[Change in sex ratio among newborn rats in response to potassium supplements]

Affecting the female reproductive organ and the layers around the oocyst, some ration ions could facilitate the penetration of sperm with specific chromosome type and change the sex ratio in mammal infants. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of potassium supplement on the sex ratio in rat. The percentage of moisture, ash, crude fat and protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, and energy was measured in the ration of rats. In one gestation period, the male and female pups from 32 female and 8 male adult rats were counted as control group. In experimental group, potassium citrate [36% potassium] was used in control group ration to raise the level of potassium from 0.35% to 0.8% and 12 female and 3 male adult rats were fed with that ration in two gestation periods. The number of male and female pups in both groups was counted at the age of three days. Sex ratio in both groups was compared using chi-square test [SPSS, Ver. 11.5]. The ration of control group had 90% dry matter, 8% ash, 4.1% crude fat, 21.6% crude protein, 70.8% total digestible nutrients [TDN], 0.4% calcium, 0.3% potassium and 0.1% sodium. The ratio of male pups in the rats were fed with potassium supplement [1.52, 100 male and 66 female pups] was higher [p=0.03] compared to the control group [0.94, 115 male and 122 female pups]. Raising the level of potassium in food ration can increase the number of male pups over 10% in each gestation

Control of red deer [Cervus elaphus] stag domination in rut season by estrus synchronization

Inbreeding is one of the major problems of small size herds of red deer in refuge wildlife parks. The aim of the present study was to use estrus synchronization technique in red deer [Cervus elaphus] based on natural mating to control the dominancy and social rank of stags and inbreeding. In this study, hinds [n=6] were captured and caged at breeding season [early October] in Semeskande Wild Life Refuge Park. The captured hinds were treated with intravaginal progesterone devices [CIDR] for 12 days, followed by injection of 250 IU PMSG at the time of CIDR withdrawal. After 48 hours, all 6 hinds were released from cages. In estrus phase, the chase sequences started and the old dominant stag could not control all of the hinds in his territory so the two other young stags successfully mated with the other hinds. Four out of six hinds became pregnant and the calves were born in early June. The results of this study showed that the estrus synchronization technique in Refuge Wildlife Park which is based on natural mating, can be used successfully to control inbreeding easily and give young stags the opportunity to copulate

[Pregnancy rate and economic benefit of artificial insemination with sexed-sorted sperm in Holstein heifers]

To improve breeding programs in dairy cattle artificial insemination using sexed sperm has been applied in different farms. To evaluate pregnancy rate and economic benefit of artificial insemination with sexed sperm in Holstein dairy heifers of Shiraz industrial farms. The insemination data of 200 heifers in five farms including sperm types [sexed or conventional] and insemination date and times were collected from March 2009 to March 2010. The pregnancy rate of conventional sperms [72.2%] were significantly higher than the sexed sperms in heifers [49.2%; p=0.001]. The sexed sperms insemination showed lower fertility in the winter [36.3%] when compared with the autumn values [73.9%; p=0.02]. Cost and benefit analysis showed that costs of the first and the second insemination with sexed sperms were higher than the conventional ones. On the other hand, after the second insemination the economic benefit for the sexed sperms was lower than the conventional one. However, the cost and benefit analysis for sexed sperm values showed a trend to the convential ones. If the fertility rate of the sexed sperm insemination in healthy heifers reach to the 90 percent of the conventional sperm, sexed sperm insemination can be more beneficial than the conventional one after two insemination

Association of milk yield and body condition score indices with the commencement of luteal activity after parturition in high producing dairy cows

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between different indices of milk yield and body condition score [BCS] with the commencement of the luteal activity [C-LA] during the postpartum period in high producing dairy cows. Seventy-one multiparous healthy [free of detectable reproductive disorders] Holstein dairy cows [mean peak milk yield = 56.7 +/- 7.4 kg] were used in the present study. Transrectal ultrasound scanning was performed twice weekly from the 1st to the 8th week postpartum. Blood monitored weekly after calving. Cows with serum P[4] concentrations >/= 1 ng/ml on at least 2 consecutive blood samplings were considered to have commenced luteal activity. The C-LA was observed in 51 out of 71 cows [71.8%] earlier than 45 days postpartum, while 20 out of 71 cows [28.2%] showed the C-LA later than 45 days postpartum. Among the indices defined for the milk yield pattern in the present study, difference in milk yield between the 1st week and the peak of milk yield were significantly [P /= 1 unit BCS during the same 3rd week postpartum showed their C-LA significantly later than those cows losing less BCS during the same interval [P

healing effect of bioglue in articular cartilage defect of femoral condyle in experimental rabbit model

The full-thickness articular cartilage defects of knee have a poor healing capacity that may progress to osteoarthritis and need a knee replacement. This study determines the healing effect of bioglue in full-thickness articular cartilage defect of femoral condyle in rabbit. Forty-eight male rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups. In group A, 4 mm articular cartilage defects were created in the right and left medial femoral condyles. Then a graft from xiphoid cartilage was transferred into the defect together with a designed bioglue and the knees were closed. In group B, an articular cartilage defect was created identical to group A, but the defect size was 6 mm. In group C, 4 and 6 mm articular cartilage defects were created in the right and left medial femoral condyles respectively. The graft was transferred into the defect and the knees were stitched. In group D, articular cartilage defects were created similar to group C, just filled with bioglue and closed. The rabbits were euthanized and subgroups were defined as A1, B1, C1 and D1 after 30 days and A2, B2, C2 and D2 after 60 days. The cartilages were macroscopically and histologically investigated for any changes. Microscopic and macroscopic investigations showed that bioglue had a significant healing effect in the femoral condyle. Addition of bioglue can effectively promote the healing of articular cartilage defects

[Prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in dogs referred to Shiraz University Veterinary Teaching Hospital]

Cardiac arrhythmias can cause hypoxia, hypotension disturbance in tissue blood supply and cardiac arrest. Diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias using electrocardiography is simple and common. The purpose of this study was to review the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in dogs brought to the Veterinary Clinic for different reasons. One hundred and seventy six dogs of different age groups [<1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-6,>6 years], and both sexes were included in this study. The survey was carried out for two years. Electrocardiogram of each dog using standard limb leads [1, 11, and Ill] and augmented limb leads [aVR, aVL, and aVF] were taken and investigated for rhythm irregularitieso Results obtained from 1232 traces indicated Sinus arrhythmia [27.9%], sinu5 tachycardia [7.8%], wandering pacemaker [5.1%], ventricular premature beats [3.4%], atrioventricular block type 11[1.2%], and the dogs simultaneously showed two kinds of disrhythmias [11.9%]. From 176 dogs, 68 were males [56.6%] and 33 females [58.9%] showed different types of arrhythmias Results of this study indicated that in spite of referring the dogs merely for check up and vaccination have cardiac arrhythmia that some of which could be dangerous for animal life

Radiographic comparison of five different techniques for injection into the distal sesamoid bursa in cattle

Numerous techniques for injection into the distal sesamoid bursa [navicular bursa] have been described, especially in equine, but there are few specific descriptions regarding this practice being done in cattle. Five different techniques were compared for injection into the distal sesamoid bursa in cattle including distal plantar approach parallel with the coronary band, proximal plantar approach, distal plantar approach parallel with the sole, abaxial approach, and distal interphalangeal joint injection. The results revealed that the numbers of needle insertion until proper placement is significantly less in the DIPJ and the DPPS techniques compared to the others [P<0.05]. Also, based on the times of contrast agent injection after the correct successful needle insertion, there were significant differences between DIPJ with DPPCB, PP30 and the Ab45 techniques [P<0.05]. According to the absence of direct communication between the distal sesamoid bursa and distal interphalangeal joint, the placement of the needle through distal plantar approach parallel with the sole was suggested

First report of Dermatophilus congolensis dermatitis in dairy cows in Shiraz, southern Iran

Skin lesions were found in two 3-4-year-old Holstein cows in a dairy farm in Shiraz. Lesions were distributed mostly around the neck, forelimbs, hindlimbs, and bilateral of midline portion and varied from nodule-like structure to patch with extensive accumulation of crust. Skin scraping samples were taken from each animal and direct smears were prepared, stained with Giemsa and observed under a light microscope. Some scabs were cultured and incubated both aerobically and anaerobically. Cultured smears were Gram stained and the morphology of isolates were studied. The diagnosis of dermatophilosis was made on the basis of clinical signs, skin lesions and morphological characteristics of the isolates. In this study, the infection could be related to insect population density during the outbreak and exposure to ticks which were observed in the animal environment. Rain scald in the region, especially in the late August and September could be a predisposing factor for flare-up of the infection. This is the first report of dermatophilosis in cattle in Shiraz, southern Iran