فصلنامه زیست شناسی جانوری تجربی
سال یازدهم شماره 3 (پیاپی 43، زمستان 1401)

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on performance, blood and reproductive parameters in Japanese quail. 320 one-day-old quail chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments were included 1- untreated (control), 2- levothyroxine (70 μg / l), 3- propylthiouracil (15 mg / l) and 4- propylthiouracil first and then levothyroxine. Performance parameters were recorded weekly. On day 42 of rearing, one male and one female were selected from each replicate and blood samples were taken to evaluate blood parameters. On day 62 of rearing, the bird's eggs were collected and transferred to the incubator. Food conversion ratio, feed intake and weight gain were not affected by the treatments. In male blood serum, triglyceride concentration in all therapeutic treatments and alanine aminotransferase concentration in propylthiouracil-levothyroxine treatment significantly reduced (P≤0.05). In female birds, blood LDL concentration decreased in levothyroxine treatment compared to control and alanine aminotransferase increased in this treatment compared to other groups (P≤0.05). The highest serum alkaline phosphatase concentration of females was observed in propylthiouracil treatment (P≤0.05). Other blood biochemical parameters and fertility percentage were not affected by the treatments. The lowest percentage of total hatching and hatching of fertile eggs and the highest percentage of embryonic mortality were related to the treatment of propylthiouracil-levothyroxine (P≤0.05). In conclusion, induction of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism with drugs did not have a significant effect on most functional, reproductive and blood parameters in Japanese quail.

Due to the difference in the quality and quantity of proteins and enzymes in the mucus of different types of fish, therefore they have different antibacterial activity. Boleophthalmus dussumieri fish is one of the mudskeeper’s species that has been reported from Musa Estuary according to previous studies. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the antibacterial effect of B. dussumieri fish mucus against 3 standard bacterial strains (Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC BAA-747), Bacillus subtillis (ATTC 6633)) and 3 clinical bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus anthracis). After preparing the aqueous extract of mucus, its antibacterial effect was investigated in four concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/ml by disc diffusion method. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software and one-way ANOVA. The results showed that all the bacteria were sensitive to the mucus extract and there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the growth inhibition zone between different bacteria. It was also found that Gram-positive bacteria with an average non-growth zone of 12 mm showed more sensitivity to B. dussumieri fish skin mucus extract than Gram-negative bacteria with an average non-growth zone of 9 mm. The results of this research showed that the skin mucus of Boleophthalmus dussumieri fish has antimicrobial effect and has the ability to remove pathogenic agents in laboratory conditions.

One of the main features of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the amyloid aggregation of specific proteins in the brain tissue. Inhibition of protein misfolding and aggregation is results of utmost importance in the prevention and treatment of such diseases. In the experimental present study the possible effects of Portulaca oleracea extract on amyloid fibrillation of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) as a protein model and possible its role in treatment of amyloidosis diseases were explored. Lysozymal amyloid was prepared in the harsh condition such as acidic pH and high temperature and confirmed by various techniques including Congo red (CR), Thioflavin T (ThT) binding assays and atomic force microscopy. Data were analyzed through SPSS 16 using descriptive statistics as well as independent t-test. The collected and dried Portulaca oleracea was first dechlorophyllized and then its hydroalcoholic extract was obtained. The extract was concentrated and  dried for 48 h, then stored at -20º. This studies by ThT showed that, amyloid formation in the presence of Portulaca oleracea extract significantly (p˂0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner was inhibited. The Amyloid formation inhibition in presence of the extract also were confirmed by Congo red assay and AFM images. Both Intrinsic and ANS fluorescence showed that inhibition effect of the extract is not due to stabilization of native structure of the protein. The results suggested that aromatic compounds in the extract may directly insert into amyloidogenic core of aggregates and disrupt pi-pi stacking interactions and thus inhibit amyloid fibril formation. These results may ultimately find applications in the development of potential inhibitors against amyloid fibril formation and its biologically adverse effects.

Metal oxide nanoparticles, including Nano-silver, have antimicrobial effects against a wide range of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Nano-silver obtained from different parts of Saffron on Acinetobacter baumannii has always been identified as one of the most important nosocomial infections. In this study, saffron stigma, stamens, and petals were prepared, only stamens and petals caused the synthesis of Nano-silver. The diameter of Nanosilver was measured using TEM, then its effect on Acinetobacter baumannii was investigated by Disk and Well diffusion, MBC, and MIC methods. The results of the Disk diffusion method and the well diffusion method showed that with increasing the concentration of silver nanoparticles, the diameter of the bacterial growth aura increases. Also, the average MBC and MIC for saffron petal Nano-silver are 781 ppm and 390 ppm, respectively, and for saffron stamens Nano-silver, 3125 ppm, and 1562 ppm, respectively. It can be concluded that the petals and stamens of saffron reduce silver ions well and cause the synthesis of silver Nano-silver. The resulting Nano-silver also had a lethal effect on Acinetobacter baumannii. The abundance of saffron in Iran can be a good option for the production of Nano-silver.

Species diversity is one of the levels of biodiversity that encompasses a variety of Fauna and Flora. Haftad-Gholleh National Park located in central of Iran is inhabited by species diversity. This study identifies the animal species of the safe valleys of Chekab and Sibak Haftad-Gholleh National Park and this method calculates the species diversity indices for the area using ecological methodology software. Animals were recorded and censored using images from the local telephoto camera trap. Species diversity indices (richness, heterogeneity, homogeneity) and within habitat, between habitat and regional diversity (γ, β, α), and Morista similarity index were used to estimate and analyze the similarity of fauna with the Chekab and Sibak valleys. The results showed that 22 species were recorded in Haftad-Gholleh area, 11 of bird species, 10 mammals species and 1 amphibian species. In general, the highest species richness is related to the Sibak Valley and the least richness to the Chekab Valley. According to heterogeneity and homogeneity indices, the overall trend of species diversity in the Sibak and Chekab valleys was initially decreasing and then increasing. The similarity index between Sibak and Chekab valleys is 0.98, indicating high similarity between the two valleys. The highest α, β and γ diversity indices belong to the Sibak Valley and the least to the Chekab Valley.

Extensive and long-term use of chemical compounds causes microorganisms ability to adapt with the antimicrobial agents used against them, reduced the effect of drugs, and in return make microbes resistant. Plant essential oils have been studied as antimicrobial and antifungal compounds in the pharmacology, microbiology and medicine fields. In this study, the  essential oils of Ziziphora cliniopodiodes, Thymus vulgaris and Salvia rosmarinus to fungal pathogens including Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavusus, Saprolegnia spp., Fusarium spp., and bacteria pathogens including Streptococcus mitis, Lactococcus Garvieae, Yersinia ruckeri and Aeromonas hydrophila were examined. Evaluation of antifungal and antibacterial activity by Tube dilution method used for determine the minimum growth inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and fungicide (MFC). Based on the results of MIC and MFC, the highest antifungal properties were obtained for thyme essential oils to Aspergillus fumigatus (0.023 ± 0.015 and 0.046±0.03 μl/ml) and the lowest fungicidal property of rosemary essential oil against Aspergillus niger (1.66±0.72 and 3.33±1.44) were obtained and there was a significant difference with other treatments (P<0.05). According to the results of MIC and MBC, the lowest concentrations obtained against bacteria were related to the essential oil of Z. clinopodioides against Streptococcus mitis (0.016±0.005 and 0.033±0.011 μl/ml), which were obtained with essential oil of rosemary was significantly different (P<0.05). According to this study, essential oils of Z. clinopodioides, thyme and rosemary can be used to control and prevent fungal and bacterial diseases of Aquatic animals.

Sarcocystis is a intracellular parasitic protozoan that can cause gastrointestinal disorders in patients and huge financial losses in the livestock industry. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in slaughter buffaloes in Urmia slaughterhouse, Iran. This study was observed during a six-month period (October to March 2016) at 10-day intervals by referring to Urmia slaughterhouse and preparing carcasses of various tissues including tongue, esophagus, heart, diaphragm, thigh, and arm for the presence of rice grain cysts. During the present study, a total of 120 buffalo carcasses were examined macroscopically. For microscopic examination by digestion method, 100 g of each animal tissue was packed and transferred to the parasitology laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Azad University. According to the results, no macrocysts were observed in buffaloes. Microscopic examination showed a moderate frequency of infection with Sarcocystis microcysts that 16.67% of the studied buffaloes were found to be positive for infection. Data analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the rate of infection in different age groups and the rate of infection increased with age (p <0.05), while the rate of infection was gender independent and there was no significant difference between the rate of infection of different sexes (p>0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference between the level of infection in different muscles (p<0.05). All skeletal and esophageal muscles had microcysts and then microcysts were observed in the diaphragm, tongue, and heart muscles. our study showed that digestion is one of the most useful and accurate methods available to identify infected samples.