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In this study, the effects of oral administration of an alcoholic and aqueous extract of propolis on growth performance indices, hematological parameters and immune responses of Cyprinus carpio were investigated. Six hundred and thirty juvenile Cyprinus carpio (weighing 58.5 ±4.2 g, Mean±SD) were randomly divided into seven equal groups in triplicates. Three groups (G1 to G3) were fed diets containing 0.1%, 0.25% and 0.5% of Propolis-ethanolic Extract (PEE) respectively, whereas groups 4 to 6 were fed a diet containing the same level of Propolis Aqueous Extract (PAE), group seven was received free extract normal food. Growth indices and hemato-immunological parameters in treated fish were evaluated and compared among the groups. The results showed a significant increase in serum lysozyme activity, total serum protein and globulin in fish fed diets containing 0.5% PEE compared to the control group (p<0.05). But no significant differences were observed in growth-performance indices and other immunological and hematological parameters compared to the control group (P>0.05).Meanwhile, cumulative mortality after the bacterial challenge of fish fed on a diet containing 0.5% PPE significantly decreased compared to control group (p<0.05). According to the results, supplementation of food with 0.5% PEE stimulated some innate immune responses and resistance against A.hydrophila infection. Then 0.5% PEE in diet can be a good candidate for immunostimulant against bacterial infection in common carp.

Background: Lead (Pb) is an important metal used in industries, mining and agriculture. It is equally important to the aquatic ecosystems and has negative impact on the health of aquatic organisms. Methods: The LC50 of lead toxicity at varying salinities was first determined for 96 hours. Then juvenile fish were transferred to tanks individually and were exposed to 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 mg/l of Pb at varying salt concentration of 0, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 g/l. The blood samples were taken after the 4th day and the hematological parameters were evaluated. Results: Red Blood Cells (RBC) and White Blood Cells (WBC) were decreased in almost all lead treated groups. The Hb levels decreased consistent with increasing lead concentrations (P<0.05). The mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin and the concentration were not affected by the lead concentrations compared to those for the control group. The WBC and RBC counts showed an inverse correlation with the lead concentrations in the Pb-exposed fish. A direct correlation was also observed in the lead concentration and the heterophile rate (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that salinity did not affect the hematological parameters, but the LC50 values decreased with increasing salinity.

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Recently nanoparticles, particularly silver nanoparticles, are broadly used in industry, hence the contamination of the environment with AgNPs has caused considerable concern. In this study, the toxicity of biosynthetic nanosilver produced by two macroalgae: Sargassum boveanum and Ulva flexuosa extracts were compared with chemical nanosilver in Daphnia magna. Size and quality of nanoparticles evaluated by TEM 1 , FT-IR 2 spectrum, and Particle size analyzer. The acute toxicity test was evaluated following the OECD 3 and Test guideline No: 211. D. magna were reproduced using parthenogenesis from a single individual according to OECD guideline. Then Daphnia exposed to eight serial dilutions of each nanosilver in triplicates for 48 hours. The mortality rate after 12h, 24h, 36h, and 48h were recorded and analyzed using probit software.

Background: Herbicides are widely used in agriculture to kill a large variety of unwanted weeds. However, the application in water ecosystems may pose harmful impacts on the health of aquatic organisms. We studied the acute toxicity of four major types of herbicides on the survival of adult shrimp, Artemia franciscana (AF). Methods: The brine shrimp, AF, was hatched from the commercially encysted dry eggs. The acute toxicity (LC50; 48 hr) of four herbicides, paraquat; 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-DCPA); trifluralin; and glyphosate, was examined by a standard method. We exposed the shrimps to sequentially rising concentrations of each herbicide in triplicate. The mortalities were recorded at 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after exposure and the LC50 was calculated, using a Probit software. Results: This study demonstrated that the acute toxicity of these herbicides was significantly different in adult shrimp AF. The lethal concentrations (LC50) of Paraquat, 2,4-DCPA, trifluralin and glyphosate against the shrimp were 2.701, 14.475, 0.446 and 17.431 mg/l, respectively. Trifluralin and paraquat caused the highest lethality at lower LC50 concentration compared to the other two herbicides. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that increasing herbicides concentration or duration of exposure raised the mortality rate of AF’s.