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Hyperlipidemia is defined as an elevation of one or more of the serum lipids, including cholesterol or triglycerides, or both of them. The aim of the present survey was comparative evaluation of the effects of ezetimibe and atorvastatin on serum lipid profile changes in cats. Twenty healthy male cats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Cholesterol powder (4 g/kg for 10 days) was administered to group A (control), atorvastatin (5 mg/kg) to group B, ezetimibe (2.5 mg/kg) to group C, and a combination of atorvastatin and ezetimibe to group D. Blood samples were collected four times, then serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, BUN, creatinine, and uric acid levels were measured using standard commercial kits. Groups B and C and especially group D were more effective in lowering serum lipid profile compared with group A ( p = 0.001). The highest reduction of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and NEFA was in group D and the highest reduction of HDL-C was observed in group B ( p = 0.001). BUN, creatinine, and uric acid levels were at normal range without any clinical findings. In conclusion, ezetimibe was more effective than atorvastatin in reducing cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination is one of the important methods for preventing and controlling of the Newcastle disease in Iran. Inactivated Newcastle disease vaccine is produced in the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Iran, and is mainly used for vaccination against Newcastle disease. Clone vaccines are used in many countries nowadays. One of the ways for cloning a virus is propagation of the virus on cell cultures to obtain discrete plaques. In this study, monolayer chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell cultures were prepared by a standard method. Monolayer CEF cells were used for plaque production trial. Confluent monolayer CEF cells were in tissue culture plates and inoculated with avian paramyxovirus-1/chicken/Australia/Queensland/V4/1966 (QV4) (V4 seed of Newcastle vaccine) with 10 50 % egg infection dose. Various dilutions of the viruses were inoculated into monolayer CEF cell cultures that were supplemented with magnesium sulfate and trypsin and agar overlay medium. No plaques were observed on CEF tissue culture plates inoculated with V4 strain without adaptation. Eight discrete large and small plaques were obtained in the 10 dilution of adapted viruses (titer 3 × 107 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml) with 2-4 mm diameter at 80 h post inoculation, and in the 10-10 dilution, there was no any plaque obtained. A dilution of 10 produced 28 plaques (1.75 × 10 PFU/ml) but not discrete plaque, and at 10-10 dilution, plaques were too much that they were not countable. Eight various plaques at 10 were collected and propagated for further investigations. The present assay is a useful tool for demonstration of discrete plaques using the adapted v4 of Newcastle disease virus within 3 days on monolayer CEF cell cultures covered with modified overlay media containing magnesium ions, diethylaminoethyl dextran, and ionoagar to ascertain the purity. This technique for plaque formation by v4 of Newcastle disease virus provides a method for establishing the purity of seed stock used in the production of vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), known for its metabolic effects, is a potential target for treating diabetes. This study aimed to assess the FGF21 levels and insulin resistance index after resistance and endurance training in the male diabetic rat's heart tissue. Twenty-four streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats have been divided into four groups randomly: endurance training (6), resistance training (6), sham (6), and healthy (6). The endurance training group trained on the treadmill 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks, while the resistance training group trained 6 sessions/week on the ladder. Before and following the first and last training sessions, blood samples had been collected to measure FBS, FBI, and HOMA. Following the final training session, heart tissue was lysed, and we determined the level of FGF21 by ELISA technique. Within- and between-group differences were measured in FBS, FBI, and HOMA-IR through analyzing data using pairwise samples T tests and repeated-measure ANOVA test respectively and the differences in FGF21 levels between groups through a one-way ANOVA test through SPSS software. The resistance training group had more FGF21 protein than the other groups. The endurance and resistance training groups did not differ significantly (P = 0.249). However, there was a significant difference from the sham group (P = 0.008). In addition, fasting blood sugar level and insulin resistance index reduced significantly in both groups of endurance training (P = 0.001, P = 0.005) and resistance training (P = 0.004, P = 0.01), and there were no significant differences between groups (P > 0.05). Both endurance and resistance training reduce fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance index. Furthermore, resistance training increases the amount of FGF21 in the heart tissue. However, there are no differences with endurance training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of serious infection such as meningoencephalitis and septicaemia with about 25 % mortality rate. The frequency is as high as 50 % in neonates. Although Listeriosis is known increasingly as a serious threat for health, there is little study in some countries, especially Asian countries. Conventional methods for detection of L. monocytogenes are laborious and time-consuming. Tests that are based on indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) method are easy and fast. This study was carried out on 120 pregnant women aged between 14 and 45 years old (mean age of 27.6) suffering from abortion and 60 healthy pregnant women with the same mean age referred to Razi and Imam Khomeini hospitals for abortion in Ahvaz, Iran. In this study, blood samples from every woman were drawn for determining of antibody titer against L. monocytogene by indirect immunofluorescence method. The results of serologic study showed that 25 cases of the case group and four cases of the control group had an antibody titer of 1:160 against this microorganism. In the case group of 25 patients who had antibody titer 1:160, only 12 patients had 1:320 titer, while of four patients in the control group, two patients had 1:320 titer (odds ratio of 3.2). Therefore, in the case group, 20.83 % had a titer of 1:160, and 10 % had a titer of 1:320. In the control group, the rates of the above antibody titers were 6.66 and 3.33 %, respectively. In conclusion, the results investigations have shown that there is a serological respond to L. monocytogenes in the women of reproductive age. The number of positive patients was greater in women who had spontaneous abortion compared with women who never had the spontaneous abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most significant postoperative complication of spaying is bleeding from ovarian pedicles. In this study, all of the ovarian vessels were bilaterally ligated; then, ovaries were stimulated by gonadotropins. In a clinical trial and sequential control experiment, five healthy mixed-breed mature female dogs were randomly selected and kept under the new situation for 3 weeks. All ovarian vessels of the dogs were double ligated, bilaterally. For 13 weeks, blood samples, vaginal cytology, and ultrasound examinations continued weekly. All dogs received eCG (200 IU/dog, IM, 5 days) and hCG (500 IU/case IM, 5th day) 1 month after ovarian ligation. After 4 weeks, all dogs were ovariohysterectomized, and ovarian specimens were submitted for histopathological evaluations. Estradiol 17β and progesterone were assayed with ELISA kits. Estradiol concentration decreased after ligation and continued to decrease to the end of study (during 10 weeks). Estradiol concentrations were different before ligation and after hormone stimulation and ovariohysterectomy (P < 0.01). Progesterone concentration decreased suddenly after ligation and had a plateau during the study. Progesterone concentrations were different before ligation period and after ligation and hormone stimulation periods (P < 0.03). An ultrasonographical evaluation showed normal ovarian structures before ligation and ovarian adhesions to bursa and ovarian hyperechogenicity without the presence of active structures. Bleeding, congestion, primordial and primary follicle necrosis, and some degree of fibrosis were observed in the histopathological evaluations. Bilateral whole vessel ovarian ligation could inactivate dogs’ ovarian function during 8 weeks. So, we suggest ligation of whole vessels of dogs’ ovaries as an alternative method for ovariectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main target of the current investigation was to estimate the overall seroprevalence rate of brucellosis in Iranian livestock (sheep, goats, and cattle) using a meta-analysis of available documents. In this review, different electronic databases were searched for the relevant studies published until January 2022, about the seroprevalence of brucellosis in animals in Iran. A chi-squared test and also a random effect model (REM) were used to determine the heterogeneity of studies and to estimate the pooled seroprevalence among subgroups, respectively. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 3%, 4%, and 5% in cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively (Pooled seroprevalence = 3%). The highest pooled seroprevalence was reported 75% in West Azerbaijan, northwest of Iran, while the lowest rate was 1% in Charmahal and Bakhtiyari and Khuzestan, southwest regions of Iran. This was a review study on brucellosis in animals in Iran. There was no comprehensive data on animal brucellosis from some locations in Iran; which was the main limitation of our work. Further studies of the brucellosis seroprevalence rate in animals, especially in endemic regions of Iran, as well as associated risk factors, are highly recommended. This is essential for developing a launch control strategy for eliminating the disease. Also, healthy measures such as increasing livestock vaccination and farmers' education must be improved in the areas with higher seroprevalence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The causative agent of Chlamydiosis, also called enzootic abortion of sheep, is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium called Chlamydia abortus. Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Chlamydiosis and changes in oxidative stress levels in sheep abortions in the Black Sea Region. Method: PCR analysis made from aborted fetuses of 393 sheep from 8 provinces between 2019–2021; Presence of C. abortus detected in 65 aborted fetuses (16.5%). In the study, oxidative stress parameters such as CP, MDA, TOS, TAS and OSI levels were investigated. Result: CP, MDA, TOS, TAS and OSI values were respectively as 6.92 ± 2.29 mg/mL, 28.8 ± 4.79 µmol/g, 14.01 ± 7.25 µmol H2O2 Eq/L, 2.19 ± 0.67 mmol Trolox Eq/L, 6.94 ± 4.31 AU in the control group. In the chlamydia infected group, CP, MDA, TOS, TAS and OSI values were 10.96 ± 6.75 mg/mL, 92.31 ± 73.08 µmol/g, 36.04 ± 28.31 µmol H2O2 Eq/L, 1.91 ± 1.02 mmol Trolox Eq/L, 22.39 ± 19.5 AU was determined. Conclusions: CP, MDA, TOS and OSI levels were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the C. abortus infected group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). It was determined that the TAS level decreased in the infected group compared to the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). As a result, it was determined that C. abortus was found at a substantial rate in small ruminant abortion cases in the Black Sea Region. In addition, it was determined for the first time in Türkiye that the oxidative stress increased in abortions caused by C. abortus and infected small ruminants could not produce enough antioxidants. It is thought that this result may be useful in the diagnosis of C. abortus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen deficiency intensifies sarcopenia by activation of inflammatory and oxidative pathways. Aerobic exercise training and antioxidant/inflammatory supplements might reverse such outcomes or decline the degenerative pathway. Thus, we investigated the impact of aerobic training and crocin (CRO) consumption on skeletal muscle MuRf-1 and plasma antioxidant and inflammatory statues in ovariectomized (OVX) rat models fed on a high-fat diet (HFD). 72 female Wistar rats (200 ± 20 gr) were randomly divided into 9 groups: (1) non-OVX + standard chow (nOVX + SC), (2) nOVX + HFD, (3) high-intensity continuous training (HICT) + OVX + HFD + CRO, (4) HICT + OVX + HFD, (5) moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) + OVX + HFD + CRO, (6) MICT + OVX + HFD, (7) OVX + HFD + CRO, (8) OVX + SC, and (9) OVX + HFD. The OVX rats underwent surgery for menopause model induction. Immediately after the ovariectomy, rats were fed either by HFD or SC. Seven weeks later, exercise training (HICT/MICT; 8-week, 5-session, 12–30 m/min or 12–21 m/min) and CRO consumption (60 mg/kg) intervention per sessions were performed. The plasma levels of SOD, GSH, and TNF-α and muscle levels of MuRf-1 were assessed using the ELISA method. A two-tailed t-test and one-way ANOVA were applied for data analysis. There was not a significant difference in the protein levels of MuRF1 as the CRO caused an increase in the TNF-α levels as compared to the control. HICT significantly decreased SOD levels as compared to the control, CRO, and MICT. There was no significant difference in GSH levels between intervention arms. Exercise training and CRO supplementations did not make any significant changes in muscle mass regulation factors in the OVX rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important causal agent of border disease (BD), border disease virus (BDV), is a Pestivirus in the family Flaviviridae. In attention to the lack of molecular documented data on the prevalence of BDV in Iran, especially in East Azerbaijan Province, northwest of Iran, this research was designed to determine the prevalence of BDV in suspected ewes that have an antecedent of reproductive failure. Eighty-eight suspected ewes in the breed of Ghezel, Mogan, and mix (Ghezel × Mogan) in five various districts of East Azerbaijan Province (Azershahr, Lyqvan, Osku, Sofian, and Varzqan) were selected. Razi bovine kidney (RBK) cell lines were grown, and the buffy coat layer was separated and inoculated to the monolayer cell culture. All cell cultures were inspected for cytopathic effects after 5-7 days. BDV genomes were being checked using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. Ten samples (10/88, 11.36 %) were positive for the genome of BDV. The prevalence of BDV infection was found to vary between different districts. The highest percentage of infected sheep was in animals at the 3-4.5-year-old range (15.38 %). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence among different age categories. The highest BDV infection rate was observed in full blood ewes in Mogan and Ghezel. Cytopathic effects of the virus in the culture on RBK cell line were not observed at all. This study proved that the infection of BDV is present in sheep in the East Azerbaijan, northwest of Iran, and cause some reproductive failure in the flocks. The survey is the first molecular evidence of the occurrence of the disease in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that can cause harmful effects on human and animal health due to its transfer to the food chain. Our previous work showed that probiotic candidates of Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus plantarum can relieve mercury oral harmful effects in rats. Hence, this follow-up study investigated the effect of these two bacteria on chronic cadmium toxicity. Forty-eight Wistar rats have been studied for 48 days, so that cadmium receiving groups received 100 μg/mL of cadmium chloride per day through gavage. Daily administration of 1 × 109 CFU/spore/mL of B. coagulans and L. plantarum bacteria increased cadmium excretion through feces and reduced the metal absorption in liver and kidney tissues. The probiotic treatment has led to the revival of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as oxidative stress parameters in rats that have been significantly reduced due to cadmium exposure. Both probiotics also reduced renal and hepatic damage bio-markers including urea, creatinine, bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) in rats" blood. The results summarize the potential protective effects of probiotic bacteria B. coagulans and L. plantarum against cadmium toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa peregrina (M. peregrina) is a native species of Southwest Asia used to prepare traditional foods which have a wide range of antioxidants that can prevent metabolic disorders. The great interest has focused on the preparation and administration of herbal products to treat hyperlipidemia with fewer or no side effects along with economic and easy availability compared to conventional drugs. This study aimed to assess the lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects of aqueous ethanolic extract of M. peregrina leaves on fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model in rabbits as well as morphological changes, cytotoxic, and anti-lipid peroxidation effects of M. peregrine leaf extract (MPLE) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Thirty-two adult male rabbits received a standard diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 112 days. During days 56–112, the standard diet group received normal saline, and the HFD groups received normal saline, M. peregrina extract (200 mg/kg body weight) orally by gavage, or simvastatin (0.6 mg/kg body weight) orally by gavage. Lipid profile, glutathione content, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and liver histology were assessed. The morphological changes, cytotoxic, and anti-lipid peroxidation effects of MPLE were evaluated on HUVECs. Administration of MPLE and simvastatin alone improved the high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and lipid peroxidation in HFD rabbits. The results also showed that MPLE and simvastatin significantly decreased body weight, tissue and cellular malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (P < 0.001), and improved the antioxidant enzyme of rabbits fed HFD. Besides, MPLE induced time- and concentration-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity on HUVECs. Histopathological appearance of liver tissue confirmed the beneficial effect of the extract. Our results showed that MPLE might be a candidate agent for preventing NAFLD due to its lipid-lowering and antioxidative potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pigeon fly ( Pseudolychia canariensis) causes irritation in infested birds and potentially transmits malaria-like parasites such as Haemoproteus columbae. On the other hand, the pigeon fly may be infested by mites, a phenomenon called phoresy. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of pigeon fly, identify its possible phoretic association with mites, and determine the prevalence of hemoproteid parasites in domestic pigeons ( Columba livia domestica) in Kermanshah province, west of Iran. From May 2015 to May 2016, 16 colonies of domestic pigeons were investigated. In case of infestation, the flies were fixed in ethanol containing glycerin and then placed in potassium hydroxide. The flies were identified based on morphological characteristics. The masses suspected to contain mites were removed from the body surfaces of flies by centrifugation and floatation methods. Extracted mites were mounted on glass slides and identified based on morphology. Blood smears were prepared from pigeons for observing possible hemoproteid parasites. Out of 16 colonies of pigeons, one colony (6.25%) was infested with pigeon fly and a mite, identified as Myialges anchora. Blood smears taken from the birds in this pigeon loft were positive for H. columbae. To the best of our knowledge, this survey showed the phoretic association between pigeon fly and M. anchora for the first time in domestic pigeons in western regions of Iran. It is recommended that in case of avian and mammals' infestation with flies, especially hippoboscid flies, possible infestation with mites and phoretic association between the flies and mites should be investigated as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatophytes are responsible for the majority of human and animal cutaneous mycoses. Proteases secreted by dermatophytes offer potential virulence factors. Multiple proteases have been discovered as possible virulence factors. In Iran, however, no human nor animal isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes have been examined for the presence of the subtilisin (SUB) gene family. Therefore, we investigated the existence of SUB1-7 genes in T. mentagrophytes isolated from dermatophytosis lesions in humans and animals. Ten and eight molecularly verified T. mentagrophytes isolates obtained from human and bovine dermatophytosis, respectively, were examined for the presence of SUB genes. In two multiplex PCR panels, all T. mentagrophytes strains were examined. The initial multiplex PCR primers detected the presence of SUB1, SUB4, SUB5, and SUB6. The second multiplex PCR panel includes SUB2, SUB3, and SUB7 specific primers. DNA sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has been used to positively identify all T. mentagrophytes isolates (rDNA). All T. mentagrophytes strains tested positive for SUB1, SUB2, SUB4, SUB6, and SUB7. While SUB5 was not found in any of the isolates, SUB3 was present in 90% of human and 100% of animal dermatophytosis samples. The presence of dermatophyte virulence factors, or SUB genes, is indicative of the existence of many dermatophyte species that share a common ancestor. However, the fact that our clinical isolates lacked the SUB5 gene suggests that not all SUB genes contribute to pathogenesis and infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In adult, cystic lymphangioma of mesentery is an extremely rare manifestation of an intraperitoneal tumor. The clinical presentations of it are variable and occasionally area incidental finding. Herein, we describe a mesenteric cystic lymphangioma in a 39-year-old Iranian woman. The patient was presented with abdominal pain in the periumbilical area from 6 h earlier in the morning. Histopathological review of the excised mass revealed large numbers of cystic lymphatic channels lined by flattened endothelial cells and had smooth muscle bundles in their walls. The patient had an uneventful postoperative period. Although mesenteric cystic lymphangiomas are very rare, the clinical presentations of them are not specific. Therefore, surgeons and pathologist sensitization and awareness about these diagnostic challenges are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne Gram-negative intracellular bacterium that could infect a few leukocytes of a large range of mammalian hosts together with humans. The clinical symptoms of the disease (granulocytic anaplasmosis) can vary from subclinical to fatal. The study aimed to detect A. phagocytophilum among camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Iran through two distinctive diagnostic techniques. One hundred twenty-five blood samples of male camels (C. dromedarius) were taken. Thin blood films were stained by Giemsa and DNA was extracted from whole blood for molecular examination. In this study, A. phagocytophilum was detected by microscopy and molecular examination among 125 male camels (C. dromedarius) in Yazd, central Iran. The A. phagocytophilum morula was observed in one sample out of 125 (0.8%) in microscopic examination and was detected in 4 samples out of 125 (3.2%) in the molecular examination. According to the results, A. phagocytophilum infects camels (C. dromedarius) consequently, camels can play a role in the infection of ticks, other animals, or humans. Many aspects of this disease continue to be set up by way of further studies in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery and anesthesia cause different metabolic and endocrine responses, including post-operative immunosuppression. The "surgical stress" which occurs before, during, and after an operative procedure causes the immunosuppression. It is the end result of different stimuli such as psychological stress, tissue injury, alterations in circulation, anesthetic agents, and postoperative complications. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, sympathetic nervous system, and cytokines cooperate the stress system. In this study, the levels of serum cytokines including IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were evaluated following the use of ketoconazole and glucocorticoids (derived from HPA axis) synthesis inhibition. After the adaptation, thirty-six adult male rats were divided equally into three groups as follows: control, K15, and K30. These groups received normal saline, 15 mg/kg bw ketoconazole, and 30 mg/kg bw ketoconazole orally for 3 days every 24 h, respectively. The animals were anesthetized with propofol (100 mg/kg) and midazolam (3 mg/kg); then laparotomy, as a minor surgery, was performed. Four animals from each group were anesthetized by the same anesthetics at T0 (before surgery) and T1 and T2 (24 and 72 h after surgery respectively), blood samples were collected from the heart, and serum cytokines were analyzed by ELISA. Ketoconazole prevented IL-2 suppression and also increased TNF-α levels. This drug could increase IFN-γ levels at 30 mg/kg. Ketoconazole prevents IL-2 suppression by inhibiting corticosterone synthesis and can help to improve the disease. But this drug, by increasing TNF-α, can make various prognoses in different surgeries which may disturb improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone healing is comprised of a complex cascade of events to repair the fractured bone and gain functionality. This process is affected by numerous local and systemic factors such as the degree and extent of the injury, cardiovascular disorders, age, sex, chronic diseases, nutritional status, stimulants, and drugs used. The current study aimed to resolve the relationship of ibuprofen treatment and sex-specific bone healing in a rat model of the tibial fraction. The bone defect was inflicted by a tibial monocortical osteotomy with a 1-mm diameter. Male and female rats were injected with saline or ibuprofen (30 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks post-surgery. Bone healing quality was assessed after 4 weeks of the experiment. Moreover, the serum IL1B level was measured and associated with bone healing quality measures. Only the female rats with ibuprofen treatment showed an integration of adjacent and cortical bones, which indicates an accelerated bone healing in these animals. In contrast, the males with no ibuprofen treatment had the highest serum IL1B concertation. In general, the serum IL1B was negatively correlated with bone cellularity. Our result suggests a beneficial effect of the short ibuprofen treatment on bone healing but mainly for females. This preliminary study encourages additional clinical and experimental research to adapt a sex-specific post-surgical analgesic treatment to improve the bone healing quality of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean is a plant known as Glycine max that due to its essential amino acids and isoflavones which are amongst the most important types of phytoestrogens is widely used. The function of ovary is directly affected by serum levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The objective was to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of the ovaries followed by consumption of soybean through the precise and non-convergent technique of stereology, in immature animals. Thirty adult NMRI female mice at the age of 3 weeks were divided into three groups including the control, the experimental 1, and the experimental 2. The animals were fed a diet prepared by a nutritionist for 3 months. The control group received a soy-free diet and the experimental groups 1 and 2 received a diet that provided 15 and 35% of soybean as the protein content, respectively. Serum levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH were measured and the right ovaries were used for stereological studies. The results showed a significant increase in the volume of pre-antral and antral follicles, the ratio of cortical volume to total ovarian volume, the ratio of corpus luteum volume to total ovarian volume, the ratio of the total volume of follicles to the total volume of ovaries, and also the volume of oocytes in follicles (P < 0.05). Also in treatment groups, between serum levels of estrogen and progesterone, a significant increase was observed. The present study showed that soybean meal consumption affects the morphometric characteristics of the ovaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we describe an ill-defined firm mass in the mammary tissue in an 8-year-old terrier dog. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology showed a moderate cellularity with numerous bland bare nuclei and proliferating fibroblasts in a bloody background. Occasional clusters of spindle cells also were present. Histopathologically, a proliferation of spindle cells without atypia forming or interlacing fascicles was observed. A variable amount of collagen was seen in the background. There was no evidence of mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical analysis presented that the neoplastic cells expressed vimentin and smooth muscle actin (SMA) but did not stain for cytokeratin, S-100 protein, and CD 34. Based on cytology, histopathology, and immunohistochemical findings, the present tumor was diagnosed as mammary fibromatosis. Although fibromatosis has been reported rarely in the veterinary literature, it could be considered in differential diagnosis list of any spindle cell lesions in the breast. Histopathological examination in conjunction with the judicious use of immunohistochemistry (IHC) is required in order to reach a correct diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of satisfactory histological characterization of prostatic adenocarcinomas in dogs is difficult, although many morphological similarities are found to be in common with humans. In humans, biological behaviour of the tumour correlates with this grading; however, this correlation is not well documented in canines. We describe the pathological features of prostatic carcinoma in a dog using the Gleason system where the related score was estimated as 7 (3 + 4). Perineural invasion was also noted, and the neoplastic cells showed no reaction with PSA antibody but were positive for Ki-67 and CK-7 and IHC staining. The expression of Ki-67-SI was 3.28 %. Traditional canine prostate cancer classification could not cover the obscured characteristics of our case; therefore, a more descriptive histological pattern system using the Gleason grading is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]