Sperm cells in peritoneal fluid of a ram with obstructive urolithiasis: First report

Detection of sperm in the peritoneal fluid of animals is unusual and has not been reported in the literature. In this report, we describe the presence of sperm cells in the peritoneal fluid of a two-year-old ram. The ram was presented with dyspnea, reduced rumen contractions, a mild degree of dehydration, cyanotic mucosa, difficulty in standing, and anuria. Ancillary diagnostics, including ultrasonography, radiography, complete blood cell count, and abdominocentesis were performed. In the peripheral blood sample, no blood parasites were observed, although thrombocytosis with toxic neutrophilia, and atypical lymphocytes were seen in the blood smear. In radiographs, urolithiasis was confirmed just on the sigmoid flexure position. Ultrasound examination revealed a distended bladder and large amounts of free fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The electrocardiogram analysis showed the absence of P waves, bradycardia, wide QRS complexes, ST-segment elevation, and tented T waves. In the peritoneal fluid smears, a large number of spermatozoa, and increased inflammatory cells were observed. It was concluded that the trauma or rupture in colliculus seminalis, ductus deferens, or the urethra with urinary stones resulted in leakage of spermatozoa to the peritoneal cavity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of spermatozoa in the peritoneal fluid of large animals

Prevalence and Concentration of Mycotoxins in Animal Feed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study seeks a comprehensive meta-analysis of mycotoxin contaminants in animal feed consumed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The obtained articles were reviewed, and 49 articles that investigated the contamination of mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin, fumonisins (FUM), and ochratoxin A (OTA), in feed samples or components of animal feed in the MENA region were selected. The titles of the final articles included in the study were meta-analyzed. Necessary information was extracted and categorized from the articles, and a meta-analysis was performed using Stata software. The highest contamination was in dry bread (80%), and Algeria was the most contaminated country (87% of animal feed), with the most mycotoxins contaminating AFs (47%) and FUM (47%). The highest concentration of mycotoxins in animal feed is related to FUM (1240.01 μg/kg). Climate change, economic situation, agricultural and processing methods, the nature of the animal feed, and improper use of food waste in animal feed are among the most critical factors that are effective in the occurrence of mycotoxin contamination in animal feed in MENA. Control of influential factors in the occurrence of contaminations and rapid screening with accurate identification methods to prevent the occurrence and spread of mycotoxin contamination of animal feed seem important

Antidiarrheal activity and acute oral toxicity of Mentha longifolia L. essential oil

Objectives: Mentha longifolia L. (Lamiaceae) is an annual herb that is used in the Iranian traditional medicine for treating stomach and intestinal disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effect of M. longifolia on experimental diarrhea in a rat model. Materials and Methods: The antidiarrheal activity of essential oil of M. longifolia (20-80 mg/kg) was investigated against castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats using loperamide as the standard reference drug. In acute toxicity evaluation, rats were orally administrated with single dose of EOML at doses ranging from 10 to 1000 mg/kg. Results: EOML caused a significant (

Effects of Bunium persicum (Boiss.) Essential Oil on the Contractile Responses of Smooth Muscle (An in vitro Study)

Bunium persicum (Boiss.) is an economically important medicinal plant growing wild in arid regions in Iran. The essential oil of B. persicum (EOBP) was extracted using hydrodistillation. A total of eighteen compounds, representing 96.14 % of the oil was identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).The main compounds were cuminaldehyde (23.04 %), gamma-terpinene (14.48 %), trans-3-Caren-2-ol (12.51 %), acetic acid (10.90 %) and 1,3,8 -p- menthatriene (7.89 %). The effects of 0.1 to 1000 g mL-1 EOBP on ruminal and abomasal smooth muscle of twenty-four healthy sheep and ileum preparations of six rats were assessed in vitro. Ruminal preparations showed relaxation (P < 0.05) when exposed to 100 - 1000 g mL-1 concentrations of EOBP. In the isolated abomasal preparations, EOBP (0.1 - 1 g mL-1) represented a weak spasmogenic effect followed by relaxation. The spontaneous contraction of abomasal smooth muscles was completely abolished with a high dose (1000 g mL-1) of EOBP. Five-minute incubation with EOBP, significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited Ach-induced contraction in higher doses on both tissues. In contrast, rat ileum only showed dose-dependent relaxation effect, and pre-incubated tissues with EOBP, decreased the Ach-induced contraction. The data indicated that the plant contained spasmogenic and spasmolitic constituents. The results also showed that the EOBP profoundly alters gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction in a dose-dependent and tissue-specific manner

Antiulcer Properties of Glycyrrhiza Glabra L. Extract on Experimental Models of Gastric Ulcer in Mice

Abstract Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is used in folk medicine for treatment of stomach disorders including peptic ulcers. The hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (HEGG) was evaluated for antiulcerogenic activity and acute toxicity profile in mice. Various doses of HEGG (50-200 mg/kg) were administered orally to animals of different groups. Omeprazole and cimetidine at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg were used as positive controls, respectively. Stomach was opened along the greater curvature then ulceration index was determined examining the inner lining of stomach. Oral administration of the extract at 1600 mg/kg did not produce toxic symptoms and mortality in mice. 2950 mg/kg was determined as the oral LD 50 . The HEGG (50-200 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in ulcer index in HCl/Ethanol-induced ulcer. G. glabra extract (50-150 mg/kg) showed antiulcer activity against indomethacin-induced gastric lesions dose dependently. The extract effectively inhibited formation of gastric lesions induced by ethanol. The extract (200 mg/kg) was more potent than omeprazole (30 mg/kg). HEGG reduced the ulcer index in hypothermic stress induced gastric ulcers in mice and the antiulcer effect was comparable to that of cimetidine. The results indicated that G. glabra hydroalcoholic extract exerted an antiulcergenic effect that could be associated with increase in gastric mucosal defensive factors

Effect of (R)-(+) Pulegone on Ovarian Tissue; Correlation with Expression of Aromatase Cyp19 and Ovarian Selected Genes in Mice

Objective Pulegone (PGN) is a monoterpene ketone, whose metabolites exert several cytotoxic effects in various tissues. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the (R)-(+) PGN-induced alterations in ovarian aromatization, proto-oncogenes and estrogen receptorα (ERα) and ERβ receptors expressions. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, mature albino mice were divided into experimental (received 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg PGN, orally for 35 days) and control (received 2% solution of Tween 80 as a PGN solvent, orally) groups. The mRNA levels of Erα, Erβ, p53, Bcl-2, and cytochrome p450 (Cyp19) as well as ovarian angiogenesis were analyzed through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical techniques, respectively. Moreover, apoptosis of follicular cells, serum estrogen and progesterone levels and mRNA damage were investigated via using terminal transferase and biotin-16-dUTP staining, electrochemilunescence and fluorescent microscopy methods, respectively. Results The PGN reduced Erα, Erβ and Cyp19 expression at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg doses, while significantly elevating p53 and reducing Bcl-2 expression. Finally, PGN impaired ovarian angiogenesis, increased apoptosis, elevated follicular atresia and reduced serum levels of estrogen and progesterone. Conclusion Chronic exposure to PGN (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg), severely affects ovarian aromatization, proto- oncogenes mRNA levels and expression of ERs

PCR-Based Detection of Babesia ovis in Rhipicephalus bursa and Small Ruminants

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Babesia ovis infection in adult Rhipicephalus bursa and small ruminants in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Blood samples were collected from 280 sheep and 122 goats of forty randomly selected flocks. Specific B. ovis fragment was detected in 67 animals (16.7%), of which 52 animals (18.6%) were sheep and 15 animals (12.2%) goats ( &lt; 0.05). Of the 848 R. bursa collected from naturally infested small ruminants and farm dogs, Babesia ovis was detected by PCR in salivary glands of 94 adult ticks. The frequency of B. ovis infection was higher in flocks with tick in comparison with animals without tick ( &lt; 0.05). Positive amplification from blood of ruminants, ticks, oviposition ticks, eggs, and larvae was subjected to restriction digestion with HphI. One RFLP profile was produced. The PCR-RFLP results indicated that one strain of B. ovis exists in this area. The results showed that the PCR was useful method to investigate the epidemiology of small ruminants&apos; babesiosis. Furthermore, R. Bursa, which can transovarially transmit B. ovis and as well as being widely distributed in West Azerbaijan province, Iran, might play an important role in the field as a natural vector of B. ovis