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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to alleviate the undesirable effects of biotic and abiotic stresses on plants. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of AMF symbiosis on plant growth, physiology, and nutrients accumulation in leaves and roots of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle under Cd and saline conditions. The pot experiment was carried out in factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments included salinity at three levels (non-saline water, 4 ds/m, and 8 ds/m), inoculation with AMF at two levels (uninoculation and Glomus mosseae inoculation) and cadmium (Cd) pollution at three levels (unpolluted soil, 15 mg Cd/kg soil, and 30 mg Cd/kg soil). The results revealed salinity and Cd pollution decreased plant height shoot and root biomass, but AMF increased them. The highest plant height, shoot and root biomass were observed at unpolluted and non-saline water. In contrast, the lowest plant growth was in uninoculated treatments with high salinity and Cd levels. Salinity increased proline content, CAT and SOD activities. Cd pollution did not change the proline concentration in the plants. The highest proline concentration and antioxidant enzyme (SOD and CAT) activities were observed in uninoculated plants with simultaneous application of high Cd and salt levels. Na+ accumulation in roots and leaves increased with salinity, but AMF decreased it. K+ content in leaves and roots decreased with Cd pollution and salinity and AMF increased it. Salinity and Cd pollution significantly accumulated high Cd in roots and leaves. Our work will widely improve the current knowledge of salinity and Cd tolerance mechanisms in tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil pollution is a major global environmental concern. Bioremediation is considered as a suitable approach for remediation of oil-contaminated environments. In this study, two crude oil-contaminated soils were collected to isolate and identify some native and active oil-degrading bacteria to be used in remediation of contaminated sites. Five isolates were selected according to "hole-plate diffusion method" and were grown in crude oil. They were cultured in a mineral salt medium in which crude oil was employed as the sole carbon source. Biochemical, morphological and genomic identifications demonstrated the bacteria species as Pseudomonas resinovorans, Plantibacter auratus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus pasteuri and Bacillus atrophaeus. These bacteria were able to degrade 86.0%, 61.3%, 81.1%, 55.0% and 76.2% of aliphatic compounds and 58.6%, 39.4%, 55.5%, 39.0% and 49.9% of aromatic hydrocarbons in a medium containing crude oil (1% v/v) over 21 days, respectively. The degradation rates of aromatic compounds from 14 to 21 days were higher than of aliphatic hydrocarbons. This rate was 28.4% by Bacillus subtilis, 30.9% by Bacillus atrophaeus, 27.2% by Staphylococcus pasteuri and 21.3% by Pseudomonas resinovorans. In Plantibacter auratus, this rate was 16.19% which is less than aliphatic hydrocarbons. To our knowledge, it seems this is the first time to report Pseudomonas resinovorans and Plantibacter auratus as crude oil degraders. Results of this study indicated that the isolated bacteria could have a high potential to be used in bioremediation of oil-contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite all scientific studies, researches are continuing to increase outcomes of freezing ovarian tissue. The objective was to evaluate whether follicular perforation could improve the survival of antral follicles after vitrification. The present study was conducted on 20 bovine ovaries collected at slaughterhouse and a total of 344 antral follicles (less than 4 mm in diameter). For each ovary, three slices (approximately 1 × 1 cm) were separated from the cortex of each ovary and randomly were assigned in three groups, control (without freezing, fixed in 10% buffered formalin), non­perforated vitrified and perforated vitrified (after exposure to equilibration solution, antral follicles were immediately perforated) groups. After thawing, the tissue slices were evaluated histopathologically. Our histological evaluation showed that vitrification in group V1 did not significantly influence the degree of follicle damage compared to the follicles in fresh group as 69.8% of vitrified follicles were appeared as normal. Increasing follicular size had a significant effect on the vulnerability of follicles using different methods ( p < 0.05). Therefore, perforation of follicles of bovine ovarian cortical tissue did not improve freezability of antral follicles by vitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortage worldwide mandates minimum use of irrigation water with maximum efficiency and productivity in all agricultural crops, landscape plants and turf. The objective in this experiment was to study the effect of two levels of evapotranspiration-based (ETc) drought in combination with two levels of nanosilicon dioxide (SiO2; NanSi1=1 mM and NanSi=2 mM), two levels of digoxin (Dig1=0.25 mg.l-1 and Dig2=0.5 mg.l-1) and Dig1 plus NanSi1 on mineral nutrient concentration, chlorophyll index, visual performance of perennial ryegrass (loliumperenne) under climatic conditions of the southwest Idaho in the Intermountain West Regions of the United States. Clippings with 50% ETc had higher percentage dry weight but lower chlorophyll index and visual rating than those with 75%. Clippings of 75% ETc treatment had significantly higher concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) but lower sodium (Na), than those of 50% ETc treatment. Considering all mineral nutrient values, chlorophyll indices and visual performance ratings, we conclude that application of 75% ETc is sufficient for maintaining a healthy lawn with satisfactory appearance while we can save 25% water as compared to application of water at 100%. Root growth was not affected by any of these treatments. Based on the results of this study, applications of NanSi1 or Dig1, either individually or simultaneously, can slow the process of quality decline in perennial ryegrass turf under extremely severe drought conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of high morbidity of caprine besnoitiosis in different provinces of Iran and its significant adverse economic impact on goat production in this area, this study was undertaken to study the macroscopic and microscopic changes of the scrotum, testis, and epididymis of animals at different age groups associated with Besnoitia spp. The testicles, epididymides, and scrotums of 106 male goats slaughtered at Shiraz slaughterhouse from different surrounding villages at different time intervals were randomly selected for pathological studies. From 106 examined goats of different age groups, 20 (18.9%) were infected with Besnoitia cysts. Grossly, most of the infected testicles showed mild to extensive mineralization on the surface of their longitudinal incision. While goats less than 1 year old showed no sign of infection, the prevalence of the infection increased with the age of the animals. The head of the epididymis showed the highest rate of infection, and it was followed by the scrotum, testis, and tail of the epididymis. Some of the infected epididymides and testicles also showed mild to severe tubular degeneration, necrosis, fibrosis, mineralization, sperm retention, sperm granuloma, chronic interstitial orchitis, and epididymitis. Granulomatous reactions were also found around the degenerating cysts. Cysts were localized in the tunica albugina and tunica vaginalis too. The lumina of some of the blood vessels in the epididymis and testis were partially or completely occluded by the Besnoitia cysts. Spermatogenic activity was retarded relevant to the rate of infection of the testicles. The scrotums showed mild to severe besnoitiosis, and the cysts were mainly localized in the superficial regions of their dermis and to some extent in the deep dermis. It seems that besnoitiosis is a serious problem in this area and not only has an impact on economical loss in the skin and leather industries but it also could have an adverse effect on spermatogenesis in male goats and indirectly affect goat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A slaughterhouse-based survey was conducted to determine the type and the prevalence of lesions in the testis and epididymis of native bucks reared in southern Iran. Testis, epididymis, and tunica, which belonged to 425 bucks of various age groups, were inspected. The specimens were collected randomly during a 6-month period. Various abnormalities in testis and the epididymis were observed. Grossly, testicular mineralization was the most prevalent abnormality ( n = 183, 45%) followed by degeneration or hypoplasia ( n = 26, 6.4%), adhesion ( n = 20, 4.9%), cryptorchidism ( n = 12, 2.9%), congenital testicular cyst ( n = 9, 2.2%), abscess ( n = 4, 0.9%), and orchitis ( n = 1, 0.2%). As the age of the bucks increased, the percentages of mineralization increased significantly ( p < 0.05). Based on the results of the gross examination, congenital epididymal cysts were the most prevalent abnormality ( n = 57, 14.4%) then followed by epididymal abscess ( n = 12, 2.9%), melanosis ( n = 10, 2.5%), and epididymitis ( n = 3, 0.7%). Congenital epididymal cysts, 1 to 2 mm in diameter, were mostly located on the head of the epididymis. On histopathological examination, mineralization showed the highest prevalence rate in testis followed by hypoplasia and degeneration, besnoitiosis, orchitis, and edema. Besnoitiosis was also the predominant lesion in the head and tail of the epididymis followed by epididymitis, hypoplasia or degeneration, melanosis, and sperm granuloma. Besnoitia cysts were found in 11.3% of the testes, 14.1% of the epididymal heads, and 7.5% of the epididymal tails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of ketoprofen on ovarian function in dairy cows. In experiment I, eight non-milking dairy cows were administered a 0.9% saline solution daily from day 8 (day -3) of ensuing synchronized estrous cycle at 24-h intervals over 4 days (control observation). After an estrous cycle rest, the cows were given the recommended daily therapeutic dose (3 mg/kg, i.m.) of ketoprofen (Ketofen 100; 10%, Merieux/Webster, Australia) from day 8 (day -3) of the synchronized estrous cycle at 24-h intervals over 4 days. All cows received an intramuscular injection of prostaglandin F2α (30 mg, Lutalyse) either 6 h before the first treatment of saline solution or 6 h before the first injection of ketoprofen. Ultrasonography of the ovaries was performed daily from the day before (day -4) experimental treatments until day 2 after induced estrus, to monitor the growth of the ovulatory follicle and ovulation, and then on day 9 after estrus to determine the presence and the size of the corpus luteum. In experiment II, five non-milking dairy cows were used in two successive observations. The plasma preovulatory estradiol-17β peak and progesterone concentrations were determined, and ovarian ultrasonography was performed to determine ovulation and corpus luteum development. Results obtained from experiment I showed that the diameter of dominant ovulatory follicle on day of estrus was significantly (p<0.05) higher in saline-treated estrous cycle compared to that of ketoprofen-treated cycles (13.8±1.3 vs 10.9±0.4 mm). Furthermore, by 48 h after standing estrus, ovulation had taken place in seven of eight saline-treated estrous cycles, whereas only three ketoprofen-treated cows had ovulated by 48 h after standing estrus (p<0.05). A significantly (p<0.05) higher mean estradiol-17β peak was observed in ketoprofen-treated estrous cycles at estrus compared to that of the control estrous cycles (experiment II). Additionally, a significant (p<0.05) daily increase in the mean plasma progesterone concentration was observed after ketoprofen treatment beginning from day 0 to 6 of the subsequent estrous cycle (p<0.05). The results of the present study demonstrate that administration of ketoprofen during the pre- and periovulatory period of the estrous cycle in dairy cows impairs final growth of ovulatory follicle, leading to a disturbance in the normal process of ovulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine changes in the crystallization and cytology of cervical mucus in late gestation in dairy cows. Eleven 7-month pregnant Holstein cows with a sound reproductive history were used in this study. Samples of cervical mucus were collected on 53±3, 38±3, 23±3, 12±2, 8±1, 5±1 and 2±1 days before parturition for cytology and examination of crystals. Coccygeal blood samples were also collected after each cervical mucus sampling for determination of plasma estrogen and progesterone concentrations. A sample of nasal secretions was also collected after each blood sampling for examination of crystals. The thin cervical smears were Giemsa stained for cytological examination and the thick smears of cervical and nasal mucus were also evaluated for crystallization. The results of the present study showed an increased ( p<0.05) percentage of neutrophils and typical crystals in the cervical mucus as parturition approached. This coincided with the gradual rise of the plasma estrogen concentrations and the gradual decline of the plasma progesterone concentrations in the last 2 weeks before the onset of parturition. Further, a significant positive correlation was observed in the changes of the crystallization pattern between nasal and cervical mucus samples ( p<0.05; r=+0.86). In conclusion, crystallization and increased neutrophils in the cervical mucus in late gestation could be related to impending parturition in dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-specific variations in nonstructural carbohydrates and free proline were determined in leaves, apices, roots, and maturing seeds of two salt-tolerant cultivars (CR and Kharchia-65) and one salt-sensitive cv. Ghods of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in sand culture at various levels of salinity (0, 100,200, and 300 mM NaCl and CaCl2 at 5: 1 molar ratio) under controlled environmental conditions. The levels of leaf, apex, and root ethanol-soluble carbohydrates, fructans, starch, and proline increased in line with elevating level of salinity in all three cultivars under investigation. The contents of proline, soluble and insoluble carbohydrates in the apex increased to levels exceeding those in the leaves and roots. Soluble carbohydrate content of salt-sensitive cv. Ghods was higher in the leaves, apices, and roots and lower in the maturing seeds than in the other cultivars at all levels of salinity except at 300 mM. The results show considerable variation in the amount of soluble, insoluble sugars, and proline among plant tissues and wheat genotypes in response to salinity. Higher soluble carbohydrates and fructan in leaves, roots and maturing seeds of stressed plants indicate that their accumulation may help plant to tolerate salinity. Salt-sensitive cv. Ghods accumulated less soluble sugars in the maturing seeds and higher soluble sugars in the apices, which might be used as an indicator in screening wheat genotypes for salinity tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ardabil region potato crop needs several irrigation, however ground water supplies are being exhausted due to reduced precipitation and intensive irrigation. In this research drought tolerance of 10 commercial potato cultivars was studied at three irrigation treatments (100%, 80% and 60% of required irrigation water) in Ardabil in a two years field study, 2013-2014. At harvest, marketable tuber yield, tuber weight per plant, mean tuber weight, tuber number per plant, percent tuber dry matter, plant height and the main stem diameter were measured. Also the stress indices such as water stress susceptibility (SSI), tolerance (TOL), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP) and stress tolerance (STI) were determined and used to select the tolerant cultivars to water deficit. There were significant differences among irrigation treatments, cultivars and cultivars ? irrigation treatments for all studied traits; between years and interaction of years ? cultivars for marketable tuber yield, tuber weight per plant, mean tuber weight and tuber numbers per plant. The cultivar Satina produced the highest marketable tuber yield, tuber weight per plant, mean tuber weight and plant height and also had higher MP, GMP and STI indices in all three irrigation treatments, therefore, it can be recommended for cultivation under water deficit condition. Cultivar Caesar showed the lowest SSI and TOL indices under both mild and severe water deficit conditions, therefore it can be used in breeding programs for developing drought-tolerant potato cultivars. Under both mild and severe stress conditions a high correlation was found between marketable tuber yield and plant height, but a negative correlation existed between mean tuber weight and tuber number per plant. Cultivar Savalan showed the highest tuber dry matter content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]