Al-Anbar Journal of Veterinary Sciences

The glycoprotein surface of the Trypanosoma parasite plays a crucial role in the organism’s biology, as a protective barrier that facility invasion to the host. The special structures of these glycoproteins contribute to the Trypanosoma ability to evade the host. This provides a crucial role of the pathogenesis of this parasite by enabling Trypanosoma brucei to escape from the immune responses by variant its surface glycoprotein (VSG). Hence, T. brucei can keep persistence in the bloodstream. Making it a main factor in the pathogenesis of sleeping sickness disease. Furthermore, understanding the VSG functions would offer valued aspects to beneficial targets for medication caused by Trypanosoma species. As well as it elucidates the mechanisms for vaccine development and cell signaling strategies. By understanding of VSG, jobs improve the awareness of parasite biology to reduce the burden of Trypanosoma species infections and fast‑track development of both effective targeting drugs and supportive vaccines in the scientific community. This collaboration between researchers can be translated into practical explanations to mitigate these diseases towards the eradication of African trypanosomiasis on public health.

Background:
Ticks are important arthropods that infect small ruminants and are asource of concern, especially in areas that depend economically on animal products. Hard ticks are very important vectors for the transmission of blood parasites such as Babesia and Theileria. Important genera of ticks in sheep include Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus.

Methods:
Tick samples were collected from sheep from different areas of Mosul city. Hard ticks are diagnosed by studying morphological characteristics using a dissecting microscope and making permanent slides after passing tick samples through increasing concentrations of ethyl alcohol.

Results:
The results of this study showed that the total infestation rate of hard ticks in sheep in Mosul city was 19.25%. Two genera of ticks were identified: Hyalomma (Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum) and the genus Rhipicephalus (Rhipicephalus turanicus). The highest rate of tick infestation was observed in females (25.59%), while in males, the rate was 12.16%. The highest rate of tick infection occurred in sheep aged 1–3 years, reaching 28.44%. This study showed that the highest rate of tick infection in sheep was during the summer months (June, July and August), reaching 42.42%, 63.88% and 36.11%, respectively, followed by the autumn months (September, October and November), reaching 25.71%, 22.85% and 11.42%, respectively. No ticks were observed on sheep during the winter months.

Conclusion:
In this study two genera of ticks were identified, asignificant difference in the rate of ticks presence between the winter and summer months, female and males of sheep and also among age groups of sheep.

Aims and Objectives:
Evaluate the effect of hCG injection on some of the reproductive parameters in local Iraqi ewes during the breeding season.

Materials and Methods:
Thirty seven ewes with an average age of 2–4 years were studied, along with sexually mature, fertile rams. The experiment was conducted in Saqlawiyah, Al Anbar Governorate, during the period from September 1, 2023 to March 1, 2024. The animals were examined using ultrasonography to ensure that they were nonpregnant. The oestrus was synchronised using an intra vaginal sponge. After 14 days, an injection of 250 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered to each ewe. Blood samples were drawn on day 0, before sponge insertion and on day 34 after sponge removal. Oestrogen, P4 and pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG) levels were measured. Reproductive performance (number of ewes in oestrus, oestrus rate, number of pregnancies, fertility rate, conception rate, pregnancy rate, number of lambs born, lambing rate, litter size, gestation length (days), barrenness rate and sex ratio) was evaluated.

Results:
The results showed an oestrus rate of 100%, with all ewes (29/29) exhibiting oestrus and becoming pregnant. The total number of lambs born was 30. The fertility rate, conception rate and pregnancy rate was 78%, the lambing rate was 81%, the litter size was 1,035, the length of gestation was 145 to 151 days, 12 male and 18 female lambs were born and the barrenness rate was 25%. Oestrogen levels increased in all animals to 89.53 pg/ml, while P4 was initially low at 1.85 ng/ml before the experiment. P4 increased on day 34 of pregnancy to 3.2 ng/ml. PAG level on day 34 of pregnancy was 45 ng/ml.

Conclusion:
Pregnancy rate, fertility rate, conception rate and lambing rate increased following the administration of hCG (250 IU/ewe), which also led to elevated P4 levels on day 34.

Background:
The pharyngeal and palatine tonsils constitute a significant part of Waldeyer’s ring and play a crucial role in immunity, acting as the first line of defense in this location.

Aim:
The study was conducted using morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses, and a scanning electron microscope.

Materials and Methods:
To understand the properties and functions of the pharyngeal tonsil, tonsil samples were collected from 24 clinically healthy adult local sheep and goat carcasses from local slaughterhouses.

Results:
Pharyngeal tonsils in sheep and goats are located on the roof of the nasopharynx, ventral to the caudal part of the vomer bone. The pharyngeal tonsil length in sheep was 38.66 ± 0.48 mm, width 7.25 ± 0.14 mm, and height 20.14 ± 0.30 mm, whereas in goats, the length was 26.36 ± 0.55 mm, width 7.09 ± 0.24 mm, and height 14.64 ± 0.19 mm. Through the dissection microscope, the pharyngeal tonsils in both animals appeared to be covered by an epithelium with primary and secondary crypts distributed around the lymphoid nodules. Immunohistochemical results revealed the presence of T and B lymphocytes, with differences in their distribution demonstrated using CD3 and CD19 antibodies. Within the lymphoid tissue, T lymphocytes predominated and outnumbered B lymphocytes. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscope showed that the surface of the tonsils was covered by pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing ciliated columnar cells, basal cells, and goblet cells. Lymphoid nodules were also observed.

Conclusion:
This study concludes that there are variations in the shape of the pharyngeal tonsil, in the distribution of lymphocytes within their tissue, as well as some differences between the pharyngeal tonsils in both animals.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract against Salmonella typhimurium in a Rat Model: An Experimental Study on Infection Treatment

Aim of Study: This study aimed to compare several methods of pregnancy diagnosis in local Iraqi ewes including progesterone (P4) assay and the Ultrasongraphy (ULR) to identify the Sensitivty(Se), Specificity(Sp) and Accuracy(Acc) of the methods of diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This study was carried Sixty of local Iraqi ewes with 3-5 years old. The experimental animals were subjected to an estrus synchronization. Blood samples were collected at 25 days of insemination, in order to measurement the level of P4 the first method. Pregnancy was diagnosed with Transrectal ULR (TRU) (second method) via TRU and transabdominal (TAU) –ULR, respectively. Results: The result showed that the Se, Sp, Acc of the P4 measurement at 25 days post-examination using the COBAS test were 95.1%, 42.1%, and 78.3%with (P < 0.05), respectively. The Se, Sp, and Acc at 30 days of examination by ULR were 85.4%, 78.9%, and 83.3% respectively, with (P < 0.05). The Se, Sp, and Acc at 60 days of examination by ultrasography were 100%, 100%, and 100% respectively, with (P < 0.05). The findings demonstrated that Se and Acc for P4 assay in day 25 were higher than ULR at day 30, but the Sp was lower than ULR method.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that diagnosing pregnancy Depending on P4 assay at day 25 in sheep by measuring P4 concentration on day 25 after insemination and performing TR_ULR on day 30 and TA-ULR on day 60, are very effective methods for identifying pregnant sheep. Furthermore, the parameters for evaluating these methods (Se, Sp, Acc) improved as the pregnancy progressed, reaching their maximum on day 60 after insemination.

Background:
Cypermethrin, a widely used synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is known to induce hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity through oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits against pesticide-induced organ damage.

Aims and Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of rosemary leaf extract on liver and kidney parameters in rats exposed to cypermethrin.

Materials and Methods:
Forty male rats (180–220 g) were divided into four groups: control (G1, maize oil), cypermethrin-only (G2, 66.5 mg/kg), and two treatment groups (G3/G4: cypermethrin + 100/200 mg/kg rosemary extract). Treatments were administered orally for six weeks, after which serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, urea, and creatinine were measured.

Results:
Cypermethrin significantly elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and kidney markers (urea, creatinine) in G2 compared to controls (P ≤ 0.05). Co-administration of rosemary extract (G3/G4) dose-dependently reduced these elevations, with G4 (200 mg/kg) showing near-normalization of parameters.

Conclusion:
Rosemary extract ameliorated cypermethrin-induced hepatic and renal dysfunction, likely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic adjunct against pesticide toxicity.

Background:
Malformations of fetuses and congenital anomalies were observed in infants’ brains with deformities. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of uranyl acetate on the chemical and oxidative status in mothers and its effects in many areas of the rat’s newborn brain.

Materials and Methods:
Twenty-four adult female rats were treated with a single oral dose of 75 mg/kg uranyl acetate dihydrate (UAD) two weeks before mating and throughout the pregnancy and lactation period. The chemical and oxidative status of mothers was measured. Newborns were sacrificed at the 3rd and 5th weeks of age, and the brain was collected.

Results:
In mothers, there was a significant increase in chloride levels in the UAD-treated group compared to the control group, with no significant differences in Na+ levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased, and glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly decreased in the treated group. Histopathological changes in 3-week-old newborns included blood vessel congestion and astrocyte hypertrophy. In 5-week-old newborns, brain sections showed vacuolation in neuron cells, nuclear shrinkage, and oedema.

Conclusion:
Uranyl acetate affects sodium and chloride levels and induces oxidative stress, causing histological defects in the brains of newborn rats.