Toxic effects of Cadmium on antioxidant defense systems and lipid peroxidation in Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897)

Cadmium is considered as a common residue in water and sediments which could readily enter aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time- and concentration-dependent changes in antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities as well as concentration of MDA as a bi- product of lipid peroxidation in the liver of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, following CdCl2 exposure at sub-lethal concentrations for 14 days. Based on the results, activity of SOD and CAT showed a significant increase in the fish exposed to different concentrations of CdCl2 up to the day 7, and then their activity decreased in the fish of all treatments on the 14th day. In all treatments, MDA content significantly increased after exposure at first day until the end of the experiment. The levels of SOD, CAT and MDA followed a concentration-dependent manner and its increase was higher in 800 µgl-1 than those of 200 µgl-1. The results suggested that antioxidant enzymes could be used as an effective index to monitor ecotoxicological changes

The effects of dietary lysozyme on growth performance and haematological indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerling

The present study investigates the effects of dietary lysozyme on growth performance and haematological indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings. One hundred and twenty Juvenile rainbow trout fish (initial average weight 5.46±0.05 g) were fed on varying levels of dietary lysozyme (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g kg-1) for 8 weeks. Thereafter, growth performance as well as haematological indices including WBC, RBC and Hct were measured. Evaluation of growth performance showed no significant increase in fishes fed on different levels of dietary lysozyme (P>0.05). Also, feeding on dietary lysozyme significantly increased WBC compared control (P<0.05); the highest level was detected in 1.5 g kg-1 treatment. Furthermore, RBC of fish fed 1 or 1.5 g kg-1 lysozyme were significantly higher than other treatments. The same results were noticed in case of Hct which was higher in fish fed treated diet. These results indicated that dietary lysozyme affect haematological parameters rather than growth performance

Effects of dietary nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) seed meals on growth, non-specific immune indices, antioxidant status, gene expression analysis, and cold stress tolerance in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

IntroductionA medicinal plant, Myristica fragrans seed meal (nutmeg), was utilized to evaluate its impact on the growth, immunity, and antioxidant defense of zebrafish (Danio rerio).MethodsIn this regard, zebrafish (0.47 ± 0.04 g) (mean ± S.D.) were fed with 0% (control), 1% (T1-nutmeg), 2% (T2-nutmeg), and 3% (T3-nutmeg) of powdered nutmeg for 70 days. At the end of the feeding trial, growth performance, survival rate of fish, and temperature-challenge effects were recorded. Immune and antioxidant parameters were also assessed through the collection of serum and skin mucus samples.ResultsThe results indicated that nutmeg supplementation did not significantly influence the growth of zebrafish (P &gt; 0.05); however, the survival rate of fish fed with 2 and 3% of nutmeg supplementation significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.05). The skin mucus and serum total protein, total immunoglobulin (Ig), and lysozyme activity were significantly increased in T3-nutmeg treatment in comparison to the control (P &lt; 0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were also enhanced in the T3-nutmeg group (P &lt; 0.05). Nutmeg supplementation significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of growth hormone (gh) and insulin growth factor-1 (igf-1). Moreover, the nutmeg inclusion upregulated the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), lysozyme, sod, and cat. The dietary supplementation of nutmeg significantly increased the resistance of zebrafish against cold-water shock and survivability afterward (P &lt; 0.05).DiscussionIn conclusion, the supplementation of 3% powdered nutmeg in zebrafish diets could be suggested as an effective immune stimulator that improves antioxidant defense and stress tolerance

Formulation and proximate analysis of experimental diets (% dry matter).

Formulation and proximate analysis of experimental diets (% dry matter).</p

Antioxidant and immune gene expression in zebra fish (Danio rerio)

Iodine is the main ingredient produced by the thyroid hormone, which playa a central role in the metabolism and the immune system. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of feeding Artemia fransiscana enriched with potassium iodide on antioxidant and immune gene expression in zebra fish (Danio rerio). Zebra larvae with an average weight of 2±0.01 mg were randomly distributed into 4 treatments with 3 replicates. The treatments were larvae fed 0.2, 0.5 and 1 mg/L potassium iodide enriched Artemia for 2 months. Result showed that potassium iodide significantly (P≤0.05) increased antioxidant and immune gene expression in zebra fish and the intensity of changes followed a dose- dependent manner. The 1 mg/L potassium iodide treated fish showed the highest gene expression in all studied genes. Due to changes in the expression of immune and antioxidant related genes, it appeared that potassium iodide could improve immune and antioxidant function in zebrafish

Relative expression of the growth (<i>GH</i> and <i>IGF-I</i>) and appetite (<i>Ghrelin</i>) related genes.

mRNA levels of GH gene in the brain (A), IGF-I gene in the liver (B), and Ghrelin gene in the intestine (C) of sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) fed on experimental diets at the end of the phases 1 and 3 (n = 3). Means ± SE for the bars with unlike letters are significantly different (P < 0.05). FM: Fishmeal as the main protein source; SBM15: Soybean meal replacing 15% of FM; SBM30: SBM replacing 30% of FM; SBM45: SBM replacing 45% of FM.</p