Study on fungal contaminants in aborted calves of cattle herds in Iran.

Background/objective: Abortions in livestock herds are a major contributor to economic losses. The incidence of fungal aetiology has been reported thus far. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of abortions due to fungi in referred cases to the Center of Excellence in Ruminant Abortion and Neonatal Mortality, Veterinary Hospital of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran, from different provinces of Iran.

Association of precalving serum NEFA concentrations with postpartum diseases and reproductive performance in multiparous Holstein cows: Cut-off values.

Background: High concentrations of NEFA relative to a defined reference or 'cut-point' values before calving can predict the risk of specific or collective periparturient disease events.

Objectives: A field-based cohort study was conducted to evaluate the value and critical points of serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) at the precalving time to predict the occurrence of postpartum diseases and reproductive performance in dairy cows.

Methods: Blood samples were taken from 521 high-yielding dairy cows at 1 week (±3 days) before calving and NEFA levels were measured.

Variations of some adipokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and energy characteristics during the transition period in dairy cows.

Limited information exists about the relationship of adipose tissue with inflammation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism during the transition period in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to assess the changes and relation of some adipokines, cytokines, oxidative biomarkers, and serum biochemical parameters related to energy balance (EB) in cows during the transition period. Thirty multiparous Holstein cows were selected based on estimated parturition date, and blood samples were collected from jugular vein on one-week prepartum and one and three weeks postpartum and used to measure the parameters.

Correlations of whole blood heavy metals with serum immunological and oxidative markers during the early dry period and transition period of dairy cattle.

Immunological and oxidative alterations have been reported around calving in dairy cattle. In addition, the levels of heavy metals rise in the blood around parturition, which might affect body systems. Therefore, in this Research Communication we evaluate the changes in whole blood lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) around calving, in comparison with the beginning of the dry period, and assess the correlations of these elements with immunological factors and oxidative markers.

Effects of vitamin D3 injection in close-up period on insulin resistance and energy balance in transition dairy cows.

Background: Many studies in dairy cows are towards calcium homeostasis and there is a lack of knowledge about the effect of vitamin D in preventing insulin resistance and improving energy balance in the transition period of dairy cows.

Methods: The trial was conducted in a commercial dairy farm with about 1500 lactating cows in Tehran province, Iran. Twenty-four Holstein cows had been randomly selected and divided into control and treatment groups.

Supplementation of overripe pulp extract and green peel extract or powder of banana fruit peel (musa. cavendish) to diets of neonatal dairy calves: Effects on haematological, immunological and performance characteristics.

The present study investigated the effects of overripe pulp and green peel extract and powder of banana fruit (Musa. cavendish) on haematological, biochemical, immunological, health, and performance of Holstein dairy calves. In all, 40 newborn calves were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals.

Addition of straw to the early-lactation diet: Effects on feed intake, milk yield, and subclinical ketosis in Holstein cows.

This study evaluated feed intake, milk yield, and subclinical ketosis in dairy cows in early lactation fed 2 different diets postpartum. Cows are typically offered a high-energy ration immediately after calving. We compared a conventional high-energy total mixed ration (TMR) with a transition ration that contained chopped straw.

The Effects of Parenteral Iron Administration on Thyroid Hormones, Hematology, Oxidative Stress Characteristics, Performance, and Health in Neonatal Holstein Calves.

The present study investigated the effect of iron supplementation on thyroid hormones concentrations, oxidative stress characteristics, complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry, and performance and health in calves of two groups: test group (n = 17, intramuscular injection of 500 mg iron-dextran on the 2nd day of life) and control group (n = 17, intramuscular injection of normal saline at the same time). Blood samples were taken from all of the calves instantly after birth and at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 90 days of age. Duration of treatment for diseases, body weight, height, and length were measured at each sampling time to evaluate growth and health.

Effect of prostaglandin F2α and GnRH administration at the time of artificial insemination on reproductive performance of dairy cows.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of administrating prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and GnRH at the time of artificial insemination (AI) on the pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and the pregnancy survival rate of dairy cows. A number of 830 lactating Holstein cows were randomly divided into four groups. Cows in group 1 (n=200) treated with 150 µg d-cloprostenol.

Effects of Dexamethasone and Insulin Alone or in Combination on Energy and Protein Metabolism Indicators and Milk Production in Dairy Cows in Early Lactation - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of dexamethasone and insulin, when administered at 3rd or 10th day of lactation on energy and protein metabolism in dairy cows.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred Holstein cows were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial. The cows were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments at 3 or 10 days in milk: control group, 10-mL i.

Seroepidemiologic Survey of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Tehran and Alborz Provinces of Iran.

Background: A two year seroepidemiological study was designed to find out the seroprevalence and risk factors of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) among stray and owned dogs in Tehran and Alborz Provinces of Iran.

Methods: Blood samples of 602 dogs living in 11 counties of Tehran and Alborz Provinces were taken by venipuncture in 2008-2010. After separation of blood sera, anti-leishmanial antibodies were detected by direct agglutination test (DAT).

Treatment of clinical endometritis in dairy cows by previously used controlled internal drug release devices.

Postpartum endometritis is considered as one of the diseases that lead to a potential profit reduction in dairy cows. The aims of the present study were to promote follicle growth by a previously used controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device and to evaluate its effect on the likelihood of recovery and the reproductive performance of clinical endometritis (CE) cows. Endometritis was diagnosed using ultrasonographic examination at 31 ± 3 (Day 0 of the experiment) days in milk, and CE cows were included in one of the three experimental groups according to the presence of a CL on their ovaries.

Bovine salmonellosis in northeast of Iran: frequency, genetic fingerprinting and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella spp.

Objective: To evaluate serovar and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella spp isolated from healthy, diseased and necropsied cows and calves in this observational study.

Methods: Nineteen isolates recovered from feces and tissues of salmonellosis-affected animals of two commercial farms in north-east of Iran. In second part of the study, the two farms were sampled 4 times with an interval of 2 month.

Evaluation of copper concentration in subclinical cases of white muscle disease and its relationship with cardiac troponin I.

The present study aims to evaluate the serum level of copper (Cu) in lambs suffering from subclinical forms of white muscle disease (WMD) and its relationship with cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) as a novel biomarker of cardiovascular disorders. Ten milliliters of jugular blood were taken from 200 lambs less than one year old to measure serum concentrations of Cu, selenium (Se), and cTn-I. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, namely, the deficient group which included 36 lambs, and the control group which included 164 lambs according to the reference serum Se concentration (50 ng/mL).

Effects of monensin on metabolism and production in dairy saanen goats in periparturient period.

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.

Effect of copper edetate injection in dry pregnant cows on hematology, blood metabolites, weight gain and health of calves.

The objectives of the present study was to investigate the effects of the copper injection and injection timing to pregnant dairy cows at dry period on the hematology, some serum metabolites, health and growth of their calves. Thirty Holstein cows at the dry period were assigned to the three following experimental groups: 1) control (injections of 2.5 ml normal saline), 2) test 1 (125 mg Cu as copper edetate injection at the first week of the dry period) and 3) test 2 (125 mg Cu as copper edetate injection at the third week of the dry period).

Efficacy of conventional and extended intra-mammary treatment of persistent sub-clinical mastitis with cefquinome in lactating dairy cows.

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).

Metabolic predictors of post-partum disease and culling risk in dairy cattle.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose and calcium (Ca) with the occurrence of displaced abomasum (DA), clinical ketosis and culling in Holstein cows. Eight hundred and forty-nine cows from 16 farms were sampled weekly for the first 3 weeks post-partum. The cows were under clinical observation from calving until 60 days in milk (DIM) and during this time there were 22 cases of DA, 31 cases of clinical ketosis and 39 cows were culled.

Effect of short term over-supplementation of ascorbic acid on hematology, serum biochemistry, and growth performance of neonatal dairy calves.

The objectives of the present study were to investigate effects of over-supplementation of ascorbic acid on hematology, serum biochemistry and weight gain in Holstein dairy calves. A total of 90 Holstein dairy calves were randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments. Ascorbic acid was administered orally to treatment group (n=44) as follows: three times 1000 mg a day during first week; two times 1000 mg a day during second week; one time 1000 mg a day during third week.

Parenteral selenium and vitamin E supplementation to lambs: hematology, serum biochemistry, performance, and relationship with other trace elements.

Most regions in Iran are generally selenium (Se) deficient and all mineral premixes which used in farm animals contain Se in the form of sodium selenite. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of injected Se and vitamin E (vit E) on hematology, serum proteins, and performance of lambs during the period which the animals are at risk of Se and/or vit E deficiency. The study also aims to determine the relationship between selenium injection and the levels of other trace elements in blood serum of lambs.

Effects of parenteral over-supplementation of vitamin A and iron on hematology, iron biochemistry, weight gain, and health of neonatal dairy calves.

Forty Holstein calves were used for the experiment and randomly assigned to four different treatments. Treatments consisted of control (injections of 5 ml normal saline), test 1 (500 mg Fe injected to each calf at 24-48 h of age), test 2 (200,000 IU vitamin A was injected to each calf at 24-48 h of age), and test 3 (Fe and vitamin A were injected to each calf as mentioned previously. Group had significant effect on the amounts of HCT, RBC, hemoglobin, MCH, platelets, iron concentration and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) saturation (p<0.

Effects of anionic salts supplementation on blood pH and mineral status, energy metabolism, reproduction and production in transition dairy cows.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a pre-partum diet with lower than recommended (DCAD=-82 mEq/kg of dietary DM) amounts of anionic salts on metabolism, health, reproductive performance and milk production in dairy cows. Sixty Holstein multiparous cows were enrolled 21 days prior to expected calving date. The animals were randomly assigned to receive one of two rations: 30 cows received anionic ration [-82 mEq (NA+K-Cl-S)/kg of DM] for 21 d to parturition and the other group (n=30) were fed a usual dry period ration (+192 mEq/kg of DM).