Low rain fall: a protective or a risk factor for infection with gastrointestinal parasites of Dama dama in Southwest of Iran

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1 Low rain fall: a protective or a risk factor for infection with gastrointestinal parasites of Dama dama in Southwest of Iran S.M. Razavi, H. Shayegh, A. Mootabi Alavi and E. Rakhshandehroo Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Low rain fall: a protective or a risk factor for infection with gastrointestinal parasites of Dama dama in Southwest of Iran S.M. Razavi, H. Shayegh, A. Mootabi Alavi and E. Rakhshandehroo Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Corresponding author's h.shayegh92@yahoo.com Objectives: Dama dama mesopotamica, Persian fallow deer, has a restricted distribution in some parts of Iran. This species has experienced numerous threats such as natural predation, competition with livestock, inbreeding and infectious diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate and to identify the gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of Persian fallow deer in Dasht-e-Arjan Wildlife Refuge, Southwest of Iran. Materials & Methods: During June 2012, 63 fresh fecal samples were collected from deer populations in Dasht-e-Arjan Wildlife Refuge, Southwest of Iran. One part of all samples was examined by flotation technique with Sheater's solution and modified Ziehl-Nielson acid fast staining and the other part was incubated at room temperature in Potassium dichromate (2.5%) for sporulation of Eimeria oocysts. Results & Conclusion: The results showed no helminthes eggs, no Eimeria and no Cryptosporidium oocysts. Considering the fact that the animals had not been treated previously, it seems that low annual rain fall ( mm) during five past years in this area has created a parasite-free, but highly susceptible population with no concomitant immunity. Therefore, this endangered species appeared to be at high risk for severe infection with GI parasites, particularly, those from nomads ruminants in their habitats. Keywords: Low rain fall, gasterointestinal parasites, Persian fallow deer, risk factors

3 Introduction Persian fallow deer (Dama dama mesopotamica) has experienced numerous threats such as predation, loss of natural habitats and infectious diseases. This species differs from European one by having bigger body size, more regular white spots on body and less branched antlers. It is classified under Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia Order: Cetartiodactyla, Family: Cervidae, Subfamily: Cervinae, Genus: Dama Some general characteristics of Persian fallow deer's are: Body length: cm, Shoulder height: cm, Tail length: cm, Habitat: Plains/Woodlands, Sexual maturity age: 16 months, Gestation period: 230 days, Parturition season: Early summer, Food: Grazer, Social behavior: Living in herds.. The Persian fallow deer was thought to be extinct by the 1940's, but a small population was subsequently rediscovered in Khuzistan province during 1950's as of the mid 1990's the total population in Iran was not exceed 250. By 2004, the population had increased to about 340 animals. By 2008, the number of animals had increased further. The main habitat in Iran (Ashk island, West Azarbayjan) with 306 animals (as recorded in 2009) experienced prominent habitat alterations, particularly, dryness of Uromieh Lake. The animals gradually leave the island and migrate to Lake Beach where they had not adequate access to drinking water. In Fars province, 63 deer inhabit in Miankotal (Dasht-e-Arjan Wildlife Refuge) and they need to be investigated for some threats such as infectious diseases. Materials & Methods During June 2012, 63 fresh fecal samples were collected from deer populations in Dasht-e-Arjan Wildlife Refuge, Southwest of Iran.

4 One part of all samples was examined by flotation technique with Sheater's solution and modified Ziehl-Nielson acid fast staining for diagnosis of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the other part was incubated at room temperature in Potassium dichromate (2.5% W/V) and well-aerated for sporulation of Eimeria oocysts. Results & Conclusion The results showed no helminthes eggs, no Eimeria and no Cryptosporidium oocysts. Concomitant immunity is referred to a condition in which continuous exposure to low dose of a parasite induces immunity against further infection with the same parasite. Continuous exposure to infective oocysts or ova needs different biotic and environmental factors from which relative humidity, temperature and rain fall are of importance. Based on meteorological data, subsequent low annual rain falls ( mm) have been reported during five past years ( ) from this are (Fig.1).

5 Rainfall (mm) Rainfall records of Kazerun zone, Iran rain fall (Figure.1); Rainfall records of Kazerun zone, Iran This condition has prevented the animals from infection, and in turn, from concomitant immunity against these parasites. Therefore the deer lost their humoral and cell-mediated immunity and are at risk to be infected severely now. On the other hand, they are in close contact with nomads ruminants in their habitats. In such a condition, these animals create a susceptible population which is at high risk to be infected with GI parasites from these migratory ruminants and needs careful consideration and, if possible, chemoprophylaxis to prevent acute intestinal parasitism. Acknowledgement The authors are grateful to thank Dr. M. Moazeni for administrative correspondence. Also, the authors would like to express their appreciation to the Environmental Protection Agency of Fars province for their kindly contributions to conduct the sampling process.

6 فایل ای مرب ط پ ستر ارئ شدي ب مراي خالص مقال ی چاپ شدي در د میه کىگري بیه المللی کلیىیسیه ای دام ای بسرگ) 3102 ( برگسار شدي ت سط سازمان وظام دامپسشکی جم ری اسالمی ایران ب پی ست میباشد.

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