Two blood samples, 8 days apart were taken from 150 Balouchi ewes being in their 3-5 years of age... more Two blood samples, 8 days apart were taken from 150 Balouchi ewes being in their 3-5 years of age and serum Progesterone (P4) concentrations were determined. One hundred and twenty five ewes that had lower P4 concentrations have been chosen and in a completely randomized design were assigned into 5 groups of, 600 (n = 26), 500 (n = 25), 400 (n = 24), 300 (n = 26) and control (n = 24). Groups were separated just by a physical barrier. Twenty days after the second blood sampling, CIDR-G insert was applied into the vagina of all the ewes and after 12 days, inserts were removed. PMSG was immediately injected IM after CIDR removal in the rate of 600, 500, 400, 300 IU into ewes of the 600, 500, 400 and 300 groups, respectively. Ewes in the control group received an injection of normal saline solution only. Rams were introduced into the flock with the rate of 1/5 ewes the same day until a week later when they were separated from ewes. Ram effect was abolished by rotating them in the groups regularly. Ewes were monitored and in case of return to estrus, were put together with ram again. On day 50±5, after mating begun, all the ewes were checked by ultrasound for pregnancy. In case of getting negative pregnancy results and returned into estrus and having second mating, ewes were checked 50±5 days after second mating. Results showed that multiple birth and lambing rate was higher in PMSG injected ewes than the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, 600 group had the highest multiple births and 400 group had the highest lambing rate among the firs 4 groups (p<0.05). There were no significant relationship between level of PMSG injection and multiple births (p>0.05). Control group had the lowest and 400 group had the highest total number of lambs and delivered ewes (p<0.05). In conclusion, use of CIDR together with PMSG in anestrus Balouchi ewes can induce and synchronize estrus and increases multiple births. Although, there were no significant difference among the PMSG injected ewes in multiple births but 400 group had the highest score in this respect.
In order to study the serum biochemistry of Iranian Turkmen horses, we conducted sampling from 48... more In order to study the serum biochemistry of Iranian Turkmen horses, we conducted sampling from 48 clinically normal horses aged between 1.5 and 12 years, and the following results were obtained: albumin (Alb) 43.95±4.48 g/l; total protein (Tp) 73.58±6.
American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2011
Problem statement: The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) known as black seed or black... more Problem statement: The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) known as black seed or black cumin, are used in herbal medicine all over the world for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases and conditions that include asthma, diarrhea and dyslipidaemia. Approach: In this study the effect of intramammary injection of Nigella Sativa Extract (NSE) in paraffin on quarter milk, quality and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and the shedding pattern of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. Thirty Holstein cows, naturally infected with S. aureus subclinical mastitis, were subjected to treatment with the NSE at a dose of 10 mL in paraffin (200 mg mL −1 ) per day for 3 days, or with 10 mL paraffin as control. The injection areas were checked for adverse reactions. The daily milk production was measured before and after treatment. Intramammary injection of NSE caused a remarkable healing. Quarter milk samples were collected for bacteriological analysis and Somatic Cell Counts (SCC). The bacterial count moderately decreased in the treatment group. After the end of the treatment, the numbers of S. aureus-infected quarters and milk SCC tended to decrease in the NSEtreated cows. These clarifications were significantly higher one week post-treatment than pretreatment. Similar changes were not observed in the control group. Results: The results of the present study showed that the NSE has potential as a therapeutic agent for S. aureus infection causing subclinical mastitis of dairy cows and may contribute to the cow's recovery from mastitis. Conclusion:
Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of es... more Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of estrus and ovulation is essential for above program. The aims of this study using implant norgestomet with or without Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) were to evaluate the serum progesterone (P4) concentration changes: the conception rate and estimation of the lambing rate and litter size. In total, 80 non-cycling multiparous Iranian Kurdish breed fat-tailed ewes with <0/5 ng/ml P4 were used in April and May 2008 in the suburb of Mashhad, Iran. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (n=30) without hormonal treatment, another group (n=25) received 3 mg of norges-tomet implant placed subcutaneously in the convex surface of the ear for 9 days, and the third group (n=25) treated with 3 mg of norgestomet implant for 9 days with an IM injection of 500 IU PMSG at implant removal. The progesterone of treatment and control groups were mea-sured on days 4, 9, ...
The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of conventional and extended intra... more The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of conventional and extended intramammary (IMM) therapy of persistent subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cattle using nafcillin-penicillin-dihydrostreptomycin combination (NPD). Sixty-five dairy cows with 126 infected quarters were enrolled in the study. Infected cows were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 different treatment regimens: (1) conventional group: NPD administered IMM 3 times at 24-h intervals (20 infected cows, 43 intramammary infections [IMI]), (2) extended group: NPD administered IMM 6 times at 24-h intervals (23 cows, 43 IMI), and (3) untreated control group (22 cows, 40 IMI). The overall bacteriological cure (BC) rates for subclinical IMI were 86.04%, 100%, and 20% for the conventional, extended and the control groups, respectively; indicating a higher BC rate (P<0.0001) for the treated groups than the control group. Significant difference (P=0.029) concerning the BC rate was also observed between the...
The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the ... more The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity test results of subclinical mastitis pathogens and bacteriological cure following intramammary treatment using a combination of nafcillin, penicillin, and streptomycin (NPS). Eighty-six intramammary pathogens from 43 cows were examined in this study. Most intramammary infections were due to coagulase-negative staphylococci, coliforms, and environmental streptococci. The antibiotic sensitivity to NPS was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Bacteriological cure rates for sensitive, intermediate, and resistant isolates in the standard treatment group (3 intramammary infusions of NPS once daily) were 84.4, 88.9, and 100%, respectively. These figures in the extended treatment group (6 intramammary infusions of NPS once daily) were 100% for the 3 categories. Bacteriological cure was not associated with the sensitivity test result. Based on...
The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the ... more The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the antimicrobial susceptibility test results of subclinical mastitis pathogens and bacteriological outcomes of intramammary treatments using cefquinome. A total of 110 intramammary pathogens from 51 cows were assessed in this study. Most intramammary infections were due to coagulase-negative staphylococci, environmental streptococci, and coliforms. The antimicrobial susceptibility to cefquinome was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Bacteriological cure rates for the sensitive, intermediate, and resistant isolates in the standard treatment group (three intramammary infusions of 75 mg cefquinome at 16 h intervals) were 82.4%, 90%, and 87.5%, respectively. These figures in the extended treatment group (six intramammary infusions of 75 mg cefquinome at 16 h intervals) were 83.3%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Treatment outcomes were not associated with the results of sensi...
The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of intra-mammary-administered c... more The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of intra-mammary-administered cefquinome for the treatment of sub-clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows and to determine if extended therapy would enhance treatment efficacy. Seventy-three Holstein dairy cows from a single farm with 150 infected quarters were enrolled in the study. Infected cows were allocated randomly to one of three treatment regimens: (1) conventional (standard) regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered three times at 16-h intervals (25 infected cows, 52 intra-mammary infections (IMI)), (2) extended regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered six times at 16-h intervals (26 infected cows, 58 IMI) and (3) negative untreated control group (22 cows, 40 IMI). Most IMI were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae and coliforms. The overall bacteriological cure (BC) rates for sub-clinical IMI were 84.61%, 91.37% and 20% for the conventional, extended and the control groups, respectively, indicating a higher BC rate for the treated groups than the control group (P<0.001). Significant differences in somatic cell count (SCC) were detected between the treated versus the control group (P<0.001). No differences, concerning the BC rate or SCC, were observed between the extended and the conventional groups.
Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of es... more Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of estrus and ovulation is essential for above program. The aims of this study using implant norgestomet with or without Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) were to evaluate the serum progesterone (P4) concentration changes: the conception rate and estimation of the lambing rate and litter size. In total, 80 non-cycling multiparous Iranian Kurdish breed fat-tailed ewes with <0/5 ng/ml P4 were used in April and May 2008 in the suburb of Mashhad, Iran. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (n=30) without hormonal treatment, another group (n=25) received 3 mg of norgestomet implant placed subcutaneously in the convex surface of the ear for 9 days, and the third group (n=25) treated with 3 mg of norgestomet implant for 9 days with an IM injection of 500 IU PMSG at implant removal. The progesterone of treatment and control groups were measured on days 4, 9, and 13 after removal of the norgestomet using radioimmunoassay. Every five ewes were exposed to one ram after 24 h of norgestomet removal in treatment and control groups, simultaneously. The pregnancy was examined after 25 days of ram removal using ultrasonography. Progesterone concentration was significantly higher in treatment groups on 9 and 13 days after norgestomet removal (P<0.05). The pregnancy rate in the control, non-PMSG, and PMSG treatments groups were 17%, 52%, and 72%, respectively. The rates of single and twin pregnancy in the non-PMSG treatment group were 69% and 31%, respectively. These rates in norgestomet and PMSG treatment group were 50% and 39%, respectively. Triplet pregnancy (11%) was observed only in the PMSG treatment group. It was concluded that using implant norgestomet especially accompanied with PMSG can increase and improve the fertilization rate of ewe in the out-of-breeding season program.
In this study 130 bulk tank milk samples which were delivered to the Pegah Pasturisation Factory ... more In this study 130 bulk tank milk samples which were delivered to the Pegah Pasturisation Factory in Mashhad were collected randomly during the summer months. Samples were firstly enriched in modified trypticase soy broth containing novobiocin, followed by plating onto sorbitol MacConkey agar supplemented with cefixime and potassium tellurite for isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Consequently the suspected non-sorbitol fermenting (NSF) colonies were confirmed by biochemical tests as Escherichia coli and then were used for multiplex-PCR assay, using primers specific for O157 and H7 antigens genes and then primers specific for stx1 and stx2 genes. NSF Escherichia coli colonies were recovered from 8 samples, and in multiplex-PCR assay one sample (0.77%) was confirmed as Escherichia coli O157:H7. The second multiplex PCR assay showed that the isolate was harboring the stx2 gene. The PCR assay used in this study may be a possible alternative to immunological assays which detect somatic and flagellar antigens. Besides, this procedure determines the potential of isolates for toxin production.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of some haematological and serum biochemica... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of some haematological and serum biochemical constituents for predicting the survival of diarrhoeic calves. Twenty-four Holstein-breed calves, up to 14 days old, that showed signs of naturally occurring diarrhoea were included in the study. A complete clinical evaluation was performed before treatment. Haematological parameters (haematocrit, fibrinogen and complete blood count) and serum biochemistry including serum albumin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) were measured. The diarrhoeic calves had significantly higher serum concentrations of total protein, BUN, creatinine and K and significantly lower levels of serum glucose and Cl than the control calves. The haematological profile of diarrhoeic calves was significantly different from that of the normal ones. The concentration of K was also significantly higher in diarrhoeic calves that died than in diarrhoeic calves that survived. We assessed the values of haematocrit, BUN, creatinine and K as risk factors for calf diarrhoea survival. The mean of maximum values of these parameters in diarrhoeic calves that survived and the minimum values of dead calves were considered as cutoff points. The results of the present study showed that diarrhoeic calves with BUN levels above 13.07 mmol/l and K concentrations above 5.63 mEq/l were 5.6 and four times more likely to die, respectively.
Despite the known effects of sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on production and health of dairy ... more Despite the known effects of sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on production and health of dairy cows, its effects on reproductive performance have not been studied. Our objective was to investigate effects of SARA on conception rate of Holstein heifers. One hundred and ten heifers were synchronized for artificial insemination by two injections of PGF2α in a13-day interval and assigned randomly to two treatments. One group served as control and received a diet containing 32% of a barley-based concentrate on DM basis, while the other group challenged with a diet containing 68% concentrate (SARA) for ad libitum intake. Feeding the challenge diet started three days after the 2nd PGF2α injection and continued for seven days. Forty one heifers from the SARA group and 39 heifers from the control group showed eligible heats and were inseminated. The DM intake was higher in SARA group (10.41 vs. 9.04 kg, P < 0.01). SARA induction significantly lowered ruminal (6.02 vs. 6.45), and fecal (...
Populus trichocarpa is an ecologically important tree across western North America. We used a lar... more Populus trichocarpa is an ecologically important tree across western North America. We used a large population sample of 498 accessions over a wide geographical area genotyped with a 34K Populus SNP array to quantify geographical patterns of genetic variation in this species (landscape genomics). We present evidence that three processes contribute to the observed patterns: (1) introgression from the sister species P. balsamifera, (2) isolation by distance (IBD), and (3) natural selection. Introgression was detected only at the margins of the species&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; distribution. IBD was significant across the sampled area as a whole, but no evidence of restricted gene flow was detected in a core of drainages from southern British Columbia (BC). We identified a large number of FST outliers. Gene Ontology analyses revealed that FST outliers are overrepresented in genes involved in circadian rhythm and response to red/far-red light when the entire dataset is considered, whereas in southern BC heat response genes are overrepresented. We also identified strong correlations between geoclimate variables and allele frequencies at FST outlier loci that provide clues regarding the selective pressures acting at these loci.
Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2013
This trial evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with monensin sodium on dry matter in... more This trial evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with monensin sodium on dry matter intake, metabolic parameters and milk yield and milk composition of dairy Saanen goats in the periparturient period. Twelve Saanen pregnant dairy goats were assigned to a treatment and a control group. Saanen goats were fed monensin as its 10% sodium salt in the amount of 33 mg/kg of total dry matter intake during 30 d before parturition till d 42 in milk. Blood samples were collected from each goat at d 30, 15 and 7 before expected kidding time and also in d 1, 7, 13, 19, 21, 28, 35 and 42 postpartum. The serum concentrations of -Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterifed fatty acid (NEFA), calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, total protein, albumin and glucose and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were determined. The BHBA concentration significantly decreased in goats, which received monensin in comparison to controls in the postpartum period (p = 0.049). The concentration of sodium (Na) was significantly influenced by monensin treatment in the postpartum period (p = 0.048). In addition, the difference in dry matter intake was highly significant between the two groups during the pre-partum period. Controls had more dry matter intake (DMI) than treatment goats (p = 0.0001). Mean 3.5% fat corrected milk production was not influenced by monensin treatment. However, milk fat percentage was significantly decreased in monensin treated goats (p = 0.0017). (
A seroepidemiology study of Neospora caninum was conducted in Mashhad area, Khorasan province, Ir... more A seroepidemiology study of Neospora caninum was conducted in Mashhad area, Khorasan province, Iran on 337 cattle from 30 dairy using ELISA. All herds had seropositive cattle and antibodies were formed in 46% of the cattle. Abortion was significantly associated with seropositivity of cattle. The highest risk of abortion was observed in the 1-2-year-old cows. Our results indicate that Neospora infection is widespread in Iran. #
A collection of cDNA libraries from white spruce (Picea glauca) and interior spruce (P. glauca × ... more A collection of cDNA libraries from white spruce (Picea glauca) and interior spruce (P. glauca × engelmanii) vascular tissue were analyzed to identify a set of genes that could serve as tissue-related markers within the coniferous vascular system. Multivariate exploratory methods identified up to 128 genes co-expressed similarly among three xylem libraries. The majority (87) of these genes formed three distinctive meta-clusters, denoting putative gene cliques in xylem tissue. Of the selected genes, 33 (25%) exhibited no significant sequence homology in queries against any public databases, indicating the possibility of their unique expression in the xylem tissue of conifers. Another 38 genes (30%) had ambiguous annotation. Validation of the annotated genes with analog data, obtained from a wet-lab study utilizing microarray slides with 18,881 spots, resulted in a screened list of 29 genes as xylem-related markers. Response to stress was the predominant category to which the screened genes corresponded. Among the screened genes, elements of the phenolics biosynthesis, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and laccase, together with the fundamental enzyme of the cell wall biosynthesis, cellulose synthase, prominently delineated characteristics of the wood-forming tissue, xylem.
Conserved ortholog set (COS) markers are evolutionary conserved, single-copy genes, identified fr... more Conserved ortholog set (COS) markers are evolutionary conserved, single-copy genes, identified from large databases of express sequence tags (ESTs). They are of particular use for constructing syntenic genetic maps among species. In this study, we identified a set of 1,813 putative single-copy COS markers between spruce and loblolly pine, then designed primers for 931 of these markers and tested these primers with DNA from spruce, pine, and Douglas fir. Of these 931 primers, 56% (524) amplified a product in both spruce and pine, and 71% (373) of these were single-banded; 224 amplicons were singlebanded in all three species. Even though these COS markers were selected from large EST databases, a substantial proportion (20-30%) of amplicons displayed multiple bands or smears, suggesting significant paralogy. Sequencing of three single-banded amplicons showed high nucleotide similarities among 29 conifer species, suggesting orthology of single-banded amplicons. Screening for COS marker polymorphism in two pedigrees of white spruce and two pedigrees of loblolly pine revealed an average informativeness of 36% for spruce and 24% for pine (e.g., at least one parent was heterozygous for a single-nucleotide polymorphism within the entire amplified product). This corresponds to an average nucleotide heterozygosity of 0.05% and 0.03%, respectively, which is considerably lower than that found in other studies of spruce and pine. Thus, the advantages of COS markers for constructing syntenic maps are offset by their lower polymorphism.
Two blood samples, 8 days apart were taken from 150 Balouchi ewes being in their 3-5 years of age... more Two blood samples, 8 days apart were taken from 150 Balouchi ewes being in their 3-5 years of age and serum Progesterone (P4) concentrations were determined. One hundred and twenty five ewes that had lower P4 concentrations have been chosen and in a completely randomized design were assigned into 5 groups of, 600 (n = 26), 500 (n = 25), 400 (n = 24), 300 (n = 26) and control (n = 24). Groups were separated just by a physical barrier. Twenty days after the second blood sampling, CIDR-G insert was applied into the vagina of all the ewes and after 12 days, inserts were removed. PMSG was immediately injected IM after CIDR removal in the rate of 600, 500, 400, 300 IU into ewes of the 600, 500, 400 and 300 groups, respectively. Ewes in the control group received an injection of normal saline solution only. Rams were introduced into the flock with the rate of 1/5 ewes the same day until a week later when they were separated from ewes. Ram effect was abolished by rotating them in the groups regularly. Ewes were monitored and in case of return to estrus, were put together with ram again. On day 50±5, after mating begun, all the ewes were checked by ultrasound for pregnancy. In case of getting negative pregnancy results and returned into estrus and having second mating, ewes were checked 50±5 days after second mating. Results showed that multiple birth and lambing rate was higher in PMSG injected ewes than the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, 600 group had the highest multiple births and 400 group had the highest lambing rate among the firs 4 groups (p<0.05). There were no significant relationship between level of PMSG injection and multiple births (p>0.05). Control group had the lowest and 400 group had the highest total number of lambs and delivered ewes (p<0.05). In conclusion, use of CIDR together with PMSG in anestrus Balouchi ewes can induce and synchronize estrus and increases multiple births. Although, there were no significant difference among the PMSG injected ewes in multiple births but 400 group had the highest score in this respect.
In order to study the serum biochemistry of Iranian Turkmen horses, we conducted sampling from 48... more In order to study the serum biochemistry of Iranian Turkmen horses, we conducted sampling from 48 clinically normal horses aged between 1.5 and 12 years, and the following results were obtained: albumin (Alb) 43.95±4.48 g/l; total protein (Tp) 73.58±6.
American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2011
Problem statement: The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) known as black seed or black... more Problem statement: The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) known as black seed or black cumin, are used in herbal medicine all over the world for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases and conditions that include asthma, diarrhea and dyslipidaemia. Approach: In this study the effect of intramammary injection of Nigella Sativa Extract (NSE) in paraffin on quarter milk, quality and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and the shedding pattern of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. Thirty Holstein cows, naturally infected with S. aureus subclinical mastitis, were subjected to treatment with the NSE at a dose of 10 mL in paraffin (200 mg mL −1 ) per day for 3 days, or with 10 mL paraffin as control. The injection areas were checked for adverse reactions. The daily milk production was measured before and after treatment. Intramammary injection of NSE caused a remarkable healing. Quarter milk samples were collected for bacteriological analysis and Somatic Cell Counts (SCC). The bacterial count moderately decreased in the treatment group. After the end of the treatment, the numbers of S. aureus-infected quarters and milk SCC tended to decrease in the NSEtreated cows. These clarifications were significantly higher one week post-treatment than pretreatment. Similar changes were not observed in the control group. Results: The results of the present study showed that the NSE has potential as a therapeutic agent for S. aureus infection causing subclinical mastitis of dairy cows and may contribute to the cow's recovery from mastitis. Conclusion:
Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of es... more Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of estrus and ovulation is essential for above program. The aims of this study using implant norgestomet with or without Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) were to evaluate the serum progesterone (P4) concentration changes: the conception rate and estimation of the lambing rate and litter size. In total, 80 non-cycling multiparous Iranian Kurdish breed fat-tailed ewes with <0/5 ng/ml P4 were used in April and May 2008 in the suburb of Mashhad, Iran. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (n=30) without hormonal treatment, another group (n=25) received 3 mg of norges-tomet implant placed subcutaneously in the convex surface of the ear for 9 days, and the third group (n=25) treated with 3 mg of norgestomet implant for 9 days with an IM injection of 500 IU PMSG at implant removal. The progesterone of treatment and control groups were mea-sured on days 4, 9, ...
The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of conventional and extended intra... more The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of conventional and extended intramammary (IMM) therapy of persistent subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cattle using nafcillin-penicillin-dihydrostreptomycin combination (NPD). Sixty-five dairy cows with 126 infected quarters were enrolled in the study. Infected cows were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 different treatment regimens: (1) conventional group: NPD administered IMM 3 times at 24-h intervals (20 infected cows, 43 intramammary infections [IMI]), (2) extended group: NPD administered IMM 6 times at 24-h intervals (23 cows, 43 IMI), and (3) untreated control group (22 cows, 40 IMI). The overall bacteriological cure (BC) rates for subclinical IMI were 86.04%, 100%, and 20% for the conventional, extended and the control groups, respectively; indicating a higher BC rate (P<0.0001) for the treated groups than the control group. Significant difference (P=0.029) concerning the BC rate was also observed between the...
The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the ... more The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity test results of subclinical mastitis pathogens and bacteriological cure following intramammary treatment using a combination of nafcillin, penicillin, and streptomycin (NPS). Eighty-six intramammary pathogens from 43 cows were examined in this study. Most intramammary infections were due to coagulase-negative staphylococci, coliforms, and environmental streptococci. The antibiotic sensitivity to NPS was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Bacteriological cure rates for sensitive, intermediate, and resistant isolates in the standard treatment group (3 intramammary infusions of NPS once daily) were 84.4, 88.9, and 100%, respectively. These figures in the extended treatment group (6 intramammary infusions of NPS once daily) were 100% for the 3 categories. Bacteriological cure was not associated with the sensitivity test result. Based on...
The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the ... more The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between the antimicrobial susceptibility test results of subclinical mastitis pathogens and bacteriological outcomes of intramammary treatments using cefquinome. A total of 110 intramammary pathogens from 51 cows were assessed in this study. Most intramammary infections were due to coagulase-negative staphylococci, environmental streptococci, and coliforms. The antimicrobial susceptibility to cefquinome was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Bacteriological cure rates for the sensitive, intermediate, and resistant isolates in the standard treatment group (three intramammary infusions of 75 mg cefquinome at 16 h intervals) were 82.4%, 90%, and 87.5%, respectively. These figures in the extended treatment group (six intramammary infusions of 75 mg cefquinome at 16 h intervals) were 83.3%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Treatment outcomes were not associated with the results of sensi...
The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of intra-mammary-administered c... more The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of intra-mammary-administered cefquinome for the treatment of sub-clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows and to determine if extended therapy would enhance treatment efficacy. Seventy-three Holstein dairy cows from a single farm with 150 infected quarters were enrolled in the study. Infected cows were allocated randomly to one of three treatment regimens: (1) conventional (standard) regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered three times at 16-h intervals (25 infected cows, 52 intra-mammary infections (IMI)), (2) extended regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered six times at 16-h intervals (26 infected cows, 58 IMI) and (3) negative untreated control group (22 cows, 40 IMI). Most IMI were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae and coliforms. The overall bacteriological cure (BC) rates for sub-clinical IMI were 84.61%, 91.37% and 20% for the conventional, extended and the control groups, respectively, indicating a higher BC rate for the treated groups than the control group (P<0.001). Significant differences in somatic cell count (SCC) were detected between the treated versus the control group (P<0.001). No differences, concerning the BC rate or SCC, were observed between the extended and the conventional groups.
Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of es... more Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of estrus and ovulation is essential for above program. The aims of this study using implant norgestomet with or without Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) were to evaluate the serum progesterone (P4) concentration changes: the conception rate and estimation of the lambing rate and litter size. In total, 80 non-cycling multiparous Iranian Kurdish breed fat-tailed ewes with <0/5 ng/ml P4 were used in April and May 2008 in the suburb of Mashhad, Iran. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (n=30) without hormonal treatment, another group (n=25) received 3 mg of norgestomet implant placed subcutaneously in the convex surface of the ear for 9 days, and the third group (n=25) treated with 3 mg of norgestomet implant for 9 days with an IM injection of 500 IU PMSG at implant removal. The progesterone of treatment and control groups were measured on days 4, 9, and 13 after removal of the norgestomet using radioimmunoassay. Every five ewes were exposed to one ram after 24 h of norgestomet removal in treatment and control groups, simultaneously. The pregnancy was examined after 25 days of ram removal using ultrasonography. Progesterone concentration was significantly higher in treatment groups on 9 and 13 days after norgestomet removal (P<0.05). The pregnancy rate in the control, non-PMSG, and PMSG treatments groups were 17%, 52%, and 72%, respectively. The rates of single and twin pregnancy in the non-PMSG treatment group were 69% and 31%, respectively. These rates in norgestomet and PMSG treatment group were 50% and 39%, respectively. Triplet pregnancy (11%) was observed only in the PMSG treatment group. It was concluded that using implant norgestomet especially accompanied with PMSG can increase and improve the fertilization rate of ewe in the out-of-breeding season program.
In this study 130 bulk tank milk samples which were delivered to the Pegah Pasturisation Factory ... more In this study 130 bulk tank milk samples which were delivered to the Pegah Pasturisation Factory in Mashhad were collected randomly during the summer months. Samples were firstly enriched in modified trypticase soy broth containing novobiocin, followed by plating onto sorbitol MacConkey agar supplemented with cefixime and potassium tellurite for isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Consequently the suspected non-sorbitol fermenting (NSF) colonies were confirmed by biochemical tests as Escherichia coli and then were used for multiplex-PCR assay, using primers specific for O157 and H7 antigens genes and then primers specific for stx1 and stx2 genes. NSF Escherichia coli colonies were recovered from 8 samples, and in multiplex-PCR assay one sample (0.77%) was confirmed as Escherichia coli O157:H7. The second multiplex PCR assay showed that the isolate was harboring the stx2 gene. The PCR assay used in this study may be a possible alternative to immunological assays which detect somatic and flagellar antigens. Besides, this procedure determines the potential of isolates for toxin production.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of some haematological and serum biochemica... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of some haematological and serum biochemical constituents for predicting the survival of diarrhoeic calves. Twenty-four Holstein-breed calves, up to 14 days old, that showed signs of naturally occurring diarrhoea were included in the study. A complete clinical evaluation was performed before treatment. Haematological parameters (haematocrit, fibrinogen and complete blood count) and serum biochemistry including serum albumin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) were measured. The diarrhoeic calves had significantly higher serum concentrations of total protein, BUN, creatinine and K and significantly lower levels of serum glucose and Cl than the control calves. The haematological profile of diarrhoeic calves was significantly different from that of the normal ones. The concentration of K was also significantly higher in diarrhoeic calves that died than in diarrhoeic calves that survived. We assessed the values of haematocrit, BUN, creatinine and K as risk factors for calf diarrhoea survival. The mean of maximum values of these parameters in diarrhoeic calves that survived and the minimum values of dead calves were considered as cutoff points. The results of the present study showed that diarrhoeic calves with BUN levels above 13.07 mmol/l and K concentrations above 5.63 mEq/l were 5.6 and four times more likely to die, respectively.
Despite the known effects of sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on production and health of dairy ... more Despite the known effects of sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on production and health of dairy cows, its effects on reproductive performance have not been studied. Our objective was to investigate effects of SARA on conception rate of Holstein heifers. One hundred and ten heifers were synchronized for artificial insemination by two injections of PGF2α in a13-day interval and assigned randomly to two treatments. One group served as control and received a diet containing 32% of a barley-based concentrate on DM basis, while the other group challenged with a diet containing 68% concentrate (SARA) for ad libitum intake. Feeding the challenge diet started three days after the 2nd PGF2α injection and continued for seven days. Forty one heifers from the SARA group and 39 heifers from the control group showed eligible heats and were inseminated. The DM intake was higher in SARA group (10.41 vs. 9.04 kg, P < 0.01). SARA induction significantly lowered ruminal (6.02 vs. 6.45), and fecal (...
Populus trichocarpa is an ecologically important tree across western North America. We used a lar... more Populus trichocarpa is an ecologically important tree across western North America. We used a large population sample of 498 accessions over a wide geographical area genotyped with a 34K Populus SNP array to quantify geographical patterns of genetic variation in this species (landscape genomics). We present evidence that three processes contribute to the observed patterns: (1) introgression from the sister species P. balsamifera, (2) isolation by distance (IBD), and (3) natural selection. Introgression was detected only at the margins of the species&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; distribution. IBD was significant across the sampled area as a whole, but no evidence of restricted gene flow was detected in a core of drainages from southern British Columbia (BC). We identified a large number of FST outliers. Gene Ontology analyses revealed that FST outliers are overrepresented in genes involved in circadian rhythm and response to red/far-red light when the entire dataset is considered, whereas in southern BC heat response genes are overrepresented. We also identified strong correlations between geoclimate variables and allele frequencies at FST outlier loci that provide clues regarding the selective pressures acting at these loci.
Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2013
This trial evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with monensin sodium on dry matter in... more This trial evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with monensin sodium on dry matter intake, metabolic parameters and milk yield and milk composition of dairy Saanen goats in the periparturient period. Twelve Saanen pregnant dairy goats were assigned to a treatment and a control group. Saanen goats were fed monensin as its 10% sodium salt in the amount of 33 mg/kg of total dry matter intake during 30 d before parturition till d 42 in milk. Blood samples were collected from each goat at d 30, 15 and 7 before expected kidding time and also in d 1, 7, 13, 19, 21, 28, 35 and 42 postpartum. The serum concentrations of -Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterifed fatty acid (NEFA), calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, total protein, albumin and glucose and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were determined. The BHBA concentration significantly decreased in goats, which received monensin in comparison to controls in the postpartum period (p = 0.049). The concentration of sodium (Na) was significantly influenced by monensin treatment in the postpartum period (p = 0.048). In addition, the difference in dry matter intake was highly significant between the two groups during the pre-partum period. Controls had more dry matter intake (DMI) than treatment goats (p = 0.0001). Mean 3.5% fat corrected milk production was not influenced by monensin treatment. However, milk fat percentage was significantly decreased in monensin treated goats (p = 0.0017). (
A seroepidemiology study of Neospora caninum was conducted in Mashhad area, Khorasan province, Ir... more A seroepidemiology study of Neospora caninum was conducted in Mashhad area, Khorasan province, Iran on 337 cattle from 30 dairy using ELISA. All herds had seropositive cattle and antibodies were formed in 46% of the cattle. Abortion was significantly associated with seropositivity of cattle. The highest risk of abortion was observed in the 1-2-year-old cows. Our results indicate that Neospora infection is widespread in Iran. #
A collection of cDNA libraries from white spruce (Picea glauca) and interior spruce (P. glauca × ... more A collection of cDNA libraries from white spruce (Picea glauca) and interior spruce (P. glauca × engelmanii) vascular tissue were analyzed to identify a set of genes that could serve as tissue-related markers within the coniferous vascular system. Multivariate exploratory methods identified up to 128 genes co-expressed similarly among three xylem libraries. The majority (87) of these genes formed three distinctive meta-clusters, denoting putative gene cliques in xylem tissue. Of the selected genes, 33 (25%) exhibited no significant sequence homology in queries against any public databases, indicating the possibility of their unique expression in the xylem tissue of conifers. Another 38 genes (30%) had ambiguous annotation. Validation of the annotated genes with analog data, obtained from a wet-lab study utilizing microarray slides with 18,881 spots, resulted in a screened list of 29 genes as xylem-related markers. Response to stress was the predominant category to which the screened genes corresponded. Among the screened genes, elements of the phenolics biosynthesis, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and laccase, together with the fundamental enzyme of the cell wall biosynthesis, cellulose synthase, prominently delineated characteristics of the wood-forming tissue, xylem.
Conserved ortholog set (COS) markers are evolutionary conserved, single-copy genes, identified fr... more Conserved ortholog set (COS) markers are evolutionary conserved, single-copy genes, identified from large databases of express sequence tags (ESTs). They are of particular use for constructing syntenic genetic maps among species. In this study, we identified a set of 1,813 putative single-copy COS markers between spruce and loblolly pine, then designed primers for 931 of these markers and tested these primers with DNA from spruce, pine, and Douglas fir. Of these 931 primers, 56% (524) amplified a product in both spruce and pine, and 71% (373) of these were single-banded; 224 amplicons were singlebanded in all three species. Even though these COS markers were selected from large EST databases, a substantial proportion (20-30%) of amplicons displayed multiple bands or smears, suggesting significant paralogy. Sequencing of three single-banded amplicons showed high nucleotide similarities among 29 conifer species, suggesting orthology of single-banded amplicons. Screening for COS marker polymorphism in two pedigrees of white spruce and two pedigrees of loblolly pine revealed an average informativeness of 36% for spruce and 24% for pine (e.g., at least one parent was heterozygous for a single-nucleotide polymorphism within the entire amplified product). This corresponds to an average nucleotide heterozygosity of 0.05% and 0.03%, respectively, which is considerably lower than that found in other studies of spruce and pine. Thus, the advantages of COS markers for constructing syntenic maps are offset by their lower polymorphism.
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Papers by Nima Farzaneh