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Minerals and trace elements are crucial for maintaining normal body metabolism, but limited knowledge exists about their connection to being overweight in cats. This study was conducted to evaluate potential changes in hematological factors and the levels of minerals or trace elements in the serum of overweight cats. A cross-sectional study was carried out, and seventy-two client-owned, healthy adult cats were randomly selected from those visiting veterinary clinics in Mashhad. The cats were divided into two groups on the basis of their Body Condition Score (BCS): the ideal weight group (BCS = 5) and the overweight group (BCS ≥ 6). Serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and 25(OH) vitamin D and hematological parameters, including red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and red cell distribution width (RDW), were measured. Correlations between the variables were also determined. Overweight cats had significantly higher levels of iron, hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC, and MCHC. Conversely, the levels of phosphorus, RDW, WBC, neutrophils, and monocytes were significantly lower in overweight cats than in those with ideal body weights. There were no significant differences in the other parameters measured between overweight and ideal-weight cats. Additionally, in the entire population and the normal-weight group, 25(OH) vitamin D showed a positive correlation with calcium and a negative correlation with magnesium. In conclusion, being overweight in cats causes changes in their hematological parameters and the concentrations of certain elements in blood serum, specifically iron and phosphorus. These changes were in reference interval thus, the clinical significance of these alterations requires further investigation especially in obese cats.

In dairy cows, the immune system is suppressed around calving, predisposing them to infectious diseases. This study investigated vitamin D levels and various immunological and oxidative stress markers in cows suffering from peri-parturient diseases compared with healthy cows. A total of 45 cows with peri-parturient diseases (including ketosis and uterine diseases) and 23 healthy cows were selected. For statistical comparisons, diseased cows were compared with healthy cows in various ways. To perform statistical comparisons, sick cows were categorized into different stages: first, those with various peri-parturient diseases; second, those with ketosis; and third, those with uterine diseases, for comparison with the healthy groups. Blood samples were collected at three time points: 7 days pre-partum, 7 days post-partum and 21 days postpartum. 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH) D), interleukins 4 and 10 (IL-4, IL-10), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and haptoglobin amounts were measured via ELISA, while total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) amounts were measured spectrophotometrically. The Friedman test revealed significant time effects on 25(OH) D levels in both the healthy and sick groups ( p  ≤ 0.05). However, no significant differences were detected between healthy and sick cows at any sampling time. IL-4 levels significantly decreased in sick cows during the peri-parturient period, whereas IL-10 levels notably differed only after calving. IgG levels were significantly lower in sick cows than in healthy cows during the first week postpartum. INF-γ levels were significantly lower in sick cows, particularly one week postpartum. Haptoglobin levels were lower in cows with uterine diseases prior to calving. Although time influenced TAC and MDA levels, no significant differences were found between the groups. Overall, these findings indicate that 25(OH) D and certain immunological parameters may play a role in the health status of dairy cows around calving, warranting further investigation into their potential therapeutic effects.

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. The results indicated that age (sampling time) had a significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on the values of all measured variables except for ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) amount and band neutrophil number. The treatment (group) had no significant effect on the amount of measured variables. Significant interactions between sampling time and group were found for white blood cell count (WBC), adult neutrophil, and bilirubin amounts (p ≤ 0.05). Significant higher amounts of hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (Hb) at day 28 and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) at day 7 were seen in the test group compared with control group. Test group in comparison with control group had significantly lower amount of WBC at day 7; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), band neutrophils, and lymphocytes at day 14; and number of platelets at day 28. Growth and total weight gain and mean daily gain had no significant differences between the two groups. The duration of treatment for pneumonia and diarrhea was not significantly different between trial groups. The results show that parenterally administration of iron to newborn calves had no effect on improving erythropoiesis, performance, thyroid metabolism, oxidative/antioxidative situation, and health of dairy calves.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH) D) is vital in the homeostasis of calcium and bone health as well as in the prevention of many disorders such as neoplasms. Epidemiological data show that low concentrations of both 1,25(OH) D and its precursor 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D) are associated with an increased risk of a variety of human tumours. To investigate 25(OH)D, parathormone (PTH) and immunity marker concentrations in dogs with transmissible venereal tumour (TVT). 25(OH)D, PTH and various biochemical and immunity markers were evaluated in dogs with TVT (n = 26) and in healthy (n = 30) dogs. 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with TVT in comparison with healthy dogs. In contrast, PTH, immunoglobulin G and interleukin (IL)-9 concentrations were higher in the dogs with TVT. Other variables, including IL-10, interferon γ, calcium and inorganic phosphate, were not statistically different between the two groups. Decreased serum 25(OH)D concentration may be a risk factor for the development of canine TVT; however, cause-and-effect remains incompletely understood. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact role of 25(OH)D in canine TVT and whether vitamin D supplementation may be useful prophylactically or as an adjunct to chemotherapy.

Avian Colibacillosis is among the major causes of economic loss in the poultry industry worldwide, with a more vivid impact on developing countries. The involvement of several bacteria has made it challenging to develop effective vaccines for this disease, particularly because it is notoriously difficult to make a vaccine that contains all the contributing pathogenic bacteria. Here, we report the design and fabrication of a bacterial ghost (BG) of E. coli O78:K80, which is among the major bacterial serotypes responsible for this disease. The generated ghost is then exploited as a homologous vaccine against Avian Colibacillosis. We demonstrate that hole formation in the cell wall of E. coli O78:K80 can happen properly in optical densities as high as 0.8 compared to the 0.3-0.4 standard for bacteria like E. coli TOP10. This is especially advantageous for mass production of this ghost which is a vital factor in development of any BG-based vaccine. Compared to E. coli TOP10, we faced a great challenge in transforming the wild type bacteria with the E-lysis plasmid which was probably due to higher thickness of the cell wall in O78:K80. This, however, was addressed by treating the cell wall with a different combination of ions.The vaccine was administered to Ross 308 broiler chickens via injection as well as through their respiratory system at a dose of 1010 BGs, repeated 3 times at weekly intervals. Chickens were then challenged with the wild type O78:K80 at a dose of 1011 bacteria together with Infectious Bronchitis H120 vaccine (as immunosuppressant) one week after the last immunization. Air sac lesions were significantly reduced in BG vaccinated groups in comparison with the control group. The levels of IFNγ, IgA and IgY were measured in the serum of immunized chickens as an indication of immune response and were compared with those of the chickens vaccinated with killed bacteria. The results show that O78:K80 BG can be used as an efficient homologous vaccine against Colibacillosis disease in poultry. We expect our findings can serve as the starting point for designing more sophisticated vaccines that contain all three major pathogenic bacteria involved in avian Colibacillosis.

Background Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a glycoprotein involved in immune responses and inflammation, with established diagnostic utility in acute kidney injury (AKI) and systemic diseases. However, reference values for NGAL in healthy horses, particularly the Turkmen breed, remain poorly defined. Aims/Objective This study aimed to establish reference values for serum NGAL concentrations in healthy Turkmen horses and to evaluate the influence of age, sex, pregnancy status and physical activity on its levels, as well as its correlations with haematological and serum biochemical variables. Methods Serum samples were collected from 90 clinically healthy Turkmen horses, categorized by age (<2 years, 2–8 years, >8 years), sex (male, female and castrated), pregnancy status and physical activity levels. NGAL concentrations were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and statistical analyses were performed to assess associations with physiological factors. Results The median serum NGAL concentration was 0.9 ng/mL, with 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of 0.38 and 2.55 ng/mL, respectively. No significant differences in NGAL levels were observed between sexes or age groups, although horses aged <2 years exhibited the highest median NGAL concentration (1.04 ng/mL). Pregnancy and physical activity were associated with slightly higher NGAL levels, but these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). This study provides the first reference values for serum NGAL in healthy Turkmen horses, highlighting its potential diagnostic relevance in monitoring physiological factors such as pregnancy and activity. Conclusions Further research is needed to explore NGAL's role in equine renal health and systemic diseases and to evaluate its utility in combination with other biomarkers for an early detection of inflammatory conditions. Serum samples were collected from 90 clinically healthy Turkmen horses. NGAL concentrations were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and statistical analyses were performed to assess associations with physiological factors. The median serum NGAL concentration was 0.9 ng/mL, with 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of 0.38 and 2.55 ng/mL, respectively.

Objectives The main goal of this study was to assess oxidative stress markers in cats that were having an ovariohysterectomy (OVH) using either a midline (MAG) or flank (FAG) method. Methods Twelve entire female cats were randomly assigned into two groups and ovariohysterectomized by a midline (MAG) or flank approach (FAG). Clinical evaluation was performed and haematological and biomarkers of oxidative status were evaluated at baseline (before surgery), one, and 24 h after endotracheal extubation. Results Concerning cardiorespiratory parameters, there were no differences in heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2 saturation), and End‐tidal CO2 (ETCO2) values between groups or measured time during surgery. No significant differences were observed for the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), activities of erythrocyte glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) between the two groups. There were also no significant differences between different sampling times in each group. Conclusions and relevance Results of the present study showed that ovariohysterectomy (OVH), either by midline or flank approaches, was not associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the studied cats up to 24 h after surgery. This study evaluates oxidative stress markers in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH) via midline (MAG) or flank (FAG) approaches. Results showed no significant differences in oxidative stress parameters malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (MDA, TAC, GPx, SOD and G6PD) between groups. Both surgical techniques were physiologically comparable, indicating minimal oxidative stress up to 24 h post‐surgery .

Background The optimal amount of vitamin D required for the proper functioning of the immune system differs from the amount necessary for bone homeostasis. Furthermore, vitamin D metabolism varies among horses. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of information regarding reference values for vitamin D in horses, particularly in the Turkmen breed. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)Vit D) in Turkmen, Thoroughbred and mixed Turkmen × Thoroughbred horses and to explore the effects of various factors on it and its relationship with serum biochemical variables and signalment data. Methods For the measurement of 25(OH)Vit D, 90 healthy horses (min age: 6 months; max age: 10 years) that were stable in the north of Iran (37°17′ N, 55°18′ E) were selected for clinical examination and complete blood biochemistry analysis. The horses were categorised into different groups based on sex, season (spring, n = 45; autumn, n = 45), breed (Turkmen, Thoroughbred and mixed Turkmen × Thoroughbred), age (< 2 years, 2–8 years and > 8 years) and skin colour. Sampling was performed only once from each horse. Results In this study, the median serum concentration of 25(OH)Vit D in the sampled horses was 17.42 ng/mL (IQR: 9.82–30.85). The serum 25(OH)Vit D concentration was significantly lower in autumn (median: 15.83 ng/mL and IQR: 8.67–54.68) than in spring (median: 18.02 ng/mL and IQR: 13.77–27.54) and was also lower in Turkmen horses (median: 15.83 ng/mL and IQR: 11.63–23.12) than in mixed breed horses (median: 17.72 ng/mL and IQR: 8.94–51.67) (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion According to the results of the present study, the season had a significant effect on the serum 25(OH)Vit D concentration, and this difference was also observed between Turkmen horses and mixed‐bred horses (p ≤ 0.05). It is unclear whether the time of sun exposure or vitamin D content of diet causes the seasonal difference of 25(OH)Vit D concentration. In this study, the serum concentration of 25(OH)Vit D in the sampled horses exhibited a median of 17.42 ng/mL, with values of 9.82 and 30.85 ng/mL at the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles, respectively. The serum 25(OH)Vit D concentration was significantly lower in autumn than in spring and was also lower in Turkmen horses compared to mixed breed horses (p ≤ 0.05).

Background Optimal amount of vitamin D for the proper functioning of the immune system is different from the required vitamin D amount for bones to prevent rickets. However, reports on vitamin D reference values in dogs are minimal, and there is still not enough information regarding the relationship between vitamin D and various variables such as disease, age, breed, diet type, and so on, as well as its relationship with haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Obgectives The present study aimed to determine reference values of 25(OH) Vit D in dogs and its concentration in different groups, categorized based on age, sex, breed, housing conditions, and diet, as well as 25(OH) Vit D relationship with hematology and serum biochemistry parameters. Methods In this study, 90 healthy dogs were selected to determine the reference value of 25 (OH) Vit D of serum after evaluating of their haematological and biochemical parameters to assess their general health. Dogs were divided into different groups according to above‐mentioned variables. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D was subsequently measured by the ELISA method. Results The median concentration of 25 (OH) Vit D was 52.50 ng/ml with minimum and maximum amounts of 14.00 and 155.57 ng/ml, respectively. No significant difference was observed between 25 (OH) Vit D levels in the studied dogs regarding their different age, sex, breed, diet, housing condition, and reproductive status. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D concentration is directly correlated with the number of band neutrophils (p < 0.05). We also witnessed indirect correlations between serum 25 (OH) Vit D levels and the number of blood eosinophils and serum glucose (p < 0.05). Conclusion In the present study age, sex, breed, housing condition and age had no significant effects on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D. According to correlations of vitamin D with MCH, band and eosinophil numbers and glucose, vitamin D may have a role in erythropoiesis and leukocytes response and also in energy metabolism in dog. In the present study age, sex, breed, housing condition, and age had no significant effects on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D. According to correlations of vitamin D with MCH, band and eosinophil numbers, and glucose, Vitamin D may have a role in erythropoiesis and leukocytes response and also in energy metabolism in dog.

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. 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. Blood samples were taken from 521 high-yielding dairy cows at 1 week (±3 days) before calving and NEFA levels were measured. Health and reproduction information of each cow includes dystocia, retained placenta, milk fever, metritis, mastitis, pregnancy in the first insemination and pregnancy in the first two inseminations, and culling in the first 60 days of lactation and milk production. Our results show that there are significant relationships between precalving NEFA with the probability of pregnancy at the first and the first two inseminations after calving. The cows that had NEFA concentrations less than 0.5 mmol/L at the last week of pregnancy were 3.51 and 3.15 times more likely to be pregnant at first insemination and the first two inseminations, respectively. Also, our results showed that there are significant relationships between precalving NEFA concentration and the likelihood of dystocia and milk fever. The probability of dystocia and milk fever occurrence were 2.56 and 1.91 times greater in those cows that had NEFA concentrations more than 0.3 mmol/L, respectively. The present results indicated that Increasing NEFA during the prepartum period could adversely affect the reproductive efficiency of dairy cows.