Journal of Animal Research
Year:2014 | Volume:26 | Issue:4|Papers Count:15

The freshwater angelfishes (Pteophyllum) that have become very popular among aquarists, yet scarce information on their culture and aquarium husbandry exist. In this paper we studied the effects of different feeding regimes on growth and reproduction of Pterophyllum scalar during 40 days culture period. .three diets were used: 1) commercial dry fish food, 2) Artemia nauplii and 3) ground cow heart (during 10 days) were used for 9 pairs angel fish broodstocks Three replications were used in each treatment. With diet 2, females reached a maximum fecundity (first spawning, 461eggs) and percent of fertilization (first spawning, 55.53%). Significant differences were observed between diet 2 and diet 1 and diet 3 (P<0.05), but no significantly differences were observed between 1 and 3(P>0.05). Also the results showed that larvae of treatment 1 had the highest weight and length during three stages of biometry. Biometry was conducted on 30 larvae in each treatment. Weight of larvae had significantly different in days of 13, 22 and 35 with treatment 1and treatment 3(P<0.05).

Heparin is used by researchers to enhance sperm fertility and embryo development. In vitro fertilization in mouse is recognized as a standard test for assisted reproduction studies. In order to improve this test, in the present study the effect of M16 and T6 medium with heparin (10ug/ml) and without heparin were investigated on fertility parameters of sperm and oocyte including, Sperm number, motility and survivability rate, oocytes fertilization rate and embryo development to tow cell stage in NMRI mouse. Results for effect of heparin in two medium treated and control groups show fertilization rate inT6 media (p<0.001) and zygotes development rate to two cell embryos in M16 media (p<0.001) were significantly different. Comparing also effect of these two medium for motility and survivability of sperm, M16 media (p<0.05) and for oocytes fertilization rate and two cell embryo production, T6 (p<0.001) was better media. However, M16 especially with heparin is better than T6 media (with and without heparin) for increment of sperm motility and survivability, and T6 with heparin is more suitable than T6 without heparin and M16 (with and without heparin) for obtaining a better in vitro fertilization rate in NMRI mouse.

Not only a low speed of the effect of virus is one of factors to limit the use of baculoviruses in the field but also microclimate thermal condition is a lateral factor besides other effective factors that can affect on virulence and speed of the effect of virus.  In this evaluation the effect of different temperatures 20-30oC were investigated in biological activity (LT50, LD50) of a Helicoverpa armigera Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate in early 3 rd instar larva of cotton budworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hub.) in laboratory condition (50-60% relative humidity and 16L:8D photoperiod) in a factorial split plot. The viral dosage and the required time for mortality were similarly important in the temperature factor. LD50 values in temperatures 20, 26 and 30oC were estimated 3580.83, 2614.82 and 1751.62 PIB/ Larvae respectively. The comparison of the mean LD50 values with Duncan’s multiple range test in three temperatures showed that viral range of mortality increases significantly with increasing temperature.  The effect of temperature in mortality is especially significant in low dosages.  LT50 values in viral dosage of 5 ×105 PIB/ Larvae in temperatures 20, 26 and 30oC were estimated 7.15, 6.73 and 6.58 day respectively. The comparison of the mean LT50values with Duncan’s multiple range test show that viral dosage in 30 oC is more active than 20 °C and its activity in 26oC isn’t significantly different from two other temperatures.  Evaluation of LD50 and LT50 values of viral dosage and its comparison to incubation period show that the effect of temperature in the mortality rate and mortality speed is after the incubation period.  Therefore temperatures in range of 26-30oC could be recommended in reaching the high mortality percent and increasing the viral speed mortality.

Citrus aurantifolia is one of the important herbs which are used in the treatment of various diseases. This investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of Citrus aurantifolia bark on the pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and spermatogenesis in adult male rats. The control animals received food and drinking water. The experimental groups were divided into two periods: treatment (by two weeks injection) and post treatment (one week without injection). The hydro-alcoholic extracts Citrus aurantifolia at different dose of 50,100 and 150 mg/kg body weight, were injected intraperitoneally for two weeks in the treatment animals. The control group was untreated. After the last injection, the number of Sertoli and Leydig cells was calculated. Also, the hormonal changes were analyzed by ELIZA technique. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a significant decrease (p£0.05) on the number of Sertoli and Leydig cells.  In addition, the results showed a significance decrease in the level of LH in the treatment group; while the level of testosterone and FSH hormone didn’t indicate significant change in the treatment group with respect to the control group. According to the results of this study, the hydro-alcoholic extract of Citrus aurantifolia may affect on the pituitary-gonadal axis activity and decrease the level of LH hormone and the number of Leydig cells in adult male rats.

Fish age and weight, are important factors in osmoltification and adaptation to sea water. In this study, mortality rate, gill morphological and chloride cell changes were examined in different weights (5, 15, 25 g) but same age in Salmo trutta caspius after introduced to Caspian Sea water for 10 days. Gill histology was observed through light microscopy using Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and immunolocalization was performed by using mouse monoclonal antibody (IgGa5) raised against Na+K+ATPase a-subunit. Immuno micrographs were analyzed by using Image Tools Software. Mortality rate was 25%, 8% and 0% in 5, 15 and 25g weights, respectively after were transferred to 13ppt salinity and some structural damages were observed in gill structure. Chloride cell number in 5g weight, were significantly increased but sectional area were decreased, and in 15g weight, were showed no significant difference in chloride cell number, while in 25g weight were decreased. With regard to the present results, In the same age fishes, fish with 5g weight is not able to have osmoregulation but 15g weight it has better compatibility with the salinity and after acclimated to freshwater until 25g weight, considering the pass of osmultification level. It is probable that the fish became compatible with the fresh water environment and did not lose its osmoregulation ability in saline water in the long term.

Hematological parameters and osmotic fragility in Huso huso blood collected on three anticoagulants, heparin (10 IU/mL), Na2EDTA (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL), and sodium citrate (0.3 mg/mL), were compared. For this purpose, blood sampling were done by cutting tail fin of fish, without using anesthesia. The highest numbers of WBC were found in Na2EDTA (1 mg/ml). WBC differential count revealed significant difference in monocytes, lymphocytes and eosinophiles (p£0.05). The differences in hemoglobin blood levels weren't significant in treatments of Na2EDTA (p³0.05). RBC in Na2EDTA (0.1, 0.5 mg/mL) was significantly higher than others (p£0.05). MCH (pg), MCV (fl) and MCHC (%) in all concentration of Na2EDTA were higher than heparin and citrate. Resistance to hemolysis in heparin- treated was higher than the other. The obtained data suggested heparin as the most appropriate anticoagulant for this species that should be considered in hematological studies.

This study was carried out to determine the size of parr and smolt and Sea water toler-ance of Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius Kessler, 1877) juveniles. In this research were exposed to 3 salinity trials using Caspian Sea water (11- 11.5 ppt), inshore water (7 ppt) and fresh water (control) in 4 weight groups of 5, 10, 15 and 20 g, all in 3 repli-cates. Mean plasma osmolality of 20, 15, 10 and 5 gr juveniles in control group (time of 0) were 331.3±8.7, 307.7±6, 334.7±14.6 and 301±8.7 mosml/l. This parameter in the above weight groups after 240 hours exposure to Caspian Sea water were 329±0.53, 321±9, 325.3±6.7 and 346.5±13.6 respectively. Na+, K+-ATPase activity (was estimated by phosphate released from ATP) in juveniles of 5g weight group in 7 ppt salinity and Caspian Sea water was low (3.2 – 6.1 μmol Pi /mg protein/ h). The enzyme activities in all weight groups were higher under the exposure in Caspian Sea water than that in wa-ter of 7 ppt salinity. In group of 10 g juveniles at start time (control in freshwater) the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in 20g group. It is may be related to some metabolic changes and transforming to parr-smolt. 15 and 20 gr juveniles were in smolt range.

In the present study, age and growth of (Capoeta damascina) in Daleki-Hele River in Boshehr province, the south part of Iran was studied. Five age classes, ranged from 0+ to 4+ years, were determined for males and females. The most frequent size classes belong to 11-13 cm and 15-17 cm for males and females, respectively. The length ranged from 72 to 224 mm and total weight ranged from 4.9 to 226 gr. Also, the condition factor ranged from 0.68 to 1.36. The females were dominant over males (1:1.55). Significant relationships were found between total length with weight for females (lnY=2.895 lnX-10.895, R2=0.965) and males (lnY=2.836 lnX-10.895, R2=0.959). The possible reasons for different age and growth condition of Capoeta damascina with other studied areas are discussed.

Snow-trout and Chinese carps (silver, big head, grass, and common carps) were cultivated at 3000/ha stocking density from July 2005 to November 2006 at Zahak hatchery in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Species composition for cultivation was as follows: 65% silver carp, 20% common carp, 5% big head, 10% grass carp, and Snow-trout stocking density was 110 specimens per pond. Cultivation was carried out at the 3 treated ponds and 3 control ponds with 3500 m2. Physical and chemical parameters were determined during cultivation period. Survival rates of species were as follows: 24.55% Snow-trout, and 87.88% all four carp species. The initial average weight of Snow-trout fingerlings was 40 g which during cultivation period obtained average weight of 302.1±14 g. Results show that the difference between final mean weights of Chinese carps in poly culture in comparison with monoculture of them was significant (p<0.05). The average total yields at the poly culture ponds were 1495.8 kg/ha and in control mono culture ponds of Chinese carps was 1681.14 kg/ha. Results showed that the average carp production is more than Snow-trout but grass carp yield in the project's pond was more than control ponds. The total average yield in the poly culture of snow-trout and Chinese carps (Project ponds) was 1312 kg/ha and in the poly culture of just Chinese carp (control ponds) it was 1681 kg/ha. Due to the price of snow-trout in the local market comparing with the price of carp it is recommendable to suggest cultivating of this fish to the fish farmers.

Distribution and community structure of crustacean mesozooplankton of Hanna Wetland, Isfahan province were investigated during four seasons. Seasonal mean of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and phosphate was 14.79oC, 8.01, 1.18 and 0.05 mg/l in spring, 20.65oC, 7.46, 2.26 and 1.20 mg/l in summer, 11.33oC, 7.94, 1.89 and 0.67 mg/l in fall, and 5.34oC, 9.73, 5.27 and 0.03 mg/l in winter, respectively. The dominant phytoplankton’s were Strastrum, Gonium, Chlorella and Aphanthece with the highest density in all seasons. The green algae, Chlorophyta, had highest abundance followed by blue-green algae, Cyanophycea. The relative abundance (%) of cladocearn ranged from 27.2 in summer to 74.3 in spring while copepods ranged 25.6 in spring to 72.7 in fall. Cladocerans including;Daphnia longispina, Daphnia dubia, Daphnia pulex, Ceriodaphnia sp., Moina sp., Moina macrocopa, Bosmina sp.and copepods including; Apocyclops procerus, Acanthocyclops sp., Microcyclops varicans,Allocyclops sp., Diacyclops bicuspidatusand Macrocyclops albidus. The zooplankton dry biomass was ranged from 0.1 to 28.9 mg/m3.Although cladocerans constituted major mesozooplankton assemblages, copepods (including nauplii and copepodids) were distributed in all sampling stations. D. longispina was a common species in all stations and seasons, except winter and Bosmina had short life cycle, and was rare occurence in winter. Hanna wetland had eutrophic state and removal of mesozooplankton biomass would result in a better pelagic environment for colonization of aquatic planktonic organisms.

One of the most abundant metal in the earth crust is Aluminum. Different sources of this metal can have a great affect on humans body. Food, water , compounds of medi-cine and environment are main sources of Aluminum. It also could be found in the soil and that’s because of acid rain. Increasing the amount of Aluminum in our body could caused disorders like Dementia (lesion of the brain) in Alzheimer and movement disor-der in Parkinson in both human and animals. Its not completely proved that Aluminum plays the main role in these disorders. Because of the most significant role of Aluminum in neurofibers toxicity, it seems that Aluminum is the main cause of movement and coordination disorders in Parkinson. In this research, the effect of oral and central ad-ministration of AlCl3 on movement and coordination in adult male NMRI rats has been observed with Rota-Rod Apparatus. Observing motor resistance and coordination was the main purpose of this test. Achievements of these tests have showed that oral and central administration of AlCl3 decreased coordination and balance movement in rats. Aluminum is sort of selected neurotoxin and as a toxic, it compounds to natural pep-tides which are existed in the brain. Controlling the nerve system enzymes, Aluminum decreases brain cells energy, tiredness and developing disabilities. Central nervous sys-tem disorder which caused by Aluminum compounds, finally ends to a developing en-cephalopathy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Chitosan as an immune stimulator on rainbow trout immune response and enhanced resistance againstAeromonas hydrophilafallowing experimental infection.900 rainbow trout (25.62±0.10 g initial mean weigh) were obtained and acclimatized with experimental conditions for 10 days.Then the fish were divided into four groups, the first one (control) just fed with normal diet (GFT-1) and other three groups served different doses of Chitosan (0.25, 0.5 and 1 percent) with their feed. The trial continued for eight weeks and every two weeks blood samples were taken for measuring plasma lysozyme activity and glutathione peroxidase.After that, an experimental infection conducted with a pathogenicAeromonas hydrophilaby intra peritoneal injection (107 CFU/ml). The fish were monitored daily and the mortality recorded during one weeks after infection. The plasma lysozyme activity and glutathione peroxidase were increased significantly in the group that was fed with 0.25 percent Chitosan in comparison the untreated control fish. Further more the fish resistance againstAeromonas hydrophila enhanced in this group. Base on this result, 0.25 percent Chitosan could enhance some immune response and resistance of rainbow trout againstAeromonas hydrophila.

Pleurobrachia sp. abundance in Doragh and Ghazaleh estuaries were studied during July 2005 to June 2006. The effect of temperature, salinity, turbidity, BOD5, NO3, NO2, PO4, hardness and pH as physical and chemical factors of water were investigated. Pleurobrachia sp. was the only species observed in this study. The lowest mean densities of the ctenophora were obtained in April (0/6 No/m3± 0.5) in Doragh creek and the high mean densities were obtained in November (2846.7 No/m3± 0.4) in Ghazaleh creek. The maximum and minimum mean salinity values at the Doragh creek were 47g/lit and 37g/lit being obtained in July and November and December respectively. The maximum and minimum mean temprature values at the Doragh creek were 32oc and 13oc being obtained in May and November  respectively. The maximum and minimum mean temprature values at the Ghazaleh creek were 32c˚ and 15oc being obtained in May and November respectively. The result indicated that Pleurobrachia sp. density in Doragh estuary was negatively correlated with salinity (P<0/01, r=-0/59) and temperature (P<0.05, r=-0.79) and its abundance in Ghazaleh estuary was negatively correlated with temperature (P<0.05, r=-0.43).

The aim of this project is to optimum utilizing of plant root as a supplementary food mixed in the diet of young common carp. Because, there was not comprehensive study so far regarding the use of the reed plant in diet of common carp, hence an experiment of eight weeks duration was conducted in order to attain desirable level of reed plant root in fish diet. Four types of diets containing 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 percents of reed plant root were fed to young common carp. Total 90 young fishes with average weight 50 ± 2g were randomly distributed between 15 fiberglass tanks of 500 L capacity containing 400 L of fresh water. Fishes were fed daily at 5 % of body weight in three times (7 A.M, 12 Noon and 5 P.M). Best performances of growth and feeding of efficiency was observed at diet containing 6% and 9% of reed plant root which showed significance differences with other treatments (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between control diet (0) and treatment containing 3% root plant reed (P>0.05); however by increasing of root plant root to 12% in the diet, growth and feeding efficiency of fishes has been decreased (P<0.05). Fish carcass composition between different treatments up to 9% of root plant reed was not statistically showed differences (P>0.05). However with increasing the reed up to 12% in fish diet, the nutrient composition of carcass did not show any improvment (P<0.05).

The objective of  the present study was to determiner the concentration of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Sn, Zn, Ni, Fe) in canned tuna fish from three factories of Iran in 2010. Fifty four cans of tuna fish were collected from the factories located in Karaj, Hamedan and Esfahan (in the central Provinces of Iran). Samples were analyzed by dry digestion. Metal concentrations were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometery Perkin Elmer 4100. Data were analyzed statically by SPSS17 and comparison of means was done using T-Test. according to the results, the mean concentrations of Cd, Hg, Ni, Sn, Zn and Fe were 0.195±0.053, 0.036±0.003, 0.086±0.031, 0.037±0.07, 3.78±0.95, 5.71±1.23 mgKg-1 dw respectively. There were no significant differences between the concentration of Cd, Hg, Sn, Ni, Zn and Fe in samples from Karaj with Hamedan and between those from Hamedan and Esfahan (P³0.05). The concentration of Cd, Sn and Ni showed significant differences in samples from Karaj and Esfahan (P<0.05). Although no differences (P>0.05) were detected between.The mean estimated concentrations for Cd, Hg, Sn, Ni and Zn in the present study were lower the International Standards for these metals as declare by the World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).