Radiographic pelvimetry in budgerigars with and without egg retention

Egg retention, particularly in budgerigars, is an important reproductive issue. This study aimed to obtain osteometric measurement values, determine the length/width ratios between measurement values, and reveal the biometric differences in X-ray images of the pelvis of normal and egg-retention budgerigars. Pelvimetric measurements (linear distance, angle, length/width) were obtained from ventrodorsal images of the pelvis of 15 normal and 15 egg-retention budgerigars. The measured values were subjected to statistical analysis. Examining the pelvimetric data showed that the average measurement values of L1 (cranial ilium width), L4 (middle pubis width), L5 (caudal pubis width), L6 (caudal ischium width), A1 (iliac arch), LA2 (left ischiopubic angle), and RA2 (left ischiopubic angle) were significantly higher in the normal group than those of the egg retention group (P<0.05). Additionally, all length/width ratio measurements were higher in egg retention budgerigars. However, while the mean length/width ratio measurement values of L7 (left iliopubic length)/L2 (preacetabular tubercle width), L8 (right iliopubic length)/L2, L9 (synsacrum length)/L2, L7/L3 (acetabula width), L8/L3, and L9/L3 were higher in egg retention budgerigars compared to the normal group, this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). A1, LA2, and RA2 measurement values in normal and egg retention budgerigars were respectively found at 113.93±3.39 (°) and 95.73±2.22 (°); 115.93±2.25 (°) and 104.67±2.32 (°); 115.13±2.10 (°) and 105.07±1.98 (°). Consequently, the osteometric measurement parameters of the pelvis in the normal and egg retention budgerigars were determined using X-ray images. The morphometric data acquired through this study is believed to hold potential value for veterinarians involved in clinically assessing egg retention in budgerigars

Molecular Survey of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Aborted Fetuses of Sheep in the Iğdır Province of Türkiye

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, can infect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including livestock species. T. gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that affects both humans and other warm-blooded animals. The aim of this study was to detect T. gondii by using PCR in the brain tissues of 60 aborted sheep fetuses from the Iğdır Province in Türkiye. For this purpose, 60 brain tissue samples of sheep were collected within the lambing seasons of 2023 in Iğdır, Türkiye. The DNA extraction was performed using the PureLink™ Genomic DNA Mini Kit from brain samples. The PCR was performed with the appropriate primers from the obtained DNA samples. T. gondii was found in the brain (16.6%) samples of aborted sheep fetuses. According to the present study, T. gondii infection can be one of the causes of fetus abortion of sheep in Iğdır province, Türkiye. This result emphasizes the need for vigilance and preventive measures in managing this potential public and animal health concerns

Molecular Survey of the Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in brain tissue of aborted fetuses of Morkaraman sheep in Muş, Türkiye

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites that can affect different warm-blooded species worldwide. In this study, it was aimed to detect T. gondii and N. caninum using PCR method in brain tissues of aborted sheep fetuses. Brain specimens were collected from 50 Morkaraman sheep fetuses that had undergone abortion at various stages of pregnancy, within the lambing seasons of 2023 in Muş. Approximately 1 cm³ of brain tissue from the right cerebral hemisphere was excised and subsequently frozen at -20°C for DNA extraction. DNA extraction and PCR amplification were then performed. As a result of this study, 11 (22%) of 50 brain tissues were positive. All brain samples examined in this study were negative for Neospora caninum. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to say that T. gondii is an important abortion agent in sheep in this region. Although N. caninum was not detected in this study, larger scale studies are recommended. Moreover, this study provides important information to breeders and veterinarians in the field in the evaluation and management of abortion

Evaluation of some systemic inflammatory biomarkers in canine malignant mammary tumors

The aim of this study is to investigate whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) parameters could be used as biomarkers for canine malignant mammary tumors (MMTs), and the changes in these parameters according to different tumor (T), lymph node (N), and metastasis (M) stages (TNM I-II-III, TNM IV, TNM V) and the number of affected mammary glands (single, multiple). Thirty-seven with MMT and 20 healthy dogs were used in this study. Complete blood count and biochemistry analysis were performed in all dogs. Tumor material is removed by tru-cut and sent to the pathology laboratory for diagnosis. NLR, PLR, and SII values increased, and LMR and PNI values decreased in dogs with MMT. Median NLR values increased and median LMR and PNI values decreased as the TNM stage progressed. In dogs with a single MMT, median NLR, and PLR values were found to be lower than in dogs with multiple MMTs, and median LMR, SII, AGR, and PNI values were higher. The present results indicated that NLR, LMR, PLR, SII, and PNI parameters could be used as biomarkers for canine MMT. Also, NLR, LMR, PLR, SII, PNI, and AGR parameters may be valuable biomarkers that reveal the degree of systemic immune response according to different TNM stages and the number of affected mammary glands

Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Rapid Delta Formation, Turkish coast

The morphology of river mouths can be completely changed by dramatic flow changes caused by climate changes in catchment basins. Agricultural activities that overexploit water produce changes in sediment discharge that are reflected in sedimentation rates in dams. The basic aim of this study is to assess the causes and effects of rapid delta. formation in Gomec (an important tourism centre on the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey), as a result of river catchment changes between 1998 and 2001. The rapidly developing delta covers an area of approximately 2 km length and 100 m width and was studied using numerical simulation and field studies. Bathymetric measurement, flow velocity and oceanographic parameters were measured. Bottom sediment samples were taken from the river and adjacent sea and sources were determined by mineral analysis. River flows and wave properties (determined from hindcast wind data) were used in the numerical model studies. The development of the delta was predicted for different scenarios. It is concluded that unless remedial action is taken, the delta will continue to develop rapidly and will produce both morphological and ecological impacts