Effect of different levels of Lactobacillus casei on growth performance and digestive enzymes activity of Shirbot [Barbus gryprus]

Background: Lactic acid bacteria are the most common class of bacteria used in aquaculture as probiotic

Objectives: In this study the effects of various levels of Lactobacillus casei on the growth performance and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile Shirbot were evaluated. METHODS: Four hundred-eighty juvenile Shirbot weighing 40 g were divided randomly in four treatments [in triplicate]. Treatments of A, B and C were fed with 5x 10[6] CPU g-[1], 5x 10[7] CPU g-[1],5x 10[8] CPU g-[1], respectively for 60 days. Control group was fed with free-probiotic diet. After the period, treatments were fed with free-probiotic diet for 15 days. Growth indices and digestive enzymes were examined on days 0, 30, 60 and 75

Results: In the Treatment B, Specific Growth Ratio, Daily Weight Growth and Relative Growth Rate, after 30 days from the beginning of experiment improved considerably which, compared to control group had significant difference [p<0.05]. Activity of chymotrypsin enzyme in treatment of group B after 30 days and similarly, trypsine in treatment of group C after 30 and 60 days, were increased significantly compared to control group [p<0.05]. In the other points of sampling and enzymes, considerable difference was not seen [p>0.05]

Conclusions: Results showed that 5xl0[7] CFUg[-1] of Lactobacillus casei for 30 days and 5x 10[8] CFUg[-1] for 60 days, are the best doses of probiotic

Acute toxicity evaluation of five herbicides: paraquat, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid [2,4-D], trifluralin, glyphosite and atrazine in Luciobarbus esocinus fingerlings

Background: evaluation of herbicide pollution in aquatic environments needs the great concern and the most important echo-pollutant effects of herbicides are related to their effects on non-target aquatic organisms. Native fish can serve as a proper bio-indicator for evaluation of pollution on aquatic ecosystems

Objectives: to find environmentally friendly herbicides, in this study the acute toxicity of five widely used herbicides in Iran as aquatic ecosystems pollutants on Luciobarbus esocinus were investigated

Methods: acute toxicity [96 h LC50] of five herbicides [Paraquat, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, Trifluralin, Glyphosite and Atrazine] were determined via OECD standard method. L.esocinus exposed to Serial concentrations [more than 6 in triplicates] of each herbicide. Mortalities at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after exposure were recorded and the LC50 were calculated using Probit software

Results: results showed that acute toxicity of these herbicides is significantly different in L. esocinus. The 96 h LC50 of Paraquat, 2,4-D, Trifluralin, Glyphosite and Atarzine in L.esocinus were 54.66, 138.8, 1.09, 716.83 and 44.30 mg/l respectively. Glyphosite showed lowest toxicity in Luciobarbus esocinus among the five herbicids. The highest toxicity of herbicides in L. esocinus belongs to Trifluralin. The mortality rate of exposed fish to herbicides enhanced either by increasing herbicides concentration or duration of exposure. Mortality patterns during 96 hours of toxicity evaluation were similar in all five herbicides

Conclusions: regarding the high application and similar efficacy of herbicides in most of the cane farms of Khouzestan province, and based on different toxicities of these five herbicides for fish as a non-targeting organism, Glyphosite is highly recommendable as a proper alternative to Trifluralin, Atrazine, Paraquat and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid

Comparison of the effect of astaxanthin and dunaliella salina algae on skin carotenoid, lipid peroxidation and coloration of heros severus

Microalgae Dunaliella salina is a national source of carotenoids which can be used in aquaculture, meanwhile synthetic Astaxanthin is very expensive for use in aquaculture and several attempts have been made to find alternatives for Astaxanthin. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of oral administration of Astaxanthin and D.salina on skin carotenoid level, skin and fins coloration as well as lipid peroxidation of muscles in H.severus. One hundred and thirty five H.severus weighing 27 +/- 0.5g were randomly divided to three groups in triplicate: Groups 1 [G1] was fed with basal diet, group 2 [G2] and group 3 [G3] were fed with basal diet supplemented with 200 mg kg-1 D.salina or Astaxanthin respectively. After 6 weeks, digital photo were taken from 15 fishes of each group and skin and muscles samples were taken after euthanasia. Skin beta carotene rate, lipid peroxidation of muscle [based on Malondialdehyde activity] as well as skin and fins coloration pattern [a*, b*, Hue, L* and Chroma] were compared among groups. Skin beta-carotene rate significantly increased in G2 and G3 compare to G1 but, Lipid peroxidation rate were decreased in G2 and G3 compare to control [p<0.05]. Although some improvement in color quality were observed in trunk area, there was no significant difference in color indicators among the groups [p>0.05]. In the fin areas a* value significantly increased in G2 and G3 compare to control also Hue and b* value significantly decreased in G2 and G3 compare to control [p<0.05]. Chroma significantly increased in G3 compared with other [p<0.05]. No significant difference were observed in L* between the groups [p>0.05]. Although the effect of Astaxanthin on skin carotenoid level and skin and fins coloration was better compared with D. salina. However, because of reasonable price, wide availability and the production of Dunaliella salina, it can be used as an alternative for Astaxanthin

Effect of dietary chitosan on immune response and disease resistance in Cyprinus carpio

Occurrence of resistance against antibiotics and inadequate efficacy of some vaccines necessitates studies of natural immunostimulators in aquaculture. Shrimps shell derived from Chitosan can be used as immune stimulators in fish. In this study, the effects of oral administration of chitosan, derived from shrimp shell, on some immune responses and disease resistance in Cyprinus carpio were studied. Three hundred healthy fish weighing 42.4+8.1 g were divided into 4 equal groups: the first group [G10] was fed with food supplemented with 10 mg kg-1 chitosan, the second [G5] and third groups [G2.5] were fed with food supplemented with 5 mg kg-1 and 2.5 mg kg-1, respectively. The control group was fed with basal feed [without chitosan]. All groups were treated for 60 days. Blood samples were taken on 0, 20, 40, and 60 days post- experiment; In addition, some immunological indices, including serum lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium [NBT] reduction activity, serum proteins, white blood cell count [WBC], and differentiated count were measured. At the end of the treatment, fish were challenged with live Aeromonas hydrophila and mortality rate was recorded for 14 days. Oral administration of chitosan [0.5 and 1%] significantly enhanced NBT reduction activity and resistance to A. hydrophila infection [p=0.012]. Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity, serum total protein and globulin, WBC and leukocytes ratio showed no significant change among the groups [p>0.05]. This study indicates that oral administration of shrimp shell chitosan may have a positive effect on some immune parameters and resistance against bacterial infection in Cyprinus carpio

[Effects of Viscum album and Nigella sativa extracts on survival rate, growth factors and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in gold fish [Carassius auratus]]

Recently several types of herbal immune and growth stimulants have been used in aquaculture troughout the world. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of Viscum album and Nigella sativa extracts, on survival rate, growth factors and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in gold fish. 270 gold fishes were divided into 2 immune and non-immune groups and each group into 3 treatments; V.album, N.sativa and control [each with 3 repeats]. Each treatment groups fed for 7 weeks with food supplemented with 0.5% of V.album, N.sativa or water. At the end of treatment, survival rate, growth factors and resistance to A.hydrophila infection were compared among the groups. Percentage of mortality in different groups were 9.33 to 12% and prescription of either extracts has no significant effect on survival of groups [p>0.05]. Food conversion rate and percentage of weight gain were 2.56 +/- 0.31 and 131.6+/-25.05% in V.album treatment and 3.12 +/- 0.37 and 73.2 +/- 4.53% in control treatment, respectively which showed a significant increase [p<0.05], growth factors didn't show any significant difference between N.sativa and control treatments [p=0.15]. Mortality rate after bacterial infection showed a significant decrease in V.album treatment [p<0.05] in a way that mortality in V.album treatments of immune and nonimmune groups were 40 and 80% and in control treatment were 63.3 and 100%, respectively. N.sativa had no significant effect on mortality after challenge [p=0.45]. Oral administration of V.album in gold fish has similar effects on immune and growth stimulation as those reported in other warm-blooded animals but N. sativa didn't show such effects

[Effects of propolis, a honeybee product, on growth performance and immune responses of Barbus barbulus]

BACKGROUND: Propolis, a honeybee product, has been used empirically for centuries and was always mentioned as an immunomodulatory

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the effects of propolis on growth indices, innate immune responses and haematological parameters of Barbus barbulus were investigated

METHODS: Three hundred and sixty juvenile Barbus barbulus, weighing 102+/-8.2g were randomly divided into four equal groups in triplicate. Groups 1 to 3 were fed basal food supplemented with 0.1, 0.5, 1% of Propolis-ethanolic -extract [PEE] in diet for 60 days

Control group received basal diet free of PEE. At the end of experiment, growth indices were measured in all groups

Various immunological parameters [serum lysozymme and bactericidal activity, complement activity, total serum protein and globulin] as well as hematological parameters [RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH and MCHC] of Barbus barbulus were compared among the groups

Then the fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila

RESULTS:Oral administration of different level of PEE induce no significant change, neither in growth indices nor in haematological parameters of B. barbulus [p>0.05]

Significant increase in serum Lysozyme and bactericidal activity, total serum protein and WBC were seen in G2 and G3 compared to the control group [p<0.05]

Meanwhile, mortality after challenge of fish fed on diet containing 0.5% PPE significantly decreased compared to control group

CONCLUSIONS:It was concluded that, although supplementation of food with 0.5 and 1% PEE enhanced some immune response indicators of B.barbulus, growth indices and hematological parameters were not affected by this supplementation

[Immunostimulatory and growth stimulation effects of Ergosan, Levamisole and herbal extracts in Cyprinus carpio]

Enhancement of the immune system seems to be the most promising method of preventing fish diseases and increasing growth rate. Biodegradable and biocompatible immunostimulants obtained from natural sources [particularly herbal extracts] have received great attention for fish. In this study the immunostimulatory and growth stimulation effects of herbal extracts [Echinacea purpurea, Boswellia thurifera, Zataria multiflora], Ergosan and Levamisole were evaluated in common carp. 450 fish [11.12 +/- 1.22 g] were randomly divided into 6 groups in triplicate and fed with experimental diet for 6 weeks. Fish in groups I to 5 were fed by food supplemented with E. purpurea, B.thurifera, Z.multiflora, Ergosan and Levamisole, respectively. Group 6 was fed with basal food without supplementation. The Growth performance indices were evaluated at the end of study and blood samples were collected from 6 fish in each group. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were compared among the groups. In each group, thirty fish were challenged with live Aeromonas hydrophila on day 42 and mortality rate was studied. Mortality rate showed no significant difference among groups [p>0.05]. Specific growth rate [SGR] and food conversion rate [FCR] showed significant increase in all groups except [Zataria multiflora] compared to the control. Post challenge mortality rate decreased in all groups except [zataria multiflora] compared to the control [p<0.05]. WBC values in Ergosan, E.purpurea and levamisole groups were 7830 +/- 590, 7750 +/- 500 and 7380 +/- 810 per mL respectively which, showed significant [p<0.05] increased compared to the control goup [6380 +/- 123mL], However no significant changes were seen in the other haematological parameters [p>0.05]. It can be concluded that extract of E. purpurea and B.thurifera have immunostimulatory and growth stimulation effects in common carp which are comparable with the effects of two well documented fish immunostimulants, Ergosan and Levamisole

[Effects of dietary Silybum marianum extract on immune parameters of the common carp [cyprinus carpio]]

In this study the effects of Silybum. marianum extract on some immune responses and hematological parameters of the common carp [Cyprinus carpio] were investigated. A total of 280 fish weighing 65.12 +/- 8.22 g were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group1 was immunized with Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria and fed with a diet containing 0.5% S. marianum extract. Group 2 was non-immunized and fed with a diet containing 0.5% S. marianum. Group 3 was immunized with A. hydrophila and was fed with a S. marianum-free diet. Group 4was neither immunized nor fed with S. marianum. Blood samples were taken every 10 days for 40 days. Sera samples were analysed for lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, alternative complement activity, total protein, IgM concentration and anti-A. hydrophila antibodies. Blood samples were also used for hematological parameters, PCV, Hb, WBC, RBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. 30 fish in triplicates were challenged with A. hydrophila. The results showed that the values for WBC, PCV, total protein, IgM levels, and lysozyme activity were significantly increased in the serum of S. marianum-treated fish [p<0.05]. No significant differences were recorded in anti-A. hydrophila antibody levels, complement activity, or other hematological parameters in S. marianum-treated fish compared to controls [p>0.05]. The RPS and serum bactericidal activity was only increased in the non-immunized, S. marianum-fed group when compared to non-immunized, S. marianumfree group. This study indicates that oral administration of S. marianum enhances some nonspecific immune responses in C. carpio, and therefore it can be recommended as an herbal immunostimulant in fish

Effects of dietary Aloe vera on some specific and nonspecific immunity in the common carp [Cyprinus carpio]

In this study, the immunostimulatory effect of dietary Aloe vera crude extract was investigated in Cyprinus carpio. Three hundred fish were randomly divided into four groups. The first group was immunized with Aeromonas hydrophila bacterin [A.h] and was fed a diet contained 0.5% Aloe vera. The second group was immunized with A.h and fed a diet without Aloe vera. The third group was not immunized and fed with a diet that contained 0.5% Aloe vera. The fourth group remained as the control group and was neither immunized nor fed with Aloe vera supplements. Blood samples were taken every 14 d for eight weeks and samples were analyzed for hematological and immunological parameters. White blood count [WBC], red blood count [RBC], packed cell volume [PCV], lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, complement activity, total protein, IgM concentration and specific A. hydrophila antibody were assessed. At the end of treatment, 20 fish from each group were challenged with A. hydrophila. WBC value, antibody level, lysozyme and bactericidal activity were significantly increased in the serum of fish treated with Aloe vera [p<0.05]. No significant differences were seen in the RBC, PCV or complement activity among the groups. The relative percent survival [RPS] was found to be increased in fish fed with Aloe vera. This study indicates that the oral administration of Aloe vera is able to enhance some specific and non-specific immune responses in the common carp

[Anxiety test and some correlated socio-demographic factors in high school students in Shiraz]

Good performance in academic tests plays a major role in the student's further academic and occupational achievements. In students who experience excessive amounts of anxiety while sitting for a quiz or test, lower academic grades may be achieved as a result of and impaired information processing. This study examined the relationship between anxiety test [AT] and some socio-demographic factors in high school students in Shiraz. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample consisted of 512 high school students in Shiraz, Iran. Participants were students from both sexes and from all kinds of high schools [named: Governmental, private, and specialized high schools for the exceptionally talented students]. The instruments used for data collection were Spielberger's Test Anxiety Inventory [STAI] and a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS11 software, using ANOVA, paired t, and Pearson's correlation tests. The STAI mean scores showed significant correlations with the districts of education organization to which the school belonged, the populated status of the classroom and the attitude of parents and school authorities toward academic failure [P < 0.05]. There was found no significant correlation between TA and the parent's age, their conjugal relationships and the frequency of school visits by them. The Findings demonstrated the adverse effects of AT on the student's academic performance. Identifying the bio-socio-demographic correlates of AT may help to plan more specific interventions for reducing AT in students

Study on some immunological responses of rainbow trout [onchorhynchus mykiss] to some antigens of streptococcus iniae

Some specific and non-specific immune variables of rainbow trout were assessed following vaccination of fish with formalin killed cells [FKC] and FKC containing extra cellular products [ECP] of S. iniae. Rainbow trout weighing 80-100 g were vaccinated by intraperitoneal [i.p], dip and oral routes using FKC and FKC plus ECP with or without Fround adjuvant [FA] at 16-17 C. Antibody titration, lysozyme activity, serum bacterial killing activity and population of immunocompetent cells were measured on 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 weeks postvaccination. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Results showed that the highest antibody titers were produced in i.p vaccinated fish with FKC plus ECP and immunized fish with FKC by dip, respectively. However, administration resulted in the lowest response. Also, the level of antibody production was higher during initial period of post-immunization, while it reduced to lower levels at the end of sampling time. Similar results were obtained when lysozyme activity and bacterial killing capacity of sera samples were estimated. Moreover, while, leukocyte and lymphocyte populations in immunized fish were generally higher than control groups, heterophil and monocyte counts were varied during the sampling periods. Reuslts show that both humeral and cellular immunities of trout are enhanced following immunization of fish with FKC with or without ECP administered as i.p and dip. However, i.p administration of FKC with or without ECP could cause higher response than both dip and oral routes