Ciencia y tecnología veterinaria

A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2016 to June, 2017 in two abattoirs to assess the major abnormalities causing organ and carcass condemnation in cattle, sheep and goat as well as their economic and public health importance. In this study, a total of 700 animals (240 cattle, 230 sheep and 230 goats) were systematically selected and thoroughly examined at AM and PM. The PM result showed 12.43% liver (15.4% in cattle, 13.9% in sheep and 7.83% in goat) were condemned mainly due to fasciolosis (4.86%), hydatid cyst (3.57%) and fibrosis (2.3%). Similarly 12% lung (14.2% in cattle, 12.6% in sheep and 9.13% in goat) were also rejected due to hydatid cyst (6.3%), hepatization (1.57%), adhesion (1.14%) and lung worm (1%). The main causes of condemnations in kidneys, heart and spleen were infarction, pericarditis and hydatid cyst. However, Cysticercus bovis infestation was the only problem caused total and partial carcass, tongue and heart condemnation in cattle. The estimated annual financial loss was about 20559.43 and 20232.85 USD at Haramaya and Aweday municipal abattoirs respectively. Concerning public health issue of hydatid cyst and C. bovis, questionnaire survey and interviews were carried-out on randomly selected 100 respondents to evaluate the awareness, practice and ways of transmission of the disease. Accordingly, majority of the respondents had the habit of eating raw meat (68%), consuming backyard slaughtered meat (53%), feeding dogs infected raw viscera (28%), had close contact with dog (57%) and drinking surface water (11%). Retrospective patient case-book (2015 and 2016) survey showed 0.167% (42/25096) human hydatidosis among patients admitted for X-ray and ultrasound examination and 1.89% (791/41812) Taenia saginata taeniosis based on stool examination. Generally, the present study showed many parasitic and nonspecific lesions causing huge financial loss and hazardous to public health; therefore, further study is recommend at the study areas.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a common protozoan parasite found in females and males worldwide. The parasite causes mild to severe inflammations in the urogenital tract. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of iron excess on the growth rate and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in T. vaginalis. The parasite was cultured in Diamond’s Trypticase Yeast Maltose (TYM) media with and without iron supplementation and assessed at 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 days post inoculation (dpi). The results showed significant higher numbers of the parasite in medium with iron supplementation. Furthermore, our findings revealed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX and CAT) in parasites cultured with iron supplementation. In conclusion, the present experiment showed that iron increased not only the multiplication rate but also the antioxidant activities of T. vaginalis. It seems that iron could protect T. vaginalis from toxic oxygen metabolites during tissue invasion and helps the parasite to maintain its pathogenicity for the host.

Purposive cross-sectional types of study was carried out to determine the prevalence of mastitis in lactating dairy cows, and assess the associated risk factors in Alage agricultural technical vocational and training (ATVET) college dairy farm. The study was carried out in 138 dairy cows based on data collection, regular farm visit, clinical examination, and California mastitis test (CMT). In the present study, in general the prevalence of mastitis was 94 (68.11%) and (46.37%) at cow and quarter level respectively. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis was (16.67% and 51.44%), subclinical (5.25% and 41.12%) at cow and quarter level respectively. In this study prevalence of mastitis was considerably correlated with breed, parity and production status (milk yield per lactation period) (𝑝<0.05). However, stage of lactation and age of the cow was not statistically significant in this study. Taking into consideration the different huge losses that could be incurred by both clinical and subclinical mastitis, regular checkup for the exposure of subclinical mastitis and appropriate treatment of the clinical cases should be practiced and also attention should be paid for further detailed investigation and control measure of cases.

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with ruminant fasciolosis in Kombolcha, Amhara regional state from October 2010 to March 2011. For the purpose of the study fecal samples were taken from a total of 420 ruminants (168 cattle, 149 sheep and 103 goats) and subjected to coprological examination, specifically sedimentation technique. Based on the coproscopic examination the prevalence of fasciolosis was found to be 9.52% (n=16) in cattle, 37.58% (n=56) in sheep and 6.8% (n=7) in goats. Among the ruminants the prevalence of fasciolosis showed statistically significant variations (χ2=53.6095, P=0.000), being very high in sheep and low in goats and poor body condition 45 (60%). This study revealed the presence of statistical significant differences (χ2=103.08, P=0.000) between the three body conditions, the prevalence recorded in poor condition animals was very high. On the contrary there was no significance difference (P>0.05) in sex and age groups. In conclusion fasciolosis was found to be important ruminant disease in the study area, thus to control the disease and reduce the economic loss in this area, appropriate control strategies should be given.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine tick prevalence and their association with mastitis on 390 cattle at three communal grazing sites and two dairy farms from October 2008 to April 2009 in Jimma town. Ticks were collected from half body parts and udder and teats were examined on lactating cows and heifers to identify tick lesions and mastitis. Of total 3015 ticks in number collected, 3 genera and 5 species of ticks had been identified: Amblyomma cohaerens (44.94%), Amblyomma variegatum (31.11%), Boophilus decoloratus (18.97%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (3.08%) and Amblyomma gemma (1.9%). There was a significant variation with predilection site of tick species. A. variegatum, A. gemma and R. evertsi evertsi had a significance variation with age of the animal. B. decoloratus and R. evertsi evertsi had significance variation with breed of cattle. Udder, Brisket and Perineum were the predominant predilection sites for the tick species collected. R. evertsi evertsi was the only species prefer Ano-vulva region. Result on the immature ticks (larvae and nymphs) shows that, 63.47% Amblyomma, 35.75% Boophilus and 0.77% Rhipicephalus genera. Neck, Dewlap, Udder and Perineum were the main predilection sites of ticks on which the immature ticks were collected. Although (123) 31.6% of the sampled cattle had some degree of udder and teat damage, out of those cows and heifers with udder and teat damage (30) 24.39% was positive for mastitis. The tick species found on cattle with udder and teat damage were Amblyomma cohaerens (46.51%), Amblyomma variegatum (40.62%), Boophilus decoloratus (11.88%) and Amblyomma gemma (0.99%). There was a significance variation between study sites and breed of cattle on animals with mastitis. Tick infestations associated udder lesions, and mastitis is major problems in cattle and deserves further attention owning to their potential impact on milk production affecting food security.

This study investigated the presence of rabies and rabies-related lyssaviruses in the brain, liver and spleen of some wild animal species (rodents, shrews and civet cats) slaughtered for human consumption in Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria. Attempts were made to establish possible exposure potential of humans to rabies and rabies-related lyssaviruses through handling, processing, selling, buying and consumption of these wild animals and establish the species of the viral isolates if any. A total of four hundred and eighty four 329) wild animals were sampled for rabies and rabies-related lyssaviruses using florescent antibody technique (FAT), cell culture test for the isolation and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of lyssavirus nucleic acid. The animals sampled include eighty nine land squirrels (Xerus erythropus), seventy African giant rats (Cricetomysgambians), one hundred and one black rats eighty bush rats (Rattus fuscipes), seventy two shrews and seventy civet cats (Civetticitis civetta). The animals were collected fresh from hunters or markets, restaurants and bars where they are slaughtered and consumed as delicacy in the study area. There was no lyssavirus isolated from the three hundred and forty rodent samples (brain, liver, spleen) examined. Similarly, there was no lyssavirus isolated from the seventy civet cat samples (liver, spleen, brain). And samples (liver, spleen, brain) from seventy two shrews. The results of this study suggest that rodents and civet cats slaughtered for human consumption in Enugu State, Nigeria are free of rabies and rabies-related lyssaviruses. Therefore, there is no exposure potential to rabies or rabies-related lyssaviruses in those involved in the hunting, handling, processing, selling, buying and consumption of bush meat of these animal species. Also, the shrews and some other rodents such as black rats (Rattus rattus) were noted to be free of rabies and rabies-related lyssaviruses in the study area.

This study was conducted to assess the reproductive and productive performances of smallholder crossbred dairy farms in Wolaita Sodo town of Southern Ethiopia. Twelve smallholder crossbred dairy cattle farms were studied longitudinally for two years. Almost all of the farms were intensively managed and basic farm management practices with acceptable animal health and artificial insemination services from the nearby animal health care organization had been practiced. However, professional assisted pregnancy diagnosis and farm animal record keeping were less experienced. The overall means and standard error (M ± SE) of age at first calving, calving interval, calving to conception interval and number of services per conception were 37.5 ± 0.6 months, 518.0 ± 22.5 days, 253.9 ± 22.6 days and 2.1 ± 0.2, respectively. Among independent variables considered in the study only farm size had significant influence on age at first calving (P<0.05). The mean of average daily milk yield, lactation length and lactation milk yield were estimated to be 8.32 ± 0.6 liter, 423.79 ± 16 days and 3534.16 ± 311 kg/cow, respectively. Generally, the observed reproductive and productive indices showed poor performances which are below the recommendations of crossbred smallholder dairy farming in the tropics. Several reproductive health problems were prevalent in the study area with mastitis being the most prevalent. Accordingly, training on managemental aspects of dairy farming and extension services to enhance production and reproduction is needed. Furthermore, detailed investigation is necessary to identify and quantify the factors that affect the reproductive and productive performances.

Providing data on the serum concentration of some important heavy metals in horses of different age and sex is an indicator of short-term exposure and also help to understand influence of these factors in metals intoxication. We reported serum concentrations of some elements in healthy horses and assessed any relationship with age and sex. Fifty-three samples from horses were analyzed by atomic absorption. Mean serum concentrations (μg/ml) ± SD values for strontium were (0.25 ± 0.15), vanadium (0.20 ± 0.02), aluminium (0.71 ± 0.16), nickel (0.10 ± 0.08) and lead (0.09 ± 0.04) μg/ml. No significant correlations were noted between measured elements with age, however, a significant correlation was detected between age with concentration of lead (P<0.05). We concluded that older horses had more ability to absorb this element from their environment, or ability to detoxify lead decreased with increase in age.

Background: Calf mortality represents a major production and livelihood constraint in the Somali region of Ethiopia. Disease was incriminated as a major underlying cause. However, epidemiology of major calf diseases in the region is not well documented.

Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2014 and March 2015 to explore major camel calf (≤ 1 year) diseases and associated drivers in Gursum and Kebribeya districts of Somali region. Participatory survey of calf husbandry and diseases was conducted on 51 camel holdings. Clinical and laboratory examination of health problems was performed on 189 camel calves.

Results: Camel holding size showed inter-herd and geographical variability. Calves accounted to 13.5% of average camel herds. Peak camel calving period was between October and March. Calving usually (86.3%) occurred from late-afternoon to night hours. Majority (90.2%) of producers restricted early colustrum intake and 78.4% restricted milk suckling after 1 month. Further suckling restriction, introduction of green forages and herd mixing were practiced after 3 months of age. According to producers young (<6 months) calves were commonly affected by diarrhea (100%), orf (92.2%), respiratory illness (33.3%), plant poisoning (25.5%) and camel pox (7.9%). Major problems reported in older (6-12 months) calves include; mange (94.1%) and tick (86.3%) infestations, ring worm (62.7%); camel pox (56.9%); trypanosomosis (51%) and respiratory illness (9.8%). Calf health investigation detected Sarcoptes scabie var cameli (16.4%) and mixed tick (H. dromedary, H. truncatum & R. pulchelis) (12.7%) infestation, diarrhea (3.7%) and respiratory illness (1.1%). Mange infestation and plant poisoning were higher in Gursum district whereas tick infestation was higher in small herds.

Conclusion: Camel calves were exposed to different debilitating and/or life threatening diseases. Potential risk factors include; inadequate colustrum feeding, under-nutrition, and premature exposure to endemic pathogens, vectors and harmful plants. Further epidemiological and intervention studies are recommended.

The study was conducted on 123 chickens submitted to Upazila Veterinary Hospital, Bogra Sadar for the detection of Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious Bursal disease (IBD) during the period of 9th February to 8th April 2017. On the basis of history and postmortem examination findings, the prevalence of ND and IBD was 8.13% and 23.58%, respectively. The morbidity was 6.19% and 3.69% in ND and IBD, respectively. The mortality of ND and IBD was 4.00% and 2.009%, respectively. The main pathological lesions observed in this study were pinpointed hemorrhage in the proventricular gland, thickness of proventriculus wall, hemorrhage in the duodenum in case of ND and hemorrhages on thigh and breast muscles; inflamed, edematous, hyperemic and hemorrhagic bursa of Fabricious in IBD. The study also showed that the chickens of more than 30 days old and chickens within 15-30 days old were highly susceptible to ND (27%) and IBD (44%), respectively.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of additives on intestinal utilizable crude protein in dairy cows, and ruminal and post-ruminal nutrients disappearance of corn, alfalfa, and whole barley silages using in situ mobile bag technique. Alfalfa, whole crop corn and barley were harvested and chopped, and then treated with commercial biological and chemical additives; urea at 0.0, 10.8 and 21.6 g/kg DM in corn (CS0.0, CSU10.8 and CSU21.6, respectively) and whole barley (BS0.0, BSU10.8 and BSU21.6, respectively); Biomin® inoculant at 0.0, 800 and 9600 cfu/kg in corn (CS0.0, CSB800 and CSB9600, respectively) and at 0.0 and 800 cfu/kg in whole barley (BS0.0 and BSB800); formic acid at 0.0, 4 and 4.4 ml/kg in alfalfa (AS0.0, ASF4 and ASF4.4, respectively) and at 0.0 and 4 ml/kg (BS0.0 and BSF4) in whole barley. Urea caused the enhancement of in vitro intestinal utilizable crude protein (uCP) and its effectiveness (EuCP). in vitro intestinal utilizable crude protein was not affected by formic acid in whole barley silage, although treated alfalfa silages had higher uCP than AS0.0. Ruminal CP disappearance was higher for urea-treated corn and whole barley silages at both levels, although formic acid and Biomin® did not change it. Ruminal NDF disappearance was greater for urea-treated corn silages and BSU21.6 than CS0.0 and BS0.0. Post-ruminal disappearance of protein increased significantly in AS4.4 and reduced in urea-treated corn and whole barley silages (P<0.05). Utilizable CP at 8 h was higher for dry hays in comparison with those of silages in both alfalfa and whole barley (P<0.05). Results of the present study showed that, for the first time, silages treated with urea and formic acid had higher in vitro utilizable crude protein in dairy cow intestine compared with the untreated silages.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different sources of rumen degradable amino acids, soybean meal versus a commercial source of hydrolyzed cottonseed cake with low molecular weight (Fortid®), on the in vitro ruminal fermentation responses and the microbial nitrogen yield of glucogenic (n=8) and lipogenic (n=8) diets. An in vitro gas production technique was used to determine the differences in microbial nitrogen yield of the diets. Sources of grain including barely and corn were used in the glucogenic diets as grinded or steam flaked, while in the lipogenic diets, corn silage, sugar beet pulp, linseed and prill fat were used to provide the energy needed for rumen fermentation. The experiment was a randomized design including two types of diets × two sources of rumen degradable amino acids factorial arrangement. The gas produced from the fermentable fraction (b) was higher for the lipogenic diets containing corn silage and F than those for the others. The fraction (b) and microbial nitrogen to diet nitrogen ratio were greater (p<0.05) for Fortid® versus soybean meal. The true substrate digestibility of glucogenic diets were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to those of lipogenic diets. Both the grain sources used as steam flaked caused an increase in the rate of gas produced (c) and microbial nitrogen to diet nitrogen ratio. There were significant interactions (p<0.005) of the type of diets with either soybean meal or Fortid® on microbial nitrogen to diet nitrogen. The results indicated that pre-hydrolyzed protein sources which are rich in low molecular weight peptides may be considered as candidates to improve rumen feed fermentation and microbial nitrogen production with both glucogenic and lipogenic diets. This conclusion was arrived at from the different patterns of action of soybean meal and Fortid® in the present in vitro rumen fermentation responses.

This study was aimed to generate organized information on physical characteristics and prediction of live weight using linear body measurements of indigenous sheep types in five districts of Bale zone (Agarfa, Dinsh, Goba, Sawena and Dawe Kechan). The study was based on field measurements. Multistage purposive sampling was used for selection of districts. Three kebeles from each districts were sampled using simple random sampling techniques. About 600 matured sheep (540 female and 60 male) sheep were sampled for body measurements and qualitative character based on four age category (1 PPI, 2 PPI, 3 PPI and 4 PPI). Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical analysis system. On the identified dimensions, the sheep population in highland district were found within the same region of space and were clustered with long tailed, no toggle, black and red coat color, no wattle, lateral ear form and forward and upright horn orientation while sheep in Sawena and Dawe kechan were characterized as patch coat color pattern with black and white color, polled horn, dropped ear form, fat rumped tail type, concave head profile and absence of toggle and presence of wattle. The highest correlation between chest girth and body weight both for male and female sheep indicate that chest girth is the best variable for predicting live weight than other measurements. The overall mean of body weight, body length, heart girth, wither height, pelvic width, ear length, rump height, rump length, rump width and head length were 26 Kg, 48.75 cm, 71.4 cm, 62.1 cm, 16.32 cm, 11.1 cm, 63.66 cm, 14.04 cm, 16.86 cm and 9.11 cm, respectively. The best predicted body weight (BW) Model for female sheep is -13.53+0.40HG+0.25BL-0.17HL and Model for male sheep (BW) is -13.66+0.41HG+0.39SC+0.27RL-0.11PW. The present phenotypic characterization reveals that, the existence of diversity of sheep genetic resource across different agro-ecologies. Arsi bale sheep breed is distributed in highland districts and black head Somali sheep is distributed in lowlands of bale zone.

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey carried out at Tiyo district of Arsi zone from October 2015 up to April 2016. The objective of study includes assessing smallholder dairy farm reproductive performance and associated production problems. Data collected from selected four kebeles; in two agro-ecological zones namely, Dega and Woina Dega. Questionnaires subjected for two groups of household who own local and cross breeds. 384 informants who have at least one local or cross breed cow included in selection. Among the informants 65% of them have attended elementary school and followed by 15% illiterate and the remaining were diploma and degree holders. Local breeds kept by less educated farmers than educated ones. Feeding practice depends on season and learning status, where feeding practice significantly different (p<0.05) between wet and dry season, and in higher educated groups, they use more concentrate feed regardless of the season. The overall average daily milk yield per cow, lactation length and calving interval of local breeds were 1.06 ± 0.65 liter, 10.29 ± 2.28 months and 3.1 ± 0 years, respectively. Whereas, cross breeds had 6.49 ± 1.65 liters, 16.79 ± 2.83 months and 2.63 ± 0.43 years, respectively. The difference in parameters were significant (p<0.05) between local and cross breeds. Butter and cheese mostly supplied to local markets by local breed owners, whereas whole milk marketing well experienced by cross breeders. This may be associated with better milk production in cross breeders. On the other hand, informants have mentioned the problem of abortion, delay in first calving, long calving interval, mastitis and retained fetal membrane with the prevalence of 11.49%, 7.8%, 20.3%, 9.9%, 2.08% and 0.26%, respectively. In general, this study shown dairy cow management gap in the area. To reduce the problems noted, AI and veterinary services and forage and fodder development has to be improved. Awareness creation among farmers and stakeholders is also paramount important.

Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats aged six to seven months were allotted randomly into five groups of 12 animals each to evaluate the effects of mutton with altered fatty acid profiles on blood plasma lipid parameters and aortic intima changes. The five experimental diets were, the oil palm frond (OPF) meat pellet (from sheep fed 80% OPF+20% (% w/w) commercial concentrate), HAF meat pellet (from sheep fed 50% OPF+50% (% w/w) commercial concentrate), COC meat pellet (from sheep fed 100% commercial concentrate), COM meat pellet (prepared using commercially available mutton as its ingredient) and CON (standard rat chow pellet fed as the control group). The feeding trial lasted for 6 weeks. Blood and arterial tissue samples were obtained at two, four and six weeks after the onset of the trial. Results showed that COC increased the rat serum HDL-Cholesterol significantly (P<0.05) compared to CON group at different weeks of sampling. Conversely, CON had the highest triglyceride value among the treatments at 6th week of feeding. The results on arterial lesions were inconclusive. It is concluded that meat-based diets could raise serum HDL- Cholesterols in rats compared to a plant-based standard rat chow diet.

Eighteen multiparous Large White sows were used to determine the effects of dietary protein content and lactation stage on milk composition during a 28-d lactation under humid tropical climatic conditions. This study was conducted at the INRA facilities in Guadeloupe, French West Indies (latitude 16°N, longitude 61°W). The average minimum and maximum ambient temperatures and average daily relative humidity during the trial were 22.7 and 29.4°C, and 93.7%, respectively. The dietary experimental treatments were a normal protein (NP, 17.3%) diet and a low protein (LP, 14.1%) diet supplemented with essential amino acids. The ADFI tended to be higher for the sows fed the LP diets when compared with the NP treatment (i.e., +9%, P<0.10). Litter BW gain and mean BW of piglets at weaning were not affected by dietary protein level (P>0.10). The treatments did not influence (P>0.10) sow body weight loss during lactation. The sows fed LP diets tended to show lower backfat thickness losses when compared to the sows fed NP diets (2.4 vs. 6.3 mm, respectively; P<0.10). Milk production and composition were not affected by dietary treatments (P>0.10). Milk dry matter and ash contents linearly increased according to lactation stage (17.6 to 19.9%, and 0.72 vs. 97%, respectively from d 7 to d 27; P<0.01). Lactose content increased from d 7 to d 14 (3.95 vs. 4.91; P<0.01) and thereafter remained constant. Fat content did not change during lactation and averaged 7.5%. The amino acid concentrations in milk protein were affected by the lactation stage: methionine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, and alanine concentrations decreased (P<0.05) but glycine and glutamic acid contents increased (P<0.05) from d 7 to d 27. Fatty acids milk profile was not influenced (P>0.10) by lactation stage. Maternal BW loss during lactation was negatively correlated with the average daily feed intake (r=-0.76; P<0.05) and positively correlated with backfat thickness loss (r=0.55; P<0.05). A positive correlation between milk production and body reserves mobilisation (r=0.82; P<0.05) was also observed. Polyunsaturated fatty acid content in milk fat was positively correlated with ADFI and negatively correlated to maternal BW loss (r=0.62 and r=-0.60; P<0.05). In conclusion, reducing dietary protein content can be an alternative to attenuate the negative effects of heat stress by increasing ADFI. Milk composition changes significantly according to lactation stage and the ability of sows to produce milk will depend on their capacity to mobilize body reserve for providing milk precursors.

A total of 80 gilts were selected and divided into two experimental groups of 40 animals each. Group I, grouped gilts with weights of 118 to 124 kg. And group II, those weighing more than 130 kg. The weight of incorporation of the gilts, as well as the litter size and the birth weight, at the weaning and average daily gain of the piglets, were controlled through simple ANOVA; in addition to relating the weight of incorporation of the gilts with the litter size, birth weight and weaning by linear regression, using the program Stagraphics plus 5.1. The results showed that there is a strong and positive relationship between the weight of incorporation of the gilts and the productive indicators of the piglets, which were always higher in the incorporated gilts weighing more than 130 kg. It was shown that more live piglets are born from incorporated gilts weighing more than 130 kg and that mortality is higher when the incorporation weights are lower than this. It was verified that in the incorporated gilts with less than 130 kg of live weight, 50575.00 Cuban pesos loosen benefits for fewer live born piglets.

Background: Toxoplasma parasite is from Toxoplasmatidea family that initially was seen in ctinodactylus gondii rodent. Toxoplasma parasites that extracted from different rodents are same in immunologic and morphologic characteristics but have differences in pathogenicity and genotypes in mice. The rodents and cattle are most reservoir hosts in environment that by attention of human environment vicinity to cattle and rodent’s environment causes Toxoplasma dispersion in that area. The aim of this study was Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in rodents and cattle of Golestan province, northeast of Iran.

Materials and methods: In this study we collected 285 mice and 185 cattle tissues from Golestan forest and extracted brains of rodents and hearts tissues of cattle to obtain DNA from these tissues. We divided these rodents to 4 groups and then detected the positive samples by PCR method.

Results: In this study we found 68 samples of these rodents were positive for SAG1 gene. 38 samples were Ratus ratus, 10 samples were Ratus norvegicus, 10 samples were Mus musculus and 10 samples were Rombumys opimus. Also 81 samples of cattle hearts were positive for SAG1 gene.

Conclusion and discussion: in this study we found that the different types of rodents were responsible to spread of toxoplasmosis, also SAG1 gene was very useful marker to detect toxoplasmosis in rodents of northeast area of Iran. Also in this area the numbers of toxoplasmosis cattle were in very high range.