Ilnaz Abolhasani, Javad Baharara, Naser Mahdavi Shahri, Elaheh Amini,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (4-2020)
Abstract
In traditional medicine, extracts of polysaccharide-containing plants are widely employed for the treatment of cutaneus wounds. The brittle star, as one of marine organisms, encompasses bioactive compounds, which confer the healing potency of damaged arms. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of extracted polysaccharide from the Persian Gulf brittle star )Ophiocoma erinaceus( on male Wistar rat skin wound healing. In this experimental study, 60 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups including control, positive control (treatment with honey), experimental 1 to 3 (treatment with 12.5, 25, 37.5 mg/kg body weight of extracted polysaccharide, respectively). In all groups, the wound was inflicted in the posterior part of the body of rats. Then, rats were treated locally. On the 3th, 7th, 10th and 14th days, samples were collected from the healing hole and histological changes were investigated by light microscopy. Then, quantitative data were analyzed by SPSS software, one-way ANOVA at the level of p<0.05. Microscopic results showed that, in treated wounds by 37.5 mg/kg of extracted polysaccharide, as well as positive control, the re-epithelialization, the angiogenesis and the attenuation of inflammatory cells were significantly improved in comparison with the control group. Maximum epithelium thickness (on the 7th day) and minimum inflammatory cells (on the 14th day) were observed in the experimental group 3 (treated with 37.5 mg/kg of extracted polysaccharide) and positive control, as compared with the control group (p≤0.05). The findings of this research indicated that the polysaccharide extracted from O. erinaceus accelerated the cutaneus wound healing in male rats, which can be used as a natural component in the development of natural source agents for the treatment of cutaneous wounds.
Atta Mouludi-Saleh, Soheil Eagderi, Shima Latif-Nejad, Manoochehr Nasri,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2020)
Abstract
This study was conducted to understand the morphological variation of four populations of Schizothorax pelzami from Iranian inland waters. For this purpose, a total of 81 specimens were collected from the Bidvaz, Cheshmeh-Ali, Kalat and Aal rivers. After anesthesia, all specimens were fixed into buffered formalin and transferred to the laboratory. Then, the left sides of all individuals were photographed. To extract the body shape data, 14 landmarks-points were defined and digitized on 2D image using TpsDig2 software. To eliminate size, direction and position from data, the Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was performed. Then, PCA, MANOVA/CVA and cluster analysis were used for further investigation. The results showed that there was no significant difference but some overlapping among the studied populations on the basis of PCA analysis was observed. The CVA graph separated the studied populations from on another. The main differences in body shape of the studied populations were related to the position of the snout, the depth of head and body, and the length of caudal peduncle. The observed changes can be considered to be an adaptation to their habitat, which has been influenced by different environmental parameters.
Neda Tanbaccochi Moghadami, Homira Hatami Nemati, Gholamreza Dehghan, Seyyed Mehdi Banan Khojast, Hatam Ahmadi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2020)
Abstract
Malathion is one of the commonest type of organophosphate insecticide whose toxicity in human body is mainly considered to result from the induction of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, on the spatial memory and oxidative stress parameters during Malathion poisoning in male Wistar rats. This study was performed on nine groups, each of which consisted of eight male rats. Three days after intra-peritoneal injection of Quercetin, Malathion or a combination of these two drugs, the Moris Water-Maze apparatus was used to measure spatial memory parameters. The hippocampus was sampled and the oxidative stress parameters were measured in this area. Intra-peritoneal injection of Malathion (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced spatial memory parameters (P<0.01) and induced oxidative stress (P<0.001), whereas intra-peritoneal injection of quercetin (50 mg/kg) improved spatial memory in Malathion-poisoned experimental rats (P<0.05). Also, oxidative stress parameters in Malathion-treated groups showed a significant reduction in quercetin treatment (P<0.01). Quercetin was observed to restore the function of spatial memory and the level of oxidative stress parameters of the treated groups with Malathion to the normal level.
Hasan Deldar, Jina Khayatzadeh, Maryam Tehranipour,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2020)
Abstract
Nowadays, the entrance of nanoparticles into high seas has led to toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Copper oxide nanoparticles is among the most widely used nanoparticles. The presence of these nanoparticles in the aquatic environments cause new environmental problems, which indicate the necessity of the examination of the effects of these nanoparticles on the aquatic organisms. The alfalfa plant has antioxidantive and regenerative effects due to its rich content of proteins, vitamin C and flavonoids. In this study, 6 (5 experimental and a control) groups were designed. Koi fish larvae were fed with biomar combined with various percentages of hay (0%, 10% and 20%) and were exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles with two concentrations (0 mg and 200 mg) for 14 days. The average initial length of larvae was 30.4 ± 0.01 mm, their average initial weight was 0.31 ± 0.05 and their age was around 20 dph. The specific growth rate, weight gain, length gain, survival rate and feed conversion ratio were calculated for each group. The results showed a significant higher growth rate in the groupstreated with 10% and 20% of alfalfa, as compared with the control group. In addition, the Cu NPs-treated group with 0% alfalfa rations showed the lowest rate of growth, as compared with the control group. Groups which were exposed to copper nanoparticles while receiving alfalfa-containing rations had growth indices better than the group exposed to copper nanoparticles and fed with 0% alfalfa ration, which indicated the antioxidant properties and growth-promoting effects of alfalfa.
Siamak Yari, Zahra Shojaie, Samaneh Khodabandehlu, Sepideh Saiedi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2020)
Abstract
Gentamicin (GM) is an antibiotic widely used against gram-negative infections. However, its clinical application is limited due to its nephrotoxicity. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin. Previous studies showed that Rosa canina L. (RC) fruits possess antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of RC on GM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups and treated as follows: Group 1 (control group) was treated by the oral administration of 1 ml normal saline, Group 2 was treated by a 100 mg/Kg (B.W) dose of GM intraperitoneally, Group 3 was treated by oral administration of 200 mg/Kg (B.W) of RC followed by a 100 mg/Kg (B.W) dose of GM intraperitoneally, Group 4 was treated by oral administration of 400 mg/Kg (B.W) RC followed by a 100 mg/Kg (B.W) of GM intraperitoneally, and Group 5 was treated by oral administration of 400 mg/Kg (B.W) of RC. The nephrotoxicity observed in each group was histopathologically evaluated by light microscopy and biochemically evaluated by measuring the levels of creatinine and urea in the blood serum. The relative weight of kidney in each gentamicin-treated animals in the group 2 was increased in comparison with those in the control group (p<0.05), however, the administration of RC extract decreased the kidney somatic index toward the normal level. While the animals treated with gentamicin showed significantly higher levels of serum urea and creatinine (p<0.001), simultaneous coadministration of GM with a high dose of RC (400 mg/Kg (B.W) ameliorated the biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity, showing the significant decrease in the levels of serum creatinine and urea. In addition, Histomorphological examination showed that the rats treated with GM suffered necrosis and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells, glomerular stasis and inflammatory cell infiltration in renal cortex, while simultaneous administration of RC and GM reduced those histologically damages. It could be concluded that the administration of RC showed a protective effect on the rat kidney by preventing renal damages induced by GM, therefore, the RC-based supplements could be proposed to minimize the GM-induced renal damages.
Vida Hojati, Mojtaba Deymekar,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Taloo and Shirband hunting Prohibited area is located 12 kilometers North-East of Damghan in Semnan Province, south of the Alborz Mountain Chains. It has a cold and dry climate in the winter and warm and dry in the summer. This area has a rich biodiversity, especially in its reptilian fauna. 22 snake species were reported so far from Semnan Province. However, no comprehensice study was executed on the snake flora in Taloo and Shirband hunting prohibited area before the present study. Therfore, the present research was carried out in order to identify the snake fauna by collecting relevant specimens from March to late November of 2014. Sampling was done manually (with safety precautions) by sticking and hooking. The live specimens were identified and photographed and transferred to the laboratory of Islamic Azad University, Damghan Branch. Six metric and meristic traits were measured and analyzed using SPSS17 and Excel softwares. A total number of 45 snake specimens were collected which were belong to 10 species, 8 genera and 4 families, including: Platyceps karelini karelini (Brandt 1838), Platyceps rhodorachis rhodorachis, Platyceps ventrimaculatus ventrimaculatus (Spotted Flat-headed Snake); Hemorrhois ravergieri (Ravergier’s Snake), Telescopus fallax iberus (Iberian Tiger-Snake), Spalerosophis diadema cliffordii (Clifford’s Diadem Snake), Psammophis schokari (Schokari Sand Racer), Eryx miliaris (Dwarf Sand Boa), Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (Blunt Viper) and Pseudocarastes persicus (Persian False Horned Viper). The highest frequency belonged to Spalerosophis diadema cliffordii and the lowest frequency belonged to Telescopus fallax iberus. All species were reported for the first time from the studied area and Eryx miliaris was reported for the Semnan Province faunafor the first time. Out of 8 endemic species of snakes in Iran, only Pseudocarastes persicus was observed in the area.
Sayyed Ali Moezzi, Yazdan Keivany, Benigno Elvira,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Comparison of morphological structures is a key element in evolutionary biology and taxonomy, as well as in the studies concerning variation and biodiversity either at interspecific or intraspecific levels. This study aimed to compare the bony structures of Chondrostoma orientale and C. nasus. For this purpose, three specimens of C. orientale from the Kor River (passing through Iran), and five specimens of C. nasus from the Danube (passing through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine), Dnieper (passing through Russia, Belarus and Ukraine) and Rhône river basins (passing through Switzerland and France), as well as Lake Ohrid (Located between Macedonia and Albania) were analysed. The results showed that the two anterior lateral processes of supraethmoid bone were more distant in C. orientale than those in C. nasus. The anterior profile of the supraetmoid bone was concave in C. orientale, while it was almost flat in C. nasus. The posterior pharyngeal process in the basioccipital was wide and triangular in C. orientale and narrow and rectangular in C. nasus. The maxillary mid-lateral ascending process was slightly inclined forward in C. orientale, while it was slightly inclined backward in C. nasus. The maxillary distal process was long in C. orientale and it was short in C. nasus. The premaxillary had a rostral ascending process in C. orientale, while it was missing in C. nasus. The anterior portion of the dentary was narrow and elongated in C. orientale and the coronoid process was perpendicular and located in the middle of the dentary; in contrast, the anterior portion of the dentary was short and wide in C. nasus and the coronoid process was inclined forward.
Iman Alinezhadi, Nastaran Heidari, Hossein Javanbakht,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in the ratio of digits length is a morphological feature resulted from the interaction between sex hormones and prenatal Hox genes, the latter is known to control the development of both limbs and genitals. The status of this trend and ratios have been investigated in various animal groups, including humans, other mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. In this study, the body length and sexual dimorphism in the second-to-fourth, second-to-third and third-to-fourth digit lengths ratios (i.e., 2D:3D, 2D:4D, 3D:4D) of left fore and hind limbs were investigated in 54 specimens of toads collected from the northern Iran, including Bufo viridis (16 males and 19 females) and Pelobates syriacus (10 males and 9 females). In addition, the body length of the studied specimens were recorded. The results showed that the average body length (SVL) of female individuals of Pelobates syriacus was higher than those in males, which was found to be statistically significant (P≤0.05). Meanwhile, the average body length (SVL) of female individuals of Bufo viridis was found to be higher than those in males, however, the difference was not statistically significant. No sexual dimorphism was detected in the second-to-fourth, second-to-third and third-to-fourth digit lengths ratios of left fore and hind limbs between the male and female undividuals of Bufo viridis. However, the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) in Pelobates syriacus species were found to be significantly different (P=0.040) between the male and female individuals, as the ratio was higher in males than females. Therefore, it could be concluded that the sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D of Pelobates syriacus species is consistent with those in most amphibians and diapsids.
Azita Mehrbakhsh, Javad Baharara, Saeedeh Zafar Balanejad, Mohammad Amin Kerachian,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Electromagnetic waves (EMF) are a mixture of electrical and magnetic waves. The energy transmitted by these radiations is absorbed by living tissues. Electromagnetic fields seem to cause infertility in women. Cannabis is annual herbaceous plant grows in tropical areas. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa in various doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg / kg on the damages induced by electromagnetic fields of 50 Hz and 50 Gauss, on the puberty of ovarian follicles and levels of FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone hormones in NMRI immature mice. In this study, 48 NMRI immature female mice with an approximate age of 16 days and approximate weight of 18 grams were divided into 8 (experimental, sham, positive control and negative control) groups. After the treatment, the ovaries were extracted and weighed, and sections with H& E staining, the number of primordial, primary, secondary, and atretic follicles were counted, and the level of hormones have been done. The results showed that the concentration of 50 mg / kg of cannabis extract after the exposure to electromagnetic field of 50 Gauss could increase the number of follicles and reduce the number of atresia follicles. The group treated with the concentration of 50 mg / kg of cannabis extract after the exposure to electromagnetic field of 50 Gauss showed increased levels of FSH, LH and estradiol hormones (p <0.01) and a reduced level of progesterone (p <0.01). Therefore, the concentration of 50 mg / kg of cannabis extract have a protective role in preventing infertility due to ovarian tissue damages induced by electromagnetic fields.
Roghaieh Zarei, Mahvash Seifali,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the variations among cephalic plates of individuals in two populations of Clinopodes flavidus in Alborz Mountains, by means of landmark-based techniques of geometric morphometrics. Therefore, 17 landmarks and semi-landmarks on the coxosternite of poison claw and seven landmarks and semi-landmarks on the tarsangulum of poison claw were selected using TpsDig2 software. Data of landmarks, after procrust analysis, were subjected to various multivariate analyses, such as Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) by means of PAST and MorphoJ softwares. The results obtained demonstrated that shape variations in coxosternite were significantly different among various populations (p<0.001). This study revealed the usefulness of landmark-based geometric morphometrics in the differentiation of various populations of Clinopodes flavidus in Alborz Mountains.
Farhad Mashayekhi, Somaye Shabani, Soheila Talesh Sasani, Prof Zivar Salehi,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2021)
Abstract
Olig1 and Olig2, two transcription factors, play regulatory function in the differentiation and specification of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). In this study the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on total protein concentration ( TPC ) and Olig1 and Olig2 expression in the cerebral cortex of mouse was examined. Twenty-one Balb/c mice were separated into three groups: control, EMF and Sham groups (n=7 for each group). The mice were placed inside the solenoid for a daily EMF exposure of 50 Hz, 1 mT for 6 h/day, 7 days/week for 10 days. The Sham group was also located in the same coil with no exposure. Mice were anesthetized after the final exposure session and their cerebral cortex were collected. TPC and the expression of Olig 1 and Olig2 were studied by Bio-Rad protein assay and western blot, respectively. The cerebral cortex samples were removed for further analysis. There was no significant difference in TPC in the EMF treated cortical samples as compared with those from the SHAM and control groups. It was also shown that the expression of Olig1 and Olig2 was increased in the EMF treated cortical extracts as compared with those in controls and SHAM groups. Therefore, it could be concluded that EMF enhances Olig1 and Olig2 expression in the mice cerebral cortex. Moreover, as Olig1 and Olig2 plays important role in the development of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, it can be deduced that EMF may affect OPC differentiation by increasing the expression of Olig1 and Olig2. Further studies are needed to clarify the extent of EMF impact on oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Manoj Kumar, Rakesh Ranjan, Amar Kumar, Manoranjan Prasad Sinha, Rohit Srivastava, Sweta Subarna, Samir Kumar Mandal,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2021)
Abstract
Punica granatum leaf extracts have been used since time immemorial in traditional medicines. It is used for its antioxidant properties. Green nanoparticle synthesis is an emerging field which has opened an entirely different scope for medicinal formulations. It has been reported by many users that the green nanoparticles are more effective medicines as compared with their simple extracts. Thus, in order to evaluate these speculations, the present work was undertaken to assess the hepatoprotective activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Punica granatum in comparison with the aqueous extract. After CCl4 intoxication the serum bilirubin total increased significantly (p<0.05) and the total protein level decreased significantly (p<0.05) as compared with the control group; in addition, alkaline phosphatase activity, aspartate aminotransferase activity and alanine transaminase activity increased significantly (p<0.05). The CCl4 intoxicated rats were treated with aqueous leaf extract and synthesized nanoparticles, the results clearly revealed that the aqueous extract of Punica granatum showed hepatoprotective effect, as the liver profile altered by CCl4 toxicity, recovered to normal control values. Moreover, the nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Punica granatum were comparatively more effective as hepatoprotective agent than the aqueous extract of Punica granatum.
Hossein Javanbakht, Reyhaneh Hajian,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (6-2021)
Abstract
Coccidian (Apicomplexa: Coccidia) parasites have been reported in almost all groups of vertebrates. These parasites may cause serious ecological and pathological effects to their hosts. Reptiles were found the be the host of the parasites of the genera Schellackia and Lankesterella, as these parasites undergo their entire life cycle in the reptilian body, with an intermediate stage of dormancy in the tissues of a hematophagus transmitter (generally a mite or a mosquito), until the next reptilian host swallows the infected insect. However, very little is known about the prevalence and intensity of these parasites in most of their distribution area, which is the focus of the current study. To do so, the prevalence and intensity of these blood parasites in three species of lizards, including Ophisops elegans, Trapelus lessonae and Eremias monticola from Markazi Province of Iran were investigated. Samples of blood were collected from the caudal vein of 51 lizards of the aforementioned species by insulin syringes, then the blood smears were dried, fixed with methanol and stained with Giemsa solution. Prepared blood samples were then examined by means of light microscopy, using a 100× magnification objective lens. 41 percent of the 51 examined samples were found to be infected by haemococcidians blood parasites from the family Lankesterellidae. The mean intensity of parasites in the three species were between 0.03-0.05%. The investigation revealed a relatively high percentage of prevalence and intensity of blood parasites in lizards of central part of Iran. The results showed the presence of a complete set of various vectors for the spread of haemoparasites in the area. Therefore, future researches are strongly recommended to utilize genetic markers in order to obtain a better identification of the parasites.
Nastaran Heidari,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (6-2021)
Abstract
Finger length ratios are organized during embryonic development of fingers as they exposed to sex steroid hormones, and may show varying degrees of sexual dimorphism between males and females in different animal groups. Among all the finger length ratios calculated in a sample, the ratio between the second to fourth fingers (2D: 4D) is the most important one. In this study, the 2D:4D ratios in both sides of the body (right and left) in all limbs were investigated to determine if sexual dimorphism is present in the 2D: 4D ratios in 44 specimens studied (20 males and 24 females) of Acanthodactylus blanfordi. Other morphological traits of the two sexes were also examined (23 metric and meristic traits), as a result, sexual dimorphism was observed in five metric and meristic morphological traits. In terms of the ratio of the size of the fingers and toes, sexual dimorphism in the length of the fingers was observed only in 2D: 4D on the right side of the body in forelimbs and hindlimbs. The value of this trait was higher in males than females and this difference was statistically significant P ≤0.05).
Mojtaba Cheravi, Javad Baharara, Parichehreh Yaghmaei, Nasim Hayati Roudbari,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (1-2022)
Abstract
Nowadays, researchers have made extensive efforts to find new treatments for nerve damage. Meanwhile, the role of exosomes in cell-cell communication is considered to be a new mechanism. Exosomes can act as suitable differentiating agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the differentiating effect of cerebrospinal fluid-derived exosomes on adipose mesenchymal stem cells in alginate hydrogel. Exosomes were extracted from the cerebrospinal fluid by ultracentrifugation and were then identified by atomic force microscopy (AFM), SEM and DLS technique. In addition, Adipose Mesenchymal Stem cells in alginate hydrogel were treated with different concentrations of exosomes. Cell survival was assessed by MTT and Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide methods. Cell differentiation was processed by immunocytochemistry and Real-Time PCR. Examinations confirmed the presence of exosomes with an approximate size of 70 nm. Cell survival results indicate that he ability of cells to survive and proliferate during 14 days. Also, the expression of MAP2 proteins (microtubule-associated protein 2) and Nestin (intermediate filament protein) was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. The results of Real Time - PCR showed that during the seventh and fourteenth days the expression level of MAP2 gene increased and the expression of Nestin gene showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. This study showed that exosomes extracted from cerebrospinal fluid can cause neuronal differentiation of Adipose mesenchymal stem cells in alginate hydrogel scaffolds.
Atta Mouludi-Saleh, Dr Soheil Eagderi, Keyvan Abbasi, Manochehr Nasri,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (1-2022)
Abstract
Atta Mouludi-Saleh1, Soheil Eagderi1, Keyvan Abbasi2 & Manoochehr Nasri3
1Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran;
2Inland Waters Aquaculture Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Sciences Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Bandar Anzali, Iran;
3Department of Fisheries Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
Correspondent author: Soheil Eagderi,
soheil.eagderi@ut.ac.ir
Abstract: Due to the presence of taxonomic ambiguity regarding
Petroleuciscus ulanus and
Alburnus atropatenae and the tendency to treat them as synonyms of each other, this study was conducted to validate these two species by comparing their morphometric and meristic characters in the Mahabad-Chai River, Urmia Lake basin. A total of 64 specimens of
P. ulanus and 68 specimens of
A. atropatenae were sampled and were then investigated for 17 morphometric and 7 meristic characters. Measurements were standardized to eliminate the effects of size due to allometric growth pattern, then their normality and abnormality were examined. Standardized data were analyzed using t-test, Mann-Whitney, principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminative function analysis based on
P-value of Hotelling's t-test (DFA/Hotelling's T-test) methods. The results showed that the two species were significantly different in 11 morphometric and 2 meristic traits (
P<0.05). DFA analysis also showed significance differences between the two studied species. Our results refute the synonymy hypothesis of
Petroleuciscus ulanus and
Alburnus atropatenae on the basis of morphometric and meristic traits. Therefore, based on the results of this study, the taxonomic identities of these two species are valid.
Tahereh Sadat Mirahmadi, Farhad Valizadegan, Maryam Rahimi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Hippocampus is a key structure in anxiety processing and memory storage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction between GABAergic systems in CA1 area of hippocampus with morphinergic system in modulating of these behaviors. In this study, male wistar rats were cannulated with stereotaxic surgery in CA1 site. After a recovery period, morphine (µ opioid receptor agonist) was injected intraperitoneal, muscimol and bicuculline (GABAA receptor agonist and antagonist) were injected into the CA1. Parameters such as percentage of Open arms time (%OAT) and entries (%OAE) were calculated by means of an EPM apparatus. One-way ANOVA analysis showed that intraperitoneal administration of morphine increased %OAT and %OAE, indicating the anxiolytic effect of morphine. Based on paired sample T-test, the rate of memory formation improved. Pre-test intra-CA1 infusion of muscimol and bicuculline induced anxiolytic-like and anxiogenic-like behaviors, respectively; meanwhile, both drugs improved memory. Systemic injections of an effective dose of morphine combined with triple doses of muscimol showed a synergistic effect on memory formation and anxiety reduction. Simultaneous injection of morphine and bicuculline altered the negative effects of the latter on anxiety and increased the memory formation. This finding showed that GABAergic and opioidergic systems have similar effects on memory and anxiety in CA1 area.
Hossein Javanbakht, Dr. Nastaran Heidari, Iman Alinezhadi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
The status of sexual dimorphism patterns in human and various animal groups including some mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians have been studied, however, despite the fact that a growing number of studies were aimed to describe sexual dimorphism patterns in external morphological features such as the proportion of toes in animals, our knowledge of some basic issues, specially in some animal groups, is still limited. In this study, sexual dimorphism in terms of external morphological features as well as the ratio between finger lengths II to IV (2D: 3D, 2D: 4D, 3D: 4D) of the front and rear limbs in 30 specimens of Bufo eichwaldi toads (15 male and 15 female specimens) were in northern Iran. The results showed that females had higher mean body length (SVL) than males and this difference was statistically significant (90.50 mm in males vs. 114.93 mm in females and P = 0.00). In terms of other morphological traits, the results of T-test analysis (T test for independent samples) showed that the traits of diameter between two eyes (IOD), tympanum diameter (TD), length of the humerus (LHU), forearm length (FOL) and foot length (FL) had significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between males and females. Also, the ratio of the size of the length of the fingers and toes on the left side of the body was examined in the species studied in terms of 2D:3D, 2D:4D, 3D:4D. The results showed that males and females were significantly different in two traits including 4th toe length (D4) and 1st finger length (F1). In addition, in terms of 2D:4D between males (0.4628) and females (0.4853) significant difference (P = 0.041) in the second and fourth toes of the hind limbs and in terms of 3D:4D between males (0.6233) and females (0.6787), there was a significant difference (P= 0.040) in the third and fourth fingers of the hind limbs. In this study, some habitat characteristics, ecology, threats and conservation measures related to Talysh toad species were also investigated.
Elham Ebrahimi, Faraham Ahmadzadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Climate change is currently considered a serious threat for many species and recognized as one of the most important factors in the global biodiversity loss. Among animal groups, amphibians are known to be among the most sensitive groups of vertebrates to climate change due to their inability to travel long distances, and mountain habitat species are more exposed to climate change pressures than other species. Therefore, in this study, the current distribution potential of five species of amphibians living in the Zagros Mountains was assesed and their response to climate change in 2070 was predicted. To do so, a group approach for modeling the distribution of species (SDMs) was utilized to estimate the risks of losing the desired habitat potential in the event of climate change. Also, to estimate the desired habitat area in the context of climate change, calculations related to habitat area changes for each species were performed. Predictions showed that two out of five species studied, i.e., Azarbaijan Mountain Newt (Neurergus crocatus) and Yellow Spotted Newt (Neurergus derjugini) negatively reaction to climate change and their distribution range was predicted to be decreased and contracted. Habitat displacement behavior in the face of new changes is predictable for two species, i.e., Lorestan Toad (Bufotes luristanicus) and Fire Salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata semenovi). Considering the speed of climate change in the Zagros Mountains, the present study is a step towards identifying the dynamics of habitat changes affecting amphibians of Zasgros region to cope with the impacts of climate change.
Ali Reza Radkhah, Soheil Eagderi, Hadi Poorbagher, Hashem Nowferesti,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 is considered as one of the non-native and invasive species in the inland waters of Iran. This species occurs in most inland basins and aquatic bodies of Iran and has even been found in brackish waters. Extensive adaptations of this species to its different habitats caused numerous changes in its biological characteristics and morphological traits. The present study was performed to investigate the sexual dimorphism of G. holbrooki in the Gamasiab River, Kermanshah Province, Iran. 59 fish specimens were collected from the river in September 2017. After taxonomic confirmation and sex determination, 29 morphological traits were measured in fish samples using a caliper and their meristic traits were recorded. In total, 37 characters (including 8 meristic traits and 29 morphometric traits) were examined. After obtaining morphological data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were utilized to compare morphological traits between male and female individuals. The results showed that the 59 specimens were comprised of 30 malea and 29 femalea. On the basis of the results, all morphological traits, except the caudal peduncle length, dorsal fin base length and a post-anal length, showed significant sexual dimorphism (p <0.05). The results of DFA and PCA analysis showed that males and females were completely different from each other in terms of morphometric traits. These findings indicate that there is a sexual dimorphism in G. holbrooki of the Gamasiab River. The sexual dimorphism observed in this fish species is due to the sexual selection and increase of reproductive success.
