Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

A total of 107 fecal samples of equines from different regions in Nineveh, were colleted from January 2007 till December
2007 and examined for Cryptosporidium sp., and Giardia doudenalis by using different methods (wet mount, flotation, lugol's
iodine, modified Ziehl Nelsecn (hot) and Giemsa stain Just for Giardia doudenalis. The animal age examined ranged from 4 to
10 years. The total prevalence of cryptosporidium sp. was 27.10% (29 out of 107), while the prevalence of Giardia doudenalis
was 19.63% (21 out of 107). This study represents the first trial to explore cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis in equines as in
Nineveh there is no survey of these intestinal protozoa

The present study was conducted to investigate the toxicity of potassium nitrate on glucose, cholesterol, alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and the possible ameliorative effect of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).
Male Wister rats are used as experimental model divided into three groups (each of 6-8 rats) and treated for six weeks as
follows: Group 1: served as control; Group 2: received 2 % potassium nitrate added to the forage and Group 3: received 2 %
potassium nitrate together with 1 % ascorbic acid added to rat's forage. Nitrate treatment in group 2 leads to high significant
increase levels of glucose in 3rd, 4th, and 5th weeks, cholesterol level increased significantly in both 4th and 5th weeks, while
ALT levels increased in the 4th, 5th and 6th weeks, and AST increased significantly in the 5th and 6th weeks. Addition of
ascorbic acid with potassium nitrate, lead to reverse all the parameters nearly to normal. It was concluded that potassium
nitrate causes significant toxic effect on some biochemical parameters which was ameliorated by ascorbic acid

The exfoliative vaginal cytology, vaginoscopic examination of vaginal mucosa and progesterone profiles were recorded in
an attempt to identify the ideal time of breeding in bitches. A total of 18 anestrus bitches were selected and divided into 03
groups (Control, CABG and eCG groups). The bitches in control group did not receive any treatment and exhibited estrus. The
estrus was induced with Cabergoline (CABG) and equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) in the other two groups of bitches. In
control group, higher percentage of superficial cells (89.94 ± 0.64) and lower percentage of intermediate (7.30 ± 0.77) and
parabasal cells (2.76 ± 0.30) were characteristic vaginal cytological changes during estrus. Vaginoscopic examination of
CABG group of bitches revealed that the vaginal mucus was creamy and paper white with angular shrinkage during estrus. In
eCG group of bitches, the plasma progesterone concentration was 1.55 ± 0.19 ng/ml on day 8.00 ± 0.71 of proestrus. The
conception rates were 66.66, 83.33 and 83.33 per cent in Control, Cabergoline and eCG groups, respectively. The litter size
varied from 3.50 + 1.12 to 4.83 + 0.83 in the three groups.

Recently, Salmonella hadar has been isolated and identified from goat in Iraq. The purpose of the present study was to
examine ultrastructural changes in the ileum epithelial cells of BALB/c mice experimentally infected with S. hadar. Mice were
used as follows: Group A: 20 mice inoculated orally with phosphate buffer saline and considered as a control group. Group B:
20 mice inoculated orally with (100ID) by drenching the mice about 1 ml of the bacterial suspension which contain (1.5×109
cells) of Salmonella hadar and the ileum epithelial cells were examined by transmission electron microscopy at 24, 48, 72, 96
and 120 hours after infection. The ultra structural changes seen in the ileum of infected mouse at 24 hours were disorganization
of the microvilli with severe cytoplasmic vacuolization, enlargement of the mitochondria and presence of intracellular
Salmonella. Changes at 48 hours post infection, were detachments of many microvilli especially at the site of bacterial entry.
Similar changes were observed after 72 hours but more severe; there was marked dilatation and proliferation of the
endoplasmic reticulum with cytoplasmic vacuolization of the infected enterocytes. After 96 hours there were severe
cytoplasmic vacuolization with accumulation of the bacteria within phagosomes and there was marked damage to the
microvilli of the ileum. After 120 hours there was hypertrophy of goblet cell and thickening of the nuclear membrane and there
was several Salmonella containing vacuoles.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of laser treatment on thyroid functions and hormones in female rabbits. A
total of 18 female rabbits were used in this investigation. Six rabbits were used for examining the thyroid gland location and
dissected to be sure that laser therapy will be directed to this gland. Twelve female rabbits were used in this experiment to
study the physiological effect of laser therapy (4J/cm2
) on normal thyroid function they were divided into two equal groups,
six used as control and the others were exposed to laser therapy at the thyroid gland region for three successive days for 5
minutes on each side. Then blood was collected for hormonal assay from ear vein at 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 days after the last
dose of laser treatment. The results revealed a gradual decrease in serum T3 and T4 levels with a concomitant increase in TSH
level at the first eighteen days of laser treatment, then normalization of hormones level were take place to be normal after
thirty days. More work is needed on this subject to examine the specific role of laser on glands

This aim of this study was to evaluate the complications and final function outcome of wrapping nonvascularized omentum
graft around the suture line of esophageal anastomosis. Twelve adult local breed dogs were used in this study. The animals
were divided into two equal groups (control and treated), all animal induced into general anesthesia by injection of atropen
sulphate in a dose 0.04 mg/kg B.W, intramuscularly then after 15 minute given mixture of ketamine hydrochloride and
xylazine hydrochloride in doses 15 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg B.W intramuscularly respectively. An oblique resection of about 1cm
of the esophageal length and anastomosis by double layer of simple interrupted pattern by 2.0 cat gut suture (control group),
same procedure was done in treated group except the wrapping the anastomosis site with patch of omentum tissue after
lapratomy operation in the left flank region procedure. The clinical signs of treated animal revealed signs of dysphagia and
regurgitation in treated group while this signs disappear in the control group. Radiological and histopathological examination
of the anastomosis site performed at 15 and 30 days post operation. Radiological study recorded high degree of stenosis in the
anastomosis site in treated group at 15 and 30 days post operation in compared with animals in control group that record mean
degree of stenosis in treated group at 15 day (57.61±0.2) and at 30 day (55.78±0.2) while it recorded in control group at 15 day
(39.34±1.04) and at 30 day (36.0.6 ±0.9), histopathological results recorded enhanced healing of anastomosis site in treated
animals more than control animals. In conclusion we found that non vascularized omental graft prevent leak when used around
the anastomosis line in esophageal and enhanced healing of anastomosis line but it increase the stenosis, fibrosis and adhesion
of anastomosis site with surrounding muscle and this interferes with the swallowing as well as dysphagia and regurgitation.

This study was performed to investigate the different methods of treating hyper granulation tissue on experimentally
induced wounds in equine limbs. Wounds were induced by removal of a skin patch and subcutaneous tissue for about 5-7 cm
width and 6-8 cm in length from the dorsal and lateral aspect of the fore and hind limbs below the carpal and tarsal joints. The
wounds were left open without treatment and the animals were trained 2-2.5 hours every day for about 3-5 weeks until hyper
granulation tissue was developed. The schedule for the treatment of hyper granulation was divided into five groups each
contained eight wounds of hyper granulation tissue; each main group was divided into two subgroups. The subgroups of first,
second, third, fourth and fifth groups were treated by the following schedules: bandage alone; copper sulphate ointment 10%;
silver nitrate ointment 2%; red mercury ointment 11%; and laser therapy (at a total dose of 9.72 Joule / cm2
) respectively.
While the second subgroups were treated by surgical resection of the hyper granulation tissue, followed by the same treatments
applied on the first subgroup. The bandage for all experimental groups was changed every 48 hours until healing was occurred.
The clinical and histological observation of the first group revealed that the healing take long period comparing with other
groups. The mean of wound healing were 65 days in non surgical removal of hyper granulation tissue subgroup, while 57 days
in surgical removed of hyper granulation tissue subgroup. The results of the second, third, fourth groups revealed that the
caustic material especially red mercury has a role in healing processes through depressing the hyper granulation tissue. The
mean of wound healing of the second group was 42.25 days in non surgical removal of hyper granulation tissue subgroup
while 37.25 days in surgically removed hyper granulation tissue subgroup. In the third group the mean of wound healing was
45.75 days in non surgical removal of hyper granulation tissue subgroup while 44.75 days in surgically removed hyper
granulation tissue subgroup. While in the fourth group the mean of wound healing was 39 days in non surgical removal of
hyper granulation tissue subgroup while 36 days in surgically removed hyper granulation tissue subgroup. In the fifth group
the clinical and histological observation revealed that the using of laser lead to reduce the period for wound healing
significantly comparing with other groups. The mean of wound healing was 25 days in non surgical removal of hyper
granulation tissue subgroup while 20 days in surgically removed hyper granulation tissue subgroup, so that the laser was the
best in this study and the using of surgical removal is better than of non surgical removal.

Propolis is a natural substance produced by worker bees from trees and leaf buds. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of
two concentrations (200, 400 mg/kg diet) of propolis on some performance traits and hygienic parameters of broiler chickens
body weight, feed conversion, feed consumption, during an eight weeks experiment, weights of internal organs, and dressing
percentage also recorded. The results showed that using propolis at 400 mg/kg in the diet lead to significant increase (P<0.05)
in eighth-week body weight (2306.27) g, feed consumption especially in the fourth week, maximum daily growth rate (55.52)
gm was obtained from the treatment of 400 mg/kg in the seventh week period. Also propolis lead to improve feed conversion
efficiency in the second, third and fourth week of age for the broilers fed diet with 400 mg/kg (1.35, 1.59, 1.95), respectively.
Average of proportional weights for each of the liver, heart, thighs, and dressing percentage (74.0%) were improved among
birds of this treatment, too.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of lysate isolated from macrosarcocysts of Sarcocystis gigantea after
inoculation into albino rats to follow up the pathological effect on heart, lung and skeletal muscle fibers. The results showed
the presence of pathological changes, represented by hyperatrophy, congestion, associated with hyaline degeneration in
myocardium of heart. In lung tissues severe congestion in each right and left lobes concomitant with emphysema, thickening
was observed in wall of branchioles and blood vessels at 3-7 days have been seen. In skeletal muscles the result revealed the
presence of multinecrotic areas which infiltrated with inflammatory cells accompanied by hyaline degeneration in muscle
fibers at 3-7 days after treatment

Pathological causes of respiratory infections in five broilers flocks in Al-Hamdanyia region were studied. Each flock
consisted of 5000-7000 birds at 20-40 days of old which suffered from respiratory infection signs with high mortality ratio.
Specific ELISA kit for avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and infectious bronchitis disease virus
(IBV), were used as sera diagnostic tests as well as bacteriological isolation. Results shows (AIV) infections at all flocks with
nearly similar percentages which were 14%, 15%, 18%, 13%, 10% respectively, (NDV) were recorded at three flocks of older
ages with 8%, 12%, 20% at the flocks number 3-5 respectively but no any infection of (IBV) infection was recorded. Bacteriological isolation shows E.coli infections in three flocks with 20% at each of the flocks number 3 and 5 but it was 10%
in the flock number 4, also three Gram positive bacteria were isolated, Streptococcus fecalis, Streptococcus zooepidemicus,
and Staphylococcus aureus at nearly similar percentages ranged from 5% - 20%. In conclusion the real cause of respiratory
infection in this study was (AIV) which causes bird immune suppression leading to other disease infections like (NDV), and
other bacterial infections.

This study was conducted to detect the fate of macrosarcocysts of Sarcocystis gigantea in the tongue and eosophagus of
naturally infected sheep, via collection of 25 samples, 10 of which showed calcification. The results showed presence of white
different size grains on the wall of the pale eosophagus, in addition to presence of nodules containing white chalky materials
and on cutting by knife produced grunting sound which indicated calcification. Histopathological results showed presence of
granulomatous nodules that contained necrotic centers infiltration by inflammatory cells. Some of which were free from zoites
in addition to presence of calcium salt precipitation, which represented dystrophic calcification. Eosinophilic myositis
appeared in the tongue was associated with ruptured cyst and released zoites in muscular tissue. Some histological sections
revealed ruptured macrocystis with thin wall deposited between muscle bundles. In conclusion, this study showed that the fate
of macrocysts included the formation of granulomatous nodules associated with dystrophic calcification and dead zoites in
eosophagous more than that in the tongue

The present study was carried out on 15 growing local bull calves of about 150-200 kg, live body weight and 10-12 months
old to investigate the effect of substituting soyabean meal as concentrate feed mixture protein by Nigella sativa meal (NSM) at
0 , 60 and 100%. Animals were divided into 3 groups of 5 calves each, according to their live body weight for performing
feeding trials. All groups of animals were fed iso-nitrogen (15% CP) and iso-caloric (2.7 Mcal/kg. ME) diets. Experimental
rations were offered at 2.5% of live body weight with 1% of wheat straw. At the end of the feeding trial, which lasted for 105
days, blood samples were collected from all calves to estimate the total protein, albumin, globulin, triglyceride and cholesterol.
Digestibility trial was carried out on three animals of each group to investigate the nutritional value of rations. Economical
study was also carried out on experimental animals. Results indicated that there was an improvement in feed intake by 13 and
14% for groups fed a ration containing NSM compared with the group fed the control one. No significant differences were
between groups of calves in total body weight gain and blood parameters. The feed conversion ratio improved by 12% for the
=group of calves fed control ration as compared with other groups. The same cost of producing 1 kg live body weight gain was
found. Substituting soybean meal protein at 60 and 100% by NSM protein significantly improved crude fiber, ether extract,
EE, and the values of digestion coefficient. It was concluded that NSM could be substituted instead of soyabean meal for
growing local calves with out adverse effects on their performance

Sixty chickens 30-55 days old with arthritis symptoms, were collected from different broiler chickens farms, all samples
were examined clinically, post mortem and bacterial isolation were done. The results revealed isolation of 26 (50.98%) of
Staphylococcus aureus, which were found highly sensitive to amoxycillin. The experimental infection of 10 chickens was
carried out on 35 days old by intravenous inoculated with 107
cfu/ml of isolated Staphylococcus aureus. Arthritis occurred in 8
(80%) chickens. Clinical signs and post mortem findings confined to depression, swollen joints, inability to stand.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in native donkeys in Mousl, Iraq. Fifty two
sera (9 males and 43 females) were examined by Latex agglutination test, Modified latex agglutination test with 2-
mercaptoethanol test and Indirect ELISA test (Indirect IgG ELISA). The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in native donkeys
was 46.15 %. Acute cases 8.33% and chronic cases 91.67 % when differentiated by Modified latex agglutination test with 2-
mercaptoethanol test. The percentages of female and male infections were 51.16% (22/43) and 22.22% (2/9), respectively by
using latex agglutination test, and the titeration of antibodies ranged between 1:20 - 1:1280 and for Indirect IgG ELISA it was
22.72% positive cases.

The aim of the present study was to determine seroprevalence of brucellosis in serum of non vaccinated sheep by using
different serological tests, Rose Bengal test, tube agglutination test and indirect ELISA test, in addition to study of changes in
some biochemical parameters accompanied with Brucellosis in sheep. Study included examination of 228 blood serum
samples in different areas of Mosul city. Results showed that prevalence of Brucellosis by using rose Bengal test and indirect
ELISA test was (8.77% and 23.6%) respectively. Titers of seropostive sera of Rose Bengal and indirect ELISA ranged (1/40 -
1/640) using tube agglutination test. Results also showed significant increased in aspartate transaminase, alanin transaminase,
lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, in addition to significant increase in glucose concentration, total bilirubin, direct
bilirubin, triglycerides and cholesterol, whereas total protein and albumin values significantly decreased. All these parameters
examinated on seropostive sera for indirect ELISA and tube agglutination tests in sheep naturally infected with Brucellosis
compared with seronegative sera for same tests.