Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

To examine the possible protective role of vitamin ‘E’ 500 mg/kg diet as
antioxidant against cadmium induced oxidative stress, 20 male albino rats (3-4
months old) were exposed during 2 months to oral intake of cadmium 25 mg/L (as
cadmium chloride) in drinking water, cadmium for 2 months associated with
vitamin E (500 mg/kg diet) given at the second month, cadmium along with
vitamin E for 2 months, or has been left as a control group. The results showed
that cadmium produced no changes in body weight, testicular or prostatic weights.
Epididymis and seminal vesicle weights with sperm count and the percentage of
live sperms were decreased significantly, with an increased in the percentage of
dead and morphologically abnormal sperms. Vitamin E, on the other hand,
increased the percentage of live sperm and decreased the percentage of dead and
morphologically abnormal sperm caused by cadmium. It is concluded that,
vitamin E supplementation decreased the cadmium effect particularly when it is
administered along with cadmium from the first day of experiment.

The response of blood plasma acetylcholinestrase to acute
administration of chlorpromazine and diazepam was examined in chick.
Chlorpromazine in a dose–dependent manner at 25, 50, and 75 mg/Kg,
subcutaneously inhibited the activity of Ache in the blood. Chlorpromazine (50,
75 mg /kg) significantly decreased the enzyme activity in the plasma by 14.7 %
and 17.6 %, respectively for a period of 60 min, as well as, 14.5 % and 13.1 %
for a period of 60 and 120 min, respectively in groups received chlorpromazine
50 mg/kg. Diazepam at 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg subcutaneously did not significantly
affect the enzyme activity in comparison with the control group. The result
suggests that chlorpromazine changes Ache activity in the blood and possibly in
other tissues.

The study investigated, for the first time, the effect of the
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) secreted by Escherichia coli, as an
immunomodulator, against infection with giardiasis caused by Giardia
lamblia in Rattus rattus norvegicus. The pathological changes occurred in the
rats treated with LPS, were followed in comparison with the control groups,
along the experiments period, depending on many criteria, included the
changes in total and differentiated count of leukocytes. The results showed an
elevation in the total count of leukocytes, expressed by elevation in
neutrophils, variation in monocytes numbers accompanied with a decrease in
lymphocytes numbers in treated rats in comparisons with the control groups.
Results are provided that (LPS) modulates the immune defence of rats against
infection with giardiasis.
[

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of diazinon and carbaryl, and
validate the efficiency of a modified electrometric method in measuring
cholinesterase activity (ChE) in rabbits. Oral administration of female rabbits with
diazinon at 35 mg/Kg, and with carbaryl at 500 mg/Kg, induced signs of toxicosis
characteristic of cholinergic over stimulation. The signs were associated with
significant decreases of plasma, erythrocyte and brain ChE activities with
diazinon, but with carbaryl there were only significant decreases of plasma and
erythrocyte ChE activities in comparison with control values. The extent of ChE
inhibition in the erythrocyte correlated well with that of the brain in diazinon
treated rabbits. The results suggested that the described electrometric method is
simple, accurate and efficient in measuring the ChE inhibition caused by diazinon
and carbaryl insecticides in rabbits.

This study is the first report in Mosul for detection of Leucocytozoon
simondi in geese. Blood smears from ninety-six geese were collected in Nineveh
governorate during July 2005 till February 2006 for detection of L. simondi. Liver
histopathological sections wase also performed. The results showed that 32 geese
were positive for L. simondi, with infection rate of 22.85% for young birds and
39.34% for adult geese.Males show higher percentage of infection 35.71% versus
30% in females. The infection rates according to the villages were ranged from
16% to 41.66%. Blood smears show the spindle and the spherical form of the
haemoparasite. Liver histopathological sections of livers geese show coagulative
degeneration and necrosis with spindle and the oval form of the parasite

This study showed airsacculitis when 12 days broilers inoculated in the left
thoracic air sacs with 0.1 ml suspension of type-1 E.coli that contained (1 x 108
)
cfu/ml and noticed after72 hours. The first clinical signs occur after 3 hours of
inoculation as acute respiratory signs including dyspnea and respiratory rales. The
pathological changes appear as sever air sacculitis with thin layer of fibrenous
surrounding the heart after 24 hours of inoculation, then became more thick layer
of fibrenous surrounding the heart, airsac and lungs, and spots of necrosis in the
liver after 72 hours of inoculation. The first mortality of chicks occurs after 12
hours of inoculation. In concerted with bacterial count, blood and liver showed
highest number of E.coli after 24 hours of inoculation and after 12 hours of
inoculation in both lungs and airsacs.

A descriptive epidemiological survey was made in Nineveh governorate
1999-2004 for determination of broiler clinical caecal coccidiosis incidence in
broiler chickens. Out of total 3594 broiler patches reared in this period, 1918
(53.36%) were positive to caecal coccidiosis. The highest percentages (35.34%)
of coccidial cases were recorded in the year 2000. There was a decreasing
tendency in recording caecal coccidiosis from 24.29% in 1999 to 6.77% in 2004.
There was a positive relationship between the patch size (number of birds) in each
year and the incidence of caecal coccidiosis. Of the main 7 NINEVAH
governmental localities, Kara kosh, practiced the highest incidence of caecal
coccidiosis through 1999-2004, in which 1615(49.21%) broiler patches were
reared out of the total 3594 broiler patches reared in all 7 localities. Seasonal
effect on the incidence of caecal coccidiosis show that the highest were reported
in Spring then Autumn, followed by Winter and Summer months. Most of the
broiler patches experienced caecal coccidiosis between 3-6 weeks of age. From
1918 positive broiler patches to coccidiosis, 1344 patches were fed diets without
anticoccidials, while 574 positive broiler patches were fed diets with
anticoccidials. There was a decreasing tendency in caecal coccidiosis with
increasing number of broiler patches fed diets amended with anticoccidials from
1999 till 2004. The hygienic significance in reducing clinical caecal coccidiosis
was discussed.

Out of 138 gall bladder collected from slaughtered goats in Mosul abattoir,
19 (13.76%) were found to be infected with Eimeria alijevi. Averge oocysts
measurements were 16.76 × 14.11 microns. There was an increased in the
viscosity of the bile fluid and changes in its color from brown to dark green and
the wall of the affected gall bladder was thickened and lost of its transparency.
The most observable clinical signs include general weakness, jaundice, pale
mucous membrane and diarrhea and the percentage of infection with different
types of Eimeria oocysts in feces 42.75% and diagnosed oocysts of E. alijevi in
feces.

One hundred and fifty eight broiler compound feed samples were
delivered from broiler flocks in Ninevah governorates. These flocks were clamed
to be affected with field aflatoxicosis. All the examined samples had aflatoxin
levels higher than of the permissible limit (20 ppb). The range of AF levels was
22-2263 ppb. The mean value of AF concentration was 592.7ppb. The percentage
of AF concentrations from 0-500 ppb was 48.7%, and from 500-1000 ppb was
41.2%, while that from 1000-2500 was 10.2%.

This study designed to detect pathological effects of exposure to 2.45 MHz
radiofrequency electromagnetic field with low power densities on mature male
albino rats. 36 rats at 3-4 months age were used in the study, randomly devided to
6 groups with 6 animals for each group. The groups from 1-5 were exposed to
2.45 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field with different power densities : (
5 MW/cm2
, 1 MW/cm2
, 500 µW/cm2
, 50 µW/cm2
and 10 µW/cm2
,
respectively). The 6th group represented non exposed control group. The exposed
groups received 6 hours of exposure daily for 21 days as an exposure period.
Clinical signs were observed daily and body weight and rectal temperature were
monitored weekly. At the end of exposure period 3 animals were killed from each
group for gross and histopathological examination , the other 3 animals were left
for another 21 days without exposure represented post exposure period to detect
the ability of rats to recover from the induced pathological changes if existed.
The results showed occurrence of clinical signs at all exposed groups and more
severe at group 1 manifested by nervous excitation at 1st hour of exposure
followed by depression and stagnation to the end of 6 hours of exposure. There
was no significant difference between the groups in body weight averages at the 3
weeks of experiment. A significant decrease in post exposure rectal temperature
comparing with pre exposure rectal temperature has been noticed at groups 1 and
2 in 1st week and at group 3 in 2nd week of experiment with no significant
differences in other groups. Gross and histopathological examination at the end of
exposure period revealed presence of some pathological changes at group 1
manifested by perineuronal edema, mild microglial proliferation and congestion
in the brain, in lungs there was acute bronchopneumonia with pulmonary vascular
arteriosclerosis, there was also mucinous degeneration in duodenal epithelium
with congestion of small intestine, in kidneys there was acute cell swelling of
renal tubular epithelium with congestion. These changes less severely occurred at
the groups 2 and 3, the exposed groups 4 and 5 similar to control did not show
any pathological changes. At the end of post exposure period, pathological
changes were detected at the groups 1,2 and 3 represented by bronchopneumonia
and mucinous degeneration of small intestine .These changes were lighter than
those observed at the end of exposure period .

One hundred and forty one-day-old-male broiler chicks (Ross), were
divided into 7 groups (20 chicks/group) and fed T-2 toxin alone or with five
different types of adsorbents; Montmorillonite 0.5%, Vermiculite 0.5%, Pigacine
0.5%, Gezilgure 0.5%; and the resin Perlite 0.5%. Gross and microscopic
examinations reveal that all adsorbents used were unable to alleviate the oral
lesions induced by T-2 toxin in broiler chickens

The possible protective effect of Mycofix against the toxic effect of T-2 toxin
in growing broiler chickens was investigated in two age stages; the first and
second ages, ranged from 1-21 and 22-42 days, respectively. The experiment was
consisted of 4 dietary treatments: treatment 1: control; treatment 2: 2.5g
Mycofix/kg feed; treatment 3: 8 ppm T-2 toxin alone; treatment 4: 8 ppm T-2
toxin plus Mycofix 2.5g Mycofix /kg feed. T-2 toxin alone significantly (p<0.05)
decreased body weight gain, feed consumption and increased feed: gain ratio.
Broiler chick performance was more sensitive to T-2 toxin during the first three
weeks of age (initial stage of the experiment) than the other 3 weeks of age. When
2.5g Mycofix /kg were added to the diet, it protects broiler chicks against the
adverse effect of T-2 toxin on BW gain, feed consumption, and feed: gain ratio.
The oral lesion induced by T-2 toxin alone in the first three weeks and the more
severe lesions in the following 4-6 weeks were counteracted by Mycofix at both
stages of experiment. A significant ((p<0.05) increase in the relative weight of
gizzard, pancreas in the initial experimental stage was noticed while a significant
increase was reported in the relative weights of bursa, thymus, and spleen in the
final stage of the experiment. Mycofix was found to be effective in ameliorating
the negative effect of T-2 toxin on these organs.
The results of the present trail indicate that Mycofix is capable of
counteracting the adverse effects of T-2 toxin on performance, oral lesions, and
relative weight of internal organs based on the enzymatic inactivation of the 12,
13-epoxide ring of T-2 toxin.

This study was conducted to determine the possibility of 0.5% if H2O2 on
drinking water for the induction of oxidative stress status overictomized rats,
moreover, this study deal with role of the stress in initiation & development
atheromatus lesions. In these animal for improvement the oxidation status, this
status deal with some antioxidant agents mainly: Vitamin E, Oestradiol Benzoate
and Fresh garlic. The result remarks the similar (but not identical) effect of these
agents (Vit E as superior) via its lowering effect on lipid profile as well as lipid
peroxidation index, and its ameliorating effects on HDL-c, tissue GSH level.
Moreover, these agents show a reduction in fatty depositions in aorta of treated
rats.

This study was performed to compare the effect of five mixtures of anesthetic
protocols in thirty adult domestic ducks of local breed. The birds were randomly
divided into five groups; six ducks for each group. In group1; a combination of
medetomidine and ketamine (M-K), (100 µg and 20 mg/kg) drugs were used. While
in group 2; a combination of xylazine and ketamine (X-K), (5 mg and 20 mg/kg)
were used. For group 3; a combination of acepromazine and ketamine (Acp-K), (2
mg and 20 mg/kg) were used, and in group 4 and 5, combinations of xylazineketamine-diazepam (X-K-D) (5 mg; 20 mg and 5 mg/kg), xylazine-ketamine and
acepromazine (X-K-Acp), (5 mg; 20 mg and 2 mg/kg), respectively were used. All
the used drugs combinations were given via intramuscular route at the pectoral
muscle. The time onset of loss of righting reflex was (2.6±0.5 mins), (1.6±0.5
mins), (1.1±0.3 mins), (1.0±0.1 mins) and (1.8±0.3 mins), respectively for a mean
duration of time (51.3±7.5 mins), (55.0±2.0 mins), (48.8±7.5 mins), (56.3±4.3
mins) and (53.8±3.8 mins), respectively. While, the sedative effect started within
(1.5±0.3 mins), (1.3±0.3 mins), (0.6±0.2 mins), (0.8±0.1 mins) and (1.3±0.3 mins),
respectively. All the anesthetic combinations varied in producing proper anesthesia
in the experimental ducks. The palpebral reflex was not abolished, and the eyes
remained opened throughout the course of anesthesia with almost all the anesthetic
combinations. Additional disadvantages accompanied administration of all 5
combinations were; persistent pedal movement, during the whole course of
anesthesia. Muscle relaxation in the anesthetized birds in all 5 groups was poor, as
seen clinically by the twisted necks and the contracted pedaled legs. A statistical
difference (p< 0.05) was found in the onset of loss of righting reflex between group
1 (2.6±0.5), compared to group 3 (1.1±0.3) and group 4 (1.0±0.1). The combination
of M-K (group 1), produced good analgesia that was found to be significantly better
than with the other combinations. Variable differences at respiratory rate indices at
the scheduled time were found between treatment groups. But, the respiratory rate
of the birds in all anesthetic protocol groups was significantly decreased from the
corresponding base line values (time 0), except in K-X-D combination (group 4), in
which the decrease was only at 30 minutes after injection.
In conclusion the domestic ducks (Anas platyhynchos) was considered as
difficult patients for anesthesia by the investigated anesthetic combinations given
by intramuscular route, because none of the anesthetic regimen was effective for
production of adequate anesthesia and analgesia in this species of the domestic
birds.

This study was conducted to evaluate the anesthetic quality produced by
ketamine hydrochloride (K) (3 mg/kg, I.V.) and ketamine–propofol (K-P) mixture
(2 mg/kg-1 mg/kg, I.V., respectively) in six donkeys premedicated with xylazine
(X), (1 mg/kg, I.V.). Each donkey was anesthetized one time with each dose of
(K) and (K-P), five minutes after (X) administration, in random order at (1) week
intervals. The anesthetic parameters; induction and sleeping time, abolishment of
the swallowing reflex, recumbencey period, cardiopulmonary responses, were
qualitatively and quantitatively assessed.
The results revealed presence of significant difference (p< 0.05) in the
induction and sleeping time between (K) and (K-P) protocols. Neither the
swallowing reflex, nor recumbency period represented statistical difference
between (K) and (K-P) protocols. But clinically, anesthesia with (K-P) produced
shorter and smoother recovery to recumbency than with (K), and the swallowing
reflex was abolished while persisted with (K) anesthesia. The excellent anesthesia
produced with K-P was characterized by smooth, calm, gradual and free of
excitement induction (23.75±1.75 sec), good narcosis (22.50±3.57 minutes) and
muscle relaxation. The swallowing reflex was abolished for (15.75±5.61
minutes). The recumbency period was characteristically smooth and featured by
its rapidness (10.50±2.62 minutes). While on the other hand, induction of
anesthesia with (K) protocol was characterized by rough, slow and excitement
(56.25±8.44 sec), muscle rigidity, and persistence of the swallowing reflex (not
disappeared or slightly disappeared). The shorter sleeping time (10.5±0.95
minutes) and the longer recumbencey (14.75±2.28 minutes) periods that was
associated with violent convulsion and excitement, were clinically an obvious
associate with (K) anesthesia. The intubations with (K-P) anesthetic protocol was
easily performed, but was difficult or failed during (K) anesthesia.
In conclusion, anesthesia with (K-P) protocol produced an excellent anesthetic
mixture for induction of general anesthesia in donkeys, and up to our knowledge
this the first report on the use of this mixture for total intravenous anesthesia in
donkeys.

Sixth bucks of local breed were used in this study. The animals were
anesthetized with mixture of ketamine and xylazine hydrochloride. Ventral
abdominal hernias were induced on the lateral ventral abdomen. One month post
operation, the induced hernia was repaired with polymer grafts, which fixed by
simple interrupted suture, using No. 1 silk suture material. After implantation,
there was focal abscess at the operative site in two cases which resolved after
evacuation and irrigation with antiseptic. The findings of the microscopic result at
30, 60 and 90 days of grafts implantation exhibited inflammatory reaction around
the grafts and later at the 60 and 90 days of implantation there was fibrous tissue
formation around implant graft, inflammatory reaction and fibroblast infiltration
in the graft. The results indicated that biocompatibility of polymer graft with the
host tissue was good with complete healing of the operative site.

The present study included the use of IFAT to detect to Cryptosporidium
Abs; the percentage of infection in calves with this parasite was 36.6%. Among
these animals there were 31 positive cases (20.6%) , but we were unable to
determine a significant diagnostic titer. The other part of our study showed that
both immunodeficiency and malnutrition having an enhancing effect on
Cryptosporidial infection in mice; since the prepatent, patent periods were longer,
releasing of oocysts was higher and the Abs level were lower than normal.

The current study was conducted to compare between two methods of
small intestinal anastomosis in dogs after obliquely resected and anastomosed by
using simple interrupted and cross mattress sutures technique. The results
revealed that the oblique technique of intestinal anastomosis was successful in all
operative animals with few complications and without mortality rate
postoperatively. The postmortem examination revealed that the cross mattress
technique was associated with minimal adhesion as compare to simple
interrupted technique which was associated with sever adhesion .The radiographic
study revealed that no significant differences in mean degree of stenosis between
two methods of this study. Also the radiographic pictures revealed that, the mean
degree of stenosis which associated with cross mattress pattern was less than
accompanied with simple interrupted pattern at thirty days after operation. The
histopathological examination shown minute foci of tissue reaction with thick and
mature fibrous tissue at the site of operation after 30 days in cross mattress
anastomosis, whereas the anastomosis with the simple interrupted suture
accompanied by sever inflammation and destruction of the serosal layer of
intestine at 30 days after operation .We concluded that simple interrupted and
cross mattress patterns can be used for anastomosis of oblique intestinal resection.

Bacterial isolation was attempted from 20 pin-tailed sand grouse,of different
ages, which were obtained from Al-Tamim Province in July 2005. The samples
were taken from the liver, gall bladder, heart and intestine. The highest percentage
of bacterial isolation consisted of Escherichia coli (61%) and the least one was
Streptococcus faecalis (5%). The highest percentage of bacterial isolates was
found in the intestine (54%) and non was obtained from the gall bladder. The
highest E.coli isolates were from the intestine (77%) and liver (50%), whereas the
highest Staphylococcus aureus isolates were from heart (43%). The bacterial
isolates, which were recorded in pin-tailed sand grouse for the first time in Iraq,
were E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Clostridium colinum
and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

This study was conducted to evaluate the percentage of viable sperm in ram
semen by using the MTT reduction assay. Twenty ejaculates from 5 rams were
included in this study. Semen samples were diluted with skim milk-glucose
diluent to obtain a concentration of 30x106
sperms/ml. The rates of MTT reduction
were taken in microtiter plates after one hour of incubation at 37oC using a
Microplate Reader (DNM-9602) at a wave length of 550 nm. Simultaneously, split
samples of the same semen were tested using the microscope and eosin-nigrosin
stain. The correlation between the results of these tests was calculated using the
Pearson correlation coefficients and Regression analysis. Results of the present
study indicate that the values of sperm viability which calculated on the basis of
MTT reduction rates were significantly (P<0.001) correlated with the results that
simultaneously determined by the microscope and eosin-nigrosin stain, yielding
regression coefficients of r2
= 0.979. In conclusion, the MTT reduction test proved
applicable as diagnostic tool for the quality evaluation of ovine semen. It can be
used successfully in routine analysis, where practical aspects as time, costs and
practicability are important

This experiment includes 72 local Awassi ewes aged between 2 to 5 years
old. The aim of this study was to estimate the fetal age by the measurement of the
embryonic vesicle and diameter of umbilical cord diameters during the different
periods of gestation by using 5MHz real-time ultrasonography. Results of this
study indicated that the embryonic vesicle could be seen at 14 days post breeding,
and this can be the first sign of early pregnancy diagnosis. The embryo could be
successfully seen at 20 days post breeding. The umbilical cord was first
diagnosed at 23 days post breeding. Linear, quadratic and cubic equations were
described, which adjust the relationship between the fetal age and diameter of
embryonic vesicle and umbilical cord. In a conclusion, linear equation of the
relationship between diameter of embryonic vesicle and fetal age was the best
equation to estimate the fetal age, while the cubic equation was the best equation
to estimate the relationship between fetal age, and diameter of the umbilical cord