Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in turkeys in Iran

Naturally occurring cryptosporidiosis is reported in turkey poults suffering from diarrhoea and unthriftness in Iran. Histological and ultrastructural studies revealed high number of Cryptosporidium developmental stages mainly located in the mid and terminal portions of small intestine of the poults. Other portions of the intestinal tract were less frequently infected. Oocyst shedding was detected only in 29% of the histologically positive birds. Based on host species, clinical signs, pathology and tissue location of the parasites, Cryptosporidium meleagridis was most likely responsible for these infections. This parasite was also reported recently in a child with diarrhoea in Iran.     

Salinity Tolerance Ranking Of Various Wheat Landraces From The West Of The Urmia Saline Lake In Iran By Using Physiological Parameters

In recent years, considerable interest has been focused on the use of physiological parameters as selection criteria in salt tolerance ranking. Eighteen bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces from the west area of the Urmia Saline Lake were grown in a greenhouse in the Department of Plant Biology and Halophytes Biotechnology Center, Azarbaijan University of Tarbiyat Moallem, Tabriz, Iran to study the effects of increasing levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) (control, 75, and 150 mM) on the plant leaves. The experimental design was factorial with a randomized complete block with three replications. The results showed salinity caused an obvious decrease in growth of all landraces. Physiological parameters such as lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content, and cell membrane injury increased with increasing salinity levels with different degrees among the landraces. Salt stress increased the sodium (Na⁺) accumulation coupled with a decrease in leaf potassium (K⁺) depending on salinity levels. The analysis of variance showed significant effects of salinity, landraces and their interactions in all studied parameters. The landraces were ranked for salt tolerance indexes, and cluster group ranking ordered landraces from tolerant to sensitive and their properties for salt stress tolerance are open for further research.     

Effect of Sire-Associated Factors on Secondary Sex Ratio of Offspring in Equine

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of breed of stallion and individual stallion on secondary sex ratio (SSR; the proportion of male foals at birth). Data associated with the sex of foals and the sire, as well as the breed and age of sire were retrieved from the database of the Equestrian Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In total, data consisted of 4,491 birth records from 92 stallions. Stallions were from three breeds of Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Akhal-Teke. Data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Proportion of colts was 63.0% (427/678), 46.1% (1,545/3,355), and 53.9% (247/458) in Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Akhal-Teke stallions, respectively. In Arabian stallions, SSR was skewed toward males (P < .0001; odds ratio, 1.701), whereas in Thoroughbred stallions, it was skewed toward females (P = .001; odds ratio, 0.853). Secondary sex ratio was not skewed in Akhal-Teke stallions (P > .05). Secondary sex ratio in Thoroughbred stallions was lower than that in Arabian (P < .0001; adjusted odds ratio, 1.983) and Akhal-Teke (P = .010; adjusted odds ratio, 1.527) stallions, but SSR did not differ between Arabian and Akhal-Teke stallions (P > .05). There was the effect of individual stallion on SSR in Arabian and Thoroughbred breeds (P < .0001) but not in Akhal-Teke breed (P > .05). In conclusion, the present study showed the effect of breed of stallion and stallion itself on sex ratio of foals.     

Low Concentration of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Mares with Delayed Uterine Clearance

Luteal dysfunction has been observed in mares with defective uterine clearance. Association of low ovarian reserve with luteal dysfunction and abnormal endometrial thickness has been reported in bovine. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been indicated as a marker for ovarian reserve in bovine and originates primarily from the ovary in equine. The present study evaluated serum AMH concentration in mares with delayed uterine clearance versus that in mares without delayed uterine clearance. Of 49 mares assigned to the study, 12 and 37 mares were diagnosed with and without delayed uterine clearance, respectively. Delayed uterine clearance was determined based on history and the observation of intrauterine fluid in ultrasonographic examination 24 hours after natural breeding. Serum AMH concentration was measured during estrus. Concentration of AMH was lower in mares with delayed uterine clearance (0.4 ± 0.1 ng/mL) than in those without delayed uterine clearance (1.1 ± 0.1 ng/mL). In conclusion, the present study indicated possible associations between ovary-lined mechanisms and uterine clearance failure in mares.     

Efficacy of conventional and extended intra-mammary treatment of persistent sub-clinical mastitis with cefquinome in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of intra-mammary-administered cefquinome for the treatment of sub-clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows and to determine if extended therapy would enhance treatment efficacy. Seventy-three Holstein dairy cows from a single farm with 150 infected quarters were enrolled in the study. Infected cows were allocated randomly to one of three treatment regimens: (1) conventional (standard) regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered three times at 16-h intervals (25 infected cows, 52 intra-mammary infections (IMI)), (2) extended regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered six times at 16-h intervals (26 infected cows, 58 IMI) and (3) negative untreated control group (22 cows, 40 IMI). Most IMI were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae and coliforms. The overall bacteriological cure (BC) rates for sub-clinical IMI were 84.61%, 91.37% and 20% for the conventional, extended and the control groups, respectively, indicating a higher BC rate for the treated groups than the control group (P < 0.001). Significant differences in somatic cell count (SCC) were detected between the treated versus the control group (P < 0.001). No differences, concerning the BC rate or SCC, were observed between the extended and the conventional groups. Although fat and protein percentages increased in the treated groups, there were no significant differences in post-treatment milk production between the groups. Results of this study indicate that cefquinome therapy was effective in reducing SCC and eliminating sub-clinical IMI in lactating dairy cows, but extended therapy did not enhance treatment efficacy.     

Changes of serum anti‐Müllerian hormone in a mare with granulosa cell tumour following surgery and reinitiation of follicular activity

Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been reported to be elevated in mares with granulosa cell tumour (GCT). An 8‐year‐old Thoroughbred mare was presented for not being observed in oestrus after the beginning of the breeding season. Rectal palpation and ultrasonography revealed enlargement and cystic appearance of the left ovary while the right ovary was small with an anoestrous‐like appearance. The AMH concentration was 694.9 ng/ml. Presumptively diagnosed with GCT, the mare was subjected to tumour removal. Histopathology confirmed GCT. To evaluate changes of AMH concentration following surgery, blood samples were collected immediately prior to surgery, and on Days 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 after surgery. Thereafter, blood samples were collected monthly and also at the time the mare was observed in oestrus (148 days after tumour removal). The AMH concentrations decreased over the first 2 months after surgery (from 721.2 ng/ml to 0.1 ng/ml). Subsequently, AMH concentration increased and peaked at the time of oestrus expression (0.7 ng/ml). The mare then became anoestrous, and AMH concentration decreased and reached 0.2 ng/ml, which was not significantly different from the mean concentration of AMH in normal anoestrous mares (n = 5; 0.26 ± 0.07 ng/ml). In conclusion, the present report implies the potential use of AMH for determination of the time of follicular resumption in mares after GCT removal.     

Elevated Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone in an Arabian Mare with Granulosa Cell Tumor

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), produced by granulosa cells, has been reported to be elevated in mares with granulosa cell tumor. A 13-year-old Arabian mare was referred after 3 years of infertility. Rectal and ultrasonographic examination revealed enlargement and multicystic appearance of the left ovary. The mare had substantially higher concentration of AMH (21.6 ng/mL) compared with normal cyclic mares (n = 5; 0.36 ± 0.02 ng/mL). Testosterone (50 pg/mL) concentration was also elevated, but progesterone concentration (0.4 ng/mL) was lowered. Accordingly, the mare was presumptively diagnosed with granulosa-theca cell tumor and a left ovariectomy implemented using ventral midline approach under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of granulosa-theca cell tumor. Serum concentrations of AMH decreased to 2 ng/mL and 0.5 ng/mL 2 and 4 weeks after tumor removal, respectively. In conclusion, the current report presents confirmatory evidence that evaluation of serum AMH could be useful for diagnosis of granulosa cell tumor in mare.     

An empowered adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system using self-organizing map clustering to predict mass transfer kinetics in deep-fat frying of ostrich meat plates

Deep-fat frying (DFF) is a cooking process, in which water containing foodstuff is immersed into edible oils or fats at temperatures above the boiling point of water. This process is a fast and easy method to prepare tasty foods; therefore, despite the trend to low-fat foods, deep-fried products enjoy increasing popularity. Moisture content (MC) and fat content (FC) are very important quality indicators for fried foods in terms of health concerns and palatability of the products. This paper presents a new approach based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and self-organizing map (SOM) clustering for more accurate predicting MC and FC during DFF of ostrich meat plates. First the data set of each mass transfer parameter was categorized into two clusters by SOM method, and at the next stage each cluster was fed into an independent ANFIS models with the ability of rule base extraction and data base tuning. To train the ANFIS prediction system, triangular membership function (MF) was chosen. Results showed that the optimized ANFIS model with clustering improved the prediction ability of ANFIS and truly described mass transfer during the DFF (12.46% improvement with R =  0.96 for MC and 5.46% improvement with R = 0.92 for FC). This methodology can also be applied to optimize the operating conditions.