Effects of nano-silver particles on some vital tissues of Zebra fish [Danio rerio] fed via oral administration

Background: This study was initiated to improve our understanding of the health and environmental impact of silver nanoparticles [Ag-np]

Objectives: The purpose of the study is application and direct effects of silver nanoparticles on Zebra fish [Danio rerio]

Methods: After characterizing the AgNPs using TEM, EDX, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, XRF and SEM methods, their effects on some vital tissues have been tested successfully in vitro. In this study, 540 fish [2+/-0.05 g] were randomly divided into 9 groups in triplicate for acute tests [0,10, 50, 100,200,400, 600, 800 and 1000 mg/kgfood]. After short term [96h], chronic toxicity tests were evaluated using under lethal concentration [100, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kgfood] fed with experimental diet for 8 weeks. Fish in groups 1 to 4 were fed by food supplemented with 100, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg food, respectively. Group 5 was fed with basal food without supplementation. After histopathology, heavy metals were measured by spectrum photometry reveal

Results: According to the results of acute tests, the 96h LC50 values in 24, 48, 72 and 96h were 804.601, 486.637, 323.696 and 195.208 mg/kgfood AgNPs for the Zebra fishes respectively. According to the results of chronic toxicity tests, fed via oral administration of AgNPs produced significant histopathological effects. Also, the most important histopathological effects of AgNPs were observed in the liver [vasculature and exposure, degeneration of some hepatocytes], intestine [increase in the submucosa layer, narrowing of the intestinal lumen and reduced intestinal absorption], gills [clubbing of gill secondary lamaleas, hyperplasia, hyperemia and shortening of the primary lamaleas gills] and kidney [degeneration, high increase in interstitial cells and dilatation of Bowman's space of glomeruli], respectively. The greatest bioaccumulation of silver occurred in the liver, gills and muscle offish respectively [p<0.05]

Conclusions: The release of untreated nanoparticle waste to the environment should be restricted for the well-being of human and aquatic species

Aberrant Expression of Breast Development-Related MicroRNAs, miR-22, miR-132, and miR-212, in Breast Tumor Tissues / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a major class of small endogenous RNA molecules that posttranscriptionally regulate the expression of most genes in the human genome. miRNAs are often located in chromosomal fragile sites, which are suscept-ible to amplification or deletion. Chromosomal deletions are frequent events in breast cancer cells. Deletion and loss of heterozygosity at 17p13.3 have been reported in 49% of breast cancers. The aim of the current study was to evaluate potential expression alterations of miR-22, miR-132, and miR-212, which are located on the 17p13.3 locus and are required for mammary gland development. METHODS: A matched case-control study was conducted, which included 36 pairs of tumor and matched nontumor surgical specimens from patients diagnosed with breast invasive ductal carcinoma. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from archival collections at the pathology department of Shariati Hospital were prepared for RNA extraction using the xylene-ethanol method before total RNA was isolated with TRIzol Reagent. Specific primers were designed for cDNA synthesis and miRNA amplification. The expression of miRNAs was then evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: According to our RT-PCR data, the miR-212/miR-132 family was downregulated in breast cancer (0.328-fold, p<0.001), and this reduced expression was the most prominent in high-grade tumors. In contrast, miR-22 exhibited a significant upregulation in breast tumor samples (2.183-fold, p=0.040). CONCLUSION: Consistent with the frequent deletion of the 17p13.3 locus in breast tumor cells, our gene expression data demonstrated a significant downregulation of miR-212 and miR-132 in breast cancer tissues. In contrast, we observed a significant upregulation of miR-22 in breast tumor samples. The latter conflicting result may have been due to the upregulation of miR-22 in stromal/cancer-associated fibroblasts, rather than in the tumor cells.

Detection of cytolethal distending toxin [cdt] genes of Campylobacter Jejuni and Coli in fecal samples of pet birds in Iran

Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common bacterial intestinal disorders of humans in many countries. A wide range of domestic and wild bird species have been identified as natural reservoirs. The aim of this study was to determine the Campylobacter spp from pet birds and screen the determined Campylobacters for presence of virulence cytolethal distending toxin [cdt] genes. A total of 660 fecal samples from 32 different species of pet birds were taken and examined for detection of Campylobacter spp. and were investigated for presence of cdt genes. All the samples were collected from clinically healthy birds that were kept in cage, zoological parks, and/ or in zoo of Tehran, the capital of Iran. RESULTS: In total, 20 thermophilic Campylobacter were detected from 8 different avian species. From 20 confirmed Campylobacter spp., 16 samples [80%] were C.jejuni positive and 4 [20%] were C. coli in species-specific PCR test. Furthermore, out of 20 detected Campylobacter, 13 [65%] harbored the various subunits of cdt A, cdtB and cdtC genes, and 7 [35%] were negative for all tested cdt genes. Our findings indicate that the carriage rate of Campylobacter in different species of cage and/or in zoo birds is high and confirm that cdt genes may frequently be present in Campylobacter spp.

[Application of polyurethane foam containing silver zeolite [Zeomic] in water filtration system to control the infection caused by Streptococcus iniae in rainbow]

Background:Zeolites containing silver ion, in combination with synthetic fibers, show antibacterial activity

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to use silver zeolite indirectly as antimicrobial agents to control Streptococcus iniae infection which recently has caused disease in some of rainbow trout farms in Iran

MethodsS: In this context polyurethane foams containing silver zeolite [10 and 20%] were used in water filtration of semi circulation culture system of rainbow trout fry. After addition of Streptococcus iniae[105 Cell/ml] to water in culture systems, the filters were evaluated for efficacy in inhibiting bacteria through measuring bacterial loading in water, monitoring disease symptom and culture of bacteria from kidney and spleen

Results: The results indicated that filters containing silver compounds could significantly reduce load of bacteria from the water to 102 [p<0.05] compared to the control. Filter with 10% silver zeolite had higher efficiency among others

Conclusions: According to the results of this study, it seems that silver zeolite in combination with polyurethane foams has the sufficient potential to control bacterial infection and disease prevention in semi circulation system of Rainbow trout. Development of these filters and their application in control of aquatic animal diseases can result in reduction of using chemical drugs

[Optimum dose of gamma irradiation to inactivate Vibrio paraheamolyticus in fresh and freeze-dried]

Background: Vibrio paraheamoloyticus is one the causative agents of vibriosis with high mortality in farmed fish and shrimp and under predisposing conditions

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the effect of gamma irradiation on the inactivation of V. paraheamoloyticus under fresh and freeze-dried conditions

Methods: Vials of 0.5 ml fresh culture of the bacterial suspensions at 1.5[asterisk]10[10] cfu/ml were subjected to 1, 1.5,2, 2.5, 3 and 4 KGy. Also, vials of 0.5 ml freeze-dried culture of the bacterial suspensions at 1.5 x 1010 cfu/ml were subjected to 2, 4, 7 and 8 KGy. The bacterial growth behavior was then evaluated on fresh medium

Results: The obtained results showed that the minimum doses of 4 and 10 KGy were sufficient for the inactivation of fresh and freeze-dried bacteria, respectively

Conclusions: The result of this study shows that inactivation of V. paraheamolyicus in fresh culture condition requires below half- dosage of gamma ray required for the inactivation of the freeze- dried of bacterial cells

Study of efficacy of vaccination against yersinosis in rainbow trout using local strains of Yersinia ruckeri

Outbreak and development of yersiniosis in rainbow trout farms in Iran has caused a serious problem over the last years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of immersion vaccination with Yersinia ruckeri in rainbow trout. Prior to antigen preparation, the phenotypic, molecular and serological features of a number of Yersinia ruckeri isolates obtained from affected trout farms were studied. The virulent of these isolates were then evaluated using intra peritoneal injection route. Trout were vaccinated by immersion route [3 min at 12 °C] using Yersinia ruckeri bacterin of the virulent strains. The efficacy of vaccine antibody titer within 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks post vaccination were evaluated using relative percent survival. The phenotyping, serological and molecular studies have led to identification of 8 isolates of Yersinia ruckeri and all the isolates produced bands 409 bp, which is indicative of Yersinia ruckeri. In pathogenicity test 3 isolates caused above 50% mortality, while 5 isolates reached 16%. The RPS of vaccinated fish reached 72.7, 80, 80, 82.2 and 83.3% within 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks post vaccination, respectively. In the other words, the mortality level in vaccinated groups was in range of 10-20% within 10 weeks post vaccination, while those of control group was in range 56.7 - 73.3% [p<0.05] .The lowest and the highest antibody titers in immunized groups were 32 +/- 4.50 and 164.57 +/- 9.37 respectively, obtained after 4 and 10 weeks of immunization, whereas the control group had no measurable titer of antibody. The results of this study clearly show that this vaccine can remarkably protect the trout from yersiniosis outbreaks inside Iran

[Pathogenicity of Streptococcus iniae in Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] fingerling]

Streptococcosis caused by Streptococcus iniae is one the most important bacterial diseases in aquaculture industry worldwide. This study was aimed to assess the experimental pathogenicity of Streptococcus iniae in Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] fingerling. A number of 400 Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] fingerling weighting 17 +/- 3 g were used. Fish were challenged with a virulent strain of Streptococcus iniae via both intraperitoneal and intramuscular injections at dosage of 4.7×106, 4.7×105, 4.7×104, 4.7×103, 4.7×102 cells/fish. Each treatment group included 12 fish in two replicates. Control fish received 0.1 mL per fish sterile normal saline [0.9% NaCl]. Clinically mortality started after 24 hours post-challenge and the affected fish showed listless, spiral swimming, spot haemorrhages on different parts of bodies particularly at the base of fins, the lateral line around the bone columns, on the base of barbells, mouth and around anal area. Also signs of abdominal distention, hyperemia of intestine, accumulation of bloody fluid in abdominal cavity, lordosis and scoliosis as well as hemorrhages in eyes were seen. The lethal concentration [LD50] of intraperitoneal injection was calculated 1.1×103, 8×103, 3.7×106 cells/fish after 48, 72 and 96 hours post-challenge, respectively. The LD50 of intramuscular injection was 4.8×102, 1.8×103 and 6.4×105 cells/fish at 48, 72 and 96 hours post-challenge, respectively [p<0.05]. No mortality or abnormal signs was seen in control fish up to 14 days post-experiment. The results of this study showed that Parisian sturgeon fingerling is highly susceptible to Streptococcosis

[Application of satellite remote sensing for tracking of arthropod vectors of diseases]

Arthropod-borne diseases are one of the major causes of human mortality. Since launch of the first meteorological satellites in 1960s, remote sensing has been increasingly implicated in the field of human health research and the data from satellites and their sensors with different spatial and temporal resolutions opened a new field of research in human health for scientists. Search engines and national/international scientific databanks were used to search keywords of remote sensing, satellite, tick, mosquito and sand fly and obtained articles were analyzed. Some ecological indices were used more in remote sensing of arthropod-borne diseases, including NDVI, SST, LST and CCD. Data of environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, land use/ land cover help us to detect the habitats of vectors of diseases regard to their ecology. However, the scope of applications, beyond theoretical large potentialities, appears limited both by their technical nature and the related models developed. The main problem for application of remote sensing in health science and epidemiology of diseases, is the costs of satellite images as well as the availability in the studied times to monitor a specific subject like vector or agent of the disease. Although the majority of health studies and diseases monitoring need to application of high spatial resolution images

Cloning, nucleotide sequencing and bioinformatics study of NcSRS2 gene, an immunogen from Iranian isolate of Neospora caninum

Neosporosis is caused by an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoa Neospora caninum which infect variety of hosts. NcSRS2 is an immuno-dominant antigen of N. caninum which is considered as one of the most promising targets for a recombinant or DNA vaccine against neosporosis. As no study has been carried out to identify the molecular structure of N. caninum in Iran, as first step, we prepared a scheme to identify this gene in this parasite in Iran. Tachyzoite total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and NcSRS2 gene was amplified using cDNA as template. Then the PCR product was cloned into pTZ57R/T vector and transformed into E. coli [DH5alpha strain]. Finally, the recombinant plasmid was extracted from transformed E. coli and sequenced. Bioinformatics analysis also carried out. The PCR product of NcSRS2 gene was sequenced and recorded in GenBank. The deduced amino acid sequence of NcSRS2 in current study was compared with other N. caninum NcSRS2 and showed some identities and differences. NcSRS2 gene of N. caninum successfully cloned in pTZ57R/T. Recombinant plasmid was confirmed by sequencing, colony PCR and enzymatic digestion. It is ready to express recombinant protein for further studies

Comparison of physical properties of an iranian and a german dental stone type iv according to ada specifications

Dental stone type IV and V are predominantly used for construction of cast and die in fixed prosthodontics and must have some special properties. The aim of this study was to compare the three physical properties of an Iranian a German dental stone type IV. In this experimental study, setting time, setting expansion and compressive strength properties were evaluated according to ADA specification No.25for Iranian Tara and German Gildand type IV dental stone. For setting time, setting expansion and compressive strength tests, Vicat apparatus, extensometer and universal testing machine were used, respectively. Data were compared to ADA specification No.25 for dental stone type IV and statistically analyzed using t-test with a 0.05 level of significance. Mean of setting expansion for Iranian and German dental stone were 0.024 +/- 0.011 and 0.0245 +/- 0.009, respectively and were within the limits of ADA specification and there was no statistically significant difference between them [P=0.966]. Mean of setting time for Iranian and German dental stone were 44.5 +/- 0.70 and 17. +/- 0.41 and mean of compressive strength for Iranian and German dental stone were 16.17 +/- 0.97 and 20.15 +/- 1.96 and both specifications were not within the limits of ADA specification, but statistically significant differences were found between groups [P<0.001]. Iranian dental stone type IV could not fulfill 2 out of 3 tested ADA specification and modification of this stone is necessary for use in fixed prosthodontics laboratory processes

[ role of Lactobacillus bioencapsulated Daphnia magna on the growth and feeding efficiency in Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] larvae]

The use of probiotic bacteria has been suggested as an important strategy to accomplish reproducible outputs through biocontrol in cultivation systems for marine fish larvae and crustaceans. These bacteria have beneficial effects on fish larvae. This study was done to determine the effect of probiotic lactobacilli on the growth and feeding performance of Persian Sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] larvae via bioencapsulation with Daphnia magna. Daphnia magna was enriched by probiotic lactobacillus for 8 hours in three levels of 4.30, 4.60 and 4.78 log of colonies forming unit per milliliter in suspension of broth, and fed by A. persicus larvae in experimental treatments [treatments of T1, T2 and T[3]]. The Persian sturgeon larvae were fed on D. magnaon the base of 30 percent of their body weight for 30 days. The control treatment was fed on unbioencapsulated D. magna. At the termination of the experiment, the whole body samples of the fish were analyzed according to the AOAC procedures [1990]. The probiotic lactobacillus significantly promoted the body weight, levels of crude protein and carcass dry matter of larvae in experimental treatments in comparison with control treatment [p<0.05]. But in the treatment T[3], the crude lipid and crude energy were significantly decreased [p<0.05]. The maximum level of average crude protein in T[3] [70.27 +/- 0.44%] and its minimum in control [68.51 +/- 0.34%] were obtained. This study indicated that the blend of Lactobacillus had an effect on the promotion of some of the growth and feeding parameters in Persian sturgeon larvae

[Genetic diversity of isolated Lactococcus garvieae from rainbow trout [Onchorhynchus mykiss] mortality in Iran]

Lactococcus garvieae is one of the main causative agents of Streptococcosis/Lactococcosis in farmed fish particularly in rainbow trout causing remarkable losses each year. To study the genetic diversity of Lactococcus garvieae strains recovered from the mortality of farmed rainbow trout in different provinces of Iran. The Gram positive cocci were first obtained from the kidney tissues of diseased trout. The bacterial isolates were grown on blood agar and were then identified by PCR method. Their genetic diversities were then studied using RAPD. The recovered gram positive cocci strains were identified as L. garvieae producing a 1100 bp in PCR procedure. In RAPD studies using 6 random primers [P1-P6], only primer P4 was able to produce higher number of bands [five bands]. Therefore, using this primer four profile patterns consisting of 560-1330 bp in 5 bands, 56-1260 bp in 5 bands, 560-1260 bp in 4 bands and 560-1200 bp in 5 bands were obtained. The phylogenetic tree of the RAPD product using UPMGA software included these strains in three different clusters with four different genetic groups. The results of this study clearly show that L. garvieae strains from the diseased rainbow trout in the north part of Iran are geneticly different from those in the west country, although there is some genetic similarity between some strains of these two regions of country

Molecular typing of avian Escherichia coli isolates by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequencespolymerase chain reaction [ERIC-PCR]

Colibacillosis is one of the most economically important diseases of poultry worldwide. This study was conducted to examine the clonal relatedness and typing of 95 avian Escherichia coli isolates by ERIC-PCR.. Sixty-three E. coli isolates from two common manifestations of colibacillosis [yolk sac infection and colisepticemia] and 32 isolates from feces of apparently healthy broilers were provided. The PCR amplification reactions were performed in duplicate for all isolates. The molecular weight of the observed bands on gel electrophoresis ranged from 232 bp to 2690 bp. Sixty-five fingerprinting patterns were observed among 95 isolates on the basis of molecular weights and the number of bands. The numbers of 20, 22, and 23 fingerprinting patterns were found among isolates from yolk sac infection, colisepticemia, and feces, respectively. Among different fingerprinting patterns, the number of produced bands differed from 2 to 11. No identical pattern was observed among isolates of three sources. Isolates showing similar patterns in each source group belonged to a single farm. However, a few isolates that had been isolated from different farms also showed similar fingerprinting patterns. In conclusion, this study showed a high degree of polymorphism among E. coli isolates originated from different poultry sources when the respective bacterial genomes were analyzed by the ERIC-PCR and that no specific genotypes were responsible for different manifestations of colibacillosis

study on risk factors of wsd outbreak in choubdeh - abadadan shrimp farming site in 2010

White spot, as one of the infectious viral diseases, has made severe losses in shrimp ponds all over the world. Despite extensive efforts made to deal with and control the disease, white spot continues to be a major health problem in shrimp farms across Iran. In this work, the significance of the risk factors of white spot disease epidemic occurred in shrimp ponds of Choubdeh farming site in Khuzestan province of Iran is determined. A cross sectional study was conducted from June 1, 2010, to September 22, 2010 in 223 shrimp ponds of the site. Data was collected on 17 variables, thought to be associated with the occurrence and epidemic of white spot, with the aid of the shrimp ponds owners and fisheries and veterinary organizations. The occurrence of white spot disease in the farming site was determined by clinical symptoms and the results of conventional PCR tests, the effectiveness of the risk factors was established by odds ratio [OR]. It is found that poor management of birds fighting [OR=3.72], less educated farm foreman [OR=3.29] and poor filtration of the intake water [OR= 3.43] are significantly affected the occurrence of the disease while little changes in the salinity of shrimp ponds [OR =0.1 6] decreases the odds of the disease. These findings help better develop shrimp farming across Iran, especially in Khuzestan province

[Effects of beta-glucan on the growth, survival, and the efficacy of Anti-streptococcus iniae vaccine in rainbow trout [onchorhynchus mykiss]]

Glucans are complex polysaccharide components of yeast and fungal cell walls. This compounds can stimulate the fish immune system. The present study investigated the effects of Beta glucan[Macrogard] on growth, survival and some immunological parameters of rainbow trout [10 mg] and also on the efficiency of Streptococcus vaccine. Treatments of macrogard [1 g/kg food/day for 42 days], macrogard [macrogard 1 g/kg diet] with 15 minutes bathin vaccine, vaccine bath without macrogard and control were examined in a 42 daysperiod. In all treatments the fish growth [weight] showed a significant increase [p<0.05] compared to the control, while there was no significant difference among the treatments. The lyzosyme level of the blood serum showed a significant difference between control and the other treatments, the highest level was observed in the macrogaurd with vaccine treatment [2.7 micro g/ml] and the lowest level was observed in the control[0.5 micro g/ml]. Leukocytes count also had a significant difference between the control [3.3%Nuetrophil] and other treatments [6.6% Nuetrophil] [p<0.05]. The result of survival of fish challenged with Streptococcus iniae via bath route was 55%, while those for vaccine treatment, macrogard plus vaccine, macrogard every day and macrogard every 10 days interval were 75%, 86%, 60 and and 55%, respectively. The results of this study showed that supplement of macrogard has positive effect on growth and non-specific immune responses of rainbow trout and can enhance efficacy of anti-streptococcus iniae vaccine in this fish

[Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of [PB1] gene in Iranian H9N2 avian influenza viruses]

Viral [H9N2] polymerase complex in Avian influenza viruses is composed of the PB1, PB2, and PA protein subunits. These subunits are crucial for viral transcription and replication.The PB1 subunit forms the core of the polymerase complex. It plays a key role in RNA synthesis. Survey on molecular characterization of PB1 gene in H9N2 viruses and determination of genetic relationship between Iranian H9N2 viruses and other Asian viruses. Seven H9N2 viruses were isolated from commercial broiler chickens in Iran during 2008-2009 and their PB1 genes were analyzed by RT-PCR and sequencing. Meanwhile, nucleotide sequences [Open Reading Frame: orf] of the PB1 genes were used for phylogenetic tree construction. Phylogenetic analysis of the PB1 gene showed that all Iranian viruses form a separate unknown sublineage. On the other hand, while nucleotide sequence comparisons indicated high genetic diversity in Iranian viruses, a close homology [95-96%] was shown with H5 or H7 subtypes when compared with established H9N2 Eurasian sublineages [G1, Korean and Y280-like]. The results indicate that H9N2 viruses in Iran have undergone striking reassortment to generate some new genotypes

Effects of bioencapsulated Daphnia magna with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth and feeding performance of Persian sturgeon [Acipenser persicus] larvae

Optimization of microbial compositions and load in live food during the process of bioencapsulation is one of the most important concerns in aquaculture, as it can promote the growth and feeding parameters of fish larvae. The aim of this study was to determine the growth and feeding performance of Persian sturgeon larvae fed with bioencapsulated D. magna with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. D. magna were bioencapsulated with S. cerevisiae at three concentrations of 5,5.30 and 5.48 Log CPU ml-1 for 10 hours. P. sturgeon larvae were fed using enriched D. magna at 30 percent of their body weight, six times a day. Controlled treatment was fed on unbioencapsulated D. magna. The results indicated that the S. cerevisiae promoted the growth and feeding parameters in P. sturgeon larvae. The final body weight and specific growth rate [SGR] in experimental treatments had significant difference in comparison with control treatment [p<0.05]. Food conversion ratio [FCR] was decreased significantly in treatment group compared to control one [p<0.05]. The maximum of lipid productive value [LPV] and protein productive value [PPV] were obtained in the larvae fed on bioencapsulated D. raagrazat5.30LogCFUml-l]. This study showed that S. cerevisiae had high efficiency in promotion of feeding parameters and growth performance of P. sturgeon larvae

Identification of Gyrodactylus gurleyi in Carassius auratus using morphometric and molecular characterization

Gyrodactylus is a small monogenean ectoparasite that lives on the skin and fins of most of the world's fish species. Gyrodactylus appears to be one of the most prevalent parasites found in ornamental fish, especially in Cyprinids. Goldfish [Carassius auratus] are a popular ornamental fish that are highly contaminated by Gyrodcatylus. The present study is aimed to identify morphological and molecular characteristics of the Gyrodactylus parasite on gold fish. The morphological identification of Gyrodactylus specimens was performed using the measurements and drawings of opisthaptoral hard parts of the parasites. The molecular species description was based on a polymerase chain reaction [PCR] of partial sequence of the 5.8S region of ribosomal RNA, and a partial sequence of the internal transcribed spacer 2 [ITS2] of ribosomal RNA. The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were compared with corresponding sequencing registered in GenBank. Based on the morphometric analysis and sequencing, the Gyrodactylus specimens were described as Gyrodactylus gurleyi. A combination of molecular techniques with morphological analysis seems to be the best approach for the identification of Gyrodactylus speices

[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