Acute ammonia exposure combined with heat stress impaired the histological features of gills and liver tissues and the expression responses of immune and antioxidative related genes in Nile tilapia

Ammonia exposure can be considered more stressful for aquatic animals when it coincides with high temperature. This study was conducted to detect the effects of ammonia exposure and heat stress and their interactions on the histological features of gills and liver tissues and the expression responses of immune and antioxidative related genes in Nile tilapia. Thus, 180 fish were divided into four groups (triplicates), where the first and third groups were kept in clean water without total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) exposure. At the same time, the second and fourth groups were exposed to 5 mg TAN/L. After seven days, the water temperature was raised in the third (without ammonia toxicity) and fourth (exposed with 5 mg TAN/L) groups up to 32 °C and kept under these conditions for 24 h. While the first (without ammonia toxicity) and second (exposed with 5 mg TAN/L) groups were kept under optimum water temperature (27.28 °C) then gills and liver tissues were dissected. Marked upregulation of keap1 was seen in the gills of fish exposed to ammonia/heat stress. The expression of mRNA levels for nrf2, nqo-1, cat, and gpx genes were downregulated in all stressed groups, with the lowest was recorded in the ammonia/heat stress group. The transcription of ho-1 was upregulated in the ammonia and heat stress groups while downregulated in the ammonia/heat stress group. The transcription of the complement C3 gene was downregulated in the livers of heat stress and ammonia/heat stress groups, while the lysozyme gene was downregulated in the ammonia/heat stress group. The mRNA expression levels of nf-κB, il-1β, and tnf-α genes were higher in the ammonia group than in the heat stress group. The highest transcription level of nf-κB, il-1β, tnf-α, il-8, and hsp70 genes and the lowest C3 and lysozyme genes were observed in fish exposed to ammonia/heat stress. The co-exposure to ammonia with heat stress triggered degeneration of primary and secondary gill filaments with telangiectasia and vascular congestion of secondary epithelium while, the liver showed hepatic vascular congestion and visible necrotic changes with nuclear pyknosis. In conclusion, the combined exposure of ammonia and heat stress induced oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and inflammation in Nile tilapia

Garlic Alleviates the Injurious Impact of Cyclosporine-A in Male Rats through Modulation of Fibrogenic and Steroidogenic Genes

This work aimed to study the hepato-testicular protective effect of garlic in rats treated with cyclosporine A (CsA). Forty male Westar albino rats were randomly distributed in five groups (8 rats each): control, olive oil, garlic, CsA, and CsA co-treated with garlic. CsA induced an upsurge in the alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels and decreased albumin and total protein levels, expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene, serum testosterone, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine levels compared to the control group. Additionally, there was an increase in the cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels and a substantial reduction in the high-density lipoprotein levels compared to the control groups. Histopathological investigation of the liver showed abnormalities like hepatic cell degeneration, congestion of blood vessels, and highly active Kupffer cells in the CsA group. Histopathological examination of testes showed damaged seminiferous tubules, stoppage of the maturation of spermatogonia, and the presence of cells with irregular dense nuclei in the lumina of some tubules. For the groups treated with garlic, mitigation of the damage caused by CsA in the liver and testes, liver function tests, lipid profiles, and hormones was seen along with improved gene expression of SOD and steroidogenesis genes, and decreased gene expression of collagen I-α1 and transforming growth factor-1β. Conclusively, garlic had a positive impact on CsA-induced hepatic and sperm toxicity. It is recommended that garlic should be supplemented in transplant treatments using CsA to alleviate the cyclosporin-induced oxidative injuries and other harmful effects

Desalted and lyophilized seminal plasma increases protein tyrosine-phosphorylation of frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa incubated with a cell-permeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) analog (cBiMPS)

The present study investigates the effect of desalted seminal plasma (SP) added to semen extender on hyperactivated motility and protein tyrosine-phosphorylation (PTP) of bull spermatozoa. The SP was harvested by centrifugation and desalted using Sephadex G-25 columns in order to be added to semen extender at 0 (control), 2.5, 12.5 and 25 mg/ml. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were incubated with a cellpermeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) analog (cBiMPS) and examined subjectively for hyperactivated motility and for PTP by Western blotting. Although, the added SP sustains sperm motility at all incubation times especially in the presence of cBiMPS but without significant difference from the control samples. Moreover, total sperm motility of 12.5 and 25 mg/ml in the presence of cBiMPS at 60, 120 and 180 min were similar (P ≥ 0.05). Surprisingly, cBiMPS-incubated spermatozoa in the presence of desalted SP were capable of exhibiting hyperactivated motility. Addition of SP increased and prolonged intracellular cAMP-induced PTP and in total 21 phosphorylated proteins with molecular weight ranging from 10 to ＞230 kDa were detected. The most prominent tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (TPPs) were of 32, 38, 74 and 80 kDa which were more predominant in fertile bulls than subfertile bull. Furthermore, TPPs of 45 and 48 kDa were cBiMPS-dependent in fertile bulls whereas, in subfertile bull the latter was barely detectable and the former was cBiMPS-independent at only 0 min. This increase in PTP not only emphasizing the beneficial roles of desalted SP but excluding any detrimental effect of it on sperm cell functions during storage as well

Differential cellular localization of lectins in the testes of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) during active and inactive breeding seasons

Abstract The reproductive activity of the male dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) as a seasonal breeder is affected by various seasonal changes that reflect on the reproductive performance. In the current study, we explored a differential cellular localization of lectins in eight dromedary camel testes utilizing lectin histochemistry (LHC). The glycoconjugates’ localizations were detected within the testicular tissue utilizing 13 biotin-labeled lectins (PNA, ConA, LCA, RCA120, GS IB4, WGA, BPL, DBA, ECA, PHA-E4, UEA-1, PTL-II, and SBA) distributed into six sets. The cellular structures revealed diverse lectins distribution that may reflect various glycoproteins’ structures and their compositional modifications during spermatogenesis. Some of the investigated lectins were restricted to acrosomes of spermatids that will help study different stages during the spermatogenic cycle of dromedary camel, particularly PNA, and ECA. The statistical analysis showed a marked positive correlation between the response intensity of various lectins and the breeding season (P < 0.05). We can conclude that lectins have a fundamental role during camel spermatogenesis and are associated with the reproductive activity of dromedary camel

Dietary effect of soybean lecithin on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, blood biomarkers, and antioxidative status of striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus.

Soybean lecithin (SBL) is usually added to aquafeed as a lipid source because aquatic animals cannot synthesize phospholipids. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of SBL on the growth, nutrient consumption, digestive enzyme activity, blood parameters, and antioxidant capability of striped catfish. The fish were fed on five experimental diets with five grading levels of SBL (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8%) for 60 days. The final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, and protein efficiency ratio were markedly higher in striped catfish treated with 2-4% SBL than the control level (0% SBL). However, the lowest feed conversion ratio was in the fish-fed groups of 4-6% SBL. The carcass lipid content was significantly higher in fish fed 2-4% SBL compared to the control level (0% SBL). The lipase, amylase, and protease activities were significantly increased in the fish fed 2-6% SBL compared to 0% SBL-fed group. The gradually increased levels of SBL improved the structural appearance and increased the intestinal villi length and branching appearance. The triglycerides and total cholesterol were increased in the fish fed with 4, 6, and 8% compared to the control level, with the highest being in the fish fed with 8%. The lysozyme activity was higher in the fish fed with 2, 4, and 6% of SBL compared to the control level, with higher activity in the fish fed with 2 and 4% than 6%. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities were increased in the fish fed with 2, 4, and 6% SBL. The malondialdehyde level was lower in the fish fed with 4-6% SBL compared to the control level. The regression analysis revealed that the optimum dose of SBL is required at 3.65-4.42% for better productivity and health performances in striped catfish

The regulatory roles of yucca extract on the growth rate, hepato-renal function, histopathological alterations, and immune-related genes in common carp exposed with acute ammonia stress

The accumulation of ammonia in fish ponds regularly occurs in intensive aquaculture systems, and the inclusion of yucca extract is recognized as a practical solution to adsorb the waterborne ammonia. In this context, the study was planned to investigate the possible regulatory roles of yucca extract on the performances of common carp exposed to acute ammonia stress. Fish with similar initial weight were assigned to four groups (triplicates) where fish in the control group reared without ammonia exposure and without yucca treatment whereas the second group was exposed to ammonia (10 mg/L) without yucca treatment. The third group treated with yucca (0.75 mg/L) without ammonia while the fourth group exposed with ammonia and treated with yucca. The groups were named as the control, the ammonia, the yucca, and the ammonia/yucca. After 30 days, the growth performance, survival rate, total protein, albumin, and globulin of fish treated with yucca extract had the highest values (P \u3c 0.05) followed by control and those exposed to acute ammonia stress and treated with yucca. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) displayed the lowest value in fish treated with yucca without ammonia stress while the highest FCR was in fish exposed to ammonia without yucca (P \u3c 0.05). The uric acid and urea levels displayed the lowest value in fish treated with yucca without ammonia stress while the highest uric acid and urea were in fish exposed to ammonia without yucca (P \u3c 0.05). The levels of blood creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) implemented the highest values in fish exposed to acute ammonia stress without yucca while the lowest values were in the group of fish treated with yucca without ammonia exposure (P \u3c 0.05). The expression of hepatic catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and interleukin (IL-10) genes were upregulated in fish treated with yucca and downregulated in fish exposed to acute ammonia stress. Heat shock protein (HSP70), interleukin (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin (IL-1β) were upregulated in fish exposed to acute ammonia stress and downregulated in the group of fish treated with yucca extract (P \u3c 0.05). The histopathological study revealed that fish exposed to acute ammonia stress had inflammatory and abnormal features while yucca extract induced anti-inflammation influences. Hence, the study concluded that the treatment of yucca extract is recommended to protect common carp from the toxicity of waterborne ammonia

Osteoblast-activating peptide exhibits a specific distribution pattern in mouse ovary and may regulate ovarian steroids and local calcium levels

Osteoblast-activating peptide (OBAP) is a novel protein affecting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, but its ovarian expression is yet to be reported. Osteoporosis is a common disease, caused mainly by low estrogen levels in females. We investigated whether OBAP regulates estrogen synthesis and osteoporosis. Using immunohistochemical analyses, we studied the distribution of OBAP in different parts of the mouse ovary. We also attempted to clarify the correlation of OBAP with ovarian steroids and calcium-regulating factors in the same ovarian tissues, including aromatase (CYP19), 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK), calmodulin, calbindin, and calcium-sensing receptor. The ovarian interstitial endocrine cells (IC) showed the greatest localization of OBAP, followed by the mature corpus luteum and the oocytes of mature Graafian follicles (MGF), while there were strong negative correlations of OBAP with CYP19. Strong positive correlations with 3 beta-HSD (except MGF), RANK (except IC), and calmodulin (except MGF and IC) were demonstrated. OBAP also showed partially positive correlations with ER and PR in the corpus luteum and with IC and calbindin in the MGF. We conclude that OBAP might be related to estrogen synthesis and calcium homeostasis

Selenium nanoparticles as a natural antioxidant and metabolic regulator in aquaculture: A review

Balanced aquafeed is the key factor for enhancing the productivity of aquatic animals. In this context, aquatic animals require optimal amounts of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The original plant and animals’ ingredients in the basal diets are insufficient to provide aquafeed with suitable amounts of minerals. Concurrently, elements should be incorporated in aquafeed in optimal doses, which differ based on the basal diets’ species, age, size, and composition. Selenium is one of the essential trace elements involved in various metabolic, biological, and physiological functions. Se acts as a precursor for antioxidative enzyme synthesis leading to high total antioxidative capacity. Further, Se can enhance the immune response and the tolerance of aquatic animals to infectious diseases. Several metabolic mechanisms, such as thyroid hormone production, cytokine formation, fecundity, and DNA synthesis, require sufficient Se addition. The recent progress in the nanotechnology industry is also applied in the production of Se nanoparticles. Indeed, Se nanoparticles are elaborated as more soluble and bioavailable than the organic and non-organic forms. In aquaculture, multiple investigations have elaborated the role of Se nanoparticles on the performances and wellbeing of aquatic animals. In this review, the outputs of recent studies associated with the role of Se nanoparticles on aquatic animals’ performances were simplified and presented for more research and development