Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

In this Study, Toxoplasma gondii was diagnosed and isolated successfully
from domestic (Stray) cats at Mosul city, Iraq using Latex test and the flotation
method of fecal material. The study also included experimental induction of the
condition by giving orally oocysts of T. gondii to albino mice at a dose of 1000
sporulated oocysts and leaving the mice for 14 days. All infected mice (15 with
tissue cysts) were fed to 8 cats negative for latex and fecal flotation method. The
pathogenesis of the isolated T. gondii has been followed through daily fecal
examination which indicated the presence of oocysts at the 5 th post infection
(p. i.) day. Postmortem examination of 2 cats was done at 3, 7, 14, and 21
days p. i. with preparation of histological section from the intestines, liver, spleen,
pancreas and brain. Additionally, histological techniques were done for the
intestines and liver. Clinical sings were not seen in cats infected experimentally.
Grossly, multifocal areas of necrosis and severe congestion were seen most
prominently in the brain. Histiochemically, there was an increase in
mucopolysaccharide in the intestine and in glycogen infiltration in hepatic cells.

The hair density of the back region in water buffalo was calculated by
counting the number of hair follicles in the horizontal sections prepared by
conventional paraffin embedding method and stained with hematoxylin and eosin
. The calculated hair density was 3.53 hair follicle/mm2 of the buffalo skin. All the
hair follicles were of primary type and distributed randomly.
The skin samples showed different variable shrinkage percentage during
routine histological technique. The shrinkage percentage of surface area of the
stained sections was found to be 21 % of the original value. Thus the correction
factor of the hair density was calculated to be 0.79, this leads to conclusion that
the actual hair density of the back region of the skin of living buffalo is 2.78 hair
follicle/mm2
only .

The effect of long term administration of cox-2 inhibitor (Rofecoxib) on
epididymal sperm characters (male fertility) was investigated in adult male rats by
two separate experiments. Rofecoxib was administered orally at two doses 0.35
mg/Kg B.W., and 0.71 mg/Kg B.W. Animals received 0.35mg/Kg B.W. rofecoxib
showed a significant increase in weights of head, body of epididymis, percentage
of dead sperms and sperm abnormalities with a significant decrease in sperm
count in the epididymal head and the percentage of live sperms. On the other
hand, rofecoxib at a dose 0.71 mg/Kg B.W. caused a significant decrease in the
percentage of live sperms accompanied with a significant increase in the
percentage of dead sperms and sperm abnormalities, and the diameter of
seminiferous tubules. It is concluded that the administration of rofecoxib was
associated with an unexpected incidence of adverse effect on male rat fertility.
However, the future might not look quite as satisfying as at first imagined,
because it has become apparent that cox-2 inhibitors dose not simply have a
significant role in pain and inflammation it might also work disadvantageously.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a common disease in Iraq, especially in the
central part of the country. Several treatments have been suggested for this
disease but none is completely effective and without side effects. Several research
studies are focused on the development of alternative treatments.
The study was carried out in College of Medicine, Tikrit University, to show
the effect of laser and laser photosensitiser (ultrameladinine) combination on
Leishmania tropica promastigotes in vitro, after exposure for 3, 6 and 9 minutes.
It was found that exposure to light from 5 mw lasers in the presence of
ultrameladinine lead to destruction of L. tropica promastigotes in vitro. The effect
of laser and laser photosensitiser was greater than laser light alone. Their effect on
the parasite after exposure for 9 minutes was significantly greater than exposure
for 3 and 6 minutes.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of glutaraldehyde as
disinfectant to laparoscope. 30 dogs under going laparoscopy for different
surgical intervention, the laparoscope was soaked for 20 minutes in 2%
glutaraldehyde before the procedure. After standard skin preparation with 5%
tincture iodine. Cultures of the umbilical area, the laparoscope and the peritoneum
were taken to document the type of organisms commonly encountered under
clinical condition. Cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as for fungi
were taken. The result demonstrated growth of common skin organisms even after
skin preparation with tincture iodine. The organisms cultured from the skin and
peritoneum were similar but the organisms of laparoscope cultures were different.
The study proofed that glutaraldehyde successfully can be used as disinfectant for
laparoscope.

The present investigation was designed to determine the differences between
two methods of prostatectomy in dogs. The study conducted on eight aged, male
street dogs of local breed. The experimental animals were randomly divided into
two equal groups. The animals were surgically treated by two surgical techniques;
first, Complete Prostatectomy (CP), and second, Subtotal Intracapsular
Prostatectomy (SIP). The results showed that dogs in group1 underwent urinary
incontinence after prostatectomy of normal glands, and one animal died from
complications. As compared to that in group 2, the urinary obstruction was not a
postoperative complication as appeared from the clinical signs. In conclusion, CP
led to a series of complications could lead to death, and is indicated only for those
patients with proliferative prosthetic disease and for patients with prostatic
neoplasms. While, SIP procedure indicated affectivity, because urethral
obstruction and urinary incontinence have not been a postoperative complication,
in addition, to the fewer complications occurred, when it's compared with CP.

This study was conducted on nine adult donkeys from both sexes to
determine the ideal dose and efficiency of Xylazine/Novocain mixture for
inducing a good and safe epidural analgesia. This mixture was injected between
the first and second coccygeal vertebrae. The results indicated that the efficiency
of Xylazine 2% at a dose 0.8 mg /kg.BW mixed with Novocain 2% at the dose
0.1ml/kg.BW induced good safe epidural analgesia in donkeys.

In the present study, an interpenetrating polymer network (cross-linked
chitosan-polyurethane mix) was successfully prepared. It was found that the
mixing of 70% chitosan and 30% polyurethane gave the best results as far as the
mechanical properties of the network are concerned. Toxicological evaluation of
the network was done in 15 rabbits, and it was found to be pathologically nontoxic. The possible effects of the network on the liver, kidneys, and skeletal
muscles of sheep with clean or infected open wounds were studied through the
measurement of plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase,
alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase. In sheep with clean open wounds that
were implanted with the network, the levels of the enzymes were 11.04 ± 0.54;
30.83 ± 1.20; 36.37 ± 1.52; and 5.52 ± 0.37, respectively. In sheep with
contaminated wounds, the levels of the enzymes were 11.29 ± 0.30; 38.58 ± 1.16;
38.20 ± 1.21, and 6.31 ± 0.46, respectively. Statistically significant differences
were not encountered in the values of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline
phosphatase, and acid phosphatase in sheep with clean wounds and those with
contaminated wounds. However, the level of aspartate aminotransferase was
higher significantly (P<0.01) in sheep with contaminated wounds than in sheep
with clean wounds. Histologically, the healing of the clean and contaminated open
wounds proceeded through the same processes as described in the literature.
Bacterial infection was not observed in any of the wounds that were implanted
with the network.

Ten mature rabbits was used in this study. The animals were divided into
two equal groups. Femoral mid–shaft fractures were induced, and destruction of
both periosteum and endosteum for about one centimeter around the fractured
ends was performed. The fractured bone was immobilized by intramedullary
pinning. Group 1 considered as control, while group 2 was implanted by sufficient
amount of auto–bone marrow at the fracture site. The radiographic results
revealed that, the destruction of both periosteum and endosteum leads to
delayunion and some percentage of nonunion. While the bone marrow in group
two promoted and enhanced the fracture healing.

This study was conducted to explore the effect of Aloe vera gel on healing
of experimentally incised superficial digital flexor tendon in donkeys. Results of
this study showed that healing of severed tendon in all experimental animals was
through proliferation of fibroblasts and angioblasts and collagen fibers formation,
and also presences of newly oriented tendenous tissue like the original tissue in
21 days postoperatively for the animals treated with Aloe vera gel, while this
tissue never seen in control group for same period. As well as notice of mature
irregular granulation tissue which was still poorly oriented in control group within
21 days postoperatively, whereas the animals in group treated with Aloe vera gel
showed mature regular (organized) granulation tissue within 14 days
postoperatively. This study proved that Aloe vera gel has ability to accelerated
tendon healing through prevent wound infection and protect the tissues from
contamination.

The hair density of the native skin cattle was calculated by counting hair
follicles from the Hematoxylin and Eosin stained horizontal sections taken from
skin samples which were fixed in either formalin buffered solution or alcoholic
Bouin's solution and processed by the routine paraffin embedding method. The
hair density of the formalin fixed samples was counted to be 13.68 ± 2/mm2
while
the hair density of the Boins fixed skin samples was found to be 14.12 ± 5/mm2
.

Out of 193 clinical cases of dystocia in awassi ewes were treated, 27
(13.9%) ewes were suffered from dystocia due to fetal congenital defects. Various
forms of congenital defects were observed including arthrogryposis 25.9%,
brachygnathia and anasarca 18.5% for each, hydrocephalus 11.2% ascitis and
dicephalus 7.4% for each, cyclopia, conjoined twins and schistosoma refluxes 3.7
% for each. The defects were occurred more frequently in male lambs (74.1 %)
than in female lambs (25.9 %). Prenatal losses were reported in 96.2% of the
cases.
Dystocia cases caused by congenital defect were treated by caesarian section
(74.1%), manual correction and traction (14.8 %) or by fetatomy (11.1 %). The
results indicates increasing the morbidity rate of fetal congenital defects in Mosul
at this period, and showed that caesarean section was the best and safest method
for the treatment of dystocia caused by congenital defects.

The effect of different concentrations of gaseous ammonia was studied. Six
batches (27 eggs each of Cobb broiler breeders were used). The six batches were
exposed to 0.25; 0.50; 1.01; 1.51 and 2.53 mg/lit. of ammonia, respectively, in
special dessicators for 12 hours before incubation for the purpose of the complete
ammonia evaporation in the disscators. In the mean time another non treated batch
of eggs was kept as control .
Ammonia gaseous significantly (P<0.05) affected the interior egg quality as
indicated by the PH which was gradually increased in both albumen and egg yolk,
so by albumen height and yolk index depression at the different concentrations.
The early embryonic mortality was significantly affected (P<0.05) by the
groups which was exposed to (0.50 and 1.01) mg/lit of gaseous ammonia. While,
high significant effect (P<0.01), was shown at the concentrations of (1.51 and
2.53) mg/l of gaseous ammonia, However no significant impact of gaseous
ammonia was detected in the group subjected to (0.25) mg/l comparated with the
control group.
Hatchability in the treated groups was significantly reduced (P<0.05)
reaching to 45% , 40% and 36% due to the exposure to ammonia at a
concentrations of 0.50, 1.01 and 1.51, respectively in comparison with the control
group. A further reduction (p<0.01) was noticed in the group which was received
the highest percentage of the ammonia gaseous (2.53) mg / lit.
No statistical differences were observed in the group, which was exposed to
0.25 mg/lit.ammonia gaseous.
It was concluded that significant differences were observed in early
embryonic mortality and hatchability, more than (0.50) mg/lit. due to eggs
exposure to heigh ammonia concentrations.

The aim of this study was to examine the toxicity of organophosphorus
insecticide Dichlorvos in wild pigeons (Rockdov), and measuring cholinesterase
(ChE) activity in the serum, plasma, brain, liver and Pectoralis muscle using a
modified electrometric method.The maximum activity of ChE was in the serum
(1.03 ∆pH/30 min) and the minimum ChE activity in liver (0.04 ∆pH / 30 min) as
well as inhibition effect of Dichlorvos on ChE activities in serum, plasma, brain,
liver and Pectoralis muscle. Whereas the maximum inhibition appear in plasma
88-95% in the pigeons that treated by (10-20 mg /kg B.W) of Dichlorvos. The oral
median lethal dose (LD50) of Dichlorvos in pigeons is 21.4 mg/kg B.W. Atropine
at 20 mg / kg S.C lead to decrees in toxicity signs in the pigeons that treated by 20 mg /kg B.W of Dichlorvos orally, decrease of death 33 % and delay time of
death. Where as pigeons treated by atropine at 20 mg / kg and diazepam 5mg/kg
subcutaneously was effective in reducing toxicity signs and 100 % protected the
birds that treated by Dichlorvos from death.

The Objective of the present study was to investigate the clinical and
pathological aspects of peritonitis secondary to traumatic reticuloperitonitis,
ruminitis, and ruminal tympanites in water buffaloes. Results of this study have
showed that cases of acute peritonitis were more frequent than cases of chronic
peritonitis. Body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were higher
significantly in cases of acute peritonitis than in cases of chronic peritonitis
(P<0.05) and that these parameters were higher significantly in cases of peritonitis
than in control animals. Ruminal motility was higher significantly in acute cases of
peritonitis than in chronic peritonitis but it was lower significantly in cases of
peritonitis than in control animals. Inappetance, grunting, and scant feces were
more frequently seen in cases of acute peritonitis than in cases of chronic
peritonitis. Arching of the back, rough coat, dripping urination, disinclination to
move, and lying down with care were seen in cases of acute peritonitis only. Loss
of body weight was seen in cases of chronic peritonitis only. Decreased milk
production was more frequent in cases of chronic peritonitis than in cases of acute
peritonitis. The packed cell volume values were higher significantly in cases of
acute peritonitis than in control and chronic peritonitis. In contrast, the erythrocyte
sedimentation rate was higher significantly in cases of chronic peritonitis, and in
cases of peritonitis than in control animals. Plasma fibrinogen levels were higher
significantly in cases of chronic peritonitis than in cases of acute peritonitis, and in
cases of peritonitis than in control animals. The total lymphocytes count and
neutrophils values were higher significantly in cases of acute peritonitis than in
chronic peritonitis, and in peritonitis than in control animals. The lymphocytes
value was significantly lower in cases of acute peritonitis than in chronic
peritonitis and in control animals. Histologically, the lesions were in the form of
congestion, extensive hemorrhages, and edema of the peritoneal tissue.
Thrombosis of some blood vessels, areas of necrosis, and minimal mixed type
inflammatory cells were also seen. Erythrocytes were the main consitituent of the
exudate and deposits of hemosiderin were visualized in areas of hemorrhages.

This study includes detection of Cryptosporidium spp from fecal samples
taken from different animals in Duhok and mosul Zoo , and parasite from
workers in these Zoo in 2002 .The total infected percentage reach to (54.5 % ,
46.6 % , 41.6 % , 80 % , 71.4, 60 %) in Monkeys, Deer, Parrot, Finch, Fox and
Zoo Workers. Four laboratory method were used for diagnosing parasite oocysts,
The results showed that efficient diagnostic method was modified acid fast stain
method (100%), followed by Iodine staining method and flotation in saturated sugar solution method. While, formalin sedimentation method gave low
confidence for diagnosis the oocysts of parasite in fecal samples. Features of
oocysts were varied according to the technique was used for examination of fecal
samples, but there are no morphological differences appeared in oocysts. The
average of oocysts sizes were shown to be within the normal range of oocysts of
Cryptosporidium spp. The average of oocyst sizes was shown to be within the
measure of oocyst of Cryptosporidium spp.

The study included isolation and identification of pathogenic fungi
associated with the mycotic keratitis in sheep and cattle, the observed study
Aspergillus niger was the most frequent species isolated and was accounted to
62.5% of all isolates, while other fungi included Aspergillus fumigatus,
Aspergillus, Alternaria sp isolated in 12.5% for each .

The result of this study revealed to diagnosis the infection of microfilaria in
blood samples of cattle which were collected from veterinary hospital and Mosul
abattoir. The total percentage of infection was 25.76% and the high percentage of
infection appeared in May was 35.7%, with no significant differences in
percentages of infection between the months of this study. There were significant
differences in the infection rate between male and female of the cattle, and the
high percentage of infection appeared in female was 37.97%. High percentage of
infection appeared in age 3 years and more was 37.09% with significant
differences from age less than one year with P-value (P<0.01).

Parasitic disease of the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. from ponds in
Mosul area were studies for one year period from March 1999, to the end of
February 2000. The parasites were noticed on the skin, gills and in the eye. The
percentage of crustacean infestation of the skin was 39.1 % which were due to
both anchor worm Lernea cyprinacea and fish lice Argulus foliaceus. The
protozoan skin infestation was with Trichodina 7.2%. The gill parasitic infestation
was both the monogenetic trematode Dactylogyrus 35.1 % and the Crustacean
Ergasulus 6.2 %. The parasitic infestation of the eyes was by the metacercarial
stage of Diplostmum 12.37 %.

This study was conducted to determine the capability 0.5% H2O2 on
drinking water, for the induction of oxidative stress status in female pregnant rats.
Moreover, this study deal with role of this stress in initiation and development of
atheromatous lesions via estimation the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as lipid
peroxidation index and Glutathione (GSH) as antioxidant index in aorta, heart and
liver tissues as well as the histological examination of the that tissues.
The result elucidate study the levels of lipid profile parameters in all studied
animal. In addition, the results showed histologizal lesions, represented by
localization of fatty vacuoles foam calls in intimal media layers associated with
lymphogtic in filtration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells toward
the intima, these lesions appear at 21 day from treated H2O2 in female pregnant
rats. The study also remark hitopathological changes in placenta.

This research was conducted to explore the pathological changes produced
from the infection with oocyst of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from infected cats in
broiler chicken. The research showed histopathological lesions in liver, intestine,
spleen, brain and lungs.
Histopathological examinations of liver revealed perivascular tachyzote
cuffing and localization of tissue cyst in hepatocyte, and intestine showed
hyperplasia with presence of tachyzoite in epithelial lining of villi and
submucosal glands, while in spleen localization of tissue cyst in arteriosclerosis
have been seen, moreover, in brain there was parasitemia associated with
penetration of tachyzoite in red blood cells have been seen and in the lung,
showed proliferation of tachyzoite in epithelial lining alveoli associated with
infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells.