The Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Naturally infected large intestine of 16 mules were collected during one year period. All three species of Strongylus were identified: S.vulgaris, S.equinus and S.edentatus. Specimens were processed for standard histological examination. The effect of the parasite on the wall of the intestine ‘included the _ surface epithelium, glandular tissue, muscularis mucosa and part of the submucosa. Changes on the intestinal wall were observed at the site of the parasitic attachement, which included oedema, cellular infilteration with congestion and haemorrhages.

Parathyroid gland of ten adult one-humped came] has been collected from the slaughter house. Glands have been fixed sectioned and stained by several procedures. The gland measured 1.2 cm in length, 0.4 cm in width and 0.25 cm thick. It differs in position from left to right side due to displacement of thyroid gland. The gland consisted of aggregate of cells arranged as solid masses, clusters, cords or strands. The parenchyma of the gland appeared with different cell density. Four cell type has been distinguished, viz., light as well as dark chief cells, oxyphils and syncytial cells.

Blood serum samples were obtained from ten normal nonpregnant ewes at mid January and mid August. The level of acetylcholine estrease (ChE). enzyme activity was estimated colorimetrically while the values of glutamete-oxaloacetate transaminase (COT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and alkaline Phosphatease (A Ph) were estimated by an autoanalyzer. The results indicated significant depression in the normal values of ChE, GOT and GPT in summer season.

This study was carried out to determine the feasibility of dry poultry manure (DPM) as a feed stuff. Three types of DPM were studied: 1- layer litter manure, 2- caged layer manure, 3- processed caged layer manure. Three hundred fifty one-day old broiler chicks were allocated at random into seven dietary treatments, chicks in T1 (control) were fed on ‘starter and finisher commercial diets. Chicks in T2 and 13 were fed diets supplemented with 5% and 10% layer litter manure, respectively. Chicks in T4 and T5 were fed dies contained 5% and 10% caged layer manure, respectively, while chicks in T6 and T7 were fed diets contain 5% and 10% processed caged layer manure, respectively. Body weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency of the chicks were not significantly influenced by feeding diets containing 5% DPM. But the inclusion of 10% DPM in the diet has significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the body weight gain and feed efficiency and increased the feed consumption and mortality.

The effects of single cell protein (SCP) were studied in Al-Awassi lambs in Iraq. Four groups of lambs received 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% of (SCP) as a replacer for a soybean. The influence of (SCP) on the performance and carcass data of lambs and their blood pictures were studied. The total uric acid, blood urea and the histopathological changes were also investigated. The results - showed” that ‘there were no significant (P>0.05) differences ‘among the initial, slaughtered, total weights gained and chilled carcass weights. The wholesale cuts showed. no significant (P>0.05) differences. The eye rib area, fat thickness of. longissmus doris muscle, average percentage of organs and offal dressing percentage (calculated in live and empty body weight basis) were similar in all groups examined. the blood and serum parameters did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the experimental groups.

Sers. from 525 Arabian horses were tested for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the indirect haemagglutination test. Of these sera, 39(7.43%) were positive. Thirty eight (8.15%) of seropositive animals were horses of two to 13 years of age and only one of the yearlings (1.5 year old) was seropositive. Twenty six of males (6.57%) and 13 cf females (10.08%) were seropositive. There was no significant (P)0.05) difference in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis between males and females.

Cheddar cheese was made from milk which had been inoculated with psychrotrophs 48hr.. prior to pasteurization. This was compared to ‘control cheese. The cheese was stored at 7 °C and evaluated at 0, 5, 30, 60 and 180 days. ‘All cheese made with psychrotroph-treated milk had significant lower flavor score than control cheese. The predominant flavors of the 180 day-treated cheese were bitter and unclean. High performance. liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated significant increases of citric, pyruvic, lactic, formic, acetic and propionic acids with ‘aging of Cheddar cheese. Only orotic acid decreased with aging. The control cheese had lower values than the treated cheese for pyruvic, lactic and formic acids. The control cheese had higher propionic acid value than did the treated cheese.The aroma and flavor quality of Cheddar cheese was attributed to a delicate balance of organic acids produced as metabolites by culture bacteria during fermentation.

Unilateral. thoracotomy was performed in twenty nine donkeys and twenty five horses aged 4-10 years without an ‘aid of positive ‘respirator. Surgical pneumothorax did not endanger the life of patient. Eighteen horses and twenty four donkeys became clinically “normal and the wounds were completely healed within 30 days, however, two horses .dies due to pleurisy. Five horses and five donkeys were killed and subjected to anatomical studies to find out if .there is a communication between the plural sacs or if the mediastinum is not strong enough to resist pressure. Observations indicate that there is no communication between the two plural sacs and that the mediastinum is strong enough to resist the difference in the pressure of the plural sacs and thus permit open thoracic surgery in equine without employing inflating pump.

Spores of Bacillus subtilis HU1 suspended in whole milk and /or distilled water subjected to high and ultrahigh temperatures ranging from 85 to 14°C. Resulting survivor and thermal death time (TDT) curves were shown to be non-linear for all temperatures investigated; convex survivor curves at most heating temperatures were observed. TDT curves observed in all studies were concave and biphasic. The z-value using milk as the menstruum were 57°C for heating temperatures of 121-140°C, and 20°C, for heating temperatures of 110-121°C. Distilled water as the menstruum yielded z-values of 58°C and 16°C for heating temperatures of 120-140°C and 110-121°C respectively.

Hematological values for sixty clinically normal Arabian bred race horses of both sexes were estimated.Red cell ,count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean ‘corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white cell count, differential leukocytic count, total serum protein, albumin and globulin were determined by using several laboratory techniques. It appeared that the total serum protein and globulin were significantly higher in the stallions than those in mares (P < 0.05) whereas the results of other hemaltological parameters were comparable and the mean values did not show significant differences (P > 0.05).

A synthetic prostaglandin F2 α(PGF2 α) analogue, luprostiol* , was used in treatment of clinically anoestrus Arabian mares that suffered from abnormal persisting luteal function. Thirty two anoestrus mares were selected for this study after careful examination of their breeding history and a thorough genital examination which included rectal palpation of the genital tract and ovaries. The genital examination also included a vaginoscopy of the vagina and cervix. These mares were diagnosed as clinically anoestrus during the spring and summer months breeding season and received a single intramuscular injection of the prostaglandin F2 α. Twenty six mares (81%) responded to the treatment and came to oestrus within 2-4 days. Ovarian activity of the induced oestrus was monitored by rectal palpation and the mares were bred twice according to their follicular development. A total of 13 mares (54%) became pregnant as a result of the treatment and pregnancies were confirmed later by rectal palpation. This study reveals that the majority of non-cycling mares during the spring and summer months breeding season are in a prolonged luteal function rather than inactive ovaries or ‘true anoestrus. The study also demonstrates the efficiency of Iuprostiol in the treatment of clinically anoestrus mares.

In an experiment designed to study the pathogenicity of two isolates of F. gigantica, one of sheep and the other of buffalo origin, twenty-one, 3- months old goats were divided into 3 equal groups. The first received 5 metacercariae per kg body weight of the sheep strain and the second group has given the same dose of buffalo strain, while the third group was left as control.


The main pathological findings were characterized as: fibrinous. perihepatitis, haemorrhagic tracts, haematomas, focal necrosis, hydroperitoneum and in the chronic phase by fibrosis and the typical pipe-stem liver. In animals of the second group, lesions were minor and consisted only of fewer heemorrhagic foci.
The possible explanation of the difference in pathogenicity is discussed.

Out of 704 sheep examined from three provinces (Baghdad, Hilla and Diala) in the central part of Iraq, 323(45.88%) were infected with Theileria hirci, 80 (11.36%) with Anaplasma ovis and 19(2.70%) with Babesia motasi. The percentage of sheep infected with Th. Hirci was much higher (P < 0.01) than those with A. ovis and B. motasi. The rate of infection with Th. hirci and A. ovis but not B. motasi increased with advancing age. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the rate of infection between males and females

Twenty one male goats 3-4 months of age were exposed to five metacercariae per kg. of body weight of two isolates of Fasciola gigantica obtained from sheep and buffalo. Eosinophilia was mostly marked after prepatency in goats infected with sheep isolate.

Infectious bursal disease is one of the diseases frequently diagnosed in broilers chickens in _ Iraq depending on pathological changes in the bursa of Fabricius. It is known that maternal antibodies may interfere with the clinical signs, severity of the infection as well as the responsse of chickens to live virus vaccines. Therefore, serological surveys are of value in determining the prevalence of antibodies to this disease. The agar jel precipitation test was used in this survey because of its simplicity and specificity for detecting antigen-antibody reactions. Serum samples were collected from chickens brought to the veterinary hospital in Baghdad. Precipitation lines appeared between positive serum and antigen prepared from infected bursae and not with negative serum or negative antigen. Positive sera comprised about 67% of the total samples tested, with higher percentage of positive sera were detected among sera collected from chickens of 4-6 weeks of age

The present study was intended to evaluate the prophylactic effects of two anticoccidial drugs (monensin and amprolium) on experiinental infection with Eimeria tenella in chickens. Twenty one day-old chicks were used, they were divided in two main groups (floor and battery brooders rearing) with 112 chicks for each group. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups represent, control, infected nontreated, treated ‘with monensin and treated with amprolium. Monensin was given at rate of 100 ppm in ration while amprolium was given at a rate of 125 ppm in drinking water. The birds were infected with 50.000 sporulated oocystes/bird at 25 days of age injected directly into the crop. The following parameters were used to evaluate the drugs; weight gain, food cdnsumption mortality, oocystes count and packed blood cell volume. The results showed clear differences between control and infected groups. Monensin improved weight gain, feed conversion, reduced mortality, oocystes passed and lesion score, the drug prevent the decrease packed cell volume as compare to the infected nontreated group.Similar results were obtained with amprolium but in general the efficiency of the later was less than monensin in several respect. The results also indicated that the intensity of infection was more in the floor reared group than the brooder group.

The estrous cycle of 8 Arabian mares was followed for one year, by visual observation of the estrous behaviour and by teasing with a stallion. Serum progesterone concentration was determined by RIA, Vaginal electric resistence was studied with aid of Ovascan, comapared with the changes in the reproductive tract as determined by rectal examination for prediction of ovulation. The changes in the reproductive tract and the behavioural manifestations expressed during the cycle indicated that the experimental mares were exhibiting estrous year arround, however, 75% of the cycles were observed during the months from March to August and 25% during the. rest of the year. The total number of cycles exhibited by the mares averaged 68 cycles, of these 22 cycles were observed during Summer, 20 during Spring, decreased to 13 cycles during Fall and 13 during Winter. the length of the estrous cycle ranged between 24-26. 31 days, the average estrus length ranged between 5.5-8.6 days andthe luteal phase ranged from 19.04-24.87 days. The ovascan readings showed decline by 50 degrees, constantly, a day preceeding ovulation, compared to the readings during the rest of estrus days and this finding was confirmed by rectal palpation of the reproductive tract in succeeding day which disclosed the disappearance of the mature follicle and the: presence of the ovulation site on the ovary, consequently, the estrous signs faded away gradually within 24-48 hours of the ovuletion. Serum progesterone concentration, during’ the estrus and one day before ovulation ranged between 0.58 -1.05 ng/ml, while mean luteal phase concentration was 10.2820.89 ng/ml. The results of the present study disclosed that the mares in Iraq could be bred any time of the year and it is most probable that measurement of progesterone concentration will have more practical application for monitring ovarian activity and estrus prediction, if. a rapid system of measurment made avilable (as progesterone strip). The application of Ovascan proved effecient tool for prediction of ovulation in the mare, providing information for synchroniztion of service with ovulation, a mean augmenting fertility and avoiding rectal palpation which hinder service.

This experiment was conducted to compare and estimate the fertilizing capacity of native with New Hampshire chicken semen. Also to study the effect. Of different levels of semen dosage on fertility percentage, duration’ of fertility and duration of fertilizing ability. In this experiment (12) native and (12) N.H. male chicken with (240) Hisex laying hens have been used. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences between the native and N.H. male chickens for the fertilizing capacity. fertilizing percentage in duration of fertility and fertility duration. The values were 90.40, 90.73%; 85.77, 85.60%; 12.11, 12.3 days for native and N.H. chickens, respectively. There were no significant (P>0.05) effect of increasing semen concentration (100, 200, 300 million sperm) per single insemenation on the percentage of fertilization and duration of fertility percentage. The values for percentage of fertilization, duration of fertility percentage and fertility duration were 89.76%, 91.79, 90.14; 85.33%, 88.72, 83.01; 12.24, 11.90, 12.50 days, respectively. Using the above mentioned concentration levels, no significant interaction was found between semen concentration and male groups.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of lead exposure on resistance of mice immunized against haemorrhagic septicaemia and challenged with virulent organisms. Lead treated mice showed greater susceptibility to challenge with P. multucida than control especially if lead nitrate is administered orally. this result showed that treatment with lead initials resistance of mice and might interferes with the vaccination programs. Cadmium chloride (cd) injected into rabbits at various time intervals in relation to tetanus toxoid injection was found to have some effect on the immune response. A reduction in the primary immune response was detected in case if (cd) is given two weeks prior to toxoid injection. On the other hand, enhancement of secondary antibody titers was detected. Cadmium reduced both primary and secondary antibody response if it is given seven days before immunization.

This experiment was carried out to investigate levels of sodium, potassium and calcium in ovine blood serum for 12 weeks during which fluoride (100 ppm) was added to the ration. The rams remained physically in good condition and there were no lesions in the teeth, gums and joints. With the exception of an increase in sodium at the end of the first week, sodium and potassium levels were not influenced. This finding could point out to the possibility of failure of the added fluoride to induce significant changes in kidney and aldosterone functions regarding regulation of these two ions in blood. There was a general tendency of the total calcium level to decrease which reached statistical significance in samples of three weeks. Such decrease could be due to a decline in calcium intestinal absorption and an increase in bone deposition and excretion with urine.

The present work was carried out in poultry experiment farm of Animal Resources Dept.., College of Agric., Baghdad University, Iraq. Five different levels of single cell protein (0, 5, 10, 15, 20%) replaced to soybean meal in the diets of broiler chick and 600 one day old chicks (Hubberd). The birds were randomly distributed among five treatments (two replicate for each treatment.), 60 chicks per replicate. The results showed that. the diet containing 10% single cell protein was the best diet among the other treatments. The average body weight in six weeks old were 1081.5, 1097, 1171, 1095, 332 gr for the treatments used respectively.

One- day old broiler chicks were divided into four equal groups and given rations containing four different levels of dl-α -tocopheryl acetate (10, 40, 70 and 100 mg/kg of feed). Each ration was given’ to one group. Body weight was increased significantly in groups consumed rations containing 70 and 100 mg of dl-a tocopheryl acetate per kg of feed. Feed consumption has not. been increased in these two groups which give economic weight to the results. Tt is concluded that dl-α-tocopheryl acetate may be considered as growth promotor.

Fourteen Bulgarian pregnant ewes (three months of gestation), were used and divided in two groups, one group was inoculated with 500 infective larvae /kg. body weight, the other group remained non-infected control. Productive parameters, blood changes were recorded and faecal egg counts were examined weekly. Marked reduction in food intake was recorded in infected ewes, especially during prelambing period. No obvious differences were noted between both groups after lambing. Slight differences in body weight gain were recorded between both groups until labour, while after lambing, the weight losses of infected ewes were highly significant 1%. No effect of infection has been seen on fleece weight, while significant depression in the haemoglobin and packed cell volum of infected group during the pre-parturient period, and the high reduction occured at week (7). Generally the results indicated that there were variations in resistance of ewes or its susceptibility to parasitic infection.

Cyclopia is a congenital defect in which the two orkits merge to form a single cavity containing one eye, which is likely to show more or less evidence of its origin by fusion of the right and left optic primordia. It is usually combined with cyclencephaly. It is usually described as synophthalmus.

A group of 15 Awasi ewes were inserted with intravaginal sponges of Veramix plus which were removed thirteen days later. Immediately after removal of the sponges, they were injected with 500 IU of FSH intramuscularly. All ewes were came to estrus within 2-3 days after injection. They were serviced, then, after completing a successful pregnancy, all ewes had twin lambs. : This trial indicates the success of estrus synchronization in ewes.

An infectious syndrome of broiler chickens characterized by. stunted growth, poor feathering, leg weakness, poor feed conversion, and loss of pigmentation of the skin. The syndrome was initially reported in Netherland (Kouwenhoven et al., 197848), and have since been described in England (Bracewell and Wyeth, 1981), U.S.A. (page et al., 1982), Australia (pass et al.,1982) and Canada (Riddell and Derow, 1982). The various names of the syndrome reflects the variety of clinical signs and gross lesions .observed, and although reported conditions share many clinical signs and pathological changes, it is not certain that all reports describe the same disease entity.