Morphological study of the gastrointestinal tract of the snow trout, Schizothorax esocinus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes)

The present study aimed to investigate the macroscopic structure of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Schizothorax esocinus Heckel, 1838. The surface architecture of the buccopharynx, oesophagus and the entire intestinal tract of S. esocinus has been examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM) after fixing in 2.5% glutaraldehyde buffered with 0.1 M sodium cacodylate at pH 7.3 for 18–48 hours and post-fixation for two hours at room temperature in 1% osmium tetra oxide buffered at pH 7.3 with 0.1 M cacodylate. The mucosal surface of buccopharynx, esophagus, intestinal bulb, and intestine reveal prominent longitudinal major or primary mucosal folds which are further subdivided into the series of irregular and well-circumscribed folds called minor or secondary folds. However, in the intestinal bulb and intestine, the longitudinal major or primary folds themselves form wavy or zigzagging patterns along the mucosal surface. The fine structure of the surface epithelium further shows that the apical surfaces of the epithelial cells are ped with finger-print like microridges, arranged in various patterns and regularly spaced. The rectal mucosa, on the other hand, displays a highly irregular type of major mucosal folds. The separation can’t be seen between major mucosal folds. A thin film of mucous spread over the mucosal folds and the numerous pores through which mucous cells release their content has also been noted along the rectal mucosa. This investigation suggests the possible role of different digestive organs in relation to feeding, digestion, storage, absorption, and various other physiological processes, thereby providing a knowledge necessary to the understanding of pathological or physiological alterations in both aquaculture and natural environment

Dietary clenbuterol modifies the expression of genes involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and growth in the liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The current study aimed to evaluate whether clenbuterol, a β2-adrenergic agonist, supplementation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets can influence growth and blood parameters. Besides, assessment of adipogenic genes as fatty acid synthase (FAS) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) which is a key enzyme in the regulation of the flux of fatty acids in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue as well as muscle growth-regulating genes as myostatin (MYO) in muscle and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in liver. The fish were allocated into three equal groups; control group that fed basal diet only and the other two groups fed a basal diet containing clenbuterol at two doses 5 ppm and 10 ppm/kg diet for 30 consecutive days. Results revealed that clenbuterol supplementation significantly increased body weight, decreased liver, spleen and abdominal fat weights, and decreased total circulatory cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. Moreover, clenbuterol inhibits lipogenesis by downregulation of FAS gene expression by dose and time-dependent manner in the liver while enhanced lipolysis in both the liver and in the adipose tissue. Moreover, lipolysis was reduced in muscle by dose 10 ppm on day 30. Furthermore, clenbuterol presented higher gene expression of MYO and IGF-1 in muscle and liver respectively by dose 5 ppm at day 15 on the other hand, these findings were reversed by day 30 compared with control. In conclusion, clenbuterol efficacy was apparent in a dose and time response pattern to boost growth and reduce fat deposition rates, indicating for the first time that clenbuterol has a profitable growth impact on Nile tilapia

Ultrastructure of the dermal chromatophores in the Fringe-toed lizard, Acanthodactylus orientalis

Histology and electron microscopic studies of the dorsal skin of the Fringe-toed lizard, Acanthodactylus orientalis Angel, 1936, showed three types of dermal chromatophores: xanthophores, iridophores and melanophores. These pigment cells were observed in vertical combination, with an uppermost layer of xanthophores, an intermediate layer of iridophores and a basal layer of melanophores. The ultrastructure of the melanophore is characterized by oval nucleus and numerous pigment granules, the melanosomes of different stages that remain scattered in the cytoplasm. The chromatophores of this species contain significant information of anatomical similarity with lower as well as higher vertebrates. They can help to better understand the inter relationships between vertebrate pigment cells and their role in skin dysfunctions

РЕЗЕКЦІЯ ПРИЛЕГЛОЇ КІСТКИ ПРИ ЛІКУВАННІ ПРОЛЕЖНІВ СІДНИЧНОЇ ДІЛЯНКИ

It has been demonstrated that in case of a resection of the ischial tuberosity pressure on the surrounding tissues reduces 4-10 times, the latter being confirmed by operations for decubital ulcers of the ischiatic area. Ischial tuberosity resection in case of the surgical treatment of decubital ulcers is substantiated and recommended to be introduced into clinical practice.Показано, что при резекции седалищного бугра давление на окружающие ткани снижается в 4-10 раз, что подтверждено при операциях по поводу пролежней седалищной области. Резекция седалищного бугра при оперативном лечении пролежней является обоснованной и рекомендуется для внедрения в клиническую практику.Показано, що при резекції сідничного горба тиск на прилеглі тканини знижується в 4-10 разів, що підтверджено при операціях з приводу пролежнів сідничної ділянки. Резекція сідничного горба при оперативному лікуванні пролежнів обгрунтована і рекомендується для впровадження у клінічну практику

A review on the biology and physiology of loach <em>Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</em> in China

759-765Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cantor 1842) is the most common loach in the world, habitually, available in Asian regions like China, Korea, India, and Japan. It lives in streams and rice paddy fields, preferably with a soft muddy bottom. The body of a typical loach is elongated with five pairs of barbs surrounding the mouth, and a single short-based dorsal fin. This species is omnivorous and source of diet usually varies from fish and insects, to plant detritus. The fish spawn multiple times per year during a spawning season that lasts from mid-April until mid-October. M. anguillicaudatus diploid individuals (2n=50) are common in wild populations. Different polyploidy populations have been reported in various locations in China. It has a delicious taste with high nutritional value, used as a traditional Chinese medicine. The most serious problem in both loach hatcheries and farms is bleeding in head, opercula, and lower jaw, swollen muscles, anus, liver, and spleen, and empty intestines. Characterization and expression profiles of tissue-specific immune genes are highly useful in understanding gene functions, tissue physiology, and transcriptomics of M. anguillicaudatus.</em

Metabolism of the spade-headed Amphisbaenian worm lizard, Diplometopon zarudnyi (Nikolsky, 1907), in Saudi Arabia (Reptilia: Trogonophidae)

The oxygen consumption rate V̇O2 and lactate production of the Amphisbaenian worm lizard Diplometopon zarudnyi were measured at temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 35 °C at 5 °C intervals. The V̇O2 was significantly different between resting and active states at any specified temperature, while the average value at the resting state generally rose with increased temperature from 15 °C (0.05 ml O2/g/h) to 25 °C (0.111 ml O2/g/h). The aerobic respiration scopes at resting and active states were also significantly different. The highest Q10 values (3.24 and 1.69) were obtained at 15 °C–20 °C and 30 °C–35 °C during resting and active states, respectively, with these values being significantly different. Lactate concentrations were significantly higher during active states than when resting, and the anaerobic scope was found to increase with increased temperature. There was a proportional increase in ATP molecules (μmoles/g/2 min) during aerobic or anaerobic respiration, as well as in total metabolic scope, with increasing temperature, and the anaerobic scope showed significantly higher values than the aerobic scope, confirming the importance of anaerobic behavior for this species

Food habits of the Arabian skink, Scincus hemprichii Wiegmann, 1837, (Sauria: Scincidae), in the Southwest Saudi Arabia

Food and feeding habits of the Arabian skink, Scincus hemprichii were investigated in Jazan province, southwest of Saudi Arabia. S. hemprichii individuals fed during eleven months of the year. The mass of food in the stomachs indicated that a high degree of foraging success occurred during the warm spring while the lowest was during winter with January as an exception to feeding by the lizard. Analysis of the contents of 60 stomachs revealed that the diet of S. hemprichii in the study area consisted of arthropods, with two species of beetles of the family Dermestidae (Dermestis vulpinus and Dermestis maculates) and three type of dipteran larvae, accounting for 76% of the total volume of the food items. Specimens collected during January had empty stomachs

Effect of Feed Quality on Growth and Survival of Striped Snakehead, Channa striatus (Bloch, 1793) Hatchlings

105-110Present study focuses on growth performance of C. striatus using different feeding regimes of live feed and formulated feed. Murrels, belonging to the family Channidae, are widely known as snakeheads. Larviculture of murrels is a herculean task as they are carnivorous and piscivorous with cannibalistic behaviour. Artemia nauplii and rotifers are required for the best survival and growth of C. striatus during the early nursery management, and a combination of fish meal, Artemia nauplii and zooplankton was considered as the overall best diet for larviculture of murrels