ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF DIFFUSE HEPATOCELLULAR DISORDERS IN DAIRY CATTLE

Ultrasonography of the liver was performed in 200 Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle using a 3.5 MHz transducer with a linear array electronic scanner. Liver samples were taken, processed and examined microscopically and the fat occupying rate was calculated. The hepatic ultrasonograms were evaluated according to the presence of bright pattern, dark pattern, deep attenuation, vascular blurring and blurring of edges. Of the 200 animals, 96 had a normal liver, 63 had hydropic degeneration of the liver, 37 had fatty infiltration of the liver, 3 had liver dystrophy and I had hepatic amyloidosis, diagnosed through histopathological examination. Amyloidosis was characterized by bright pattern and blurring of edges. Liver dystrophy had higher percentages of bright pattern and blurring of edges than normal liver. Hydropic degeneration had higher percentages of dark pattern and blurring of edges than normal liver. Fatty infiltration had higher percentages of bright pattern, deep attenuation, vascular blurring and blurring of edges than normal liver. The present results suggest that different ultrasonographic patterns can be observed in various diffuse hepatocellular disorders in dairy cattle     

Prevalence of avian influenza (H9N2) in commercial quail,partridge, and turkey farms in Iran, 2014–2015

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 subtype is endemic in Iran and causes substantial economic loss to the growing poultry industry within the country. In this...     

Endocannabinoids as endometrial inflammatory markers in lactating Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to consider endocannabinoid system as inflammatory markers in bovine endometrium to better understand the role of this system in regulating many of the functions that are related to inflammatory condition. At day 26 post‐partum, fourteen cows were divided into two groups depending on the inflammatory condition: 1‐ subclinical endometritis (n = 7, with purulent or mucopurulent uterine discharge detectable in the vagina) and 2‐ healthy (n = 7, No (muco)) purulent discharge. Blood samples were collected at 26 and 30 days relative to calving to determine plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) concentrations; moreover, uterine biopsy was carried out on day 26 post‐partum to measure mRNA abundance of TNF, interleukin‐1B (IL1B), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), endocannabinoid receptor (CNR2), N‐acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPEPLD), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N‐acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) by real‐time PCR. Results showed mean plasma concentrations of TNF and LBP were lower in healthy cows compared to subclinical endometritis cows (p < .05). Relative mRNA expression for NAAA and FAAH was decreased (p < .05), and relative mRNA expression for CNR2 and NAPEPLD increased in cows with subclinical endometritis compared to healthy cows. In conclusion, relative mRNA expression of TNF, IL1B and CXCL8 and plasma concentration of LBP increased during inflammatory condition along with decreased endocannabinoids hydrolyzing enzyme (NAAA and FAAH), increased enzymes that synthesize endocannabinoids (NAPEPLD) and relative gene expression of the endocannabinoid receptor; together, these contribute to increased endocannabinoids levels during inflammation. Overall, we provide evidence that endocannabinoid system is altered in endometrium tissue during inflammation through increased mRNA expression of CNR2 and synthesis enzyme and decreased mRNA expression of hydrolyzing enzymes interfere with pro‐cytokine production and signalling, which may interfere with the onset and progression of inflammation.     

Effects of smoke,ash and heat shock on seed germination of seven species from Central Zagros rangelands in the semi-arid region of Iran

Fire products have been widely identified as germination cues for a number of species from both fire-prone and fire-free ecosystems. However, there is uncertainty about the effects of fire products on seed germination of semi-arid rangeland species. We examined the germination of seven dominant species from Central Zagros rangelands in the semi-arid region of Iran under various heat shock (60, 80 and 120 °C), aerosol smoke, ash and control treatments. Our findings showed that fire products could enhance, inhibit or not affect the seed germination of rangeland species in this area. The germination percentage of Astragalus adscendens increased following 60 °C heat treatment in comparison with the control. The germination of Astragalus verus, Bromus tectorum, B. tomentellus and Phlomis olivieri were increased significantly using smoke treatment (P<0.0001). The seed germination of B. tomentellus and B. tectorum was promoted by ash treatment, whereas the other species exhibited no response or were inhibited by fire products. In addition, smoke treatment shortened the overall germination time of B. tectorum. These findings suggest that fire products affect the germination of several species and can serve as potential tools for understanding the vegetation dynamics and restoration of disturbed semi-arid rangelands.     

Eosinophilic leukaemia in a cat

A 14-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was presented to Tehran University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a persistent fever, anorexia, intermittent vomiting, weight loss and weakness. The main clinical signs were pale mucous membranes, dehydration and splenomegaly. The complete blood count and serum biochemistry tests revealed non-regenerative anaemia, thrombocytopenia and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for feline leukaemia virus was negative. Blood film and bone marrow examination revealed a large number of immature eosinophils with variable sizes and numbers of faintly azurophilic granules. Cytochemical staining of blood film demonstrated 70% positive cells for ALP activity. Four percent CD34 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. As eosinophilic leukaemia is difficult to identify by light microscopy, well-defined diagnostic criteria and the use of flow cytometry and cytochemical staining can improve the ability to correctly diagnose this type of leukaemia in cats.     

Bovine blood neutrophil acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH) activity during endotoxin and coliform mastitis

The dynamics of blood neutrophil acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH) activity, the appearance of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) in blood and the role of blood neutrophil AOAH in the severity of Escherichia coli and endotoxin mastitis were investigated in early postpartum dairy cows experimentally challenged with either endotoxin (n = 6) or E. coli (n = 6). The AOAH activity of blood neutrophils started to decrease significantly at post challenge hours (PCH) 6-24 and 12-24 in the endotoxin and E. coli-challenged groups, respectively; it returned to pre-challenged values at PCH 48 in both endotoxin- and E. coli-challenged groups. The cows were classified as moderate and severe responders according to milk production loss in the non-challenged quarters at PCH 48. There were no severe responders in the endotoxin-challenged group. In the E. coli-challenged group, only 1 severe responder was identified. The pre-challenge neutrophil AOAH activity of the severe responder was approximately 30% lower than that of moderate responders. No LPS was detected in the plasma of endotoxin-challenged cows; neither was it found in the plasma of moderate responders in the E. coli-challenged group at any PCH. However, at PCH 6, a remarkable amount of LPS was detected in the plasma of the severe responder from the E. coli-challenged group. Furthermore, neutrophil AOAH activity was increased by approximately 70% in the severe responder at PCH 6, but it increased by only approximately 15% in moderate responders. This was followed by a decreased neutrophil AOAH activity at PCH 12-24 and 24-72 in moderate and severe responders, respectively; the decreased AOAH activity at those PCH was more pronounced in the severe responder. The pronounced decreased neutrophil AOAH activity during mastitis often coincided with extreme leukopenia, neutropenia and a maximal number of immature neutrophils in the blood. Our results demonstrate that a decrease in neutrophil AOAH activity results in the appearance of LPS in the blood, and low blood neutrophil deacylation activity could be considered as a risk factor for severe clinical coliform mastitis.     

Severity of E. coli mastitis is mainly determined by cow factors

Intramammary infections of dairy cows with Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (major cause of mastitis) have received a lot of attention because of their major economic impact on the dairy farm through production losses induced by an increase in somatic cell count. Management strategies, including greater awareness for efficient milking and hygienic measures, have limited the spread of Gram-positive bacteria and resulted in a significant decrease of proportion of S. aureus isolates and subclinical mastitis worldwide. Other organisms such as coliform subspecies and Streptococcus uberis, both environmental bacteria that cause clinical mastitis, have received less attention. Escherichia coli causes inflammation of the mammary gland in dairy cows around parturition and during early lactation with striking local and sometimes severe systemic clinical symptoms. This disease affects many high producing cows in dairy herds and may cause several cases of death per year in the most severe cases. It is well known that bacterial, cow and environmental factors are interdependent and influence mastitis susceptibility. Many studies, executed during the last decade, indicate that the severity of E. coli mastitis is mainly determined by cow factors rather than by E. coli pathogenicity. During E. coli mastitis, the host defense status is a cardinal factor determining the outcome of the disease. Today, we know that the neutrophil is a key factor in the cows' defense against intramammary infection with E. coli. Effective elimination of the pathogen by neutrophils is important for the resolution of infection and the outcome of E. coli mastitis. This review is a compilation of some major findings over the last 15 years concerning mainly host factors that modulate and influence neutrophil function and the mammary inflammatory reaction. The individual chapters address: virulence factors of E. coli strains, how neutrophils kill E. coli, connection between endotoxins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide, severity classification of E. coli mastitis, lifespan of neutrophils, host factors that influence severity, tissue damage and production loss.     

Thecoma in a mare

A 4-year-old crossbred Thoroughbred mare was referred to the University of Tehran Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for evaluation of a mass in the pelvic cavity. The mare had been partially anorectic and pyrexic. On clinical examination, the mare was thin and depressed, with body temperature of 38°C, a pulse rate of 38 beats/minute, and a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/minute. Palpation per rectum revealed a large, smooth and tense mass in the anterior part of the pelvic cavity. Ultrasound examination confirmed the presence of a soft tissue mass with a thick wall. The inner surface of the mass had a villous-like appearance. The stroma of the mass was mottled, with accumulation of speckled and hypoechoic to slightly hyperechoic fluid. Hormone assays revealed low serum concentration of testosterone. Serum progesterone concentration indicated that active luteal tissue and serum estradiol concentration was 24 pg/ml. On histological examination, the sections from the tumor were composed of oval- or spindle-shaped cells loosely arranged in diffuse sheets or irregularly interlacing fascicles. On the basis of these histological findings, the large tumor mass of the left ovary was considered to be a thecoma. To our knowledge, the details of the clinical, ultrasonographic, endocrinologic, and histologic findings of this tumor in the mare have not been described in the veterinary literature.     

Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients and phenolics in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit

Pomegranate fruit is an important source of potentially healthy bioactive compounds and mineral nutrients. Changes in total phenolic compound, concentrations, and levels of macronutrients (P, K, N, Mg, Ca and Na) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and B) in arils and peel of pomegranate fruit were recorded from 10 days after full bloom until harvest. Total phenolics levels increased at early stage of growth both in peel and arils of fruit, but thereafter generally decreased during maturation and reached to 3.70 and 50.22 mg g⁻¹ of dry weight in arils and peel, respectively, at harvest. The amount of total phenolics in peel was markedly higher than arils of pomegranate fruit. The concentration of most elements in arils and peel decreased during fruit growth and development. At harvest the relative order of concentration of macronutrients both in arils and peel was K > N > Ca > P > Mg > Na. The concentration of most micronutrients was greater in the arils than in the peel especially in early season. The relative order of concentration of micronutrients in arils was B > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn. The accumulation of all the macro- and microelement within the fruit also increased during fruit growth and development. These results provide important data on total phenolics and macro- and micronutrient changes during fruit growth and development, emphasizing that pomegranate fruit can be a good source of bioactive compounds and minerals.