Ratites differ in the anatomy of their digestive organs and their digesta excretion patterns. Ostriches (Struthio camelus) have large fermentation chambers and long digesta retention, emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) have a short gut and short retention times, and rheas (Rhea americana) are intermediate. A recent study showed that ostriches produce as much methane (CH4) as expected for a similar...

In order to perform a histomorphometric study of blood cells in male adult ostrich, blood samples were obtained from jugular vein of 10 clinically healthy male adult ostriches (2 - 3 years old). The slides were stained with the Giemsa methods and the smears were evaluated for cellular morphology, with cellular size being determined by micrometry. The findings of this study revealed that the sha...

In the present study we collected 177 serum samples from ostriches (Struthio camelus) infected experimentally with A/ostrich/South Africa/Middleton/2004 (H5N2) highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. We tested these samples using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, the agar gel immunodiffusion test and three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. We considered the HI test, with homolo...

Aspergillosis is an important infectious disease in ostriches that can be acute or chronic. Because of high morbidity and mortality rate of aspergillosis in ostriches, it can cause serious financial losses to the ostrich production industry. In this study, we discuss some outbreaks of Aspergillus infection in ostrich farms of eastern regions of Iran during 2010-2012. Signs of respiratory involv...

in order to perform a histomorphometric study of blood cells in male adult ostrich, blood samples were obtained from jugular vein of 10 clinically healthy male adult ostriches (2 - 3 years old). the slides were stained with the giemsa methods and the smears were evaluated for cellular morphology, with cellular size being determined by micrometry. the findings of this study revealed that the sha...

Commercially reared ostriches at Msengi farm situated in the Chinhoyi area of Mashonaland West province in Zimbabwe were found to be infected with the 'oriental eye fluke', Philopthalmus gralli, in 2001. This was the ist record of the fluke in Zimbabwe. Trials were conducted to identify a suitable drug for the treatment of this fluke. A total of 12 ostriches confirmed to be infected with the fl...

Aspergillosis is an important infectious disease in ostriches that can be acute or chronic. Because of high morbidity and mortality rate of aspergillosis in ostriches, it can cause serious financial losses to the ostrich production industry. In this study, we discuss some outbreaks of Aspergillus infection in ostrich farms of eastern regions of Iran during 2010-2012. Signs of respiratory involv...

Peripheral blood lymphocytes are classified according to their immunologic properties as B and T lymphocytes [5, 9]. These lymphocyte types are found in definite proportions in the peripheral blood of healthy animals, but exhibit important deviations in their ratios in some proliferative diseases [5, 9, 11, 16]. Determination of the origin of lymphocytes in leukemias, and of the changes that oc...

Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis of extinct ratite species is of considerable interest as it provides important insights into their origin, evolution, paleogeographical distribution and vicariant speciation in congruence with continental drift theory. In this study, DNA hotspots were detected in fossilized eggshell fragments of ratites (dated ≥25000 years B.P. by radiocarbon dating) using confocal l...