IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY
Year:2011 | Volume:24 | Issue:4|Papers Count:22

Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) expressed by natural killer (NK) cells at the site of placentation, can bind to human leukocyte antigen (HLA-C) molecules on trophoblast cells. Both systems are genetically highly polymorphic, in which their interactions result in release of varieties of cytokines and chemokines. The factors modulate placental relationship between mother and her fetus. Thus, it has been hypothesized that each of the particular maternal KIR/fetal HLA-C genotype combinations have different effect in pregnancy success. The patients were 92 couples and 8 women with three or more recurrent miscarriage (RM) with no physiologic or pathologic reason for their problem. Also, 100 healthy porous women were selected as control group. DNA were isolated from the whole blood specimens and genotyped for HLA-C groups and 5 KIR genes (KIR2DS1, KIR2DS2, KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3) using PCR-sequences-specific primer method (SSP). Statistical analysis shown, that frequency of the HLA-C2 group is raised in the affected female compared with porous women. The frequencies of activating KIRs in the male of partner of RM were similar to controls women while it had been decreased in the affected female compared with porous women although these don’t reach significant. Our findings support the idea that interaction between maternal KIR on NK cells and paternal HLA-C expressed trophoblast cells, affect the successful placentation.

The present study was carried out to detection of polymorphism in BMP15 gene and effects on litter size and body weight in Sanjabi sheep breed using SSCP-PCR method. Blood samples were collected randomly from 100 individuals (78 female and 22 male) at Mehregan Breeding Station of Kermanshah, Iran. Based on obtained results 80% of animals showed MM and 20% NN genotypes at BMP15 marker site. Results showed that BMP15 is important for twining (Pvalue<0.05). The effect of fixed parity and fixed lambing are not significant on litter size. Also results showed that the effect of BMP15 is significant (Pvalue<0.05) on body weight of birth, body weight of 45days and 3month. In BMP15 gene the average of litter size for NN genotype (1.1 ± 0.007) is more than MM genotype (0.25±0.007). Also NN genotype of BMP15 gene average of body birth weight (4.69±0.05) is more than MM genotype (4.45±0.05). The average of 45 days (11.3±0.13) and 3 month (19.62±14) of MM genotype is important than NN genotype. In other body weight traits not observed differs in NN and MM genotypes.

Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important and essential elements for plant growth and development. Insufficient phosphorus in the soil has high effect on the plant growth and productivity. Chemical Pi fertilizer is used to provide the phosphorus for the plants which in the soil environment is mostly fixed into insoluble form and become unavailable to the plants. Using biofertilizers containing Pi solubilising bacteria (PSB) hydrolyses P from various phosphate compounds resulting in decreasing application of the chemical Pi fertilizers. Proper and economical production of biofertilizers is depend on the mass production of microorganisms formed the biofertilizer which is obtained by suitable culture medium and fermentation process. In the previous project, two Pi solubilising bacteria named P5 and P13 were isolated from soil samples collected from various regions of Iran and characterized. The application of these bacteria as biofertilizer was investigated. In the present project, various culture media for growth and proliferation of the bacteria (Pseudomonas putida strain P13 and Pantoea agglomerans strain P5) were investigated. The results showed that the bacteria could grow in the complex and semi-defined media properly. The Taguchi statistical method was used for design and optimization of the culture medium. The results of the optimization in the flask and fermentor indicated that the P5 could grow on the semi-defined medium to high cell density up to optical density (OD600) of 25 (17.5 g cell dry wt l-1) and P13 grew in the complex medium and reached to OD600=18.6 (14.5 g cell dry wt l-1) in short cultivation time of 8.5 hours. Growth of two different bacteria forming biofertilizer into high cell density with the same time is important and valuable regarding industrial production of biofertilizer.

The peresent study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Ergosan on the growth factors, survival rate (%) and resistance to thermal stress of Acipenser persicus Larvae via bioencapsulation of Artemia urmiana. This experiment was conducted in a completely random design in three groups and group (A) with triplicate. The test groups were as follows: Artemia urmiana bioencapsulated with Ergosan 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, (B, C, D groups respectively) g/lit. in suspension of broth and non-enriched Artemia nauplii (group A). Artemia nauplii enriched with Ergosan was bioencapsulated for 12 hours and Persian sturgeon larvae were fed on it . The larves were fed on six times a day, every four hours with bioencapsulated nauplii. At day 20th, immersion in thermal water (30Co, 34Co) was performed to evaluate larvae resistance to thermal stress. The results indicated that the Ergosan according to the concentrations used in suspensions enrichment, significantly different in treatment groups, on the growth factors, final weight, Specific growth rate, Dailey growth rate (%) and survival rate (p<0.05). No significant difference in the condition factor was observed (p>0.05). Mortality rate was significantly different in thermal stress after 2 hours and mortality was lower in bioencapsulated groups than non- bioencapsulated (p<0.05). The experiment indicated that the ability of Ergosan to influence the increase of the growth performance،survival rate (%) and resistance to thermal stress is relatively high in Acipenser persicus larvae.

In present study, weight related indices of growth including final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and mean daily growth, were analyzed in all female triploid rainbow trout in compare to all female and mixed sex diploid and triploid populations during a period of 365 days in the second year of culture. Results of sampling of more than 4500 cultured fish indicated that growth increase of all female triploid rainbow trout was significant in compare to the other treatments (P> 0.05) and this growth advantage was more obvious as the experiment approached ending. At the end of culture period, mean final weight of all female triploid and mixed sex triploids reached up to 624.28 and 569.4 grams respectively, while these were 537.5 in all female diploids and 520.8 grams in mixed sex diploids. In conclusion, as the growth advantages of all female triploid rainbow trout were achieved in the second year of culture due to not occurring of sexual puberty, their culture could be recommended for fish culturists who are interested in fish growth over 300-400 grams of weight and want to land bigger fish to the market, considering the economic benefits of the fish production and nutrition.

In order to compare the amount of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in Salmon, Carp and Silver carp, the samples were prepared from market during Jan. and Feb. (2006).With considering the statistic approach for sampling, after extraction of fish oil, they were purified and hydrolyzed. After hydrolysis of oil and isolation of fatty acids, they were esterified and preconcentrated by the evaporation of solvent and injection to GC-MS. As standard, the capsule of omega 3 were prepared and the same process was carried out before injection to GC-MS. The results show that the amount of omega 3 is higher in Salmon whereas Carb has the lowest amount.

In this study, the effects of salinity (0, 2, 4, 7 and 10 ppt) on growth, survival, food consumption and blood biochemistry parameters of Rutilus frisii kutum fingerlings (initial mean weight 0.22±0.02 g) during 60 days were investigated. Weight gain (WG) and daily growth rate (DGR) were significantly influenced by water salinity (P<0.05), but specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), condition factor (CF) and percentage weight gain (%WG) of fingerlings did not significan differences among treatments at the end of the experimental period (P>0.05). Results indicated that highest weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and percentage weight gain (%WG) of fingerlings obtained at 4 ppt and lowest of this indices were at 10 ppt. Maximum and minimum of specific growth rate (SGR) and condition factor (CF) of fingerlings reported at 2 ppt and 10 ppt, respectively. The best food conversion ratio (FCR) was observed at 2 ppt. The fingerlings that reared at 10 ppt, showed the slower growth and food consumption. Also, in the present trail some blood biochemistry parameters of fingerlings (hematocrit, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium) measured at the end of the experimental period. Results of blood biochemistry parameters showed no significant variation among different treatments (P>0.05). In addition, this research suggested that fingerlings of kutum reared excellency at saline water until 7 ppt.

In this study Microcyclops varicans was collected from freshwater around Zayanderod River, and then identified, purified, and mass cultured in the laboratory conditions. Growth and production in population of M. varicans were investigated according to three types of diet including, live Paramecium caudatum, prepared fish diet, and baker's yeast. The culture conditions were water temperature of 25 oC, pH=7.5-7.8, filtered and autoclaved freshwater, 12 h: 12 h (light: dark) photoperiod. Experiment was run for 20 days period. Analysis of variance on obtained data showed that there were significant differences in the number of nauplii, copepodids, population doubling time and specific growth rate among three diets (P<0.05). The specific growth rate of M. varicans fed P. caudatum, prepared fish diet, and baker's yeast were 0.064, 0.135 and 0.085 %/day, respectively. The total copepod production (including nauplii + copepodids + adults) were 11 ± 1.2 (means ± standard error), 46.7 ± 10.2 and 17.3 ± 4.3 individuals/female fed on P. caudatum, prepared fish diet, and baker's yeast, respectively. This study showed that M. varicans could be cultured with non-algal diets. This species can be used as live food, suitable organism for toxicity tests as well as effects of water quality on growth and production of copepods.

Seasonal changes in population of the Gammarus aequicauda were studied in Miankaleh Gulf, located in the south eastern of Caspian sea margin, during one year. The purpose of this research was to study the seasonal fluctuations in population structure and biology of G. aequicauda. Four stations (Galoogah,Ashooradeh,Bandar Gaz, Khaje Nafas) were considered for collecting the specimens. G. aequicauda were found in all stations. There was not significant difference in population frequency of each station in various season (P£0.05). But comparison of population frequency between stations showed that there was significant difference between stations (P£0.05). This difference was considerable between Galoogah and other stations, highest frequency was observed at Galoogah station in summer (1263ind./m2).The mean value of the sex ratio was 0.9 .Mean value of male and female body length was 9.49 mm and 8.36 mm. Immatures exist throughout the year. Gravid females were found in all seasons. Immatures to matures ratio was maximum in summer (1.02%).Breeding activity that was assessed by estimating the percentage of gravid females (number of gravid females divided by total number of females ×100) was minimum in winter (27%) and maximum in spring (59%). There was significant relationship between the number of eggs in marsupium of female and its body length. Considering that the result of this study, it seems G. aequicauda would be favorite species in fisheries activities as a food of aquaculture.

Atraphaxis suaedifolia Jaub. & Spach (Polygonaceae) is an endemic species from East Azerbaijan province, and grow around Tabriz. Our previous studies showed that this species is faced serious extinction hazard and its natural habitats are being contracted rapidly, so that, we have identified only three locations as habitat for this species. In order to find the reasons for reduction of its population size, factors of external and internal origin influencing reproduction of this species were studied. Results showed that pollen grains have a high mortality (47%) and a high proportion of seeds are hollow (53-71%) due to unfertilized ovules or failure of subsequent development. It was demonstrated that, this species produces four types of seeds regarding size and color, including a great number of small and brown seeds with no germination potential. The highest germination percentage (29%) and bigger seedlings was produced by black and big seeds, which are selectively fed by insects. It was also observed that, this species have a potential for propagation via rhizomes, however, a low penetration depth of soil which is characteristic of marny soils inhibits rhizome formation in its natural habitats. In this work, the hypothesis of high rate of homozygosity as the consequence of inbreeding was tested and it was observed that self- and cross-pollinated plants produce similar amounts of each type of seeds. In conclusion, many factors of internal origin including high rate of pollen mortality, high proportion of hollow seeds and special requirements for germination; and external factors including intensive feeding of seeds by insects, adverse ecological factors inhibiting germination and establishment of seedlings and lower possibility for regeneration by rhizomes involve in the reduction of reproduction and population size of in this species. Thus, all management strategies for conservation of this species are of high necessity and priority.

In order to study of natural regeneration of persian oak (Quercus brantii) between ecological species group, Melehgavan protected area (app160 ha) of Ilam city was selected. The field data were obtained using of 67 sample plots (20m×20 m) that were located in a systematic randomized design. The attributes including some topographic and soil physico-chemical properties, trees and shrubs species type and canopy coverage, which were recorded by measuring their small / large crown diameters in each main sample plot. In order to record the herbaceous species, the Whitaker’s snail plot method was applied, which resulted in 81 m2 of the minimum plot area. Herbaceous species and number of Q. brantii regeneration in 81 m2 plots in center of each sample plot were taken. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and TWINSPAN methods were used for the site classification, determining of the relationship between species composition and environmental properties. The results showed that there were three ecological species groups in the study area. The result also indicated that there were significant different between ecological species groups in view of the higher and coppice regeneration of persian oak. The higher regeneration was greater in second group than other groups, while Coppice regeneration was higher in third ecological group. The result of Spearman correlation showed, higher regeneration had positive correlation with organic matter, total nitrogen, moisture saturation percentage, aspect and elevation. The coppice regeneration had negative correlation with total nitrogen, elevation, canopy percentage of overstory and moisture saturation percentage, but it had positive correlation with silt, Bulk density and aspect.

Forest gaps size and created conditions within gaps have special importance on biodiversity trending of plant association in forest understory. For the better perception alterations of biodiversity, Simpson, Shannon and Wiener, Menhenic, Margalef, Peet and Hill indices were used in Khanikan forests located in Chalous. Line transects method used for sampling and plant abundances were recorded, also. Forest gaps areas were divided into four classes including less than 200 m2, 200 – 500 m2, 500 – 1000 m2 and more than 1000 m2 area. Altogether, numbers of 34 gaps were recorded and 42 species belonging to 25 families recognized in the studied area. By using correlation analysis and analysis of variance statistical difference between diversity indices in respect to gap classes was found. The highest and least of species diversity and species richness indices is related to fourth and first gap classes, respectively. Also, the most and the least of evenness indices is related to first and fourth gap classes.

This experiment was performed at randomized block and factorial design with three treatments, sowing date (autumn and winter), irrigation periods (2 and 4 days) and weed mechanical control ( 7 and 14 days) with four replications and 15 vases (per replications) was established in Zaghe nursery in Khorramabad of  Iran. In the end of the first growing season measurements were including height growth, diameter of collar, root length and survival rate. The results showed that weed control treatment of 14 days period higher height growth than 7 days. Effect of sowing date on diameter growth of Cupressus arizonica was investigated and the results showed that maximum diameter growth was in Cupressus arizonica at winter sowing date. Based on results, effect of irrigation periods and weed control on diameter growth was insignificant. In mentioned species effect of on diameter growth was insignificant. Effect of mentioned treatments on survival of Cupressus arizonica was insignificant. Effect of sowing date on root length was significant and maximum length was at winter sowing but effect of irrigation periods and weed control in this treatment was insignificant. Based on results for decrease of cost of seedlings produce in nursery, the duration of weed control and irrigation period can be wide, for better organize.

This research carried out in parcel 3 – Dallak Khil district of Mazandaran Wood and Paper Forests for comparison of natural regeneration density and biodiversity of afforestations of Populus deltoides Marsh. and Acer velutinum Boiss. These two stands were located in near each other. To doing this research, 15 sample plots with 20m × 20m area were taken by systematic - random in each plantation. We recorded type and individual of woody species with covering percent all of herbal species. For biodiversity analyses, Shannon Wiener's diversity, Margalef, Mechanic's richness and Hill's evenness were used. Results showed that there was a significant difference between two stands in natural regeneration density of woody species. Richness and diversity indices had significant differences, but evenness index showed no significant different between stands.

Biological indexes of zooplankton in coastal region of Bandar Anzali were investigated. Samples were collected using closing vertical net (36 cm diameter and mesh size of 110 mm) in depths 0-10, 20-20, 20-30, 30-40 and 40-50m at time interval of 2.5-3.5 hours for three days in the summer of 2007. Shannon-wiener diversity index in all depths and daytime were lower than 1 which indicates high stress in this environment. This indicator and stress means grazing pressure of Mnemiopsis leidyi on planktons that caused deterioration of Caspian ecosystem in extremity. The result of Simpson dominancy index showed high dominancy of two species, Acartia sp. and M. leidyi in this ecosystem. Furthermore, Pielou evenness index showed non-evenness in the environment and the end lower values of Margalef species richness also confirm high stress in the environment due to M. leidyi appearance. Thus, control of this ctenophore is one of the most important steps to protect the Caspian Sea biodiversity and it’s valuable resources.