Veterinary Research & Biological Products
Year:2017 | Volume:30 | Issue:2 (115)|Papers Count:27

Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses in the world caused by several species of the genus Brucella. The only feasible alternative to control B. melitensis infection in small ruminants is whole-flock vaccination under an extensive management. The live Brucella melitensis Rev 1 strain is considered as the best vaccine available for prevention of animal brucellosis. The classically recommended exclusive vaccination of young replacement animals has failed to control brucellosis in some developed countries and is frequently inapplicable in the developing countries. The vaccination of pregnant animals with full standard doses of Rev 1 administered subcutaneously is followed by abortion in most vaccinated animals. Reducing the dose of vaccine has been suggested as a method of avoiding this problem and, accordingly, a reduced-dose vaccination strategy has been widely used and reported as a safe and effective method of controlling small ruminant brucellosis. Moreover, we reviewed field and experimental results supporting the reduction of abortion in pregnant animals and fewer reports of human brucellosis as results of this strategy. The aim of this study was to review the results obtained from the use of reduced doses of Rev.1 vaccine in adult animals to overcome the problem of abortion and control the disease.

Pasteurella multocidais a gram-negative bacteria of veterinary importance which has divided into 16 somatic or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serovars using an agar gel diffusion precipitation test. In this study LPS PCR typing method was used for molecular typing and phylogenic analysis of the LPS1-8 genotypes ofP. multocida isolates from poultry in Iran.In this study 30 isolates P. multocida were cultured on BHI medium, genomic DNA was extracted by boiling method, strains were identified by biochemical and molecular methods. LPS genotyping were typed using the LPS-PCR and Specific Primers, products were sequenced and compared with the GenBank sequences. All of the isolates were typed using the LPS PCR typing.60% of isolates contained LPS1, 13.4% LPS2, 16.6% LPS3, 6/66% L1, L2, L3, 3/33% L2, L3. None of the other genotypes (L4-L8) were detected among the isolates. There were found considerable differences of nucleotide LPS genes of Iranian isolates and the related sequences in the GenBank. LPS- PCR typing showed that three LPS genotypes of L1, L2 and L3 were present among Iranian P. multocida isolates. This study showed that LPS- PCR typing was a suitable typing method for differentiating among avian P. multocida isolates based on LPS genotypes.

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) is known as one of the involved organisms in respiratory diseases of different species of birds. So far, numerous reports have been presented about the isolation of the bacterium from commercial poultry flocks in Iran. This study was designed for molecular identification and evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility of ORT bacterium in wildlife birds in Khouzestan province. After collection of 23 tracheal swab samples, four (17.3%) strains of ORT bacterium were isolated based on cultural methods; then three (13%) isolates were confirmed by application of specific primers. All strains isolated in this research were from Falconiformes (21.4%), which indicates the high rate of ORT isolation than that of other understudy birds (P<0.05). According to the results of determination of drug-resistance patterns of the isolates by disk diffusion method, all isolates (100%) were found sensitive to enrofloxacin, penicillin, streptomycin, cephalexin, lincospectin, tylosin, flumequine, florfenicol and tetracycline and 66.6% of them were resistant to fosfomycin, sultrim, nalidixic acid and gentamicin. In comparison with studies on strains isolated from commercial flocks especially poultry, strains detected in wild birds were sensitive to most antimicrobial agents.

Pathogenic E.coli (ETEC, EHEC and EPEC) cause diarrhea in new born calves and lambs are important especially due to mortality rate and high economic losses. In this study 200 rectal swab samples were collected from 1-30 day-old calves and lambs with diarrhea during 2013-2014 in Shiraz. The samples were inoculated on Mac Conkey, EMB and Minca agar media. The presence of various virulence genes of ETEC (k99, F41 fimbria and Sta), EHEC (Stx1, Stx2 and eae) and EPEC (bfpb and eae) was investigated using multiplex PCR. The PCR test results showed that out of 133 E. coli isolates, 12.03% and 3% possessed all three virulence genes of ETEC and EHEC, respectively. The sequencing of K99 gene showed 97-100% homology between the isolates. The variety of ETEC, EPEC and EHEC prevalence has been reported in the world. These variations could be due to managing factors, calves age, colostrum intake and dam vaccination.

Avian pneumovirus (APV) causes upper respiratory tract infection in chickens and turkeys. APV infection in chicken flocks gives rise to considerable economic losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of APV in broiler flocks at slaughtering ages by Elisa method and detection it as a factor in the respiratory disease by molecular method. Total of 460 serum samples from 29 broiler flocks at slaughtering ages and from clinical samples (tracheal swabs, tracheal and lung tissues) of 71 broiler chicken flocks with respiratory signs and swollen infraorbital sinuses were collected. The serological results showed that 16 flocks (%55) were positive to APV infection, RNA was extracted from clinical samples and RT-PCR based on viral N gene sequence specific primer was performed. The molecular results revealed that 17 (%24) out of 71 broiler flocks were positive in the amplification of a DNA band of 115 bp. This study was the first report of APV infection in broiler chicken flocks of Guilan province. Conclusively, based on results of this study APV infection is widespread in chicken flocks of Guilan and more attention should be paid to this virus, due to its effect on chicken's performance.

This study was conducted to detect the infection with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in broiler flocks before vaccination in Tehran provience. Ten birds of 10 to 12 days olds from each 25 boiler flocks were selected. The mean bursal indexes of all flocks were determined. To detect IBDV genome in bursal samples a RT – PCR test targeting a 643 base pairs segment in VP2 gene were conducted. Two flocks (samples 1 and 2) were posiive indicating IBDV infection. For Further indentification of IBDV, the RT-PCR products were incubated to be digested by endonuclease enzyms SacI and SspI respectively. The RT-PCR products of positive samples (samples 4 and 9) remaind undigested when were incubated with SacI, an indication for non vaccinal viruses. However only the RT-PCR products of sample 9 could be digested by SspI as the RT-PCR of samples 4 remaind undigested. Although the mean bursal indexes of these two infected flocks were less than those of noninfected ones, however only mean bursal indexes of the flock 4 were significantly different from those of non-infected flocks. In conclusion, this study showed that infection of broilers with very virulent pathotype of IBDV is probable before vaccination.

Infectious bronchitis is one of the widespread and highly infectious viral disease of poultry. In this study to gain insights into transcriptional regulation of infection bronchitis, at the first high expression genes in infection bronchtis in four different conditions were identified by RNA-Seq data analysis. In this study to gain insights into transcriptional regulation of infection bronchitis, at the first high expression genes in infection bronchitis were identified by RNASeq data analysis in four different conditions including comparison of the spleen chickens with bronchitis versus healthy with low serum concentration of mannose-binding lectin at the age of one and three weeks, comparison of the spleen chickens with bronchitis versus healthy with high serum concentration of mannose-binding lectin at the age of one and three weeks. Then promoter regions of these genes were extracted to identify candidate transcription factors involved in this mechanisms. Promoter analysis by using Genomatix software lead to identify of 61 novel transcription factors candidates activating in infection bronchitis. In this study in order to visualization of regulatory networks containing transcription factors and that regulate the genes, the were used Cytoscape software. According to the results, 61 new candidates transcription factor introduced in this study has good potential for more inestigation in the laboratory level and can provide new information to better understanding of regulatory networks in infectious bronchitis in poultry.

This study designed to determine protective effect of magnesium sulfate on kidney function followed by ischemia reperfusion in rat. A total 25 Wistar male rat randomly divided into 5 experimental groups (n=5). Control group: had no received medicine and gavage water for 1 week, then peritoneum opened and left kidney nephrectomy was created. The IR group: not received medicine until ischemia-reperfusion, the peritoneum opened and the renal ischemia done using clamp for 45 min, then 8 h later left nephrectomy was done. Group 3: received magnesium sulfate (25 mg/kg) for 1 week, then peritoneum opened and the renal ischemia done using clamp for 45 min, then 8 h later left nephrectomy was done. Groups 4 and 5 were similar to group 3, except rats received 50 and 100 mg/kg of magnesium sulfate, respectively. At the end of the study, tissue samples collected for histopathological evaluation and malondealdeide, Superoxide dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase levels. According to the results, the necrosis and degeneration of the nephrons was lower in magnesium sulfate treated groups compared to control grouse. Also, administration of magnesium sulfate (100 mg/kg) significantly normalized the elevated levels of malondealdeide and increased Superoxide dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase levels (P<0.05). These results suggest magnesium sulfate diminished ischemia-reperfusion injury in kidney in rat.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of two common thyroid gland medications i.e. levothyroxine and propylthiouracil on physical performance, hormones and blood parameters of Japanese quails. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design including 144 Japanese quail chicks that were randomly distributed in 3 different groups 4 replicates for each, while each replicate included 12 quails. Our comparative experiments control group (no drug), levothyroxine treatment and propylthiouracil treatment. The performance parameters were recorded and compared at 21 and 35 days. The blood samples were drawn at the end of the experiments period for specific hormones analysis using ELISA technique and blood parameters assessments using a biochemical auto-analyzer system. The results showed that at 21 days of age, feed conversion ratio and feed intake of propylthiouracil decreased (p<0.05). Also, the weight of the thighs at the age of 35 days in quails treated with propylthiouracil, was significant higher (p<0.05). In our experimental treatments, other analyzed data i.e. blood parameters and thyroid hormones showed no significant modifications (p>0.05).According to our results, it was found that the drugs used for the regulation of the thyroid gland activity in man, have no significant effects on Japanese quails. It can be concluded that this species is resistant to these chemical agents and levels of levothyroxine and propylthiouracil commonly prescribed for human consumption have very low effects on secreting, cells of quail thyroid glands. However, there is a necessity to determine the physiological reasons for this resistance.

For almost half a century Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) 316F and MAP III & V strains have been used in preparation of paratuberculin at Razi institute. In order to characterize their genomic properties, a multi-approach strategy was employed to authenticate their identity (PCR-IS900 or PCR-F57), their type (PCR-Collins, PCR-gyrA or PCR-gyrB) and their genotype (MLVA-Thibault or SSR-Amonsin). Consequently, both strains proved to be MAP and from a cattle type. In MLVA the genotype was found to be INMV2, a type identical to that of the French MAP 316F Merial sub-strain. In explanation of these observations, the identical patterns of both studies strains in MLVA as well as SSR typing might be a case of coincidence or a an indication of a mutual ancestral clone. Besides, the fact that the supplier of MAP 316F strain studied here is the Turkish Etlik institute, it is likely that the original source for this strain is French. Application of the strategy developed in this study on indigenous MAP isolates will improve the current molecular epidemiology understanding of paratuberculosis in Iran.

Escherichia coli bacteria are as a normal flora in intestine of mammals and birds, and most strains are not pathogenic while some strains can cause different disease such assepticemia, peritonitis, salpingitis, synovitis, omphalitis, coligranuloma and yolk sac infection. The purpose of this research was to identify genes coding for capsule and fimbriae F1 in E. coli strains isolated from feces of broiler chickens in Kermanprovince. A total of 60 samples were collected from the feces of broilers from the veterinary faculty of Kerman. These isolates were confirmed by phenotypic methods like culture and biochemical tests. Then multiplex PCR was performed to identify fimH, kpsMT III, PAP A, ibeA and PAPEF genes. Out of 60 isolates, 50 isolates (83.33%) amplified fimH, 12 (20%) amplified kpsMT III, 3 (5%) amplified PAP A, 2 (3.3%) amplified ibeA and 11 isolates (18.33%) amplified PAP EF. Multiplex PCR method is a powerful and effective method to detect very specific adhesion-encoding operon and other virulence factors of E. coli strains causing infection.

Kor is a river in Fars province, Iran and its paths crossing agricultural areas, cities and villages collects pollutants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality of Kor River and microbial indicators such as total and fecal coliforms. In this survey, in order to study the Coliform pollution of Kor River, three layers from surface, intermediate and sediment were sampled in three stations (from downstream to up river Band Amir, Pol Khan and Hossein Abad respectively,). Sampling was done monthly during 9 months. From March 2004 to November 2004. The pollution by standard diagnosis of Coliform was completely examined. The results showed that the most pollution was found in surface layer of river. Besides, the highest Coliform count was seen in September. Maximum and minimum of total coliforms and fecal coliforms in surface water was observed in Ban Amir and Pol Khan (16000 /100ml and 16000 / ml) and Hossein Abad (60/100ml and (50/100ml) respectively. The results showed none pollution up dorodzan dam and intense pollution in downstream of it in difference months, The results showed that using total and fecal coliforms indicators are economy and quick method for good assessment of pollution specifically have strictly in seasons polluted.

Razi vaccine and serum research Institute is known as the oldest and biggest manufacturer of the livestock vaccines. This Institute has an important role in general hygiene and public health. In the ground of customer satisfaction, offering of high quality products and establishment of ISO system in Razi Institute, we accomplished farmer´s satisfaction and their attitude about RAZI Brucellosis, Anthrax and FMD Vaccines in five provinces: Tehran, Alborz, East Azarbaijan, Esfehan and Khorasan Razavi. Data collection was done with researcher – made questionnaire. Content validity was confirmed by specialists and internal reliability of the questionnaire was determined by Alfa coronbagh coefficient in a pilot study. Satisfaction and attitude were evaluated in two forms of quantitative and ordinal qualitative variables. Satisfaction was evaluated ineffectiveness, safety and acceptability items. Farmers were selected in the form of available sampling from industrial cattle with more than 100 cows.428 farmers were enrolled. Farmers´ mean satisfaction level was 80.6±11.2 and satisfaction level about availability of the vaccine was higher than the other area, so that 86% of participating ranchers had desirable satisfaction level of access fields.94% of participants had total positive attitude regarding to the livestock vaccination. Attitude and Satisfaction level of farmers about safety of these studied livestock vaccines was less than the other fields.

The aim of this study was to establish attenuated Neospora caninum (NC-1) tachyzoites through serial passage by J774 cell line. The virulence of attenuated tachyzoites for Balb/c mice was also evaluated. The NC-1 isolates were passaged 90 times in J774 cell line to produce a high-passage or attenuated strain. A total of 35 female BALB/c mice with an average age of six to eight weeks were randomly separated into seven groups. The first group as a control was inoculated subcutaneously with cell culture media and the second, third and fourth groups received low passage or acute NC-1 strain with different doses (5×106, 10×106, 20×106) of tachyzoites. The other three groups were inoculated with high-passage of NC-1 tachyzoites with similar doses. The mortality rate and pathological changes in all groups were noted daily. The cellular and humoral immunity were assessed by Skin test and ELISA, respectively. The results of the present study showed that the groups that received high-passage strain of Nc1 not only survived, but did not show pathological changes of neosporosis. In addition, cellular and humoral immune responses to NC-1 were significantly higher in mice that received high-passage tachyzoites of NC-1. These findings indicated that the serial passages of NC-1 in J774 cell line significantly led to decrease the virulence of NC-1. This attenuated tachyzoite could be used as a candidate for further research to develop live vaccines against Neospora caninum.

Myiasis is defined as dipterous larvae infestation of tissues and organs in vertebrates. Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis is one of the facultative ectoparasites which causes myiasis in soft tissues of animals and humans. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing oral cavity myiasis with osteolysis by S. haemorrhoidalis in sheep. A 1-year-old fat-tailed sheep with a history of anorexia, oral cavity ulcers, progressive emaciation and depression was referred to the veterinary hospital of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. Necrotic ulcers and gingivitis with diphtheritic membrane, mobility and displacement of mandibular teeth, multiple deep holes around the anterior teeth in both jaws with severe malodor and large numbers of dipterous larvae were detected in the oral cavity examination. Discontinuity of bones and osteolysis of mandible and maxilla were seen in radiographic survey. Based on microscopic study of larvae morphologic characteristics (including three vertical and straight posterior spiracles and opened peritremes in the lateral surface of last posterior segment) and comparing with standard diagnostic keys, the parasites were identified as S. haemorrhoidalis larvae in parasitological examination. According to this report and considering the significant economic losses caused by myiasis, it is important to train the farmers to avoid the conditions resulting in wounds and prevent animal myiasis.

Neospora caninumis an obligate intracellular parasite in the Apicomplexa phylum. The parasite causes abortion in cattle and Neuromascular paralysis in dog. Given the economic losses incurred by abortion caused by Neospora caninum and reduced milk production, in this study the frequncy of Neospora was evaluated by ELISA in the Shahriyar area.150 samples of raw milk of 5 from dairy cattle herds collected and tested for the detection of antibodies against Neospora caninum by ELISA.22% of the samlpes were positive for the presence of antibodies against Neospora. The highest prevalence was observed in cows older than 4 years of age (P-value=0.039). The indirect ELISA used in milk seems to be a useful for epidemiological surveys, and to increase the level of control strategy of Nespora caninum in dairy cattle farms.

Due to identification of antifungal drugs side effects and development of antifungal drugs-resistant fungi, there are growing interest to replace antifungal drugs with the herbal remedies that have antifungal properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal effects of Althaea officinalis and Syzygium aromaticum aqueous extracts on the two species of saprophytic fungi including Penicillium spp and Aspergillus spp. Antifungal effects were assessed at four different concentrations including 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/ml. The results of the present study revealed that Althaea officinalisand Syzygium aromaticum aqueous extracts have antifungal effects against Penicillium spp in all applied concentrations.Althaea officinalis aqueous extract had antifungal effects against Aspergillus spp at the concentration of 25 and 50 mg/ml, however, Syzygium aromaticum aqueous extract had an inhibitory effect on Aspergillus spp at all concentrations. The results demonstrate ameliorative effects of these herbal remedies on Penicillium spp and Aspergillus spp Furthermore, these results indicate that the antifungal effect of Syzygium aromaticum is greater than Althaea officinalis.

The protozoan parasite Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. It has been found in various animal species such as dogs, cattle, horses, sheep and goats. This is conclusive proof that long-term passage of tachyzoites in tissue culture can attenuate virulence of Neospora caninum in vivo. But whether the attenuation procedure could reduces the diagnostic value of attenuated variety is the issue of the impact that this study tries to evaluate it. In other word the aim of this study was to evaluate the attenuated variety of Neospora caninum for diagnosis of neosporosis in cattle by agglutination method. The study was conducted with 184 sera collected from cattle with a history of abortion during the past year from the farms of Fars province. The sera were tested for the detection of antibodies against Neospora caninum with commercial ELISA kit and agglutination method. The results of this study showed that the positivity rate for the sera was 54 (29.34%) for agglutination method compared to 59 (32.07 %) obtained by ELISA kit. The difference of agglutination method with ELISA kits according to the McNemar test was not significant and this result was also very good agreement with the Kappa test. This study proved that the attenuated variety of Neospora caninum still preserves its own diagnostic value.

Use of probiotics instead of antibiotics is one of the new methods to maintain herd health. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary betaplus probiotic on duodenal histomorphometry in Japanese quail. In this study 288 Japanese quail were subjected in a randomized block design within 6 groups.6 groups included a control group receiving normal diet, groups receiving three levels of betaplus probiotic (0.5, 1and1.5 g/kg diet), group receiving betaplus at the dose rate of 1g/kg diet with protein deficiency and finally, group receiving diet with protein deficiency and without probiotic. After 5 weeks, quails were slaughtered and intestinal samples were collected. After fixation and preparation of histological sections, villi length and thickness, crypts depth and width, epithelial and muscular thickness and the number of goblet cells were evaluated. The results showed the significant increase in parameters including villi length, crypt depth, and thickness of the epithelium in groups received beta-plus probiotic (P<0.05). Finally, it can be concluded that use of betaplus probiotic may have a significant role in increasing the digestive efficiency of quail herds by improving tissue parameters of the duodenum.

The kidneys are important organs that regulate blood pressure and the volume and composition of body fluids. The most important part of the kidney is nephron that removes waste materials from the body. Because, there was little information on histology and histochemistry of kidney in Guinea fowl, this study was performed on five specimens. After preparation of the specimens were anesthetized and their kidneys were removed along with their synsacrum bone and were placed in 10% buffered formalin solution for 24 hours. Then, the kidneys were separated from the bone and tissue sections were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin – eosin and PAS-Alcian Blue stains. The results showed that epithelium of proximal, distal and cortical collecting tubules was simple cuboidal. The most part of kidney cortex was surrounded with proximal tubules. The epithelium of thick and thin limbs of Henle’s loop was composed of cuboidal so that it was short cuboidal in thin limb and high cuboidal in thick limb. The epithelium of medullary collecting tubules was high simple cuboidal to columnar. In histochemistry results, the apical border of distal and collecting tubules cells was stained with Alcian Blue, and the apical border of proximal tubule cells was stained with PAS and they were differentiated from each other.

Liver is the largest gland of body and its size reflects the multiplicity of its function such as bile secretion, storage of glycogen and hematopoiesis in embryonic life. In fetus, the liver occupies a considerable portion of the abdominal cavity. Gall bladder is the pear–shaped structure which lies on the visceral surface of the liver. Since there is no macroscopic study on morphology and morphometry of the liver and gall bladder in sheep fetus, this study was performed to determine morphologic, morphometric and topographic specifications of liver and gall bladder in sheep fetuses with different ages. To this object, 60 sheep fetuses were collected from slaughterhouse and fixed in 10% formalin solution and divided into four groups according to their crown-rump length (CRL). Minimum and maximum fetal CRL were 3.5 and 48.5 cm. After determining of fetal body weight and their sexuality, abdominal cavity was opened. Then the liver was removed from abdominal cavity and fetal morphologic and morphometric specifications were studied. Results showed that lobation of liver and presence of gall bladder were detectable from the 53 day-old fetus and gall bllader was descended from ventral border of liver in the fetus with age of 88 days. Topogaraphic position of liver included less intercostal spaces with increase in fetal age. In morphometric study, the left lobe had the maximum length in milimeter in the first (28.84±7.6) and second (40.6±8.27) groups and the right lobe had the maximum length in the third (46.8±7.88) and fourth (52.46±9.66) groups. In all groups maximum width and thickness was seen in the left lobe. Also, there was a direct correlation between fetal age and liver weight, length, width and thickness, so that anatomical specifications of the liver increased with age.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunohistochemical localization of ghrelin in testicular tissues of male goat. Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid acylated peptide, has been identified as an endogenous ligand for GH secretagogue receptor and the role of ghrelin in reproduction has been recently established. The immunohistochemical localization of ghrelin in male goat testicular tissues was performed using mouse monoclonal anti-ghrelin antibody as primary antibody and donkey anti-rabbit IgG (HRP) Polyclonal antibody as secondary antibody. Samples of testis were collected from three male goats (1.5 to 2-years old), and were kept in 10% Formalin for IHC test. Then paraffin blocks and histological sections were prepared. Immunoreactions were observed in spermatogenesis process, Leydig and sertoli cells. It is believed that the site of ghrelin expression in stages of spermatogenesis, Leydig and sertoli cells may indicate its role in local regulations. This is one of the first studies to provide molecular evidence for the presence of ghrelin within the entire testicular tissues of male goat.

Recent studies show that medical vegetables such as Prosopis farcta have substances with antioxidant effect which decrease serum lipoprotein in animals fed with hyperlipidemic diet. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Prosopis farcta extract on serum lipid and liver enzymes in hyper-cholestrolemic rats. In this study, 20 vistar male rats with approximately 300-350 g-weight and 10-week age were taken from infertility center of Yazd. At first, the rats were fed with a base diet containing protein, fiber and fat for two weeks. Then they were randomly divided into four groups of five animals: Group 1, standard diet, Group 2, a diet containing cholesterol, Group 3, a diet containing standard diet with Prosopis extract and group 4, a cholestrolemic diet with Prosopis extract. All animals were fed for 13 weeks. Total cholestrole (TC), triglyceride (TG), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein were measured before the experiment, and 30 days and 90 days after feeding. The data were analyzed using one way Anova. The p-values below 0.05 (p<0.05) were considered as significance level. The result showed significant differences in concentration of LDL, HDL, AST & ALT in Prosopis farcta extract-fed group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The overall result of this study showed that Prosopis farcta extract has an effective role in decreasing risk factors of heart infarction and fatty liver.

In the present study the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on biochemical parameters (total protein, total lipid, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, globulin, albumin and free fatty acid) and antioxidant activity (superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)) in yellow fin seabream was investigated. A number of 240 fish with mean weight of 3.23 ± 0.46 g were randomly assigned into four groups (three replicates, 20 fish per tank) in 60 L-plastic tanks and fed with four experimental diets prepared by adding carnitine at the concentrations of 0, 400, 800, and 1200 mg kg-1 diet (referred as C0, C400, C 800 and C1200, respectively). After nine weeks of the feeding trial, a significant increase in free fatty acids, globulin, albumin, total protein, SOD and GPX and a significant decrease in cholesterol, triglyceride and total lipid were observed, in the fish fed with C800 diet compared to those fed with other diets. The diet containing 800 mg kg-1 dietary L- carnitine may have a marked effect on biochemical indices and antioxidant activity of yellow fin seabream.

Argyrosomus hololepidotus belonging to the family Sciendae is one of the most valuable fish species from both commercial and nutritional aspects. Nonetheless, scarce data are available on its biology, macroscopic morphology and microscopic features. The objective of this study was investigating morphology of digestive tube and accessory glands in Argyrosomus hololepidotus. For this a total of six fish from the Persian Gulf shores in Mahshahr were provided and immediately their abdomens were opened and subjected to morphological and topographical study. Digestive tube consists of a short esophagus, a saccular stomach, leaf like pyloric caeca, sigmoid intestine, rectum and finally anus. The liver possesses three distinct lobes including right lobe, a short middle lobe and along left lobe. A gall bladder is also observed in vicinity of the right lobe. On the basis of the results of the present study, regarding to the feeding route in Argyrosomus hololepidotus, digestive tube has a short length and besides greater bulk of the stomach compared to the other parts is significant.

Anthropogenic noise produced by a variety of human activities is increasing in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats worldwide. Urbanization, industrialization and maritime transportation have introduced various man-made sounds into the aquatic environment with a broad range of temporal and spectral patterns. Aquatic animals including marine mammals, fishes and invertebrates with different hearing ability can perceive sounds and extract relevant signals and cues from ambient noise in the environment and therefore potentially may be affected by anthropogenic noise differently. In this review, the main sound sources have been clearly demonstrated. Then, in general more prevalent sound detection and sound production mechanisms and organs have been discussed among fish species. Moreover, I address anthropogenic noise effects on fishes including physical, physiological, masking and especially behavioral changes. Moreover, I compared our latest results and behavioural studies on the effect of noise on fish behaviour with recent studies. Finally, I suggest insights of sound-related behavioural changes can be used as a useful method to monitor, assess and mitigate the potential effects of noise on fish species. I believe the studies in the current review contribute eventually to more general awareness of potential issues with noise pollution in aquatic habitat and shed light on the potential effect of anthropogenic noise on fish behaviour. I am sure that, by then, more fundamental insights and future studies will come in handy for potential monitoring, protection or mitigation efforts at the community levels in the aquatic environments.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Synbiotic Biomin Imbo on anti-oxidant status and lipid profiles of Mugil cephalus for 60 days. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 120 gray mullet (with an average weight of 3.92±0.43 g) in 4 treatments and 3 replicates (n=10 in each replicate) and included: treatment 1 (control), treatment 2 (0.5 g Synbiotic per kg diet), treatment 3 (1 g Synbiotic per kg diet) and treatment 4 (1.5 g synbiotic per kg diet). At the end of experiment, the highest and lowest cholesterol and triglyceride of liver fish were recorded in treatment 1 and 4 respectively and there was significant difference between treatments (P<0.05). The lowest low density of lipoprotein (LDL) and the highest high density of lipoprotein (HDL) were recorded in treatment 3 (P<0.05). The highest GSH and TAC were observed in treatment 3 but there was no significant difference between treatment 3 and 4. The anti- oxidant status findings suggest that using 1 g Synbiotic per kg diet is effective in improving anti- oxidant status and lipid profiles in gray mullet.