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The effect of nonylphenol on vitellogenin and zona pellucida 3.1 expressions in the liver, spleen, gill and muscle tissues of the juvenile Persian sturgeon were investigated. The fish were initially injected per kilogram of their body weights with 100mg nonylphenol, 5mg 17 beta estradiol, and 2ml peanut oil carrier agent (respectively, for the main treatment, positive and negative controls), and had the extracted RNA of their tissues converted into cDNA. Afterwards, RT-PCR reaction for each tissue sample was done separately. Results showed vitellogenin gene was expressed only in the liver, but zona pellucid 3.1 gene was expressed in the liver as well as the spleen of the fish exposed to nonylphenol and 17 beta estradiol. No vitellogenin gene in the spleen, gill and muscle was expressed; no gene for zona pellucida 3.1 was either observed in the gill and muscle. The expression rate of vitellogenin gene was 9.95±2.48 for the treatment with 17 beta estradiol and 2.85 ± 0.35 with nonylphenol; the expression rate of zona pellucida 3.1 was 9/98 ± 2/51 for exposed treatment with 17 beta estradiol and 3.37±0.35 for the treatment with nonylphenol. In conclusion, considering the meaningful effect of nonylphenol on vitellogenin and zona pellucid 3.1 expression in liver and spleen, it could be used for detection of xenoestrogen biomarker in the Persian sturgeon.

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The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a highly polyphagous pest that is considered a serious pest worldwide. Due to problems associated with chemical pesticides such as resistance to pesticides and environmental contamination, plant oils have been considered for use against mites’ control. However, their low solubility in water and phytotoxicity are the major constraints that limit their application. In this research, a developmental screening process was carried out on some commercial emulsifiers and stabilizers to obtain a safe acaricide from suitable vegetable oils including castor and soybean. Among eight emulsifiers, Nonylphenol Ethoxylate 6M (NPE6) had far more excellent emulsification ability and less phytotoxicity with some level of mite toxicity. Among vegetable oils, castor oil had greater toxicity in comparison with soybean oil. Also, Polyethylene Glycol 400 (PEG 400) had more thermal stability in the formulation. In the last step, the best ratios of NPE6, castor oil, and PEG 400 were evaluated for their toxicity, stability, and phytotoxicity. Finally, the ratios of 1:8:1 or 2:6:2 (NPE6: Castor oil: PEG 400) were found as the best end product that could be potent for use in a large scale rose greenhouse. Also, the efficacy of emulsifier-oil-stabilizer mixtures was investigated against T. urticae by two different methods. The results indicated that the petri dish test method caused overestimating in mortality rates compared to the standing leaf test method. New methods such as polymerization can show a new insight for pest control without chemical pesticides.