Consideration of Blood Serum Biochemical Parameters of Yellow Fin Sea Bream (<i>Acantopagrus latus</i>Houttuyn, 1782) and Orange-Spotted Grouper (<i>Epinephelus coioides</i>Hamilton, 1822)

Serum biochemical parameters are important aspects in the management of endangered species. The values of these parameters can be used for confirming the maturity and for monitoring any changes in the quality of waters and related soils. The aim of this research was to determine the reference values of biochemical factors in Acantopagrus latus and Epinephelus coioides. Blood samples were collected from captured fish from coastal waters of Chabahar (Ramin waterfront). Serum levels of glucose, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride, total protein, albumin, calcium (Ca2+), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na+), bilirubin and potassium (K+) were measured. The results showed that the levels of albumin and bilirubin in E. coioides were significantly higher than A. latus and there were significant differences in all of the serum values (except P and glucose) between A. latus and E. coioides (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the values of blood biochemical parameters may be affected by physiological factors such as the species of fish.

Influence of Maternal and Larval Immunisation against <i>Lactococcus garviae</i>Infection in Rainbow Trout <i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>(Walaum) Lysozyme Activity and IgM Level

This study evaluated efficacy of maternal and larval immunisation against Lactococcus garviae infection and on the lysozyme and immunoglobulin (IgM) levels in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walaum). Forty-eight-day-old larvae (mean weight 96 mg) originating from injected weekly with letrozole and immunised, only immunised and non-immunised parents were experimentally infected with the L. garvieae, and the mortality rate was recorded daily. Larvae were vaccinated by immersion at 58 days post hatch with live L. garvieae (109 cells/mL) for 15 min. Every third day post larvae vaccination, two larvae from each group were collected for analysis lysozyme (by a method based on the ability of lysozyme to lyse the bacterium Micrococcus lysodeikticus) and IgM (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) parameters. Vaccinated and control larvae were tested for protection against L. garvieae 30 days post larvae immunization when the larvae were 88 days old. Larvae were challenged by bath exposure with live L. garvieae (109 cells/mL) for 2 min and monitored for mortality for at least 10 days following challenge. The challenge experiment with L. garvieae showed a significant reduction in larvae from immunised (54.44% ± 0.64%) and injected weekly with letrozole and immunised fish (52.96% ± 0.97%) compared to larvae from control fish (62.96% ± 2.22%). Vaccinated larvae originated from injected weekly with letrozole and immunised parents showed significantly higher lysozyme activity compared to other fish groups. Vaccinated larvae showed significantly less mortality compared to controls. The relative percent survival (RPS) values of larvae from only immunised, injected weekly with letrozole and immunised and non-immunised parents vaccinated with L. garvieae were 67.36% ± 0.9%, 68.05% ± 0.66% and 48.27% ± 2.79% respectively. The results indicate that the effect of maternal immunization rainbow trout against L. garvieae infection by eliciting the immune responses as indicated by an increase in the IgM level and lysozyme activity.

Nutrient effects of broodstocks on the larvae in Patinopecten yessoensis

Patinopecten yessoensis is a commercial valuable species. This study deals with the effect of nutrient effects of the broodstock(mainly ovaries) on the larvae. Concentrations of total carbohydrate, total protein and total lipid in the gonads of P. yessoensis from three Hatcheries(Hatchery 1, Hatchery 2, and Hatchery 3) were determined before and after spawning. The relationship between the nutrient concentration in ovaries before spawning(BC) and that of larvae(LC) was assessed as well as the change in nutrient levels in ovaries after spawning(DC). Results indicate that the BC of total carbohydrate(7.66%) and total lipid(14.48%) in ovaries were significantly higher than in testes(5.20%, 5.20% respectively), whereas the BC of total protein in the ovaries was lower(61.76%) than in the testes(81.67%). The different gonadal composition suggests the different nutrient demands between male and female broodstocks in breeding season. P atinopecten yessoensis gonads contained a higher proportion of lipids, in comparison to other bivalves, which might be a response to the low ambient water temperatures. Further analysis of fatty acids showed that the concentrations of n-3PUFA, EPA and DHA in larvae(LC) were positively correlated with BC and DC, indicating the significant nutrient influence of broodstocks on the larvae. As these fatty acids are important in metabolism, and have been demonstrated to be influential to the viability of the larvae, larval growth and the settlement, spat growth, and juvenile survival in many bivalves, they could possibly be used as indexes to evaluate, and predict condition of broodstocks and larvae.

Survival Rate and Biochemical Parameters in Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) Larvae Fed Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Extract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract in fish diet on survival rate, digestive enzymes and some biochemical parameters of Mugil cephalus larvae. Three hundred and sixty fish with mean weight 0.45 g were randomly divided into equal four groups;each one contained 3 replicates. Fish was fed with diets containing 0% (control), 0.5%, 1% and 3% concentrations of garlic extract (GE) in diet. 30 days after feeding, survival rate, different biochemical (larvae extract total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride) parameters and digestive enzyme activity (lipase, protease and amylase) were evaluated. There was a significant increase in survival rate of all groups fed with GE as compared to the control diet (P < 0.05). The administration of A. sativum in all levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the content of cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose in larvae extract. Also total protein, albumin and globulin levels had significantly increased in all groups fed GE (P < 0.05). The highest total protein (2.13 ± 0.12 g/dL), albumin (0.37 ± 0 g/dL), globulin (1.76 ± 0.12 g/dL), amylase (9.25 ± 0.14 U/mg protein), protease (4.20 ± 0.08 U/mg protein) and lipase (2.62 ± 0.14 U/mg protein) and the lowest serum triglyceride (22.78 ± 0.20 mg/dL), glucose (8.76 ± 0.09 mg/dL), cholesterol (3.69 ± 0.07 mg/dL) levels were observed in fish fed 3% GE in diet. Garlic inclusion in fish diet at 3% concentration is therefore beneficial for use in aquaculture to improve the general health and digestive enzyme activity of M. cephalus larvae.

Enrichment of <i>Artemia</i>(Leach) nauplii with Canola Oil: Effect on <i>Heros severus</i>(Heckel) Larvae Performance and Environmental Stress

The effect of canola oil enriched Artemia (Leach) nauplii on growth, survival, resistance to environmental stresses of temperature and oxygen deficiency and fatty acid composition in severum fish, Heros severus (Heckel), larvae were investigated. The larvae (average weight 3 mg ± 0.83) were fed 4 times daily starting at the onset of exogenous feeding for 18 days. Triplicate groups of fish were offered one of two treatments: 1) newly hatched Artemia (Leach) nauplii (unenriched) and 2) canola oil enriched Artemia (Leach) nauplii. Then all groups of fish were switched to the commercial diet for an additional period of 18 days. Statistical analysis of growth after 18 days and at the end of the experiment (36 days), showed that the highest specific growth rates (9.65% ± 0.3), (17.44% ± 0.31) the average weight (17 mg ± 0.95), (65.2 mg ± 0.53) were observed in treatment 2 respectively, but there was no significant difference in survival rate between treatments. The best result of resistance to oxygen deficiency (5 min) was observed in larvae reared on treatment 2 with 75.67% ± 0.66 after 36 days. Result of temperature stress showed no significant difference between treatments. The larvae were also found to convert n-3 fatty acids to EPA and DHA.

In Vitro Inhibitory Activity of the Leaf Methanol Extract of Green Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) against <i>Lactococcus garvieae</i>and <i>Aeromonas hydrophila</i>Isolated of Rainbow Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>)

Camellia sinensis Linn is a well-known medical herb that grows in various parts of the world. In the current study, the antimicrobial activity of methanol extract from C. sinensis leaves against Lactococcus garvieae and Aeromanas hydrophila isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. The growth inhibitory effects of green tea extract was determined by disc diffusion method (3 times on different days), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using serial dilution and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). For the L. garvieae and A. hydrophila, the zone diameter inhibition (ZDI) of extract ranged 2.30 - 16.5 mm. The highest ZDI (16.50 ± 1.12 mm) for L. garvieae was observed at 100 mg&bull;ml-1 and for A. hydrophila (16.20 ± 0.95 mm) at 250 mg&bull;ml-1 concentration of green tea extract (P &bull;ml-1 concentrations of extract, ZDI values of A. hydrophila and L. garvieae showed significant difference (P < 0.05). The lowest MIC value for the extract was 0.8 mg&bull;ml-1 against both L. garvieae and A. hydrophila. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that methanol extract of C. sinenses leaves could be effective for the inhibition of A. hydrophila and L. garvieae in rainbow trout.

Comparison of in vivo antiseptic and in vitro antimicrobial effects of Peganum harmala L.seeds ethanolic extract with Betadine

Objective:To compare the antibacterial activity and antiseptic effect of ethanol extract of Peganum harmala L.(P.harmala)seeds and Betadine on eight reference strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae,Salmonella typhimurium,Escherichia coli,Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Staphylococcus aureus,Micrococcus luteus which are known to cause different types of skin infections,and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis isolated from an abscess on horse's neck.Methods:The antibacterial activity was assessed using a disc diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory concentration was tested by serial dilution method and the percentage of bacterial growth inhibition by absorbance microplate reader device.The minimum bactericidal concentration was then recorded.Clinical outcomes were obtained through washed up healing time of longitudinal and surface skin on the back of 16 rats with concentrations of 10,50,100,150 and 500 mg/mL of P.harmala extract.Results:The results of in vitro experiments showed that the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration(0.68-1.3 mg/mL)and minimum bactericidal concentration(1.3-5 mg/mL)values were observed in the ethanol extract of P.harmala seeds.Also the results of in vivo experiment showed that wound healing in the concentration of 50 mg/mL of this plant extract was better and quicker than Betadine.Conclusions:This study confirmed that ethanol extract of P.harmala has appropriate effect on the microorganisms and the healing of skin wounds in comparison with Betadine.