Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Intense exercise is known to induce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially leading to liver damage. This study examined the potential protective effects of apilarnil (AP), a natural bioactive compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, against exercise-induced liver injury. Thirty-five male Wistar albino rats were allocated into five groups: Control, non-exercise (NEX), exercise (EX), EX + AP1 (0.20 g kg^-1) and EX + AP2 (0.40 g kg^-1). At the end of the 14-day experiment, serum and liver tissue samples were collected for the analysis of histopathological changes, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines and serum biochemical parameters. Histopathological evaluations revealed substantial liver damage in the EX group. However, in the EX + AP1 and EX + AP2 groups, the severity of these lesions was significantly attenuated. Biochemical analyses demonstrated elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in the NEX group were markedly reduced by AP supplementation. Similarly, malondialdehyde levels were increased, while the activities of antioxidant enzymes - catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were declined in the NEX group. AP supplementation reversed these effects by lowering malondialdehyde levels and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities in the EX + AP1 and EX + AP2 groups. Additionally, serum biochemical analyses indicated improved lipid profiles and liver function parameters in the AP -treated groups compared to the NEX group. In conclusion, histopathological and biochemical findings indicated that AP supplementation mitigated exercise-induced liver damage by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, while enhancing antioxidant defenses.

Abstract The Q fever is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by an obligate intra-cellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii. Members of the Canidae family (Mammalia), including dogs and foxes, are potential reservoirs of C. burnetii, which has a wide host range from mammals and birds to arthropods (primarily ticks). Infected dogs can transmit the disease to other animals and humans. This study aimed to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in dogs and ticks collected from infested dogs in the Kars, Ardahan, and Iğdir provinces of Türkiye by serological and molecular methods. Three hundred canine serum samples were analyzed for phase I and phase II C. burnetii antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Whole blood samples (n = 300) from the dogs sampled for sera and 184 ticks randomly collected from these dogs were also analyzed for C. burnetii with touch-down polymerase chain reaction. The ticks were classified according to the taxonomic characteristics. In result, 107 tick DNA samples collected from individual females and pooled males were evaluated. The C. burnetii was detected in 3.73% (of the tick samples. However, C. burnetii was not detected in any of the canine blood samples by polymerase chain reaction. Out of the 300 dogs, 18.33% presented antibodies against C. burnetii in their blood serum. When assessed for location, C. burnetii seropositivity was found to be significantly high especially in the Northeastern Anatolia region (18.33%). Study data highlighted the zoonotic risk of ticks, demonstrating that ticks on dogs can carry C. burnetii.

Abstract The current research was carried out to evaluate in vitro anti-microbial properties of the cell-free supernatants (CFSs) derived from Pediococcus acidilactici (PA) and Latilactobacillus sakei/ Staphylococcus xylosus (LS) against Escherichia coli O157:H7 American Type Culture Collection strains (35150, 43894, and 43985). For this purpose, the diameters of zone of inhibition of the CFSs against E. coli O157:H7 strains were measured. In addition, a time-kill assay was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of the CFSs alone or in combination with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) during incubation at 37.00 ˚C for 24 hr. In the time-kill assay, E. coli O157:H7 was subjected to three concentrations of CFSs (1.00, 5.00, and 10.00%) and EDTA (0.02 M) in tryptic soy broth and the E. coli O157:H7 count was determined at 0, 6, and 24 hr intervals. The CFS of LS had a lower pH and higher titratable acidity compared to the PA. The CFS of LS displayed higher zones of inhibition than the CFS of PA against E. coli O157:H7 American Type Culture Collection 35150 and 43894 strains. The concentrations of 5.00 and 10.00% CFSs in combination with EDTA provided a 5.00 log₁₀ decline in E. coli O157:H7 count over a 24-hr period. The results of this study indicated that the combination of CFSs (5.00 and 10.00%) and EDTA (0.02 M) exhibited an enhanced anti-bacterial effect against E. coli O157:H7 strains, which are substantial foodborne pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract Dogs serve as definitive or intermediate hosts for some protozoan and helminth parasites, some of which are of zoonotic, and others cause severe infectious diseases in other animals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. A total of 323 fecal samples were randomly collected from shelter dogs in Mashhad and Neyshabur areas. All samples were then transferred to the Parasitology Laboratory and examined detect intestinal protozoa and helminths using the formalin-ether technique. Out of the 323 fecal samples, 92 (28.48%) tested positive for intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs in Mashhad and Neyshabur areas were 23.83 and 35.38%, respectively. Monospecific infection was found in 19.50% of dogs, while concurrent infection with two or more species was seen in 8.97% of dogs. The frequencies of the nine detected parasites were as follows: Sarcocystis sp. 12.38%, Giardia sp. 4.64%, Cystoisospora sp. 2.78%, Hammondia Neospora-like oocysts 2.16%, Taenia sp. 6.19%, Toxascaris leonina 7.43%, Dicrocoelium dendriticum 1.54%, Toxocara canis 0.92% and Capillaria sp. 0.30%. The results of this study showed the high frequency of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs. To control important zoonotic helminthic diseases such as echinococcosis and toxocariasis, it is recommended to eliminate stray dogs in cooperation with municipalities and veterinary departments in Iran. If stray dogs are transferred to shelters, they should receive regular treatment with effective anti-helminthic drugs.

Abstract While severe shortage of feed has presented livestock industry with a major challenge, millions of tons of fruit by-products (FBPs) are discarded annually, as valuable sources of energy and numerous nutrients. However, some of FBPs contain high tannins that must be treated for use in animal feeding. This study was investigated the effect of tannin-degrading bacteria isolated from the rumen of some ruminants on the in vitro digestibility and gas production of FBPs silage. The FBPs, including pomegranate peel (PP), and the pulps of lemon (LP), grape (GP), and orange (OP) were ensilaged with tannin-degrading bacteria (enzyme activity: 10.46 - 8.60 U mL^-1) isolated from the rumen of male goat (Escherichia coli GHMGHE41), deer (Escherichia fergusonii GHMGHE44), ram (E. fergusonii GHMGHE30), and camel (Klebsiella aerogenes GHMGHE38). After anaerobic incubation (30 days; 39.00 ˚C), PP + camel strain silage showed the highest dry matter, and the lowest natural acid detergent fiber and pH. The camel strain increased crude protein content of LP silage to the highest level, and decreased acid detergent fiber of GP silage to the lowest level. The highest digestibility was observed for LP + goat strain silage (50.37%) compared to the uninoculated OP silage (42.73%). The maximum ammonia (N-NH₃) and minimum level of pH were recorded for the silages of LP + goat strain and PP + CR strain, respectively. Overall, the current results showed that tannin-degrading E. coli GHMGHE41 and K. aerogenes GHMGHE38 were able to improve the digestibility of LP and PP silages as ingredients in ruminants’ diets.

Abstract This study investigated carbendazim (CBZ)-induced hepatic dysfunction and the mechanistic pathway regarding the protective effect of melatonin (MEL). Twenty-eight male rats were grouped as follows: Control, CBZ (150 mg kg^-1), MEL (20.00 mg kg^-1), and CBZ + MEL. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. Tissue samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and immuno-fluorescence methods to examine apoptotic pathway. Also, hepatic enzymes and miR-122 expression were evaluated. The findings indicated that the CBZ group exhibited an increase in degenerated hepatocytes, hyperemia of sinusoids, and leukocyte infiltration, accompanied by elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, as well as up-regulation of miR-122. Also, there was a significant increase in the fluorescence intensities of caspase-3 and Bax in the CBZ group, whereas a substantial reduction in the fluorescence intensity of Bcl-2 was recorded. In contrast, the simultaneous administration of MEL alongside CBZ was shown to be effective in improving histological structure, decreasing levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, reducing the apoptosis index, and modulating the expression of miR-122 in comparison with the CBZ-only group. The increased expression of miR-122 noted in the CBZ group may correlate with an elevation in the immunoreactivity of apoptosis markers and alterations in liver architecture. Additionally, MEL seems to alleviate CBZ-induced hepatotoxicity by down-regulating miR-122 expression, diminishing the fluorescence intensity of caspase-3 and Bax, and enhancing the immunoreactivity of Bcl-2. Collectively, the regulation of miR-122 may serve as a potential mechanism by which MEL confers its protective effects against liver damage induced by CBZ.

Abstract Understanding spinopelvic parameters is crucial for diagnosing skeletal and muscular disorders. This study was the first to measure spinopelvic parameters, specifically pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS) in Scottish cats using computed tomography (CT). the research analyzed twelve Scottish cats (4.00 – 6.00 kg, 2 - 3 years old). The mean values obtained were 48.80° for PI, 26.00° for PT and 22.80° for SS. The PI = PT + SS equation was valid in healthy cats but failed in cases with spondylosis and pelvic fractures indicating its potential diagnostic utility. Pearson correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between PI and PT or PI and SS, however, a significant negative correlation between PT and SS was observed. This suggested that as PT increased, SS decreased. The study established baseline values for PI, PT, and SS in Scottish cats and highlighted the potential for using these parameters in feline diagnostics. The failure of the PI = PT + SS equation in pathological cases underscored its role in identifying specific conditions such as spondylosis and pelvic fractures. This foundational data was crucial for assessing spinopelvic alignment and diagnosing spinal disorders in cats. The findings suggested that deviations from baseline values could aid in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders, optimizing treatment and preventing complications. Further research is needed to explore how variations in these parameters relate to different spinal conditions.

Abstract This report presented a case of the concurrent diagnosis of early feline diffuse iris melanoma (FDIM) and metastatic cutaneous melanoma in a tricolored mixed stray cat. Histopathological examination of biopsy samples identified melanoma on the nasal planum, lips along with metastasis to the submandibular lymph nodes. The initial treatment included surgical resection of the primary nasal planum neoplasm and the metastatic lesions in the submandibular lymph nodes. The necropsy, performed 40 days after the surgery, revealed the metastatic nodules in multiple organs including the liver, lungs, thyroids, pericardium, pleura, peritoneum, kidneys, and numerous lymph nodes. Histopathological examination revealed a biphasic neoplastic tissue composed of a mixture of epithelioid and spindle cells in primary and metastatic tumors. Additionally, the anterior surface of the iris contained 4 - 5 rows of melanocytic interstitial infiltration indicative of early FDIM. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the neoplastic cells showed positive immunoreactivity for Melan-A. To the authors' knowledge, this case represented the first reported case of concurrent FDIM and cutaneous melanoma in a feline patient.