The Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Synergistic action of probiotics and prebiotics (synbiotic) has been suggested to be more effective ‎than the two separate components in the prevention and treatment of many intestinal and immune ‎diseases. The present study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory role of Fenugreek as synbiotic ‎with Lactobacillus acidophilus against Escherichia coli. Twenty four adult males of Wister rats aged ‎‎3-4 months and weighted 200-250 gm were used and divided into 4 groups: 1st and 2nd groups ‎were negative and positive control (C and C++) fed with basal diet, the 3rd group (T1) fed diet ‎with Fenugreek seeds (5%) and the 4th group (T2) fed with the synbiotic Fenugreek seeds (5%) and ‎L. acidophilus (5 × 108 CFU/ml) for 45 days. After that, enteritis was induced in rats of the C++, ‎T1, and T2 groups by administrating 1 ml (2.5 × 106 CFU/ml) of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC ‎O125:H6). The preventive role of prebiotic and synbiotic was evaluated depending on macro and ‎microscopic duodenum pathological changes in correlation with butyric acid production for 7 days ‎of infection. The results of the macro and microscopic scoring of enteritis revealed that the ‎synergistic effects of the synbiotic in preventing E. coli enteritis was favored by an increase in ‎goblet cells mucin secretion. This anti-inflammatory role was significantly increased by synbiotic ‎and correlated with the production of butyric acid. The synbiotic improved the anti-inflammatory ‎response of intestinal mucosa adaptive immunity via elevation of the IgA from plasma cells. In ‎conclusion, the inclusion of nutritional supplements containing fibers that constitute a source of ‎butyric acid production, such as Fenugreek seeds, would improve intestinal resistance to ‎inflammation by acting as anti-inflammatory through improving intestinal lymphoid tissues and ‎increasing the production of IgA.‎

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of scaffold fabricated from Nano crab shell and Al-kharit (Papyrus Vaccine) for enhancing the healing of the experimentally induced bone defect in dogs. For this purpose, twenty healthy adult mongrel dogs were used in this study which divided randomly into two equal groups, under general anesthesia, 1 cm bone gap was created in the distal part of the tibia, that fixed by bone plate and screws. Nano crab shell scaffold was implanted. All experimental animals showed normal situation without any infection at the site of operation, while the radiography showed a periosteal and endosteal reaction. Moreover, the gaps were bridged faster in the treated group as compared with the control group. Treated animals showed new bone formation which represented by obvious lamellar bone, haversian canal and osteocyte cells in 90 days. In conclusion, the Nano crab shell scaffold gave better acceleration in the bone healing process, also this scaffolds may provide insight into the clinical repair of large bone defects

The present study aimed to synthesize selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using aqueous extract of black currant as a reducing agent. The green synthesized black currant selenium nanoparticles (BCSeNPs) were identified by color change. The characterization of SeNPs was achieved by Ultraviolet-visible (UV–VIS) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X–ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These tests were used to detect: stability, morphology, size, crystalline nature, and functional groups present on the surface of BCSeNPs. The results revealed appearance of the brick-red color indicating the specific color of selenium nanoparticles, and UV-Vis spectroscopy showed band absorbance at 265 nm of intense surface plasmon resonance manifesting the formation and stability of the prepared BCSeNPs. The SEM image showed the prevalence of spherical selenium nanosized, XRD at 2θ revealed crystallin selenium nanoparticles, the size was in the average of 18-50 nm. Furthermore, FTIR revealed the presence of functional groups of the plant which act as stabilizing and reducing agents. In conclusion, the aqueous black currant extract can act as a reducing and capping agent to synthesize BCSeNPs in nano-scale size by a simple method

Trypanosomiasis is one of the common parasitic diseases, which infects the dromedary camels and decreases the numbers of these animals in Iraq. To get the best knowledge of the changes of iron status in camels infected with trypanosomiasis, in an attempt to take advantage of these variables as markers for infection, we designed this study. The current study conducted in blood sample collection from155 dromedary camels, 33 were infected (21.29%), according to the status of infection with Trypanosoma evansi that depends on blood smear examination as a golden test. Results denote significant differences of infection ratio by sex and age, from total of 132 male tested, 29 (21.96%) infected, distributed into 12 (%41.37) of age ≤ 2 years and 17 (58.62) of ≥ 2 years. From 23 female tested, 4 (17.39%) were infected at age ≤ 2 years. Furthermore, the results of this study demonstrated significant (p˂0.05) decrease in total serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, whereas increased in total iron binding capacity and unsaturated iron binding capacity in the infected male and female camels with different age. Analyzed data of iron status parameters denoted that the cutoff point test between sensitivity (97) and specificity (100) for serum iron is (≤67.26), for transferrin saturation is (≤17.23) between the sensitivity and specificity (100) and (≥378.66), for total iron binding capacity between the sensitivity and specificity (93.9 and 96.7) respectively. Also, the cutoff point test between the sensitivity (100) and specificity (96.7) for unsaturated iron binding capacity is (≥301.27) and ferritin concentration has a cutoff point is (≤ 249.88) for the sensitivity (100) and specificity (99.2). It could be concluded from what was stated in the results of the current study, that the measurement of the concentration of serum ferritin could be considered as a good marker for the T. evansi infection

The current study was carried out to investigate the immunological and hematological changes due to local transplantation of human umbilical cord-mesenchymal-stem cells (HUC-MSCs) and scaffold-stem cells (SSCs) into the injured radial nerve. Therefore, three equal groups of dogs were subjected to this study; experimental (EG), positive control (PCG) and negative control (NCG). At 1st week, dogs of EG were showed an obvious mobility dysfunction. At 2nd and 4th weeks, there were apparent improvements reported on general and physical activities as well as functional ability of forelimb with the presence of slight lameness that was cured completely at 5th week. Regarding to immunobiomarkers, insignificant differences were showed at 1st week. However, significantly increase in IgG and TNF-α, and decrease in IL-10 was reported at 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks. Regarding to hematologic parameters, significantly increases were recorded in total WBCs from 2nd week onwards, lymphocytes and neutrophils at 2nd week, monocytes at the 2nd and 4th weeks, and total RBCs at the 8th and 16th weeks. Significant differences were not reported in values of PCV and Hb throughout this study. In conclusion, HUC-MSCs and SSCs confirmed high activities in supporting of immunological and hematological responses, and in restoration of nerve function

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is suspected to originate from an animal host (zoonotic) followed by a human to human transmission, The purpose of the present study is to determine the genetic affinity of a phylogenetic tree and conformation of protein between human and bat. Through study of genetic sequencing, as shown in the tree design of strains and genetic variants, the main cause of COVID-19 is the Bat Coronavirus RaTG13 (SARS) virus in ID: MN996532.1 and ID: MG772933.1 (24-Jul-2013 and Feb-2017) shows that the evolution of the Corona virus from 2003, 2013 to 2020 which has become the most deadly peak in humans, the virus evolved from the bat effect on Humans. Protein analysis show 98 change of amino acid form RaTG13 (SARS) virus to COVID-19 Homo sapiens. Consequently, this study increased our understanding of the genetic variety of the COVID-19 carried by bats. So we conclude that a protein conformation drawing shows high identity compatibility between a bat and a human

Water intoxication is a fatal disorder associated with disturbance in brain function, known as hypo-osmolar syndrome which resulting from an excessive water intake, with dilutional hypernatremia leads to a potentially fatal outcome. A change in the electrolyte equilibrium such as this sudden drop in serum sodium level and then subsequent mortality. With hyponatremia, the plasma osmolality decreased leading to water movement into the brain according to the osmotic gradient, resulting in hyponatremic encephalopathy and cerebral oedema. Increased water intake such as in Psychogenic polydipsia is followed by urination of high amount of diluted urine (polyuria) which are the main initial symptoms of water intoxication with headache, blurred vision, nausea, tremor, and deterioration in psychosis. Other serious symptoms involve muscle spasms, Early detection of seizures and coma are more serious outcomes, Untreated cases may lead to death, Risk factor for water intoxication are Marathon runners, military population and athletes and due to this endurance events, these behaviors encouraging heavy sweating that result in heat exhaustion and consume large volumes of fluid, then hyponatremia developed as a result of excessive fluid substitution. Child abuse is other pediatric clinical cases reported with water intoxication. Psychogenic polydipsia which is psychiatric disorder with obsessive water drinking leading to a serious self-induced water intoxication (SIWI), water is normally metabolized and excreted by different means and it is mainly by kidneys in urine, evaporation through the skin, by respiratory system through the respired water vapor and little quantity of water was lost from the gastrointestinal tract (GI).The LD50 of water is > 90 ml/kg orally in rats. The current review illustrates the Life threatening effects of water when it is aggressively consumed.

Mosquitoes are vectors of various life-threatening diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever etc. Their close proximity to human habitations allows ease for disease transmission. They have been identified by key morphological tools like their wings, legs, bristles etc. but closely related species are difficult to identify based on morphology. Molecular tools have, therefore, been employed to help with the more accurate identification. This study was aimed at identifying and characterizing different mosquito species in five different states in North-Central Nigeria using internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and mitochondrial 16S rDNA regions. Mosquito larvae were collected from stagnant water in breeding places at each collection site in North-central Nigeria. Morphological identification was carried out using standard keys. DNA extraction was performed using EZNA extraction kit. PCR amplification of ribosomal ITS2 and mitochondrial 16S-rDNA gene regions were carried out. The PCR amplicons were sequenced using primers initially used for the PCR. Sequence data were aligned in MEGA 6.0 using ClustalW multiple alignment feature and then compared with GenBank databases for similarity. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the ITS2 region was able to distinguish two mosquito subfamilies; Anophelinae and Culicinae as well as differentiate between and amongst Culex and Aedes species. However, it was unable to effectively distinguish between the two different species of Anopheles sequenced. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA marker was also able to distinguish the two mosquito subfamilies. It efficiently identified and differentiated Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquito species sequenced in this study. This study concludes that heterogeneity among Nigerian populations of Anopheles mosquitoes of may likely impact malaria vector control programs. We recommend the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers for effective and reliable phylogenetic study and determination of evolutionary relationship among mosquito species.

In recent years, fluorosis caused many problems in humans and animals bodies. Dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, bone fractures, decreased birth rates, adverse effects on the male genital system, like damaging the structure of testes and epididymis and loosing fertilization ability can be considered as good examples of fluorosis. Thus, the current study aimed to determine the toxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the activity of sperm and the level of sex hormones including testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. For achieving this purpose, thirty adult albino male rats, aged between 90-100 days, were divided randomly into two treated groups with 10 rats for each group which were treated with 150, 300 ppm of sodium fluoride,respectively. In addition, 10 rats were kept as a control group. Sodium fluoride was offered to the treated groups in the drinking water to evaluate the toxic effect of NaF on male reproductive system, sperm concentration, sperm motion, and sperm velocity compared with control group. The findings revealed a significant decrease in the sperm concentration, sperm count, sperm motion, sperm velocity and the level of sexual hormones in comparison with the control group. It can be concluded that NaF may reduce the efficiency of male reproductive system, and reduce the levels of sexual hormones in rats

The present study was performed on 30 lactating Iraqi buffaloes suffered from ovarian inactivity diagnosed by rectal palpation during 60-90 days postpartum, aged between 3-6 years at Al-Thahab Al-Abiad village / Abu-Graib / Baghdad province during the period from February- June 2020 . The animals divided into three equal groups (10 buffaloes for each one). 1st group treated with melatonin implants (90mg/animals/SC) for 30 days but 2nd group treated with melatonin implants conjugated with CIDR (1.38 gm) in day 20 for 10 days, 3rd group without treatment (control group). The results in this study were recorded animal response 90%, 100% and 50% in 1st ,2nd and 3rd groups respectively with superior significantly (P<0.01) for treated groups compared with control group and 8.26±1.33, 7.15±0.97 and 160.5±14.31 days which represented the duration of response in 1st ,2nd and 3rd groups respectively with significantly differences (P<0.01) related with control, but the number of services per conception recorded insignificantly in all groups, while the pregnancy rate revealed significant differences (P<0.01) in treated group compared with control group. Finally the days open recorded 153.6±6.72, 142.8±7.45 and 217.3±19.56 in 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups respectively with highly significantly (P<0.01) in treated group compared with control group. In conclusion in present study, the role of melatonin in improvement of reproductive performance in anestrus lactating Iraqi buffaloes suffered from ovarian inactivity was safe and effective

Brown truffle (Terfezia claveryi) is a wild fungi species collected and consumed by humans in Iraq, especially during the raining season, from February to April. However, the toxicological effects of this fungus have not been studied in humans. This study tested the subacute toxicity of brown truffle’s methanolic extract on a rat model. Daily oral doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg were administered to adult Sprague-Dawley rat groups of both sexes for 14 days. There were no behavioral changes, no alterations in body weight, organ weight, and body weight gain (p>0.05) in the treated rats, compared to the untreated control group. The hematological and serum biochemical parameters did not show significant (p>0.05) differences from the control. Microscopic examinations of the brain, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, and heart tissues revealed no pathological lesions in treated rats’ organs. These results imply that the administration of methanolic extract of T. claveryi to rats does not result in observable toxicity

An indirect ELISA technique was used to determine the prevalence of infection in sera and milk samples among goats and sheepin Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Results of the present study shows that the prevalence of infection was higher in sera compared to milk samples among goats and sheep as follow: (6.3, 4.2%) and (8.9, 5.6%) respectively and there was no statistical significance difference in goats at P value =0.42, also there was no statistically differences at P value= 0.22. ELISA results also shows that the prevalence according to the age among goats and sheep were higher in animal aged > 2 years in both sera and milk samples were (7.5, 5.3%) and (11.3, 7%) respectively and there was no significant difference between age groups of goats and sheep by ELISA. The present study is the first study done to determine the prevalence of F. hepatica in both sera and milk samples among local goats and sheep. Continuously screening of sheep and goats for Fascioliasis and using of anthelmintic to control the infection in small ruminants is necessary