Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of post-partum (PP) periods of different lengths on super-stimulatory and super-ovulatory responses, as well as the number and quality of embryos in Simmental cows. Fifty cows were divided into five groups based on their PP days, including 50 - 60 days (n = 5), 61 - 90 days (n = 17), 91 - 120 days (n = 9), 121 - 150 days (n = 9), and 151 - 420 days (n = 10). On a random day of the estrous cycle, all follicles larger than 5.00 mm on the ovaries were aspirated and a progesterone-releasing device was inserted into the vagina of all donors. Approximately 36 hr after follicle aspiration, all cows were administered 500 µg of follicle-stimulating hormone in decreasing doses, twice daily for 6 days. Ovaries were evaluated using trans-rectal ultrasonography during human chorionic gonadotropin treatment and after embryo collection to assess follicles and corpora lutea, respectively. Super-stimulatory and super-ovulatory responses, as well as embryo yield and quality were found to be similar among cows in the PP days groups of 61 - 90, 91 - 120, 121 - 150, and 151 - 420. However, the embryo recovery rate and mean number of transferable and freezable embryos were adversely affected in cows at 50 - 60 days PP. The findings of our study suggested that day 60 PP served as a threshold for in vivo embryo production in Simmental cows.

Abstract Cathelicidin-1, an antimicrobial peptide, has garnered attention for its potential role as a biomarker in detecting anestrus in cows, providing insights into bovine reproductive health. This study aimed to analyse cathelicidin-1 within the urinary proteome and evaluate its effectiveness as a diagnostic tool for anestrus in cows. The study employed tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry techniques to identify and characterize cathelicidin-1 in the context of anestrus in cows. The analysis confirmed the presence and distinct profile of cathelicidin-1, highlighting its significance in reflecting the physiological and pathophysiological states associated with anestrus. Cathelicidin-1 as a promising diagnostic biomarker for anestrus in cows could revolutionize bovine reproductive management by offering more precise and advanced detection methods compared to the traditional, time-consuming, and sometimes inaccurate approaches, like behavioral observation or hormonal assays. If cathelicidin-1 can be detected non-invasively, it would not only enhance early detection and timely intervention but also reduce the need for invasive procedures, thereby improving animal welfare.

Abstract Antioxidant potential of different milk types and thermal-treated milks may be of interest to milk processors, consumers, and nutritionists. The objectives of this study were comparison of the antioxidant potential of milk, defatted milk, whey, and deproteinized whey from cow, sheep, and goat, and also evaluation of the effect of thermal treatments (pasteurization and sterilization) on the antioxidant activity of the milk. The antioxidant potential of different milk samples and their fractions was examined using reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylenzothiazoline-6-sulphonicacid methods. The results showed that the antioxidant potential of sheep raw milk was significantly higher than that of cow milk and goat milk. The results also indicated that thermal processing increased the reducing power and antioxidant potential of milk, and increasing heating temperature significantly increased reducing power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity of milk, especially sheep milk and goat milk. Removing of whey proteins from whey of all animal species, particularly sheep, caused a significant decrease in the antioxidant potential of whey. The results of this study showed that sheep milk and its fractions are a good source of natural antioxidants, which may have higher health promotion effects on consumers from nutritional point of view.

Abstract Intestinal hypomotility cause health risks and economic losses and is considered as an important digestive disorder that efforts to find prokinetic drugs can solve this major problem. This study investigated the effects of Zingiber officinale aqueous extract (ZOAE) on caecal smooth muscle contractions in healthy cows. To perform in vitro tests, cecum strips connected to the organ bath. Ginger aqueous extract caused concentration-dependent contraction in caecal smooth muscle with an effective threshold concentration of 6.00 mg L^-1. The strongest contraction was caused at a concentration of 100 mg L^-1 with an average contraction of 141%. To evaluate the possible mechanisms underlying the contractile effect on cecum strips, atropine, 1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide (4-DAMP) and verapamil completely inhibited aqueous extract induced smooth muscle contractions, while addition of hexamethonium had no effect on the contraction process. The lack of reduction of contractions caused by the extract in the presence of hexamethonium indicates that presence of acetylcholine-like constituents independent of nicotinic receptors. The inhibitory properties of atropine and 4-DAMP indicate that at least part of the prokinetic effect of the extract is due to stimulating the muscarinic receptors, especially M3 receptors. Also, verapamil inhibitory function proves that the extract acting by L-type calcium channels. The results suggest that the ZOAE has a potential prokinetic effect which may provide a pharmacological base to its medicinal or prophylactic use in caecal motility disorders.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mastitis and supra-mammary lymph nodes in lactating cows in terms of Pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler ultrasonographical measurements. A total of 102 head cows in lactation period were divided into three groups. The cows in which all mammary lobes were California mastitis test (CMT)-negative (n = 27) formed the 1^st group; those with CMT-positive mammary lobe (n = 43) formed the 2^nd group and the cows with clinical mastitis in at least one mammary lobe (n = 32) formed the 3^rd group. In PW Doppler ultrasonography, end-diastolic velocity, systolic peak velocity and time-averaged maximum velocity were measured at the most prominent artery of the lymph node. A quantitative scaling was performed by determining the pulsatile index and resistance index scales based on blood flow parameters. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups in terms of PW Doppler ultrasonographical measurements of supra-mammary lymph nodes. In conclusion, the use of PW Doppler ultrasonographic data of the supra-mammary lymph nodes will not provide useful information about the current condition of mastitis in cows.

Abstract Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is a contagious infectious disease which causes lameness in dairy cows. It has a multifactorial etiology which is not yet fully understood but Treponema spp. seem to play a significant role in development of BDD lesions. This study evaluated the presence of Treponema phylotypes commonly associated with BDD (T. medium/T. vincentii, T. phagedenis and T. putidum/T. denticola), in four farms different areas in Iran. Single biopsies were taken from 113 Holstein cows with active BDD lesions (scored according to size) on the farms and polymerase chain reaction assays used to detect 16S rRNA nucleotide fragments of three BDD Treponema phylotype groups: ‘‘T. medium/T. vincentii’’, ‘‘T. phagedenis’’ and ‘‘T. putidum/T. denticola’’ (now T. pedis). Over 95.00% of samples were positive for at least one of phylotypes, with 89.00%, 91.00 %, and 66.00% of samples were positive for T. putidum/T. denticola, T. phagedenis and T. medium/T. vincentii, respectively. Out of the 113 samples, 60.00% were positive for all three phylotypes, the detection of T. putidum/T. denticola was positively associated with detection of both T. phagedenis and T. medium/T. vincentii. No association between lesion size and phylotypes identified was found but there were significant differences between farms in the proportion of each phylotypes identified. Further research is required to establish the factors influencing the proportions of individual phylotypes, especially at the farm level.

Abstract Mastitis is the most important disease in dairy cattle industry because of its high economic losses both in herd management, milk and milk products. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of inactivated Parapoxvirus ovis (IPPVO) Para immune activator as a prophylaxis against mastitis and as the therapy for subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. The prophylactic effects of IPPVO were investigated in California mastitis test (CMT). Healthy Holstein cows were divided into A1 (n = 30) and A2 (n = 30) subgroups. In addition, 90 subclinical mastitis Holstein cows were divided into subgroups of B1, B2, and B3 to investigate the efficacy of IPPVO treatment. A significant difference in CMT levels was observed (p ˂ 0.01) 30 day after treatment in A groups. The difference in somatic cell count (SCC) levels between the A groups 15, 30 day after treatment was significant (p ˂ 0.01). The results of the CMT among the B groups showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The results of the SCC tests showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) among the B groups on days 0, 9 and 15 after treatment. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (n = 53) and Escherichia coli (n = 30) were the most prevalent bacteria isolated in this study. In conclusion, IPPVO, although had no additional effect when used in combination with antibiotics could possibly be used instead of antibiotics and to protect cattle from subclinical mastitis, however, it is not known how long this prophylaxis effect could last.

Abstract Various species of Trypanosoma parasites are known to infect several wild and domestic animals worldwide. A 7-year-old Holstein cow from Baneh, Kurdistan province, was examined by a private veterinarian due to anorexia and depression. Physical examination revealed fever, enlarged subscapular lymph node, and pale mucosa. Blood samples were taken for hemato-logical, parasitological, and PCR examination. The large Trypanosoma spp. was microscopically observed in a stained blood smear. Decreased red blood cells (RBCs) count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration were observed through complete blood cell count. Nucleated RBCs were also found in this case. Species-specific PCR assay confirmed T. theileri infection. Treatment was performed subcutaneously with diminazene aceturate. The clinical signs were improved after two days. Two-month follow-up showed no recurrence. In conclusion, T. theileri is characterized by anemia and pyrexia in a cow. To our knowledge, the present case report describes the first molecular evidence of T. theileri in Kurdistan, West of Iran.

Abstract To investigate the IgG content and its variations in uterine fluid (UF) during the estrous cycle of the cow and to compare them with those of the blood serum (S), six pairs of serum and UF samples for each phase of the cycle selected out of 240 bovine genital tracts and blood samples were collected from Urmia abattoir. The UF samples were collected by gentle scraping of the endometrium using a curette after uterine incision and their IgG content and those of the serum were measured by single radial immuno-diffusion (SRID) assay. Serum IgG values (Mean ± SEM) were generally higher than the UF values throughout the cycle except for di-estrus (S: 38.50 ± 0.90, UF: 51.60 ± 2.10 mg mL^-1), in which the highest values were observed in UF samples. In met-estrus the difference was not significant (S: 34.80 ± 1.80mg mL^-1, UF: 30.80 ± 5.20 mg mL^-1), however, in estrus the mean UF IgG value (12.50 ± 1.10 mg mL^-1) was lower than that of the serum (31.30 ± 1.20 mg mL^-1). In pro-estrus, the lowest values (S: 27.80 ± 1.30 mg mL^-1, UF: 9.10 ± 1.50 mg mL^-1) were obtained. The results showed a lower IgG values in the bovine UF than those of the serum in the follicular phase of the cycle, while in di-estrus the UF IgG content was the highest, suggesting some IgG production in the uterus at this phase.

Abstract Wide variety of timings and techniques has been used based on the housing, production, availability of requirements etc. This current study was done for a morphologic evaluation of the cow's digit in different trimming times. A dairy herd with 2200 milking cow, free stalls barns, average daily production of 36 liters per cow was selected. Forty cows were assigned to four groups based on hoof trimming times as, 100-120 days in milk (Group I), cows before drying (Group II), visual long toed cows (Group III) and delayed pregnant cows (Group IV). Toe length from coronary band to the toe tip (A), dorsal hoof angle (D), toe height from coronary band in toe region to the ground level (B), heel height from coronary band in heel region to the ground level (C) and heel height to toe length proportion was measured. The highest toe length was recorded in medial digit of group IV (9.19 ± 0.68 cm) and the lowest one recorded in lateral digit of group I (8.28 ± 0.62 cm). Distribution of the cows in different groups under study was based on their toe length, as the highest and lowest distribution were recorded in groups III and I, respectively. The highest measurements in all indices were recorded in group IV that followed by group III except for toe height that was higher in group II following group IV. The lowest toe length was recorded in group I that needs more attention due to the risk of over trimming and its supposed complications in this group.