مجله پژوهشهای جانوری (زیست شناسی ایران)
سال سی و دوم شماره 2 (تابستان 1398)

The octocorals are morphologically and geographically different type of corals facing little information about their reproductive biology. In this regard, the present study aimed to assess the reproductive biology of octocoral (Plumarella flabellata) collected from the artificial habitats in the northwest of the Persian Gulf, Iran. Colony samples with different sizes were collected to identify the correlation between the size of colony and its sexual maturity. Gonads only were observed in the colonies larger than 15 cm height. Furthermore, both male and female gonads were detected along with mesenteries of P. flabellata and this species was considered to be a hermaphrodite species. None of samples were contained planulae; therefore, P. flabellata collected from the Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf seems to be a broadcast spawner. The gonads were at the same developmental stages in all samples collected in the same season. Based on the results, this species spawn possibly during July-August when the water temperature and photoperiod are higher. The present study revealed that considerably high reproductive potential of P. flabellate supports its domination in the artificial reef in northwest of the Persian Gulf.

Rana pseudodalmatina Eiselt & Schmidtler, 1971 is a brown frog species endemic to the Hyrcanian forest. The Hyrcanian wood frog, is distributed in the southern margin of the Caspian Sea in the lowland forest. Here, we used a broad sampling of these frogs across their distribution range to assess their morphological variation and structure of populations. In order to investigation of the morphological variation in Hyrcanian wood frog, 13 morphological characters in more than 53 specimens were studied. Statistical significance for a hypothesis of sexual dimorphism of the frogs was tested using ANOVA to compare difference of means of each character between sexes and of a multivariate analysis of variances (MANOVA) to compare vectors of means of the two sexes. Patterns of phenetic relationships between local populations were investigated by one way ANOVA, Principal component analysis (PCA), discriminate function analysis (DFA) and clustering analyses with UPGMA algorithm. Results of compare mean ANOVA between sexes in R. pseudodalmatina showed statistical significances for five characters and Multivariate analysis of variances indicated difference between mean vectors of the males and females (P≤ 0.05). In the intraspecific level, based on morphometric characters, there are at least two main populations of R. pseudodalmatina in the northern Iran: an eastern group (Loveh, Behshahr, Sari) and a western group (Salmanshahr, Langarud, Rasht, Astara).

In this survey, concentration of some heavy metals (Ni, Fe, Cd, Al, Cr, Zn, Pb, and V) in the sediment and bivalve shell of Cerastodema lamarcki were investigated at10 sampling site along the south west coast of the Caspian Sea in Guilan province region in February 2015.After sample preparation and acid digestion, the specimens were analyzed using by ICP-OES.The results showed that the bivalve shells hve suitable potential for accumulation of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Cd and also can use as a biomonitoring agent at the study areas.Statistical cluster analysis demonstrated that iron and aluminum in sediment samples are independent from the other measured elements.On the base of enrichment factor(EF) calculation, the sediment of the areas classified in mordant enrichment for Cu, Ni and Cd levels. Compression of metal levels with some international standards shows that the sediment quality categorized at the medium level of pollution. By the trend of urbanization, agriculture and industrial development at the region beside the valuable ecological resources of Caspian Sea, overall management of pollutants sources for public health an environmental protection is essential.

Today, medicinal plants are in the focus of attention because of their roles in treatment of many diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the hypocholesterolemic effect of Trigonella Foenum Graecum.L(Fenugreek) seeds powder and its comparison with atorvastatin on high cholesterol diet fed rats.

Forty male rats weighing 180–200g were monitored for two weeks and then were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each: group1(fed with normal diet: ND), group2, fed with high cholesterol diet, HCD(ND mixed with 2 cholesterol+ 0.5 cholic acid), group3( fed with HCD mixed with fenugreek seeds powder, 8 g/kg bw/day: HCD+FEN ), group4 (fed with HCD supplemented with aqueous emulsion of atorvastatin, 0.5mg/kg bw/day, administered via oral feeding tube: HCD+Ator). After 6 weeks, the serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartic aminotransferase (AST) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were assayed. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was estimated by Friedewald equation.

In groups 3 and 4, the serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c and VLDL-c, ALT and FBS decreased (p<0.001) and serum level of HDL-c increased (p<0.05) as compared to group 2.

Fenugreek has hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities in high cholesterol diet fed rats and ameliroate high cholesterol diet induced dyslipidemia. Fenugreek seeds powder has shown significantly less potent hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities than atorvastatin.

Reduction in fertility has long been one of the problems of both males and females. The (Vitex agnus castus) is a plant from the family of (Verbenaceae) which is used in traditional medicine for reducing menstrual problems. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant from the family of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Vitex agnus castus's alcoholic extract and fluoxetine on steroid hormones and ovary tissues in mature female three spot Gourami. For this purpose, 120 fetal fish speciments of Trichogaster trichopterus with average weight of(3-4) grams in 10 groups were divided into control groups, control1(intact),control2 (ethanol injection) and treatment groups receiving 10, 20, 30, 50 mg / kg alcoholic extract of Vitex agnus castus's fruites and 1, 3 ,5 ,7.5 mg/kg of fluoxetine. All the prescriptions were administered 10 times in 3 replicates one day in between in the form of an intramuscular (IM) injection within 20 days.after anaesthetizing the fishes, ovary tissue and the level of steroid hormones were studied. The statistical results of the level of steroid hormones showed significant differences between control groups and treatments (P< 0.05). Also the results showed the inhibitory effect of vitex agnus castus extract and fluoxetine on oocyte maturation.The studies of the results in this research showed that Vitex agnus castus extract and Fluoxetine with the increase in dosage,decreased the level of sex hormones in mature female three spot Gourami.

Considering the numerous applications of polyclonal antibodies in research and clinical fields, the development of methods for the preparation of hyperimmune serum against pathogens is very important. In this research, a method for producing hyperimmune serum against bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) was introduced. This virus causes a disabling disease in cattle and water buffalo. The hyperimmune serum was raised in rabbit using at least 106 TCID50 of the whole viral particle which was administered intravenously without adjuvant at 0, 1 and 4 weeks intervals. This schedule resulted in a high titer of polyclonal antibodies against the virus which has recently been isolated in Iran and is the subject of essential studies. The hyperimmune serum as a biological product of this research will definitely be exploited in the experiments required for these studies as well as possible commercial applications in the future and clinical usage of hyperimmune serum by optimized procedure in prevention of disease.

Anesthetic substances are essentially necessary for the convenience of manipulation and minimizing the stress and physical damage of fish in various processes in aquaculture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of spearmint essential oil on reducing the stress of common carp with average weight of 1.5 ± 0.2 g during transportation. Fish were exposed to various concentrations of spearmint essential oil (0 (control), 10, 20 and 30 μl / liter). Cortisol, glucose, total protein, albumin and immunoglobulin levels were measured one hour after transport. The results of this study showed that the control group had the highest levels of cortisol and glucose and the lowest levels of total protein and immunoglobulin compared to other groups. There was also no significant difference between albumin levels in experimental groups (P≥0.05). The results of this study showed that application 10 μl / liter spearmint essential oil can reduce fish stress in transport of common carp.

Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients in the intensive care unit. Despite new supportive treatments and administration of high potent antibiotics, sepsis is overwhelmingly one of the risky factors in patient’s life. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Deuterium Depleted Water (DDW) and M. longifolia essential oils (E.Os) on septic rats induced by CLP (Cecal Ligation and Puncture). Therefore, rats were divided into 7 groups: negative control (Laparotomy), CLP, treatment groups with DDW (15and 30 ppm), adjuvant with M. longifolia E.O (100 mg/kg b.w) and positive control group (indomethacin). Then, 24h after CLP induction, oxidative injury parameters and the expression of COX-2 gene in lung tissue were measured. The data indicated that sepsis induction reduced GSH, FRAP and increased LP, MPO, PGE2 and COX-2 gene but didn`t affected GST. Treatments of rats with DDW and E.Os alone and together as well as indomethacin have been effective in increasing the GSH, FRAP and decreasing the LP, MPO, PGE2 and COX-2. Histopathological examinations indicated that sepsis caused lung tissue damage and this damage decreased by DDW and E.O treatment. So sepsis causes oxidative lung tissue damage and the using of deuterium depleted water and Mentha longifolia can prevent injuries through modulation the oxidative stress/antioxidant parameters.