Diyala Journal for Veterinary Sciences

Background: The respiratory system of birds exhibits remarkable adaptations to meet the elevated metabolic requirements of flight. In this study, a comparative histological evaluation was conducted on the pulmonary parenchyma of three pigeon breeds: Tippler, Iraqi Red, and Fantail with particular focus on smooth muscle thickness and blood vessel diameters. Aims: The goal was to understand how vascular morphology adapts to the varying physiological demands associated with each breed\\'s flight capabilities, providing further evidence that selective pressures related to behavior and lifestyle profoundly shape avian respiratory system. Sixty adult healthy pigeons were categorized, and samples of the lungs were obtained for histomorphometrical assessments. Results: The findings revealed P < 0.05 inter-breed differences reflecting functional specialization. Tippler pigeons, known for their prolonged flight endurance, presented with the thickest smooth muscle layers (47.89 μm) and the largest vascular diameters, suggesting a more advanced mechanism for regulating pulmonary hemodynamics and optimizing oxygen transport. Iraqi Red pigeons demonstrated intermediate structural features (37.95 μm), aligning with their moderate flight activity. In contrast, Fantail pigeons, which exhibit limited flight capacity, displayed the thinnest smooth muscle walls (33.96 μm) and the narrowest vessels, consistent with lower respiratory and metabolic demands.
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Conclusions: These observations underline the dynamic interplay between vascular morphology and physiological adaptation, providing further evidence that selective pressures related to behavior and lifestyle profoundly shape avian respiratory structures.

Background: The experiment was carried out in glass aquaria (100 × 40 × 40 cm) with juveniles of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) that were obtained from a local fish breeder in Jadidat Al-Shatt, Diyala Governorate, from 25 October 2024 until 5 January 2025. Each aquarium was stocked with 10 fish and three replicates per each treatment. The treatments consisted of commercial feed that contained 35.58% crude protein (control), second one with 80% commercial feed and 20% dried Azolla, third group with 80% commercial feed and 20% fresh Azolla. The fish were fed at the rate of 5% of their weight (total biomass) in 3 meals a day with the feed amount being adjusted every two weeks. Water was changed every two days (replaced 70% of total aquarium water) using clean water.
Aims: The planned study was designed to assess the potential for Azolla to serve as a partial protein substitute in carp diets and to check their impacts on growth rate, growth and relative growth rate. Results: The statistical analysis indicated that a significant difference was found among the treatments as the fresh Azolla treatment significantly resulted in the highest weight gain (3.48 g. fish⁻¹) among all treatments compared to dried Azolla (2.36 g. fish⁻¹) and control treatment (1.94 g. fish⁻¹). Similarly, for growth rate, the dried Azolla treatment had the highest growth rate (67.50 g. fish⁻¹), which was significantly greater than the control treatment (39.00 g. fish⁻¹). The diet based on dried Azolla also resulted in the highest relative growth rate (245.88%) compared to the fresh Azolla treatment (161.10%). In addition, the dried Azolla treatment had the best feed conversion ratio of 2.935 g. fish⁻¹ when compared to control and fresh Azolla treatment (3.250 and 3.343 g. fish⁻¹ respectively). Conclusions: In conclusion, the study found that feeding common carp diets with Azolla improved growth performance when compared to feeding commercial feed only. It was also foundthat replacing 20% of commercial feed with Azolla improved growth performance indicators without any effects on fish health.

Hydropericardium Hepatitis Syndrome (HHS), caused by Fowl Adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4), is a significant viral disease in broiler chickens, leading to high mortality and substantial economic losses in the poultry industry. It primarily affects chickens aged 3 to 6 weeks, characterized by the accumulation of amber-colored fluid in the pericardial sac, distinguishing it from other adenoviral diseases like Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH).This study, conducted at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala, aimed to identify FAdV-4 strains associated with (HHS) and confirm the presence of HHS in Diyala Governorate. To achieve this, tissue samples from 50 post-mortem cases across five regions Baqubah, Al-Galibia, Al-Khalis, Kanaan, and Baladrose were collected from clinically infected chickens, including liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and intestine. All samples were preserved in 10% formalin and processed for histopathological analysis. Clinical signs observed in infected chickens in the current study, included depression, reduced feed intake, and discolored excreta. The excreta of affected chickens showed discoloration, ranging from deep yellow to greenish, indicating intestinal distress. Post-mortem lesions were characterized by pericardial effusion, with clear or amber-colored fluid in the pericardial cavity, which was the most prominent lesion. Additional findings included enlarged, friable liver with areas of necrosis, congested kidneys with urate deposits, and splenomegaly. Histopathologically, the liver exhibited dilated central veins and sinusoids, with infiltration of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells, along with necrotic hepatocytes. The kidneys displayed severely dilated tubules packed with proteinaceous debris and widespread interstitial edema. The heart showed signs of myofiber necrosis, lymphocyticinfiltration around the veins, and inflammation. The spleen exhibited loss of lymphoid follicles, inflammatory cell infiltration, and hemorrhage. The intestines manifested multiple deep ulcers, patches of mucosal necrosis, crypt epithelial atrophy, and irregular villous hyperplasia. These overlapping pathological features offer valuable insights into understanding the connection between the progressive clinical signs and the complex histological changes caused by FAdV-4 infection, the viral agent responsible for HHS. Clarifying this relationship is essential for guiding future efforts in epidemiological surveillance, enhancing disease control strategies, and developing more effective diagnostic tests and preventive measures.

Background: The gliotoxin-producing capability of A. fumigatus isolates through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) determination. The results of this research revealed that among the 30 samples, A. fumigatus showed the highest yield of gliotoxin when cultivated on Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) medium with a gliotoxin content of 23.823 μg /kg as determined by HPLC. The primary goal of the study was to synthesize gliotoxin (GT) by Aspergillus fumigatus. The research resulted was conducted in the period between February 2022 and March 2023. Fifty nasal swabs were taken from animals in the Baghdad province with respiratory tract infection. All the samples received were grown on Czapek Dextrose Agar (CDA). The percentages of fungi isolated from nasal samples were as follows A. fumigatus (60%), A. niger (10%), Aspergillus spp. (16%), Rhizopus spp. (4%), Mucor spp. (2%), and Candida spp. (4%). To establish the identification of each isolate, both the macroscopic and the microscopic examinations were used. Aims: The primary goal of the study was to synthesize gliotoxin (GT) by Aspergillus fumigatus. Results: Samples, which were collected from the nasal cavities of suspected animals having clinical symptoms from different areas in Baghdad Province, were cultured on czapek dox agar. The culture and microscope examination revealed 30 isolates for the infections were positive and identified as Aspergillus fumigates, whereas 20 isolates corresponded to other fungal species. The findings of this investigation revealed that Yeast Extract Broth (YEB) supplemented with 4% sucrose and 2% yeast extract (YES) and incubated at 37 °C for seven days served as an efficientmedium for the rapid assessment of Aspergillus fumigatus growth and gliotoxin (GT) biosynthesis, showing a yield of 23.823 μg/kg as determined by HPLC Conclusions: The HPLC Technique was to achieve rapid, increased sensitivity, and specificity for gliotoxin detection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, aerobic rod from the Gamma-proteobacteria, widespread in humans and the environment. Its genetic diversity, adaptability, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation make it a clinically important pathogen causing urinary, wound, respiratory, and gastrointestinal infections. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cow urine samples collected between September 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025, in different regions of Diyala Governorate. Isolation was performed using cetrimide agar and MacConkey agar, and the isolates were confirmed by the VITEK 2 system. A total of 93urine samples were collected from different regions of Diyala Governorates, 85 (91.4%) showed positive growth, while 8 samples (8.6%) showed no growth. Among all the positive samples, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in 7 isolates (8.23%) through morphological and biochemical tests, and confirmation was achieved using VITEK 2. In conclusion, urine samples from cows are a common source of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the VITEK2 system is reliable for identifying the bacteria.

Background: The glands were more expanded in the thoracic region compared to those in the cervical region.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the histological and histochemical characteristics of the esophagus of Eurasian collared doves to provide basic data for physiological and pharmacological investigation.
Results: Histologically, the esophagus was comprised of the following layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. The mucosa was formed by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, then lamina propria, loose connective tissue with glands. The muscularis mucosa was formed of thin longitudinal bundles of the smooth muscles and longitudinal folds in the cervical region of the esophagus. The submucosa was made of a thin layer of loose connective tissue. The muscularis was made of circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers. The mean thickness of the muscularis in the thoracic region was greater than the cervical one. The mucosal folds in the cervical region were longitudinal and greatly deeper than those present in the thoracic region of the esophagus. The submucosa was made of a thin layer of loose connective tissue. In the cervical region, the mean mucosal and submucosal thicknesses were thicker than those detected in the thoracic region. The muscularis was made of circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers. The mean thickness of the muscularis in the thoracic region was greater than the cervical one. The mean thickness of connective tissue in the tunica was thicker than that in the thoracic one.
Conclusions: The esophagus of these birds was histologically similar to those recorded in mammalian esophagus, and the mucous glands were prominently detected in both cervical and thoracic esophageal regions.

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite causing neosporosis, a disease presenting great importance in a variety of domestic and wild animals worldwide, particularly dogs and cattle are the most affected hosts. It is among the common causes of bovine abortion and one of the primary threats to intensively raised dairy and beef cattle, causing huge reproductive and economic losses. Serological tests, including seroreactivity tested by ELISA and IFAT were the most common methods used for the diagnosis of infection. The parasite has a complex life cycle that entails three major stages: sporozoites, tachyzoites and bradyzoites. Vertical transmission is the form of transmission in cattle; the parasite is passed from dam to fetus trans placentally. Dogs are the final hosts of the parasite that excretes oocysts with the faeces and contaminates environment particularly feed and water. Closeness to infected dogs is significantly related to higher prevalence of infection thus a close association between cattle and sick dogs has been highly incriminated. Exact worldwide figures are not available. Pharmacological treatments against N. caninum have been explored, and compounds such as piritrexim, monensin, pyrimethamine and trimethoprime have demonstrated inhibitory activity against the parasite ultimate development in cell culture. There is, however, no truly effective cure. Consequently, the control of vertical transmission is still the most realistic and the most effective approach to control, thus requiring enhanced biosecurity measures in order to manage dogs on farms as well as more sustainable therapeutic or vaccine-based interventions.

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) has been an excellent chemotherapeutic agent, but its nephrotoxic potential developed by oxidative stress and tubular impairment limit its using. Medicinal plants like Prosopis farcta (the fruit) can be proposed as an antioxidant to protect the kidney cells.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the nephroprotective effect of Prosopis farcta fruit extract (PFE) against MTX-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model. Adult rats were divided into five groups: control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.), and MTX + PFE (300, 400 or 500 mg/kg per orally) for 30 days. The levels of renal function markers (BUN, creatinine, cystatin C and albumin), oxidative stress indicators (MDA, SOD) and urinary NAG were detected. Histopathological analysis was also performed.
Results: MTX resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) renal dysfunction as witnessed by increased levels of BUN, creatinine, cystatin C, MDA and NAG with decreased albumin and SOD. PFE therapy ameliorated these parameters in a dose-dependent fashion. The 500 mg/kg dose confirmed the maximum protection, as indicated by biochemical markers and renal histology closer to normalcy.
Conclusions: Fruit extract of Prosopis farcta has a potent renal-protective impact, which may be due to its antioxidant and tubular protective activities. Moreover, it can be a cheap natural adjunct for the alleviation of chemotherapy-induced renal toxicity.

Background: The reduction of nitrate (NO3-) to toxic nitrite (NO2-) via bacterial enzymes is highly dependent on gastric pH. At specific medical conditions such as hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria (less acidic, high gastric pH), there is a significant risk of bacterial overgrowth that contributed to increase the conversion of nitrate to the nitrite in the stomach. Young monogastric animals (alike to human infants) are more sensitive to nitrate toxicity due to high gastric pH. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of nitrate under higher gastric pH condition following cimetidin treatment. Moreover, it used Guinea pigs as a surrogated model for monogastric digestive system to assess nitrate toxicity under specific gastric medical problems. Results: The administration of 50 mg/kg.bw of cimetidin leads to an increase in stomach pH in Guinea pig as monogastric model following 6 weeks of the experimental period. The severity of the histopathological changes of stained stomach, liver, kidney, spleen and lung sections were higher in G2 (potassium nitrate + cimetidin-treated Guinea pigs) than in G3 (nitrate-toxicated Guinea pigs). Conclusions: Under high gastric pH, the pathological changes were significantly higher in G2 (nitrate and cimetidin-treated group) than in the other groups. Furthermore, Guinea pigs represented a valuable monogastric surrogate model for both human and small animals to assess nitrate toxicity under specific gastric medical problems.

Background: Ultrasound considers one of most common tools that used and depended in pregnancy diagnosis in farm animals and also to assess many parameters of reproductive performance Aims: The goal of this study was to conduct relationship between Crown-rump length (CRL), Biparietal diameter (BPD) and age of gestation in Maraz goat. Thirty Maraz does non-pregnant were synchronized to inducing estrus by utilizing vaginal sponges for about 12 days and followed by injection of 600 IU of PMSG hormones withdrawing the sponges and naturally served to obtain pregnancy. 73.3% (22/30) of the synchronized goats became pregnant, all synchronized goats were scanned every five to ten days beginning from day 30 to 95 of gestation transrectally (TR) with linear-probe (4-9 MHz). Results: This study conducts a significant relationship of each CRL and BPD with advance age of gestation period. The CRL and BPD increased significantly (P≤0.05) with the progress of pregnancy
Conclusions: The CRL and BPD are crucial parameters that could be useful and depended for follow the advance of gestation period by ultrasonic technique in goats.