https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/ Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences en daily 1 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116673.html This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of zinc hydroxychloride (HCZ) on pulmonary hypertension-related parameters, zinc element storage, and tibia bone strength in broiler chickens under high-altitude environmental conditions (2100m). In this research, 200 Ross 308 male broiler chicks from 23 to 42 days of age were used for a completely randomized design in 4 treatments and 5 replicates. The experimental treatments included a basal diet and 25, 50, and 75 mg of HCZ per kg of basal feed, which were added to the control diet. HCZ consumption led to a decrease in the RV to TV ratio, an increase in nitric oxide concentration, a decrease in hematocrit, and a decrease in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (P<0.05). As the retention of zinc in breast muscle, liver, and tibia bone increased (P<0.05), the increased bone fracture force indicated an increase in tibia bone strength (P<0.05). Overall, the results showed that consuming 75 mg of HCZ improved physiological and immune responses, increased zinc storage in bone tissue, breast, and liver, improved growth parameters and tibia bone strength, and cardiopulmonary performance of broiler chickens under hypoxic conditions. Therefore, a level of 75 mg HCZ is recommended for use in poultry farms. https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116674.html Aquaculture, as a key component of global food production, requires strategies to reduce disease-related losses and improve the health of cultured fish. Nuritional supplements such as probiotics and antioxidants have been recognized as promising tools for enhancing fish immunity. In this study, the simultaneous effect of the probiotic Weissella confusa and the antioxidant pigment astaxanthin on the expression of immune-related genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. A total of 240 fish were divided into four treatments (control, probiotic, astaxanthin, and combined; each treatment in three replicates with 20 fish per replicate) and fed for 28 days. Expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, and TNF-α were measured in the anterior kidney and spleen using qPCR. The combined treatment showed the highest (P<0.05) upregulation of IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, and TNF-α compared to other groups. IFN-γ expression increased on day 14 in the combined group but declined by day 28. Moreover, IL-6 expression was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the probiotic and combined groups on day 28. The temporal expression patterns indicated dynamic regulation and synergistic effects of probiotic and astaxanthin supplementation. It appears that concurrent administration of Weissella confusa and astaxanthin enhances molecular immune markers in rainbow trout and may serve as an effective nutritional strategy to improve health and disease resistance in aquaculture production. https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116666.html Mastitis is a frequent and costly disease in dairy cattle. Streptococcus species, especially Streptococcus dysgalactiae (S. dysgalactiae), are major bacterial causes of this condition. Fungal mastitis can also occur, particularly in unsanitary environments or milking systems. Candida species are the most commonly isolated fungi in cases of bovine mastitis. Furthermore, Cryptococcus species have also been recognized as causative agents of mastitis in cattle. In this study, PCR was employed to assess the frequency of three mastitis-causing pathogens in cattle including S. dysgalactiae, Candida albicans (C. albicans), and Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) across both clinical and subclinical cases of bovine mastitis. A total of 100 milk samples were obtained from cows diagnosed with both clinical or subclinical mastitis. The samples were centrifuged, and the resulting precipitate was utilized for DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then conducted using specific primers. Out of a total of 100 milk samples, 3 samples (3%), 4 samples (4%) and 1 sample (1%) were found to be positive for the presence of S. dysgalactiae, C. albicans and C. neoformans nucleic acid using the PCR method, respectively. Streptococcus dysgalactiae positive cases were all related to subclinical mastitis, and C. albicans and C. neoformans positive cases were all related to clinical mastitis. Given fungal mastitis's resistance to conventional therapies and its significant risks to the dairy sector, the results of this study will help determine the frequency of the infection and, consequently, the application of targeted management protocols. https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116671.html This research was conducted to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate peel extract on brain tissue in experimental cadmium poisoning in common carp. 150 common carp were randomly divided into 5 groups in triplicate and evaluated for four weeks. The control group did not receive cadmium, the cadmium group received 0.5 mg/L of cadmium chloride; the cadmium+1% extract group received 0.35 g of pomegranate peel extract (1% of food weight) in addition to 0.5 mg/L of cadmium chloride in water; the cadmium+2% extract group received 0.7 g of pomegranate peel extract (2% of food weight) in addition to cadmium; and the cadmium+4% extract group received 1.4 g of pomegranate peel extract (4% of food weight) in addition to cadmium equally in four meals. After the four-week treatment period, six fish from each group were randomly selected and tissue samples were taken from their brains, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histopathological changes observed in the brain tissue of the cadmium group included hyperemia, hemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis of neurons, edema and vacuolation, and gliosis. Different amounts of pomegranate peel extract, especially 2% and 4%, reduced changes, but only the cadmium+4% extract was significant compared to the cadmium group (p<0.05). In general, it can be concluded that 4% pomegranate peel extract has significant protective effects on brain tissue in experimental cadmium poisoning in common carp. https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116667.html This study aimed to examine the protective role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) against damage caused by freeze-thawing in immature mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) by analyzing the expression of genes related to apoptosis. SSCs were extracted from the testes of 4–8-day-old C57 mice and, after verification through immunocytochemistry using the PLZF marker and an alkaline phosphatase activity test, were cultured for three weeks. The cells were then frozen in four groups: a control group without antioxidants and three groups treated with different ALA concentrations (0.2, 1, and 5 µM). Following thawing, the expression levels of BAX, BCL2, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 were measured using Real-time PCR. Findings revealed that 1 µM ALA significantly lowered the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes BAX, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9, while significantly increasing the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2 (P<0.05). The 0.2 µM dose also notably reduced BAX and Caspase-3 expression. However, the highest concentration (5 µM) showed no significant impact. The study concludes that alpha-lipoic acid, especially at 1 µM, can safeguard mouse spermatogonial stem cells from freeze-thaw damage by regulating key apoptosis-related gene expression and may serve as a beneficial additive in the cryopreservation medium for these cells. https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116670.html This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between exposure time and concentration of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) in the vitrification of bovine immature oocytes. A total of 212 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) with optimal quality were subjected to five different vitrification protocols using the Cryotop method. Independent variables included various concentrations of ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in equilibration (EM) and vitrification (VM) media, along with different exposure times (30 seconds to 3 minutes). Morphological assessment revealed that Protocol 1 (1 min EM with 10% EG/DMSO and 30 sec VM with 20% EG/DMSO) yielded the highest percentage of morphologically intact oocytes (83.34±4.24), though none achieved Grade C quality (live oocyte and <50%dead cumulus cells). In contrast, Protocol 4 (2 minutes EM with 10% EG/DMSO and 45 seconds VM with 20% EG/DMSO) demonstrated the highest Grade C (44.18±0.07). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that 30-second exposure in VM significantly increased the likelihood of Grade B (live oocyte and >50%dead cumulus cells) classification (P<0.001), whereas extending EM time to 2 minutes decreased the probability of Grade C status (P<0.001). These findings indicated that successful vitrification of bovine immature oocytes depends on the optimal balance between CPA concentration and exposure time, with Protocol 4 recommended as the optimal method for simultaneous preservation of morphology and viability. https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116675.html Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is one of the major challenges in the aquaculture industry, particularly in in rainbow trout farming. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an inactivated oral vaccine containing IPNV antigen loaded into chitosan nanoparticles and alginate matrix on the gene expression of IL-12, IL-17, and white blood cell composition in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A total of 540 fish with an average weight of 3 ± 0.5 g were divided into six groups: control, positive control (nanoparticles without antigen), and four groups receiving free antigen (0.06 or 0.12 cc per fish) or antigen-loaded nanoparticles (0.06 or 0.12 cc per fish). Oral vaccination was performed on days 0 and 15, and sampling was conducted on day 30. The results showed that antigen administration, particularly at the higher dose and when associated with nanoparticles, significantly increased the percentage of lymphocytes and significantly decreased the percentage of neutrophils (P < 0.05). The expression of IL-12 significantly increased in antigen-receiving groups, especially at the dose of 0.12 cc and in the group receiving antigen-loaded nanoparticles at 0.12 cc (P < 0.05), whereas IL-17 expression showed no significant change. It is concluded that encapsulation of IPNV antigen in chitosan-alginate nanoparticles, as a controlled-release system, can enhance Th1-type adaptive immune responses through upregulation of IL-12 and shift white blood cell composition toward more specific immunity. However, antibody titer measurement and challenge tests are necessary for definitive conclusions. https://ijvcs.sku.ac.ir/article_116672.html Perineal bladder prolapse is a life-threatening complication in dogs with perineal hernia, primarily affecting small-breed, and intact male dogs. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to urinary obstruction and systemic complications. This report describes a 9-year-old, 6.20 kg intact male Terrier dog with bilateral painful perineal swelling and urinary retention. Diagnostic evaluations included plain and contrast radiography (cystography), hematological and biochemical analyses. Elevated creatinine (3.5 mg/dL), blood urea nitrogen (47 mg/dL), and leukocytosis (21,000 cells/μL) were observed, along with tachycardia, tachypnea, and hyperthermia. Radiography confirmed a large perineal hernia with bladder retroflexion. The patient underwent emergency surgical intervention, including bladder reduction and concurrent cystopexy to prevent recurrence. Key diagnostic considerations for this condition include recognition of clinical signs (e.g., perineal mass), thorough physical examination, and diagnostic imaging. Immediate bladder decompression under sedation or anesthesia achieved via urinary catheterization and fluid therapy to correct electrolyte imbalances is crucial. Anesthetic challenges in these patients include hemodynamic instability due to hyperkalemia, hypotension induced by anesthetic agents, hypothermia, pain management, and aspiration pneumonia risk. Surgical interventions involve cystopexy, hernia repair, and neutering to minimize recurrence risk. Postoperative considerations requires monitoring urinary function, appropriate antibiotic therapy, pain management (opioid administration), fluid therapy, and restricted activity during recovery.