فصلنامه زیست شناسی جانوری تجربی
سال یازدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 44، بهار 1402)

Metal oxide nanoparticles are one of the most widely used compounds among nanoparticles that have wide applications in various fields and thus increase their release into the environment and their potential impact on various organisms, especially aquatic organisms in the aquatic ecosystem. Nanoparticles have high chemical and biological reactivity by increasing their surface to volume ratio, which leads to increased production of free radicals. The produced free radicals disrupt the oxidation and natural regeneration of the body's cells and cause oxidative damage in organisms and many diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidative effect of nickel nanoparticles in Carassius auratus that could open a new horizon in relation to the challenges in aquatic environments. The study groups include the control group and the treatment group with nickel nanoparticles. Each treatment with three replications each included 12 fish per replication. At the end of the period, liver samples were isolated and collected for oxidative damage. Total antioxidant levels, MDA, glutathione and the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase were measured in all groups. The results showed that treatment with nickel oxide nanoparticles decreased the level of total anti oxidants and increased the level of MDA in the group treated with nickel oxide nanoparticles. These results showed strong evidence of inducted of cellular oxidative stress induced by exposure to nickel oxide nanoparticles. Also, by comparing the control treatments and the treatment of nickel oxide nanoparticles, it can be concluded that long-term exposure to nickel oxide nanoparticles can aggravate oxidative damage to fish liver tissue.

Persian Salamander (Persian Brook Salamander Paradactylodon persicus) is one of the unique genetic treasures of Iranian amphibians whose Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran are the last end of its southwestern distribution in Asia. Until 2019, two separate species including the Iranian Salamander P. persicus in the west and center and the salamander of Gorgani P. gorganensis in the east of Hyrcania were introduced, but based on the NGS and phylogenetic sequencing data, these salamanders are classified as the single species of the Iranian salamander Paradactylodon persicus. The eastern population is Critically Endangered (CR) and the central and western population is Near Threatened (NT) on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and it is necessary to planning of conservation programs. Based on the guidelines proposed by Species Survival Working Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN/SSC), this research identifies the threats and provides management plan in the form of strategic programs for the conservation  and management of the Iranian Salamander population. The most important threats to the species include sample collection, the presence of domestic and wild animals, destruction of springs, lack of water resources (decreased water flow) and easy access to the habitat. The most important strategies for the conservation and management of Iranian Salamanders is 1) to identify threats and provide solutions to reduce the effects of each threat on the species and habitat, 2) identify new habitats, monitor the population and assess the status of the habitat, 3) scientific studies on various biological and ecological aspects, and create a database and 4) raising the level of awareness, knowledge and attracting the participation of stakeholders in the conservation of the species and habitat. The results of this study will be used in the management of Iranian Salamander habitat and population, reducing the effects of threats, revising management plans and developing cooperative conservation.

Aloysia citrodora is very important in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to produce silver nanoparticles with aqueous extract of A. citrodora and investigate its antioxidant and inhibitory effects on the amyloid nanofibers from BSA as model protein. For synthesis of silver nanoparticles, aqueous A. citrodora extract was prepared and one mM silver nitrate was added to solution. To confirm the presence and determine the size of silver nanoparticles, UV-Vis spectroscopy and TEM were used. The antioxidant effect of the extract was evaluated by DPPH and the production of amyloid fibers was measured by Congored absorption method. The toxicity effect of nanoparticles on neuroblasts was investigated by MTT method and the inhibitory properties of the extract on amyloid production were investigated by TEM. Caryophyllene (7.66%), phytol (7.47%) and limonene (2.68%) were the most abundant compounds. TEM also confirmed spherical crystalline nanoparticles with a size between 30–70 nm. By increasing the concentration of the extract, the antioxidant properties of nanoparticles increased, so that 97.35% of DPPH free radicals were inhibited at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. The highest inhibition of amyloid fibrils production was observed at concentration of 2 mg/ml by 96%, and the highest level of cytotoxicity at a concentration of 2 and with an IC50 of 2.25 mg/ml. The results showed that nanoparticles from A. citrodora leaves with anti–amyloid, antioxidant and anticancer properties can be considered as a new bio–nanomaterial in reducing Alzheimer's and cancer complications.

The plant's essential oils have attracted consumers' attention due to their naturalness and unique functional properties such as antioxidants and preservatives and in some disease treatments. Ferulago carduchorum is a native plant that grows in western Iran and was previously used as a natural preservative in delaying the destruction of meat and as an antiseptic plant. In this study, the essence of Ferulago carduchorum was examined. The composition of the essential oil, antioxidant properties, total phenolic content, DSC, and FTIR essential oil was investigated by Ferulago carduchorum. To extract the essential oil from the sample, the essential oil was distilled from distilled water in a Clevenger for 7 hours from the Ferulago carduchorum plant. Gas chromatography was used to identify the percentage of compounds in chamomile essential oil. The antioxidant activity of essential oils was determined using the ABTS free radical inhibition method. The folic acid reagent was also used to measure total phenol content. The highest composition of essential oils is α-Pinen, which is 30.18%. The results showed that essential oil with a concentration of 300 mg/ml (highest amount) had the highest antioxidant capacity and the highest percentage of free radical inhibition and essential oil with a concentration of 100 mg/ml (highest range) had the highest phenolic content. This plant can be introduced as a plant with antioxidant properties for the food industry and the treatment and prevention of diseases.

Lactoferrin is one of the milk proteins that has shown a wide range of physiological activities such as antibacterial, anti-protozoal, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory. In this study, lactoferrin was extracted and purified from cow, sheep and goat milk. HPLC analysis and determination of the concentration of these three extracted lactoferrins were performed. Antibacterial activity against Gram negative Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi and gram positive Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus and antioxidant activity were investigated. The activity of lactoferrin against DPPH free radical was investigated. Also, lactoferrin activity was evaluated in neutral acidic and alkaline environments. The combination test with iron was also performed with FeNTA reagent. The findings showed that lactoferrin has the ability to inhibit two bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Also, the evaluation of lactoferrin activity in neutral acidic and alkaline environments showed that lactoferrin is more stable in alkaline environment than other environments. In the combination test with iron, the results indicated the combination of lactoferrin with iron. The percentage of free radical inhibition was equal to %4.49. Also, the results showed that the concentration of lactoferrin in goat's milk is higher than that of sheep's and cow's milk and its amount was equal to 131.66 μg/ml.

The protected area of Talo and Shirband, which was one of the prohibited hunting areas of Semnan province until 2019, is located in the northeast of Damghan city. This region has rich and varied biodiversity, cold and dry weather in winter, and hot and dry in summer. Since there is a wide variety of reptiles in the mentioned area, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the fauna of lizards and turtles in the protected area of Talo and Shirband. The samples were collected from April to the end of September 2016 from early morning to late night in different stations of the region. The samples were identified based on valid identification keys and subjected to morphometric and meristic analysis. Pictures, identification key and species distribution map of the region were prepared. In total, 87 lizard samples and 6 turtle samples were collected and 15 species from 12 genera and belonging to 6 families were identified, which were: Paralaudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus maculatus, Phrynocephalus scutellatus, Trapelus agilis, Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Mediodactylus spinicaud, Tenuidactylus caspius, Eremias fasciata, Eremias persica, Eremias velox, Mesalina watsonana, Ablepharus pannonicus, Teratoscincus bedriagai and Testudo horsfieldii. The highest frequency of lizards belongs to Tenuidactylus caspius species and the lowest frequency belongs to Mesalina watsonana species

The Iranian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor, Pocock 1927) is one of the endangered species. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate and protect the habitat of this species as a flag species that is placed at the top of the food pyramid. In this paper, the InVEST software is utilized to investigate the habitat quality of the Iranian leopard in Kopet Dag region in the northeast of Iran Then, 30 habitat variables are prepared using ArcGIS 10.3 software including climatic variables, topography, Landuse/Landcover, and leopard prey distribution. Then, InVEST software and Habitat Quality model are employed in Kopet Dag region to survey the habitat quality of the studied species. The input data of the InVEST software encompasses the current land use map, threat list tables, and habitat sensitivity. By employing the output of MaxEnt results, the information on the threat and habitat sensitivity tables are prepared and entered into the model. Ultimately, after running the model, the results indicate that 81.22% of the desirable habitats and 18.77% of the undesirable habitats overlap with Kopet Dag region. Moreover, the cities of Mashhad, Khaf, Neishabur, and Sabzevar, have the most desirable habitat respectively for the studied species. the results indicate that the most amount of destruction is in the west of Mashhad city and then in the center of Golbahar and Qochan citie.

Lorestan province, as a predominantly mountainous region, covers important part of critical habitats of Persian leopard (Panthera pardus) in west of Iran. However, there is little information on geographical distribution of the leopard in this province. This study aims to identify suitable habitats of the Persian leopard in Lorestan province, using an ensemble model consisting of seven species distribution models. The ensemble model identified 6,185 km2 (21.85%) of the study area as suitable habitat for the Persian leopard. Distance to conservation areas (30%), distance to village (29%), distance to farmlands (11%), annual precipitation (8%) and distance to forest (7%) made the highest contribution to the model performance. About 49% of the identified suitable habitat covered by conservation areas. Establishing more conservation areas in suitable habitats and re-evaluation of the network of conservation areas are crucial strategies to conserve endangered populations of the leopard. Many large carnivores, due to their large home ranges, depend on habitat patches outside protected areas and corridors between them. Thus, conserving the habitat patches and connectivity between them are crucial. Monitoring and surveillance of habitats, using effective conservation strategies, and promoting local community involvement are other important issues.

Oxymetholone is a 17-alpha- alkamine and a synthetic derivative of testosterone, which is obtained through the methylation of the 17-alpha carbon and the saturation of the 5-alpha carbon of testosterone. Oxymetholone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid which is used for the treatment of  anemia caused by severe bone marrow weakness and the prevention of the consequences of hereditary angioedema or the treatment of growth delay which of course is used in bodybuilding to increase muscle volume and strength. Considering the harmful effects on this drug on the body, we decided to determine the effects of oxymetholone on the oogenesis of NMRI mice. For this, was injected(12mg/kg/day) interaperitoneally to mice in 6 and 4 weeks age in one  periods of 35 days. The results showed that the significant difference between treatment and control groups was observed( P<0.05). This teratogenic effects involved: decrese in ovarian weight, decrese in ovarian diameter, decrese in number of Corpuse luteum, increase of primordial follicles, decrese of primary follicles, decrese of growing follicles, decrese of graaf follicles, decrese in number of atretic follicle, decrese of granolosa layer diameter and decrese in progestron. Additionally in some experimental case, the disorder in formation of granolosa layers and don’t formation of corna radiate layers, disordering of ovule medulla and formation of two oocyte in one follicle were observed. The results showed that the use of this drug in the experimental group will have a negative effect on ovarian growth and ovulation.

Freezing is a long-term egg storage method that plays an important role in assisted reproductive methods. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of freezing solutions and docetaxel on the expression changes of autophagy genes such as Atg5 and Beclin-1 in mouse MII oocytes after glass freezing by cryotop method. To achieve this goal, mouse MII oocytes were collected and frozen in two different concentrations of 15% ethylene glycol, 15% dimethyl sulfoxide and 0.5 M sucrose in group A (VS1) and 7.5% ethylene glycol, glycerol. 7.5% and 0.5 M sucrose were frozen in group B (VS2) and some groups were affected by docetaxel before freezing. After thawing, the eggs were fertilized.The percentage of survival and fertilization of frozen and thawed oocytes was evaluated and the expression changes of genes (Atg5 and Beclin-1) were investigated by RT-PCR method. The results showed that there are significant differences between the percentage of survival and the percentage of fertilization in the freezing groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of survival and fertilization in the VS1 group decreased compared to the VS2 group. Also, the percentage of survival and conception of the groups pre-incubated with Docetaxel was higher than the non-incubated groups. This study showed that vitrification with cryotop changes the transcript levels of autophagy genes in frozen-thawed MII oocytes, and pre-incubation of oocytes with docetaxel before vitrification can decrease the transcript levels of Atg5 and Beclin-1 in the experimental groups and above Increase the percentage of survival and the percentage of formation of two-celled embryos.