The Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Knowledge of basic structures is prerequisite for acquiring an in-depth idea about the physiology and immunology of the lymphoid system. The study evaluates the age related histomorphometry of cecal tonsil of Sonali chicken at different postnatal stages in Bangladesh as literatures regarding this are very scarce. The investigation was carried out on 25 healthy Sonali chickens representing different stage of postnatal life: days 1, 14, 28, 42, and 56 (n=5). After ethically sacrifice (cervical subluxation method), cecal tonsil was collected and subjected for both gross and histological studies. Haematoxylin and Eosin stain was done for microscopic study. Morphologically, cecal tonsils were located bilaterally at the junction of small and large intestine. It had tubular structure and yellowish white in color. All gross parameters (weight, length, and width) found to be increased significantly (P<0.05) throughout the whole study period. Weight was measured 0.022±0.001 g at day 1 and noticed 0.181±0.016 g at the end of study tenure. The microscopic observations revealed that at day 28 encapsulated lymphatic nodules was present along with the diffuse lymphocytes at the lamina propria and submucosa layer, which was absent at the previous study groups. At day 1, only small infiltration of lymphocytes was identified and at day 14, lymphocytes were aggregating to form lymphatic nodules. After that, age related development was noticed in histological features. The findings would be a milestone to give an idea about the gut health and immune status of Sonali chicken and provide a basis for further immunization research.

Aspartame (ASP) is a sugar substitute. Its use rose because it has been demonstrated to have deleterious effects after being metabolized. In the presence of antioxidant vitamins C or E, the effects of ASP on reproductive hormones of adult male and female Albino Wister rats were investigated. A total of eighty male and female rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into four groups: group 1, received no treatment; group 2, received ASP at 40 mg/kg BW; group 3, received ASP at 40 mg/kg BW with vitamin C at 150 mg/kg BW; and group 4, received ASP at 40 mg/kg BW and vitamin E at 100 mg/kg BW. All treatments were given orally by gavage needle once daily for consecutive 90 days. The levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone hormone (TH) were measured after 90 days in blood plasma. In comparison with the control group, ASP treatment resulted in lower levels of E2, FSH, and LH in male and female rats. When the antioxidants vitamin C or E was given, the effects of ASP were reversed, and the levels of E2, LH, and FSH were increased. The testosterone hormone was likewise significantly increased by ASP, but testosterone hormone concentrations were decreased by vitamin C or E treatments. Long-term ASP consumption caused interfering with testicular and ovarian hormonal activity, while vitamins C and E on the other hand, overcome longstanding consumption ASP\\'s effects.

The prevalence of house mice (Mus musculus) Hymenolepiasis was determined in Baghdad, Iraq to study the effects of location, sex, and months on the infection rate of Hymenolepis spp. in house mice. Fifty house mice were captured from Abu Ghraib and Al-Ameriya, Baghdad, Iraq and examined for detecting parasites in laboratory in College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad. The total infection prevalence of intestinal parasites was 11 (22%) out of 50 samples, the higher prevalence was 28.57% and found in Abu Ghraib area, while lower was (13.63%) and recorded in Al-Ameriya area. The study revealed that the house mice were infected with two species of Hymenolepis: Hymenolepis nana 4 (8%) and Hymenolepis diminuta 7(14%). The intestinal parasites revealed a significance prevalence value (P&amp;lt;0.05). There was statistical difference in between males and females in parasites infection, in which the higher rate was 8 (27.58%) and recorded in males and the lower was 3 (14.28%) and observed in females. The monthly distribution of confirmed cases over a 9-month period revealed that reported cases of house mice and Hymenolepiasis increased significantly (P&amp;lt;0.01) in autumn (65.44%), followed by winter (15.38%), and summer (13.33%). The findings showed that house mice play an important role in the spread of zoonotic parasitic illnesses to people, as well as attention must pay to public health.

One of the \"hallmarks of cancer\" is altered energy metabolism, which is increased glycolysis in cancer cells, the primary source of energy that uses this metabolic pathway to generate ATP. Oncolytic virotherapy with aerobic glycolysis inhibitor smart therapeutic approach to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The current study aimed to use the 2-Deoxyglucose (2DG), a specific glycolysis inhibitor, to enhance the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In this study, a mouse model of breast cancer allograft with mammary adenocarcinoma tumor cells (AN3) was used and treated with 2DG, NDV, and a combination of both. Anti-tumor efficacy and glycolysis analysis (hexokinase -1 (HK-1), pyruvate, and ATP) were determined. The induction of oxidative stress was investigated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total glutathione assay examination. Apoptosis induction was investigated using immunohistochemistry (cleaved Caspase-3) and histopathology. The result showed that combination therapy enhances anti-tumor efficacy (decrease in relative tumor volume and increase in tumor growth inhibition) of NDV against breast cancer. This effect was accompanied by a reduction in HK-1 concentration, pyruvate, and ATP (glycolysis products). Moreover, NDV+2DG therapy induces oxidative stress (decreases total glutathione and increases ROS). Immunohistochemistry and histopathological examination showed the apoptotic area in tumor tissues in treated groups. In conclusion, the present study found that the combination therapy could be considered as an effective cancer therapy through induction of glycolysis inhibition, oxidative stress, and apoptosis selectively in cancer cells.

The aim of present study was to evaluate the possibility of teratogenicity in rats when exposed to zinc chloride (ZnCl2) pre and post pregnancy. To achieve this goal, a total of 40 mature Albino Wistar female rats were divided equally into four groups as follows: T1, dosed 0.7 mg/day ZnCl2 for two months before mating and till to the day 5th of pregnancy, the females of this group were mated with males dosed 0.7 mg/day ZnCl2 for two weeks before mating; T2, dosed 0.7 mg/day ZnCl2 for two months before mating and till to the day 16th of pregnancy and then were mated with control males (not exposed to any level of ZnCl2); T3, dosed 0.7mg/day ZnCl2 for two months before mating and till the end of pregnancy and were mated with control males; Control, dosed with water free from ZnCl2 along the period of experiment and were mated with control males. At the end of each pregnancy phase, results revealed that alpha fetoprotein serum levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all treatment groups compared to the control group, and the most prominent increase was observed in the T3 group. All treatment groups showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in gestation, viability, and lactation indices when compared to the control group, with the T3 group showing the most significant decrease. Additionally, on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 of lactation period, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in mean pup body weights in treated groups compared to the control group, with T3 group having the most prominent body weight decrease. The findings of this study revealed that ZnCl2 at a daily dose of 0.7 mg may cause teratogenic defects in rats at various stages of pregnancy, particularly at the third stage. As high-risk groups, pregnant women and children should use Zn supplementation carefully, whether as a food additive or for self-medication. Simultaneously, evaluating effect of low-dose Zn supplementation over a longer duration is required.

Canine distemper (CD) is an infectious disease that affects dogs and is extremely contagious and lethal, with a high mortality and morbidity rates. It infects a broad variety of animals, including primates, cetaceans, and carnivores causing a multi-systemic pathological condition. This study aimed to detect canine distemper virus (CDV) in blood samples of dogs clinically suspected with distemper at the Baghdad Veterinary Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. CDV nucleoprotein gene (N) was detected in the whole blood of 46 dogs using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The partially amplified (591 bp) fragment of the N gene was detected in 12 of 46 (26%) blood samples of dogs examined. Based on the partial sequencing data of the N gene, three local isolates might be similar to the NCBI-BLAST reference CDV virus isolates FJ977579.1 China, AF378705.1 USA, and AF305419.1 UK, while other strains EU072200.1 Hungary, AF164967.1 Switzerland, KU578257.1 Germany, and AB474397.1 Japan were found to be rather distinct. The isolates displayed a higher level of similarity with the Snyder Hill CDV strain and Onderstepoort CDV strain. There was less homology with the CDV strain A75/17 of Switzerland and 007Lm CDV strain of Japan. In conclusion, this study confirmed that CDV infection is present in domestic dogs in Iraq. This may indicate a risk of the disease spreading to parts of the country that may be disease-free.

Diabetes mellitus has been reported to be accompanied by thyroid and testicular dysfunctions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Quercus infectoria galls (QIg) extract on the thyroid gland and testicular functions in diabetic rats. Sixteen rats were randomly divided into four equal groups, consisting of normal control, diabetic untreated control, diabetic treated with oral administration of 500 mg/kg BW and 1000 mg/kg BW, respectively for 15 days. Serum blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), testosterone (T), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were assessed. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were euthanized for histopathological analysis of thyroid gland and testis. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) in the thyroid gland of rats. The significant increase in serum blood glucose level in diabetic rats (DC) was markedly decreased by treatment with QIg extract (500 mg and 100 mg/kg BW) almost to the normal level. The reduced thyroid hormones, both the T3 and T4 were significantly recovered after 15 days of treatment with QIg extract (500 mg and 100 mg/kg BW). Whereas serum concentration of testosterone was significantly reduced in diabetic rats with QIg extract (500 mg and 100 mg/kg BW) treatment. Histopathological analysis of diabetic rats showed a wide range of morphological alterations in thyroid gland and testicular structures, which were almost completely, restored back to normal by treatment of rats with QIg extract. Furthermore, results showed overexpression of TTF-1 in the thyroid gland of diabetic rats, which was recovered back to normal expression after 15 days of treatment with QIg extract. These findings may provide new insights into the potential role of QIg extract as a promising therapeutic agent against diabetic complications in thyroid gland and testicular functions.

This study was designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of methanolic extract of green walnut husk (GWH) in hypercholesterolemic rats. A total of thirty male Albino Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica) were divided randomly into six equal groups. Group 1, negative control, fed on a standard rat diet whereas groups 2–6, hypercholesterolemic rats, fed a high-fat diet (1% cholesterol in a standard diet). Group 2, positive control, was left untreated, whereas the groups 3–5 treated orally with methanolic extract of GWH at 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day BW, respectively. Group 6, treatment control, received atorvastatin intraperitoneally at a dosage rate of 0.8 mg/kg/day. The treatment lasted for 84 days. Lipid profiles, biomarkers for liver and kidney functions, some hematological parameters, and liver histopathological assessment were performed. No significant variation was observed on lipid profile values after 42 days of GWH intake; while after 84 days, there was significant reduction (P<0.05) in cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides and significant increase (P<0.05) in HDL. On day 42, the GWH intake revealed no ameliorating effect on ALT, AST, ALP, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN); while on day 84, the GWH at 400 and 800 mg/kg BW reduced liver injury enzymes and serum creatinine levels but not the BUN. The GWH showed no significant effect on RBC, HGH, HCV, MCH, and MCHC counts; however, the WBCs count of all experimental groups showed significant (P<0.05) increase when compared to negative control. In comparison with other experimental groups, the 800 mg/kg GWH group and the treatment control group exhibited significant decrease (P<0.05) in HCT. The histopathological findings of the liver showed that the 800 mg/kg BW dosage rate of GWH was efficient in ameliorating the adverse tissue changes noticed in the positive control and other experimental groups. It can be inferred that GWH at dosage rate 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg BW have a potential antidyslipidemic effect in dose and period dependent manner. Further investigation to identify the safety of GWH for long standing using against hyperlipidemic patients is required.

The antimicrobial effects of diverse tannin-containing plants, particularly condensed tannins (CTs) produced from various plants, are the subject of this study. CT components can be determined using CT-specific procedures such the HCl-Butanol Acetone assay, Thiolysis reaction, and HPLC/MS analysis. These methods indicate CT contents, including mean degree of polymerization, the procyanidins and prodelphinidins ratio (PC/PD%), the isomers of trans- and cis-, and CT concentration. Tannin-containing plants possess antibacterial action, which can be attributed to their protein linkage technique, and tannin-type variations, particularly CTs extract and their PC/PD%. The effects of CT components on the development of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria have been documented for their relative PC/PD%; this is regarded to be a key predictor of tannin characteristics in terms of antimicrobials. In conclusion, tannins, more specific CT compositions, have significant impacts on in vivo trials of animal productions and utilization of metabolites and fermentation in vitro experiments. These findings need further investigations to fully understand how CT-types act on animal feeding in terms of enhanced nutritional quality of animal diets, which may have implications for human and animal health.