ISSN 1311-1477 (print); ISSN 131-3543 (online)
VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4, DECEMBER 2012
CONTENTS
Published by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia
University,
6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Volume 14, Number 4, December 2012, Summaries
Abd-Elmaksoud, A. S., S. M. Ebada & M. B. Shoaib, 2012. Localisation of cytokeratin and smooth muscle actin in the accessory genital glands of camels (Camelus dromedarius) during rutting and non-rutting seasons. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 213-227.
The present study has disclosed for the first time the distribution of cytokeratin (CK) and α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in the accessory genital glands of camel. In prostate, CK was localised in the cytoplasm of columnar cells of secretory acini and in the scanty cytoplasm of basal cells. In the ampulla of ductus deferens, the CK reaction was found in the pseudostratified columnar epithelium of mucosa and in the secretory columnar epithelium of submucosal glands. In the bulbourethral gland, CK reaction was exclusively observed in the pyramidal cells of type A and type C secretory units as well as in the lining epithelium of the duct system. αSMA was localised to the smooth muscle cells of the prostatic capsule, fibromuscular stroma and blood vessels. In the ampulla, αSMA reaction was seen in the smooth muscle of tunica muscularis, fibromuscular stroma and blood vessels. In the bulbourethral gland, α SMA was only localised to the smooth muscle cells of the capsule and blood vessels in both reproductive periods. Unexpectedly, neither the interlobular nor the intralobular connective tissue stroma of bulbourethral gland has reacted to αSMA. In conclusion, the distribution of CK and α SMA in the accessory genital glands of camels might point out to their roles in the male reproduction.
Key words: accessory genital glands, camel, immunohistochemistry
Nourinezhad, J., Y. Mazaheri, M. Pourmahdi Borujeni & M. Daneshi, 2012. Morphometric study on digital bones in native Khuzestan Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 228-235.
The aim of this study was to compare the lateral and medial digital bones of the left and right thoracic and pelvic limbs of water buffaloes by direct anatomical measurements. This study was conducted on 240 digital bones of ten native Khuzestan buffalo bulls, aged 2 to 3 years. No significant differences were found between corresponding measurements of digital bones of the right and left limbs nor between the total lengths of the digital bones of the lateral and medial digits within the same limbs (p>0.05). The symmetric digital bones may have contributed to distribute an equal weight on the foot during standing or walking and might explain why biomechanical lesions of the feet in water buffaloes are much less frequent than in cattle. Moreover, data acquired in the present study might be useful for researchers working on osteoarchaeological excavations as reference values for evaluation and identification of digital bones of water buffaloes among artiodactyl species.
Key words: digital bones, length, measurement, water buffalo
Ekhtelat, M., M. R. Seyfiabad Shapouri, M. Ghorbanpoor Najafabadi, M. Lotfi & P. Mahmoodi Koohi, 2012. Cloning and expression of recombinant polypeptide from the Erns coding region of the bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Escherichia coli. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 236-245.
Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is an economically important cattle disease with a worldwide distribution. Detection and elimination of animals persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is essential for the control of BVD and eradication of BVDV. Usually, there are no pathognomonic clinical signs of BVDV infection. Diagnostic investigations therefore rely on laboratory-based detection of the virus, or virus-induced antigens or antibodies. Erns as an immunogenic protein of BVDV is genetically and antigenically conserved among different isolates and therefore, a candidate antigen for developing ELISA for serological studies or identification of PI animals. In this study, a segment of BVDV genome corresponding to the sequence coding for Erns was amplified using RT-PCR and cloned into expression vector pMalc2x, under the control of the lac promoter. After sequencing of the gene, the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL-21 and analysed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The strong promoter of vector pMalc2x allowed a high level of Erns expression. Based on our results it appears that this plasmid construct may be suitable for the production of Erns recombinant antigen and Erns specific antibodies to develop BVDV laboratory diagnostic assays.
Key words: bovine viral diarrhoea, Erns, pMALc2x, recombinant antigen
Asadpour, R., F. Koochaki Panchah, N. Sheikhzadeh & H. Tayefi-Nasrabadi, 2012. Effects of decaffeinated green tea (Camellia sinensis) on reproductive characteristics and egg quality in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 246-253.
This study investigated the effects of dietary decaffeinated green tea (Camellia sinensis) in female broodstock of rainbow trout on their reproductive performance and subsequent egg quality. Commercial diet with 100 mg.kg–1 feed decaffeinated green tea extract was prepared. Sixty rainbow trout (2475.5 ± 64.4 g) were randomly allocated to 2 groups in triplicates and fed diet containing 100 mg kg-1 decaffeinated green tea or control diet for 30 days. On days 20 and 30 during feeding trial, mature fish were weighed and sampled for stripping. Results showed that reproductive performance in terms of total egg weight, egg number per gramme and fecundity were not affected in treatment group. Level of glucose increased markedly on days 20 and 30 while on day 20 of feeding trial, triglyceride content in fish eggs showed a significant decrease. Lipid peroxidation products, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA), significantly decreased in fish egg with 100 mg kg–1 feed administration, indicating elevated antioxidant status in treatment group. Slight increase in superoxide dismutase activity in treatment group was also revealed on day 20 of trial. These results demonstrated significant benefits of decaffeinated green tea extract supplementation of rainbow trout broodstock feed in terms of improved egg quality.
Key words: broodstock nutrition, egg quality, decaffeinated green tea, rainbow trout, reproductive performance
Stefanov, I. S., 2012. Distribution and dimensions of NADPH-diaphorase positive ganglionated plexuses in porcine common hepatic duct. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 254-259.
The aim of the present study was to establish the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity in ganglionated plexuses, their distribution and dimensions in mucosal, fibromuscular and subserosal layers of porcine common hepatic duct. The material was obtained from the common hepatic duct of 6 male and 6 female pigs. Tissue pieces were taken immediately after the slaughter and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. The NADPH-d histochemical expression was investigated according to the method of Sherer-Singler. The data showed that NADPH-d positive neurons and nitrergic autonomic nerves in the wall of the common hepatic duct obviously produced nitric oxide. Thus they were most probably involved in the regulation of the function of epithelium, blood vessels and the organ in general.
Key words: common hepatic duct, NADPH-d autonomic ganglia and nerves, swine
Shirzad, M. R., K. Asasi & A. Mohammadi, 2012. Efficacy of vaccination programmes using two commercial live infectious bronchitis vaccines against a field IRFIB 32 strain. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 260-272.
The effectiveness of two commercial infection bronchitis vaccines including H120 and 4/91 was evaluated in broiler chickens challenged with IBV strain IRFIB32 in different vaccination programmes. For this purpose, 180 day-old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly divided in six treatment groups. Four chicks in each group were humanely sacrificed at 2, 4, 6 and 10 days post challenge for evaluating ciliary activity and molecular detection of the challenged virus in trachea, lung, kidney, testis or oviduct tissues and faeces. A very mild depression and short transient conjunctivitis were observed in challenged vaccinated groups in comparison with unvaccinated challenged chicks. Body weights of the birds in the treatment groups were not significantly different (p>0.05) at the end of the experiment. In ciliostasis test, percentage of protection against chicken groups 2 (4/91, 4/91), 4 (H120/4/91) and 5 (H120, H120) was 85%, 76% and 58%, respectively. All vaccinated challenged chicken groups showed protection against challenge virus, but in the homologue vaccinated birds (4.91, 4.91) protection was more efficient (P<0.05). Antibody titre in H120 vaccinated unchallenged birds (group 1) was lower than in 4.91 vaccinated unchallenged birds (group 6). The birds in groups 4 and 5 had the highest titre of antibody in ELISA (P<0.05) at the end of the study and the difference between these two groups was also significant (P<0.05). The challenged virus were detected in faeces and oviduct or testis tissues up to 10 days post challenge, while the tracheal tissue showed it up to 4 days post challenge. On the basis of viral shedding, vaccination of chicks in groups 2, 4 and 5 provided statistically greater protection than the non-vaccinated control group (P<0.05), 88.75%, 92.5% and 85%, respectively. We conclude that an efficient protection occurred in three different vaccination programmes; however, the birds challenged with homologous virus vaccine resulted in more effective protection.
Key words: broiler, infectious bronchitis virus, Iran, vaccination programmes
Al-Ghamdi, G. M., R. M. C. Guedes, A. M. Sage, D. W. Hayden, A. Neubauer & T. R. Ames, 2012. Reproduction of proliferative enteropathy in foals using porcine intestinal mucosal homogenate. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 273-282.
Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is an intestinal disease that affects equine and several other species. The goal of this study is to determine whether proliferative enteropathy could be experimentally reproduced in foals. Seven foals were divided into two groups: A (n=5), and B (n=2). The foals were inoculated intragastrically with porcine intestinal mucosal homogenate (group A), or a placebo challenge (group B). Ante mortem and post mortem tests were performed. All foals were euthanised on day 22 post challenge. Physical examination detected variable signs of depression, colic, decreased appetite, diarrhoea, dehydration and emaciation in three foals in group A. At necropsy, one foal (foal 5, group A) was severely emaciated, the wall of the ileum and distal jejunum was thickened and the mucosa was corrugated and hyperaemic. Histologically, hyperplasia of immature enterocytes and reduced number of Paneth and goblet cells were observed. PCR confirmed the presence of Lawsonia intracellularis. The foals in groups A were positive for L. intracellularis by immunohistochemistry. The control foals (group B) remained physically normal, had no pathologic lesions and were negative by immunohistochemistry. PE was reproduced in foals using intestinal mucosal homogenate. Physical, gross and histopathologic alterations typical of PE were detected in some foals. The presence of L. intracellularis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and/or PCR. The role of L. intracellularis from different species in the etiopathogenesis of PE in the horse was established.
Key words: experimental reproduction, foals, Lawsonia intracellularis, proliferative enteropathy
Yadegari, M., K. Babamohamadi & M. Goodarzi, 2012. A case report of ventricular septal defect in a calf. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4, 283-286.
The ventricular septal defect is the most common congenital cardiac defects in sheep, cattle and horses. It occurs frequently as a subaortic defect. A 90-day-old male calf was examined because of hyperpnea and low weight gain. Clinically, depression, hyperpnea and poor weight gain were observed. The auscultation of the heart revealed a loud pan systolic murmur (grade 5/6) on both sides of thorax. Point of maximum intensity of the murmur was in the 3rd right intercostal space about 4 cm above the sternum. Through palpation of the thorax, a thrill was detected on both sides over the heart. Right parasternal long axis views of the left ventricular outflow tract and aorta were taken. A 20 mm wide defect was visualised in the ventricular septum just below the aortic valve and left atrium dilation.
Key words: calf, echocardiography, ventricular septal defect
Sabev, S. & I. Dinev, 2012. Myocardial infarction in a horse with colic – clinical, laboratory and pathomorphological findings. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 15, No 4 , 287-293.
A clinical case of a horse with colic due to large intestinal meteorism and secondary proximal enteritis is reported. The physical examination revealed signs of endotoxaemia (cyanotic mucosae with petechiae and a toxic line), fever, polypnea, tachycardia and pulse deficit. The haematological results indicated haemoconcentration with marked leukopaenia, neutropaenia and a left shift. Blood biochemistry demonstrated changes in blood electrolytes, muscle enzymes, glucose, creatinine, urea and very high levels of serum cardiac troponin I. Electrocardiography findings consisted in premature ventricular complexes and ventricular tachycardia. Cardiac ultrasound did not show any structural changes. Myocardial infarctions were observed post mortem.
Key words: cardiac troponin I, ECG, horse, infarction, myocardium, ventricular extra systole