Dietary butyric acid improved growth,digestive enzyme activities and humoral immune parameters in Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

A six‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of butyric acid (BA) inclusion in diet on performance of Barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Fish (12.0 ± 0.2 g) were fed with four experimental diets contained 0.0 (control), 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g BA/kg in triplicate. Fish fed on 5 and 10 g BA/kg diets had higher growth and total alkaline protease and lipase activities than the other treatments. Fillet protein content in BA‐supplemented groups was higher than the control. Liver catalase activity was highest in 2.5 g BA/kg group compared with the other groups. The values of liver superoxide dismutase activity and serum total protein concentration in 5 and 10 g BA/kg treatments were higher than those in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the highest and the lowest levels of serum lysozyme activity were noticed in the 10 g BA/kg and the control groups, respectively (p < .05). Also, the highest respiratory burst activity was observed in fish fed 5 g BA/kg feed. Supplementing diet with 2.5 or 5 g BA/kg resulted in higher serum haemolytic activity in fish compared with the other groups. The number of red and white blood cells increased in fish fed BA‐supplemented diets compared with the control (p < .05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed inclusion of BA at 5 g/kg diet in L. calcarifer juveniles improved growth and upgraded the general health condition by enhancing fish antioxidant enzyme activities and haemato‐immunological responses.     

Proteome modifications of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) muscle under biofloc system

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of biofloc technology on the muscle proteome of Litopenaeus vannamei. Two biofloc treatments and one control were compared: biofloc‐based tanks under zero‐water exchange fed with 150 g/kg crude protein (BF15), or with 250 g/kg crude protein (BF25) diets, and clear water tanks with 50% of daily water exchange stocked with shrimp fed with similar amount of a 250 g/kg crude protein diet, referred to as control. The shrimp (5.28 ± 0.42 g) were divided into the 300‐L fibreglass tanks (water volume of 200 L) at a density of 35 shrimp per tank and were cultured for 35 days. The biofloc groups displayed better growth and survival compared to the control. The muscle tissue from the control and BF25 groups was subjected to proteomic analysis. Lactate dehydrogenase, enolase, arginine kinase, mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit alpha, mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor factor 1 precursor, serpin 3 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 had an increased abundance in the BF25 group, while myosin heavy chain type 1 and myosin heavy chain type 2 showed a decreased abundance. The results indicate that biofloc technology could alter the expression of proteins involved in structure, metabolism and immune status of cultured shrimp.     

Effects of protein and lipid concentrations in broodstock diets on growth, spawning performance and egg quality of yellowfin sea bream (Acanthopagrus latus)

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary protein and lipid concentrations on growth, spawning performance and egg quality of yellowfin sea bream, Acanthopagrus latus. Nine diets representing a combination of three protein concentrations (40, 50 and 60%) and three lipid concentrations (15, 20 and 25%) were tested with three replicates. Each replicate was stocked with 10 fish with a sex ratio of 1:1 and the average weights were 415 g and 236 g for females and males, respectively. Fish were fed to satiation twice daily. The weight gain of A. latus broodstock was not significantly (P > 0.05) different among fish fed diets with the various protein and lipid concentrations. Except for relative fecundity and survival rate of 3-day-post-hatch (3DPH) larvae, spawning performance of A. latus was not significantly affected by different concentrations of dietary protein or lipid. Relative fecundity was found to be significantly elevated by dietary lipid at 20% concentration. However, survival rate of 3DPH larvae was highest from broodstock fed diets with 40% protein and 25% lipid, 50% protein and 15% lipid and 60% protein and 15% lipid concentrations. Egg diameter generally increased with increasing dietary protein from 40 to 60% at each lipid concentration. Total length of hatchlings followed an inverse relationship with dietary protein regardless of the lipid concentration. The oil globule diameter (OGD) of hatchlings significantly increased with decreasing dietary protein from 60 to 40%. Yolk sac length (YSL) and OGD of hatchlings was generally greatest at 15% dietary lipid concentration irrespective of protein concentrations. Total length of 3DPH larvae was greatest from broodstock fed diets with 50% protein and 20% lipid, respectively. Body protein content of broodstock was not significantly affected by dietary protein and lipid concentrations. However, increasing dietary lipid generally resulted in increasing body lipid content regardless of the dietary protein concentration. Protein and lipid contents of eggs, hatchlings and 3DPH larvae were significantly affected by dietary protein and lipid concentrations of the broodstock diets. The present study revealed that the best reproductive performance of A. latus broodstock was achieved at 40% dietary protein and 20% dietary lipid concentrations based on relative fecundity, fertilization rate, hatchability and survival of 3DPH larvae.     

Stand characteristics of mixed oriental beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus orientalis</Emphasis> Lipsky) stands in the stem exclusion phase,northern Iran

The structure of forest stands changes through developmental phases. This study is carried out in the unmanaged, oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands in the north of Iran. The aim of this research was to quantify structural characteristics of stands in the stem exclusion phase using common structural indices, which include mingling, tree–tree distance, stem diameter, and tree height differentiation. According to our measurements from three stands, naturally regenerated stands tend to be mixed in species composition have slightly heterogeneous diameter distributions and uniform tree height. The average distance between trees was 3.3 m. Stocking volume of the stands had an average of 540 m³ ha^?1 and 412 stem ha^?1. Dead wood volume was 24 m³ ha^?1, and as a standing volume, the most frequent species in dead wood pool was oriental beech (F. orientalis) (48 %). The common form of dead trees was snag (41 %). The mean value of mingling and tree-to-tree interval indices revealed that beech was mixed intensively with hornbeam and appears to be a more successful competitor for space and light compared with hornbeam; moreover, we found relatively high evidence of inter-species competition in this phase. A better understanding of stand characteristics in the stem exclusion phase as a critical part of the natural dynamics of forest ecosystems could facilitate predictions about the future changes within the stand.     

Acute oxalate intoxication associated to ingestion of eshnan (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Seidlitzia rosmarinus</Emphasis>) in sheep

An outbreak of acute oxalate intoxication in a sheep flock was associated to Seidlitzia rosmarinus (Chenopodiaceae) with a mortality rate of about 19%. Affected sheep showed marked azotemia and hypocalcemia. Post-mortem findings included congestion and hemorrhage in visceral organs, ruminitis frequently associated with precipitation of birefringent calcium oxalate crystals, and acute nephrosis with numerous birefringent calcium oxalate crystals in renal tubules. This is the first report of oxalate poisoning due to ingestion of S. rosmarinus in sheep.     

Seroprevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in dairy cattle in Isfahan Province, Iran

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV), the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is an exogenous C-type oncovirus in the Retroviridae family. It causes significant economic losses associated with the costs of control and eradication programs due to carcass condemnation at slaughter and restrictions of export of cattle and semen to importing countries. The main objective of this research was to determine the seroprevalence of BLV infection in cattle herds in central region of Iran (Isfahan province) using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect serum antibodies against BLV. Samples of blood serum were collected from 403 female dairy cattle (Holstein-Friesian) from 21 livestock farms and 303 animals (81.9%) were BLV seropositive. A significant association was found between age as a potential risk factor and BVL seroprevalence with animals ≥ 4 years (86.6%) having a significantly (χ(2) = 35.6, p < 0.001) higher seroprevalence compared to those < 4 years (54.2%). We found no significant statistical association between seroprevalence and pregnancy, lactation status and farming systems as potential risk factors in this study (p > 0.1). It is concluded that BLV infection is a very common problem in the study area. Hence, control measures should be instituted to combat the disease and further studies are required to investigate the impact of this disease on dairy production in the country.     

Influence of Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC) as an Organic Fertilizer on Nutrient,Growth, Yield,and Essential Oil Composition of German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita L.)

To investigate the effect of Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC) as an organic fertilizer on German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) nutrient, growth, yield, essential oil and osmolytes a greenhouse experiment was conducted through a randomized complete design in six replications. A mixture of sandy loam soil with 5, 10 and 15% volume rates of spent mushroom compost was used as the partial substrate for German chamomile pot culture. Finding of results revealed that usage of SMC in the growing media increased significantly plant growth, flower yield, essential macro nutrient uptake, sodium concentration, proline and soluble sugars content as well as essential oil percentages in compared to control. Comparison between the treatments indicated that addition of 10% SMC to the plant soil substrate cause to higher growth and addition of higher rates of SMC (10% and 15%) led to better yield. The obtained results showed that absorption of K and Na enhanced significantly by increasing of SMC percentage in growing media but there was no significant difference in N and P uptake in SMC treatments. The results of GC and GC-MS analysis presented that the main compositions of essential oil extracted from German chamomile flowers accounted for 83.99–99.84% of total essential oil in SMC treatments. Regarding important role of SMC on the essential oil yield, we can consider SMC could be a suitable substitute for chemical fertilizers as environmentally friendly material in cultivation medicinal plant German chamomile.     

High potential of agro-industrial by-products of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) as the powerful antifungal and antioxidant substances

Microorganisms such as fungi are one of the most important factors that cause oxidative processes during postharvest stage and consequently deterioration of agriculture products would not be unexpected. On the other hand, high antioxidant properties of industrial by-products of pomegranate propose them as powerful antioxidant and antifungal substances. So to investigate the antioxidant and antifungal properties of pomegranate, two independent factorial experiments based on randomized design with 5 replications were conducted. In the first experiment the effect of 3 different parts of pomegranate (peel, seed and leaf) and 2 different kinds of extracts (aqueous and methanolic) with 4 concentrations (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) were investigated on 3 postharvest fungi (Penicillium italicum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Botrytis cinerea). In the second experiment antioxidant capacity and phenolic content were measured for two different extracts from different parts. Based on the results the methanolic extract showed the highest inhibitory effects on the mycelia growth (IMG) and spore germination (ISG) with 49.82 and 41.25% respectively. On the other hand, peel and seed extracts had more inhibitory effect (IMG and ISG) than leaf extract. The phenolic content of peel extract were also measured 2.8 fold higher than pomegranate leaf extract and antioxidant capacity of peel, seed and leaf extracts of pomegranate were 55.3%, 35.7% and 16.4% respectively. Therefore, it seems that the high percentage of phenolic content in the peel and seed of pomegranate could cause the high antifungal and antioxidant activity of their extracts.     

Preclinical toxicity and safety evaluation of Althaea officinalis L. extract as naturopathic medicine in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.): Hematological and biochemical study

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of marshmallow extract (Althaea officinalis L.) administration on blood cells and biochemical parameters of carp liver. A total of 150 carps (Cyprinus carpio, initial body mass of 37.7 ± 4.4 g) were fed diets containing 0.0 (control diet), 2.5, 5, and 10 g marshmallow extract for 60 days. On days 30 and 60 of the experiment blood samples were collected and hematological parameters and liver enzyme activities—aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—were measured. No significant difference was found (p > .05) in red blood cells (RBC); hemoglobin concentration (Hb); hematocrit (Htc); mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCH); or the percentage of neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils in fish fed with different concentrations of marshmallow extract on days 30 and 60. However, the white blood cell (WBC) count was increased significantly in the fish fed for 60 days with feed supplemented with 5 g marshmallow extract (p < .05). The MCHC was increased signi?cantly in ?sh fed with diets supplemented with 2.5 g marshmallow extract for 60 days (p < .05). Administration of marshmallow extract (5 g) significantly increased (p < 0.05) lymphocytes on days 30 and 60. However, dietary intake of 10 g marshmallow extract had significantly decreased the monocyte percentage after 60 days. A significant increase was observed in AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH levels in livers of fish fed with extract 10 g, which may be attributed to cytotoxicity. However, marshmallow extract 2.5 and 5 g did not have adverse effects on liver enzymes. These results indicate that preclinical dietary supplementations of 2.5 and 5 g marshmallow extract per kg diet have no side effects on common carp.     

A new PCR-RFLP method for detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaplasma marginale</Emphasis> based on 16S rRNA

Species of the genus Anaplasma (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) are obligate intracellular tick borne pathogens. Three species of Anaplasma that infect cattle and sheep (A. marginale, A. centrale and A. ovis) are well recognized. Of these erythrocytic Anaplasma, A. marginale can cause diseases in the livestock with high economical losses. Species-specific PCR based on 16S rRNA gene is commonly used for detection of Anaplasma species but can not differentiate A. marginale, A. centrale and A. ovis because of sequence similarity. In this study DNA extraction was performed on 50 blood samples with presence of Anaplasma spp. in marginal point of erythrocytes in their blood smears. The extracted DNA from blood cells was analyzed by PCR and PCR-RFLP using primers derived from 16S rRNA gene and restriction endonuclease Bst1107 I. The restriction endonuclease Bst1107I only recognizes the sequence (GTATAC) in corresponding PCR product of A. marginale and cut it. The nucleotide sequence of the A. marginale 16S rRNA gene was determined and compared with the sequences of A. marginale in GenBank. The 16S rRNA of A. marginale in Iran was completely similar to the related sequence deposited in GenBank at accession number of M60313. In the present study we propose a new PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP) method based on 16S rRNA gene for specific detection of A. marginale.