فصلنامه محیط زیست جانوری
سال پانزدهم شماره 3 (پاییز 1402)

This study was done to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of yeast extract and autolysed yeast on feed intake, ruminal fermentation parameters, IL-6 gene expression and antibody titers in early lactating dairy cows.  Twenty five lactating cows were divided into five experimental groups and five replicates in a completely random design. Experimental diets include basal diet (control group), basal diet + 20 g/d yeast extract, basal diet + 40 g/d yeast extract, basal diet + 20 g/d autolyzed yeast, and basal diet + 40 g/d autolyzed yeast. At the end of the experiment period, ruminal content samples were taken and fermentation products were measured. In the fifth week of the experiment, the cows were injected with a vaccine of foot-and-mouth disease. On weeks 7, blood sampling was taken and chemical components, antibody titer against foot-and-mouth disease virus and interleukin-6 gene expression were analyzed. Cows receiving yeast extract and autolyzed yeast at both levels had more dry matter intake than the control group (P<0.05). Autolyzed yeast and yeast extract had no effect on the daily milk production (P>0.05). Cows receiving autolyzed yeast had higher antibody titer against foot-and mouth-virus than the control group (P<0.05), but cows receiving yeast extract had no significant difference in antibody titer with the control group (P<0.05). Autolyzed yeast had no effect on concentration of volatile fatty acids (P>0.05), but yeast extract increased concentration of volatile fatty acids. Yeast extract decreased the molar percentage of acetate and butyrate and increased the molar percentage of propionate (P<0.05). Autolyzed yeast increased the relative expression of interleukin-6 gene. The highest increase in the relative expression of the interleukin-6 gene was observed in cows receiving autolyzed yeast. Based on the results of this study, autolyzed yeast at 40 g/d can improve the immune system, and yeast extract at 40 g/d can improve fermentation conditions in the rumen of dairy cows.

Electromagnetic fields and radio frequency radiation interact in human body tissues and can have effects on reproduction and the most mentioned side effects of the impact waves is in the enzyme reproductive system, male sex hormones, bone marrow, heart rate, hematological changes and neurobehavioral disorders.. This research is to investigate different electromagnetic intensity on some parameters of ram semen and TBARS stress index as an animal model. After semen collection with the help of an artificial vagina, samples were placed in a device that produces electromagnetic waves with different intensities, including control, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5 millitesla (mT). The Semen parameters were evaluated with a microscope equipped with a computer, Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). The sperm viability was determined by Dif Quick kit. The highest motility was at the intensity of 1 mT and the lowest at 2 mT (85% vs 45.5%). The sperm motility increased at 3 mT and reached 74%, but then decreased significantly at 3.5 mT intensity and reached 50.5%. The Sperm viability in 3 and 3.5 mT reached 76.4 and 85.2% respectively. There was a significant decrease in viability at the intensity of 2.5 mT compared to other treatments. The concentration of TBARS significantly decreased at the intensity of 3 mT compared to the control group and other treatments. The dissimilar intensities create different effects. It is possible to get help some intensity in sterility treatment.

There is limited information concerning the interaction between grain and protein sources in starter diets on rumen fermentation profile and calf performance. It was hypothesized that calves would respond differently to various grain sources when fed with starter diets containing different protein sources. The objective of current study was to investigate the interactions between grain sources (corn vs barley) and protein sources (soybean meal vs. canola meal) on rumen fermentation profiles and calves’ growth. In a 2 × 2 factorial experiment, 40 calves (5 female and 5 male) were randomly assigned to four treatments to receive starter diets consisting 1. ground corn and soybean meal, 2. ground corn and canola meal, 3. ground barley and soybean meal, and 4. ground barley and canola meal. Volatile fatty acids, blood metabolite and calves’ growth were assessed for 65 days. Corn grain had no significant effect when included by soybean meal and canola meal, but barley grain resulted in higher total volatile fatty acids when canola meal included instead of soybean meal. The lowest starter intake was found for calves received barley-canola meal and the highest was for those received corn-soybean meal. Calves fed with starter diets containing corn soybean meal had greater average daily gain compared with calves fed barley-canola meal. The results revealed that corn grain is better than barley and and soybean meal is better than canola meal for calves starter formulation. The best composition was corn-soybean meal and the worst one was barley-canola meal which had the poorest effect on calves’ growth.

In this research, the characteristics of the distance from the withers to the ground, the back to the ground, the head to the ground, and the tail to the ground in 100 thoroughbred horses in Golestan province, which were randomly selected, and the effect of the ZFAT gene polymorphism on diversity of these traits were evaluated. To prepare blood samples, 5 to 7 ml was taken from the jugular vein of horses. DNA extraction from blood samples was done through the optimized saline method. After extracting DNA and evaluating their quantitative and qualitative characteristics, two regions of exon 13, including a fragment of 476 bp and intron 9 of ZFAT gene with a length of 457 bp, were amplified by PCR. To determine the polymorphism of PCR products, PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP methods were used to study regions of the gene. After identification of the genotypes, statistical analysis was performed to check the relationship between the mentioned genotypes and biometric traits, and the statistical analysis was performed with the linear GLM procedure of SAS software. The results of the present study showed that the ZFAT gene was polymorph in the intronic region and based on the number and size of digestive fragments in this gene region, three genotypes CT, TT and CC were observed with frequencies of 0.81, 0.11 and 0.08 respectively. Also, the calculations showed that the frequencies of T and C alleles are 0.86 and 0.14, respectively. The results of vertical electrophoresis of SSCP products showed three different band patterns on polyacrylamide gel, which indicated the existence of polymorphism and genetic diversity in exon 13 of ZFAT gene in thoroughbred horses. In this research, it was found that the frequency of band patterns A, B and C was 0.53, 0.40 and 0.07 respectively in the studied animals. Despite the observation of polymorphism in the above two areas, no association was observed between the studied traits and the types of genotypes, and regardless of this issue, considering the reliable reports that show the significant role of this locus on the height traits of the horse, it is suggested in the future researches, along with other gene loci, association of this gene with economic traits, including body size should be studied.

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the antioxidant activity and replacing different levels of Alhaghi maurorum L with alfalfa on the performance and blood serum metabolites of 9- to 15-week-old ostrich chicks. In this research, 36 pieces of ostriches with the age of 9 weeks, from among the ostriches of the special livestock research institute of Zabul University in the form of a completely random design with 6 experimental groups including; 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% itchy and non-itchy levels (control) and 6 pieces of ostrich in each treatment for 6 weeks. The results of this research showed that the blood glucose levels of the studied groups decreased with the increase in the level of scabies (P≥0.05). Different levels of itch were significant on the activity of ALT, ALP, LDH and AST enzymes (P≥0.05). The amount of cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and HDL-C was significant compared to the control group (P≥0.05). Based on the obtained results, the food conversion ratio was significant among all experimental treatments (P≤0.05). The application of experimental treatments showed a 32% decrease in blood serum albumin and a 16% decrease in total blood serum protein compared to the control (P≥0.05). Plasma MDA as an index of lipid peroxidation was affected by different levels of scabies (P≥0.05). Also, with the increase in scabies level, plasma magnesium level was statistically significant (P≥0.05). In general, it can be said that the scurvy plant has anti-diabetic properties and its active ingredients reduce the amount of glucose in the blood serum and reduce the production of free radicals and improve the oxidative stress.

One of the environmental factors that lead to the reduction of poultry production is heat stress. Quince leaves are an agricultural waste that is a good source of flavonoid compounds and antioxidants. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of adding quince leaf in the diet on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and blood parameters in broilers under heat stress conditions. This research was conducted using 160 broilers of Ross 308 strain with four treatments in four replications and each replication including 10 birds for 42 days in a completely randomized design. Quince leaf powder was added to the rations at four levels of zero (control), 1.5, 3 and 4.5%. In order to establish heat stress, the temperature of the hall was increased to 33 °C for 8 hours in the middle of the. Every week, the feed intake was measured and the chickens were weighed. In the second week of rearing, a significant increase (P=0.006) in feed intake was observed linearly with the increase in the level of quince leaf added to the feed rations, so that the highest amount of intake was in the treatment containing 4.5% quince leaf. In the third week, the highest weight gain was observed in the treatment with 1.5% quince leaf. In the fourth and fifth weeks, feed intake and feed conversion ratio did not differ significantly between treatments. In the sixth week, feed intake showed a significant decrease linearly (P=0.024) with the increase in the level of quince leaf added to the feed rations, but the feed conversion ratio linearly showed a significant improvement (P=0.017). In the entire rearing period, no significant difference was observed in terms of feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio, although with the increase in the amount of quince leaf added to the feed rations, a relative improvement was seen in the feed conversion ratio, so that this ratio of 2.68 in the control treatment decreased to 2.44 in the treatment with 4.5% leaves. The use of quince leaf in the diets of broiler chickens under heat stress, especially in the early stages of growth, can increase feed intake, weight gain and improve feed conversion ratio, although no significant difference in terms of performance was observed in the entire rearing period, but a relative improvement was observed in the feed conversion ratio.

Selenium, a vital element in the body, plays a crucial role in the functioning of enzymes related to antioxidant defense, fertility, and the immune system. This study seeks to explore how various selenium sources impact the semen quality of aging broilers under lipopolysaccharide stress (LPS). A 2×3 factorial experiment involved 96 Ross 308 strain roosters at 45 weeks of age, organized into four replications of three birds each. The experiment included three selenium sources: mineral selenium (sodium selenite), organic selenium, and nano-bio chelate of selenium, added to the diet. Semen was assessed before LPS injection and after the final LPS injection at the experiment's conclusion. Evaluation indicators comprised malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in semen, total oxidative capacity, glutathione peroxidase activity in semen, and testosterone levels in blood plasma. Statistical analysis utilized SAS 9.4 through GLM or MIXED procedures.The total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity levels exhibited variations among the groups. Specifically, in the LPS-receiving group, the control group demonstrated significantly lower total antioxidant capacity compared to the Selmax and Bendacel groups that received PBS. Additionally, the control group exhibited lower glutathione peroxidase activity compared to the Selmax group that received PBS, although no differences were observed between this group and others. Moreover, the Selmax group that received PBS displayed the lowest amount of MDA, a significant difference from the control and sodium selenite groups that received LPS. Notably, the testosterone concentration in birds that received Bendacel and sodium selenite, and were challenged with PBS, was significantly higher than in birds that received LPS without any source of selenium. The study demonstrated that using organic selenium from Selmax and Bendacel sources has the potential to enhance the reproductive performance of aged roosters, mitigating the adverse effects of aging. Notably, the effective addition of 0.30 mg/kg of organic selenium emerged as a positive intervention in improving reproductive outcomes in the study's context.

The addition of various substances such as probiotics and prebiotics and synbiotics and herbs and their extracts as possible alternatives to antimicrobial growth stimulants have positive effects on the host.The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of different levels of barley extract and synbiotic on yield, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of Ross 308 broilers. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 5 replications and 10 chickens in each experimental unit for a total of 250 one-day-old chickens. Experimental treatments including control (without additive), barley extract 0.1%, barley malt extract 0.2%, barley extract 0.3% and soluble synbiotic in water were tested on broilers for 42 days. Feed-intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were recorded in initial, growth, final pahse and throughout the experiment. In order to determine the characteristics of the carcass and measurement of blood parameters, at 42 days of age, two male chickens were selected from each experimental unit and slaughtered after weighing. The results showed that the addition of barley malt extract at the levels of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3% and synbiotic alone on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio of broilers compared to the control was not significant. Also, adding 0.3% barley malt extract to drinking water caused a significant increase in triglyceride and VLDL-c serum levels of broiler chickens compared to the control (p <0.05), but other levels of malt extract barley and synbiotic had no significant effect on other blood parameters of broilers compared to controls. The present study showed that different levels of malt extract and synbiotic alone could not significantly improve the performance index and carcass efficiency throughout the experiment compared to the control group.

Achieving the sustainable development of aquaculture requires the use of new techniques, in which different strategies have been used, and the use of plant extracts, phytochemicals, and plant secondary metabolites due to their cheapness, availability, few side effects, and effective compounds and diverse has increased. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and survival indicators of goldfish (Carassius auratus) fed with different levels of pomegranate peel powder (Punica granatum). 300 pieces of goldfish (Carassius auratus), apparently healthy, had passed the winter period in the pool environment, based on a completely random design, 20 pieces of goldfish with an average weight of 17.39±1.71 grams were distributed in 12 tanks. Then, they were reared with the basic diet as a control diet and three experimental diets containing 1, 2, and 4% of pomegranate peel powder. The initial weight was not significantly different in any of the treatments (P<0.05), but the highest percentage of body weight increase, specific growth rate, final weight, and body weight increase observed in the 4% treatment, which showed a significant difference with the other treatments. P>0.05); The food conversion ratio decreased in the treatments compared to the control group, and the fourth treatment showed a significant difference from the control (P<0.05); Also, an increase and maintenance of 100% survival were observed in fish (P<0.05). According to the results of the use of herbal supplements such as pomegranate peel powder with antioxidant properties, by increasing the secretion of digestive enzymes, they lead to improved growth performance and increased nutrient absorption, and according to the findings, the amount of 4% pomegranate peel powder in the goldfish diet to improve growth performance and survival is recommended.

Metallothionein protein and acetylcholinesterase enzyme are among the most important biomarkers in evaluating the health of aquatic ecosystems and have been introduced as one of the defense mechanisms of aquatic organisms in the face of various pollutants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate and biologically monitor the organic and mineral pollution of Gamasyab River using the biomarkers of acetylcholinesterase enzyme and metallothionein protein in two species of rainbow (Onchorhynchus mykiss) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Sampling was done from five rainbow trout farms and eight common carp farms along the Gamasiab River, and the samples were quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen and transported to the laboratory. The amount of metallothionein (MT) was measured based on spectrophotometric method and the analysis of cholinesterase enzyme (AchE) in fish brain was performed based on Elman's method. The findings showed that there was a statistically significant difference between different sampling locations in terms of the average values and effects of AchE and MT in two fish species (P<0.05). In addition, the average values of total AchE and MT in carp fish are equal to 3.42 µm/min/g and 707.75 µg/g, respectively, and in rainbow trout it is equal to 1.33 µm/min/g and µg, respectively. /g were 3105.7 and the comparison of the average amount of AchE and MT between two species of carp and rainbow trout showed that the amount of MT in rainbow salmon is higher than that of carp, And the amount of AchE activity in carp was higher than that of rainbow trout. The differences in the level of MT and AchE biomarkers can be caused by exposure of fish species exposed to different levels of pollutants due to differences in their feeding habits and behavior as well as differences in sampling points with environmental conditions and the entry of polluting sources are different. In this study, the application of 2 specific biomarkers to investigate the presence and effects of two groups of organic and inorganic pollutants in the Gamasiab River were determined without conducting any type of chemical analysis. directly exposed to the simultaneous entry of organic and mineral pollutants due to the extent and dispersion of different human uses on its margins, which can be detected by tracking specific biomarkers in indicator species (including rainbow trout and carp) to be a basis for monitoring the pollution of ecosystems.

This study was aimed to compare the halo diameter (mm) caused by the lack of bacteria growth (Vibrio harvey) in the post-larvae of Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) under the influence of methanolic, acetone, and aqueous extracts (ppm) of razor clam (Solen vagina). Based on the obtained results, the methanolic extract stopped the growth of Vibrio harvey bacteria at 450 ppm. Although the use of this extract stopped the growth of bacteria at a concentration of 450 ppm, the diameter of the created halo was smaller compared to the halo of non-growth caused by antibiotics. Acetone extract prevented the growth of Vibrio harvey bacteria at 250 ppm and higher concentrations and created a lack of growth halo with a diameter of 2.8 cm. Also, the aqueous extract did not have any inhibitory effect. The results of the mean comparison test showed that there was a significant difference between different concentrations of methanolic and acetone extracts (P<0/05). Also, significant differences were observed between the same effective concentrations of different treatments (250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 ppm) (P<0/05). Therefore, methanolic and acetone extracts of S. vagina can be used as a bioactive substance to prevent vibriosis in Litopenaeus vannamei. However, more studies are suggested to investigate other extracts of this species and their effects.

The purpose of this study was to determine separate and combined effect of plant extracts of garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) along with different levels of soybean meal on growth performance and some blood parameters of rainbow trout. plant extracts (1% garlic, 1% ginger, 1% fennel and a mixture including 1% garlic + 1% ginger + 1% fennel) were added to experiment diets at two protein levels of soybean meal (25 and 75%). Three hundred rainbow trouts (4.99±0.26 g) were reared with 10 experiment diets and triplicate groups for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the effect of the experimental treatments on growth performance and some blood parameters was measured. The results showed a significant increase in growth performance (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency rate) and blood parameters (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)) in experimental treatments (especially the mixture of plant extracts) compared to the control (without plant extract) (P<0.05). The addition of garlic, ginger and fennel plant extracts (especially the mixture of plant extracts) at different levels of soybean meal (25 and 75%) in the diet of rainbow trout has a significant effect on growth performance and immunity.

The pests of stored products, are one of the factors effecting quantity and quality of foods during their storages. Plant based insecticides are new compounds that can control insect pests without negative effect on environment and food safety. This study had done in order to investigate effect of essential oil of Cichorium intybus and Utrica dioica in different treatment duration (24, 48 and 72 hours) on mortality of larval and adult stages of Oryzaephilus surinamensis. The experiments were done at entomology laboratory of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz during 2018, based on a complete randomized design in 25±1 °C and 60±5% of humidity. Investigation had done in 4 replications and 25 insects per unit. Based on LC50 value from probit analysis of mortality percent least LC50 value to Oryzaephilus surinamensis obtained in adult insects and by essential oil of C. intybus Highest LC50 value also belong to larval stage with essential oil of this plant. Results of line-effects showed that in C. intybus essential oil mortality of larval were more than adults. But essential oil of U. dioica caused different changes and adult insects showed more sensitivity to U. dioica essential oil than larvae of pest. The results detected that essential oil of C. intybus and U. dioica had a suitable control on O. surinamensis.

This study was done to assess the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect of raw and irradiated bee venom. Bee venom samples were irradiated at doses of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kGy using gamma irradiator. Antimicrobial characteristic of raw and irradiated venom was determined using well diffusion assay. 300 µl of sample was poured in well and diameter of the clear zone of inhibition of growth for the bacteria and fungi was measured. Anti-inflammatory effect of venom was assessed using injection of formalin 2.5% in paw of rats. 24 rats was assigned to 6 treatments and 4 replicates for measurement of IL-6 and IL-10 in blood of rats. Raw and irradiated venom were injected to rats at a dose of 1mg/kg BW and blood sample was taken after 2, 4 and 6h, then serum was separated. Spleen was removed and hold in liquid nitrogen until gene expression analysis of IL-6 and IL-10. Data were analyzed based on randomized complete block design using SAS software. Irradiation of bee venom had no negative effect on antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics (P>0.05). IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression in spleen samples in rats taken 6, 48 and 72h post injection down regulated for venom irradiated doses of 4, 6 and 8 kGy compared with the control and dose of 2 kGy (P<0.05). Also, IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression down regulated in spleen samples of rats taken after 72h as compared with those taken 6 and 48h (P<0.05). There were no differ among serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in raw venom and irradiated at doses of 2, 4 and 6 kGy (P>0.05), but serum level of IL-6 increased (P<0.05) in those received 8 kGy irradiated venom compared with the control and other treatments. Based on the results of this study, gamma irradiation at dose of 6 kGy could applicable for honey bee venom processing without negative effects on positive venom characteristics.

The order of scorpions belongs to the category of arachnids and the branch of arthropods, and according to the extensive studies that are being carried out today in the field of phylogenetic and morphological around the world, the classification of scorpions is also being updated. The aim of this studyis reconstruct the metabolic network of Androctonus crassicauda and Hemiscorpius lepturus using RNA-seq studies for suggestion of key metabolic genes differentially expressed between two scorpion species as a molecular marker to evaluate the genetic diversity of different scorpion species. For this purpose, Scorpions were caught using ultraviolet light in different areas of Khuzestan province (10 samples of each species). Scorpions were poisoned by electric shock method, and after 72 hours of poisoning, the venom gland was isolated and powdered using a porcelain mortar and liquid nitrogen. RNA extraction from the venom gland was performed using the commercial RNeasy Animal Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA) according to the company's instructions. Transcriptome sequencing and differential gene expression analysis of two scorpion species were performed by RSEM software. The results of analyzes showed that a total of 688060 genes were identified in two species, of which 42676 genes had significant differences in expression (p<0.05). The gene ontology of the differentially expressed genes was performed using Kegg and GO databases and the results showed that the genes involved in the metabolic pathway are the most abundant. Reconstruction of scorpion metabolic network and its analysis using string database and cytoscope software led to the identification of 5 metabolic hub genes. Finally, using the amino acid sequences of Hub genes (triose phosphate isomerase, citrate synthase, glucose 6-phosphate isomerase, catalase and enolase), a phylogenetic tree was constructed using 7 scorpion species. This study evaluated the use of these 5 metabolic genes to study phylogenetic relationships in scorpions.