Abstract
Fish like any other organisms, are susceptible to  ecto & endo-parasites, which  have a risky  impact 
in  aquaculture  specially  those  because  skin  infection  with  secondary  bacterial  infection.  This  study 
estimated the parasitic infections in freshwater Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Assiut Governorate, and 
evaluated environmental factors affecting them. 
A total of 100 samples of different sexes  and  sizes were randomly collected  weekly  over one year 
from different localities in Assiut  City. The fish were examined parasitological  for ecto-parasites and 
dissected for endo-parasites as well as histopathological examination of muscles.
The results showed an overall parasitic rate of 82%.  Ecto-parasites were Gyrodactylus, Dactylogrus, 
Henneguya and Icthyophthirius multifiliis (2%, 8%, 2% & 5%) respectively, while endoparasites were 
trematode  (Orientocreadium  batrachoides  26%),  cestode (Polyochobothrium  clarias  and  Monobothrioides 6% & 21%  respectively),  nematode (Paracamallanus spp.  12%), encysted metacercaria (66%) 
and protozoa  (Entamoeba spp.  15%).  The  variation between the parasitic number  length, weight,  and 
sex seasonally were statistically analyzed. 
Key words: Assiut, Clarias gariepinus, parasitic infection, environmental factors

:

Maternal stress has deleterious effects on brain development. This study aimed to assess the effect of maternal stress during different prenatal and postnatal periods on offspring's neurobehavioral responses.

Material and Methods:

Pregnant rats were divided into 6 stressed groups, and underwent stress at gestational day 1-7, gestational day 8-14, gestational day 15-21, postnatal day 1-7, postnatal day 8-14, and postnatal day 15-21. Each stressed group has a matched control group. At the end of last stress session, measurement of corticosterone was done and dams were submitted to sucrose preference test and open field test. At postnatal day 45, two male pups of each group were subjected to radial arm maze test; passive avoidance test and open field test; and the brain was homogenized for measure-ment of glutamate, gamma amino butyric acid, serotonin, caspase-3 and sodium-potassium 

The current study investigated the role of epigenetic dysregulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) genes and oxidative stress as possible mechanisms of autistic-like behaviors in neonatal
isolation model in rats and the impact of folic acid administration on these parameters. Forty Wistar albino pups
were used as follows: control, folic acid administered, isolated, and isolated folic acid treated groups. Isolated pups were
separated from their mothers for 90 min daily from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 11. Pups (isolated or control) received either
the vehicle or folic acid (4 mg/kg/day) orally from PND 1 to 29. Behavioral tests were done from PND 30 to 35. Oxidative
stress markers and antioxidant defense in the frontal cortex homogenate were determined. DNA methylation of BDNF and
GFAP genes was determined by qPCR. Histopathological examination was carried out. Neonatal isolation produced autisticlike
behaviors that were associated with BDNF and GFAP hypomethylation, increased oxidative stress, increased inflammatory
cell infiltration, and structural changes in the frontal cortex. Folic acid administration concurrently with isolation
reduced neonatal isolation-induced autistic-like behaviors, decreased oxidative stress, regained BDNF and GFAP gene methylation,
and ameliorated structural changes in the frontal cortices of isolated folic acid treated rats.
Novelty:

Neonatal isolation induces “autistic-like” behavior and these behaviors are reversed by folic acid supplementation.

Neonatal isolation induces DNA hypomethylation of BDNF and GFAP, increased oxidative stressmarkers, and neuroinflammation.

All of these changes were reversed by daily folic acid supplementation.
Key words: autistic like behaviors, BDNF, folate, GFAP, methylation.