Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a widely used low-molecular weight phthalate which is ubiquitously detected in almost all kind of the environmental matrices. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of DEP-induced toxicity on a suite of biomarker responses in Labeo rohita (rohu). The median lethal concentration of DEP was found to be 4.38 mg L-1 for 96 h. Fingerlings were exposed to a sub-lethal concentration of DEP i.e. 0.51 mg L-1 (1/10 th LC50) for a period of 21 day of the experiment. Oxidative stress and histo-biochemical biomarkers were studied using gills, liver, kidney and brain tissues on 7, 14 and 21 day. The results indicated that DEP-exposure has damaged the antioxidant status by inhibiting the activities of enzymatic stress markers (catalase, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione) in all the studied tissues of rohu throughout the study period. Moreover, a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation was observed in all the studied tissues in a time-dependent manner. The levels of hepatic-nephric biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, Urea and Creatinine) were found to be significantly elevated for DEP-exposed rohu when compared to control (P<0.05) throughout the study period. The histopathological marker showed severe lesions in the gills (hypertrophy, fusion and curling of lamellae,), liver (pyknotic nuclei, leukocytes infiltration and vacuolization) and kidney tissues (glomerulus expansion, narrowing and elongation of renal tubules) of DEP-exposed rohu. In conclusion, the above mentioned histo-biochemical parameters could be used as biomarkers for DEP toxicity monitoring in the aquatic ecosystem.

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Two hundred and ten Finn-Dorset ewes were mated to ten rams, five Suffolks and five Texels, in 2 years, to evaluate Texel rams as fat lamb sires. Three hundred and ninetyseven lambs were born and used in the study until the 6th week of age, after which 155 lambs were available for the rest of the experiment. From 6 weeks of age they were grazed with their dams and weighed weekly until slaughtered at 30 kg (females) or 36 kg (males) live weight. Carcasses were assessed by the Meat and Livestock Commission and a random sample of 16 left sides were fully dissected.Fertility and prolificacy of the ewes were 95 and 190 % respectively, and were not affected by sire breed. Texel-sired lambs did not differ from Suffolk in birth weight, weight at 6 weeks, growth rate from 6 weeks to slaughter, overall growth rate or age at slaughter. Except for growth rate from birth to 6 weeks, sex difference was significant (P < 0-05) in all growth estimates.No significant breed or sex difference was found in dressing percentages or carcass weight for age. Mean dressing percentage was 47-4 ± 3-48 and 47-5 ± 3-78 for Texel and Suffolk crosses, respectively. Texel cross carcasses had significantly (P < 0-05) lower fat scores and males did not differ from females. Texel cross carcasses had significantly (P < 0-05) higher lean and bone percentages, but significantly (P < 0-01) lower total fat percentage.Apart from demonstrating the capacity to produce leaner lambs compared with Suffolk, the results suggest that Texel sires offer the possibility of producing heavier carcasses without excess fat production.

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This feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation on the growth performance, muscles proximate composition, antioxidant and histo-biochemical parameters of rohu (Labeo rohita). Fingerlings (8.503 ± 0.009 g) were fed on 0.0%, 1% and 2.5% black seed supplemented diets for 28 days. Fish sampling was done on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day of experiment. The results of the present study indicated that black seed supplementation significantly increased growth performance and muscles protein contents of rohu over un-supplemented ones. Lipid peroxidation levels significantly decreased in all the studied tissues (liver, gills, kidney and brain) of black seed fed rohu, whereas the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) activities were increased in all the studied tissues of black seed supplemented rohu at each sampling day. The hepatic-nephric marker enzymes levels were decreased for black seed fed rohu. The present study showed that tested black seed levels are safe for rohu. Black seed is cheaply available in local markets of Pakistan; therefore, based on the results of the present study, it is suggested that black seed has potential to be used as natural growth promoter and antioxidant in the diet of rohu.