Serum biochemical and hematological parameters in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]

Background: clinical prostatic diseases occur in 80% of dogs over 5 and 95% over 9 years of age. It seems that benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] affects Scottish terriers more severely than the other breeds

Objectives: this study aimed to evaluate the changes of biochemical and hematological parameters in BPH dogs

Methods: blood samples were collected from 10 male dogs [mostly terrier or mix] older than five years with weight 8.91 +/- 2.5 kg.suffering from BPH which referred to Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary Faculty of Tehran University. The diagnosis of BPH was based on clinical, laboratory surveys and ultrasonography. 10 normal male dogs with same age, breed and weight were selected as control group. Then serum acid phosphatase [TAP and PAP], CRP, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulins and hematological parameters were assayed and the results were analyzed by Independent student T-test. Also, Pearson's linear correlation test was used to determine the correlation between TAP, PAP, CRP and ESR with length and width of prostate

Results: the length [p=0.008], width [p= 0.01] of prostates was significantly higher in dogs suffering from BPH compared to the healthy dogs. TAP and PAP levels significantly increased in all dogs in BPH group [approximately 6 times] compared to the controls [p=0.001]. Moreover, serumic CRP concentration was elevated in some BPH dogs [approximately 6 times] [p=0.001]. While there was significant ESR elevation in some of the dogs in disease group compared to the normal dogs, no significant difference was observed in other biochemical and hematological parameters between two groups [p>0.05]. There was a highly significant correlation between serum TAP and PAP [p

Conclusions: the serum acid phosphatase, CRP and ESR were elevated in BPH dogs but the increase in serum acid phosphatase was more important than the others. It is recommended that each laboratory should use its own values of acid phosphatase in dogs

study of hematological changes in sheep naturally infected with Anaplasma spp. and Theileria ovis: Molecular diagnosis

Ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis are important tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats which are dis-tributed in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. This study was performed to assess hematological status in sheep naturally infected with Anaplasma and Theileria spp. to clarify the pathogenic aspects of various species involved in ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis in Ahvaz region. 109 sheep were sampled, and blood parasite infections were diagnosed by microscopic examination and PCR. The blood samples were also subjected to hematologic assessment. PCR analysis revealed A. ovis infection in 86.2% of sheep, while mixed infections with A. marginale were also detected in 53.2% of them. However, Anaplasma inclusion bodies were only observed in 32.1% of the tested animals. T. ovis were found in 88% of the inspected sheep by PCR, and 67.8% of them were detected microscopically, as well. Hematologic assessment showed that mean RBC, PCV, Hb, and MCHC were significantly lower, whereas MCV and RDW were higher in the animals with mixed infections of'Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria, compared to the uninfected sheep and groups with single infection or without parasitemia. In brief, it seems that Anaplasma can be activated and induce its pathogenesis in the presence of other infective agents in the carrier or asympthomatic animals. It can also be concluded that mixed infections of Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria may induce a regenerative anemia which is most likely attributable to a combined effect of the two

Investigation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in canine sera with dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy [DCM] is accompanied by myocytes and connective tissue changes. Matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs] play important roles in cardiac remodeling. It seems that the gelatinases [MMP-2 and MMP-9] are effective enzymes in cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy was confirmed in 22 dogs [patient group] including 11 female and 11 male by clinical examination, auscultation, thoracic radiography and echocardiography. 17 healthy dogs [control group] with similar weight and breed to patients were also selected from referred cases to Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary Faculty of Tehran University and the same diagnostic procedures were performed on them. After that, serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 of control and patient groups were measured by semi-quantitative zymography. Semiquantitative analysis of zymograms from canine serums with DCM showed that total MMP-9 in patients is more than control group, while there was no significant difference in total MMP-2 between the two groups. Pro-MMP-2 was not detected in patient group but its active form was present in both groups, of course MMP-2 activity in patients was significantly more than control. Active form of MMP-9 was detected only in patients. Although pro-MMP-9 was present in both groups, its level in control group was significantly higher than patients. The heart enlargement was observed in the left, right or both parts. Statistically significant differences in active form of MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were observed between different groups of heart enlargement [right, left and both parts] compared to control but this difference was not significant considering chambers affected and VHS [vertebral heart score] groups. In conclusion, although there are some changes in serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in canine DCM, it seems that increase of MMP-9 is more prominent than MMP-2 and neither of them were affected by heart enlargement or VHS grade

[Hematological and serum biochemical parameters in anemic dogs]

Anemia is a common disorder in domestic pet animals, usually encountered in veterinary clinics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the anemic dogs and to show practically the value of measuring the corrected reticulocyte percentage [CRP]. A survey was conducted on 500 dogs which referred to small animal hospital of the faculty of veterinary medicine of Tehran university. From this population, a group of 139 anemic dogs was selected with PCV less than 37% and 20 healthy dogs as control group. They were examined for the hematological parameters [RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCHC, RDW, WBC, PLT, Dif, reticulocyte percentage and corrected reticulocyte percentage] and serum biochemical factors [Fe, alanine amino transferase activity,creatinine, total protein and glucose]. The anemic dogs were divided into 3 anemic groups based on MCV and MCHC: microcytic hypochromic [1.44%], microcytic normochromic [21.59%] and normocytic normochromic [76.97%]. A comparison survey was conducted between the results of the 3 anemic and control groups by one way ANOVA and Tukey test. The measurement of hematological parameters indicated that RBC, Hb and PCV decreased significantly in all anemic dogs. The results showed that RDW of microcytic hypochromic group increased significantly compared to control. The reticulocyte percentage of all anemic groups was significantly different from control group, but calculation of CRP showed there was only significant difference between normocytic-normochromic and control groups. One way ANOVA indicated that serum Fe in microcytic-hypochromic group and serum creatinine in normocytic-normochromic group significantly decreased and increased, respectively. Total protein of all groups is significantly decreased compared to control group. There were no significant changes for the other parameters. Based on the result, it is suggested that CRP and biochemical parameters be measured such as: creatinine, total protein, ALT and glucose in addition to CBC, in all anemic dogs

Molecular detection and identification of Anaplasma species in sheep from Ahvaz, Iran

Ovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne rickettsial disease, widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. In the present study, a PCR-RFLP method based on major surface protein 4 [MSP4] gene, was utilized for the detection of Anaplasma infection in 119 sheep blood samples collected from different parts of Ahvaz in the southwest of Iran. PCR identified Anaplasma infections in 87.4% [104/119] of the samples in contrast to the routine blood smear examination, which revealed inclusion bodies in only 33.6% [40/119] of samples. RFLP assessment revealed that all PCR positive samples were A. ovis, while for the first time in Iran, a mixed infection with A. marginale was seen in 50% [52/104] of Anaplasma infected samples. These results suggest higher sensitivity of PCR method over the conventional microscopic technique for diagnosis of anaplasmosis, particularly in carrier animals. It also revealed that ovine anaplasmosis caused by A. ovis and A. marginale is present and highly prevalent in Ahvaz and appears to be the first report from this region

[Changes of serum biochemistry in short term toxicity with lindane pesticide in broiler chickens]

Lindane is highly lipid soluble toxin and persist in the environment, Its bioaccumulation occurs in the food chain from the environment to animals and humans. In order to evaluate the effects of high doses of lindane on the weight and serum biochemical parameters, twenty five old Ross broiler chicks [30day] were divided into control and 4 treatment groups of 5 chickens each. The chickens of control group didn't receive any toxin but the other groups received diets containing 150, 300, 600 and 900 ppm, lindane respectively. At the end of seventh day, animals were weighed and exsanguinated. Liver and blood samples were collected. The chicken weight decreased significantly in response to 600 and 900 ppm lindane compared to control, 150 and 300 ppm groups. The kidneys were affected in all groups compared to the control. Serum uric acid increased significantly. Although malfunction of kidneys were more severe in 900ppm titan the other groups. In 900 ppm group increased activity of AST were significant comparing to control and another groups [p<0.05]. Comparing to control and all groups the activity of CPK in the 900ppm increased significantly [p<0.05]. The other parameters in seum such as total protein, albumin and globulin, triglyceride cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and VLDL Index of lipid peroxidation byTBARs method and also beta carotene and vitamine A in serum and liver were not significant. So for evaluating of toxic effects of short term lindane administration, initially suggest that measure kidneys test [specially uric acid] and muscle test [specially AST and CPK] and should be not that the weight measuring is very important

Molecular identification of anaplasmosis in goats using a new PCR-RFLP method

In this study blood samples were collected from 193 goats in north and northeastern Iran with the aim to develop a PCR-RFLP assay, as a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool enabling direct and concurrent identification of two Anaplasma species [A. ovis, A. marginale] in goats. A polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for amplification of a fragment of the major surface protein 4 [msp4] gene from A. ovis and A. marginale was developed. The results revealed that 123 out of 193 blood samples were positive for Anaplasma spp. infection. All 43 positive samples detected by microscopic examination were approved as positive by PCR, whereas no rickettsials were seen through light microscopy in the other 80 PCR positive cases. All positive samples were A. ovis as confirmed by restriction fragments length polymorphism [RFLP] method. Our results showed that PCR-RFLP of the msp4 gene could be a useful method for the detection of A. ovis in goats

[ abattoir survey on prevalence of enzootic bovine leukosis virus infection and associated clinical, haematological and flow cytometric findings in holestein cattle in Tehran]

Bovine leukosis virus [BLV] is a retrovirus that primarily affects lymphoid tissue of cattle. To determine the seroprevalence of Enzootic Bovine Leukosis Virus infection and its effects on some clinical, hematological and flow cytometric indications, this study was conducted on 197 Holstein cattle slaughtered in an abattoir in Tehran province. ELISA gp5 1 test of the obtained serums of the animals showed that the mean of infection rates was 22.3%. Age arrangement of the relative frequencies of the infection showed a significant correlation between EBLV infection and age increasing [0.001

[Effects of the administration of anticoccidial vaccines and drugs on intestinal lesions and biochemical variables of broiler chicks challenged with experimental coccidiosis]

Coccidiosis is one of the most important disease in poultry. Since using of anti-coccidial drugs or vaccination are considered as the most common preventive measures of this disease, an experiment was conducted to compare effectiveness of these methods. Nine hundred and sixty day-old male Ross broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight treatments and fed with a corn-soybean meal basal diet during experimental period. Treatments 3 and 4 received salinomycin and diclazuril as coccidiostate, respectively, but did not immunize. Chicks in treatments 5 to 8 immunized with anti-coccidial vaccines [including Livacox Q, Paracox 5, Livacox T, and Iracox, respectively] by drinking water on 5 days of age. Chicks in all treatments except treatment 1 were inoculated with a suspension of four Eimeria species on 26 days of age. From 28 days of age, blood samples were taken on a weekly and serum concentrations of beta-carotene, albumin, globulin, albumin to globulin ratio, vitamin A, and total protein were measured. One week post-challenged, 6 birds in each treatment were slaughtered and intestinal lesions were scored. The results indicated that the birds fed diets supplemented with salinomycine or diclazuril had the highest concentrations of vitamin A. Serum concentration of alpha-carotene was higher in negative control [non-infected] treatment. No significant differences were observed in relation to other serum biochemical values among treatments. It was concluded that serum concentrations of vitamin A and alpha-carotene could be considered as most important serum biochemical values in coccidian-infected broilers

Experimental study on the relationship between nutritional hypophosphatemia and hemoglobinuria in the lambs

This study was designed to induce nutritional hypophosphatemia to investigate the possibility of intervascular hemolysis in the control [7 lambs] and test [8 lambs] groups. Phosphorus of the ration jugular vein blood samples were weekly taken for inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, billirubin, hematocrit and Heinz body examination. The independent t-test and repeated measures [analysis of variance] methods applied for the statistical analyses. Significant hypophosphatemia [p<0.01] and increase in the alkaline phosphatase activity [p<0.001] observed in the test lambs. Hienz bodies in the red blood cells and highly significant decrease of the hematocrit [p<0/0005] appeared in both groups. Although, visible hemoglobinuria was not observed .The results cleares up potential sensitivity of sheep to nutritional hemolysis

[ effects of cadmium on blood parametens in broiler chicken]

To study the effects of various concentration of Cadmium [5, 50 and 100 ppm] on blood parameters in broiler chickens [Ross Breed]. Experimental study. Two hundred and eightyn Ross broiler chickens. The chickens were randomly categorized into 4 groups of 3 replicates each. The replicates were randomly distribued in 12 batteries. Blood were collected after 1, 2, 4 and 7 weeks and the values of RBC and WBC counts, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCHC, leukocyte differentiation and thrombocyte counts determined. ANOVA and Scheffe method. The valuse of RBC,PCV and Hb gradually showed increase during course of experiment in 5 ppm group compare to control. However there were no significant difference among groups. In 50ppm group RBC,PCV and Hb had decrease compare to control [p<0.05] but MCV and MCHC changes were not significant. Therefore, the anemia in the 50ppm group was normocytic normochromic type, while in the 100ppm group the valuse of RBC, PCV, Hb and MCHC had decrease [p<0.05], MCV, showed increase [p<0.05]. The results indicate that anemia in the 100ppm group is a macrocytic hypochromic type. WBC and heterophil counts showed increase between days 14 and 28 in 5, 50 and 100ppm treated groups compare to control. However the changes were not statistically significant. Furthermore, thrombocyte counts in 5ppm, 50ppm and 100ppm groups were significantly low [p<0.05]. It is concluded that cadmium administration causes gradual hematological changes which correlate with cadmium concentration in the diet

[Gallstones in sheep and cows slaughtered at Tehran abattoirs]

Searchgallstone in sheep and cows.Cross Sectional. Sheepand cows.Inthis survey, 336 and 250 gallbladder of slaughtered sheep and cows were studied in Tehran slaughterhouse, respectively. Chemical analysis of bile [cholesterol, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin and calcium] from animals with and without gallstones were done. T-test[P<0.05]. The qualitative chemical analysis of the gallstones showed that calcium bilirubinate, cholestrol and calcium carbonate was present. Chemical analysis of bile from animals with and without gallstones did not show any statistically significant difference[P<0.05].This is the first report from Iran.Observations Showed gallstones in sheep and cow were pigment ones

[Effect of betaine on the efficacy of salinomycin in broiler chicks in experimental coccidiosis]

To study the interactive effect of betaine [BET]and salinomycin [SAL] in coccidian-infected broiler chicks.Randomized complete block with 2*2 factorialarrangement.Four hundred and eighty male Ross 308 broilerchicks.The chicks were randomly assigned to fourdietary treatments including: 1] basal diet, 2] basal dietplus .15% BET, 3] basal diet plus 66ppm SAL, and 4] basaldiet plus .15% BET plus 66ppm SAL. Each treatmentcontained 4 replicates of 30 chicks and fed ad-libitum. Allof the chicks were inoculated with a suspension of themixed culture of Eimeria oocysts on 15 days of age. Fecessamples were taken to determine the number of oocysts pergram of feces [OPG]. Plasma carotenoid concentrations[PCC] were evaluated on 14 and 28 days of age. Bodyweight gain [BWG], feed intake [FI], feed conversion ratio[FCR], and Europeanefficiencyfactor [EEF] weredetermined to evaluate broiler's performance.General linear model [GLM] andDuncan's multiple range test.Supplementation of diets with 66 ppmSALsignificantly on improved the performance, increased thePCC [P<0.05], and decreased the OPG. Adding 0.15% BETalone did not affect production performance, PCC andOPG significantly [P> 0.05]. Diet containing 66 ppm SALsupplemented with 0.15% BET significantly increased theBWG, EEF, and PCC while it decreased the FCR and OPG[P< 0.05].The results of this experimental studyindicated that BET at the level of 0.15% could increase theefficacy of SAL for preventing deleterious effects ofcoccidiosis in broiler chicks

[ study on pathologic changes in sheep experimentally infected with Babesia ovis]

Macroscopic and microscopic lesions of experimentally induced ovine babesiosis with Babesia ovis.Experimental study.Twelve 1 to 2- year -old native breed sheep [Chall]. Babesiosis was induced by intravenous injection of Babesia ovis. These sheep were negative for babesial infection before the experiment. Six of them were splenectomized. Clinical symptoms were recorded and serological and hematological examinations were carried out. Four seriously affected sheep [three splenectomized and one intact] were necropsied and macroscopic lesions were recorded. The tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5micro, and stained with H and E, Giemsa Gener's and PAS for histopathology. Grossly, the liver was enlarged and dark brown in color and gallbladder was distended with watery bile. The kidneys were dark with cortical petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages and moist on cut surface. Numerous subepicardial petechial hemorrhages were present. The lymph nodes were edematous and hemorrhagic. Gross examination of the CNS revealed edema and congestion of the brain and meninges. The lungs were diffusely congested and edematous. The cut surface of these organs was moist and the tracheal and bronchial lumina contained a large amount of frothy, pinkish edema fluid. The blood was thin and watery. Some carcasses were icteric. Histopathologic examination revealed focal necrosis, lymphoplasmocytic pericholangitis and cholangiohepatitis and canalicular cholestasis in liver. Proliferative glomerulitis, congestion of glomerular capillaries and ischemic acute tubular necrosis was present. Lymphocytic epicarditis and endocarditis, lymphohistiocytic myocarditis together with zenkers necrosis of cardiac muscle fibers and hemorrhages were observed. Severe edema, mild lymphocytolysis and hemorrhagic lymphadenitis were present. Perineuronal and perivascular edema and status spongiosis were noticed in brain. Microscopically, acute alveolar edema and interstitial neutrophilic and macrophages infiltration were present. Congestion of skeletal muscles was also present.These findings indicate that the disease is more complex than a simple syndrome of intravascular hemolysis. The intense visceral congestion and pulmonary edema suggest that death may be partly due to circulatory shock associated with accumulation of toxins, release of vasoactive substances and anemic anoxia

[Clinical, biochemical and microbiological findings of calves diarrhea in a diary herd in Suburbs of Tehran]

Objective: Study of the clinical, biochemical and microbiological factors that cause Neonatal calves diarrhea

Animals: A total of 140 diarrheic neonatal calves [under one month and 35 apparently normal calves]

Procedure: Taking stool sample from rectum of the diarrheic calves, and Blood from jugular vein, using standard methods for detection of bacteria and cryptosporidium measurement and the blood biochemical factors

Statistical analysis: Results were repoted by descriptive scales and software SPSS[version 12] and Chi-Square and t-student

Result: Clinical evaluation revealed that 36/4% of diarrheic samples were sever fluid. 42/9% of diarrheic Samples were yellow in color. 87/9% of calves were thin and vivacious. 65.7% diarrheic calves had poor feeding behaviour and 72.8% of diarrheic calves had second degree dehydration. We separated just E.coli from 28/6% and both E.coli and cryptosporidium from 35% of diarrheic fecal samples. k99 Ecoli Consisted 2/1% of separated E.coli bacteria. Biochemical factors such as Ca,Mg, CI, k and Na also measured by routine methods and compared with control group [35 case] .There wasn't any significant difference in Ca, Mg, Cl, K and Na values between the control group and the group that E.coli was isolated from .But these values differed between the control group and the group which E.coli and cryptospordium were isolated from.Comparison between Ecoli and Ecoli and cryptosporidm groups revealed that there is not any difference between Na and k measures .but Ca, Mg and Cl values were different between these two groups

Clinical implications: The diferences between treatment and control groups could be due to severe diarrhea in which E.coli and cryptosporidium have been isolated