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The increasing use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in various applications including industrial, agriculture, and medicine has raised concerns about their potential risks to human health. Various nanotoxicity researches have been done on the assessment of SiNPs' toxic effects; however, a few in vivo investigations exist. In this investigation, an in vivo study was done in order to evaluate the oral toxicity of SiNPs. The biochemical levels of 19 different serum parameters were assessed. Moreover, the histopathological changes have been examined as well. We showed that SiNPs with diameters of 10-15 nm in size can cause significant changes in albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, urea, HDL, and LDL as well as in alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activity. In addition, histopathological examinations demonstrated that SiNPs have toxic effects on various tissues including liver, kidney, lung, and testis.

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) has been broadly used in the clinic for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and ovarian cancer. The process of chemotherapy has significant toxicity in the reproductive system as it has detrimental effects on folliculogenesis, which leads to an irreversible premature ovarian failure (POF).Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has positive impacts on the reproductive system due to its antioxidant properties, protecting the cells from free-radical oxidative damage and apoptosis. However, little is known about the possible synergistic effect of CTX and CoQ10 on the expression of genes involved in folliculogenesis, such as proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR). A total of 32 NMRI mice were applied and divided into four groups, including healthy control, CTX, CTX + CoQ10, and CoQ10 groups. The effects of CoQ10 on CTX-induced ovarian injury and folliculogenesis were examined by histopathological and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. The rates of fertilization (in vitro fertilization), embryo development, as well as the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in metaphase II (MII) mouse oocytes after PMSG/HCC treatment were also assessed. Results showed that the treatment with CTX decreased the mRNA expression of PCNA and FSHR, IVF rate, and embryo development whereas the application of CoQ10 successfully reversed those factors.CoQ10 administration significantly enhanced histological morphology and decreased ROS levels and the number of atretic follicles in the ovary of CTX-treated mice. In conclusion, it seems that the protective effect of CoQ10 is exerted via the antioxidant and proliferative properties of this substance on CTX-induced ovarian damage.

Influence of dietary vitamin E and zinc on performance, oxidative stability and some blood measures of broiler chickens reared under heat stress (35 °C)This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin E (αTA; dL-α-Tocopheryl acetate) and zinc (Zn; ZnCl2) on performance, oxidative stability and some blood measures of broiler chickens under normal and hot temperatures. One hundred sixty 10-day-old male chicks were assigned to four groups in four replicates. The birds received two diets, control and enriched with two levels of vitamin E and Zn (100 and 50 mg/kg of diet, respectively) under two ambient temperatures (22 °C and 35 °C). Although the diets enriched with the antioxidant vitamin and element compared with un-enriched diets resulted in the better performance of the birds, significant differences were related to temperature conditions, as the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the highest body weight (BW) were observed in the group fed the enriched diet under normal temperature. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA), cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG), glucose (G), total protein (TP), and hematocrit and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio levels were significantly lower in birds reared under 22 °C compared with the group under 35 °C but the hematocrit was not significantly lower in groups fed enriched diets and exposed to normal conditions (P>0.05). It was concluded that a combination of 100 mg of vitamin E and 50 mg of Zn provides the better performance and the least blood C and TG levels accompanying the better oxidative stability in male broilers under normal temperature (22 °C) and that this combination can be considered as a protective strategy in broiler diets for reducing the negative effects of heat stress.

Hemonchosis is a very common disease in small ruminants caused by Haemonchus contortus, a blood sucking parasite causing anaemia that may be fatal particularly to young animals. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Haemonchus contortus in slaughtered sheep's at Urmia abattoir located in the North West of Iran. A total of 2421animals were slaughtered and examined from July 2010 to July 2011 in Urmia abattoir. In case of sheep, 225 out of 2421 were positive and prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infestation was 9.3%. Sex wise prevalence of Haemonchus contortus in sheep was 33.08% (76/229) in male and 66.22% (149/225) in female. The females indicated significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence (66.22%) as compared to males (33.08%). The highest prevalence was recorded in the spring (April) and the lowest was in summer (July), respectively. On microscopic examination, infiltration of mononuclear cells and eosinophils in gastric glands, periglandular hyperemia and hemorrhage, mucous gland hyperplasia, connective tissue proliferation and necrosis was observed. Also, in mixed abomasal infection with Haemonchus and Ostertagia species, mucosal hyperplasia and increased mucous glands and sometimes cystic glands were seen. Statistical analysis using SPSS software, and chi-square test, demonstrated a non-significant difference between ages and abomasal pH values of infected and healthy sheep (p<0.05). But the difference between sexes, seasons and abomasal lesions was significant (p>0.05).

Paramphistomiasis, a trematode infectious disease in ruminants, has been neglected but has recently emerged as an important cause of productivity loss. The small intestine of slaughtered sheep was collected weekly from abattoirs (Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Tabriz and Urmia Slaughterhouses) to monitoring the seasonal occurrence of Paramphistomosis, 2,421 sheep carcasses (743 male (30.69 %) and 1,678 female (69.31 %)) were examined, out of which 0.041 % were positive for Paramphistomum infestation. Furthermore, upon evaluation Paramphistomum termatodes, Gastrothylax crumenifer and Cotylophoron detected as well. Overall, the small intestinal infestation by such parasite was 0.041 % which contained hyperemia, severe congestion and haemorrhage. The highest infection in the sheep infected with Paramphistomum spp. was found during the summer (July to August) (6.7, 2 %) and followed by the autumn seasons (November to October) (3.8, 2.3 %). Microscopic study of the small intestine revealed dilatation of intestinal glands, destruction of superficial glands, replacement of fibrin, diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrinonecrotic enteritis. Other changes as congestion hemorrhage and nodules of Ostertagia were observed in total examination of small intestines. According to statistical analysis by SPSS software and Chi square test revealed that there is significant difference between pathologic changes, seasons and ecological situations of the region (p \ 0.05). There was no significant difference between age, gender and sample pH of examined sheep (p [ 0.05).According to the results of pathologic changes of sheep small intestines, preventive measurements in the area should be taken to decrease the damages, so applying a parasitic control program is recommended.

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