The evaluation of lycopene and cysteamine supplementation effects on sperm and oxidative stress parameters during chilled storage of canine semen

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of lycopene and cysteamine on characteristics of sperm, liquid peroxidation and enzymatic activities in seminal plasma of canine semen preserved at 5°C for 72 hr. The semen samples were divided into eight aliquots: control, control sham (dimethyl sulfoxide 5%), lycopene groups (250, 500 and 750 µg/ml) and cysteamine groups (2.5, 5 and 10 mM). Motility, viability, membrane integrity, DNA integrity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated. Progressive motility and total motility were higher with the 500 and 750 µg/ml lycopene concentrations, respectively, compared to the control group and the cysteamine groups following 72 hr of storage in the liquid storage. Motility characteristics, viability and hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) percentages were significantly improved in 500 µg/ml lycopene compared to other groups. The 500 and 750 µg/ml lycopene concentrations, respectively, showed significantly reduced percentages of spermatozoa with DNA integrity compared to the control group. The 500 and 750 µg/ml lycopene concentrations, respectively, led to the significant decrease of MDA levels. The 500 µg/ml lycopene enhanced TAC levels after 48 and 72 hr that was not observed in other groups. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that lycopene supplementation in canine semen extenders improved canine semen parameters and TAC levels and decreased MDA levels in the chilling process.     

Nonparametric phenotypic stability analysis in advanced barley (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum vulgare</Emphasis> L.) genotypes

The development of genotypes with adaptation to a wide range of environments is one of the most important goals of plant breeding programs. In order to compare nonparametric stability measures and to identify promising high-yield and stable barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), 20 barley genotypes selected from the Iran/ICARDA joint project and grown in nine environments during 2009-11 in Iran. Four nonparametric statistical tests of significance for genotype × environment (GE) interaction and 10 nonparametric measures of stability were used to identify stable genotypes in nine environments. Results of nonparametric tests of G×E interaction (Kubinger, Hildebrand, and Kroon/ Laan) and a combined ANOVA across environments, indicated the presence of both crossover and non-crossover interactions. Also, only TOP and rank-sum values were positively associated with high yield. Thus, in the simultaneous selection for high yield and stability, only the rank-sum and TOP methods were useful in terms of the principal component analysis results, and correlation analysis of nonparametric stability statistics and yield. According to these stability parameters (TOP and rank-sum), three genotypes (G13, G12, and G17) were the most stable for grain yield. The results also revealed that based on nonparametric test results, stability could be classified into three groups, according to agronomic and biological concepts of stability.     

Effects of nano-silver impregnation on brittleness, physical and mechanical properties of heat-treated hardwoods

The present study investigates the effect of heat treatment of untreated and nano-silver-impregnated Populus nigra, Populus deltoides and Fagus orientalis on the physical and mechanical properties. Specimens were impregnated with a 200-ppm aqueous silver nanoparticles suspension. Heat treatment was carried out at temperatures of 135 ± 3 °C and 185 ± 3 °C. Nano-silver impregnation aggravated the effects of heat treatment. Although significant in some cases, nano-silver impregnation did not seem to have great effect on physical properties. It may be concluded that although NS impregnation aggravated the effects of heat treatment on solid woods, other factors may also be involved such as the species and density of the wood.     

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.     

Study of infection with an Iranian field-isolated H9N2 avian influenza virus in vaccinated and unvaccinated Japanese quail

In the present study, we examined the mortality rate, egg production, and clinical signs of quail experimentally infected with a field isolate of A/Chicken/Iran/339/02 (H9N2) avian influenza virus obtained from an infected commercial layer farm with severe morbidity and mortality. A total of 120 quail at 14 days old were randomly divided into four groups of vaccinated (B and C) and unvaccinated (A and D) birds. Vaccination was done on days 20 and 32, and viral inoculation of birds in groups C and D was then carried out on day 43. For evaluation of viral transmission, at 24 hr postinoculation additional unvaccinated birds were placed in direct contact with challenged birds. All the birds were evaluated for clinical signs, egg production, antibody production, viral titration in lung homogenates, and viral transmission following inoculation. All unvaccinated-challenged birds were infected and showed clinical signs, whereas the infection rate along with clinical signs of vaccinated-challenged birds reached 30%-40%. Although vaccination induced high antibody titers, reduction in food and water consumption was evident in this vaccinated-challenged group compared with the unchallenged control group. These results could indicate that inactivated vaccine did not fully prevent the infection, although it was capable of protecting birds against clinical signs and significantly decreased viral titers in lungs after intranasal challenge.     

Nutrition Management and Farm’s Age Affect Saffron Daughter Corms Behavior,Nutrients Uptake and Economic Water and Fertilizer Use Efficiency: A Large Scale On-farm Experiment in Torbat Heydarieh,Iran

ABSTRACT

Evaluation of the relationships between nutritional patterns and farms’ age with the behavior of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) daughter corms based on farmers’ management (on-farm) can be crucial in improving saffron sustainable yield. Furthermore, in commercial saffron production, especially in small farms, the purchased water and fertilizers are the basis of sustainable saffron profitability, hence, recognizing the relationships between economic water use efficiency (EWUE) and economic fertilizer use efficiency (EFUE) can be important. An on-farm experiment was conducted on a large scale based on farmers’ management in Torbat Heydarieh, Iran. The farms’ age (1–6 years old) and fertilizers management approaches (organic, mineral and integrated) were considered as the first and second factors, respectively. Large-sized daughter corms number and weight and corms N and P content increased with increasing farms’ age from 1 to 4 years old. However, these parameters decreased with increasing farms’ age from 4 to 6 years old. Irrespective of saffron farms’ age, the minimum large-sized daughter corms number and weight were observed when mineral fertilizer management was practiced. By contrast, the maximum values were related to integrated fertilizer management. In each type of fertilizer management, EWUE and EFUE (based on large-sized daughter corms monetary value) increased with increasing farms age from 1 to 4 years. However, increase in farms age from 4 to 6 years caused a significant reduction in mentioned indices. Overall, if high-quality saffron corm production is needed, corms should be harvested in the fourth year to gain the maximum yield and profit.     

Effects of dietary myrcene administration on antioxidant gene responses in common carp (Cyprinus carpio), exposed to copper sulphate

In the present study, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were fed with diet supplemented with 0% (M0) or 0.5% (M0.5) myrcene for 6 week and exposed to ambient copper (0.2 mg/L) for further 2 weeks. Gene expressions of superoxide dismutase (sod), catalase (cat), glutathione peroxidase (gpx), glutathione reductase (gr) and glutathione S‐transferase (gst) were assayed in the fish brain and kidney, and thiobarbituric reactive substance (TBARS) levels were determined in blood plasma. The results showed that there was no significant difference in TBARS levels between the M0 and M0.5 treatments, before the copper exposure; however, the M0 had significantly higher TBARS levels compared to the M0.5, after the copper exposure. The antioxidant genes showed different patterns in the fish brain and kidney. The genes were up‐regulated in the fish brain by dietary myrcene and copper exposure. However, in the fish kidney, the M0.5 treatment showed no change in sod, cat, gpx before and after the copper exposure. The results suggest that myrcene is capable to induce antioxidant enzymes that prepare the fish for a further oxidative condition (i.e. copper exposure). Dietary myrcene at 0.5% level is suggested for common carp before treatment with copper sulphate.     

Physiological responses of great sturgeon (Huso huso) to different concentrations of 2-phenoxyethanol as an anesthetic

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of 2-phenoxyethanol (2-PE) as an anesthetic in great sturgeon under two experiments. First, fish were exposed to 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9?mL/L 2-PE, and time to induction (deep anesthesia) and recovery from anesthesia were measured. At concentration of 0.1?mL/L, 2-PE failed to induce deep anesthesia in fish, whereas at concentrations of 0.7 and 0.9?mL/L, all the fish were anaesthetized within 3?min of exposure. For assessing the impact of effective concentrations of 2-PE on physiological responses of great sturgeon, hematological indices, plasma metabolites, electrolytes, enzymes and cortisol levels were measured. The use of 2-PE induces a significant increase in RBC values at 0.3?mL/L concentration and a parallel increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit values. 2-PE anesthesia had no effect on WBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC levels when compared to control group. Serum glucose, cholesterol and cortisol levels were significantly high in 0.3 and 0.5?mL/L 2-PE. Moreover, AST levels were increased in fish exposed to the 0.3?mL/L 2-PE comparing with the control group (P?<?0.05). There were no significant differences in serum levels of total protein, triglycerides, ALP, ALT, Cl^?, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. In this study, alteration in hematological and serum biochemical indices was time-dependent. This study demonstrates that rapid induction of deep anesthesia with a relatively high concentration of 2-PE (0.7 and 0.9?mL/L) was associated with the lowest effects on the hematological and serum biochemical indices in great sturgeon and therefore would be recommended as eligible doses for hematological studies in this species.     

Anaesthetic efficacy of eugenol on iridescent shark,Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) in different size classes

Anaesthetic efficacy of eugenol was investigated on iridescent shark, Pangasius hypophthalmus. Fish (2, 5, 10 and 20 g) subjected to 20–200 mg L^?1 eugenol and behavioural response as well as induction and recovery times were recorded. Induction and recovery times were significantly affected by eugenol concentration as well as fish weight (P < 0.05). Generally, 27–300 s after exposure to 20–200 mg L^?1 eugenol, iridescent sharks reached stage 3 anaesthesia (suitable for general handling). Fish entered stage 4 anaesthesia (suitable for surgery and blood sampling) over 54–710 s exposure to such concentrations. Recovery time was 109–600 s in all weight classes as well as eugenol concentrations. Mortality (44–100%) was only observed in 2 g fish when subjected to 110–170 mg L^?1 eugenol. This study, for the first time, showed behavioural response of iridescent shark to anaesthesia as well as effectiveness of eugenol as anaesthetic in this important aquaculture‐ornamental species. According to the models obtained in this study, minimum eugenol concentrations to induce anaesthesia over less than 3 min were 53.8–81.5 mg L^?1 in 2–20 g fish. Likewise, maximum eugenol concentrations in which fish recovered over less than 5 min were 65.9–105.8 mg L^?1 in 2–20 g fish.