Effects of protein deficiency on testosterone levels, semen quality and testicular histology in the developing male rat

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of protein deficiency on plasma testosterone levels, epididymal sperm characteristics and testicular histology in the developing male rat. Twenty four Wistar albino rats were used in the study and were fed with a diet variously containing 3 %, 10 % and 20 % protein. Plasma testosterone levels were significantly lower in rats fed 3 % protein when compared to rats fed 10 % and 20 % protein (P<0.05). Testicular weight in protein deficient rats (rats fed 3 % and 10 % protein) was significantly lower than that of a control group (20 % protein) (P<0.05). No sperm was present in the epididymal duct lumen, but germ cells were observed in some duct lumens in rats fed 3 % protein. Epididymal weight decreased significantly in rats fed 3 % protein compared to rats fed 10 % and 20 % protein (P<0.05). The results of this study clearly show that protein deficiency in developing male rats adversely affects gonadal endocrine function, testicular histology and spermatogenesis

Effects of land-use changes on landslides in a landslide-prone area (Ardesen, Rize, NE Turkey)

WOS: 000268776400019PubMed: 18780152Various natural hazards such as landslides, avalanches, floods and debris flows can result in enormous property damages and human casualties in Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. Mountainous topographic character and high frequency of heavy rain are the main factors for landslide occurrence in Ardesen, Rize. For this reason, the main target of the present study is to evaluate the landslide hazards using a sequence of historical aerial photographs in Ardesen (Rize), Turkey, by Photogrammetry and Geographical Information System (GIS). Landslide locations in the study area were identified by interpretation of aerial photographs dated in 1973 and 2002, and by field surveys. In the study, the selected factors conditioning landslides are lithology, slope gradient, slope aspect, vegetation cover, land class, climate, rainfall and proximity to roads. These factors were considered as effective on the occurrence of landslides. The areas under landslide threat were analyzed and mapped considering the landslide conditioning factors. Some of the conditioning factors were investigated and estimated by employing visual interpretation of aerial photos and topographic data. The results showed that the slope, lithology, terrain roughness, proximity to roads, and the cover type played important roles on landslide occurrence. The results also showed that degree of landslides was affected by the number of houses constructed in the region. As a consequence, the method employed in the study provides important benefits for landslide hazard mitigation efforts, because a combination of both photogrammetric techniques and GIS is presented

Effects of Dietborne Copper on Accumulation in the Tissues and Organs, Growth and Feed Utilization of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792) Juvenile

The present experiment was conducted to study effects of elevated dietary Cu and establish upper limits of Cu in fish feed. Accumulation and growth of dietborne copper in the gill, muscle tissue, digestive system and whole body of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum). Four experimental isonitrogenic (460 g kg-1) and isolipidic (200 g kg-1) diets were formulated. Diets were prepared by adding 0 (control), 0.1, 0.4 or 1.6 g kg-1 CuSO4.5H2O feed, respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 576 juvenile fish whose average weight 19.97±0.048 g. Fish were fed to satiation for experimental period. After 15, 30, 45 and 60 days, the fish were sampled and Cu accumulation in the gill, muscle tissue and the digestive system were determined. The data were presented in μg of sample Dry Weight (DW). At the end of the trial, with increasing dietary Cu concentration, Cu accumulation of gill, muscle tissue, liver and the digestive system were increased. However, accumulation of gill were not significant (p>0.05) in the fish fed with 0.4 (D 3) and 1.6 (D 4) g kg-1 CuSO4.5H2O diets. Accumulation of muscle tissue were not significant (p>0.05) in the fish fed with 0 (D 1) and 0.1 (D 2) g kg-1 CuSO4.5H2O diets. The accumulation of Cu in the digestive system increased with increasing dietary Cu concentration and at periyot were significant (p<0.05) in group fed with the highest Cu concentration die