shoushtari

Rural poultry farming is common in the Northern provinces. Similar to commercial poultry, rural poultry is susceptible to most infectious diseases. In addition, by increasing the density of poultry farming, the probability of disease incidences has been increased. Newcastle disease is the most highly infectious disease which is endemic in Iran and causes outbreaks among commercial and rural poultry every year. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and virus circulation of Newcastle disease among rural poultry in Northern provinces of Iran. In the current study, 70 villages in 3 provinces (20, 30, and 20 villages in Mazandaran, Golestan, and Gilan, respectively) and a total of 1,374 birds (600, 400, and 374 birds in Mazandaran, Golestan, and Gilan, respectively) were sampled. Each village was regarded as an epidemiological unit. In the present study, birds of 67 (96%) villages were positive (presence of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus), including 28 (93.3%), 19 (95%), and 20 (100%) villages in Golestan, Mazandaran, and Gilan, respectively. Moreover, out of 1,374 birds, 616 (45%) of them were seropositive against Newcastle disease virus with 242 (41%), 159 (39.8%), and 211 (56%) samples in Mazandaran, Golestan, and Gilan, respectively. According to the results of the current study, the seroprevalence rate was reported to be high in both villages and birds. Such a high seroprevalence rate was indicative of the continuous exposure of the rural poultry to Newcastle virus and high virus circulation rate in the mentioned provinces which could result in the dissemination of the disease to commercial farms. Consequently, the implementation of proper control and care programs (e.g., vaccination of native poultry) can facilitate the reduction of Newcastle disease prevalence.

Tribe Acanthaclisini belongs to family Myrmeleontidae. Genera Acanthaclisis with three species and Synclisis with one species have already reported from Iran. In the current research, Centroclisis cervina is reported for the first time from Iran on the base of a male specimen collected in 1989. The new finding represents the first record of genus Centroclisis for Iranian antlion fauna. An identification key for the genera and species of the tribe in Iran together with relevant illustrations, and their distribution maps provided

Present study was done in forests of northern Iran during 2016 to investigate Entomobryomorpha (Collembola) fauna. Seven genera and nine species belonging to families Tomoceridae and Entomobryidae were found. The genus Pogonognathellus Paclt, 1944 and species P. flavescens (Tullberg, 1871) belonging to Tomoceridae family are recorded for the first time from Iran, also three new records from Entomobryidae of genus Entomobrya Rondani, 1861 are reported for Mazandaran province fauna.

The male sex of Echthromyrmex sehitlerolmez Koçak & Kemal, 2008 is here described for the first time from Iran. The species was previously known based on the description of the female specimen from Turkey. This is also the first record of this species in Iran. The species was compared with Echthromyrmex platypterus, the other species of this genus. The illustration of male and female habitus and male genitalia of both species is provided.

Every year, the outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurs when migratory birds migrate to different countries.. Because of high economic losses and its effects on public health, increase in the outbreaks of this disease,have increased concern in global societies.Most of the non-waterfowl wild bird Species are susceptible to HPAI and for various reasons, including free-range flying, contact with domestic poultry and in some cases contact with industrial poultries, migrating some species and moving between different countries, international trade, in some cases smuggling of them, andclose contact with humans because of their maintenance as entertainment or as games bird, they arepotentialy important in the ecology HPAI viruses. Most reports of this disease in the nonwaterfowl wild birds are the H5N1 subtype. The least susceptibility to HPAI viruses has been observed in the pigeon and starling spicies, and probably these spicieshavethe least role in the epidemiology of these viruses. While other Passeriformes, Falconiformes and parrots are highly susceptible to HPAI. In the most reported outbreaks in the Falconiformes and crows, the main causes of the infection were using the carcasses of the affected birds or contact with them. The main cause of the susceptibility of these birds to the influenza viruses is the presences of the alpha 2 and 3 sialic acid receptors in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of them. The most common signs that observed in these birds are neurologic signs and the highest viral concentration has been observed in the brain.Due to the susceptibility of non-waterfowl wild birds, and the large number of these birds and the close contact between migratory birds with domestic and industrial birds and the possibility of transmission of infection to other birds and humans, these birds should be considered in the designing of influenza surveillance programs and in the outbreaks of HPAI.

Avian influenza H9N2 subtype viruses have had a great impact on Iranian industrial poultry production economy since introduction in the country. To approach Rapid and precise identification of this viruses as control measures in poultry industry, a real time probe base assay was developed to directly detect a specific influenza virus of H9N2 subtype -instead of general detection of Influenza A viruses- which has been endemic over two last decades in the country. An Iranian avian influenza virus strain of A/Iran/chicken/772/1998 H9N2 subtype were selected as reference strain for of primers and probe designing. The high agreement value of 99% indicated that the devolved real time assay for detection of H9 subtype viruses could easily replace the conventional method of virus isolation particularly in investigation of viruses like national surveillance plan. The limit of detection was almost one EID50 which was the least real infectious unit could be detected. So it can be said that this sensitive assay provided a powerful tool to not to miss any significant viral biological activity neither in the host body nor in the environment. A high level of correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.998) also indicated a good correlation between Ct values and viral concentrations. , it can be conclude that the real time RT-PCR could be easily replace virus isolation in detection of H9N2 influenza viruses especially in large monitoring program. The ability in quantifying of the virus concentration extends usage of test in more accurate studies.

In this work, lithium fluoride doped with impurities of Sr and Ce, was produced using melting method and its thermoluminescence (TL) properties was investigated. The optimized values of 0.5 mol% of Sr and 0.1 mol% of Ce were obtained for the most TL sensitivity. Reusability of the prepared samples has been investigated for 5 cycles of annealing, irradiation and reading and no considerable change in TL response was found. For the storage time of 30 days, low temperature peak was faded while the main and high temperature peaks remained almost unchanged. A linear dose- response was identified in the absorbed dose range of 1 mGy to 10 Gy. Three overlapped peaks at temperatures of 416, 472 and 506 K were determined using TL glow curve de-convolution results. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy and order of kinetic were calculated by general order kinetic model.

This study was conducted to detect the infection with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV )in broiler flocks before vaccination in Tehran provience . Ten birds of 10 to 12 days olds from each 25 boiler flocks were selected .The mean bursal indexes of all flocks were determined. To detect IBDV genome in bursal samples a RT – PCR test targeting a 643 base pairs segment in VP2 gene were conducted. Two flocks( samples 1 and 2) were posiive indicating IBDV infection. For Further indentification of IBDV , the RT-PCR products were incubated to be digested by endonuclease enzyms SacI and SspI respectively. The RT-PCR products of positive samples ( samples 4 and 9) remaind undigested when were incubated with SacI, an indication for non vaccinal viruses. However only the RT-PCR products of sample 9 could be digested by SspI as the RT-PCR of samples 4 remaind undigested. Although the mean bursal indexes of these two infected flocks were less than those of noninfected ones, however only mean bursal indexes of the flock 4 were significantly different from those of non-infected flocks. In conclusion, this study showed that infection of broilers with very virulent pathotype of IBDV is probable before vaccination.

Consolidation and stability of soil is influenced by the presence of minerals in the soil and it is especially related to its moisture which is prevalent difficulty in the construction of irrigation and drainage networks. In this research, the effect of natural gypsum on the physical properties of silty soil and its settlement was studied. In order to achieve answers which comply with the conditions of operation, samples were collected from the construction site, containing natural gypsum in soil. Samples were selected, based on a weighted combination of soil and natural gypsum, with percentages of 1%, 4%, 10% and 15% and by conducting standard chemical tests to determine the percentage of gypsum and some general properties of soil were determined. In order to assess the rate of dissolution, consolidation test was also conducted and in this process EC was measured for a month in outlet water samples extracting from the process of replacing distilled water, in a one-day period and under the stresses of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 kg/cm2 in the consolidation device. The results showed that by increasing the amount of gypsum, plasticity index and dry density of soil samples have decreased, but permeability and settlement rates was increased. Since in the calculation of settlement of gypsum-containing soils, parameters such as volumetric compression ratio and stress are also effective, an emperical formula was developed for predicting relationship between consolidation pressure, percentage gypsum and consolidation coefficient.

Rhizobia are bacteria that have a symbiosis with legumes. Rhizobia that have some capabilities like ACC deaminase and siderophore production in addition to nitrogen fixation are successful competitors in different environmental conditions for production of more nodules. The aim of this study was the screening of ACC deaminase and siderophore producing Rhizobia.
For screening of ACC deaminase producing rhizobia, all isolates were cultured on M9 medium with two different nitrogen sources, ACC and NH4Cl, and M9 medium without nitrogen source was considered as a control treatment. ACC deaminase producing Rhizobia were identified based on statistical comparison of growth rate on M9 medium with ACC against other mediums. Chrome Azurol S (CAS) liquid assay was used for siderophore producing Rhizobia. All treatments repeated two times and all data analyzed in the base of the completely randomized design. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used for identifying the best ACC deaminase and siderophore producing strain.
14 isolates of Rhizobium were used for screening of ACC deaminase and siderophore producing isolates. Results showed that just R8 strain was isolated with the capability of ACC deaminase production. This isolate could have better growth on M9 with ACC than two other mediums. In the next experiment, it was determined that 8 isolates are siderophore producing rhizobia based on CAS liquid assay. The result showed that R12 isolate could produce more siderophore than others. According to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, R8 and R12 isolates identified as Sinorhizobium meliloti.
Discussion and The R8 strain that have the capability of ACC deaminase production probability can prevent adverse effects of ethylene during nodulation and abiotic stress. On the other side, R12 that are able to produce siderophore can prevent the growth of soil born pathogen in addition to facilitating nodulation and iron uptake by plants.

The fauna of Onychiurinae were investigated in different parts of Kermanshah province during 2013–2014. Specimens were collected from both leaf litter and surface layer of the soil. Totally four species from three genera were found. All of them are new for Kermanshah province and Protaphorura levantina (Christiansen, 1956), Heteraphorura cf. japonica (Yosii, 1967) and Vibronychiurus archivari (Christiansen, 1956) were not previously recorded in Iran; it is also the first time that the genus of Vibronychiurus Pomorski, 1998, is collected and reported for the country.

A thermophilic strain AMF-07, hydrolyzing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was isolated from Kerman hot spring and was identified as Bacillus licheniformis based on 16S rRNA sequence homology. The carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) enzyme produced by the B. licheniformis was purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme gave a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 37 kDa. The CMCase enzyme was highly active and stable over broad ranges of temperature (40-80 ºC), pH (6.0-10.0) and NaCl concentration (10-25%) with an optimum at 70 ºC, pH 9.0 and 20% NaCl, which showed excellent thermostable, alkali-stable and halostable properties. Moreover, it displayed high activity in the presence of cyclohexane (134%) and chloroform (120%). Saccharification of rice bran and wheat bran by the CMCase enzyme resulted in respective yields of 24 and 32 g L-1 reducing sugars. The enzymatic hydrolysates of rice bran were then used as the substrate for ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fermentation of cellulosic hydrolysate using S. cerevisiae, reached maximum ethanol production about 0.125 g g-1 dry substrate (pretreated wheat bran). Thus, the purified cellulase from B. licheniformis AMF-07 utilizing lignocellulosic biomass could be greatly useful to develop industrial processes.

During 2011 and 2013 an elementary study on the rove beetles of Gorgan (Golestan province in north of Iran) and adjutant areas was carried out. The specimens were collected by Berlese funnel, aspirator and also sifters in 14 collecting sites. As a result, 3 genera of Oxytelinae, 6 species of Steninae and one species and one genus of Tachyporinae were identified. Out of which, S. similis and S. piscator are the first record for the fauna of Golestan province. The name of genera and species are presented here:
Subfamily Oxytelinae Fleming, 1821:Bledius Leach, 1819
Platystethus Mannerheim, 1830
Subfamily Steninae Macleay, 1825
Stenus caspius Puthz, 1972
Stenus machulkei Hromadka, 1977
Stenus lenkoranus Puthz, 1970
Stenus piscator Saulcy, 1865
Stenus similis Herbst, 1784
Stenus turk Puthz, 1972
Subfamily Tachyporinae Macleay, 1825:Tachyporus hypnorum Fabricius, 1775
Sepedophilus Gistel, 1856

Nitriles are toxic and hazardous compounds for all organisms which are produced enormously by human being and cause environment pollution. Biodegradation is the best method for Nitrile elimination in sewage. The aim of this study was isolation and identification of native bacteria Acetonitrile-degrading from the sewage of the city of Kerman.
The enrichment and screening of Acetonitrile degrading bacteria was performed in a specific medium containing 1 % Acetonitrile as sole carbon and nitrogen source. Enzyme activity and ammonium production was determined in growth medium using a modification of the phenol/hypochlorite method. Identification of the isolates was undertaken using microbial - biochemical and molecular tests. The optimization of enzyme production was examined. The amount of nitrile and acid were also determined by gas chromatography.
Among three isolated nitrile hydrolyzing producing species (FA3, FA8 and AB19), FA8 isolate showed maximum enzyme productivity. The results of characteristic tests showed that these bacteria belonged to the Pseudomonas sp. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses exhibited that FA11, FA8 and AB19 strains were similar to Pseudomonas Otitidis and Pseudomonas geniculate with 99, 100% homology, respectively. Results of medium optimization of Pseudomonas FA8 strain showed that glucose (10 gL-1) and yeast extract (5 gL-1) in neutral medium strongly supported enzyme production. Gas chromatography results showed that FA8 produced 58% acetic acid at 48 h of incubation.
Discussion and The results demonstrated that Pseudomonas FA8 isolated bacterium is a suitable candidate for degradation of Acetonitrile. This bacterium could be used for treatment of industrial wastewater and sites that contaminated with Acetonitrile.

In this study, the fauna of order Entomobryomorpha was investigated in different regions of Kermanshah province during 2012-2014. Totally 20 species of Entomobryomorpha belonging to 4 families, 8 subfamilies and 13 genera were collected and identified from Kermanshah. The genus Subisotoam (Stach, 1947) with two species Subisotoma variabilis Gisin, 1949 and Cyphoderus bidenticulatus Parona, 1888 are newly recorded for fauna of Iran. Families Paronellidae and Tomoceridae, two genera Cyphoderus Nicolet, 1842 and Tomocerus Nicolet, 1842 and two species Tomocerus vulgaris (Tullberg, 1871) and Cyphoderus albinus Nicolet, 1842 are also new for Kermanshah province. We also provided the checklist of the Entomobryomorpha fauna which have been reported in different reign of Kermanshah province until now. The present list contains 36 species belonging to 15 genera and 4 families. A key to the known Kermanshah genera of order Entomobryomorpha is provided too.

Rose is one of the most important priorities in production of flowers and ornamental plants due to its beauty and high use. Tetranychus urticae is one of the most serious pests of roses in greenhouses of Markazi province, Iran. In recent years, chemical pesticides are mainly used to control this pest. The effect of three acaricide, Baroque, Abamectin and Fenazacoein on nymphs of Tetranychus urticae was investigated on three varieties of roses, Utopia, White Naomi and Dolcevita. Number of nymphs in one square centimeter of leaves were counted 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after spraying. The means comparison of the percentage of Nymph mortalities showed that Baroque on Dolcevita had the greatest and Abamectin on Utopia had the least effect most and three days after the first treatment Moreover, Abamectin on White Naomi had the greatest and Fenazacoein on Dolcevita had the least effect most and five days after the second treatment. This research showed that Baroque and Abamectin on Dolcevita and White Naomi had the most effect on decreasing of the pest population.

This research was conducted to investigate sheep grazing behavior in semi-steppe rangelands (Gavan ban, Qorveh, Saral, Karsanak and Sarali Abad) during 2007-2010. For this purpose, the distance traveled per day, the speed of movement, the time spent for rest, and the time taken to move were measured using GPS..At the end of grazing, all data were extracted using track mode in ILWIS software.Measurements were repeated each month during the grazing season (flowering to seeding stages).Our results clearly showed that the distance traveled by sheep in flowering stage was higher as compared with other stages and the lowest distance traveled by sheep was related to August and September. According to the results, the maximum and minimum time spent for grazing was related to September and May, respectively. In addition, the maximum distance traveled by sheep was recorded on the slopes from zero to 8% and the lowest on the slope more than 50 %.

Cowpea weeevli Callosobruchus maculatus Pic., is one of the most important storage pests of beans including mung bean. In this research, the possibility of using different frequency and priods microwave to control the insect was examined. In this experiment the three stageg of the pest exrosed to frequency of 2450MHz, 200W in periods of 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 and 360 seconds. The results showed that frequency and the time needed to avoid hatching eggs, pupae phase control and inducing adult mortalitywas 200W and 360 secods. In all experiments the mortality rate increased with increas time. According to the results 92.2% mortality of pupae and 96.02% were occurred at 200W and 360s. Also, the results showed that eggs are the most sensitive compase to other stages such a way that 96.11% of mortality occurred at 300W, and duration of 240s, and 200 and 360s. There fore it is recommended 200W and 360s to control all stages of the pest.

Multiple nozzle electrospinning systems can be designed to increase both productivity and thickness for large scale nanofibers production. In the present study describes the results of the experimental investigation and modeling of multiple jets during the electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solutions. Several multiple nozzle electrospinning setups were tested. PAN solutions (15 w/v%) were electrospun varying the number of nozzles between 1 and 4. Nanofiber morphology was observed under a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With increasing the number of nozzles in the electrospinning setup from 1 to 4, the average nanofibers diameter increased from 223±26 nm to 519±78 nm. The geometrical alignment and number of the nozzles showed significant effects on the average diameter and the divergence angle between jets. The divergence angle enlargement due to the increase of jets number from 2 to 4, made necessary to increase collector dimensions from 20cm×25cm to 40cm×45cm. It indicates that the interaction between the polymer jets from individual nozzles plays a great role in the electrospun nanofibers formation.

Enhancing antioxidant pool especially phenolic compounds accumulation is one of the most important non enzymatic tools of plants to resist environmental stresses. In this investigation، basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings، grown in a control condition and irrigated with Hoagland nutrient solution، were treated withcoronatine (COR) at 0 (Control)، 50 and 100 nM and different concentrations of As (V) at 0 (Control)، 150 and 300 µM. Then some parameters in treated plants were measured. Increasing of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage and H2O2 accumulation in basil leaves were the symptoms of arsenate toxicity that were ameliorated by COR pretreatment. Increasing phenolic compound contents، flavonoid and anthocyanin content and enhancing PAL and PPO activity indicate that COR as a jasmonates analogue may ameliorate arsenic toxicity in O. basilicum seedlings by improving antioxidative defense system.

The effects of four plant essential oils of Mentha longifolia, Thymus deanensis, Achillea wilhelmsii and Artemisia hausskenechtii were investigated on adult stage of Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum. The essential oils were prepared using water distillation method. Essential oils were used in five concentrations and five replications. The concentration selected based on primary experiment for each essential oil. Mortality rate of insects were recorded after 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results showed that the longer exposure of insect to essential oil and the higher concentration of essential oil, increased mortality of the two beetle species in all treatments. There was significant difference among mortality effect of the essential oils. The LC50 value of M.longifolia after 24 hours for T. castaneum and T. confosum were 11.59 and 10.67 μl/lair respectively, while the values of LC50 were 89.21 and 99.79 for T. daenensis, 55.40 and 98.71 for A. wilhelmsii and 60.64 and 62.25 μl/lair for A. hausskenechtii, respectively. The least LT50 recorded was in A. hausskenechtii essential oil with 23.10 and 21.10 hours against T. castaneum and T. confusun, respectively. Results showed that these essential oils can be as safe botanical pesticides for control of storage pests.

The earliest evidences on circulation of Avian Influenza (AI) virus on the Iranian poultry farms date back to 1998. Great economic losses through dramatic drop in egg production and high mortality rates are characteristically attributed to H9N2 AI virus. In the present work non-structural (NS) genes of 10 Iranian H9N2 chicken AI viruses collected during 1998-2007 were fully sequenced and subjected to a phylogenetic analysis. The observations proved allele A was the single-detectable type of the NS gene within the studied isolates. All the examined Iranian isolates fell into the Korean sublineage with a relatively broad sequence homology (91.6-98%) in nucleotide construction of the NS genes. The motif for PDZ ligand recognition of the group one isolates was either EDEV (N=6) or ESEV (N=1) While all viruses as group two contained a PL motif “KSEV” (N=3). The present work provides useful epidemiological data at molecular level on source and contemporary evolution of H9N2 virus population in Iran.

The pomegranate fruit moth (PFM), Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lep.: Pyralidae), is the most important pest of pomegranate orchards in Iran. One way that may prevent fruits to be infected is the obstruction from laying eggs inside the fruit crown by the pest. In this study, the effect of twin usage of fruit stamen-removing (one and two stages) and kaolin spraying (3 & 5% concentrations of Sepidan WP) were investigated during spring to summer of 2011 in Kashan region, Iran. The fruit cracking and PFM infection indices were calculated at the harvesting time on each tree. Considering the obtained results from the present research, kaolin treatment at 5% concentration and fruit stamens removing (two stages) treatment, reduced fruit damage by 85% in comparison with the control. Also, the result showed that, the fruit cracking was reduced in kaolin treatments, however no significant difference was observed in stamen-removing treatments. Consequently, twin usage of fruit stamens-removing in 2 stages and application of the kaolin at 5% concentration can be recommended for decreasing the PFM damage.

The fauna of Ichneumonidae was studied during 2011 to 2012 in the centeral area of Mazandaran province. In this study Malaise trap, Window trap, Yellow & White Pan trap, Light trap and Sweeping net were used for collecting. A total of 13 species belonging to 11 Genera and 8 subfamilies were collected and identified. The identification were confirmed by Prof. Mehmet Faruk Gurbuz and Dr. Kees Zwakhals. The specimens were deposited at Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Mazandaran,Sari and Entomology Department, Agricultural facultyof Arak University. Five species are new records for Iranian insect fauna which indicated by an asterisk. The following species were collected:Anomalon cruentatum (Geoffray,1785) (Anomaloninae)Tromatobia oculatoria (Fabricius, 1798)* (Pimplinae)Liotryphon caudatus (Ratzeburg, 1848) (Pimplinae)Pimpla spuria (Gravenhorst, 1829) (Pimplinae)Clistopyga rufator (Holmgren,1856) (Pimplinae)Tryphon atriceps (Stephens, 1835) (Tryphoninae)Syrphoctonus sp. (Thomson, 1890)*(Diplazontinae)Lissonota clypeator (Gravenhorst,1820)* (Banchinae)Lissonota fundator (Gravenhorst,1820)* (Banchinae)Lissonota versicolor (Gravenhorst,1820)* (Banchinae)Collyria coxator (Villers, 1789) (Collyrinae)Mesochorus sp. (Förster, 1869) (Mesochorinae)Brachycyrtus sp. (Townes, 1960) (Brachycyrtinae)

This study was carried out to investigate effects of copper sulphate (CuSO4) additive to semen extenders on sperm parameters: progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity and DNA damage, after semen dilution and cryopreservation. Semen samples of 5 buffalo bulls of 3-5 years old were collected at 5 different occasions during the autumn 2011. A total number of 25 samples were used in each examination. Sperm progressive motility and viability were measured at 0 (T0), 60 (T1) and 120 (T2) min after diluting semen in tris-citric acid extender containing 0 (control), 0.004, 0.008, 0.016, 0.032 and 0.064 mg L-1 CuSO4. Later, semen was diluted in a tris-citric acid-egg yolk-glycerol extender containing the same amounts of CuSO4, cooled to 4 ˚C and kept refrigerated for 4 hr to equilibrate, sperm progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity and DNA damage were estimated. Then, semen was packed in 0.5 mL French straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Later, the frozen semen was thawed in 37 ˚C water bath for 30 sec, and the same parameters as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the frozen-thawed semen were estimated. The results showed that copper additive at the rate of 0.032 mg L-1 gives a better protection of sperms through the process of dilution, equilibration and freeze-thawing than that in control and other Cu concentrations, while 0.064 mg L-1 CuSO4 had deleterious effect on the sperm.