The effect of ionophore and non-ionophore coccidiostats on performance parameters, carcass characteris-tics, serum biochemical parameters and gut microbial floras in broilers was investigated. A total of 300 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated into five treatments including: (1) basal diet (control group); (2) basal diet with 60 ppm salinomycin; (3) basal diet with 3. 75 ppm maduramicin; (4) basal diet with 1 ppm Diclazuril; and (5) basal diet with 125 ppm amprolium. Supplementing the diet with diclazuril improved weight gain compared to all diets containing ionophore coccidiostats (P<0. 05). Additionally, feed intake significantly increased with broilers fed on diclazuril containing feed compared with broilers fed on maduramicin at 1 to 42 days. For female chicks, the highest carcass yield value was recorded in the control group, followed by the salinomycin, and maduramicin treatments respectively; however, thigh yield was higher in the diclazuril treatment group (P<0. 05). Highest carcass and breast yields for male broilers were obtained in the diclazuril treatment group (P<0. 05). Lactobacilli and Coliform bacterial populations were significantly higher in the diclazuril and control groups when compared to the salinomycin group at 28 and 42 days (P<0. 05). Blood glucose and total protein were significantly increased by feeding diclazuril diets in both male and female broilers (P<0. 05). Blood sodium and potassium concentrations were affected by treatment in male chickens (P<0. 05). The use of diets containing non-ionophore coccidiostats, particularly diclazuril, had beneficial effects on the overall growth performance of broiler chickens.

Introduction: Fertilization failure is the most problem in assisted reproduction technology (ART). The aim of this study was the evaluation of oocytes activation by addition of calcium ionophore in unfertilized oocytes in ICSI cycles. Materials and Methods: The study was done on 15 ICSI cycles (stimulated with standard long protocol). Mature retrieved oocytes with normal morphology that had no evidence of fertilization 24 hours after ICSI were included the study. The oocytes with fertilization and unfertilized oocytes with degeneration were excluded the study. The unfertilized oocytes were washed with GIVF medium and were transferred to GIVF medium that contained 5 mmol of calcium ionophore and were incubated for 10 minutes. Then again oocytes were washed with GIVF medium and consequently were transferred to GIVF medium and were incubated at 37oC in 6% CO2. After 18 hours, the oocytes were examined and activated oocytes were defined with observation of at least one pronucleus or cleaved oocytes.Results: After ovarian stimulation and oocytes retrieval, 175 mature oocytes were obtained and injection of sperm was done for all of them. 114 of 175 oocytes (66%) showed evidence of fertilization after 24 hours. A total of 61 oocytes (34%) showed no evidence of fertilization and 10 oocytes were degenerated and were excluded from the study. Only 51 unfertilized oocytes with normal morphology were selected and were exposed to calcium ionophore. 37 (72.5%) of treated oocytes were fertilized (2PN) and 32 (62.7%) of them showed evidence of cleavage. 6 (11.8%) embryos had good quality.Conclusion: According to our results, oocytes activation with calcium ionophore had an acceptable fertilization rate, however high quality embryos remained low. We propose future studies to evaluate embryo quality.

Background: Fertilization failure is one of the most problems in assisted reproduction technology (ART).Objective: The aim of this study was the evaluation of oocytes activation by addition of calcium ionophore in unfertilized oocytes in ICSI cycles.Materials and Methods: This study was done on 15 ICSI cycles (stimulated with standard long protocol). Mature retrieved oocytes with normal morphology that had no evidence of fertilization 24 hours after ICSI were included in the study. The oocytes with fertilization and unfertilized oocytes with degeneration were excluded from the study. The unfertilized oocytes were washed with GIVF medium and were transferred to GIVF medium that contained 5 mmol of calcium ionophore and were incubated for 10 minutes. Then again oocytes were washed with GIVF medium and consequently were transferred to GIVF medium and were incubated at 37oC in 6% CO2. After 18 hours, the oocytes were examined and activated oocytes were defined with observation of at least one pronucleus or cleaved oocytes.Results: After ovarian stimulation and oocytes retrieval, 175 mature oocytes were obtained and injection of sperm was done for all of them.114 of 175 oocytes (66%) showed evidence of fertilization after 24 hours. A total of 61 oocytes (34%) showed no evidence of fertilization and 10 oocytes were degenerated and were excluded from the study. Only 51 unfertilized oocytes with normal morphology were selected and were exposed to calcium ionophore.37 (72.5%) of treated oocytes were fertilized (2PN) and 32 (62.7%) of them showed evidence of cleavage.6 (11.8%) embryos had good quality.Conclusion: According to our results, oocytes activation with calcium ionophore had an acceptable fertilization rate, however high quality embryos remained low. We propose future studies to evaluate embryo quality.

A PVC membrane electrode based on 1- [({[(butylsulfunyl) carbothioyl] disulfanyl} carbothioyl) sulfanyl] butane as a suitable ion carrier for determination of lanthanum (III) ion was prepared. This electrode revealed such a good selectivity toward La3+ion over a wide variety of other metal ions. Some experimental parameter such as membrane composition, nature, and amount of plasticizer, the amount of additive, and concentration of internal solution on the potential response of La3+sensor were investigated. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 20.9±1.8 mV per decade of La3+over a wide concentration range 3.3×10-7-1.0×10-2 M in the pH range 3.7-7.3. The response time is about 7s and detection limit is 2.5 ×10-7 M and it can be used for at least 1month without any considerable divergence in potential. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of lanthanum (III) ion with EDTA.

Objective: In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes is used to induce meiosis progression in immature retrieved oocytes. Calcium (Ca2+) has a central role in oocyte physiology. Passage through meiosis phase to another phase is controlled by increasing intracellular Ca2+. Therefore, the current research was conducted to evaluate the role of calcium ionophore (CI) on human oocyte IVM. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, immature human oocytes were obtained from 216 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. After ovarian stimulation, germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were collected and categorized into two groups: with and without 10 μ M CI treatment. Next, oocyte nuclear maturation was assessed after 24– 28 hours of culture. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the transcript profile of several oocyte maturation-related genes (MAPK3, CCNB1, CDK1, and cyclin D1 [CCND1]) and apoptotic-related genes (BCL-2, BAX, and Caspase-3). Oocyte glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using Cell Tracker Blue and 2’ , 7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) fluorescent dye staining. Oocyte spindle configuration and chromosome alignment were analysed by immunocytochemistry. Results: The metaphase II (MII) oocyte rate was higher in CI‐ treated oocytes (73. 53%) compared to the control (67. 43%) group, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0. 13). The mRNA expression profile of oocyte maturation-related genes (MAPK3, CCNB1, CDK1, and CCND1) (P<0. 05) and the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 gene was remarkably up-regulated after treatment with CI (P=0. 001). The pro-apoptotic BAX and Caspase-3 relative expression levels did not change significantly. The CI‐ treated oocyte cytoplasm had significantly higher GSH and lower ROS (P<0. 05). There was no statistically significant difference in meiotic spindle assembly and chromosome alignment between CI treatment and the control group oocytes. Conclusions: The finding of the current study supports the role of CI in meiosis resumption of human oocytes. (Registration Number: IRCT20140707018381N4)