Showing 6 results for Mohammadrezaei
Volume 6, Issue 3 (Summer 2018)
Abstract
Aims: The phytoestrogen, genistein and β-sitosterol, naturally occurring compounds found in soy products and pulp and paper mill effluent, respectively, could act as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of β-sitosterol and genistein on the early life stages of Kutum (Rutilus kutum), specifically developing post-fertilized embryos.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Kutum’s fertilized egg exposed to 3 different levels of genistein and β-sitosterol (10, 50, 500ng.l-1, respectively) up to 7 days post-fertilization (dpf). At the end of the research period, newly hatched larvae were sampled and testosterone (T), 17β-estradiol (E2), Aromatase and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) were measured according to standard protocols. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Duncan multiple range test and SPSS 17 software were used for data analyses.
Findings: A high level of genistein lead to increased 17β-estradiol, testosterone concentration and aromatase activity. Also, β-sitosterol treated embryos (500ng.l-1) showed a high level of testosterone and EROD as compared to the control group. While other treatment had no significant effect.
Conclusion: It seems that β-sitosterol and genistein could effect on the endocrine system of Kutum embryos by altering steroid biosynthesis and disturb enzyme activity. So it could lead to change the population structure and reduce reproduction performance of Kutum in the long period.
D. Mohammadrezaei, B. Mojazi Amiri, M.a. Neamat-Alahi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (Summer 2018)
Abstract
Aims: A wide range of chemical endocrine disrupters modifies DNA methylation. Like a weak class of estrogens, phytoestrogens can affect aquatic animal reproduction and disturb the structure of endocrine systems.
Materials and Methods: In order to study the epigenetic effects of genistein and β-sitosterol, 49 female adults (for about 21 days) and fertilized eggs (until hatching time) of Kutum’s exposed to 3 different levels of genistein and β-sitosterol (10, 50, 500ng/l). At the end, the liver, the ovaries, and embryos were sampled and methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) was used to evaluate the level of DNA methylation.
Findings: According to result the fish exposed to high level of β-sitosterol shown hypo DNA methylation in the liver. Compared with control, both of these compounds could effect on the ovary and embryos DNA methylation pattern. The result showed, whole genome methylation had a different pattern in the liver, ovary, and embryos, which treated by 500ng/l of β-sitosterol.
Conclusion: Methylation change pattern can be changed depends on the type of tissue and structure and level of the phytoestrogen compounds. According to this study, genistein and β-sitosterol could affect reproduction and embryo development by changing molecular indices. It seems that these compounds could affect the endocrine system of Kutum and reduce reproduction performance of Kutum in the long period.
Volume 13, Issue 1 (Winter 2025)
Abstract
Aims: Excessive water extraction, inefficient management, climate change, and population growth have created significant global water supply challenges, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as Iran. Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWHS) have emerged as an effective water management strategy. This study investigates the role of rainwater harvesting in fulfilling the water needs of dairy cattle and broiler chicken units in Gorgan County, Golestan Province.
Methods: This research analyzes annual precipitation levels, roof surface areas, and water requirements of livestock and poultry. It also evaluates the compatibility of collected rainwater with physical, chemical, and microbiological standards recommended by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).
Findings: Rainwater harvesting can meet 87.07% of annual water requirements in broiler chicken facilities, equivalent to 214,711 m3. y-1, demonstrating significant potential to reduce dependency on alternative sources. In contrast, this percentage is only 1.05% for dairy cattle units, equivalent to 13,432 m3. y-1, due to their higher water consumption. The analysis of rainwater quality shows compliance with BMEL standards, indicating favorable water quality.
Conclusion: Rainwater harvesting effectively manages water resources in livestock and poultry farming, particularly in the poultry sector. These findings inform sustainable solutions for water scarcity challenges and highlight the potential of alternative water collection methods to alleviate resource pressures, especially in environmentally and agriculturally constrained regions. The study provides valuable insights for strategic water planning and sustainable agricultural development, emphasizing the varying efficiencies across farming sectors.
Volume 15, Issue 2 (3-2013)
Abstract
In recent years, consumers’ concerns about environmental and health issues related to food products have risen; consequently, the demand for organically grown products has increased. In this respect, the aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting consumers’ potential willingness to pay premium prices for organic food products in Tabriz, Iran. An Ordered Logit regression model was applied to obtain the value of willingness to pay and determine the factors affecting it. Survey results showed that about 95 percent of the respondents were willing to pay a premium; while about 10 percent of them were willing to pay more than 35 percent premium for organic food products. Results revealed that factors like "individual’s income", "family dimension", “environmental concerns" and "wholesome diet", besides "the general criteria of shopping", and "consumers’ awareness of these products’ characteristics" significantly increased consumers’ willingness to pay a premium. According to the results, married respondents as well as females were willing to pay a higher premium. In addition, those who had children younger than 10 years old, elderly, or people with family members having special disease were significantly willing to pay a higher premium price for these products. More than 80 percent of the consumers mentioned "absence of certifications and organic labels", "lack of advertisement", and "higher prices" as their most important problems in purchasing organic food products.
Volume 21, Issue 4 (7-2019)
Abstract
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is well known as a pro-environmental technology in agriculture. Therefore, investigating adoption of IPM mechanisms is crucial for agricultural products such as pistachio in Iran. The main purpose of this study was to assess the role of factors affecting IPM adoption by pistachio growers in Kerman Province. Survey was the research method and it was executed using researchers-designed questionnaire. Totally, 225 pistachio growers were selected as sample size, using two-stages random cluster sampling method. Validity of the questionnaire items was entirely approved by a panel of experts. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used for reliability approval. Findings revealed that individual factors including age, education, farming experience, motivations, participation and innovative spirit in conjunction with economic factors such as income, and technological costs affect IPM adoption procedure. In addition, educational services along with IPM technical knowledge and environmental attitude positively changed IPM adoption. The result of structural equation modeling illustrated that education, innovative spirit, life motivation, welfare motivation, income, technological costs, educational services and IPM technical challenges can significantly predicte IPM technical knowledge by direct effects. Indeed, IPM technical knowledge promotes environmental attitude and directly improves IPM adoption. Some practical recommendations are presented based on the research findings.
Volume 22, Issue 4 (6-2020)
Abstract
Human well-being is one of the main goals of sustainable rural development. Indeed, human well-being demonstrates rural societies’ quality of life. This concept consists of objective and subjective well-being dimensions. Although it is assumed that objective well-being is rationally related to subjective well-being, this relationship has not been fully confirmed in past studies. Three main reasons including the geographical level of assessment, the type of data used, and different epistemological perspectives have separated objective well-being assessment from the subjective one. We used the same geographical level, type of data used, as well as epistemological perspective in order to evaluate the relationship between objective well-being and subjective well-being among rice farmers. Using a questionnaire, a survey was carried out among 384 rice farmers (Response rate= 92.3%) in the main rice cultivation areas in Iran. The study sample was chosen by a two-stages cluster random sampling technique. Face to face personal interview was also used as the form of data collection. The results of structural equation modeling illustrated that farmers’ perception of economic, social, and environmental well-being as objective well-being domains significantly explained their subjective well-being constructs including happiness as well as life satisfaction. In fact, life satisfaction and happiness would be changed once farmers mentally perceive objective well-being domains. Therefore, objective well-being indicators can affect subjective well-being constructs, including life satisfaction and happiness, if they are assessed based on farmers’ self-evaluation.
