Effects of Dimethoate and Bacilar fertilizer on biochemical and immunological parameters in common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Fish exposure to agrochemicals can suppress their immune system and survival. Therefore, this study investigates adverse effects of sublethal concentrations of Dimethoate alone or combined with Bacilar (an organophosphorus pesticide and bio-fertilizer) on the innate immune parameters of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, within 14 days. No significant changes were found in levels of total protein, immunoglobulin, the activity of lysozyme and complement C3 in fish exposed to Bacilar alone; however, globulin and complement C4 level indicated a significant reduction. Fish exposure to Dimethoate alone or combined with Bacilar resulted in a decrease in the activity of ACH50, lysozyme, complement C3, C4 and levels of total protein, globulin, and immunoglobulin in compared with the control group. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that innate immune parameters decreased in fish exposed to dimethoate and/or Bacilar. As consequences: Dimethoate or/and Bacilar have the immunosuppressive effect on fish

Effects of dietary supplementation of zinc oxide nanoparticles on some biochemical biomarkers in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

If the dose and duration of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NPs) supplementation optimize, low concentrations of Zn nanoparticles can replace conventional Zn sources in diets of different species of fish. Since evaluating the cytotoxicity of any nutritional supplement is one of the requirements for optimizing the dose for a specified time, we conducted this study to investigate the effects of oral administration of ZnO-NPs on oxidative stress and certain biochemical biomarkers in common carp, Cyprinus carpio, as an experimental model. For this purpose, ZnO-NPs were orally administered to fish for 21 days at 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 mg kg-1 feed. Administration of ZnO-NPs (15 mg kg-1) significantly enhanced aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydro-genase (LDH) activities in liver, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and LDH activities in kidney. Dietary ZnO-NPs increased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity in liver of fish. The results indicated that administration of 10 mg kg-1 and 15 mg kg-1 ZnO-NPs caused a significant increase in ALT and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver, AST and CAT activities and MDA levels in kidney. ZnO-NPs decreased the liver ALP activity. Administration of 5 mg kg-1 ZnO-NPs significantly increased the cellular total antioxidant (TA) levels in various tissues. Therefore, we suggest that oral administration of 10 and 15 mg kg-1 ZnO NPs caused cytotoxicity and alterations in oxidative biomarkers, but 5 mg ZnO-NPs per kg feed had no side effects on oxidative stress and biochemical biomarkers in fish

Histopathological study of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aflatoxin-contaminated diet on histopathological alterations of the gill, liver, kidney and intestine tissues in common carp. Fish were randomly distributed into 15 tanks, i.e. in five experimental groups; (I) control fed with normal diet without solvent and aflatoxin, (II) positive control received feed with only solvent, and (III-V) fed on diets containing 0.5, 0.7 and 1.4 mg kg-1 of aflatoxin, respectively. After 21-days, 12 fish per treatment were randomly caught, anesthetized and euthanized. Then, histological sections of the tissues were prepared. The main aflatoxicosis symptoms in the gills were fusion and disorganisation of the secondary gill lamellae, shortening of the secondary lamellae, inflammation of mucous membranes, and exfoliation of the gill epithelium. Liver of the infected fish indicated cloudy swelling of hepatocytes, cellular hypertrophy, formation of vacuoles in the cytoplasm, and necrosis of liver parenchyma. Expansion of Bowman’s space, necrosis of urinary tract, exfoliation and degeneration of the urinary tract epithelium, expansion of the urinary lumen and dilation of the urinary space were observed symptoms in the kidney. Changes in the intestine of the aflatoxin-treated fish were; expansion of goblet cells, necrosis of mucous layers, exfoliation of the mucous epithelium, and bleeding in the intestinal wall. The results indicates that feeding common carp with diets contaminated with aflatoxin, even in low concentrations (≤ 1.4 mg kg-1 feed) can cause histopathological damages and disturb their physiological balance

Evaluation of oxidative stress induced by cadmium and comparative antioxidant effects of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss) and vitamin E in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Shirazi thyme is an active phytobiotc contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids which have strong antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to investigate the potential protective effects of Shirazi thyme compared to that of vitamin E against cadmium toxicity. Common carp juveniles (34±3 g) were divided into four groups and fed by three different diets including commercial diet without any additive (for control and metal only group) and supplemented with either 1% ground Shirazi thyme or 100 mg/kg vitamin E. All treatments except the control were exposed to sublethal concentration of waterborne cadmium (1.5 mg/L free ion) for 15 d and liver, kidney and gill were sampled 3, 7, 10 and 15 days after the metal exposure. Results showed that treatment of the fish with cadmium for 15 days resulted in a significant reduction in glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) and led to liver, kidney and gills dysfunction. On the other hand, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased during metal exposure. Supplementation of diets with Shirazi thyme and vitamin E led to a significant protection against metal exposure in different tissues. Moreover, Shirazi thyme was found to be as effective as vitamin E. The current finding can provide a useful reference for stress protective effects of thyme and its beneficial role in aquaculture

Evaluation of pre-clinical safety and toxicology of Althaea officinalis extracts as naturopathic medicine for common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The current study was done to investigate the preclinical safety and toxicology of Althaea officinalis extract as naturopathic medicine in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Specimens were treated with 0 (control), 2.5, 5 and 10 g of marshmallow extract for 45 days. Plasma biochemical parameters were measured after 15 and 45 days. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels (p0.05). During the experimental period, triglyceride levels noticeably decreased in fish fed with 2.5 g of A. officinalis extract (p<0.05). Although, administration of marshmallow extract up to 5 g per kg of feed did not show any side effect on fishes, the use of the A. officinalis extract (10 g) led to cytotoxicity and modifications in blood biochemical parameters of fish. Therefore, we recommend the use of the lower concentrations than 10 g A. officinalis extract in prospective clinical studies

Biochemical and physiological effect of dietary supplements of ZnO nanoparticles on common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

ZnO-NPs, like other macromolecule sources, may provide the fish with sufficient amounts of zinc and be effective in regulating the biochemical function of cells in organisms. This study aimed to assess the possibility of using nanoparticles in common carp diet by evaluating alterations in blood biochemical parameters, as a clinical marker of fish health. In this study, fish were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 mg kg-1 ZnO-NPs for 21 days. The results showed that after 21 days admiration of ZnO-NPs, 10 and 15 mg kg-1 concentrations significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine levels in plasma of fish (P0.05). In conclusion, the results showed that diets containing high concentrations of ZnO-NPs supplement (10 and 15 mg) is caused severe cytotoxic effects, including changes in blood biochemical parameters. The primary toxic mechanism of ZnO-NPs was possibly increasing the cellular oxidative stress and disrupting the biochemical function of cells

Sequential sampling of Rhopalosiphum maidis and Schizaphis graminum (Hem.: Aphididae) in wheat fields of Badjgah, Fars province, Iran

Between 2010 and 2011, spatial distribution and fixed precision sequential sampling plans were determined for two aphids, Rhopalosiphum maidis F. and Schizaphis graminum R., in wheat fields in Badjgah countryside of Iranian Fars province. For this purpose, two fields of two hectares each were selected and sampled on weekly basis. Each sample consisted of 200 randomly selected wheat plants along with the total number of counted aphids. Based on RV, the best sample unit was four stems. This data was used to describe spatial distribution pattern of R. maidis and S. graminum by Taylor’s power law (TPL) and Iwao’s patchiness regression methods. The results indicated aggregated spatial distribution of aphids' populations in wheat fields, based on the mentioned methods. The TPL provided a better description of the aphids' spatial distribution. Since regression line slopes were not significantly different for S. graminum and R. maidis, the same Green model was proposed for both species. In this model, minimum numbers of samples were 20, 12 and 9 for precision levels of 0.15, 0.25 and 0.3, respectively. Comparing Green and conventional methods in 0.15, 0.25 and 0.3 precision levels showed that the number of required samples were reduced 77.8 ± 1.05, 78.3 ± 0.91 and 81.4 ± 0.81 percent, respectively. Based on Wilson and Room's model, when the mean populations of aphids were 1.6, 3.86 and 5.62, the proportion of infestation in the field were 0.5, 0.75 and 0.85, respectively. Therefore, by increasing the infestation percentage of the samples, the number of required samples will be reduced

THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF VITAMIN C AND CHITOSAN AGAINST PARAQUAT-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MUSCLES OF COMMON CARP Cyprinus carpio

Svrha ovog istraživanja je ispitati učinak antioksidansa, uključujući vitamin C, kitozan ili kombinaciju obaju, na oksidativni stres markera u mišićima, kao jestivog tkiva riba, izloženih parakvatu. Ribe izložene 0,02 mg/L parakvata tijekom 21 dana hranjene su različitim tipovima prehrane: normalnom prehranom, hranom koja sadrži kitozan (1000 mg/kg po obroku), vitaminom C (1000 mg/kg po obroku) ili vitaminom C i kitozanom. Markeri oksidativnog stresa mjereni su u mišićima, a uključivali su aktivnost katalaze, ukupne antioksidanse i malondialdehide (MDA), kao i biokemijske parametre, uključujući aktivnost aspartat aminotransferaze (AST), alanin aminotransferaze (ALT), kreatin fosfokinaze (CPK), laktat dehidrogenaze (LDH) i acetilkolinesteraze (AChE). Izlaganje riba parakvatu značajno povećava aktivnost LDH, CPK, katalaze i MDA, dok se značajno smanjuje AST, ALT i aktivnost AChE te ukupni antioksidativni kapacitet u mišićima. Davanje vitamina C u kombinaciji s kitozanom ribama izloženim parakvatu pokazalo se učinkovito u reguliranju AChE-a, AST-a, ALT-a, LDH-a, CPK-a i aktivnosti katalaze. Značajno povećanje ukupnog antioksidativnog statusa i značajan pad razine MDA uočeni su kod riba koje se hrane kompleksom kitozan-vitamin C. Kao zaključak izražavamo mišljenje da kombinirani dodatak vitamina C i kitozana može poboljšati sustav detoksikacije u mišićima ribe i štititi šarana od parakvatne toksičnosti.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of antioxidants, including vitamin C, chitosan or a combination of both, on oxidative stress markers in muscles, as edible tissues of fish, exposed to paraquat. Fish exposed to 0.02 mg/L paraquat for 21 days were fed different diets: a normal diet, a diet containing chitosan (1000 mg/kg diet), a diet with vitamin C (1000 mg/kg diet) or both vitamin C and chitosan. Oxidative stress markers, including the activity of catalase, total antioxidant and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as biochemical parameters including the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were measured in muscles. Fish exposure to paraquat increased LDH, CPK, catalase and MDA activity significantly, while it significantly decreased AST, ALT and AChE activity and total antioxidant capacity in muscles. Administration of vitamin C, combined with chitosan, to fish exposed to paraquat was effective in regulating AChE, AST, ALT, LDH, CPK and catalase activity. A significant increase in the total antioxidant status and a significant decrease in MDA levels were observed in fish fed chitosan-vitamin C complex. In conclusion, it is suggested that combined supplementation with vitamin C and chitosan may improve the detoxification system in the muscles of fish and protect common carp from paraquat toxicity

Sequential sampling of overwintered sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps (Het.: Scutelleridae) in rainfed wheat fields in Borujerd, Iran

The sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton, is the most important pest of wheat and barley in most wheat producing regions of Iran, including Lorestan province. The pest overwinters under bushes in mountains and returns to wheat fields in the next spring. Study of spatial distribution of overwintered sunn pest (OSP) in rainfed wheat fields using two quadrate sizes (50 à 50 cm2 = 0.25 m2 and 70.71 à 70.71 cm2 = 0.5 m2) and their conformity with negative binomial distribution, showed a dispersion pattern of aggregation. In this study, a sequential sampling plan (Waldâs method) was presented by use of 1.5 OSP/m2 as an action threshold and 1.05 OSP/m2 as the safety level, and estimating the common K (Kc) for the both sizes of quadrates in 2004 and 2005. Two sizes of quadrates were used as sample units to estimate densities and dispersion patterns of the pest populations. The decision lines, y = 0.32x ± 7.62 andy = 0.63x ± 7.44 were calculated for 0.25 and 0.5 m2 quadrates, respectively. The operating characteristic (OC) and average sample number (ASN) curves indicated that low numbers of samples are required for control decision making when the population densities are either low (less than 0.22 and 0.44 OSP/q for small and large quadrates, respectively) or high (more than 0.45 and 0.89 OSP/q for small and large quadrates, respectively). However, the number of samples required will be high when the population density is nearly medium and at the point of inflection of OC curve (0.32 and 0.63 OSP/q for small and large quadrates, respectively)

Hormonal failure and osmoregulatory disruption in laboratory food-deprived Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii larvae during brackish water challenge

Caspian Kutum, Rutilus frisii, is a valuable species in the Caspian Sea basin. With the aim of restocking, the Iranian Fisheries Organization (IFO) annually released millions of Caspian kutum larvae into the estuaries of the Caspian Sea. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of starvation on fish during Caspian seawater (CSW) adaptation. Caspian kutum larvae (0.5±0.1 g) were divided into two groups; one was considered a control fed ad libitum during the experiment and another group was left food deprived. Both groups were continuously exposed to the CSW challenge (13 ppt) for 7 days and sampling was done on the second, third, fourth and seventh days after initiation of the CSW challenge. Different physiological factors, including hormones (cortisol, T3, and T4), gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity, whole body glucose and protein, gill protein, body moisture, and seawater preferences, were analyzed in each sampling time. The results showed that although fed larvae can successfully overcome the physiological changes imposed by the CSW challenge, the starved fish indicated significant failures in the most measured parameters and eventually demonstrated significantly lower salinity preferences. Therefore, it can be concluded that starvation may negatively affect the success of CSW adaptation. Since physiological impairment during the CSW adaptation period is directly related to the effectiveness of the restocking program, more studies about the feeding condition of Caspian kutum larvae pre and post-releasee and the nutritional status of recipient rivers are suggested