Effect of density on some physiological responses to transportation stress in Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi (Günther 1874) fingerlings

In the present study, the effect of density on transportation stress in Mesopotamichthys sharpey fingerlings was evaluated. For this purpose, four different densities, including 40, 80, 120 and 160 g/l were used as treatments each with 3 replicates. Simulation of transport procedure was carried out for 4 hrs. The blood samples were collected from the fish prior to loading from the stocking tank (control), after 4 hrs of transportation and from released fish into recovery glass tanks at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hrs after transportation during recovery period. For blood sampling, fish immediately anesthetized by adding 2% 2-phenoxy ethanol and the blood samples were prepared. The cortisol, glucose and lactate value of plasma were measured. The results showed a significant increase in cortisol and glucose levels (in highest density) after transportation in all treatments (P0.05). The results showed that only cortisol level was significantly different with basal level at 96 hrs. Our findings showed that this species can be transported at higher densities up to 120 g/l

The effects of Carthamus tinctorius L. on placental histomorphology and survival of the neonates in mice

Objective: Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) is a member of the asteraceae family which is used as a food additive but also has medicinal applications. This study investigated its effects on placental histomorphology and survival of mice neonates. Materials and Methods: Eighty Balb/C pregnant mice were randomly distributed into one control and three experimental groups (n=20). The control group received only distilled water, whereas experimental groups were administered intraperitoneally C. tinctorius extract at doses of 0.7, 1.4, and 2.8 mg/kg during the organogenesis period (6th to 16th day of gestation). On the 17th day of gestation, half of the animals were euthanized; their fetuses and placentas were removed and histomorphological study was performed. In the rest of the animals after parturition, the number of neonates was counted. Survival rates were periodically calculated for neonates within days 5, 15, 25, and 42 after birth. The results were evaluated by one-way ANOVA. Results: The results showed that treatment with 1.4 and 2.8 mg/kg C. tinctorius extract caused reduction in the trophoblastic giant cells ratio and increasing in the proportion of labyrinthine interhemal membrane (LIM). Moreover, the size of the labyrinthine zone per whole placenta, weight, diameter, and thickness of the placenta in the mice administered with 1.4 and 2.8 mg/kg C. tinctorius extract became lower than those of controls (

Effects of Carthamus tinctorius L. on the ovarian histomorphology and the female reproductive hormones in mice

Objective: Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) is a member of the asteraceae family which had been classified as a fertility regulator in the traditional medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate its possible effects on the ovarian histomorphology and the levels of female reproductive hormones in the mice. Materials and Methods: Sixty adult female Balb/C mice were selected and randomly divided into one control and three experimental groups (n= 15). The control group received only distilled water, while experimental groups were administered intraperitoneally C. tinctorius extract at doses of  0.7, 1.4, and 2.8 mg/kg/day for 49 consecutive days. In the end of experiments, blood samples were collected and the sera were analyzed for the levels of FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone. Ovarian tissue samples were also taken and histomorphological changes of the ovaries were examined using optical microscope. The quantitative results were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA test. Results: The present findings showed that treatment with different concentrations of C. tinctorius extract reduced the number of ovarian follicles but number of atretic follicles showed an increase. The number and size of the corpora lutea were not affected by extract administration. In addition, in the treated mice with C. tinctorius extract, the thickness of the tunica albuginea was increased but the relative and absolute weights of the ovaries decreased significantly. Furthermore, the blood levels of the FSH and estrogen were decreased in the three experimental groups compared with those of the control animals. Conclusion: The present findings indicated that treatment with C. tinctorius extract has detrimental effects on the ovarian histomorphology and female reproductive hormones therefore popular consumption of this plant should be reconsidered

Effect of density on some physiological responses to transportation stress in Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi (Günther 1874) fingerlings

In the present study, the effect of density on transportation stress in Mesopotamichthys sharpey fingerlings was evaluated. For this purpose, four different densities, including 40, 80, 120 and 160 g/l were used as treatments each with 3 replicates. Simulation of transport procedure was carried out for 4 hrs. The blood samples were collected from the fish prior to loading from the stocking tank (control), after 4 hrs of transportation and from released fish into recovery glass tanks at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hrs after transportation during recovery period. For blood sampling, fish immediately anesthetized by adding 2% 2-phenoxy ethanol and the blood samples were prepared. The cortisol, glucose and lactate value of plasma were measured. The results showed a significant increase in cortisol and glucose levels (in highest density) after transportation in all treatments (P0.05). The results showed that only cortisol level was significantly different with basal level at 96 hrs. Our findings showed that this species can be transported at higher densities up to 120 g/l

Effects of short-term starvation and re-feeding on antioxidant defense status in Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi (Günther, 1874) fingerlings

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of short-term starvation and re-feeding on oxidative stress in Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi (Günther, 1874). After two weeks adaptation to new conditions, a total number of 270 fingerlings were distributed into nine 300-L fiberglass tanks, equipped with aeration system in three treatments including 4, 8 and 16 days starvation (each in 3 replicates). After starvation, all groups were fed for 32 days. At the beginning of trial and at the end of starvation and re-feeding periods, blood samples were collected, plasma was separated and activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were assayed. Based on the results, no significant difference was observed in SOD activity at the end of starvation and also after re-feeding between the different treatments. At the end of starvation the activity of the CAT and GPX increased significantly in 8 and 16 days of starvation groups compared to the base. Moreover, a significant increase in MDA levels of plasma was found during food deprivation. These findings showed that short-time starvation increased antioxidant enzymes activity in plasma of M. sharpeyi but short-term food deprivation and re-feeding periods in this species does not cause disturbances in the antioxidant defense status

Effects of dietary oxidized fish oil on thyroid hormones in Sturgeon hybrid

Fish oil in the diet of fish is constantly at the risk of oxidation. In this study, the effects of feeding sturgeon hybrid (Huso huso ♂ ×Acipenser ruthenus ♀) with different levels of oxidized fish oil (OFO) on thyroid hormones were investigated. Three experimental diets were made by replacing 0 (control), 50 and 100% OFO were made. Ninety hybrid sturgeon, with the initial weights of 212.6 ± 07g were distributed in 9 fiberglass tanks (2 m3) randomly after 2 weeks of adaptation with experimental conditions. Feeding was performed three times daily (08:00, 14:00 and 20:00) for 6 weeks for satisfaction. At the end of the period, blood samples were taken and their serum was separated. Serum thyroxine and triiodotyronine were measured by radioimmunoassay in blood samples. Serum thyroxine, triiodotyronine and thyroxine/triiodotyronine level showed no significant change related to dietary OFO. Our findings showed that dietary-oxidized oil had no effect on blood thyroid hormones levels

Effects of dietary seaweeds (Gracilaria spp. and Sargassum spp.) on growth, feed utilization, and resistance to acute hypoxia stress in juvenile Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of adding Gracilaria spp. and Sargassum spp. to diets on growth performance and resistance to hypoxia stress in Asian seabass. The fish (36.06 ± 0.05 g) were stocked in 18 tanks (200 L), divided into six experimental groups and fed diets containing 0 (control), 3 % (SW3), 6 % (SW6), 9 % (SW9), 12 % (SW12) and 15 % (SW15) Gracilaria and Sargassum mixture in equal proportions for 56 days. Each group consisted of three tanks. Fish were exposed to air for 1 min (hypoxia) and the recovery rate of fish was monitored for 24 h. Results showed that final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed the dietary seaweed mixture up to 12 % were significantly higher than fish fed 15 % seaweed powder. Fish fed the 9 % and 12 % seaweed mixture also showed a significantly lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the SW15 group. Serum cortisol was significantly higher in the control and lowest in the 12 % seaweed group 6 h post-stress. Hypoxia stress led to significant increases in cortisol values in all fish, but the dietary Gracilaria and Sargassum mixture significantly reduced cortisol values in the SW9 and SW12 groups at 24 h post-stress. Before and 1 h and 24 h after hypoxia, fish fed the 9 % and 12 % seaweed mixture showed significantly lower glucose than the SW15 and control groups. Moreover, serum lactate in the 6–12 % seaweed groups was significantly lower than the control fish at 24 h post-stress. Overall, dietary seaweed showed anti-stress properties and the dietary Gracilaria and Sargassum mixture at levels of 9–12 % increased resistance to hypoxia stress in fish. The present results showed that seaweed (Gracilaria and Sargassum mixture) up to 12 % level is useful in the diet of juvenile Asian seabass