فصلنامه محیط زیست جانوری
سال چهاردهم شماره 2 (تابستان 1401)

Anaplasma is an intracellular, gram-negative bacterium infecting different blood cells in animals and anaplasmosis is endemic worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. This study aimed to determine the variety of Anaplasma species among cattle and sheep of the Golestan province, Iran. A total of 400 blood samples were collected via the jugular vein from healthy cattle (200) and sheep (200), randomly. The extracted DNA from blood cells was amplified by Anaplasma-all primers, which amplify a fragment from the region of the 16S rRNA gene from various members of the genus Anaplasma. Sixteen out of 200 cattle blood samples and two out of 200 sheep blood samples were Anaplasma spp. positive by first PCR. A. phagocytophilum was identified by specific nested PCR in 1% of cattle blood samples, only. Fourteen out of 200 cattle blood samples (7%) and two out of 200 sheep blood samples (1%) were positive for Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis, respectively. Chi-square (χ2) tests were used to compare molecular prevalence values relative to farm Type, hygiene of the farm, tick infestation, use of acaricides by the farmer, distance from other farms, contact with wild animals, farm density, age, and sex. Anaplasma spp. prevalence in cattle was significantly related to tick infestation and age (P<0.05). Anaplasma spp. prevalence in sheep was significantly related to tick infestation and application of ectoparasiticides (P<0.05). This analysis demonstrated that there are at least three different Anaplasma species widespread among ruminants in the Golestan province.

 

The aim of current study was to estimate the economic values for important traits of Sanjabi sheep in rural rearing system and to determine the breeding goal. For this purpose, 10 herds of Sanjabi sheep in Kermanshah province with 2000 productive ewes during annual cycle of production were selected. The economic value of the traits was calculated as an increase in the mean of the desired trait while all other traits were held at their mean value. The highest contribution of revenue (97.32%) and cost (78.12%) of the production system was related to six month old lambs and feeding. Absolute economic values for ewes’ survival, pregnancy, lambing frequency, litter size, survival to weaning, 6-month live weight, milk and wool production were 125292.61, 144916.75, 97789.35, 111354.87, 130720.94, 221482.27, 8820.58, and 38.00000 Rials were obtained, respectively. Related economic values to wool weight based on the maximum profit tendency ranged from -1.84 to 5.83 for ewe and 6-month live weight, respectively. Trait ranking for two trends of revenue to cost and cost to revenue has been the same. Economic values of traits were sensitive to 6-month live weight price but not to changes in wool prices and cost price per kg of ewes. In fact, breeding goals for Sanjabi sheep including 6-month live weight, pregnancy, survival to weaning, ewe survival, litter size, lambing frequency, milk production, wool production, ram weight, replacement weight and ewe weight, respectively.

Larestan ram is the smallest species of ram (Ovis) in the world, with small and isolated populations scattered in the south of the country, especially in Fars province. Planning any conservation measures for Larestan rams in the first place requires identifying the desired areas for the species and awareness of the habitat relationship between populations and conservation areas in the region. In the present study, species habitat suitability was investigated using species distribution modeling (SDM) based on MaxEnt method. For this purpose, 8 independent environmental variables including factors related to human presence, land cover type and topography in ArcGIS software environment were prepared and along with the file of presence points in Maxent software were used to prepare the species habitat utility model. Then, the obtained layer was used as a tool to study habitat connections and identify corridors between protected areas of the region by two theory-based methods and the least cost method. The results of Maxent model showed that a combination of covered rangeland types of herbaceous plants and shrubs with medium to good density in uneven areas with adequate provision of shelters and away from human development are the most important factors affecting the habitat suitability of the species. Also, the level below the chart (AUC) equal to 0.963 for training points and 0.953 for test points shows very good predictability of the model.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of enzymes and lactic acid bacterial inoculant on the digestibility, methane production and protozoa population silage mix of tomato pomace and pumpkin waste. Representative of samples were packed manually, in triplicate into plastic bags and were stored at ambient temperature and allowed to ensile for 90 days. The following treatments were applied to the forage samples: 1) tomato pomace and pumpkin waste silage mix (50:50), without any additives (control), 2) control + LAB made inoculant (8×109 CFU/ml), 3) control + fibrolytic enzyme and 4) control + Fibrolytic Enzyme+ LAB made inoculants. The results showed partitioning factor between experimental treatments showed significant difference (P<0.035), that the most parsing factor was related to enzyme additive treatment. No significant difference was seen between treatments in terms of microbial mass production and gas production efficiency (P>0.05). But, microbial protein production efficiency was significantly different (P<0.05). In terms of protozoa population, there was a significant difference between experimental treatments of total population and halotric (P<0.05). But, in the population of Antonium, Diplodinium, Africavasculus, the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Methane production in total gaseous production and MRP was significantly different (P<0.05). But, there was no significant difference in methane (P>0.05). Overall, the results showed that the use of various additives had no significant effect on the nutritional value of the silage of the mixture of tomato pomace and pumpkin waste compared to the control treatment.

The aim of this study were carried out to compare reproduction performance of pure Holstein and crossbreds of Holestein-Simmental (50H:50S and 25H:75S) that kept in one farm located in Golstan Province. Reproductive parameters including age of first insemination, age of first calving, gestation length, open days, calving interval and calf birth weight were studied. The Pure Holstein and Holestein- Simmental (50H:50S and 25H:75S) were not different for age at first insemination and age at first calving. The open days had significant influence on Pure breed Holstein and Holestein- Simmental (50H:50S) during the first and third lactation. In this study, the calving distance between pure Holstein breeds and Holstein-Seminal crossbred was significant with a ratio of 50H:50S in the first and second lactation (p<0.05). Calf birth weight in pure Holstein breed (41.228 and 43.787 Kg) were more than Holestein- Simmental crossbred (50H:50S), (40.32 and 41.107 Kg) during the first and second lactation and that was in Holestein- Simmental crossbred (50H:50S), (40.32 Kg) more than Holestein- Simmental crossbred (25H:75S), (36.6 Kg) but there was no significant difference between them. The results of this study indicate that the reproductive performance of Holestein- Simmental crossbred for open days and calving interval and the age of the first inoculation of Seminal-Holstein crossbred with a ratio of 25H:75S were better than Pure Holstein.

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of processing with sodium hydroxide (NaOH, 50 g/kg DM), calcium oxide (CaO, 160 g/kg DM), hydrobromic acid (HBr, 60 ml/kg DM), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 57 ml/kg DM) on the nutritional value of lentil (Lens culinaris) residues. Gas production test was used to estimate the parameters of gas production in samples. In vitro digestibility of the samples was determined by the batch culture method. Processing was effective on the residue's chemical composition (P<0.05). CaO, H2O2, and NaOH treatments increased the Ash compared to the control. Crude protein (CP) decreased in the processed samples, which was the lowest in the H2O2 and CaO treatments. Treatments of H2O2 and NaOH decreased the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) and increased total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy for lactation (Nel), and net energy for growth (Neg). Gas production potential and related estimated parameters were less in treated samples than in the control group (P<0.0001). Dry matter digestibility (DMD) in NaOH and CaO treatments and organic matter digestibility (OMD) in HBr and CaO treatments decreased compared to the control (P<0.0001). All treatments increased the amount of partitioning factor (PF) compared to the control (P<0.0001). The highest amount was observed in H2O2 and HBr treatments (P<0.0001). H2O2 increased the microbial biomass (MB) and its efficiency (P<0.0001). Overall, although processing improved the chemical composition of lentil residues, it did not have a positive effect on gas production parameters and in vitro digestibility of the samples.

Profitability in dairy herds depend on animal survival in the herd, which is provided by reducing involuntary culling and increasing the voluntary culling in the herd. The aim of this study was to investigate the non-genetic factors affecting longevity and to estimate the genetic parameters of longevity and somatic cell score in Iranian Holstein cows. For this purpose, the data of 277715 cattle that were collected by Animal Breeding Center of Iran during 2001 to 2018, were used. Longevity was defined as length of life (LL), lifetime number of days in milk (LDIM), lifetime milk yield (LMY), lifetime fat yield (LFY), and lifetime protein yield (LPY), and the effect of environmental factors on traits and risk of culling were determined using Survival kit and cmprsk statistical packages. Variance components of longevity traits were estimated based on exponential distribution and censored data along with somatic cell score trait using two-trait analysis by Gibbs sampling method. The results showed that the effect of herd, year and season of calving and calving age of cows was significant on all longevity traits (P <0.001). Cows with a high degree of dystocia had a higher culling risk than other cows and the culling risk was higher for cows born in the spring than in other seasons (except to the LL). The range of heritability for different longevity traits varied from 0.076 to 0.186 and the heritability of the somatic cell score was estimated to be 0.31. The results showed that genetic selection for somatic cell score and some longevity traits such as LPY can be effective in improving these traits, although due to the importance of environmental factors on longevity traits, these factors should also be considered. Genetic and residual correlation between somatic cell score with longevity traits were negative and the amount of genetic correlation between traits were higher than their residual correlation. Therefore, genetic selection for somatic cell score and considering it as a selection criterion in breeding programs can indirectly improve the longevity traits in Iranian Holstein cows. Increasing and improvement of longevity is not only economically important but also improves animal welfare.

The present study investigated two different concentrations of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in diet and also a commercial probiotic (protexin) on broiler performance. This experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates of 12 birds each for 42 days. Experimental treatments included; T1-diet without probiotic (control), T2-diet with Protexin as a commercial probiotic, T3- diet with L. rhamnosus at 107 cfu/g and T4-diet with L. rhamnosusat 109 cfu/g (4). No significant differences among experimental diets on weight gain, feed intake and protein efficiency ratio were observed (P>0.05). In total, L. rhamnosusat 109 cfu/g diet (T4) numerically improved feed conversion ratio compared to other treatments in the whole breeding period. A significant difference was observed in calcium content of tibia bone of chicks fed T4- diet compared to other groups (P<0.05), but no significant differences for phosphorous content among treatments were determined. A fortified diet with L. rhamnosus at 109 cfu/g (T4) significantly reduced the cholesterol content of the blood compared to the control and group supplemented with Protexin (P<0.05). Therefore, the use of L. rhamnosus at 109 cfu/g in the diet as a potential probiotic for broilers is recommended.

Lysine is the main essential amino acid required for muscle building in poultry and preparation of accurate Lys requirements can greatly affect broiler performance and meat yields. This study was carried out in a completely randomized design with 200 Ross broilers. Experimental treatments consisted of a Control diet with lysine requirement based on Ross Aviagen Recommendation, a diet with 10% lower than lysine requirement, a diet with 20% lower than lysine requirement, a diet with 10% more than lysine requirement and a diet with 20% more than lysine requirement. The effect of treatments on feed intake was not significant. In the grower, finisher and overall phase, increasing lysine level led to improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) and decreasing lysine level had a negative effect on growth performance. The relative weight of carcass and breast increased by increasing lysine level (P<0.05), while the relative weight of femur and other internal organs was unaffected. The effect of lysine level on blood albumin, total protein and triglyceride was significant (P<0.05), but Uric acid was not affected. Most muscle protein percent and area were observed in broilers fed by high levels of lysine. These results imply that increasing lysine levels of diet 10 or 20% more than Ross recommendation can improve growth performance, carcass and breast relative weight, muscle protein percentage and histopathology of broilers.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of Protexin and vitamin C on blood-immune cells, lymphoid organs’ weight, and blood antioxidant concentrations of broiler chickens under heat stress (HS). A total of 400 one-day-old broiler chickens were used in a completely randomized design. Experimental groups included a negative control (without additive, no HS), positive control (without additive, HS), vitamin C, Protexin, and the combination of Protexin and vitamin C groups. Birds were exposed to chronic HS (35±1˚C, humidity: 65-70%) for 7 hours daily from days 14 to 35. Eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered on days 14 and 28 and the relative weight of lymphoid organs including the spleen, Bursa of Fabricius, and thymus were calculated. The number of immune cells was assessed weekly. The blood antioxidants concentration was evaluated weekly. According to the results, VitC+Protexin group showed the highest Bursa spleen and thymus weight during HS (P≤0.05). Also, protexin group showed a higher thymus and spleen weight during HS than the positive control (P≤0.05). HS reduced the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (P≤0.05). However, the addition of vitamin C and Proteoxin reduced the count of heterophils compared to the positive control during HS. The results showed that vitamin C significantly increased the concentration of superoxide dismutase and catalase and decreased the concentration of glutathione peroxidase in the broiler's blood during HS (P≤0.05). According to the results of this study, the VitC+Protexin showed a better performance than other groups. the concentration of glutathione peroxidase in the broilers blood during HS (P≤0.05).

Current experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different feed restriction periods on the performance and blood biochemical parameters of Ross-308 broiler chicks. 192 chicks from 10 to 42 days were used in 4 treatments, 4 replicates and 12 chicks in each replicate in growth (11 to 24 days) and finishing (25 to 42 days) in a completely randomized design. Treatments included: 1) control (without feed restriction), 2) 8 hours feed restriction (from 8 to 28 days of age), 3) 16 hours feed restriction (from 8 to 25 days of age) and 4) feeding skip a day (from 8 to 21 days). Feed restriction had significant effects on broilers' performance and blood biochemical parameters (P<0.05). In the growth period, feed restriction in contrast with the control group, reduced the growth performance of broilers. In this period, daily feed intake, daily growth weight and weight in final period decreased, whereas feed conversion ratio increased. But in the finishing period, feed restriction caused the amount of weight gain to increase and the feed conversion ratio reduces. Feeding skip a day caused the amount of daily feed intake to reduce (P<0.05). In contrast with control group, feed restriction caused the amounts of blood HDL to decline and total protein increased (P<0.05). In conclusion, using 16 hours feed restriction between 8 to 25 days in Ross-308 broilers breeding period, cause the performance index improve.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. The effect of antiepileptic drugs on cerebral blood flow has long been considered. One of the drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy is Vigabatrin, which is mainly used in the management of partial seizures and spasms. This drug is well absorbed after oral administration and 60 to 80% of it is excreted unchanged in the urine. It can also increase the level of amino butyric acid in the central nervous system by altering heart functional Heart, heart rate and blood pressure. In this study 12 dogs were randomly used. After cardiac studies and parasitic infections 5cc of blood samples were taken for serum studies. Vigabatrin was then administration orally at a dose of 500 mg per kg body weight per day for up to 7 days. After which an ECG was taken from the right side of the dogs without anesthesia and stress. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Level of significance of the results was (p≤0.05).The results showed that the heart rate decreased and the PR and RR intervals increased.

In the spring of 2019, breeding performance and nest characteristics of 20 European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) active nests in a 500-hectare forest area in the Charosa area in Kohgiluyeh city were studied. The average vertical and horizontal diameter of the nest entrance was 61.88±10.90 and 61.75±14.97 mm respectively. The average vertical and horizontal depth of the hole was 30.30±4.31 and 77.65±22.81 mm. The average area of the nests was 30.745±9.861 cm2, and the volume of the nests was 3290.61±1101.82 cm3. The average slope of the nests was 63.6±27.61 degrees. Most of the birds laid their eggs in the second week of May that clutch sizes were between four and seven (mean: 5.9±0.77). The incu bation period varied from 16 to 20 days (mean: 17.95±1.19 days) and the duration of the nest ling period varied from 21 to 24 days (mean: 24±0.71 days). More than 80% of the chicks left the nests in the last days of June. The number of fledglings was 6.0±0.65 in successful nests and 5.70±1.45 in all nests. The overall duration of breeding was 55.21±1.15 days, and the per centage of successful nests (at least one fledged young) was 95%.

In this study, the expression of MUC2 gene related to immunity in Arian strain broiler chickens was investigated and its expression changes were investigated by adding different levels of lavender essential oil. The experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 repetitions, and each repetition included 25 pieces of chicken. Experimental treatments included: basic diet, basic diet containing 100 mg of probiotic, 150 mg of antibiotic, 200 mg of lavender essential oil and 400 mg of lavender essential oil. In order to investigate the expression of the MUC2 gene, first, total RNA was extracted from the genome part of the intestinal tissue of chickens of different treatments, and after making cDNA from the samples, the expression of the gene was analyzed using Real Time PCR method. The findings were analyzed using the GLM method of SAS statistical software (9.1) and the mean of the treatments were compared using Duncan's test. The results showed that the expression of MUC2 gene in intestinal tissue increased, but there was no significant difference in different levels of treatments. The findings of this study showed that the response to sheep red blood cells, immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M was not affected by the treatments and the expression of the MUC2 gene increased in the treated broilers. Therefore, according to the fact that the use of lavender medicinal plant causes the development of intestinal flora and this also causes the increase of mucin secretion in the intestine. Therefore, adding lavender to the diet of broiler chickens due to its probiotic role improves the immune system and prevents diseases such as ascites, and also causes positive effects on the health of the digestive system.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of probiotics and physical form of feed on the morphology of the small intestine and the immune system in Japanese quail. 240 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were examined in a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with 6 replications, 6 replications with 10 chicks per replication for 42 days. Experimental treatments include: Flour feed (mesh) containing pure water (no probiotic proxin), Flour feed (mesh) containing two levels of probiotic soluble protoxin in drinking water (1 and 2%), Crumble feed with three levels of probiotic proxin (0%, 1%) Were soluble in drinking water. Experimental diets were adjusted based on the nutritional needs of quail chicks of the National Research Association using UFFDA software. To test for blood cell count, at 42 days of age, one chick was selected from each replicate and a blood sample was taken from a wing vein. One bird was killed from each pen, and the relative weight and length of different parts of the intestine, the length and width of the villi, and the depth of the crypt were studied. Chickens fed crumble diet and lacking probiotic protexin had the highest percentage of lymphocytes and chickens fed mesh and lacking probiotic protexin had the highest percentage of monocytes (P<0.05). The results of intestinal morphology showed that two treatments of crumble and containing 2% probiotic soluble in drinking water had the highest values ​​of villi length and crypt depth (P<0.05). The relative weights of the various components of the gastrointestinal tract and the relative lengths of the duodenum and cecum were significantly affected by the experimental diets (P<0.05). The results of the experiment showed that the use of probiotic protexin improved the immune system of the Japanese quail and improved the length and width of the villi; The crypt depth as well as the weight and relative length of the various intestinal components were improved.

This study was contacted to evaluate the effects of replacement of inorganic zinc with organic zinc on the growth performance, immune system, antioxidant status, morphology of jejunum, and tissue zinc retention in broilers. The number of 150 Ross 308 broilers were used in a completely randomized design with Duncan's test at the statistical signification level of 0.05, in 3 treatments and 5 replicates and 10 birds in each replicate. The treatments wear: 1) basal diet based on corn and soybean without zinc 2) basal diet + 22 mg/kg organic zinc + 88 mg/kg zinc sulfate 3) basal diet + 33 mg/kg organic zinc + 77 mg/kg zinc sulfate. At day 42 of the experiment, one bird from each replicate was sacrificed and used for analysis. The results showed that replacement of inorganic zinc with organic zinc had no significant effect on the growth, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of broilers. Also, it did not have any significant effect on the amounts of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA). However, the antioxidant evaluation showed that the usage of organic zinc can respectively increase and decrease the amounts of superoxide dismutase and Malondialdehyde in the liver. Besides, morphological evaluation of intestine indicated that the organic zinc improved the villi height and width. In general, it seems that the usage of organic minerals, such as zinc, in the diet of boilers improves their immune system and antioxidant status.

To study the effect of in ovo injection of silver nanoparticles on immune system function and some blood parameters in broiler chickens under oxidative stress condition. 560 Fertile eggs allocated to 4 treatments with 4 replicates of 35 eggs in each. Experimental treatments included: 1) positive control (injection of 1 mL of physiological serum), 2) negative control (no injection of physiological serum), 3) injection of 20 mg nanoparticles of silver per egg and 4) injection of 40 mg nanoparticles of silver per egg. The injection was performed on day 7 of incubation. For oxidative stress, birds received 500 micrograms of lipopolysaccharide per kilogram of body weight at three times (12, 24, and 48 h before slaughter), through intraperitoneal injection. The results showed that silver nanoparticles improved the weight of chickens during breeding (p<0.05). Silver nanoparticles have significantly increased the weight of lymphatic organs (p<0.05). The group receiving 40 mg of silver nanoparticles showed the highest weight of lymphatic organs. Blood cholesterol in experimental treatments showed a significant difference (p<0.05). Negative control treatment showed the highest level of blood cholesterol compere to positive control and silver nanoparticles (p<0.05). TNF-α and TGF-β showed a significant difference experimental treatments so that the group receiving 40 mg of silver nanoparticles showed the highest level of gene expression (p<0.05). From this study, it is clear that silver nanoparticles improve the immune response of broilers by improving weight, lowering cholesterol and increasing the level of expression of immune and growth factor genes.

Pelophylax ridibundus sensulato belongs to the family Ranidae. 56 specimens from Dishmook, Likak and Dehdasht areas were collected in spring and summer (2019-2020). Seven different morphs of this species were identified. The highest frequency was related to morph one. According to the analysis, the mean values and standard deviations of all morphometric characters of Dishmook' samples are higher  than the other two regions. Respect to t-test, sexual dimorphism was observed. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between the studied groups in both male and female frogs. Separation between male populations in all traits (except horizontal diameter of eye) was observed. Separation between female populations in all characters was also observed. Based on discriminant analysis, both functions were significant. Statistical results showed that frogs of Dishmook are somewhat different from the other two regions that can be related to different geographical conditions and higher altitude. Overall 84% of males and 87.1% of females were placed in their expected groups.

The Caspian kutum is a economic precious species in Caspian sea. It is very important to maintane the nutrition value with increasing of shelf-life until marketing. Determining the best method of slaughtered in this species and proper marketing of fish with acceptable freshness in the consumer market are the main aims of this study. 4 treatments including fish with rapid death (due to branch cut) with visceral emptying (treatment 1), rapid death without visceral emptying (treatment 2), common death with visceral emptying (treatment 3) and common death without visceral emptying (Control treatment, 4) all  stored in ice. and from phase 0 to 16 days were evaluated for freshness by performing qualitative tests. The results showed that the fish entered the rigor mortis stage at a later time in emptying the visceral and rapid death method and left later than other treatments. Also, the amount of TVN-N in this treatment reached an acceptable level of 19.26 mg / 100 g by day 8 and the amount of TBArs reached 1.5 mEq of malon dialdehyde/1000 g, the pH of the treatments from 5.75 to 5.76 were variable. The most total bacterial count was observed in control treatment (6.6 log cfu/g). Primary processing in post harvest is effective on quality parameters. In terms of freshness evaluation in the (treatment 1) until the 8th day was acceptable in all quality indicators, but other treatments before that were spoiling and exceeded the acceptable level.

Folic acid plays an essential role in promoting aquatic immune. In order to investigate the effect of folic acid diet on growth performance, carcass composition, blood parameters of 270 beluga fingerling with an average weight of 5-8 g with different levels of folic acid, including: 0.6 (as a control), 2.68, 3.72 and 4.84 mg/kg with three replications for 56 days were considered. The effect of experimental treatments on growth performance and immune indices was investigated. Results showed that the effect of treatments on feed conversion, specific growth rate, feed efficiency and weight gain was significant (P<0.05). Different levels of folic acid also made a significant difference in the number of white blood cells (P<0.05); So that the lowest value in the control treatment was 4.62 mg/kg and the highest was 6.75 mg/kg in the fourth treatment. There was a significant difference in the number of lymphocytes between the experimental groups, but no significant difference was observed in the number of neutrophils. After carcass analysis, as expected, increasing dietary folic acid level caused a significant increase in the percentage of crude protein in the carcass. So that the highest percentage of crude protein in the third treatment was 2.13 mg/kg. Moisture, fat and ash carcass indices were not significantly affected by experimental treatments. The results of this experiment showed that by increasing the amount of folic acid by 3.72 mg/kg, the fish will show better resistance in terms of immune and growth performance.

The aim of  this study conducted in Gonbad Kavous aquaculture laboratory was to  determine MATC and LOEC of ZnSO4 in fish using tissue lesion examinations. To do this, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles (6.18±1.33 g) were exposed zinc sulphate over 96 hours (in December 2021). Zinc sulphate salt was used to examine toxicity of zinc. The lethal dose of zinc for Oncorhynchus mykiss was 21 mgL-1 over 96 hours. According to the linear regression and relationship between the percentage of mortality and different concentrations of zinc, the LC50 (median lethal dose) was obtained 11.54 mgL-1 for Oncorhynchus mykiss. However, acute toxicity of zinc sulphate showed that mortality was  directly proportional to the concentration of the zinc sulphate, whilst there was no mortality in the control treatment. No behavioral changes were observed in control treatment over the experiment. Microscopic studies showed that the common lesions of gill in fish exposed to zinc lethal concentration were hyperplasia, edema, hyperemia, hemorrhage and expansion of secondary lamellae. Therefore, the results and information obtained in this study can be applicable in ecological risk assessment studies.

The study carried out in reproduction status project of commercial fishes of Anzali wetland from April 2016 until March 2017 and samples were caught using electroshocker in different points of studied area. The studied adult males (n=173) weight varied between 1.08 and 33.22 with an average of 7.12±4.06g and adult females (n=271) between 0.71 and 59.9 with an average of 12.66±9.16g. Total length were measured between 45.5 and 136 with an average of 80.02±14.03mm in adult males and between 41.3 and 166 with an average of 92.81±22.06mm in adult females, too. Age composition was from 2 to 11 and 1 to 15 years old for adult males(n=57) and females (n=130), respectively. Adult males and females formed 38.96% and 61.04% of adults. Monthly average of gonado-somatic index was determined 1% in August and 13.7% in April with an annual average of 6.54±7.08%for adult females. Spawning period of the fish species was determined on basis of gonado-somatic index and composition of gonad maturity stages of adult females from April to July. Absolute fecundity of studied fish (n=16) was calculated 3805-11483 with an average of 6898.1±1997.89 eggs and average of egg diameters was 0.9±0.1 mm. Although this fish has no economic value but this species is caught in Anzali wetland for consumption. Due to its Reproduction season, its overfishing should be avoided.

This present resent study investigated sperm motility parameters (sperm motility duration and sperm motility percentage), spermatocrit, density of sperm and some biological factors such as sperm seminal plasma indices (ionic and organic composition) in 8 Acipenser ruthenus and Acipenser gueldenstaedti broodstocks. Sperm mobility duration length, percentage of sperm mobility, spermatocrit, density of sperm were measured 185±10.23 s, 90.00±2.25 %, 2.60±0.19 %, 2.42 × 0.30, respectively in A. ruthenus and 210±11.12 s, 90.33±2.16 %, 2.77±0.24 %, 2.63±0.18, respectively in A. gueldenstaedti. The concentrations of Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca2+) and Magnesium (Mg2+) ions were determined 88.56±7.24, 4.24±0.32, 7.52±0.29 and 2.38±0.26 Mm L-1, respectively in A. ruthenus and 90.84±6.12, 4.65±0.21, 7.31±0.34 and 2.44±0.31 Mm L-1, respectively in A. gueldenstaedti. The concentrations of serum cholesterol and glucose were calculated 48.74±5.46 and 27.90±2.57 mg ml-1, respectively in A. ruthenus and 47.53±4.22, 28.63±2.31 mg ml-1 respectively in A. gueldenstaedti. In addition, seminal plasma of A. ruthenus and A. gueldenstaedti were estimated 1.53±0.30 and 1.58±0.34 mg/dl protein, respectively. The results of this study showed that there is a significant difference between sperm motility duration in A. ruthenus and A. gueldenstaedti. No significant differences were observed between other biochemical and spermatological parameters in A. ruthenus and A. gueldenstaedti.

Some population parameters of N.nasus were studied by using Bottom-trawler for a period of 18 months from Nov 2016 to Apr 2018 in the coastal waters of the Persian Gulf (Hormozgan province). A total of 618 fish were selected as bycatch from shrimp bottom trawl and measured biometric data. The correlation between total length and weight for males and females showed a high value (R2 were estimated at 0.71 and 0.72 for males and females, respectively.  The b-value for length-weight relationship was 2.58 and 2.69 for males and females, respectively, indicating a positive allometric growth pattern in this species (P<0.05).  The FL∞ was estimated at 172 mm for males and 176 mm for females. In addition to the growth coefficient (K) for males and females was estimated at 1.3 and 1.1 Y-1, respectively. Also, t0 for males and females were -0.07 and -0.08Y-1, respectively. The Φ` coefficient index in males and females were 4.59and4.53, respectively. The recorded results of this study showed that the natural mortality rate (M) in males was 1.28 Y-1and for females were 1.14 Y-1and the fishing mortality rate (F) was 3.25 in males and 2.23 Y-1 in females, respectively. The total mortality (Z) for males and females was estimated at 4.53 and 3.37 Y-1, respectively. Also, the exploitation coefficient (E) for this species was 0.66 and 0.72 in males and females, respectively. 

In the present study, population characteristics of Sphyraena jello were evaluated by sampling fish at five fish landing sites in the northern Oman sea (Iran) including Beris, Ramin, Pozm, Konarak and Jask from April 2020 to February 2021. The biometric analysis was performed on more than 301 fish. Growth and mortality indices were calculated including infinite length (L∞ = 155 cm), growth coefficient (K = 0.55 (yr-1)), growth performance index (Ф=4.14), natural mortality (M= 0.74 (yr-1)), fishing mortality (F = 1.46 (yr-1)), total mortality (Z = 2.20±0.29 (yr-1)) and exploitation coefficient (E = 0.67 (yr-1)). Relative production per recruitment, relative biomass per recruitment and exploitation rate of S. jello were Y'/Rp = 0.05, B'/Rp = 0.18. The present study showed that the stock conditions of this species is under of moderate.

The aim of this study was to investigate species diversity of the ground beetles, Carabidae Latreille, 1802 family in Alborz Province in three regions, including Karaj, Eshtehard and Taleghan. For this purpose, during 2016 and 2017, a total of 27 stations were sampled using pitfall traps. The Shannon-Wiener index was calculated as an index of species diversity. According to the results, a total of 329 ground beetles, including 36 species belonging to 20 genera and 9 subfamilies were identified in the studied areas, which included 15 new records for Alborz Province. The most dominant species in Karaj were Harpalus (Pseudoophonus) griseus (Panzer, 1796), Harpalus (Pseudoophonus) rufipes (Degeer, 1774), Harpalus (Harpalus) distinguendus distinguendus (Duftschmid, 1812) and Calathus (Neocalathus) cinctus (Motschulsky, 1850). Zabrus (Zabrus) morio morio (Ménétriés, 1832) and Grammognatha euphratica (Dejean, 1822) in Eshtehard and Ditomus calydonius oriens (Dvořák, 1993), Calathus (Calathus) syriacus (Chaudoir, 1863) and Harpalus (Harpalus) oblitus oblitus (Dejean, 1829) in Taleghan were dominant. The results of the nonparametric biodiversity indices (Shannon-Wiener) showed that Karaj had the highest species diversity.

Nanotechnology is one of the emerging and advanced sciences that has been highly developed in recent years and has caused environmental pollution. Therefore, in this study, the toxicity of silver nanoparticles on the green alga Chlorella vulgaris was investigated. Chlorella vulgaris cells were exposed to concentrations of 0, 0.005, 0.001, 0.05, 0.01, 0.5 and 0.1 mg / l silver nanoparticles over a period of 96 hours. The results showed that the cell density of Chlorella vulgaris decreased with increasing concentration of silver nanoparticles compared to the control group and even at the lowest concentration of 0.005 mg / l caused the cell growth inhibition (p<0.05). With increasing concentration of silver nanoparticles, the survival rate decreased compared to the control group and did not change during the 96-hour period. The amount of chlorophyll a, b and total pigments in the concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mg / l and the duration of 24 hours were the highest, but the values ​​of carotenoids showed the highest in 96 h and the concentration of 0.01 mg / l of silver nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles are highly toxic to Chlorella vulgaris and if silver nanoparticles are released, the production, survival and chlorophyll content of this microalgae, as one of the main primary producers in freshwater ecosystems, is damaged.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using safe and non-viral methods play pivotal role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In current study, we aimed to generate iPSCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of different small molecule and chemical compounds. PBMCs were isolated using Ficoll gradient method and their proliferation was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Reprogramming of extracted PBMCs was mediated using a combination of small molecule such as 5-Azacitidine, Kenpaullone, sodium butyrate and RepSox, which are generally epigenetic modulator of genes (OCT4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) involved on pluripotent cell. Then, resulted pluripotent stem cells were cultured and identified on feeder MEFs. LPS effectively caused an increase in the number of PMBCs after 5 hours. Blood cells were successfully converted to iPSCs after treatment with different chemical compounds and small molecules for 14 days and then transferred on supportive mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The use of small molecules is a safe and cost-effective method for generating iPSCs from PBMCs. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts serve as a feeder layer for production of growth factors and preserving pluripotency of stem cells.

The pollution of the marine ecosystems with heavy metals is one of the serious effect of industrialization and development of human society. For exploitation of marine sources and constant development, it’s necessary to invent modern methods for removal of heavy metal pollution. In present study to assess the possibility of removing copper, we aimed to investigate isolation and identification of resistant bacteria and determine their potential to adsorb copper through biosorption. Sediment samples were collected from 3 stations at Khor Mousa and cultured on nutrient agar medium containing different concentrations of copper. Two copper resistance (100 ppm) bacterial strains were isolated and identified through biochemical tests and 16S rRNA analysis. Also bacterial behaviors in adsorbtion of copper were studied. Both strains belonged to Ochrobactrum genus and were gram-negative, catalase and oxidase positive. Different characteristics of bacteria were observed in PD (phenylalanine deaminase), NaCl and Ureas tests. Biosorption measurements showed that strains could adsorb more than half of copper in various concentrations in 150 minutes. The bacterial behaviors were the same in 50 ppm concentration. %73.5 and %72.6 of copper were adsorbed by strains O. tritici strain AN4 and O. anthropi strain YX0703 respectively. However, O. anthropi strain YX0703 reduced the copper concentration from 200 ppm to 72.08 ppm in 150 minutes and showed the highest copper biosorption. The results of present investigation showed that both mentioned bacteria have high ability to remove copper and we can use the potential of this group of bacteria for removal of heavy metal pollution in Persian Gulf.

To investigate the community indices of benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality assessment, sampling was carried out using surber sampler (30.5×30.5 cm with 360μ mesh size) monthly with 3 replications in the Tajan River and its main branches during July 2013 to June 2014. 6 stations were selected at Shirinrood, Korcha, Sorkhvalick, Golourd, Zaremrood (Alavicola) region and the main canal of the Tajan River (Daroupay) respectively. During this period, 39420 individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected, identified and enumerated, which were blonged to 4 phyla, 4 classes, 13 orders, 43 families and 46 genera. Assessment of water physicochemical parameters among stations showed that all parameters, exept pH, had statistically significant differences among stations (p<0.05). Results of benthic macroinvertebrates community indices (Shanon-wiener diversity, Simpson diversity, Margalef richness, EPT richness, EPT/CHIR ratio and Pielou eveness index) showed stations 1 and 4 had the highest and the lowest diversity and richness indices, respectively. The Minimum (3.16) and the maximum values of Hilsenhoff biotc index (5.47) as well as the highest (6.36) and the lowest values of ASPT index (3.81) were calcuted in stations 1and 4 respectively. According to ASPT Biotic Index staion 1 (Shirinroud Branch) was classified in clean class, stations 3, 5 and 6 (Chardangeh, Zaremroud and main channel of Tajan River respectively) were classified in moderate pollution class and staions 2 and 4 (Korcha and Golvard Regions respectively) were classifieds in exterem pollution calss. The results showed that the most important factors influencing the quality of the Tajan River are bed material, uncontrolled water abstraction, the entry of agricultural, husbandry and aquaculture effluents into the river.

Biodiversity and spatial distribution of bivalves in eight stations (Toola 1, Toola 2, Aftab, Dafari, Tango, Havafaza, Biotechnology, and Naz Island) on the rocky shores of Qeshm and in August and January 2018 were investigated. At each station, one to two transects oriented perpendicular to shore were identified. In this study, 14 bivalve species from 8 families were identified. The maximum and minimum frequency of bivalves was observed in winter with an average of 75/m2 in the high tide zone of ​​the Toola 2 station and in the summer with an average of 11/ m2 in the mid tide zone of ​​the Biotechnology station, respectively. Pinctada radiata bivalve was the dominant species (73.9) in all stations. The results of nMDS test also confirm the existence of differences in the structure and species composition of bivalve populations between different seasons and stations. The highest and lowest Shannon index was observed in the high tide zone of ​​Tango station (2.55) in winter and in the high tide zone of ​​Havafaza station in summer (1.65), respectively. The highest and lowest species richness (Margalf index) was recorded in the high tide zone of ​​the Toola 1 station (3.73) in summer and in the mid tide zone of ​​the Biotechnology station in winter (1.87), respectively. According to the results of Simper test, Saccostrea cucullata accounted for the highest percentage of participation in Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in terms of species density, between summer and winter seasons and in different sampling stations.

Makran's rich coasts from Jask to Goater, including coastal promontories, it is more than 600 square kilometers, which is one of the five strategic areas of the world. The importance of the Oman Sea to the world in the fields of transportation, energy supply, huge mineral resources and environmental balance is evident. Whenever there is talk of environmental problems in the waters of southern Iran, all attention has been focused on the Persian Gulf and less on the Oman Sea, so that we are faced with scarce resources. In this research, using the reports of the general environmental protection departments of the coastal provinces and a comprehensive list of environmental criteria, they have been selected as the final list for decision-making, so in this regard, after using the opinions and evaluations of a group of experts Delphi was also used in order to obtain the relative and final weight of each of these factors by entering the values of preferences into the Expert Choice software. The obtained results indicate that the factor of infrastructural development with 44.5% had the most impact on the biological threats of Makran beaches, and the pollution of the four quays with 25.1% had the most impact among the infrastructure pollution criteria as one of the It is the most important environmental risk in the study area. According to the surveys, the application of environmental laws and regulations is listed as the most important measure to eliminate environmental threats. Of course, according to the study, the development of the region has been done without evaluating the environmental effects.

The main purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize Iran's shrimp export target markets. For this purpose, first all shrimp importing countries were selected during the period 2014 to 2018. Then, according to criteria such as the average of total shrimp imports during the period under review, the ratio of shrimp imports by the country to total global shrimp imports, the ratio of shrimp imports to total imports of the country, the ratio of net shrimp imports to imports by the country, the advantage of the country in shrimp imports and the average growth of shrimp imports; All countries were screened and finally 22 countries were selected. In the next stage, based on market attractiveness indices including Gini coefficient, average economic growth, and population growth in the coming years, GDP per capita, geographical distance, country risk index and geographical distance using TOPSIS technique, 10 countries, respectively. Priorities for exporting Iranian shrimp were determined. The results show that South Korea, Romania, Japan, Vietnam, China, Hungary, Peru, Spain, Albania and the Czech Republic are ranked first to tenth for Iranian shrimp exports, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that aquaculture exporters pay more attention to the target market of these countries and the tastes of their consumers.

This study was done monthly on sandy coast of Gehrdo located in southwest of Sirik city from December 2019 to November 2020 using net, randomly. Overall, 310 individuals of M. victor were collected which distinguished 181 male and 129 female. Carapace width range of male and female crabs were obtained 16.4-44.3 mm and 19.3-36.9 mm respectively. Also, weight range of male and female crabs were obtained 1.75-37.83 mm and 3.22-16.79 mm respectively. In this study, maximum collected male and female crabs were observed in length range of 19.8-23.2 mm and 26.6-30 mm respectively. There were not any female crabs in length range of 40.2-43.6 mm and 43.6-47 mm. The positive and negative allometric growth were observed for male and female crabs respectively. Also, exponential value (b) estimated of male crab (3.11) was significantly more than of female crab (2.75) (P<0.05). Regression analysis of relative growth between carapace length and carapace width showed significant difference between males and females. Among the studied parameters, proportion of Sternum width, distance between two spines, first abdomen width was significantly more in females (P<0.05). On the other hand, proportion of chela length was significantly more in males (P<0.05). The results derived of this study can useful for conservation of M. victor with aimed to preserve the biodiversity.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the sediments and the bivalve molluscs, Solen dactylus, in the estuaries covered by mangrove trees of west (Khamir estuary) and east (Shahrno estuary-Jask) of Hormozgan province and also to assess the pollution, bioaccumulation and toxicity of heavy metals (Fe, Ni, Cu and Pb), in these areas. Sediments were studied to determine the grain size, organic carbon, organic matter, total and partial concentration and bioavailability of metals. The results showed that the environmental factors such as organic matter and grain size of sediments affect the distribution of heavy metals. According to the results, there was no significant difference between the sediments of two stations in the accumulation of metals (P>0.05). contamination and enrichment factors for Ni and Pb showed a moderate degree of contamination and enrichment. The geochemical speciation of the studied metals indicated more bioavailability for Cu and Pb. The Risk Assessment Code and the screening quick reference table (SQRT) indicate the high risk in Cu for Shahrno estuary and in Pb for Khamir estuary, and both metals are above the threshold effect level (TEL) for the clam in the area. The results of S. dactylus's bioaccumulation factor showed that Cu accumulated more than other metals in both regions. In general, the present study showed that the sediments of the studied areas are contaminating in terms of Cu and Pb.

Oceans/Seas are important components of Earth that are affected by global warming and climate change; therefore, assessing them has become more important.  In the present study, changes in physicochemical parameters of water in the coral area of Chabahar Golf from April 2018 to March 2020 were investigated by C.T.D set. The results indicated that the temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nitrite, phosphate and silicate did not differ significantly during the sampling period (p>0.05). However, nitrate and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) showed a significant difference (p<0.05). Based on the results, the amount of nitrate in 2020 (2.89±1.05 mg/l) was significantly higher than in 2018 and 2019 (p<0.05). Nitrate content was measured 1.80±0.83 mg/l in 2018 and 1.05±0.49 mg/l in 2019. Nitrate content were not significantly different between 2018 and 2019 (p>0.05). The amount of Chl-a in 2019 (16.25±7.96 mg/m3) was significantly higher than in 2018 and 2020 (p<0.05). The amount of this parameter in 2017 was 3.11±0.92 mg/m3 and in 2020, it was 7.49±1.72 mg/m3. Chl-a content did not show a statistically significant difference between 2018 and 2020 (p<0.05). In conslusion, the results of this study indicated that the condition of physicochemical parameters of water of investigated region were relatively stable during the sampling period.

Natural attractions of wildlife, especially birds, should be considered as a good opportunity to develop the tourism industry, especially that by replacing the bird-hunting culture with bird-watching, we can help preserve and protect this natural asset. Therefore the purpose of this study is to identify challenges and solutions for the development of bird watching tourism in Iran. This research is applied in terms of purpose, descriptive in terms of data collection and qualitative in terms of approach. The statistical population includes experts in the field of bird tourism. The sampling method is the snowball method and 16 experts were interviewed and the data were examined by content analysis method. Experts believe that for the development of this industry, there are environmental, cultural, economic and welfare, management and advertising-marketing challenges. Also identified strategies are 1- empowerment strategies including culture building, continuing education, advertising and marketing, promotion of bird watching entrepreneurship, participation of indigenous people and effective management of tourism organizations and 2- capacity building strategies, including the provision of tourism infrastructure, facilitating the legal movement of foreign tourists, improving environmental conditions, sustainable security, targeted investment and enhancing hospitality capacity. Wildlife attraction is one of the natural attractions that has been neglected. This research showed to solve these challenges and develop bird watching tourism in Iran, multiple help is needed from the government, local institutions and the people.

Entomopathogenic fungi are the biocontrol agents which naturally keep the insect population in balance and can be used as microbial insecticides. In the present study, some isolates of entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from different soil samples and their virulence was investigated against flour moth, Anagasta kuehniella Zeller (Lep: Pyralidae). Five isolates M. anisopliae from Twenty isolates were isolated, using soil-baiting method from collected soil samples in different gardens East Azarbaijan were identified. The flour moth, A. kuehniella were infected using dipping method with isolates were performed at 5 concentrations, in 3 replications and with 12 of flour moth. The results showed that the instars of fourth larval instars of flour moth were susceptible to all isolates of M. anisopliae. The most virulent isolates were MTA with approximately 90% mortality on A. kuehniella. The most virulent isolates were MTA with 0.42×106 conidia/ml LC50 on A. kuehniella while the least virulent isolate were MTV 4.3×109 conidia/ml LC50 on A. kuehniella. Comparison of means and grouping of isolates showed that there was a significant difference between M. anisopliae isolates and the effectiveness of different concentrations.