Abdolhossein Shiravi

Observations on the spermatogenic cycle of the Caspian Bent-toed Gecko, Cyrtopodion caspium, in Iran (Sauria: Gekkonidae)

Spermatogenesis in the Caspian Bent-toed Gecko, Cyrtopodion caspium, was studied in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Sampling took place periodically every 15 days during the activity period of this species at night, from 5 April to 20 October 2011. In total, 70 adult males were captured by hand. Testes were removed and processed for histological and morphometric studies. The results show that spermatogenesis begins in early April, reaches its peak in late May and early June, and ends in early to mid August. The maximum level of sperm production occurred in early June. The minimum diameter, weight and volume of testes were observed in early August. Three phases were observed during the activity period for spermatogenesis in C. caspium: active, transitional and inactive phases. Spermatogenesis of C. caspium in Iran is seasonal and alternate.

Histological changes in the liver of fetuses of pregnant rats following citalopram administration.

Objective: Depression is a dilapidating disorder, which may occur during pregnancy. Citalopram is an antidepressant drug often prescribed to pregnant women. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether maternal administration of citalopram affects fetal liver histology. Materials and Methods: Pregnant Wistar albino rats were treated with citalopram (10 or 20 mg/kg/day). A control group received no treatment. Rat fetal liver samples were obtained on day 18 of gestation and evaluated morphologically and histologically. Results: Statistical evaluation of data showed that there were no differences in liver weight and relative liver weight between control and citalopram treatment groups. Liver histology changes (such as increases in the number of Kupffer cells and lymphocytes) were seen in the fetuses of the group receiving a high dose of citalopram during gestation. Degeneration of hepatocytes was not seen and the megakaryocyte number did not change significantly in the citalopram treated groups. Conclusion: This study showed that citalopram administration during gestation may have some adverse effects on the phagocytic cell population in the fetal liver of rats.

Diet of the Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes: Colubridae), in northern Iran

Acknowledgements. I would like to thank Asst. Prof. Dr Serap SAMSUN for her contribution and support during the field and laboratory study. I also wish to thank Ordu University, Fatsa Faculty of Marine Sciences, Fatsa Municipality workers and Fatsa Gendarme Environment Protection Team for their support in several phases of the study. Grateful thanks to local angler Resul ÖZ for his enormous support in the field.

The potassium channel blocker, dalfampridine diminishes ouabain-induced arrhythmia in isolated rat atria

Abstract The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the possible antiarrhythmic effects of dalfampridine in ouabain-induced arrhythmia in rats. Twenty-four male rats including the control and dalfampridine-incubated (100 µM to 10 mM) ouabain-stimulated (40 µM) groups were used. After induction of anesthesia, the atria were isolated and the time of onset of arrhythmia and asystole were recorded. The contractile force of atria was also measured. Dalfampridine at concentration of 1 mM significantly postponed the onset of arrhythmia and asystole compared to control group (p ≤ .05). Ouabain significantly increased the atrial beating rate in control group (p ≤ .05), while pretreatment of isolated atria with dalfampridine reversed this effect. Incubation of isolated atria with ouabain did not alter the contractile force in both control- and dalfampridine-treated groups (p > .05). It is concluded that dalfampridine might possess antiarrhythmic properties in reducing the atrial arrhythmias.

The male reproductive cycle of the Dice Snake, Natrix tessellata (Serpentes: Colubridae), in northern Iran

The Dice Snake, Natrix tessellata, is a non-venomous oviparous and diurnal snake whose distribution extends across Iran except for the south-eastern regions. We studied the spermatogenic cycle of this species in Mazandaran Province between April and November 2012. The specimens were collected from four stations in Sari where 57 adult males were investigated morphometrically and histologically. The testes included 24–192 seminiferous tubules. The length of the testes varied between 8.07 and 36.70 mm and the diameter of the tunica albuginea between 7 and 42 microns. The results indicated that spermatogenesis is composed of three phases: an active phase from May to September, a transitional phase in October, and a silent and regenerative phase from November to March. Spermatogenesis began in late May and increased in mid-August and early September, reduced in late September and October, and stopped in early November completely. The spermatogenic cycle can be characterised as aestival.

Seasonal Changes in Ovarian Follicle Growth in Iran Viper (Vipera albicornuta)

The Vipera albicornuta is an economically important snake of Iran, its venom is used for antivenin production, and we need to breed the snake in the captivity. In order to know about the viper’s reproductive biology, seasonal alterations in ovarian weight, morphology, and the follicles developmental stages in Vipera albicornuta were studied using macroscopic parameters and histological examination of reproductive tissues during a year. Twenty-four female vipers were collected from mountainous zone of Bostanabad, East Azerbaijan, and Tarom in Zanjan through years 2011-2012. Evaluation of the reproductive parameters of this viper is performed for the first time in Iran. Our observation revealed that vitellogenesis cycle begins in autumn and continues till early summer; ovaries and follicles are in previtellogenesis stage in autumn and vitellogenesis in winter and during spring. Weight of ovary is heaviest in spring, ovulation occurs in late spring till early summer, and copulation is prior to ovulation.