Evaluation of possible attenuative role of chrysoeriol against polyethylene microplastics instigated testicular damage: A biochemical, spermatogenic and histological study.

The current study was designed to evaluate the protective role of chrysoeriol against polyethylene microplastics (PE-MP) induced testicular damage. Forty eight male rats were distributed into 4 equal groups: vehicle control, PE-MP administrated, PE-MP + chrysoeriol co-administrated and only chrysoeriol supplemented group. The administration of PE-MP significantly reduced the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, i.e., glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase, whereas the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde were increased. PE-MP exposure increased the levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, 1L-1ß, NF-κß, IL-6 & COX-2). Additionally, a considerable increase was observed in dead sperms number, abnormality of sperms (tail, midpiece and head), while a potential decrease was noticed in sperm motility in PE-MP treated rats. The expressions of steroidogenic enzymes were also decreased in PE-MP administrated group. The levels of plasma testosterone, luteinizing & follicle stimulating hormone were decreased in PE-MP treated group. Moreover, Bax and Caspase-3 expressions were increased, whereas Bcl-2 expressions were reduced. Furthermore, histopathological analysis showed that PE-MP exposure considerably damaged the testicular tissues. However, chrysoeriol supplementation potentially decreased all the adverse effects induced by PE-MP. Taken together, our findings indicate that chrysoeriol holds significant potential to avert PE-MP-induced testicular damage due to its androgenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory nature.

Biological control potential of entomopathogenic fungal strains against peach Fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The peachfruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) is a polyphagous pest in nature, belonging to order, Diptera and their respective family is Tephritidae. It mostly feeds on different crops, vegetables and fruits. Different traditional chemical insecticides have been used to control this notorious pest. Excessive consumption of pesticides has become a major threat to the fresh fruits trade since many importing countries refused to accept the shipments due to public health and environmental concerns. There is a growing trend to control these pests using the most effective biological control methods and other preventive measures have been adopted for reducing their attacks. Fungal agents have been used as biological agents to manage the attack of different insects pest through biological means. The present study was conducted to assess the virulence of three entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana and Verticillium lecanii, against Bactrocera zonata stages under different laboratory conditions. The results showed that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were more effective in pathogenicity and potentially kill at all stages of B. zonata as compared to V. lecanii. The highest mortality rate for the third larval instar and the pupal stage were recorded after exposure to the 1 × 1010 conidia/ml concentrations, B. bassiana, with 68.67% and 89.67%, respectively. Adult B. zonata flies were the most susceptible to all entomopathogenic fungi. However, M. anisopliae was more virulent against B. zonata adult flies than B. bassiana and V. lecanii at 1 × 1010 conidial concentration. Therefore, the entomopathogenic fungi B. bassiana and M. anisopliae can be used as an cost effective bio-insecticide in the integrated pest management programs to control B. zonata. This study will be helpful to overcome this pest through biological control means.

Endemic infection of the common mynah Acridotheres tristis with Trichomonas gallinae the agent of avian trichomonosis.

Avian trichomonosis is an architypal disease of wild columbids and those birds that predate them. Increasingly though, it has been reported in passerines; a recent and ongoing epidemic in the chaffinches and greenfinches of Europe and outbreaks amongst house finches, American goldfinches and purple finches in North America. The parasite, Trichomonas gallinae, causes lesions in the upper respiratory tract which can cause mortality associated with dehydration and emaciation. This paper reports for the first time, the widespread, endemic and often asymptomatic infection of common mynah (Acridotheres tristis) around the Faisalabad District, Pakistan. Parasite typing was used to investigate the potential for transmission among the frequently sympatric species. Type C parasites were found in mynah, and while this is analagous to the pandemic finch strain which is Type A, it is the first known example of passerine infections of this parasite genotype. Subtype analysis showed the strain to be C4 a subtype which has a widespread distribution in columbids.