[Changes in buffalo serum and hepatic lipid parameters in response to food restriction]

Background: Negative energy balance in cow occurs in transitional period, highyielding dairy cows immediately after calving and feed restriction. In response to energy demand cow mobilizes fatty acids from adipose tissue causing an increase in the circulation of NEFA. Increased blood NEFA is associated with low glucose, high free fatty acids and ketone bodies as well as lipid and lipoprotein disturbances in the blood. Does buffalo follows the same as cow, is not yet cleared

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of starvation on some lipid parameters in serum and liver of buffalos in Ahwaz

Methods: Five two-year-old male buffalos with average body weight of 200 kg were fattened with a diet containing alpha, barely, wheat, and maze for 8 weeks and then they were fastened for 8 days. During fasting period the animals had free access to barely and water. After fasting period the buffalos were again fattened for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein during the first and second fattening period with 20 days intervals and every day in the fasting period. Plasma samples were obtained, stored, and analyzed for glucose, BHBA and NEFA using standard kits. The liver of each buffalo was sampled at the beginning and end of feed restriction period and sent to the laboratory for the measurement of the liver TG content. Analyses of variance were carried out to compare mean values in fed and fasted periods

Results: The results of present study revealed that there were no significant differences in plasma NEFA,BHBA and liver TG concentration before and after feed restriction [p>0.05], but there was significant difference in plasma glucose [p

Conclusions: It appears that in the period of food depravation, buffalos are essentially able to cope with these hard conditions probably through control of lipolysis and gluconeogenesis at the aim of preventing metabolic disorders particularly fatty liver. The results of the present research reveal probably for the first time, this inheritance phenomenon with the emphasis of further research

Bacteriological study of urine and its relationship with histopathological findings of bladder and kidney in river buffalo [Bubalus bubalis]

Cystitis and pyelonephnitis in ruminants most often result from ascending urinary tract infection [UTI]. Investigating the prevalence of urine infection and its relationship with histopathological findings of bladder and kidney. This study was carried out on 353 slaughtered buffalos [143 female and 210 male] at Ahvaz abattoir, southwest of Iran. After slaughter, urinary samples were taken directly from bladder by sterile syringe. The bladder and kidney were inspected and samples from them were taken for histophatological study. All of the urine samples were incubated for isolation of bacteria on blood agar and MacConkey. Biochemical characterizations of the isolates were performed according to Bergey's manual of systemic bacteriology. Histopathological samples were taken from representative parts of each bladder and kidney and were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Out of the 353 urine samples, 19 [5.38%] were positive. The percentages of infected cattle in female and male were 6.3% and 4.8%, respectively. These bacteria were isolated: E.coli [21%], Staphylococcus spp. [31.6%], Streptococcus spp. [15.8%], Proteus spp. [15.8%], Klebciella spp. [5.3%], Yercinia spp. [5.3%], and Actinimyces and Pasteurelle spp. [5.3%]. In histopathological examination, 51[14.4%] and 5 [1.4%] of the buffalos had chronic cystitis and pyelonephritis, respectively. Bacteria were isolated only in 3 cases of chronic cystitis and 2 cases of pyelonephritis. Statistical analysis showed there was no relationship between isolation of bacteria from urine with cystitis and pyelonephritis. Some cases of chronic cystitis are not able to isolate of bacteria from urine and for causing pyelonephritis they need predisposing factors which caused urine retention

effects of fasting on some biochemical factors of liver, serum and clinical signs in cattle

Fasting is an alternative method to induce anorexia. The biochemical factors of liver and serum and clinical signs were measured and documented in five non-lactating, non-pregnant cows following eight days of fasting. Five crossbred, non-lactating, and non-pregnant cattle were used in this study. They were fasted for 8 days_ total food deprivation; however, they had free access to water. Liver biopsies were carried out one day before food deprivation [day 0] and 8 days after food deprivation by ultrasound-guided biopsy. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein before and during fasting. The concentrations of triglyceride [TG], total lipids, glycogen, phospholipids, and total protein in liver and NEFA, BHBA, TG, total cholesterol, glucose, total lipid, APO A1, and APO B in blood serum were measured and compared. The results of this study showed that fasting for 8 days reduces respiratory rate by 52% and heart rate by 12.5% and has no significant effect on rectal temperature. The concentrations of the liver triglyceride [TG] and glycogen significantly increased [p=0.046] and decreased [p=0.007] on day 8, respectively. There were no significant differences in the content of liver phospholipids [p=0.83], total lipids [p=0.29], and total protein [p=0.23]. The serum concentrations of NEFA and BHBA increased significantly [p=0.008] at the end of fasting period. No significant differences in the concentrations of serum TG [p=0.057], total cholesterol [p=0.93], glucose [p=0.108], total lipid [p=0.27], APO A1 [p=0.762], and APO B [p=0.92] were noticed on days 0 and 8. The results of the present study showed that fasting, like anorexia [as a result of diseases], induces fat mobilization from adipose tissue in response to the induced negative energy balance

[Serological study on leptospiral infection in camels [Camelus dromedarius]: a provincial study]

Leptospirosis as a common zoonotic diseases has a worldwide distribution. To Investigate of seroprevalence leptospiral infection in slaughtered camels [Camelus dromedarius] province of Yazd, Iran. Blood samples were collected from 128 camels. Sera were initially screened at serum dilution of 1:100 against six live antigens of [Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona, canicola, hardjo, ballum, icterohaemorrhagiae, grippotyphosa] using microscopic agglutination test. The values >/= 50% in a dilution 1:100 were considered as positive ones. Sera with positive values were titrated against reacting antigens in serial dilutions from 1:100 to 1:400. Antibodies against one or more serovars were shown in 30 [32.4%] sera at dilution >/= 1:100. Among the positive sera, pomona [57.9%] canicola [23.7%], hardjo [10.5%], grippotyphosa [5.3%] and icterohaemorrhagiae [2.6%] were the most frequent serovars,respectively. Furthermore antibodies against more than one serovar were found in 8 [26.6%] of positive sera. It seems that leptospiral with various serovars could be considered as a prevalent infection in camels of the central part of Iran

[ comparison of the effect of oral and injectable copper preparations on serum copper status in sheep]

Clinical observations and studies have confirmed copper deficiency in Khuzestan Province, Iran. This study evaluates the efficacy of copper preparations in the treatment of copper deficiency in sheep. The study was carried out on 180 ewes in a flock with records of enzootic ataxia in their lambs in Ramhormoz. The ewes were randomly divided into 3 groups of sixty: The control group [Group 1]; the oral treatment group [Group 2]; and, the injection treatment group [Group 3]. The ewes in Group 2 received a 4 g capsule of copper oxide orally and the ewes in Group 3 received 50mg of calcium copper edentate by subcutaneous injection. The copper compounds were given before the release of ram into the flock. Blood samples were taken at the start and 2.5 months after the start of the study; and, during lambing time. Blood copper and ceruloplasmin content were measured. In all groups, at the start of experiment, the mean blood copper was near 3 micro mol/L. This measurement indicates functional copper deficiency or hypocuprosis and the mean blood ceruloplasmin was at the lowest level of the normal range. The blood copper and ceruloplasmin levels in the second and third sampling times in groups 2 and 3 showed significant elevations [p<0.05]. No significant differences were seen in the blood concentrations of copper and ceruloplasmin between the second and third sampling times for groups 2 and 3. This study showed that a hypocuprosis presents among sheep raised in the area and there was a partial response to a single dose of copper compounds. Therefore, repeated doses of copper compounds are recommended if hypocuprosis is diagnosed in any flock of sheep in the Khuzestan Province area

Bacteriological and serological studies on mannheimia haemolytica infection in cattle slaughtered at Ahvaz [southwestern Iran] abattoir

In order to investigate the prevalence of Mannheimia haemolytica infection in cattle, nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were obtained from 250 cattle after slaughter at Ahvaz [southwestern Iran] abattoir. Nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs were cultured on blood agar and incubated at 37 [degree sign] C for 24-48 h. The suspected bacterial cultures were processed for isolation of M. haemolytica following routine bacteriological techniques. Sera were tested by indirect hemagglutination test [IHA] to reveal antibodies against the organism. M. haemolytica was isolated from 1.6% of the samples cattle. Statistical analysis showed that there was no relationship between age and sex with bacterial infection. Serological studies showed that 71.6% of tested sera contained antibody [titer >/= 1/16] against M. haemolytica. There was no association between age and sex with serological results

Abattoir study of the prevalence of renal lesions in slaughtered cattle

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and type of renal lesions in cattle that were slaughtered at the Ghaem [Shahriar] and Ziaran [Ghazvin] abattoirs. A total number of 405 clinically normal cattle were randomly selected and renal samples were taken for histopathological study. The cattle were divided into two groups according to sex, and female groups were divided into two age groups [heifer and cow]. Thirty-five [8.6%] out of the studied animals had renal lesions including interstitial nephritis, cysts, glomerolonephritis, acute tubular necrosis [ATN], pyelonephritis, amyloidosis, leukosis hydronephrosis and unilateral renal aplasia. Interstitial nephritis was the most common observed lesion [85.7%]. The prevalence of renal lesions in female and male cattle were 8.5% and 9.4%, respectively, which was not a statistically significant difference. The prevalence of renal lesions in cows and heifers were 10% and 2.8%, respectively [p<0.05]. It is concluded that age is more important influence factor on renal lesion than sex

Study on the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida carriers in slaughtered cattle and relationship with their immunity status at Ahvaz abattoir

This study was carried out on 250 slaughtered cattle at Ahvaz abattoir in Khouzestan province of Iran to investigate the occurrence of Pasteurella multocida carriers and relationship with their immunity status. Nasopharyngeal swabs and 10 ml blood samples were taken immediately after slaughter. The swabs were streaked on 5% sheep blood agar plates. Cultures were incubated at 37°C for 24h and the plates were examined for colonies resembling P. multocida. Suspicious colonies were further subcultivated and examined microscopically and biochemically. The isolates were serotyped serologically and their pathogenicity in mice was carried out. Sera samples were tested for the presence of antibody against P. multocida by indirect haemagglutination [IHA] test and sera with a titer of >/= 1:16 were considered as positive. P. multocida was isolated from the nasopharynx of 6 [2.4%] out of 247 healthy cattle examined. There was no relation between infection and sex or age. All of 6 isolates belonged to type B. They were pathogenic for mice and caused death in injected mice within less than 24h after injection. Indirect haemagglutination test revealed the titers of >/= 1:16 of P. multocida antibody in 212 [84.8%] cattle. Among 6 cattle recognized as the carriers of P. multocida, 5 were positive serologically and 2, 2 and one of them had titers 1:128, 1:64, and 1:32, respectively

[Serological study of Neospora caninum infection in cattle from Ahvaz area, Iran]

In order to investigate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in cattle in Southwestern Iran, blood samples were collected from Holstein [121 animals] and cross-breed [436 animals] cattle from three farms and seven areas of Ahvaz, respectively. All of the Holstein cattle were >/= 4 years old but cross-breed cattle were from different age groups [< 2.2-4.5-6 and > 6 years old]. Sera were examined by commercial ELISA kit. Anti - N. caninum antibodies were detected in 117 [21%] sera out of 557 tested. A Significant difference was found between Holstein [53.71%] and cross-breed [11.93%] cattle although there were not any significant differences between age groups

Seroprevalence of leptospiral infection in goats of Ahvaz

In a serological survey to investigate the prevalence of leptospiral infection in goats in Ahvaz, blood samples were taken from 172 female goats. They were initially screened at serum dilution of 1: 100 against six live antigens of leptospira interorgans serovar pomona, canicola, hardjo, ballum, icterohemorrhagiae, and grippotyphosa using the microscopic agglutination test [MAT] and samples were considered positive, if 50% or more of agglutination of leptospires in a dilution of l: 100 or greater was found. Sera with positive results were titrated against reacting antigens in serial twofold dilution from l:100 to 1:1600.Antibodies against one or more serovars were detected in 18 [10.46%] sera at dilution +/- 1: 100. Antibodies against more than one serovar were found in 5 [27.77%] positive sera. Antibodies were most frequent to serovar grippotyphosa [39.13%] followed by in descending, canicola [26.80%], pomona [21.72%], icterohemorrhagiae [8.69%] and hardjo [4.34%]

Serological study of bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection of cattle in Ahwaz

In order to investigate the prevalence of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus [BVDV] of cattle in Ahvaz, blood samples were collected from jugular vein of 572 cattle [521 female, 51 male] from industrial and nonindustrial farms. Sera were stored at -20?C while waiting for analysis. The sera were tested by ELISA, using a commercial ELISA kit for detection of specific antibody to bovine viral diarrhoea virus [BVDV]. The results were analyzed by chi- square test. 163 [28.5%] Out of the sera samples were positive. The results showed the seropositivities of 29.55%, 17.64%, 75% and 23.34% in female, male and animals in industrial and non- industrial farms, respectively. Moreover, there were significant differences between male and female and between industrial and non-industrial farms [p < 0.05]

Serum lipids and lipoproteins profile in clinically healthy iranian arab horse in Khouzestan

In order to determine the lipids and lipoproteins profiles in Iranian khouzestanian Arab horses, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 77 horses[47 female, 30 male] from different age groups[< 6, 7-12, 12-36, 37-60, 61-69 and > 96 months]. serum cholesterol and triglyceride were measured by enzymatic methods and lipoproteins by precipitation methods. The results were analyzed by LSD and t - test. Regardless of sex and age, the mean values of total cholesterol[TC], total triglyceride[TG], very low density lipoprotein cholesterol[VLDL-c], low density lipoprotein cholesterol[LDL-c], high density lipoprotein cholesterol[HDL-c] were 71.10 +/- 1.25, 26.05 +/- 0.64, 10.91 +/- 0.67, 22.71 +/- 3.74 and 37.61 +/- 1.24 mg/dl, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there was no difference between female and male ones. However, age had a significant effect on LDL-c concentration so that its value decreased with increase in age. The present study revealed that the normal concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in Iranian Khouzestanian Arab horses differ from the other breeds and those Arabian horses which live in the other areas. This difference may be due to the effect of breed, nutrition, various physiological and climatic conditions

prevalence of mycobacterium paratuberlosis infection in ileocecal valve of cattle slaughtered in ahvaz abattoir, Southern Iran

To investigate the prevalence of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis [M avium subsp paratuberculosis infection among cattle slaughtered in Ahvaz abattoir, samples were taken from 250 cattle. Before slaughter. sex and age were assessed. Thereafter, samples were taken from ileocecal valve, rectum mucosa, ileocecal lymph node and stool. All smears which taken from these samples were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen method and examined by light microscopy. At first, ileocecal samples were examined; other samples were examined when ileocecal sample was positive. Out of the 250 cattle, 5 [2%] were positive. With the exception of one sample in which the organism was observed in both ileocecal valve and ileocecal lymph nodes in other positive samples the bacteria was observed in only ileocecal valve smear

Serological Study of Leptospirosis in Cattle in Ahwaz

Detection of anti-Leptospira antibody in serum of cattle in Ahwaz. Field and serological study. 645 cattle. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein of 645 cattle [588 male, 57 female]. Sera were stored at -20°C until ready for use. They were tested, using the microscopic agglutination test [MAT] against 6 live antigens of leptospiral interogans serotypes. Antigens used were L.I. gripotyphosa, L.I. hardjo, L.I. icterohemorrhagica, L.I. pomona, L.I. ballum and L.I. canicola. Cultures were considered positive if 50ko[3]/41 or more of agglutination of leptospires in a dilution of test serum of 1:100 or greater were found. Chi- square test. Out of the sera samples, 347 [53.79ko[3]/41] were positive for at least one leptospire with percentage distribution among the highest number of reactors 30.07ko[3]/41 was due to L.I. gripotyphosa followed by in descending L.I. Pomona [18.33ko[3]/41], L.I. canicola [15.53ko[3]/[4]l], L.I. hardjo [14.35ko[3]/4l], L.I. icterohemorrhagica [11.55ko[3]/41] and L.I. ballum [10.16ko[3]/41]. Totally 35.16ko[3]/41 of srea showed evidence of mixed infection. In positive sera the antibody titers of 1:100 [44.42ko[3]/41], 1:200 [38.44ko[3]/[4]1], 1:400 [14.54ko[3]/41] and 1: 800 [1.20ko[3]41] were detected. The prevalence of reactors to leptospiral antigen did not differ with the sex of animal but had significant difference between industrial and non- industrial farms. In contrast to other studies in Iran, the Percentage of prevalence of leptospiral infection in Ahwaz was higher. It may probably due to climatic condition because the weather in Ahwaz is commonly warmer than other cities of Iran that studied previously. The high prevalence of infection and dominant titer of 1:100 reveal that leptospiral infection in Ahwaz is endemic

Diagnosis of experimentally infected sheep hydatidosis through antigen detection in serum and urine, with coagglutination [Co.A] test

To evaluate coagglutination test in the serum and urine of sheep for diagnosing of hydatidosis. Experimental study. Two rabbits, three dogs and nineteen sheep. Ovine hydatid cysts from affected livers and lungs, were collected from Ahwaz abattoir [Khozestan province, Iran]. The hydatid fluid [HF] and protoscolces were aseptically obtained in lab. Hydatid fluid was centrifuged and injected to rabbits in two steps. After then, rabbit hyperimmune sera were collected. Furthermore, each dog was given 15,000 viable protoscoleces. Less than two months later, dogs were autopsied after euthanasia and all Echinococcus granulosus worms were collected and their eggs were released. Almost, 2000 eggs were orally administred to each [N= 13]. The six other sheep were kept as control. All sheep were bled each week and their urine samples were collected fortnight. All sera and urine samples were examined with coagglutination [Co.A] test. While sensitivity of coagglutination test, was nil during five weeks of post-infection [p.i.], its values showed a biphasic pattern. While, it increased up to 23% in the sixth week and after then up to 100% in the 12th and 13th week of p.i. it decreased in the following weeks. Specificity of test was 100% throughout the experiment. While examination of urine in the affected sheep resulted in positive reaction from 6th week of p.i, its sensitivity and the sensitivity gradually increased up to 100% at 12th week of p.i. Furthermore, specificity of the test for urine of non-infected sheep remained 100%. These results suggest that the time of appearance of hydatid antigens in serum and urine is approximately alike. While positive results are very valuable, negative ones do not rule out hydatidosis