BACKGROUND: The most common metal used in the body is iron and since it may produce ROS, it could potentially be a dangerous substance. OBJECTIVES: Regarding the side effects of nanomaterials such as nano iron particles and possibility of environmental contamination including air pollution with nanoscale iron particle, this study was designed to compare the effects of conventional iron oxide with iron oxide nanoparticles, on certain indexes of ovarian tissue in a rat experimental model. METHODS: This animal model was carried out in 5 groups of female rats, including control, iron oxide (15 mg) and iron oxide nanoparticles (5, 15 and 30 mg). The drugs were intraperitoneally injected daily for 16 days. On the seventeenth day the rats were euthanized by chloroform. Ovarian tissue was removed, and histological changes and iron accumulation were assessed by special staining and light microscopy. RESULTS: According to our findings, folliculogenesis was decreased in all groups receiving iron. The number of corpus luteum in the groups receiving different doses of nanoparticle was reduced and the number of atretic follicles was significantly increased in all groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, probably iron nanoparticles with impaired cellular oxidative pathways, reduces the number of follicles and corpus luteum and increase atretic follicles by producing oxygen free radicals and destructing microfilaments. This can cause a negative effect on the fertility of female rats.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of melatonin on semen quality and quantity changes and increase of reproductive efficiency in Lori-Bakhtiari ram in the non-reproductive season. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin on testicular size and semen qualitative and quantitative changes in the non-breeding season is Lori-Bakhtiari rams. METHODS: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of melatonin on the quantity and quality of semen and testicular diameter in 8 Lori- Bakhtiari rams (4 control rams and 4 treatment rams) for 10 weeks during spring 2013. Each ram in the treatment group was received three tablets of 18 mg implantable melatonin subcutaneously at the base of ear after 5 weeks from the start of the trial. RESULTS: Semen parameters and testicular diameter measurements were evaluated on a weekly basis. No significant differences were observed between 2 groups before melatonin implanting. A significant difference was observed after melatonin implanting between 2 groups in the mean of testicular diameter (treatment: 33.5±0.25 and control: 30.67±0.07 cm), in semen volume (treatment: 1.34±0.03 and control: 0.87± 0.04 ml) and in sperm concentration (treatment: 1.76±0.05 and control: 1.37±0.04 109/ml) (p<0.05). However, other parameters including average of lives sperm percentage, total sperm motility, sperm progressive movement and percentage of abnormal sperm were not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this experiment showed that the use of melatonin in the non-reproductive season resulted in increase of testicular size, semen volume and sperm concentration in Lori-Bakhtiari ram. However, the rest of the semen parameters have not been affected.

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: The modern dairy cows, due to intensive selection for higher milk production during past decades, have become more resistant to insulin. Accompanied with DMI depression in per parturient dairy cow, insulin resistance may lead to a massive release of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) to bloodstream which might act as a start point for development of other diseases. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate potentiality of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) of marine or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of plant origin to correct the insulin resistance induced by saturated fatty acids in cultured bovine adipocytes. METHODS: Fatty acids from different oils were isolated using KOH and were mixed together with different proportions to obtain the following profiles: 1) saturated fatty acids (SFA); 2); saturated fatty acids+n-6/n-3 PUFA (medium chain) at ratio of 1:1 (SFA-MC1:1)and3) saturated fatty acids + n-6/n-3 PUFA (long chain) at ratio of 1:1 (SFA-LC 1:1). Adipocytes were cultured for 48 in the presence of treatments and after the incubation period an epinephrine challenge was applied to stimulate lipolysis. In the adjacent culture plates for each treatment insulin was added along with epinephrine challenge in different concentrations to test sensitivity of adipocytes to insulin. After conducting insulin sensitivity test, a sample was taken from culture media and analyzed for glycerol concentration as an index of lipolysis. RESULTS: Results indicated that saturated fatty acids effectively induced insulin resistance in adipocytes. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil had a significant preventive effect on insulin resistance induced by saturated fatty acids so that increasing insulin concentration linearly increased the response of adipocytes to insulin in treatment LC-SFA 1:1. Shorter chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids of plant origin did not show such effects on insulin sensitivity in adipocytes. ConclusionS: n-3 fatty acids from fish oil improved bovine adipocyte sensitivity to insulin but shorter chain n-3 fatty acids did not show this ability.

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: Strepotococcosis caused by Streptococcus iniae is one of the important emerging bacterial diseases in aquaculture sector worldwide. ObjectiveS: In this study, the genetic diversity of S. iniae strains was assessed in some rainbow trout farms in Iran. Methods: Gram positive and catalase negative bacterial isolates were first obtained from 100 trout fish farms in 8 states using routine bacteriological and molecular (PCR) works. The genetic diversity of these bacterial isolates was then assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Results: Seventy-seven strains of Gram positive and catalase negative cocci were isolated from diseased trout. PCR analysis resulted in identification of 27 strains as S. iniae. RFLP analysis of these strains using 9 digestive enzymes resulted in production of 29 bands with different molecular weight (62-940bp).  Phylogenetic relationship of these strains grouped them in two distinct clusters. Twenty-six strains from Tehran, Mazandaran, Gilan, Lorstan, Fars and Charmaha-va-Bakhtiary provinces showed high homogeneous similarity above 99%, while one strain from Mazandaran province showed some differences with other strains. ConclusionS: S. iniae isolates in trout aquaculture in Iran possess  low genetic diversity.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A is a lipid soluble vitamin which can be stored in the body organs (especially in liver) and its supply is only through ration. Objectives: The present study has been conducted to evaluate vitamin A status of feedlot cattle in the city of Garmsar and impact of season and nutritional management on it. Methods: During the study 100 blood samples were taken from feedlot cattle of 6 farms in cold seasons of one year and 100 samples from 5 farms in warm seasons of the same year. Also, 50 blood and liver samples of slaughtered feedlot cattle were taken from Garmsar slaughter house in each of the mentioned seasons. Serum and hepatic tissue concentrations of vitamin A and beta carotene were measured by using standard biochemical methods. Student’s t-test and Tukey’s HSD tests were used for analysis  of the results and  pResults: The results of present study showed that mean serum and hepatic concentration of vitamin A in feedlot cattle in the city of Garmsar was in defined normal range for cattle and these animals did not show any vitamin A deficiency, but mean serum beta carotene concentration was at a very low level and lower than defined normal range for this species. Mean serum vitamin A concentration of feedlot cattle in cold seasons was significantly higher than that in warm seasons (p<0.05), conversely serum beta carotene concentration of feedlot cattle during warm seasons was significantly higher than that in cold seasons (p<0.05). However, comparing vitamin A concentration of liver tissues of feedlot cattle in cold and warm seasons did not show any significant difference (p>0.05).  ConclusionS: From the results of the present study it can be concluded that serum and hepatic concentration of vitamin A in feedlot cattle of the city of Garmsar was in normal reference range of cattle, and in spite of very low concentration of serum beta carotene concentration, due to supplementation of this vitamin in feed, vitamin A deficiency did not occur in these cattle.

BACKGROUND: The foramen magnum (FM) is an important landmark of the skull base and a transition zone between spine and skull as well as its close relationship to the brain and the spinal cord. So the FM has gained considerable interest due to its comparative anatomy, ontogeny, clinical, and animal breeding viewpoints. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine morphology and morphometry of the occipital area of 20 mature and immature male Khouzestan river buffaloes. METHODS: 7 parameters of the occipital area and the shape of the FM in the skull of 20 mature and immature male Khouzestan river buffaloes were analyzed. RESULTS: The FM had 4 shapes including round, egg, oval, and tetragonal. In the mature and immature groups, the highest frequency of the FM shape belonged to oval. In the mature and immature groups, the tetragonal FM shape and the oval FM shape had the lowest frequency, respectively. The mean of the width, the length of the FM and the index of the FM in mature group was 38.60± 2.70, 35.34± 2.33, and 92.26±26 mm, respectively and 40.67± 1.51, 36.35± 2.33, and 90.23±3.65 mm in immature group, respectively. Amongst of the all parameters, the width and the length of the jugular process only differed significantly between mature and immature groups. CONCLUSIONS: The variations of the FM shape in river buffalo were more than those of reported animals. The  mean of  the length and  the width of  the FM,  the jugular processes width,  the length of the jugular process, the length  and width  of the  occipital condyles of male river buffaloes were greater than those of reported animals. The index of the FM in river buffalo was less than 100, which corresponded with the findings in rabbit, German shepherd and Pekingese dogs.

BACKGROUND: One of the most artificial sweeteners is Aspartame which is commonly  used in a variety of foodstuffs. Objectives: This study has been carried out in order to evaluate the effects of Aspartame on histology and histometry of duodenum. Methods: Forty female Balb/C mice, 21 days of age were selected and initial weight was determined. The treatment groups received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Aspartame for 6 weeks, control group received only distilled water. At the end of experiment, the mice were reweighed. Then the duodenal tissue sections were prepared and stained with H&amp;E. Besides the histological study, histometric data were collected by a light microscope equipped with Axiovision software. Results: The body weights in treatment groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were 5.57±1.18, 4.47±0.89 and 5.84±0.57 respectively, which in comparison with the control group (9.38±0.81) showed a significant difference (p<0.05). The histological study showed that the rate of destruction in the cells and mucosal structures, at the dose of 200 mg/kg compared to the dose of 100 and 400 mg/kg has been increased. In histometric aspect, abundance of duodenal villi, height of the villi and thickness of duodenal mucosa, only in the experimental group of 200 mg/kg were significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). Whereas the width of villi (width of the apex, body and the base), in all of the experimental groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.05). The thickness of musculature of duodenum in experimental groups had no significant differences with the control group. Conclusions: Based on this study, it can be concluded that Aspartame can cause some histological and histometrical changes in duodenum.

BACKGROUND: Application of green chemistry to the synthesis of nanomaterials is of vital importance in medicinal and technological aspects. Recently, synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plants and marine macro algae to adapt this approach to the environment, has become  more popular. Objectives: The purpose of this study is biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using seaweed, Sargassum angustifolium, and determining its toxicity in common carp. Methods: First, synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sargassum algae was conducted and then acute toxicity of these silver nanoparticles was investigated at static renewal condition during 96 hours in common carp according to standard methods (1998) OECD. Results: TEM analysis showed that the average size of the bionanoparticles was found to be 32.54 nm and spherical in shape. The toxicity results showed that the LC50 at 24, 48, 72 and 96-h after exposure was 79.54 ± 0.007, 52.17 ± 0.006, 30.62 ± 0.008 and 11.34 ± 0.016 mg/l respectively. Conclusions: Analysis related to the characterization of the properties of silver nanoparticles proves bioreduction of silver ions by sargassum seaweed extract. According to the results the mortality rates of common carp showed an increasing trend with increasing concentration and exposure time, which indicates the toxicity of this substance in high concentration for common carp.