ABSTRACT
Background: Some of Aspergillus species are potential generators of aflatoxin that is a mycotoxin with carcinogenic and teratogenic effects. Animal feed contaminated with Aspergillus species produce aflatoxin, and transfer it to milk and dairy products that cause animal and human health problems. The aim of this study was to isolate any potential aflatoxinogen of animal feeds from farms area in the Shahr Ghods - Shahriar districts
Materials and methods: In this study, 394 cattle feed from 41dairy farming in Shahr Ghods - Shahriar districts in autumn, 2014, were randomly selected and they were tested for contamination with potentially aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus by PCR. Isolated Aspergillus from animal feed, by smear and culture, were examined by microscopic and macroscopic and then by molecular method. PCR method used in the presence of primers AFLR, Omt1, FLA1, Nor1, and Par1 to identify potential toxin generating Aspergillus
Results: The results of study showed 42 cattle feed contaminated with 8 species Aspergillus flavus by PCR which could potentially produce aflatoxin
Conclusion: The results showed that the dairy farming in Shahr Ghods - Shahriar districts were contaminated with Aspergillus flavus
ABSTRACT
Maternal infection during pregnancy is a risk factor for some behavioral problems with neurodevelopmental origin. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure of pregnant mice to the bacterial lipopolysaccharide [LPS] on sexual behaviour and serum level of pituitary-gonadal hormones of offspring in adulthood. In this Expremental study, pregnant NMRI mice [n=7/group] were treated with intra-peritoneal administration of LPS [1, 5 and 10 micro g/kg] at day 10 of gestation. Induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] and interleukin-6 [IL-6] were measured in maternal serum 2 hours following the maternal LPS challenge. Behavior in the adult male offspring reproductive activity was investigated using receptive female mice. Concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone [LH] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] in adult offspring serum were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method [at postnatal day 60, n=10/group]. One-way ANOVA showed that LPS administration induces a significant increase in TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 levels of maternal serum. Prenatal LPS exposure reduces sexual behavior and serum concentration of LH and testosterone in adult male offspring. The overall results suggest that prenatal exposure to LPS increases pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, affects development of neuroendocrine systems and results in the inhibition of reproductive behaviors and reactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal [HPG] axis in adult male offspring
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects , Pregnancy, Animal , Reproduction , Gonadal Hormones/blood , Pituitary Hormones/blood , Mice , Behavior, AnimalABSTRACT
The central nucleus of the amygdala [CeA] is a forebrain structure which is important in regulation of ingestive behavior and there is direct and circumstantial evidence to indicate that some circuits involved with feeding behavior include glutamatergic elements. The present study examined whether administration of NMA [N-Methyl-DL-aspartic acid] or MK801 into the CeA altered water intake under deprivation. Animals were deprived for 24 hr before tested for water intake.NMDA [N-methyl-D-aspartate] glutamatergic receptor agonist, NMA and its antagonist, MK801 were infused bilaterally, and water intake measured for 1 hr thereafter. The intra-CeA injection of NMDA glutamatergic agonist, NMA [0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 microg/rat] increased water intake [P0.05]. However, administration of NMDA glutamatergic antagonist, MK801 [0.25, 0.5 and 1 micro g/rat] decreased water intake significantly [P0.05]. These data suggest that NMDA receptors in the CeA are responsible for the glutamatergic modulation of water intake in this nucleus