Diyala Journal for Veterinary Sciences

Abstract:
Background: In certain bird species, such as the Java sparrow, the crop plays a role in parental care, particularly in the production of crop milk to feed the offspring. Despite its importance, limited studies have focused on it. Thus, the crops of 12 Java birds were used in this study and divided into brooding and non-brooding groups to highlight the differences between them and to document the morphometrical adaptations associated with brooding behavior.
Aims: This study aimed to precisely identify and characterize the distinct anatomical differences in the crop of Java sparrows (e.g., location, shape and dimensions of the brood patch as well as to assess the morphological changes that occur between brooding and non-brooding periods).
Results: The crop is located at the center of esophagus as simple fusiform or spindle-shaped. Its outer surface was thick and encircled by skin and adipose tissue in the brooding birds, in contrast to only skin of the non-brooding. In brooding birds, the inner surface of the crop contains circular and longitudinal folds, whereas in non-brooding only longitudinal folds in both sexes were observed. Moreover, in brooding birds, the weight and dimensions of the crop were varied and appeared longer and wider than non- brooding species in both sexes.
Conclusions: The observed variations highlight the functional adaptation of the crop to meet the physiological needs of parental care, providing valuable insights into avian reproductive anatomy.

Background:
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen associated with nosocomial infections; it can cause ocular infections in animals and humans. In veterinary medicine, this bacterium has been increasingly reported in a variety of animal species, including companion animals, where it may lead to respiratory, conjunctivitis, urinary, and wound infections. In cats, A. baumannii has been implicated in conjunctivitis, often presenting with ocular discharge, redness, and discomfort. The growing concern lies in its ability to develop multidrug resistance, which limits therapeutic options. This situation underscores the need to investigate alternative antimicrobial strategies, such as the use of probiotic bacteria with potential inhibitory effects.
Aims:
This study aimed to isolate and identify Acinetobacter baumannii from feline conjunctivitis cases in Baghdad, Iraq, and to evaluate the antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus against it in vitro
Results:
Out of 100 conjunctival swabs collected from cats between November 2024 and March 2025, Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated from 5 samples (5%). All isolates were oxidase-negative and catalase-positive, and identification was confirmed by the VITEK 2 system. Lactobacillus acidophilus obtained from commercial powder was successfully cultured and identified using the API 50 CHL system. Agar well diffusion assays revealed clear inhibition zones around the wells containing L. acidophilus, indicating a significant antagonistic effect against A. baumannii

Abstract:
Background:
Urinary tract infections in cattle represent a significant veterinary concern, impacting animal health, welfare, and economic productivity. The frequently diverse bacterial pathogens isolated from bovine UTIs, posing particular challenges due to their inherent virulence factors and increasing antimicrobial resistance profiles.
Aims:
In this study, an alternative controlling protocol was used to counteract the antimicrobial resistance of the bacterial isolates Proteus mirabilis (PM14) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA59) using biosynthesize silver oxide nanoparticles (AgONPs) by cell-free supernatants of a mixed species of: Bacillus subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. atrophaeus).
Results:
The findings of VITEK system showed that PM14 was sensitive to ceftazidime/avibactam, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and gentamycin, while PA59 was resistant to most of the tested antibiotics. Regarding to agar well diffusion, the growth inhibition zones of bacterial isolates were 19 and 21mm when 100 µg/ml of AgONPs was applied against PM14 and PA59, respectively. Moreover, bacterial growth of both PM14 and PA59 was inhibited at 15.6 µg/mL of AgONPs, as an MIC with a bacterial survival of (0.3 - 0.6 %), compared to the control group, which was growing without treatment.
Conclusions:
The promising efficacy of AgONPs in inhibiting the proliferation of uropathogenic species PM14 and PA59, isolated from bovine subjects, suggests their potential as a viable and potent antimicrobial agent for veterinary therapeutic applications.

Abstract:
Background: One of the most significant ruminant helminthic parasites that are present across the world are liver flukes, which cause economically significant diseases in domestic animals. Among the liver flukes are Dicrocoelium spp., which inhabit the gallbladder and hepatic bile ducts of both domestic and wild ruminants. Numerous species of the Dicrocoelium, are responsible for the zoonotic disease known as dicrocoeliosis.
Aims: The primary goal of this research is given comprehensive characterization of D. dendriticum isolated from the liver of sheep and cattle in Erbil, Kurdistan region-Iraq, through morphological examination and molecular analysis, including phylogenetic analysis, haplotype network, and secondary structure prediction
Results: Morphological and molecular data confirmed the identity of the Iraqi isolates of D. dendriticum, and phylogenetic tree showed that Iraqi D. dendriticum clusters closely related with D. dendriticum, forming a distinct subclade supported by bootstrap values ranging from 65% to 100%. Haplotype analysis and RNA secondary structure indicate genetic variation.
Conclusions: In animal slaughterhouses, clinical diagnosis of D. dendriticum is difficult, particularly due to its small size and the presence of mild infections. Therefore, more information about this zoonotic parasite is necessary.

Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the role of PMSG+ HCG hormone to improve ovulation in cats after natural breeding during out-of season and their effect to some reproductive parameters in domestic queen. Twelve domesticated cats of known origin, age between 1-3 years old, addition to three a fertile male, cats were divided randomly into three equal groups; the first group of 4 queans was control (negative control) , the second group 4 queens treated with 200 IU PMSG hormone (positive control) to induction estrus cycle because the cats are were out of the breeding season, the third group 4 queens treated with 200 IU PMSG and 150 IU HCG. All females’ three groups are were released with males during estrus to natural breeding. Blood collecting from jugular vein (2ml) before treatment in day zero and after treatment in day 14 to study the effect of treatment on level of progesterone hormone value. The male copulation and making a swab from the vagina to confirm estrus diagnosis. Also, in days 25 ultrasound techniques used to detect pregnancy then the animals follow up until parturition to detect gestation period, number of kitten birth and viability of kitten. The result of the current study records the control group not treated with PMSG did not show signs of estrus during the treatment period, while the two group when injected with PMSG showed estrus except one cat in one of the groups did not show estrus. The result of duration of response shows high significant effect in control group in p ≤ 0.05 and showed the signs of estrus after 27± 7.00 days in two queens than treatment group (4.50± 0.86 and 3.67 ±0.88) in (PMSG and PMSG+HCG) groups respectively, also non-significant effect between two treatment groups in duration response. Also, the duration estrus (estrus phase) was 4.5 - 7 days did not have a significant difference between the two-treatment group (7.00±0.5 and 6.33±1.68) in (PMSG and HCG + PMSG) respectively than control group (4.50 ±.050). The result of present study we show the lowest pregnancy rate was in the control group and the PMSG group, followed by the HCG group high value increasingly. Also, the percentage of pregnancy rate high mathematically in PMSG +HCG group (66.7 %) than control, PMSG groups when the pregnancy rate percent was (50 %, 50%) respectively. The results of the current study show no significant effect in the pregnancy period, litter size, and viability rate in control group than two treatment group. Regarding the effect of treatment with HCG hormone to induced ovulation to progesterone hormonal value, we show increased the progesterone hormone after days 14 because induced ovulation and increased the number corpus luteal after used this program. Conclusion used of HCG to induce ovulation in domestic queens has no significant effect when the male is present with the females throughout the estrous phase but it lead to increase the pregnancy rate and progesterone value mathematically.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is Gram-negative bacterium which recognized for its adaptability and opportunistic nature, with poses a substantial challenge in clinical settings due to its complicated antibiotic resistance mechanisms, biofilm formation, and capacity for persistent infections in both animal and human hosts.
Aims: This study aimed to isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria that cause otitis in cats and their owners, and to study the clinical signs of the disease, as well as the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the bacteria.
Results: A total of 123 ear swabs were collected from humans (total number =53) and cats (total number=70) having otitis, in addition to 10 apparently healthy cats as controls Swabs were cultured in various agars (Nutrient, MacConkey, Blood, Cetrimide), tested biochemically, and confirmed by the VITEK 2 compact system. The results showed that (17.07%) of study samples were positive to P. aeruginosa, including (18.87%), in human and (15.71%) in cats. Case history and clinical examination revealed that the diseased human having ear discharge, pain, congestion, and hearing loss, while diseased cats were having pain on palpation, purulent discharge, head shaking, scratching, excessive earwax, and foul odor. Temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rates of positively infected cats were increased significantly (P≤ 0.05) when compared to control. The colonies of P. aeruginosa isolates were appeared as blue-green pigmentation on nutrient agar. In MacConkey agar, the growth was shown as pale yellowish, regular, flat, colorless margin colonies. Hemolysis in addition to smooth mucous and blue-green colonies with grape-like odor was identified in Blood agar. In Cetrimide agar, the colonies of P. aeruginosa produced water-soluble green pigment.

Abstract:
Background: During routine post-mortem examination at the Kalar slaughterhouse in the Garmian region, Iraq, black pigmentation was observed in the livers of lambs aged 6–7 months, with occasional discoloration in the lungs, kidneys, and hearts. The affected animals showed no clinical signs prior to slaughter.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the histopathological characteristics of the observed lesions.
Results: Tissue samples were collected and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin then processed using standard histological techniques and examined microscopically. Histopathological analysis revealed a complete loss of hepatic architecture, congested central veins, coagulative necrosis, and pigment-laden Kupffer cells. Melano-macrophages and discrete pigment granules were also noted around portal areas.
Conclusions: The findings were consistent with acquired visceral melanosis (AVM), also known as “black liver.” This condition, though previously reported in other countries, is recorded here for the first time in Iraq. The etiology remains unclear, although environmental and nutritional factors are suspected. Further studies are required to determine the origin and potential implications for animal health and meat safety.

Abstract
This review examines the efficacy of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) supplementation as a natural phytogenic feed addition in rabbit production. Rosemary possesses antioxidant, antibacterial, and growth-enhancing qualities, potentially providing a sustainable substitute for synthetic chemicals in cattle nutrition.
Aims:
was to conduct an 8-week feeding trial using 32 male rabbits, who were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8 per group). Treatments comprised a control diet and diets enriched with rosemary powder (1.5%), rosemary oil (0.5%), or a combination of both (0.75% powder + 0.25% oil). The study sought to assess the impact of rosemary on growth performance, hematological and biochemical profiles, antioxidant status, and lipid metabolism.
Results:
Rabbits supplemented with rosemary, especially in the combination group, Showed a notable improvement in growth performance, with a 25.8% increase in final body weight relative to the control group. Antioxidant enzyme activity increased (SOD by 9.6%, GPx by 27.8%), but malondialdehyde levels decreased, signifying reduced oxidative stress. Liver function markers (ALT, AST) decreased by 23–26%, indicating hepatoprotective effects. Improvements in the lipid profile comprised a 30.8% decrease in total cholesterol and a 65.1% elevation in HDL cholestero.

Conclusion:
Rosemary supplementation, particularly in combination, markedly improved growth performance, physiological health, and oxidative stability in rabbits. These findings endorse rosemary's use as an efficacious, natural substitute for synthetic growth boosters, enhancing animal health and promoting sustainable rabbit production.

background: The early induction of heat in laboratory animals like mice is so essential for reproductive performance, and detection of estrus could be achieved by many ways like visual evaluation, vaginal cytology. Mice could be artificially induced to heat period to get them receptive for male.
Aims: To induce estrous cycle in mice early than normal puberty
15 young mice age 4 weeks grouped to three groups, first group treated as control, second group received 0.05 ug estradiol benzoate while third group treated with 0.05 ug GnRH s/c., the same dose for two groups 2 and 3 repeated after three days. Vaginal cytology smears were taken 48 hours after last injection for animals of this study. The results of the study revealed significant showing of estrus behavior in group 2 compared with other groups that used hormones accelerate signs of estrus in mice in early stages.
Conclusion: Setting of the scope and period of the heat cycle and the creating of the heat are helpful in the learing, examine and assessment the impacts of hormone on the reproduction performance.