Allelic polymorphism in the second exon of Ovar-DRB1 in fat-tailed sheep

Ovar-DRB1 is one of the most important response genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II region of sheep. Gene polymorphism in the second exon of Ovar-DRB1 in three different Iranian fat-tailed sheep breeds (Lori-Bakhtiari, Shaul and Zandi) was analyzed by either restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) or direct sequencing. A total of 92 Lori-Bakhtiari, 40 Shaul, and 47 Zandi sheep were examined. PCR-RFLP identified 17 genotypes in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep, 12 in Shaul sheep and 11 in Zandi sheep. Collectively, 24 different genotypes could be found for Iranian fat-tailed sheep. Using direct sequencing, seven new sequences in exon 2 of the Ovar-DRB1 gene were identified. Generalized linear modeling with a multinomial error structure showed that the sheep populations had significantly different allele frequencies.     

Ovulation and spawning induction in Caspian kutum Rutilus frisii kutum by administration of GnRHa and catecholaminergic pharmaceutical compounds with Ovaprim

The acceleration of final oocyte maturation and ovulation is recognized as a principal process in Caspian kutum Rutilus frisii kutum, a commercial and valuable species in Caspian Sea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of catecholaminergic pharmaceutics which include Salbutamol (β₂‐adrenergic receptor agonist), Metoprolol (β₁‐adrenergic receptor antagonist), Clozapine and Olanzapine (the third generation of D₄ and D₂ dopamine receptor antagonists) which can be more efficient than the first and second generations, in combination with Buserelin ([D‐Ser(tBu)⁶,Pro⁹‐NEt]‐GnRHa) and Ovaprim (D‐Ala⁶,Pro⁹‐Net)‐sGnRH+Domperidone on ovulation and spawning induction in Caspian kutum. One hundred eight adult females were injected once with Buserelin Acetate (BUS) 5 μg kg^?1 BW, Ovaprim 0.5 mL kg^?1 BW, Salbutamol Sulphate (SLB) 4 mg kg^?1 BW, Olanzapine (OLZ) 5 mg kg^?1 BW, Clozapine (CZ) 12 mg kg^?1 BW and Metoprolol Tartrate (MTP) 5 mg kg^?1 BW, being divided into 12 groups: group 1, intact (negative control); group 2, Ovaprim (positive control); group 3, OLZ+SLB; group 4, OLZ+MTP; group 5, OLZ+BUS; group 6, CZ+SLB; group 7, CZ+MTP; group 8, CZ+BUS; group 9, OLZ+BUS+SLB; group 10, OLZ+BUS+MTP; group 11, CZ+BUS+SLB and group 12, CZ+BUS+MTP (N = 9). The results showed that the highest mean value in ovulation success, ovulation index, fertilization success, relative fecundity and the number of eggs belonged to Ovaprim treatment. On the other hand, spawning was successful in OLZ+BUS+SLB and CZ+BUS treatments (P < 0.05), whereas it was lower in CZ+MTP, CZ+BUS+MTP and OLZ+BUS than the other treatments. Therefore, it could be concluded that Clozapine and Olanzapine potentiated the effect of Buserelin treatment in ovulation and spawning induction, while Metoprolol blocked the stimulatory effects of GnRHa, Clozapine and Olanzapine. Salbutamol also can amplify stimulatory effect of all mentioned pharmaceutics.     

Long-term land-use change effects on phosphorus fractionation in Zrêbar Lake margin soils

The aim of this study was to survey long-term changes in phosphorus (P) fractions in soils in different land uses. Sequential extraction had been used to determine soil P fractionation on the basis of land-use change, i.e. native forest to vineyard and wetland to both alfalfa and wheat at the end of 30 and 20 years, respectively. The highest values of labile-P (L-P) fractions in surface soil layers were observed in the cultivated land. The calcium-bound P was the most affected fraction by land-use change with the lowest amount in the vineyard and the highest amount in the alfalfa land. Conversion of forest to vineyards causes P in the soils to be more vulnerable to transmission; thus, the least amount of total P (T-P) in vineyard may be attributed to the removal of sediment and sediment bond P from runoff in response to land-use changes. Average L-P in alfalfa land was two times more than that in vineyard. Results showed that 44.5% of T-P in native land was stored in surface layer; besides, the portion of the arable surface horizon in T-P sequestration was 33%.     

Role of bovine viral diarrhea virus biotype in the establishment of fetal infections

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) biotype on the establishment of fetal infection in cattle. ANIMALS: 30 mixed-breed pregnant cows. PROCEDURE: Pregnant cows were inoculated oronasally with either i-WNADL, originating from an infectious BVDV cDNA clone of the National Animal Disease Laboratory (NADL) isolate, or the parental virus stock, termed NADL-A. RESULTS: All cows developed neutralizing antibodies to BVDV, and virus was commonly isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells or nasal swab specimens of NADL-A inoculated cows; however, virus was rarely isolated from specimens of i-WNADL inoculated cows. i-WNADL did not cause fetal infection, whereas all fetuses harvested from NADL-A inoculated cows at 6 weeks after inoculation had evidence of infection. Immunoblot analysis of fetal virus isolates revealed the absence of NS3, confirming a noncytopathic (NCP) biotype BVDV in the NADL-A stock. The sequence of the NCP contaminant (termed NADL-1102) and the i-WNADL genome were virtually identical, with the exception of a 270 nucleotide-long insert in the i-WNADL genome. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that NADL-1102 forms a monophyletic group with 6 other NADL genomes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that the contaminating NCP virus in the NADL-A stock was the ancestral NADL virus, which originally infected a bovine fetus and recombined to produce a cytopathic (CP) variant. Following oronasal infection of pregnant cows, viremia and transplacental transmission of CP BVDV to the fetus is rare, compared with the high occurrence of maternal viremia and fetal infection observed with NCP BVDV.     

Recent developments in veterinary vaccinology

Advancement in technology and science and our detailed knowledge of immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry among other basic science disciplines have defined new directions for vaccine development strategies. The applicability of genetic engineering and proteomics along with other new technologies have played pivotal roles in introducing novel ideas in vaccinology, and resulted in developing new vaccines and improving the quality of existing ones. Subunit vaccines, recombinant vaccines, DNA vaccines and vectored vaccines are rapidly gaining scientific and public acceptance as the new generation of vaccines and are seriously considered as alternatives to current conventional vaccines. The present review focuses on recent advances in veterinary vaccinology and addresses the effects and impact of modern microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology.     

NDV subgenotype VII(L) is currently circulating in commercial broiler farms of Iran, 2017–2018

Background

Based on our previous work, it was discovered that some Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates from backyard poultry between 2011 and 2013 in Iran formed a new separate cluster when phylogenetic analysis based on the complete F gene sequence was carried out. The novel cluster was designated subgenotype VII(L) and published.

Aim

In the current study, for further validation, we initiated a comprehensive epidemiological study to identify the dominant NDV genotype(s) circulating within the country. Collection of samples was executed between October 2017 and February 2018 from 108 commercial broiler farms which reported clinical signs of respiratory disease in their broilers.

Result

We report that 38 of the farms (> 35%) tested positive for NDV. The complete F gene sequences of seven of the isolates are shown as representative sequences in this study. According to the phylogenetic tree constructed, the recent broiler farm isolates clustered into the newly designated cluster VII(L) together with the older Iranian backyard poultry isolates in our previous work. All the sequences shared the same virulence-associated F cleavage site of ₁₁₂RRQKR↓F₁₁₇.

Conclusion

Our phylogenetic analysis suggested that the NDV subgenotype VII(L) may have been derived from subgenotype VIId, and contrary to popular belief, subgenotype VIId may not be the dominant subgenotype in Iran. Tracking of the subgenotype on BLAST suggested that the NDV subgenotype VII(L), although previously unidentified, may have been circulating in this region as an endemic virus for at least a decade. Other NDV genotypes, however, have also been reported in Iran in recent years. Hence, ongoing study is aimed at determining the exact dominant NDV genotypes and subgenotypes in the country. This will be crucial in effective mitigation of outbreaks in Iranian broiler farms.

     

Effect of fat supplementation during transition period on plasma leptin and non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations in Holstein cows

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of fat supplementation during the transition period on pre and postpartum body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and leptin concentrations in Holstein cows. Holstein cows (n = 15) received a low fat diet (LF; 1.61 Mcal net energy for lactation (NEL)/kg of dry matter [DM]), moderate fat diet (MF; 1.68 Mcal NEL/kg DM) or a high fat diet (HF; 1.74 Mcal NEL/kg DM) for 4 weeks prior to calving. All cows were fed similar lactation diets ad libitum (1.74 Mcal NEL/kg DM) for 30 days after calving. Increasing diet energy density during transition period had no effect on prepartum DMI, BCS, BW, glucose and NEFA concentrations (P > 0.05); but leptin concentrations and energy balance (EB) were affected by treatments (P < 0.05). Animals fed HF had less plasma leptin prepartum. After parturition, BW, milk production, milk fat, protein, urea nitrogen and plasma glucose concentrations were affected by prepartum diets (P < 0.05). Fat supplementation prepartum did not affect postpartum NEFA. In conclusion, prepartum fat supplementation decreased leptin concentration prepartum.     

Endocrine disrupting effects of 4-nonylphenol on plasma vitellogenin,reproductive system and histology in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)

International Aquatic Research - This study aimed to assess the effect of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), a ubiquitous aquatic micro-chemical pollutant substance on some on some reproductive parameters and...