No abstract

The present study was designed to estimate the active ingredients in the aqueous extract of fennel Foeniculum vulgare L. fruits and test the effects of different concentrations of the extract on serum estrogen and prolactin levels in female rats.  The work was conducted to prepare the aqueous extract in the laboratory, while the secondary active substances in the extract were estimated using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology. The experiments were conducted in the animal house of the College of Science, Tikrit university,on a total of 12 adult albino virgin female rats divided into four groups, each having three rats.The aqueous extract of the fruit plant was administrated orally to animals at three concentrations (50%, 75%, and 100%) per day for 45 days. The fourth group was the control group that was left without treatment. Blood samples were obtained from the corner of the eye with a capillary tube and the serum was extracted  to determine the hormone levels. The results showed that the aqueous extract of fennel fruits contains eleven active secondary metabolites,  namely Eucalyptol, Terpinene, Anisole, Camphor, Anethole, Anisaldehyde, Apiole, a-pinene, Estragole, Fenchone, and Limonene, which seemed to played a role in regulating the levels of prolactin and estrogen hormones in rats treated with the extract. The results showed a direct relationship between the concentration of the fruit extract given to the animals and their serum levels of estrogen and prolactin. Increases in the levels of estrogen (44.56 ± 0.90 ng/ml) and prolactin (134.66 ± 0.80 ng/ml) were recorded using the concentration of 100% of the watery extract of Foeniculum vulgare L., as compared to the control group (126.33 ± 1.18; 6.37 ± 0.45 ng / ml, respectively). The results demonstrated the effective role of the aqueous extract of fennel fruits in stimulating estrogen and prolactin in female rats through their content of active compounds, which can be of great importance in stimulating the process of milk secretion in animals.

The study aimed to investigate the molecular profiles of a number of species of real ants in some governorates of central and northern Iraq, as well as detect similarities and genetic differences based on molecular traits and determine the genetic fingerprint using RAPD-PCR indicators for 16 samples of real ants. Samples were collected and preserved according to the methods used in preserving insects, and the DNA was extracted using a new modified method that was derived from methods used to isolate DNA from animal and plant tissues. RAPD reactions were carried out using (10) primers from the RAPD-PCR markers, and the results were carried over on a gel. The agarose bands were viewed on the UV trans eliminator, and the bands were photographed and saved until the results were studied. The results of the RAPD-PCR markers showed different patterns of loci recognized by the primers on the genome of the samples, which is (141) loci, including one general locus for all samples and (140) divergent loci. While the primers (P3, P10) produced the least number of loci, it reached (12) loci. The total bands produced (total bands) from those loci were (720) bands, including (704) polymorphic bands and (16) main bands. P6) the least number of bands as it amounted to (46) bands, and the general variation ratio of the produced primers amounted to 99 The results of the statistical analysis showed that the values of the genetic distance ranged between (0.235 - 0.983), where the least genetic distance was between the two samples (15- Camponotint xerxes Salah al-Din 2) (16- Camponotint xerxes Salah al-Din 3), as it reached (0.235), and this is explained by the fact that there is a large similarity ratio Between the two species within the studied species, while the highest genetic dimension was between the two samples (2 - Cataglyphis Erbil) (16- Camponotint xerxes Salah al-Din 3), as it reached (0.983), and this is considered as the highest percentage of difference between the two species within the studied species, and this applies with the results of the genetic dimension of the traits appearance of the studied species.

The study aimed at the phenotypic characterization of a number of species of real ants, Hymenoptera: formicidae, in some governorates of central and northern Iraq, as well as revealing similarities and genetic differences depending on the phenotypic characteristics of 16 samples of real ants. The samples were collected from the governorates (Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil) using Collection kit, ants samples were diagnosed in the Research Center and Natural History Museum \ University of Baghdad, and the study was conducted in the laboratories of the College of Science \ University of Tikrit in the period 12/15/2021 – 5/1/2022. Samples were collected and preserved according to the methods used in preserving insects. A phenotypic study was conducted for (38) phenotypic characteristics of the general shape of the head, thorax, abdomen, legs and wings in detail using a anatomical microscope. Temporary sections were photographed using a digital camera and kept until the results are studied. Numerical classification and phenotypic genetic dimension were conducted based on the results of the studied phenotypic traits. The results showed a clear discrepancy between the species, it was shown from the results of the statistical analysis of the values of the phenotypic genetic dimension, which ranged between (0.230-0.958), where the least genetic dimension was between sample No. 1 (Camponotint xerxes Erbil 1) and No. 8 (Camponotint xerxes Kirkuk 2), as it reached 0.230, and that is It is the highest percentage of similarity between the two samples within the studied species. As for the highest genetic dimension, it was 0.958 between sample 14 (Camponotint xerxes Salah al-Din 1) and samples No. 9 and 10 (9-Messor sp Kirkuk, 10- Messor sp Sulaymaniyah 1). There is no match in the traits studied between these two samples, while the values of the genetic dimension for the rest of the species ranged between those values.

This study was conducted to determine the seed borne fungi of wheat cultivars in the seed production stores companies in Salah AL-Din Governorate, Iraq, 2021, and then evaluate the efficiency of Microwaves to kill or eliminate the fungal pathogens of wheat. The results of the study indicate that all samples of wheat seeds were contaminated with fungi in different percentage. 318 isolates of fungi were isolated from the studied wheat seed samples.They were identified culturally and microscopically according to approved taxonomic keys. The fungus A. flavus appeared with a percentage of 100 %, as it was present in all samples of the studied wheat seeds, as well as the species of A.niger. Then the species of Alternaria (A.alternata, A.tenuissima , A.saponaria) and the species of Aspergillus ( A.flavus , A.fumigatus, A.terrus, A.niger), Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Penicillium spp, Aureobasidium pullulans, Phoma spp, Curvularia lunata, Stemphylium spp, and Mucor spp appeared with different percentages. an investigation into the effect of microwaves on fungal pathogens of wheat varieties was undertaken .This was achived by microwaving seeds at 0 , 10 , 20 , 30 and 40 Seconds . Agar plate tests were used to ass’s pathogen loads. Pathogen levels were steadialy reduced at all treatment times and by 30 S treatment. All pathogens were consistently destroyed. In comparison, at 40 S the levels of saprophytic fungi were increased because it thermotolerant. The use of microwave radiation was a valuable tool for crop improvement, it was rapid, economic, efficient and safe to eradicating the pathogens.