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The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of two commercial mastitis vaccines (Startvac® and Mastivac®) and their influence on oxidant and antioxidant capacities of milk samples in a dairy farm. A total of 165 Holstein dairy cows were recruited into the study and were divided into Startvac®, Mastivac®, and control groups. The effects on the incidence and severity of clinical mastitis cases, duration of treatment, infection status, bacteriologic culture, somatic cell count, 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, incidence of metritis and endometritis, and milk yield were evaluated within the first 90 days of lactation. The incidence of clinical mastitis was not significantly different among groups. The mean SCCs during the first, second, and third months of lactation did not differ significantly. The percentage of cured cows did not differ significantly. TNB and FRAP assays were used to know whether or not vaccination against mastitis has an effect on oxidant and antioxidant capacity of milk samples, which did not differ significantly. In conclusion, we observed no significant difference in the abovementioned variables. However, it is possible that applying mastitis vaccines within the specific conditions may have positive effects considering the results of previous studies.

Few tools exist in natural products discovery to integrate biological screening and untargeted mass spectrometry data at the library scale. Previously, we reported Compound Activity Mapping as a strategy for predicting compound bioactivity profiles directly from primary screening results on extract libraries. We now present NP Analyst, an open online platform for Compound Activity Mapping that accepts bioassay data of almost any type, and is compatible with mass spectrometry data from major instrument manufacturers via the mzML format. In addition, NP Analyst will accept processed mass spectrometry data from the MZmine 2 and GNPS open-source platforms, making it a versatile tool for integration with existing discovery workflows. We demonstrate the utility of this new tool for both the dereplication of known compounds and the discovery of novel bioactive natural products using a challenging low-resolution antimicrobial bioassay data set. This new platform is available at www.npanalyst.org.

We sought to ascertain the structure of spruce and pine genomes via sequencing of randomly selected bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from both white spruce and loblolly pine. In the first genomic comparison of spruce and pine for its time, using 454 sequencing, we compared 96 random BACs from each species. Thirty-three (spruce) and 24 (pine) genes were found in the BACs that spanned 8.7 MB (spruce) and 10.3 MB (pine), respectively; greater numbers of pseudogenes were also found. The gene numbers found in BACs gives conflicting estimates about the true numbers of genes in the genome (46K in pine, 75K in spruce). There were ten times as many retrotransposons as genes, and clustering of inverted repeats showed transposition may have peaked in both species about 50 million years ago. Dotplots of BACs show interesting repeat structures in these conifers. A phylogeny of retrotransposons shows recent periods of expansion in both species, and a general peak of activity ca. 50 million years ago. Besides providing a snapshot of conifer genome structure and evolution, BACs can aid in the assembly of conifer genomes.

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. In group 2 (n=212), cows received 10 µg buserelin acetate, and group 3 (n=205) was treated with both 150 µg d-cloprostenol and 10 µg buserelin acetate. In addition, 213 cows were assigned as control group which received normal saline as placebo (group 4). To measure progesterone, milk samples were collected at the insemination day and five days later. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 28 and 60 days after the insemination, and the size and number of corpus luteum (CL) and twin pregnancies were recorded. Hormone therapies had no effect on the P/AI, pregnancy survival rate, and the size and number of CL. The P/AI ratio in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 38.50%, 42.92%, 41.46% and 40.84%, and the pregnancy survival rates in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 84.42%, 86.81%, 88.23% and 83.91%, respectively. The probability of a twin pregnancy was significantly higher in group 1 (15.58%) than other groups. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of the offspring gender. In conclusion, the administration of d-cloprostenol or buserelin acetate at the time of AI had no effect on P/AI and pregnancy survival rate in dairy cattle under no heat stress condition, while the administration of d-cloprostenol increased the probability of twin pregnancies.

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are involved in cellular proliferation, pluripotency, tissue-specific remodelling and regulation of developmental processes. These elements are transcriptionally active in mouse and human pre-implantation embryos. Empirical evidence indicates that regulatory networks involved with ERV transcripts are responsible for pluripotency and totipotency at certain stages of mouse and human pre-implantation development. Yet, the expression in pre-implantation bovine embryo remains unidentified. To determine whether two members of bovine endogenous retroviruses, BERV-K1 and BERV-K2, are expressed in the pre-implantation bovine embryo, each embryonic stage developed in vitro and was subjected to RNA release, reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. We found that BERV-K1 and BERV-K2 are expressed throughout different stages of pre-implantation development. The higher level of expression was detected in embryonic blastomeres with totipotent/pluripotent status (two-cell to 16-cell stages), while the more differentiated blastocyst stage showed significantly lower levels of ERVs expression. These findings suggest a possible role for endogenous retroviruses in the establishment of totipotent and pluripotent states in pre-implantation bovine embryo, similar to functions which have been suggested for these elements in human and mouse embryos.

The study explored the appropriacy of socio-cultural contexts in Top-Notch Series. For this purpose, a survey questionnaire was used to elicit the teachers and supervisors’ perceptions concerning the Series. The findings revealed that the intercultural content of the Series was understandable and positively evaluated by the participants. However, the textbooks had no clear objectives in the beginning and did not satisfy what was stated. Moreover, the textbooks did not satisfy teachers and supervisors’ expectations regarding teachability. Finally, there was no clear consensus regarding the cultural awareness component. To conclude, some implications and suggestions for teachers and textbook designers are considered.

This study aims to explore the extent to which evaluating a research article by Iranian university instructors and article reviewers in the discipline of applied linguistics is influenced by the writer's overuse, underuse, or moderate use of lexical bundles. To this end, fifteen Iranian university instructors and article reviewers were asked evaluate three research papers that were identical except for the frequency of the use of lexical bundles. Then they completed a questionnaire designed to elicit their views regarding the use of lexical bundles in research papers. The analysis of the data showed that the use of lexical bundles has a significant effect on Iranian instructors and article reviewers’ evaluation of research articles in the field of applied linguistics. The results imply that instructors of writing courses and students who wish to write and publish research articles should give special attention to lexical bundles.

Diarrhea is one of the most frequent diseases of neonatal calves in dairy herds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of neonatal diarrhea and other conditions on subsequent first lactation milk production and reproductive performance of heifer calves up to the first calving. Seven hundred heifer calves (350 with and 350 without the history of diarrhea in first month of life) were monitored from birth until a year after calving. For each heifer, birth season, birth weight, ease of birth and occurrence of diseases from birth to the end of first lactation were recorded as independent variables. Interval from birth to first service, interval from birth to conception, interval from birth to first calving and 305-days milk yield in the first lactation were recorded as dependent variables. Effects of explanatory variables on productive and reproductive indices were evaluated by survival analysis and general linear model. Heifers with the history of diarrhea during the first month of their lives showed lower daily hazard of conception [Hazard ratio: 0.85 (95%CI: 0.73-0.99)] and calving [Hazard ratio: 0.84 (95%CI: 0.72-0.98)] than those of healthy heifers. Subsequent reproductive performance of heifer calves was also associated with birth season and ease of birth. Further, heifer calves born with birth weight of below 35 kg produced an average of 518 and 506 l less milk in their first lactation compared to calves with a birth weight 40-45 (p = 0.013) and greater than 45 kg (P = 0.033), respectively. These findings showed that occurrence of neonatal diarrhea and other neonatal parameters are associated with harmful effects on subsequent production and reproductive performance.

The Saanen goat is one of the highest milk-producing goat breeds and has a high reproductive yield. Twelve pregnant dairy Saanen does were selected to study the variations in energy-related blood metabolites during periparturition and to highlight the negative energy balance (NEB) rate during this critical period. Blood from the jugular vein was collected from each doe on days 29, 14 and 6 before the expected kidding time and also 12 h and on days 7, 13, 19, 21, 28, 35 and 42 postpartum. The concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were determined. Since serum metabolites were measured over time, a repeated measures approach using ANOVA with mixed linear models was used. The results of our study indicated that the changes in BHBA concentrations were between 134 and 375 μmol/l. There was a low number of does with BHBA concentrations above 1,000 μmol/l. However, the number of does with abnormal NEFA concentrations (≥0.6 mmol/l) was high. The NEFA results were in agreement with the increased proportion of does with AST concentrations greater than the cutoff level (≥100 U/l). We conclude that similar to dairy cows, NEB occurs in dairy Saanen goats during the periparturition period. NEFA concentration reflected a NEB better than BHBA in dairy Saanen goats.

Three different treatments were compared to improve pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in repeat-breeder (RB) dairy cows. All cows (n=103) were assigned to one of four groups: (1) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH); (2) human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); (3) once-used controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device; and (4) control. All treatments performed 5-6days after artificial insemination (AI) and milk samples were collected just before treatment for progesterone assays. There were no significant differences in milk fat progesterone concentration among trial groups. Cows were observed for estrus signs thrice daily. Pregnancy per AI on day 45 in hCG and CIDR groups were significantly higher than GnRH and control groups (60.0% and 56.0% vs. 26.9% and 29.6%, respectively), but there were no differences in P/AI between GnRH and control groups. There were also no significant differences between hCG and CIDR groups. Milk fat progesterone concentrations were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant cows in each group and only in the hCG group it was significantly lower in pregnant cows. In conclusion, treating repeat-breeder cows with hCG or once-used CIDR 5-6days after AI improved P/AI.

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). Most IMI were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae and coliforms. The overall bacteriological cure (BC) rates for sub-clinical IMI were 84.61%, 91.37% and 20% for the conventional, extended and the control groups, respectively, indicating a higher BC rate for the treated groups than the control group (P < 0.001). Significant differences in somatic cell count (SCC) were detected between the treated versus the control group (P < 0.001). No differences, concerning the BC rate or SCC, were observed between the extended and the conventional groups. Although fat and protein percentages increased in the treated groups, there were no significant differences in post-treatment milk production between the groups. Results of this study indicate that cefquinome therapy was effective in reducing SCC and eliminating sub-clinical IMI in lactating dairy cows, but extended therapy did not enhance treatment efficacy.

A prospective study involving 18 pregnant ewes of Baloochi breed were conducted to measure the effect of monensin administered 40 days pre-lambing on metabolic function pre-parturition and post-parturition. The pregnant ewes were randomly assigned to one of the 4 treatments: 1) were received monensin and fed an ordinary ration, 2) received monensin and fed restricted ration, 3) fed restricted ration without monensin and 4) control group which fed an ordinary ration without monensin administration. Blood was sampled from each sheep at days 60, 45, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, 1 prior to parturition, and hour 12 and days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 13, 19 and 21 postpartum. The BHB concentrations significantly decreased in animals which received monensin and fed a restricted or an ordinary ration in comparison to the group which not received monensin and fed a restricted ration at prepartum period. The sheep which received monensin showed lower concentrations of NEFA in comparison to animals which were not received monensin. There was no significant effect of monensin on energy, protein indicators and electrolytes in postpartum period. However, feed restriction significantly decreased the concentrations of cholesterol, urea, albumin and Mg at post-parturition period. The results of this study indicate that administration of monensin to pregnant ewes during prepartum period had a markedly positive influence on energy indicators in late pregnancy.

Problem statement: The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) known as black seed or black cumin, are used in herbal medicine all over the world for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases and conditions that include asthma, diarrhea and dyslipidaemia. Approach: In this study the effect of intramammary injection of Nigella Sativa Extract (NSE) in paraffin on quarter milk, quality and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and the shedding pattern of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. Thirty Holstein cows, naturally infected with S. aureus subclinical mastitis, were subjected to treatment with the NSE at a dose of 10 mL in paraffin (200 mg mL −1 ) per day for 3 days, or with 10 mL paraffin as control. The injection areas were checked for adverse reactions. The daily milk production was measured before and after treatment. Intramammary injection of NSE caused a remarkable healing. Quarter milk samples were collected for bacteriological analysis and Somatic Cell Counts (SCC). The bacterial count moderately decreased in the treatment group. After the end of the treatment, the numbers of S. aureus-infected quarters and milk SCC tended to decrease in the NSE- treated cows. These clarifications were significantly higher one week post-treatment than pre- treatment. Similar changes were not observed in the control group. Results: The results of the present study showed that the NSE has potential as a therapeutic agent for S. aureus infection causing subclinical mastitis of dairy cows and may contribute to the cow's recovery from mastitis. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results indicate that Nigella sativa might act as an antibacterial in vivo in dairy cows.

Problem statement: Little research has focused on treatment of cows w ith subclinical mastitis during lactation. The seed of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae), commonly known as black seed or black cumin, is used in folk (herbal) medic ine. Approach: Objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa Extract (NSE) with two regimens for treatment of s ubclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows and to determine w hich regimen enhanced efficacy of it. Results: From one hundred Holstein dairy research herd in Mashhad-Iran, 83 cows with a total of 157 subclinically Staphylococcus aureus infected quarters were included. Cows were enrolled in the study based on milk somatic cell counts >200,000 mL -1 and isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in 3 samples obtained 1 week apart. About 10 cc of NSE (in paraffin: 200 mg cc -1 ) was administered via intramammary infusion. First, Cows were divided into three treat ment groups. Group 1 (37 cows) received intramammary infusion at each milking (3 times dail y) for 3 days with 10 cc NSE. Group 2 (24 cows) received the same intramammary infusion but only once daily for 3 days. The third, 22 cows were included as an untreated negative control group. Re sults in bacteriologic cure of 69.4% of quarters an d 59.5% of cows (Group 1) compared to 60% of quarters and 45.8% of cows (Group 2). Test for mastitis diagnosis Somatic cell counts of milk from quarters that were not cured were higher prior to initiatio n of treatment than those cured. A bacteriological cu re was defined as a treated infected mammary quarter that was bacteriologically negative for the presence of S. aureus at 3-7 day after the last treatment. Conclusion: All two Nigella sativa treatment regimens were significantly better than the negative control and the nine dose Nigella sativa treatment regimen treatment group was not significantly better than the three dose treatment group (p = 0.332).

A collection of cDNA libraries from white spruce (Picea glauca) and interior spruce (P. glauca × engelmanii) vascular tissue were analyzed to identify a set of genes that could serve as tissue-related markers within the coniferous vascular system. Multivariate exploratory methods identified up to 128 genes co-expressed similarly among three xylem libraries. The majority (87) of these genes formed three distinctive meta-clusters, denoting putative gene cliques in xylem tissue. Of the selected genes, 33 (25%) exhibited no significant sequence homology in queries against any public databases, indicating the possibility of their unique expression in the xylem tissue of conifers. Another 38 genes (30%) had ambiguous annotation. Validation of the annotated genes with analog data, obtained from a wet-lab study utilizing microarray slides with 18,881 spots, resulted in a screened list of 29 genes as xylem-related markers. Response to stress was the predominant category to which the screened genes corresponded. Among the screened genes, elements of the phenolics biosynthesis, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and laccase, together with the fundamental enzyme of the cell wall biosynthesis, cellulose synthase, prominently delineated characteristics of the wood-forming tissue, xylem.

Conserved ortholog set (COS) markers are evolutionary conserved, single-copy genes, identified from large databases of express sequence tags (ESTs). They are of particular use for constructing syntenic genetic maps among species. In this study, we identified a set of 1,813 putative single-copy COS markers between spruce and loblolly pine, then designed primers for 931 of these markers and tested these primers with DNA from spruce, pine, and Douglas fir. Of these 931 primers, 56% (524) amplified a product in both spruce and pine, and 71% (373) of these were single-banded; 224 amplicons were single-banded in all three species. Even though these COS markers were selected from large EST databases, a substantial proportion (20–30%) of amplicons displayed multiple bands or smears, suggesting significant paralogy. Sequencing of three single-banded amplicons showed high nucleotide similarities among 29 conifer species, suggesting orthology of single-banded amplicons. Screening for COS marker polymorphism in two pedigrees of white spruce and two pedigrees of loblolly pine revealed an average informativeness of 36% for spruce and 24% for pine (e.g., at least one parent was heterozygous for a single-nucleotide polymorphism within the entire amplified product). This corresponds to an average nucleotide heterozygosity of 0.05% and 0.03%, respectively, which is considerably lower than that found in other studies of spruce and pine. Thus, the advantages of COS markers for constructing syntenic maps are offset by their lower polymorphism.

This study describes the variation of serum biochemical metabolites during transition period in dairy cows. Blood samples were obtained on days 22 and 8 prepartum and days 7 and 21 postpartum (pp), to determine total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, calcium, glucose, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). NEFA concentrations during the pre-fresh period had a positive correlation with triglyceride, BHBA, and AST during post-calving days. This finding indicates that NEFA testing during the last days of a dry period is a reliable predictor of fat mobilization and energy status during this transition period. Serum glucose showed no strong correlations with other energy-related metabolites. AST was significantly correlated to triglyceride, BHBA, NEFA, cholesterol, and glucose at day 8 pp. AST also showed significant correlation with triglyceride concentrations at days −8 and +8 relating to parturition. In addition, AST was significantly correlated to BHBA and NEFA at day 21 pp.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of some haematological and serum biochemical constituents for predicting the survival of diarrhoeic calves. Twenty-four Holstein-breed calves, up to 14 days old, that showed signs of naturally occurring diarrhoea were included in the study. A complete clinical evaluation was performed before treatment. Haematological parameters (haematocrit, fibrinogen and complete blood count) and serum biochemistry including serum albumin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) were measured. The diarrhoeic calves had significantly higher serum concentrations of total protein, BUN, creatinine and K and significantly lower levels of serum glucose and Cl than the control calves. The haematological profile of diarrhoeic calves was significantly different from that of the normal ones. The concentration of K was also significantly higher in diarrhoeic calves that died than in diarrhoeic calves that survived. We assessed the values of haematocrit, BUN, creatinine and K as risk factors for calf diarrhoea survival. The mean of maximum values of these parameters in diarrhoeic calves that survived and the minimum values of dead calves were considered as cutoff points. The results of the present study showed that diarrhoeic calves with BUN levels above 13.07 mmol/l and K concentrations above 5.63 mEq/l were 5.6 and four times more likely to die, respectively.

Retained placenta (RP) is one of the most important complications in cattle because it affects milk production and reproductive performance. To determine any changes between healthy cows and cows that retained their afterbirth, serum metabolites, haematological parameters and hormonal concentrations were measured 96–48 h prepartum and 24–48 h postpartum in 15 healthy and 15 RP dairy cows. Serum metabolites were not different between the two groups, pre- and postpartum; only Na was marginally lower in RP cows prepartum and albumin was marginally lower in RP cows postpartum. There were also no differences between the two groups prepartum according to blood parameters. Only fibrinogen was significantly higher in RP cows postpartum. Progesterone and cortisol did not differ significantly between the two groups pre- and postpartum but estrogen concentration was significantly lower in the RP group, pre- and postpartum. Progesterone/estrogen ratio was also significantly higher in the RP group prepartum and postpartum. In conclusion, lower estrogen concentrations and higher progesterone/estrogen ratio seem to be the main hormonal changes in RP cows and one time sampling 4 to 2 days before calving can reveal these changes.

Since the iron requirements of ruminants are not well established and most recommendations are estimates, this study was performed to determine whe- ther 150mg/day iron supplementation in neonatal dairy calves (heifer replacement system) fed roughage and concentrates could promote a healthy haematology and iron profile. A total of 40 calves was used in the present study. The animals were divided into two groups (test 20 and control 20). In the test group, oral iron, as ferrous sulphate, was given as a supplement to each calf at a rate of 150 mg/daily for 28 days starting at birth. Sampling was conducted from the jugular vein immediately after birth and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after birth. The test group had significantly higher levels of haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (PCV) at 14, 21 and 28 days than the control group (P

This study project was launched in order to contribute to the studies conducted for investigating the efficiency of different models of reading instruction. The aim of this paper was to investigate students’ attitude towards using cooperative language learning techniques for reading instruction. Although cooperative methods are becoming more prevalent in private language schools, there are few studies regarding evaluating the students’ attitude towards using cooperative learning for instructing reading comprehension in Iranian context. Evaluation of students’ attitude towards the cooperative language learning in this research project was conducted using a survey questionnaire. Analysis of the quantitative questionnaire results showed that the participants generally tend towards supporting the implementation of cooperative strategies in teaching and learning reading comprehension.

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan which causes abortion in cattle worldwide. The present study was designed to assess the importance of bovine neosporosis for causing abortion in Iranian cattle. Infection was primarily diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), complemented with histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). One hundred brains of aborted bovine fetuses were collected from Iranian dairy herd between 2003 and 2005 in Mashhad area. N. caninum was detected by PCR in the brains of 13 aborted fetuses. Lesions consistent with N. caninum infection were observed in 12 of fetal brains. Immunohistochemical examination of brain detected N. caninum organisms in three aborted fetuses, and a thick-walled (2 mum) cyst with 50 mum diameter was identified in one of the IHC-positive brain. The results indicated that neosporosis is an important cause of abortion in dairy cattle of Iran.

Populus trichocarpa is an ecologically important tree across western North America. We used a large population sample of 498 accessions over a wide geographical area genotyped with a 34K Populus SNP array to quantify geographical patterns of genetic variation in this species (landscape genomics). We present evidence that three processes contribute to the observed patterns: (1) introgression from the sister species P. balsamifera, (2) isolation by distance (IBD), and (3) natural selection. Introgression was detected only at the margins of the species' distribution. IBD was significant across the sampled area as a whole, but no evidence of restricted gene flow was detected in a core of drainages from southern British Columbia (BC). We identified a large number of FST outliers. Gene Ontology analyses revealed that FST outliers are overrepresented in genes involved in circadian rhythm and response to red/far-red light when the entire dataset is considered, whereas in southern BC heat response genes are overrepresented. We also identified strong correlations between geoclimate variables and allele frequencies at FST outlier loci that provide clues regarding the selective pressures acting at these loci.

Genetic mapping of quantitative traits requires genotypic data for large numbers of markers in many individuals. For such studies, the use of large single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays still offers the most cost-effective solution. Herein we report on the design and performance of a SNP genotyping array for Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood). This genotyping array was designed with SNPs pre-ascertained in 34 wild accessions covering most of the species latitudinal range. We adopted a candidate gene approach to the array design that resulted in the selection of 34 131 SNPs, the majority of which are located in, or within 2 kb of, 3543 candidate genes. A subset of the SNPs on the array (539) was selected based on patterns of variation among the SNP discovery accessions. We show that more than 95% of the loci produce high quality genotypes and that the genotyping error rate for these is likely below 2%. We demonstrate that even among small numbers of samples (n = 10) from local populations over 84% of loci are polymorphic. We also tested the applicability of the array to other species in the genus and found that the number of polymorphic loci decreases rapidly with genetic distance, with the largest numbers detected in other species in section Tacamahaca. Finally, we provide evidence for the utility of the array to address evolutionary questions such as intraspecific studies of genetic differentiation, species assignment and the detection of natural hybrids.

Pregnancy in out-of-breeding season in ewes increases the economical goals. Synchronization of estrus and ovulation is essential for above program. The aims of this study using implant norgestomet with or without Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) were to evaluate the serum progesterone (P4) concentration changes: the conception rate and estimation of the lambing rate and litter size. In total, 80 non-cycling multiparous Iranian Kurdish breed fat-tailed ewes with

Bulk tank milk samples were collected from 47 dairy herds in Mashhad suburb. From 19 herds, one sample was collected at each season in 2009 and from the rest of the 28 dairy herds one sample was collected only at autumn, 2009 and samples was tested by ELISA method for detecting antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo. These herds, which had not been vaccinated against leptospirosis within the previous five years, were categorised according to the herds’ regions. Nine herds (19.15%) out of 47 had a positive ELISA result. The antibody level in the herd milk samples were affected by the herd size (P 0.05). Larger herds were significantly more likely to have higher mean concentrations of antibody. It was concluded that a number of unvaccinated dairy herds in Mashhad suburb are exposed to infection with Leptospira hardjo. Key words: Cattle, Leptospira, antibodies, ELISA, hardjo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate five methods for the resynchronization of estrus in lactating dairy cows. One hundred and seventy-three Holstein cows were assigned at random to five treatments: Ovsynch-24, IPD+Ovsynch-24, Ovsynch-31, Heatsynch, and IPD+Heatsynch. The start of the resynchronization protocols, and all subsequent procedures, was timed in relation to the pre-enrolment AI (PAI) and ranged over 7 days for each treatment. The pregnancy status of all the animals was evaluated by ultrasound examination on day 31±3 PAI. In all treatments, the resynchronized AI (RAI) was at an observed estrus or at a fixed time after the completion of the resynchronization procedures. Cows were observed for estrus thrice daily and those observed in estrus were inseminated according to the AM-PM rule. Those cows diagnosed as not pregnant and not observed in estrus were inseminated at a fixed time. The average proportion of cows with an active CL was 31.2% (54/173) on day 14 PAI, 22.0% (38/173) on day 21 PAI, and 18.5% (32/173) on day 24 PAI (NS). The incidence of luteolysis averaged 12.7% (22/173) from day 21 to 24, and 28.9% (50/173) from day 14 to 24. The differences between individual treatments were not significant but there was a significantly greater incidence of luteolysis (P

Summary The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of retained fetal membranes (RFM) on serum minerals and energy- and protein-related metabolites in dairy cows at a herd with a recent history of fatty liver syndrome. Forty-seven multiparous Holstein cows were selected during transition period. Nine cows had RFM longer than 24 h after calving. Blood samples were obtained on prepartum days 21 and 7 and postpartum days 7 and 21. We used repeated measure procedure of anova to evaluate the effect of RFM on serum metabolites. Cows with RFM had significantly higher concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides after calving, but had lower concentrations of cholesterol during transition period. The concentrations of serum albumin and blood urea nitrogen were also significantly lower in RFM-affected cows than non-affected ones after parturition. Our results suggested that negative energy balance (NEB) postpartum was associated with RFM in dairy cattle. However, our findings did not reveal a cause and effect relationship with respect to the role of NEB as a possible risk factor for RFM.

This study intends to analyse the conversation sections of Top Notch 1 textbook from the pragmatic viewpoint of language functions and speech acts. Out of the 10 units of the book 10 conversations were randomly selected and the two pragmatic models of Halliday's (1975) language functions and Searle's (1976) speech acts were applied to analyse the functional domain of the conversations. The results indicated the conversations in this textbook are not functionally appropriate from pragmatic point of view. Finally, some suggestions for teachers and material developers were proposed to compensate for the deficiencies of the conversations in Top Notch series.

"Metabolic profile" or "blood profile" was defined as a set or combination of blood constituents analyzed together in one test. Metabolic Profile test (MPT) was used as a diagnostic approach in Iran in recent years. Reference values of metabolites were determined by Seifi (1996). Calving, with the demands for initiating milk production, places high-producing cows in a critical nutrient balance and may affect profiles for 60 or more days after calving. Production level is one aspect of the periparturient flux that may reflect in the profile. Glucose and PCV are negatively correlated and total proteins; Mg and cholesterol are positively correlated with the post parturient rise in milk production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations of serum metabolites around parturition. The investigation was conducted in two dairy farms in Mashhad city in north east of Iran. One hundred cows were bled on four occasions: 20-10 days prepartum, 3-7 days, 30 days and 56-60 days postpartum. Blood samples were drawn from Jugular vein and analyzed by computerized analyzer (RA1000 Technicon). The following metabolites and enzymes were measured on serum samples: glucose, urea nitrogen, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). Data were analyzed for statistical significance by analysis of variance using SPSS program for Windows. A p value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. In farm 1, prepartum variations in urea nitrogen, cholesterol, albumin, calcium, AST, PCV and total protein and in farm 2 prepartum variations in glucose, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, AST, PCV, and total protein were significant (p< 0.05). Serum glucose level decreased markedly 3-7 days postpartum and gradually increased at 30 and 5660 days postpartum. At least 92% of dairy cows suffer negative energy balance at early lactation. At this stage, the level of milk production reaches to peak earlier than dry matter intake and the result is low blood glucose. The peak of urea nitrogen concentration was found preparturition and it decreased postpartum. The concentration of serum cholesterol was lower at 10-20 days prepartum and after calving gradually increased. The peak of serum calcium levels was found 10-20 days before calving and it was markedly decreased after parturition. Serum total protein and PCV values were lowest at preparturition sampling. AST activity levels were lower at first sampling and reached highest after parturition. AST relates to metabolism, and it seems increased activity of the enzyme in high producing dairy cows is due to increased of body metabolic and hepatic activities . Reference