Effect of dietary n-3 series fatty acids on sperm production in the freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz) (Astacidae)

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of three different rates of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC n-3 PUFA) on the sperm number of Astacus leptodactylus. The experiment was carried out with the four following treatments: control group (not supplemented LC n-3 PUFA), D1 (1 %), D2 (2 %) and D3 (3 %). The sperm number of A. leptodactylus was counted; the reproductive system was weighted; and the macroscopical analysis of the testes and vasa deferentia (DVD) were conducted. In addition, gonado-somatic index (GI) and testes index (TI) were also calculated. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the crayfish fed LC n-3 PUFA supplemented diets (D1, D2, D3) and control in mean sperm number (P < 0.05). The highest sperm number was found for the crayfish fed D3 (6.27 ± 0.14 × 10⁸ sperm/distal vas deferens section). The results also showed that the reproductive system of the crayfish fed D3 and D2 was significantly heavier than that of the crayfish fed the control and D1 (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there was not a significant difference in the testes weight and vasa deferentia weight between the crayfish fed the control and D1, and between the crayfish fed D2 and D3 (P < 0.05). GI of the crayfish fed D3 and D2 was significantly higher than that of the crayfish fed control and D1 (P > 0.05), but there was not a significant difference in the TI of the crayfish fed control, D1, D2 and D3 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, diets containing different levels of LC n-3 PUFA significantly increase the sperm number of A. leptodactylus, and they are crucial for the production of higher number of sperm in this species.     

In vitro fermentation of different starches by mixed micro-organisms from the sheep rumen

Fermentation characteristics of wheat, rye, maize and triticale starches by mixed micro-organisms from the sheep rumen were determined in an in vitro experiment. Starch was incubated with ruminal fluid for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h and various fermentation variables were determined. The rates of fermentation of the starches were not different (p > 0.05) from each other except for 2 and 4 h of incubation. Likewise, net ammonia production, sugar utilization, microbial biomass and the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis did not differ between the starches (p > 0.05). The proportions of sugar utilized were similar between the starches and approximately 75% of the starches were fermented during the 12-h incubation. The 12-h net concentrations of individual and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were affected (p < 0.05) by the type of starch. The concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate and that of total VFA from wheat, maize and triticale incubations were higher (p < 0.05) than those from rye incubation. The results suggest that the type of starch subject to investigation had no measurable effects on fermentation variables determined in this study except for individual and total VFA concentrations.     

Characterization of Cement Plant Emissions in Turkey

In cement plants in Turkey CO, NO₂, SO₂ and particulate emissions were measured using standard measurement techniques and equipment. Emission factors are calculated by dividing the emission rates by capacity of production at the time of measurements for each plant. The results of this study show that the dominant emissions from cement production in Turkey is CO followed by NO₂, dust and SO₂ in decreasing order. National averages for the emission factors are calculated and compared to international emission factors. On average the Turkish dust emission factor is higher than the German factor, however NO₂ and SO₂ emission factors are lower in Turkey.     

Evaluation of ethyl methanesulfonate-induced in vitro mutagenesis,polymorphism and genomic instability in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is highly rich in nutrients and is an important staple food for humankind. Mutation breeding offers a relatively quick...     

Gonadal histology and some biochemical characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chalcalburnus tarichi</Emphasis> (Pallas, 1811) having abnormal gonads

The gonad histology, gonado-somatic index (GSI), 17β-estradiol (E₂) levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the carp species Chalcalburnus tarichi from Lake Van and the Karasu river, eastern Turkey, have been investigated. Fish between 5 and 7 years old were sampled from November 2003 to February 2004. The ratio of female fish caught in Lake Van with abnormal ovaries (AbOF) was 43.3%, but the fork length and body weight of these fish were not correlated with this abnormality. The weight of the ovaries and the GSI values of AbOF were very low (P < 0.05). Histological observations on the samples caught each month revealed that the oocytes had degenerated in the perinucleolus and early cortical alveolus stages and that the ovaries were full of somatic stromal tissue. In addition, the seminiferous tubules of male fish with abnormal testes did not contain male reproductive cells at any stage. The ovaries of the fish caught from the Karasu river were also full of oocytes in the perinucleolus and early cortical alveolus stages, but there were fewer atretic follicles. Furthermore, apoptosis was observed in the ovary cells of these fish, in particular in the follicular cells, and the plasma E₂ levels of the AbOF was very low (P < 0.05). AChE activity was inhibited only in liver (P < 0.05). We conclude that our sample of C. tarichi must have been exposed to various polluting chemicals or another unknown factors (such as global warming) and that these factors have irreversibly impaired oocyte development in a high percentage of fish.     

The Effect of Whey Protein Isolate Coating Enriched with Thyme Essential Oils on Trout Quality at Refrigerated Storage (4 ± 2°C)

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluated the effect of whey protein isolate (WPI) coating enriched with thyme essential oil (EO; 3, 5, and 7%, v/v) on whole trout chemical and microbial quality during refrigerated storage at 4 ± 2°C. As a result of this study, the addition of thyme essential oil to WPI coatings enhanced quality significantly better than that of the control and WPI coating without thyme essential oil during refrigerated storage, and this effect increased with an increase in the thyme EO concentration in WPI coating.     

Meat Yield,Condition Index,and Biochemical Composition of Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) in Sinop,South of the Black Sea

Monthly variations in meat yield and biochemical composition of Mediterranean mussels on lantern nets were investigated from May 2005 to May 2006, in Sinop, south of the Black Sea. Dry weight condition index was between 2.66 and 7.10% with a mean of 4.86 ± 0.36%. Meat yield was maximum (26.69%) in March and minimum (17.43%) in October. Moisture values were between 78% (in June) and 86% (in April). Protein content in dry weight of mussels reached the highest value in February (74.64%) before the spawning time. Lipid value was maximum (18.03%) in May 2005.     

Hormone-mediated maternal stress affects embryonic development during incubation without adverse effect on chick weight and body composition

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal stress (MS) induced by supplementing the hen’s diet with 2 mg/hen/d dietary corticosterone (CORT) on embryonic development, biochemical blood parameters and hatching performance of broiler chicks.

2. A total of 200 Ross broiler breeder hens at 42 weeks of age were randomly divided into two groups: MS or control. Hens in the MS were fed 2 mg/hen/d CORT for 14 d. Eggs (648 and 635 eggs for MS and control, respectively) were collected from d 3 to 14 of dietary CORT supplementation and incubated. Weights of embryo, chicks and organs and body composition were determined during incubation and at hatch. Biochemical blood parameters were measured at internal pipping stage and day of hatch. Hatching performance and embryonic mortalities were recorded.

3. Hens fed a diet supplemented with CORT had lighter body weight and produced less eggs at the end of the 14-d treatment period. Although MS embryos were heavier than control from 12 to 18 d of incubation, chick weight was similar at the day of hatch. Lower relative weights for yolk sac and bursa were observed at 12 d of incubation for MS chicks compared to control. Chicks from both groups had similar body content in spite of higher fat content of MS embryos on d 18 of incubation.

4. MS had no effect on the duration of incubation or hatching performance but increased mortality at the pipping stage.

5. The results suggest that hormone-mediated MS might affect embryonic development during incubation without adverse effect on chick weight and body composition.     

Embryotoxicity assay of aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999

1. The embryotoxicity of mixed aflatoxins (AF) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were evaluated by a modified chick embryotoxicity screening test (CHEST). Adverse effects on the early embryonic development of thymus and bursa of Fabricius were also investigated by light microscopy. AF consisted of 83.06% AFB1, 12.98% AFB2, 2.84% AFG1 and 1.12% AFG2. 2. A total of 448 fertilised laying hens' eggs were used. AF and AFB1 were injected into the eggs at doses of 10, 100 and 1000 ng/egg. Embryonic developmental stages were evaluated according to the Hamburger-Hamilton scale (HH-scale). 3. The results showed that AFB1 given at 10 ng/egg had a significantly (P<0.05) greater embryotoxic effect than AF given at a similar dose. The higher doses of both AF and AFB1 caused higher embryonic mortality and also an increase in early deaths. 4. In the groups receiving 100 ng/egg AF and AFB1 an abnormal development was seen, with a protruded central region, corresponding to the area pellucida of the blastoderm. No other developmental abnormality attributable to AF or AFB1 was found.