Dietary ginger administration attenuates oxidative stress and immunosuppression caused by oxytetracycline in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In the present study, potential ameliorative effects of dietary ginger (GN) were investigated on antioxidant and immune responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during oxytetracycline (OX) administration. As a 2 × 3 factorial design, the fish were orally treated with OX (a daily dose of 100 mg/kg) and GN (either 10 or 20 g/kg diet) for 10 days. Then, blood samples were taken from each treatment to monitor plasma lysozyme, complement (ACH50), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), total immunoglobulin (Ig) and globulin levels. OX treatment significantly decreased SOD (30%), GPx, (10%) and lysozyme (23%) activities, and GSH (19%) levels; however, it increased GST (16%) activity and MDA (28%) levels. Ten grams GN per kg levels significantly decreased SOD (35%), CAT (13%), GST (20%) and MDA (30%), but increased GSH (30%), lysozyme (48%) and globulin (16%). Twenty grams GN per kg diet significantly decreased SOD (26%) and MDA (17%), but increased lysozyme (31%) levels. Interaction effects of dietary GN and OX were observed on plasma MDA and GPx levels, as 10 g GN per kg diet prevented the OTC‐induced changes in these parameters. Moreover, 20 g GN per kg diet prevented the OX‐induced change in GPx activity and mitigated the MDA elevation by 20%. It is concluded that GN administration at 10 g/kg diet is beneficial in mitigating oxidative stress and immunosuppression of rainbow trout during OX administration.     

Comparative study of dietary soy phytoestrogens genistein and equol effects on growth parameters and ovarian development in farmed female beluga sturgeon,Huso huso

Oocyte maturation in fish is a hormonally regulated process. In the light of long-term oocyte maturation in beluga, the aim of this research was to study the estrogenic effects of different concentrations of soy dietary genistein (GE) and equol (EQ) on the growth performance and ovary development in farmed female Huso huso. Fish were fed with concentrations 0 (control), 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g of EQ and GE per kg of isoproteic (CP 45 %) and isoenergetic (19.5 MJ/kg) diets during a year. Blood samples and ovary biopsies were collected from each fish seasonally. The main results of the present experimentation are that growth performance was not affected significantly both in GE and EQ (P > 0.05). EQ at concentration 0.4 g/kg had more estrogenic effects than other concentrations of EQ and GE in beluga so that 64 % of fish were matured sexually. Some reproductive indices such as oocyte diameter, testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E₂) increased significantly at EQ 0.4 g/kg at the end of experiment (P < 0.05), while 17α-hydroxy progesterone level (17α-OHP) showed no significant changes at all concentrations. Biochemical indices such as calcium, phosphorous and cholesterol increased at GE concentrations, but decreased at EQ concentrations similarly at the end of experiment. There was a negative relationship between plasma phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase enzyme levels. Based on results, EQ at concentration 0.4 g/kg improved oocyte development more than the other concentrations of GE and EQ, and therefore, it can be used as an additive to diets for inducing ovary development in this species.     

Flower yield performance and stability of various Rosa damascena Mill. landraces under different ecological conditions

The flower yield stability of Damask rose as an important medicinal and aromatic plant at different environments has not been well documented. In order to evaluate flower yield and stability, 35 landraces of Damask rose were studied at 8 locations in Iran during 2007–2008. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) among landraces (G), environments (E), locations (L) and for landrace × environment (GE) and landrace × location (GL) interactions. Both GE and GL interactions were mainly crossover, a large portion of which was accounted for by non-linear (unpredictable) component. The landraces of IS9, YZ2, WA1, IS7 and IS1 with 3120.63, 2941.63, 2894.62, 2769.15 and 2716.92 kg/ha respectively produced the highest flower yield among studied landraces. Kerman with average flower yield of 3635.46 kg/ha produced the highest yield among studied locations. According to the results, most of landraces that originated from temperate, warm temperate and arid regions produced higher flower yield than those from cool, cool temperate, semi-arid and humid regions. The landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1_, IS3 and BA1 were stable and YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1 IS6, IS3, BA1, IS10 and YZ1 were adaptable landraces for flower yield according to Eberhart and Russell (1966) model. The presence of some high flower yield and stable landraces such as YZ2 and IS5 suggests that a genotype can demonstrate high flower yield and stability for yield simultaneously. Thus, simultaneous selection for flower yield and stability using nonparametric methods could be possible. In addition, taking into consideration flower yield and stability potential, the landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4 and KZ1 as general stable, adaptable, and high flower yield are recommended. Furthermore, the landraces of IS9 and WA1 as high flower yield and specific adaptable landraces can be recommended for temperate and arid areas and the landraces of IS7 and IS1 for semitemperate and cool areas.     

Cropping system effects on carbohydrate content and water-stable aggregates in a calcareous soil of Central Iran

The effect of humus, readily decomposable organic matter, and carbohydrates of a nonspecific nature on the formation of water-stable aggregates in field rotation members of a calcareous soil in central Iran, Isfahan (fine loamy mixed thermic typic haplargid) has been studied. The study was carried out at Lavark experimental farm in plots receiving 0 (T1), 25 (T2), 50 (T3) and 100 (T4) Mg/ha of manure for 5 years successively with a cropping rotation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–corn (Zea mays L.) every year and plots under similar chemical fertilizer management but with three different cropping rotations (T5, T6 and T7) that has been the prevalent cropping systems. Three replications of soil sample in each treatment and at the depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm were used to measure organic carbon (OC), hot-water-soluble carbohydrate, dilute acid hydrolysable carbohydrate, cold-water-soluble carbohydrate and mean weight diameter of water stable aggregates. The highest amount of carbohydrate (700 mg/kg) and aggregate stability (0.8 mm) were obtained in plots with 100 Mg/ha manure (T4). The amount of carbohydrate extracted from soil samples decreased in the order of hot water, dilute acid and cold water extracts.Aggregate stability had a better correlation with hot water (r = 0.74**) and dilute acid-soluble carbohydrate (r = 0.73**) than organic carbon (r = 0.62**) content of soil. This indicates that the carbohydrate extracted by hot water and dilute acid may be a suitable indicator for showing soil quality, particularly in relation to soil aggregation.     

Quantifying the effect of inbreeding on average daily gain and Kleiber ratio in Mazandaran native chickens

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aims of this study was to evaluate inbreeding effects for growth rate (average daily gain from hatch to 8&nbsp;weeks of age (ADG1–8), average...     

Assessment of NK cells response to hepatocyte derived chemotactic agents

This project was aimed to examine the NK92 cells response as the CXC chemokine responder cells in rat model of liver disorder and injuries. Hepatocytes were isolated from Sprague-dawly rats and cultured on collagen type 1. Migration of NK92 cells was assessed using a 48 well micro-chemotaxis technique. Transwell chambers were positioned faced up, blocked Medium supernatant (500 microL) obtained from hepatocytes cultures were placed into the lower compartment of each Transwell. The upper compartment was filled with either 500 microL of NK92 cells. After washing, Membrane-attached cells were fixed; stained and Membrane-attached cells were counted by light microscopy and/or by size gating (9-14 microm) with an automated counter system. Human NK92 cells were attracted to recombinant human IP-10 in a concentration and time-dependent manner. NK92 cells also exhibited a chemotactic response to medium harvested from primary hepatocyte cultures. Isolated and cultured hepatocytes express several different chemokines. Although we identified that medium from hepatocyte cultures contains specific chemokines by immunoblotting, there is potential that migration assays detected yet other chemokines and other factors such as complement components. In this report, we demonstrated that hepatocytes expressed factors that were chemoattractive for human NK92 cells and that the factors must interact with the repertoire of receptors responsible for recruitment of these cells.     

Enhanced haematological and immune responses in common carp Cyprinus carpio fed with olive leaf extract‐supplemented diets and subjected to ambient ammonia

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of olive leaf (Olea europea L.) extract (OLE) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) health in response to ambient ammonia toxicity. Fish were fed with experimental diets containing OLE (0, 1, 5 and 10 g/kg) for 60 days followed by a 3‐hr challenge with ammonia (0.5 mg/L unionized ammonia‐N). Results showed that haemoglobin levels, differential leucocyte counts and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were not affected by dietary OLE levels and ammonia challenge. Ammonia challenge significantly increased red blood cells and decreased blood mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, plasma lysozyme, complement and bactericidal activities. Plasma lysozyme, complement and total immunoglobulin values improved by 5 and/or 10 g OLE/kg supplementation. Before the ammonia exposure, the 5 and 10 g OLE/kg treatment significantly increased blood white blood cell, but there was no significant difference among the treatments after the ammonia exposure. Ammonia exposure significantly increased plasma malondialdehyde levels; however, 1 and 5 g OLE/kg treatments had significantly lower values compared to the other treatments. The present results suggest that 1 g OLE/kg diet may improve fish health and reduce the adverse effects of ammonia toxicity on common carp.     

Occurrence, pathogenicity and distribution of Fusarium spp. in stored wheat seeds Kermanshah Province, Iran

Fusarium is one of the most important pathogenic and toxigenic fungi widely distributed all over the world, including Iran. Fusarium species are found frequently in stored agriculture products especially wheat. The objective of this study was to identify Fusarium species associated with stored wheat seeds and their pathogenicity on root and head of wheat in Kermanshah, the leading province in wheat production in Iran. In this survey 75 seed samples of stored wheat were collected from 10 different regions during 2006-2008 and tested for the presence of Fusarium. Fusarium spp. were found in 51 (68%) of 75 samples. A total of 580 Fusarium strains were isolated, identified and preserved. All these strains belong to 20 Fusarium spp. according to morphological characters. Each conidial suspension of selected strains representing all species was evaluated for their pathogenicity on roots and spikes of healthy wheat var. Fallat in the greenhouse. F. graminearum, F. crookwellense, F. trichothecioides, F. culmorum and F. verticillioides were the most pathogenic to wheat's head. Foot rot assessment revealed that F. pseudograminearum and F. culmorum were the most damaging species. Of the Fusarium isolates, F. graminearum was the most prevalent followed by F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. This is the first comprehensive report on identity and distribution of Fusarium spp. from stored wheat seeds in Iran while F. nelsonii was reported for the first time from wheat seeds in Iran.     

No detected hepatitis B virus-DNA in thalassemic patients infected by hepatitis C virus in Kerman province of Iran

This research was aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical impact of occult HBV infection in thalassemic patients with chronic HCV infection. In this cross-sectional study we have totally examined 60 patients suffering HBV and HCV infections by PCR and RT-PCR methods, respectively, in Kerman province of Iran. ELISA technique (RADIM, Italy) was used to detect anti-HBc, anti-HBs and HBsAg. The serum level of liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, DB, TB and ALK) were analyzed in the HCV infected patients (MAN, IRAN). Statistical analyses performed using t-test and Chi-square. We found that 27 cases (out of 60) were infected by HCV but HBV-DNA was not seen in HCV infected patients. Present findings also showed that none of samples were HBsAg positive but 9 (33%) (out of 27) HCV-RNA positive patients were anti-HBc positive and 11 (40.7%) were positive for anti-HBs. We found that SGOT, SGPT, DB, TB and ALK are above normal in 27 (100%), 19(70.3%), 12(44.5%), 15 (55.5%) and 15 (55.5%) RNA-HCV positive patients, respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis C infection is very high in thalassemic patients and based on other studies our results showed that the prevalence of HCV infection in Kerman is more than other provinces of Iran. In contrast with other studies HBV-DNA in these patients could not be detected, hence, it seems that occult HBV infection isn't frequent in Iranian thalassemic patients who suffering from chronic HCV infection.     

Effect of Azospirillum lipoferum and Azotobacter chroococcum on germination and early growth of hopbush shrub (Dodonaea viscosa L.) under salinity stress

Reduced physiological efficiency as well as low and irregular germination rate under environmental stress conditions (e.g., salinity) are among the major factors affecting the propagation of numerous plants, in particular medicinal ones. A factorial experiment using a completely randomized design was employed to evaluate the effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on hopbush seed germination and seedling growth under salinity stress. After the seeds were inoculated with the Azospirillum lipoferum, Azotobacter chroococcum, and Azospirillum + Azotobacter and exposed to salinity stress at six levels, they were placed into a germinator at 20°C temperature and 65% relative humidity with a photoperiodic regime of 16 h light/8 h dark at 1,000 lux fluorescent light. The seeds inoculated with the bacterial strains could tolerate salinity levels of up to 50 dS/m and germinate. The combined treatment of Azospirillum + Azotobacter increased germination percentage at 20 and 50 dS/m levels by 21.67 and 10%, respectively. Also, A. chroococcum at 15 and 20 dS/m and Azospirillum + Azotobacter at 50 dS/m stress levels increased germination rate by 88, 316, and 155%, respectively, compared with the control. Furthermore, plant growth parameters—e.g., root and stem length, root and stem dry and fresh weights, as well as the ratios of root length and weight to the stem counterparts—were considerably enhanced by Azotobacter chroococcum treatment under elevated salinity stress (15 and 20 dS/m), relative to the control. Inoculation with A. chroococcum more favorably affected on and was also more compatible with Dodonaea viscosa seedlings leading to considerably improved seedlings growth parameters as well as seed germination under salinity stress.