Biology of Parapodia sinaica (Lep.: Gelechiidae) in Qom province

Parapodia sinaica Frau. is among one of the important pests of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) in Qom province. During 2000-2003, the biology of this pest was studied by periodic samplings of its different life stages every 15 days using light traps in natural tamarisk fields (Masileh region - Qom salt lake) and rearing some life stages in transparent dishes containing a tamarisk stem in laboratory conditions (50 ± 5% RH, 25 ± 1ºC and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D h.). P. sinaica overwinters as 4th or 5th larval instars in the galls. In early March, larvae change into pupa and the pupal period lasts 52 ± 5 and 44 ± 3 days in field and laboratory conditions, respectively. Flight peak of the adult moth took place in early May. The moth being fed on water and sugar survived 14 ± 3 days and preoviposition period lasted 2.3 ± 0.49 days. Average egg number deposited by a female in natural conditions was 32 ± 7. Oviposition period lasted 7.2 ± 0.83 days and incubation period of eggs was 29 ± 3 and 25 ± 2 days in the field and laboratory conditions, respectively. This insect has five larval instars and the mean developmental time of the first to the fifth larval instars were 63 ± 5, 46 ±.34, 44 ± 3.8, 50 ± 5.3 and 97 ± 6.2 days, respectively. The pest has one generation in a year. Larvae never feed on the wood but they feed on bark and cause die back of the branches in the end of the next year. Activity of this pest was also observed in Isfahan, Khuzestan, Qom and Yazd provinces

The effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed on sperm parameters and spermatogenesis in toxicity induced by diazinon in male rats

Abstract Background and aim: Organophosphate insecticide diazinon is used in agriculture and may affect fertility of men due to the production of free radicals. Because of the antioxidant properties of black currant compounds, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of black currant on spermatogenesis in diazinon-induced toxicity in male rats was investigated. Methods: In the present experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control group without sham, corn oil and saline without intervention; the positive control group received Diazinon poison at a concentration of 16 mg / kg. Experimental 1 and 2 respectively received diazinon poison (16 mg / kg) and black and white extract (100 mg / kg) and 200 mg / kg (3 mg / kg) extract, respectively. They received 3 extracts of black currant with a concentration of 200 mg / kg. All treatments were carried out for 2 months in gavage. After 2 months sperm parameters, number, mobility, life and morphology were investigated. Similarly, testicular tissue was stained with Hematoxylin Eosin for evaluation of spermatogenesis after cutting. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. Results: Diazinon with a concentration of 16 mg / kg caused a significant decrease in the number and motility of the sperm in comparison to the sham group (p <0.01) (p <0.001), but significantly altered sperm motility and morphology compared to the group Did not have you The group that received diazinon and extract of black currant with two concentrations of 100 and 200 mg / kg compared to diazinon group showed a significant increase in the number of sperms (p <0.01) (p <0.001), but blackheads caused a significant change Sperm motility was not present in the presence of diazinone. Histological examination showed that the number of primary spermatocyte cells and spermatid in the diazinone group compared to sham group decreased significantly (p <0.05). However, the number of spermatogonia cells, primary spermatocytes and spermatid in experimental groups 1 and 2 showed a significant increase compared to diazinon group (p <0.05). In the experimental group 3, the extract increased the number of sperm in comparison with the sham group (p <0.05), but did not change the testicular tissue. Conclusion: The results indicated that black currant extract had a protective effect on testicular tissue and could increase spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid and sperm count in diazinon-induced toxicity but did not affect sperm motility. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp