BACKGROUND: Diazinon is an organophosphate pesticide which is widely used in paddy fields located in northern parts of Iran, though it is prohibited to be used in many countries. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate sublethal effects of diazinon on blood parameters of common bream Abramis brama. METHODS: In sublethal toxicity test, fish were exposed to diazinon concentrations of 0.04, 0.36, 0.73 and 1.46 mg/l for 14 days and their hematological parameters including WBCs, white cell differential count, RBCs, Hct, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC were studied.  RESULTS: The results of sublethal toxicity indicated that by increase of toxicant concentration a significant decrease was appeared in WBCs, RBCs, Hct, Hb and MCH both after 7 and 14 days (p<0.05). After 7 days a significant decrease was observed in lymphocytes count which accounted for about %81 of the control group. The neutrophils count was also face the same reduction so that after 14 days of diazinon exposure, the neutrophils counted decreased to about %85 of control group. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the toxicity of diazinon on various hematological parameters and the diazinon concentration in Iranian waters and considering the fish habitat in the waters which are connected to the Caspian Sea it suggests that the pesticide diazinon affect the fish survival.

BACKGROUND: It is believed that bovine neutrophils contain several peptides and protein which exhibit antimicrobial activity against microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to isolate and purify a potential antibacterial protein from bovine neutrophil and test its anti bacterial activity. Methods: Neutrophils were isolated from bovine blood using dextran sedimentation and centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaqe. Cell viability is examined by trypan blue dye exclusion method. Protein extract was then dialyzed and applied onto ion exchange chromatography for further purification, and its potential cytostatic activity was examined against Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Yersinia ruckeri. Results: Viability of isolated neutrophil was over 95%, chromatographic results and SDS-PAGE analysis exhibited that neutrophil cytosolic proteins were fractionated so that the purification of P7/P23 was almost 60% in the first step and purification was completed in the second phase. Using calibration curve according to molecular mass markers, the relative molecular mass of P7 and P23 determined as 7 kDa and 23 kDa, respectively. Also, results showed that this protein has antibacterial activity and has higher bactericidal activity against Y. ruckeri. Conclusions: It could be concluded that purification of P7/P23 sustains its biological activity and has wide range antibacterial activity. Moreover, taking all data into account may suggest that the cytostatic activity of neutrophil, to some extent, results from P7/P23 protein which is abundant in the cytosole.

BACKGROUND: Vitamins are considered an essential part in diet of aquatic animals. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to assay the effect of different levels of vitamin E on growth performance, carcass compositions and blood parameters of common carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio). METHODS: Total number of 96 common carp fingerlings weighing 15.49 ± 3.64 g were randomly distributed into 12 fiberglass tanks in four treatments group including control (without added vitamin), 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg vitamin E in three replicates and kept at a density of 8 fish per tank for 10 weeks. RESULTS: Results showed that the highest weight gain, percentage of body weight increase, mean daily growth, specific growth rate, condition factor and the lowest food conversation ratio were observed in fish fed with 200mg/kg vitamin E but no significant differences were seen compared to other treatments (p>0.05). Fish fed with 200mg/kg vitamin E had the highest (p>0.05) contents of protein and ash compared to control group. There was an increase in values of RBC, Hct and Hb in fish fed with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg vitamin E in comparison with control group. Significant differences were observed in MCHC in fish fed with 100 mg/kg vitamin E compared to control and fish fed with 400 mg/kg, also treatment 200 mg/kg with treatment 400 mg/kg vitamin E (p<0.05). Fish fed vitamin E in 200 and 100 mg/kg had the highest WBC count. Fish fed with different levels of vitamin E had higher lymphocyte in comparison with control group and fish fed with 100 mg/kg had significant difference with control in lymphocyte (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E in level of 200 mg/kg can play an important role to enhance growth performance, nutrition efficiency and improving blood indices and support cell immunity in common carp fingerlings.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine supplementation to the pre-starter diet of broiler chicks could improve their performance during the first week of post-hatch. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of glutamine levels in the pre-starter diet on intestinal mucosa morphology and performance of broiler chicks. METHOD: A total of 160 Ross 308, one-day old broilers were used in a complete randomized block design with 3 treatments of 5 replicates. Diets were formulated to contain different levels of glutamine (0, 0.5 and 1%). Body weight and feed intake were measured at 6 and 13d. On d 0, 3, 6 and 13 post hatch, 2 birds per each replicate were weighted and killed, and samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were taken subsequently. RESULTS: Supplementation of diets with 1% glutamine improved growth performance and feed efficiency at 6 and 13 day post hatch (p<0.05). On d 3 and 6, glutamine supplementation increased villi height and width in the small intestinal significantly (p<0.05). On d 13, chicks fed glutamine added diet had a longer villi height and width than those fed the basal diet (p<0.05). Glutamine supplementation has also decreased crypt depth of jejunum and ileum at 3, 6 and 13, but increased crypt depth in duodenum at 3 and 6 d of age (p<0.05). Increase in glutamine levels of pre-starter diet increased villi height relative crypt depth of jejunum and ileum at 3 and 6 d of age. On d 13, chicks fed diet contain 1% glutamine had a higher villi height relative crypt depth than those fed the basal diet. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of 1% glutamine to the pre-starter diets improved broiler growth performance and resulted in better development of the intestinal mucosa in broiler chicks.

BACKGROUND: Regulation of electrolytes levels and water in fish is very important because of its vast permeable surfaces that are in contact with the environment. Therefore, for homeostasis and osmoregulation, various adaptation mechanisms at different biological levels have  been developed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the changes and adaptations of mitochondria-rich cells as an important cellular response to these changes.This was influenced by different environmental salinities in fish Sparidentex hasta which are very important economic species in the southern region of the country. METHODS: 180 fish, aged three months, 20 - 25 cm in length and weighing about 150 gr were exposed  directly to different concentrations of salt (5, 20, 40 and 60 ppt) for 1 week. Localization of the Na +, K +-ATPase in mitochondria-rich cells in gill epithelial were studied in different environmental salinities during the adaptation period.  was performed by using IgGα5 as immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: NKA localization showed that the mitochondria-rich cells are in the filament and rarely in lamellar epithelium. Intensity reactive of the antibody used during the period showed an increase  in 5 and 60 ppt and decrease  in 40 ppt. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, tolerance and compatibility of Sparidentex hasta to salinity changes are due to rapid changes in mitochondria-rich cells to regulate the entry and exit of water and electrolytes. So to adapt with the new condition of environment some changes in the apical openings appear that regulate the amount of the carrier electrolyte enzymes in basolateral membrane. It also causes adaption of mitochondria activity to the new condition.

BACKGROUND: Biofloc technology is considered  a method that degrades organic waste by microorganisms and produces bacterial flocculation. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate of the application of biofloc technology in therearing of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings in intensive culture. METHODS: The experiment was designed in four treatments (Commercial diet as a control, 75% commercial diet + Biofloc, 50% commercial diet + Biofloc, 25% commercial diet + Biofloc) with carp fingerlings (Initial weight 58 ± .2 g) over a period of one month. Water exchange in Biofloc treatments was 1% during 24 h while water flow through system was used in control. At the end of experiment, all fish were intraperitoneally injected with 12×107 colony forming units (CFU) of Aeromonas hydrophila per fish. RESULTS:The results of the experiment indicated that the highest weight gain was observed in fingerlings fed 75% commercial diet + Biofloc that differed significantly from the group fed 25% commercial diet + Biofloc (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between control and 50% and 75% commercial diet as well (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in case of condition factor, viscerosomatic index (VSI) and survival in experimental treatments (p>0.05). Also, Biofloc significantly increased ash content in muscle (p<0.05). The highest mortality (64.2 %) was observed in control inchallenge of Aeromonas hydrophila. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Biofloc technology can increase growth performances of carp fingerlings in intensive system and decrease water exchange via quality improvement.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin-induced asthma (AIA) with symptoms such as acute bronchoconstriction occurs in about 10% of asthmatic individuals following ingestion of aspirin or other aspirin-like drugs. The mechanisms involved in AIA are not fully understood but it seems that inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) can play a role in such attacks.               Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of aspirin-like drugs on airway responsiveness in an animal model of allergic asthma. Methods: 42 male guinea pigs (250-300 g) were randomly divided into seven groups: control, allergic, ketoprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib, and aspirin (high and low doses). All animals except control group were sensitized by i.p. injections of ovalbumin and Al (OH)3 suspensions and then challenged by inhalation of ovalbumin solution on day 18. The animals received three oral doses of the aforementioned drugs or normal saline in control and allergic groups with 12 hr intervals within 24 hr before ovalbumin challenge. On day 19, animals were euthanized and the responsiveness of isolated tracheas was studied using cumulative doses of histamine and acetyl choline in an organ bath. Results: Indomethacin and ketoprofen significantly increased the trachea responsiveness to acetyl choline and histamine at all concentrations. Emax values for acetyl choline and histamine in indomethacin were respectively (3.5±0.1, 3.5±0.1 g) and ketoprofen (5.1±0.2, 4.3±0.1) groups were greater than those of control (1.5±0.1, 1.5±0.1), allergic, celecoxib, high dose aspirin and low dose aspirin groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that indomethacin and ketoprofen (but not aspirin and celecoxib) can exacerbate the asthmatic conditions in this animal model.

BACKGROUND: Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs) are the only stem cells in adults that can transfer genetic information to future generations. Considering that a single SSC gives rise to a vast number of spermatozoa, genetic manipulation of these cells is a potential novel technology with practical application to various animal species. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) gene transfection into bovine spermatogonial colonies via liposome carrier and assess the best incubation day in uptake exogenous gene by spermatogonial colonies. METHODS: Transfection efficiency EGFP gene through lipofection was determined different in three days (day 4, 6 and 8) after the beginning of the culture by fluorescent microscope. Immunofluorescent staining against OCT4 and vimentin led to the confirmation of the nature of both SSCs and sertoli cells. RESULTS: Results showed that the transfected colonies through lipofection increased significantly (p<0.05) in each three days of transfection in comparison with those of the control groups. The transfection colonies were higher (significant) in comparision with those of the free exogenous gene carrier groups. The rate of infected colonies was higher when transfection proceed day 4. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that lipofectamine can be used safely for direct loading of exogenous DNA to spermatogonila colony, particularly during the fourth day of culture.

BACKGROUND: In traditional medicine in some Asian countries, including Iran, there is a belief that camphor is a suppressor of sexual activity. Not only has the validity of this hypothesis not been established, but also studies in this field are very limited.  OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the effects of camphor on sperm quality in mice, and to protect sperm damage vitamin E as an antioxidant was used. METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 adult male mice (balb/c) with weight range 20-25 gr in 5 groups. First group was control (CO) and treated with normal saline,  groups  2 and 3 were sham groups treated respectively with Olive oil (OL) and the combination of olive oil and vitamin E (OL+E), and finally, two experimental groups were treated using camphor (CA) and camphor with vitamin E (CA+E). Camphor at doses of 30 mg/kg/day and vitamin E at doses of 100 mg/kg/day were prepared. All materials were administered orally (gavage). After 35 days semen were collected from tail of epididymis, and then total count, motility, viability, nuclear maturity, and DNA damage were examined. RESULTS: Results showed significant reduction in sperm total count, percentage of viability, increase in  the number of immature sperms and  no significant difference in rate of motile sperms and sperms with damaged DNA in groups that received Camphor was observed. Vitamin E as a strong antioxidant administered lightly was able to reduce the effects of  Camphor on viable and mature sperms (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that Camphor could affect on mice sperm quality and vitamin E as an antioxidant,  was able to slightly reduce Camphor effects in sperm quality.

BACKGROUND: The correct usage of  wastes in animal nutrition causes  decrease in environmental pollution. Apple pomace as an energetic matter and source of digestible fibers for ruminants is a proper alternative for forage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of diets containing dried apple pomace on digestibility, rumination, microbial fermentation and blood glucose and urea of Arabi sheep. METHODS: In the first step, 0, 10, 20 and 30% dried apple pomace replaced with alfalfa were used in the experimental diets. According to the result, gas production and digestibility of diet containing 30% dried apple pomace was higher than the other diets (p<0.05). Therefore, in the second step, 8 Arabi sheep were fed with diet without apple pomace (control) and diet containing 30% apple pomace for 45 days. RESULTS: The result showed that nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, NDF and ADF) were not significantly affected by the diets (p>0.05), but rumination activity of diet containing apple pomace decreased (p<0.05). Blood metabolites (glucose and urea) showed no significant differences between experimental diets, but blood glucose was higher in control treatment. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration was 14.48 and 17.49 mg/dl (p>0.05), and pH was 6.30 and 6.16 for control and apple pomace treatment, respectively (p<0.05). The rumen protozoa numbers increased with apple pomace (p<0.05). Diet containing apple pomace increased gas production potential and digestibility of wheat straw by rumen microorganism and bacteria (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that alfalfa replaced with 30% dried apple pomace in Arabi sheep’s diet can improve digestive activity of rumen microbes and nutrient fermentation and digestibility.