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Kisspeptin, upstream of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, play an essential role in the reproductive process. In the present study, the effect of different types of kisspeptin, including goldfish (Carassius auratus) kiss1 kisspeptin (Kiss1), human kisspeptin (Hkiss) and their combination (Kiss1+H) on the reproductive-related genes (kiss1, Kissr and Cyp19) of adult female goldfish was investigated in comparison with Ovaprim (a synthetic GnRH hormone). Kiss1 and Hkiss were synthesized using a solid-phase synthesis approach. Peptides were injected at a dose of 100 μg/kg body weight. The brain and ovarian tissues of samples were separated for histological studies 24 hr post-injection. The expression of the kiss1, Kissr and Cyp19 genes was measured by RT-PCR. The results showed a significant increase in expression of the reproductive-related genes. Histological analysis revealed higher number of mature oocytes in kisspeptin treated groups compare to other ones. In conclusion, Hkiss and Kiss1+H are the most effective peptides in oocyte maturation and expression of reproductive-related genes. In addition, it seems that kisspeptins in other domestic animals can be used to stimulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Bioactive peptides from marine protein sources hold tremendous promise as potent antioxidant agents with plausible anticancer activity. Herein, the antioxidant activities of crab protein hydrolysat...

Despite several studies on fish hormone therapy, finding new candidates may provide more reproductive efficiency in artificial propagation. Kisspeptins, being upstream of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, appear to play a key role in the reproduction process. In the present study, the effect of different variants of kisspeptide, including goldfish (Carassius auratus) kiss1 kisspeptin (Kiss1), human kisspeptin (Hkiss), and their combination (Kiss1 + H), on the reproductive indices of goldfish broodstock in comparison to Ovaprim (a typical synthetic Gnrh hormone) was investigated. Peptides (Kiss1 and Hkiss) were synthesized using a solid-phase synthesis approach. Kiss1 and Hkiss were injected at a dose of 100 μg kg-1 body weight, blood samples were taken 6 h after injection and sex hormones (E2, Dhp, and 11-Kt), gonadotropins (Lh and Fsh), cortisol and reproductive indices (fecundity, fertilization and hatching percentage) were measured. The results showed a significant increase of plasma sex hormones and gonadotropins in fish treated with kisspeptins. In addition, the cortisol and lipoprotein lipase in Kiss1, Hkiss and Kiss1 + H were remarkably increased compared to Ovaprim. In conclusion, kisspeptins could be a more suitable candidate than Ovaprim for accelerating and synchronizing oocyte maturation in the fisheries industry.

The induction of Hsps (heat shock protein) recognized as a promising approach to limiting disease and improving health in aquaculture. This investigation aimed to study the impacts of Pro‐Tex®, an extract from the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica), on the expression of Hsp70 gene and induction of immune response parameters in Acipenser persicus infected with Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC®7966ᵀᴹ. Fish were pretreated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/L of Pro‐Tex and then injected in the intra‐peritoneal cavity with A. hydrophila. The expression level of Hsp70 gene, lysozyme activity (LYZ) and complement C3 (C3), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were assessed in liver, gill, and intestine on the days 3 and 7 post‐infection. Tex‐OE® increased expression of Hsp70 in a dose‐dependent way in A. persicus, but this expression significantly reduced on the 7‐days post‐injection. The Hsp70 expression pattern was variable in each tissue, also, LYZ activity, C3, and IgM increased, depending on the concentration, and showed a decreasing trend in a time‐dependent way. In conclusion, our data indicated that Pro‐Tex as an Hsp70 inducer increases the resistance of sturgeon fry against fish pathogens by induction of different immunity factors.

The present study investigated the lethal and semi-lethal effects of silver nanocolloid and copper (I) oxide nanoparticles on the expression of HSP70 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the gill, liver, and serum of the Caspian kutum fry (Rutilus kutum). Fish were exposed to different concentrations of silver nanocolloid (0.05, 0.35, and 0.7 of LC50) and copper (I) oxide nanoparticles (0.25 and 0.5 of LC50). The results showed a high expression of the HSP70 gene on the 7th and 21st days of exposure to silver nanocolloid and copper (I) oxide nanoparticles. Significant changes in GST levels were observed under the influence of silver nanocolloid in the gills and serum. In conclusion, variations of the HSP70 gene expression and GST activity show that the presence of nanoparticles could be affecting the antioxidant system in the fish body; indicating that their excessive influx brings disruptive danger to aquatic health.

In the present study, lysozyme, immunoglobulin M (IgM), and complement component 3 (C3) were measured in unfertilized and fertilized eggs, two week post fertilization (WPF) larvae and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 month post fertilization (MPF) juveniles and the female broodstock of Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii Brandt. The lysozyme level was measured with the turbidimetric method and IgM and C3 levels were measured with the ELISA method. The results showed that the lysozyme level decreased significantly from the unfertilized eggs to the 2-week-old larvae, and then it increased until 2 MPF. Significant changes in lysozyme levels were not observed from the 2 MPF juveniles to the broodstock. The IgM level decreased significantly from the unfertilized eggs to the 2 WPF larvae, then it increased until the 2 MPF, and, finally, it revealed a significant decrease in 4 MPF juveniles. Significant variations of C3 were found from the unfertilized eggs to the 2 MPF juveniles. Additionally, there were no significant variations in IgM or C3 in 4 to 12 MPF juveniles or in the female broodstock. The results indicate that two weeks post fertilization can be an immunologically sensitive period in early life stages of Siberian sturgeon. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: A. Valipour, B. Heidari [+], M. Hadavi Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran and Caspian Sea Basin Research Center, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran Namjoo St. Faculty of Science, Rasht, Iran, Postal Code: 4193833697 e-mail: Bheidari@guilan.ac.ir, Behrooz1072@yahoo.com Tel: +981333243630, Fax: +981333220066 A. Yousefi International Sturgeon Research Institute, Rasht, Iran

Preparation of porous manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieves (OMS-2) in presence of different inorganic acids including HF, HNO3, H3PO4, and glacial acetic acid as an organic alternative was investigated. The obtained OMS-2 samples were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The OMS-2 sample obtained in presence of HNO3 acted as catalyst in degradation of malachite green (MG) at near-ambient temperature in aqueous solution in presence of NaIO4 as effective oxidant. Under mild reaction conditions, mineralization was completed within 10 min and the recovered catalyst retained activity during at least five successive runs.

The aquatic environment is constantly exposed to chemical pollutants from agriculture and the urban environment. In this study, the effects of Bisphenol A, Naphthalene, and Butachlor on metabolic and antioxidant enzymes of goldfish were investigated during subacute exposure. The samples (n = 144, 100.97 ± 31.47 g) were distributed randomly in 12 glass aquaria (70 L) with a stocking density of 12 fish for each. Each aquarium was exposed to one of each pollutant (Bisphenol A with 500 μg/L, Butachlor with 0.28 μL/L and Naphthalene with 200 μg/L) separately, while the control group remained without contaminants for the entire 5 weeks of the experiment. The result showed that the activity of AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALT (Alanine transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatases), and POD (Guaiacol Peroxidase) significantly altered in contaminants treatments. The POD level, an antioxidant enzyme, showed a significant increase, especially on the 14th day of exposure to Bisphenol A (p

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) as stress-related factors play a fundamental role in innate and adaptive immune responses in fish, which can be considered as strong candidates for the development of new methods for fish disease prevention. It has been proven that Pro-Tex

Background: Sea anemones are toxic sedentary invertebrates that are often present in the intertidal zone. Objectives: In this study, cytotoxic effects of the crude extract and its fractions from the oral disk of Stichodactyla haddoni on breast cancer cell line MCF-7 were investigated. Methods: Samples were collected from the intertidal zone in the Persian Gulf. Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and Millipore filters were used to prepare the crude extract and its fractions, respectively. MCF-7 cells were exposed to the crude extract or one of its five fractions, (with molecular weights 100 kDa) at concentrations of 200 to 1400 μg/mL for 24 to 48 hours. Results: All treatments inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cancer cells. The highest inhibitory effect belonged to fractions 2 and 5, with 85 and 81.3% lethality, respectively. These fractions with the concentration of 1200 and 1400 μg/mL had the most anticancer effects against MCF-7. Conclusions: The 1200 μg/mL concentration of fraction 5 containing peptides < 3 kDa is recommended for separation and purification of its components for pharmacological studies to control breast cancer.

In this study, non–specific immune parameters in fertilized eggs, eyed embryos, larvae 10, 25, 50, 60, and 70 days post hatch (DPH), and female broodstock of Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum (Kamensky), were evaluated. The lysozyme activity, complement C3, and total protein levels were measured with the turbidimetric, immunoturbidimetric, and Bradford methods, respectively. The results showed that lysozyme levels decreased from levels noted in the fertilized eggs until the larvae were 10 days old. Subsequently, significant increases in lysozyme levels were observed until 70 DPH. An increasing trend of complement component C3 was noted from the levels in fertilized eggs to 10 DPH, following which it decreased significantly. Total protein levels differed significantly in early developmental stages of Caspian kutum. The higher values of complement component C3 than of lysozyme in the early life stages could be indicative of the former’s more fundamental role. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: R. Abdollahi, B. Heidari [+], M. Aghamaali Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran B. Heidari Caspian Sea Basin Research Center, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran email: Bheidari@guilan.ac.ir, Behrooz1072@yahoo.com

The application of equipment and tools that produce a magnetic field is increasing in aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, the effects of acute (1 week) and subacute (3 weeks) exposures to different static magnetic fields (SMFs) of 2.5, 5, 7.5 mT on stress indices (cortisol and glucose), sex steroid hormones (17β-estradiol and 17-α hydroxy progesterone) and fecundity of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) were investigated. The obtained results showed a significant change in cortisol, glucose, 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17-α hydroxy progesterone (17-OHP) levels by enhancing the intensity and time of exposure to SMFs. In conclusion, the SMFs, especially at higher levels of intensities, showed physiologically harmful effects on the reproductive biology of the zebrafish during acute and subacute exposures.

Lysozyme levels in the head kidney, spleen and liver tissues of the male and female Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) were measured under monthly temperature variations and gonadal growth. The lysozyme content in all tissues of the male and female of the Caspian kutum showed almost a significant decreasing trend from October to March, coinciding with the lowest sea surface temperature and afterwards, it increased in April and May. In vitellogenic stage of the ovarian growth, the lysozyme level decreased in all three tissues and then increased significantly in the spawning stage. Over testicular growth, lysozyme level showed no remarkable variations from the early maturing to developed stages but increased in the spermiation stage. The regularity of lysozyme level in both sexes of the Caspian kutum was liver>spleen>head kidney. The effectiveness ratio (partial Eta2) of temperature and gonadal growth in the lysozyme variations showed that temperature factor was more highlight than gonadal growth. In conclusion, the liver similar to the kidney and spleen plays an essential role against pathogen as an organ of lysozyme producing in the Caspian kutum. In addition, the female lysozyme level was higher than the male in all studied tissues.

Silver nanoparticles deposited on the surface of zeolite A were prepared via post ion-exchange reduction, and reduction-deposition methods. Formation of the silver nanoparticles on the surface of zeolite A was verified by surface plasmon spectra using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Morphology of the prepared samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles deposited on the zeolite A, after fixation of Rhodamine B dye molecules over themselves, were successful in detecting Hg2+ ions selectively. After treatment with the so-obtained sensor, color change from colorless to pink was visible to the naked eye for the Hg2+ solution concentrations down to 1.0?10-8 mol.L-1. Antibacterial tests demonstrated the multifunctional application of the silver nanoparticles deposited on zeolite A.

In recent years, the application of new technologies producing magnetic fields has widely increased in the aquatic environment. In this study, the effects of variable static magnetic fields on metabolic and immune parameters of the Caspian kutum fry were investigated. The Caspian kutum fry (n=220, body weight 1.78±0.11 g) was exposed to static magnetic fields with different intensities (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mT) induced by electrical power supply during acute (one week) and subacute (3 weeks) periods. The results showed an increment in the quantity of ALT and AST enzymes (metabolic parameters) with increasing magnetic fields intensities in subacute and acute exposures (p

In this study, the levels of 17β-oestradiol (E2) and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone in the haemolymph, ovary and hepatopancreas of the freshwater narrow-clawed crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) were analysed in different stages of oocyte development. In recent years, the occurrence of vertebrate-type steroid hormones, E2 and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, has been reported in a few decapods, although their precise role in female reproduction is not fully elucidated. Thirty specimens of A. leptodactylus were caught at Aras Dam (Western Azerbaijan, Iran) and maintained under experimental conditions (at 25°C with a photoperiod of 14 : 10 hours light/dark) from November to March 2010. For steroid extraction, 3 ml haemolymph was withdrawn from the pericardial cavity with a syringe, and frozen at −20°C. The pieces of ovary and hepatopancreas were homogenized with phosphate buffer (pH 7.8) and, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 min at 4°C as well. It was observed that the level of E2 increased in haemolymph and ovary during vitellogenesis, and decreased in the hepatopancreas. The level of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was enhanced in haemolymph and ovary during the maturation stage. Maximum levels of E2 and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone were present in the ovary. The results point out the possible involvement of vertebrate-type steroids in the endocrine regulation of the ovarian cycle of A. leptodactylus.

Serum and mucus lysozyme were measured in male and female Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) under seasonal temperature, gonadal growth and reproductive migration. Significant difference with almost similar trend in serum and mucus lysozyme of the female Caspian kutum in sampling time and ovarian growth was observed. However, while there was no significant difference in serum lysozyme of the male specimen in sampling time and testicular growth, significant variations was observed in mucus lysozyme. In addition, there was significant difference in mucus total protein both for male and female specimens. The effectiveness ratio of factors on lysozyme variations followed in descending order by seasonal temperature (main factor), reproductive activity and migration with negligible effect and the lysozyme level was not significantly different in male and female Caspian kutum.

Background: The present study was carried out to test the antibacterial effect of the body wall of the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota Brandt on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius. Methods: After sampling sea cucumbers from the Persian Gulf, different extractions were prepared. Then, aqueous, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.8), chloroform, hexane and methanolic extracts from sea cucumber body wall were screened for antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. salivarius using the disk diffusion method. Results: The PBS extract did not show any antibacterial or inhibitory activity; the chloroform extract, however, demonstrated high levels of antibacterial activity against S. salivarius while exhibiting low levels of activity against S. mutans. The hexane and methanolic extracts were found to show no antibacterial activity against S. mutans, but exhibited antibacterial activity against S. salivarius. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results demonstrated the possibility of utilizing sea cucumbers as a cheap source of potential antibacterial agents and for treating odontogenic diseases.