[Effect of dietary Satureja khuzistanica powder on semen characteristics and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration in testicular tissue of Iranian native breeder rooster]

Because of a paucity of information on the effect of Satureja khuzistanica in male chickens, this study was undertaken to determine the influence of dietary S. khuzistanica powder [SKP] on seminal characteristics and testes thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] content in Iranian native breeder rooster. Thirty-six 40-week-old roosters were randomly allotted to 3 equal groups and received either a basal diet without SKP [T1 or control], or a diet containing 20 g/kg [T2] and 40 g/kg [T3] of SKP for 8- week-long experimental period. Semen samples were obtained weekly by abdominal massage to evaluate the seminal characteristics. At the end of the eighth week 18 birds [6 birds per each group] were randomly slaughtered, and sample was taken from right testes for TBARS evaluation. Administration of SKP improved all semen traits, except for sperm concentration. Likewise, TBARS content in SKP treatments did not significantly differ from the control [P>0.05]. Seminal volume, live sperm percentage and plasma membrane integrity percentage in SKP-treated groups were higher than the control. Conversely, abnormal sperm percentages reduced in SKP-treated groups [P<0.05]. Plasma membrane integrity in experimental treatments was significantly higher than the control in 2nd, 3rd and 7th weeks. However, at 6th and 8th weeks only T3 treatment was significantly different from the control. Notably, there was an increase in total sperm concentration in SKP-treated groups in compared to the control birds. In conclusion, this study indicated that addition of SKP in rooster diet improves sperm quality and also reduces their sperm membrane lipid peroxidation, which may lead to higher fertilization rate.

Ghrelin improves rat sperm kinematic parameters during abdominal position of the testis

Disruption of testicular function and arrest of spermatogenesis are the consequence of cryptorchidism in response to elevated temperature. This investigation was set to clarify the possible ghrelin efficacy in altering some sperm quality parameters upon experimentally-induced cryptorchidism. Thirty male adult rats were scheduled for the study and were divided into three groups: group 1 was served as control-saline [CS], group 2 was designed as cryptorchidism-saline [CrS], and group 3 was defined as cryptorchidism-ghrelin [CrG]. After surgically inducing cryptorchidism in groups 2 and 3, the researchers gave 10 nmol of ghrelin to CrG rats for 7 consecutive days. Five animals in each group were equally killed on days 3 and 7 after operation and their testes were taken for sperm evaluation. Testicular weight, sperm forward progressive motility [FPM], functional membrane integrity [assessed by HOS-test], and sperm concentration displayed slight changes after heating on day 3. However, abdominal position of the testes for 7 days caused a significant reduction in the percentages of HOS-positive cells [p<0.0001], FPM [p<0.0001], and sperm concentration [p<0.01]. Although a 30% decrease occurred in the testicular weight at this point, however, this reduction was not statistically significant. Interestingly, HOS-test and FPM percentages were significantly higher in the ghrelin-exposed animals compared to the CrS group on day 7 [p<0.05]. However, ghrelin treatment had not considerable influence on sperm parameters by day 3. Moreover, sperm concentration and testicular weight did not exhibit any changes either on day 3 or at day 7 upon ghrelin injection [p>0.05]. Indeed, this function of ghrelin could be attributed to its antioxidant properties and it may be implicated as a potential agent in attenuation of impaired spermatogenesis after cryptorchidism

Hepatoprotective effects of purified oleuropein from olive leaf extract against ethanol-induced damages in the rat

Olives and olive oil contain large amounts of oleuropein. This phenolic compound is responsible for their bitter taste and pungent aroma and has been recognized as a powerful hypotensive, hypoglycemic and antioxidant agent. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of oleuropein on ethanol-induced oxidative damage and to examine its beneficial effects on liver function. Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated control

The second group of rats were given ethanol [4 g/kg] orally. Group 3 received oral oleuropein [15 mg/kg]

The final group of rats were fed ethanol [4 g/kg], 120 min after oral administration of oleuropein (15 mg/kg]

All of the treatments were applied for 4 weeks via gavage. Administration of ethanol to rats induced toxicity in their liver, as shown by the significant elevation in the serum levels of transaminases, total cholesterol as well as liver histopathological findings. Elevation of glutathione peroxidase activity, the hepatic main antioxidant enzyme, and total glutathione was observed to suppress oxidative stress in the ethanol group

TBARS [an indicator of lipid peroxidation] concentration is also increased in ethanol-treated rats

In contrast, oleuropein during ethanol treatment in rats resulted in a higher antiperoxidative enzyme activity, catalase, and inhibited toxicity to the liver, as monitored by the reduction in ALT and AST levels and TBARS concentration. It is suggested that oleuropein possesses beneficial antioxidant effects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity, and therefore use of olive leaf extract may have prophylactic value in reducing the common complications resulting from oxidative stress in alcoholism?

[Correlation between international prostate symptoms score and uroflowmetry finding in men with lower urinary tract symptoms]

Benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] is a common age-related urological disorder. Patients can subjectively descript their micturition habits by using the international prostate symptom score [IPSS] but whether or not patients answer correlate with their uroflowmetic findings has not been validated objectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of patient answers with findings on uroflowmetry studies. eighty six patients with lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] were evaluated by IPSS and uroflowmetry. IPSS was divided into voiding and storage symptoms. Waiting time, voided volume, maximum and average flow rates were recorded. The relationship between these parameters was quantified by SPSS software Pearson correlation coefficient. Patients were aged 46 - 79 years old. Age did not correlate by Qmax, Qave, IPSS and voided volume. Voided volumes were 109-647ml [mean=259.5 ml]. Qmax was <15ml/s in about 63% of patients [54 patients] independently of age. Qmax was correlated negatively with total IPSS score and voiding symptoms but did not correlate with storage symptoms. Qave correlated only with voiding symptoms[p=0.04] but not with total IPSS and storage symptoms. Waiting time did not correlate with total IPSS, voiding and storage symptoms. There is a close correlation between IPSS and uroflowmetry results.uroflowmetry is a more suitable for LUTS paitents who have improper understanding the IPSS questions due to cultural or language problems

Antioxidant effects of aqueous fruit extract of Ziziphus jujuba on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the rat testes

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of aqueous fruit extract of Ziziphus jujuba on ethanol-induced oxidative stress and to examine its protective effects on sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity of male Wistar rats. Adult male rats [n=28] were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated controls, the second group of rats was given ethanol [4 g/kg], and group 3 received aqueous fruit extract of Z. jujuba [200 mg/kg]. The final group of rats were supplemented by oral ingestion of ethanol [4 g/kg], which was preceded 60 min earlier by an oral administration of Z. jujuba extract [200 mg/kg]. Fruit extract of Z. jujuba could prevent the reduction of concentration, motility and plasma membrane integrity of the sperm in treated rats with Z. jujuba extract plus ethanol [P<0.05]. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities significantly increased in the animals ingested with Z. jujuba extract prior to ethanol compared to the ethanol group. Decrease of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] level was statistically significant in the animals that ingested the fruit extract of Z. jujuba prior to ethanol compared to the ethanol group [P<0.05]. Our findings suggest that aqueous fruit extract of Z. jujuba possesses beneficial effects on ethanol-induced sperm toxicity, subsequently enhancing sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity

Estrogen-induced mammary fibroadenoma in a lamb: hormonal and immunohistochemical aspects

A fibroadenoma was diagnosed in the mammary gland of a lamb by immunohistochemical method and measurement of oestradiol hormone. The tumor was characterized by an encapsulated firm mass with a creamy-white cut surface. Histologically, it consisted of variably-sized sinus ducts, covered by a single or multiple layers of proliferated epithelial cells, and embedded in a loose connective tissue. Immunohistochemical results revealed that more than half of the epithelial tumor cells were labeled only for estrogen, but not for progesterone. Moreover, the high level of plasma ER concentration in contrast to the normal PR values was consistent with immunohistochemical findings. Both results suggested that reproductive hormones, exclusively estrogen, influenced the developmental stage of the mammary glands and are responsible for neoplastic changes in this case. This study indicated for the first time the novel evidence of estrogen-induced fibroadenoma in a 2-month-old lamb mammary gland tissue

[Psychosis in three patients with vitiligo]

Psychotic disorders have been observed in association with some autoimmune disorders. Moreover, autoimmune mechanisms have been recently considered in evaluation of schizophrenia spectrum disease managements. Vitiligo is one of the autoimmune diseases, but there is no report of vitiligo association with psychosis. We report three patients with vitiligo and schizophrenia spectrum disease that are indicative of the role of autoimmunity in psychosis. Moreover, unusual manifestation and poor response to treatment in the reported cases show that autoimmunity can complicate the prognosis of psychosis

Ghrelin enhances viability of rat spermatozoa during incubation at 37°C

Antioxidant properties of ghrelin have been demonstrated in recent studies. In the present study, the effects of chronic administration of ghrelin on the motility and plasma membrane integrity of rat spermatozoa during incubation at 37°C were investigated. Thirty 45-day-old male Wistar rats were divided into control and treatment groups. Rats in the treatment group were daily injected subcutaneously with 1 nmol of ghrelin for 10 consecutive days and the control rats received normal saline. Sperm was collected after killing of rats on days 5, 15 and 40 after the last injection, and sperm characteristics were examined at 0, 3 and 5 h after incubation at 37°C. Mass motility and forward progressive movement of spermatozoa were significantly higher in ghrelin-treated animals at 3 and 5 h of incubation on day 5 [P<0.05]. After 3 h of incubation on day 15, only mass motility was greater than that of the control group. Plasma membrane integrity was assessed by hypoosmotic swelling [HOS] "water test". The mean value of HOS reacted spermatozoa was higher in the treatment group on days 5 and 15 during 0, 3 and 5 h of incubation [P<0.05]. However, the percentage of HOS-positive spermatozoa was not significantly different on day 40 between groups. There was a high correlation at 3 and 5 h of day 5 between the forward progressive movement [r = 0.92 and 0.94, P<0.0001] as well as overall sperm motility [r = 0.78 and 0.81, P<0.01] with HOS test in the ghrelin-treated animals. These results can be attributed to the antioxidative effects of ghrelin on the rat sperm especially on its plasma membrane which probably protects the sperm plasma membrane against oxidative damage during incubation and causes subsequent significant increase in the HOS test results. This may result in higher sperm motility index during 5 h of incubation

effect of platelet activating factor on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa

Platelet activating factor [PAF] is a novel signaling phospholipids that in addition to platelet activation has many biological properties. The acrosome reaction, as an essential step in mammalian fertilization, can occur in response to several agents such as PAF. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of PAF on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa. Semen was collected from 18 fertile rams and incubated with four levels of PAF [10[-7], 10[-8], 10[-9] and 10[-10] mol] at 37°C for 15, 30, 60 or 120 min. Sperm motility and acrosome reaction were analyzed at varying levels of PAF with different incubation periods. With increasing PAF concentration, acrosome reaction was enhanced, while sperm motility was reduced [P<0.001]. As the period of incubation increased, there was a gradual decrease in sperm motility and increase in acrosome reaction percentages. There were high correlation between PAF concentrations and incubation times on induction of acrosome reaction [R[2] = 0.86] and reduction in sperm motility [R[2] = 0.82]. In addition, it was found that a PAF level of 10[-9] and incubation time for 30 min is the best optimum for inducing acrosome reaction in ram spermatozoa without drastically decreases in sperm motility. The present study optimized for the first time the concentration and incubation time of PAF for induction of acrosome reaction in fresh ram spermatozoa

[Opiate department's experiences of the established therapeutic relationship in mthadone centers: qualitative study]

Methadone maintenance therapy is one of the treatment choices for opiate users. Understanding opiate dependants' experiences of their treatment period is important for continuing the treatment with methadone and assessing their experiences may help to revise the standards of methadone centers and thus to improve the quality of treatment. This study aims to describe the structure and essence of opiate dependants' experiences with methadone centers during treatment. It was a qualitative phenomenological approach in which participants were selected from opiate dependants referred to methadone centers in Kerman city in 2007 by applying purposive sampling continued until data saturation and obtaining a sample size of 32 participants. Data were collected by in-depth interviews. Colaize' s Method was applied for data analysis. The rigor of the present study was based on transferability and credibility. In whole, 26 themes were extracted and put into structural components. The structural components were put into topical components including: 1. positive therapeutic alliance 2. Negative therapeutic alliance and 3. Therapeutic alliance requests. These components show the basic structure of participants' experiences of therapeutic relationship in methadone centers. Client - based strategy in methadone clinics, not only leads to a positive therapeutic alliance, but can persuade patients to continue their treatment programs for long time period. Establishing a good relationship with patients in methadone centers during treatment procedure is an effective way to meet the goals of methadone maintenance treatment

role of central endogenous histamine and H[1], H[2] and H[3] receptors on food intake in broiler chickens

The role of endogenous histamine and H[1], H[2] and H[3] central receptors on food intake in broiler chickens was investigated. For this purpose, a probe was used to manipulate the concentration of endogenous histamine by intracerebroventricular [ICV] injection of thioperamide, an H[3] receptor antagonist, and R-alpha-methylhistamine, an H[3] receptor agonist and subsequently the effects of brain histaminergic system on food intake was assessed. Moreover, to determine the receptors involved in histamine-induced feeding behaviour changes, H[1], and H2 blockers were administered to thioperamide-treated chickens. Injection of thioperamide [600 and 300 nmol] decreased food intake dose-dependently [P<0.05]. On the contrary, ICV injection of R-alphamethylhistamine [400 and 200 nmol] increased food intake [P<0.05]. Chlorpheniramine [128 and 256 nmol], a H[1] receptor antagonist, increased food intake [P<0.05]. Famotidine, a H[2] receptor antagonist at 74 or 148 nmol had no effect on food intake but at 296 nmol significantly decreased food intake [P<0.05]. Pretreatment with chlorpheniramine [256 nmol] significantly attenuated thioperamide effects [600 nmol] on food intake [P<0.05]. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that histamine exerts anorexigenic effects through H[1], but not H[2] receptors in broiler chickens. Furthermore, it was shown that thioperamide through stimulation of synthesis and release of endogenous neuronal histamine can decrease food intake in broiler chickens

[Effects of ghrelin on hematopoietic Wistar rats]

Introduction: ghrelin is a 28-amino Aside peptide that predominantly produced by the stomach, which is the major source of systemic ghrelin. The anorexigenic and orcxigcnic hormones leptin and Ghrelin acted in opposite of each other. There are limited sn1dies related to levels of leptin in hematopoiesis, and there is no literature pertaining to the effects of ghrelin on hematopoiesis

Objective: determination the effect of Ghrelin on Hematopoietic Wistar Rats

Materials and Methods: 30 ma le Wistar rats were allocated for this study and were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. To monitor the effects of Ghrelin on blood parameters including hematocrit, albumin, total protein and white blood cells differential count, a general protocol of SC injection of Ghrelin [1 nmol/100microl N/saline] or 100 microl vehicle [physiological saline] to the control group was applied once a day for 10 consecutive days. The animals were killed by decapitation on days 5 and 15 after the last injection and above mentioned parameters were measured after their blood collection

Results: hematocrit percentage and RBC count significantly increased on day 5 and MCV decreased on this day [p< 0.05] However there was no significant difference in other parameters

Conclusion: it seems that Ghrelin ac1s directly via bone marrow or indirectly increases ACTH or growth hormone secretion and 1here fore modulates hematopoiesis

Prevalence of cigarette smoking and relevant factors among school students in south of Iran

The aim of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of cigarette smoking and its relationship with some demographic features, among first and second grade of high school students in Kerman city. In this cross - sectional study 860 students [514 girls, 346 boys] were selected randomly in Kerman in 2003. They answered to the self - made questionnaire including issues related to smoking and demographic features and included Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependent. Data analysis was done by SPSS -10 software and using T- test, k[2] and Fisher test. In males 6.1% and in females 6.6% [6.4% totally] had smoked at least once in their life. 1.7% of males and 2.3% of females [2.1%] smoke sometimes. 2.8% of males and 0.4% of females [1.2%] were smokers. So 10.1% of males and 9.7% of females had experienced smoking. About 2.3% of males and 1.2% of females would like to quit smoking. In according to Fagerstrom test, 9 students, 5 males [1.5%] and 4 females [0.8%] were heavy smokers. 27 students, 15 males [4.4%] and 12 females [3.3%] were mild or moderate cigarette users. Cigarette smoking abuse is significantly high among teenagers in Iran therefore preventive activities should be directed in that way. This study showed that the prevalence of smoking was higher among boys but smoking for fun intentions was more in girls

Rare variant of lycanthropy and ecstasy: case report

Lycanthropy is an unusual belief or delusion in which the patient thinks that he/she has been transformed into an animal. In rare cases, the patient believes that another person has been transformed into an animal. In this case report, a patient who had an uncommon variant of lycanthropy is introduced. The patient's symptoms had appeared after consumption of ecstasy. This shows the occurrence of uncommon and rare psychosis after ecstasy drug use especially in susceptible patients to schizophrenia. Ecstasy can induce paranoid psychosis similar to schizophrenia. It seems that in the presented case, ecstasy had a role in the incidence of the underlying suceptibility of the patient to schizophrenia

[ case report of incomplete capgras syndrome: a rare variant of the syndrome]

Capgras syndrome is one of the misidentification syndromes. In this phenomenon the patient has a delusional belief that familiar persons have been replaced by imposters. We report a middle aged schizophrenic female who believed that the lower half of her body has been replaced by that of another person, known as prostitute by the patient. She also reported hallucination of sexual intercourse. Rare variants of Capgras syndromes have been reported so far, but there is no report of delusion of half of body replacement. The mentioned case can be considered as incomplete Capgras syndrome that is another variant of this syndrome

Effect of ewe breed on the reaction time and semen characteristics in the ram

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ewe breed on the reaction time and semen characteristics in the ram. For this purpose, from the native sheep breeds in Iran, seven Lory rams and four ewes [two Lory and two Ghezel breeds] were selected. Seven rams were individually subjected to 4 weekly trials in which one of the following two treatments was applied alternately. All of rams were scheduled twice weekly to introduce with the same [Lory] and different [Ghezel] ewe breed individually. In each session, the reaction time and number of mounts before ejaculation were recorded. At two another sessions per week, sperm evaluation was performed in each group after collection of semen by artificial vagina. When the both breeds of the ram and ewe were the same, the mean of reaction time, number of mounts, ejaculation volume, sperm concentration and sperm viability were 44.6 sec, 2.7, 0.97 ml, 4.49 x 10[9] sperm/ml and 88.9%, respectively and when the breeds were different, the means were 61.5 sec, 2.9, 1.0 ml, 4.52 x 10[9] sperm/ml and 88.4%, respectively. The reaction time was significantly lower in the first group [P<0.01]. However, there was no significant difference in the other parameters between the two groups. It was concluded that during semen collection, when the both breeds of the ram and ewe are the same, the reaction time becomes significantly lower, but the number of mounts and semen characteristics [volume, sperm concentration and viability] did not differ

Comparative evaluation of the effect of antioxidants on the chilled-stored ram semen

The aim of this investigation was to assess the effect of different antioxidants on the motility and membrane integrity of the ram semen during storage at 5[degree]C for 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after collection and dilution. A total of 57 ejaculates from 12 Bakhtiary rams was collected by artificial vagina and were extended 1 : 3 with egg yolk-citrate buffer, which was containing one of the following antioxidants: BSA 1% [w/v], BSA 3%, BSA 1% + sucrose 10%, BSA 3% + sucrose 10%, vitamin E [1 mg], vitamin E [2 mg], ascorbic acid [0.9 mg/ml] and control group without any antioxidant. Percent of motile sperm [PMS], rate of forward movement [RFM] and membrane integrity in extenders contained vitamin E groups were significantly higher up to 48 hrs than other groups [P<0.05]. Although, addition of 2 mg vitamin E was more effective than 1 mg vitamin E in sperm protection, however, the difference was not statistically significant. Likewise, addition of BSA alone or in combination with sucrose was superior to ascorbic acid in maintenance of sperm motility and membrane integrity. It seems that sucrose has not positive effect on these 3 parameters in combination with BSA. In conclusion, adding vitamin E to the extender of ram semen during dilution is superior in maintenance of sperm kinematic parameters up to 48 hrs during storage at 5[degree]C

In vitro survival rate of bovine oocytes following vitrification in glass capillary micropipette [GCM]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of glass capillary micropipette [GCM] as a vessel for vitrification of bovine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes [COCs] were obtained from slaughter-house and washed 5 to 6 times in the washing medium [TCM-199 + 20% FBS] and randomly assigned to treatment and control group. In the first step of vitrification, COCs were exposed to first vitrification solution [VS1] [10% ethylene glycol [EG], 10% DMSO in holding medium [TCM-l99 + 10% FBS: HM]] for I min at room temperature and then placed in VS2 solution [20% EG, 20% DMSO in HM] for 25 sec and immediately were loaded into the GCM vessel. The filled portion of GCM vessels were placed in liquid nitrogen [LN [2]] for 3 to 5 sec and then completely immersed and stored there. The oocytes were thawed by immersing the capillary end of the straw in 1 ml of 0.25 M sucrose in HM and gently expelling the contents. After 1 min the oocytes were transferred into 100 micro l of 0.15 M sucrose in HM for another 5 mm and then washed with HM twice. For examining the in vitro developmental potential of vitrified-warmed oocytes, the oocytes were placed in 50 micro 1 droplet of maturation medium [TCM-l99 + 10% FBS - 10 IU/ml PMSG + 15 IU/ml HCG] covered with paraffin oil in a CO [2] incubator at 38.5°C for 24 hrs. A high proportion of morphologically normal oocytes [90%] was recovered after vitrification-warming. The percentage of live oocytes after 24 hrs when tested with trypan blue in GCM group was 85.18%, significantly did not differ from control group [90%]. The proportion of oocytes which were found to have undergone nuclear maturation did not show statistical difference between the control and GCM group [61.29% vs 40%, respectively]. The results of present study demonstrated that vitrification of immature bovine oocytes in the GCM vessels and EG + DMSO solution have high survival rate

Study on the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir, Iran

The aim of this survey was to evaluate the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir and estimation of their gestational age. Over a period of five months in fall and winter, a total number of 3046 uterine tracts were collected. Pregnancy was detected in 56.50% of ewes, 52.36% and 4.13% of which carried singleton and twins, respectively. The highest frequency of pregnancy was detected in January [65.63%] and the lowest frequency was detected in March [35.02%]. Among a total number of 1721 pregnant ewes, the most frequency of gestational age [34.68%] was recorded to be between 2 and 3 months of gestation, while 5.05% was detected to be above 121 days. Overall, the number of pregnant ewes with a gestational age over two months was considerable [59.83%]. It was concluded that reproductive waste resulting from slaughtering of pregnant animals is important in ewes in Khorram Abad and could be prevented by an improved antemortem examination

Comparative sonographic fetometry in dairy cattle

The aim of this study was to compare crown-rump length [CRL], trunk diameter and number of heartbeats of embryos and fetuses in heifers and pluriparous cows and also to compare the growth pattern of these structures and their correlation with fetal age. Six nulliparous heifers and seven pluriparous cows [third to seventh of gestation] of the Holstein breed were selected and impregnated. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed twice weekly during days 26-80 of their pregnancies. By day 80, there was no significant difference in CRL and trunk diameter of embryos and fetuses of heifers and pluriparous cows. All of the measurements had a highly significant correlation with fetal age [P<0.0001] except for pluriparous cows in which the fetal heartbeat was significant at p<0.05. The correlation coefficients [CC] of the CRL, trunk diameter and number of heartbeats in the fetuses of heifers and cows were as follows: 0.97, 0.98, -0.74 and 0.97, 0.98, -0.23, respectively. The growth pattern of the CRL and trunk diameter was quadratic in heifers and cows. Also the heartbeat in the fetuses of heifers decreased progressively in a quadratic pattern from day 31 through day 80. However, heartbeat in the fetuses of cows changed in an approximately stable or intermittent range. Moreover, standard error of heartbeats in the fetuses of cows was high. It was concluded that all of the measurements in heifers and cows are suitable for estimation of fetal age, except for heartbeat in the fetuses of pluriparous cows. This measurement is not practically recommended, due to a low CC and high standard error. In addition, there was no significant difference between the CRL and trunk diameter in heifers and cows until day 80 and this difference probably will become more pronounced in late pregnancy