-Gold in final feed. After the disinfectants were added, feeds were inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis at approximately 107 CFU/100 g. Contamination was applied at two time points (immediately after production and after one week of storage), and bacterial counts were monitored until no colony growth was observed.Results: The efficacy of disinfectants depended on the timing of contamination and the method of application. In immediate contamination, Nanosil-Dan prevented growth from hour zero and showed a significant difference compared with other treatments (P<0.05). Formalin treatments achieved complete elimination within 24 h, whereas the control group showed only a relative reduction (from 27,200 to 5,500 CFU). All treatments resulted in complete absence of growth within 48 h. In contamination applied one week after production, Formalin reduced colony counts immediately and eliminated growth within 24 h, while growth in the control persisted up to 216 h. Nanosil-Dan showed a delayed effect, eliminating growth at 96 h. Termin-Gold had irregular reductions and did not differ significantly from the control.Conclusion: Despite the relative effectiveness of all three disinfectant in reduction of contamination, their efficiency is dependent on time and method of application. Nanosil-Dan was immediately efficient in shorter time, but the lasting effect of formalin was superior. Termin-Gold exhibited comparatively lower performance. Nonetheless, the results should be confirmed in further studies especially in field trials.