BACKGROUND:  Considering the progressing tendency of administration of nanomaterials products in the world and their entrance to aquatic ecosystems, their toxicity assessment on the aquatic environment and proposing the biocompatible solutions in their production seems indispensable. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), chemical and biosynthetic forms were evaluated using the biomarker, artemia nauplii (Artemia fransiscana). METHODS: For toxicity assessment, the OECD standard method was used. The artemia nauplii were exposed to additive serial concentration of biosynthetic and chemical silver nanoparticles. For biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, aqueous extracts of two species of marine macroalgae Ulva flexuosa (green algae) and Sargassum boveanum (brown algae) were used. Artemia nauplii mortality in the times of 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after exposure to silver nanoparticles were recorded and analyzed via Probit software. RESULTS: Survey findings showed that not only the toxicity of these three types of silver nanoparticles on artemia nauplii increased in a dose- dependent manner, but also their toxicity increased along with duration of exposure time. The toxicity of these nanoparticles were significantly different (P<0.05). The 48 h LC50 value of chemical AgNPs in the artemia nauplii was 31.8 mg/l, while 48 h LC50 for biosynthesis AgNPs  produced by U. flexuosa, and S. boveanum were 366.96 and 141.16 mg/l respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the toxicity of these three types of AgNPs on artemia nauplii showed that, the chemical form of AgNPs was more toxic (up to 10 times) than a biosynthetic form of AgNPs. Moreover, the source of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles had a considerable impact on toxicity of final production, because a biosynthetic form of AgNPs produced by U. flexuosa was less toxic than the same form prepared from S. boveanum.

BACKGROUND: The sources of fish oil for use in aquaculture is limited and different oil sources vary in fatty acid composition. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of plant oil sources such as soybean and canola oils with or without L-carnitine supplement on some blood biochemical parameters and growth performance of fingerlings rainbow trout. METHODS: In 3×2 factorial experimental design, 180 rainbow trout with 28±2 g initial body weight were randomly divided into six groups with three replicates and fed two times a day at ad libitum by dietary treatments during 10 weeks. The experimental diets contained three dietary oil sources such as fish, soybean and canola oil; and two supplemental dietaries L- carnitine levels (0 and 1 g.kg-1). Feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, feed intake, body weight gain and blood biochemical parameters of fish such as albumin, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: Replacement of fish oil by soybean and canola oil had no significant effect on growth performance such as body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, hepatosomatic index, carcass weight and condition factor of fish. L-carnitine supplement significantly improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio and increased condition factor of fish (P<0.05). Soybean oil significantly increased cholesterol and triglyceride level, and canola oil decreased HDL and globulin level in blood serum of fish (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that fish oil could be wholly replaced by soybean or canola oil in the diet of rainbow trout and also physiological responses and growth performance of fish to carnitine supplement were affected by dietary oil sources.

BACKGROUND: Pacu is considered as one of the major sources of nutrition in the Amazon basin because of its high growth rate, low food expectation and resistance to diseases and the idea of using inulin in its diet can improve the culture of the species. Objectives: In this study the effe0ct of different levels of prebiotic inulin on the growth rate, body composition and some blood parameters in black Pacu was studied. Methods: For this purpose 120 Pacu fish (6.50±0.05 g) were fed with 1, 2 and 3 g/kg   prebiotic inulin over a period of 60 days. Results: The results showed that the highest percentage of body weight gained, specific growth rate and condition factor were obtained in 3 g/kg inulin, which were significantly different from other treatments (P<0.05). A significant positive effect was observed in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) by adding 3 g/kg inulin. It decreased the amount of FCR and increased the amount of PER significantly. Also, there was no dead fish between treatments all during the period and the survival rate was 100%. Addition of inulin to the diet, improved the nutritional composition of the fish and the maximum amount of protein and fat and minimum amount of moisture were measured in 3 g/kg inulin. In hematological parameters, although there were no significant differences in the number of red blood cells, MCV, MCH and MCHC amounts, the maximum numbers of white blood cells and the highest amounts of hemoglobin and hematocrit with the significant differences to other treatments, belonged to 3 g/kg  inulin. Conclusions: Addition of 3 g/kg inulin can improve the growth rate, nutrient composition and immunity in Black Pacu.

BACKGROUND: Oxidation of lipids results in changes that may affect the nutritional quality, wholesomeness, colour, flavour and texture of food. Canola oil is prone to oxidation because of high unsaturated fatty acids. Using synthetic antioxidant due to the possibility of toxic and carcinogenic effects is limited. Thus, it is important to research on replacing synthetic antioxidants by natural antioxidant. Objectives: The aim of this research was identification of the chemical compounds of Carum copticum essential oils (CEOs) and investigation of antioxidant and antiradical properties by using Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and β-carotene/linoleic acid system and assaying its antioxidant capacity in canola oil. Methods: Carum copticum essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Anti-radical activity of (CEOs) was investigated by using various methods and then antioxidant  was tested by measuring the peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid of canola oil samples containing different concentrations of C. copticum essential oil and synthetic antioxidant(BHT). Results: Results showed that thymol (36.4%), γ-terpinene (21.73%) and ρ-cymene (31.3%) were the major compositions of essential oil. IC50 value of (CEOs) was 21± 0.2  µg/ml. In both systems, the sequence of the power of antioxidant activity was BHT then C. copticum essential oil. In addition, by increasing the concentrations, their antioxidant activities were increased. Statistical results revealed C. Copticum essential oil at concentration of 400 ppm (P>0.05). Conclusions: Carum copticum essential oil is a potent antioxidant for stabilization of canola oil and can be used as a natural antioxidant. It seems that after complementary test it can be used as natural antioxidant in foodstuff, especially in edible oils.

BACKGROUND: In the past decades, medicinal plants were used to enhance the specific and non-specific defense mechanism and to increase resistance to disease. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Curcuma longa L. on the hematological factors of Huso huso. METHODS: In this study, 90 beluga with average weight of 2.403± 0.006 Kg were kept on Shahid Rajai reproduction, culture and rehabilitation of sturgeon for 20 days. This number of fish were distributed in the three groups with the names curcumin, control (+) and control (-) with three replicates. After one week adaptation with experimental environment fish were injected intraperitoneally. In curcumin group 400 mg/kgbw curcumin extract at the maximum volume of 0.5 ml was used. In control (+)and in control (-) without injection 0.5 ml of physiological serum was kept just to check fish experimental conditions. Blood was taken at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days post injection. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin and blood indices such as MCV, MCH, MCHC in the curcumin group was higher  than the control group (control (+) and control (-)). CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study showed that use of curcumin in beluga has high impact on increasing Hematology parameters.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Campylobacter associated food-poisoning has gradually increased and it is considered to be the major cause of widespread infectious disease of the recent century. Although the poultry are the most important reservoirs and source of transmission of Campylobacter to human, urban wild birds like the ducks with faecal contamination of environment cannot be excluded from being the contributing source of Campylobacter spp. for human and animals. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the faecal contamination of C.jujuni and C.coli in urban ducks in the North of Iran. Methods:From March to April 2016, a total of 75 stool samples were collected from urban ducks in Sari, Amol, Ghaem Shahr and Babol, Mazandaran province, Iran to evaluate the presence of Campylobacter spp. using triplex PCR. 16srRNA, mapA and ceuE genes were targeted for Campylobacter spp., C.jujuni and C.coli respectively. Results: 13 of 75 samples (17.33%) were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. Faeco prevalence of C.jujuni and C.coli was 84.6% and 15.4% .The prevalence of C.jujuni was significantly more (p< 0-0.5). Conclusions: The results of this study have shown prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in urban ducks in the North of Iran is relatively high and may be considered a potential risk factor for human Campylobacteriosis in Iran, especially in children

BACKGROUND: Ticks are important ectoparasites in ruminants which cause economic losses in animal husbandry of Iran and worldwide. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to determine geographic distribution, frequency and species diversity of hard ticks in domestic ruminants in Ilam province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 445 domestic ruminants (139 cattle, 162 sheep, 144 goats) from 120 flocks of 30 villages in north and south parts of Ilam province were randomly selected and examined in summer 2015. The ixodid ticks were collected from body surface of examined animals and identified. RESULTS: Of all examined ruminants, 44.6% cattle, 51.23% sheep, and 52.08% goats were infested with a total number of 1209 unfed ixodid ticks. The highest prevalence of hard ticks was found in 2-3 year-old female cattle (15.55%), 1-2 year-old female sheep (19.75%) and less than 1 year-old female goats (17.36%) in the region. The highest prevalence was found in 2-3 year-old female cattle (37.1%), 1-2 year-old ewes (38.55%) and less than 1 year-old kids (33.33%). There was significant difference between prevalence and different age groups of infested sheep and cattle. Of 1209 collected ixodid ticks, tick indices (tick number per animal) were 6.1, 5.9 and 4.5 in cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. The highest infestation in cattle (17 flocks, 14.1%), sheep (13 flocks, 10.8%) and goats (14 flocks, 11.6%) was respectively found in north, south and southern parts of the region. The highest tick aggregation was found for ears in cattle (31.13%), sheep (34.41%) and goats (28.9%). Of all examined ticks (1209), two genera including Hyalomma (37.62%) and Rhipicephalus (62.38%) with seven, seven, and six species in cattle, sheep, and goats were respectively identified. The predominant infesting ticks were R. sanguineus (22.16% in cattle) from north (11.31%) and H. anatolicum anatulicum (21.8% in sheep and 24.77% in goats) from south (15.49% and 13.42%) part of the province. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that species diversity and frequency of ixodid ticks were prevalent in domestic ruminants of different parts of Ilam province.

BACKGROUND: Due to the incomplete microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract in infant animals, the occurrence of any kind of stress causes gastrointestinal microbial imbalance and gastrointestinal disorders in the animal. The use of probiotics in diets of experimental animals improves the production of volatile fatty acids in rumen as the main stimulants of ruminal papillae. In this case the beneficial microbial population promotes in the rumen and its products improve the health and animal performance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of Protexin™ probiotics in milk replacer on digestive tract development and ruminal parameters of suckling Zel lambs. METHODS: To conduct this experiment, 24 male lambs were used at 10 days of age with mean weight (4.2 ± 0.53 kg) in 4 treatments and 6 replicates per each treatment as individual pens for 60 days. Treatments include control (without probiotic) and 3, 6 and 9 g (×109 cfu/g) of probiotic in milk replacer. In day 60 of experiments, pH values were measured by a portable digital device and ammonia nitrogen and number of protozoa in rumen fluid were measured in laboratory. Ruminal morphological results were studied after animal was slaughtered. RESULTS: The results of ruminal parameters showed that adding 9 g probiotic resulted in a significant increase in ammonia nitrogen and number of ruminal fluid protozoa compared to other levels (P<0.05). There were not significant differences in pH and VFA of ruminal fluid indicated no significant difference among treatments. In rumen morphology results, there was a significant difference between treatments in weight of empty whole digestive tract, rumen, omasum and abomasums weight and the volume of reticulum and abomasum (P<0.05) and this difference was significant between treatment of 9 g probiotic and other treatments. Also, the effect of experimental treatments was significant on length and width of the rumen papillae (P<0.05), so that level of 9 g probiotic was higher than other levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the addition of probiotic in milk replacer of experimental lambs significantly increased ruminal VFA and developed the ruminal morphological traits, so that in these traits, amount of 9 g probiotic had better performance than the other levels.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) is a plant with piscicidal and fertilizing properties. OBJECTIVES: In this study the effect of different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 and 100mg/l) of hydro-alcoholic extracts of tobacco has been examined on different tissues of Rainbow trout. METHODS: Samples from liver, kidney and gill of Rainbow trout were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and studied under light microscopy. RESULTS: Various histopathological lesions were observed in the liver of Rainbow trout exposed to different concentrations of tobacco. The results showed that with increase in concentrations of tobacco up to 10 and 100mg/l, bloodshed increased and hepatocytes lost their continuity and showed discontinuity mood. Lamellar aneurysm, bleeding and leukocytes infiltration, clubbing at the end of the lamellae, hyperplasia of secondary lamellar epithelium, epithelial lifting of secondary lamellae and creating an edematous space, lamellar shortening, vacuolation and lamellar fusion were the more abundant branchial lesions after exposure to tobacco. Separating the epithelium from basement membrane, hypertrophy, glomerular capillary dilation and tubular degeneration were observed in renal tissues in all treatments. At higher concentrations of tobacco (10 and 100mg/l), renal tubular necrosis was also observed. According to the results liver of rainbow trout showed a few histopathological alteration following exposure to tobacco extracts. Unlike the liver, gills of rainbow trout due to direct contact with pollutants showed more lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco extract has more pathological effects on gills in comparison with liver and kidney of Rainbow trout due to direct contact with the dissolved pollutant.

BACKGROUND: Virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) imposes significant economic losses to the commercial poultry industry in our country and worldwide. However, in Iran scattered and relatively few studies have been done in order to characterize NDV isolates.   OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to characterize two vNDV isolates obtained from commercial poultry farms in Isfahan province in 1999 through Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene complete sequencing. METHODS: Haemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene of each NDV isolate was amplified and sequenced using specific primers and then phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: Based on complete coding sequence of HN gene analysis, studied isolates showed close relationship with genotype XIII and subgenotype XIIIa NDV strains. Analysis of both complete HN gene and partial F gene lead to identical results and same classification of studied viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Results of present study are useful  for a better understanding of molecular epidemiology of indigenous NDV strains and determining important molecular differences between field and commonly used vaccinal strains related to main immunogenic proteins.