نشریه پژوهش های علوم دامی
سال بیست و چهارم شماره 4 (زمستان 1393)

An experiment was conducted to determining chemical composition, true metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen balance (TMEn) of broiler finisher diets and establishment of prediction equation of TMEn value. At first, twelve broiler finisher diet samples were provided from twelve poultry feed plants and subjected to chemical composition analysis by standard laboratory methods. Average values of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, crude fiber, calcium and phosphorus were obtained 91.52, 18.64, 2.71, 6.85, 3.21, 0.80 and 0.36 percent, respectively. Sibbald’s method was used for determination of TMEn values and dry matter metabolizability of feeds using 54 d male Ross -308 broiler chickens. TMEn values showed significant differences among broiler finisher diet samples (P< 0.01). The average value of TMEn in broiler finisher diets was 3234 Kcal/kg and varied from 3012 to 3430 Kcal/kg. Values of TMEn/GE ratio in diet samples varied from 0.65 to 0.74 and showed significant differences (P< 0.01). Average value of dry matter metabolizability was 55.4 percent and showed significant differences among the diets (P< 0.01). The diets which had higher crude fiber content, showed lower dry matter metabolizability. TMEn values of broiler finisher diets showed a significant high negative correlation coefficient with crude ash percent (r=-0.80, P=0.01). Regression analysis showed that TMEn content of broiler finisher diets could be predict from ash, crude protein and phosphorous content of diets with coefficient determination equal to 0.69.

Chemical composition and some minerals in several vetches forage (Vicia spp.) in pastures and farmlands of Ardabil province were determined according to standard laboratory methods. These vetches were follows: Vicia villosa، Vicia pannonica، Vicia peregrina، Vicia narbonensis، Vicia sativa ssp. and Vicia sativa ssp. nigra. The obtained results showed that phosphorous content in Vicia narbonensis، was significantly (P<0. 05) higher than that in the other species of vetches. Vicia villosa and vicia pannonica had significantly (P<0. 05) higher Ca and K values، respectively. Iron and copper were the highest values among the micro minerals in narbon bean (Vicia narbonensis). There were also no significant (P<0. 05) difference in amounts of Mn and Zn among the vetches forage and Co was the lowest content in Vicia villosa. The amount of crude protein in vetches forage varied from 17% to 25. 8% (based on DM). However، the amounts of ADF and NDF in vetches varied from 22 to 30. 7% and 27 to 36. 7%، respectively. Moreover، there was a significant difference (P<0. 05) between them regarding the amount of ADF and NDF. In general، among the studied varieties Vicia narbonensis had highest crude protein (25. 8%) and Vicia villosa had highest ADF (30. 7%) and the highest cell wall (NDF) (36. 7%).

This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and physical characterization of alfalfa second cut in West Azerbaijan Province (WAP). For this purpose, 24 samples were selected upon three randomized classifications in respect of raining fall in 3 areas including: treatment 1) The north of Urmia Lake with 250-400 mm rain fall, treatment 2) west of Urmia Lake with 300-800 mm rain fall and treatment 3) south of Urmia Lake with 300-600 mm raining. Eight cities were selected from each area and 3 villages of each city. The result of chemical composition analysis showed that there was no significant difference between treatments of alfalfa in second cut in WAP (P>0.05) with exception for dry matter (DM) that there was significant difference between treatment 1 whit other treatments (P≤0.05). Also, the results of physical characterization analysis showed that there was no significant difference between experimental treatments in respect of water holding capacity (WHC), physically effective fiber (peNDF) and specific gravity (SG) (P>0.05), but there was significant difference between experimental treatments in respect of geometric mean (GM), physically effective factor (Pef), bulk density (BD) and soluble dry matter (SDM) (P≤0.05). The highest of GM and the lowest of BD was obtained for treatment 1 and the lowest value of GM and the highest of BD was belonged for treatment 2 (P≤0.05). Treatment 1 had the highest value of pef (P≤0.05). The highest value of SDM was belonged for treatment 3, and the smallest amount of SDM was obtained for treatment 1 (P≤0.05).In total the result of chemical composition and physical characterization analysis of alfalfa second cut in West Azerbaijan Province in 3 areas showed that there was no significant difference between experimental treatments in respect of CP, EE, ASH, ADF, NDF, peNDF, WHC and SG (P>0.05).

Livestock cooperatives have an important role in protein production. These cooperatives faced with problems that are underlying the stagnation. So the objective of this study was identifying and prioritizing strategies to strengthen livestock cooperatives by using the Delphi technique in Hamedan province. The statistical population consists of experts of cooperative, Labor and Social Affair Department, experts of Animal Affairs in Agriculture of Jahad organization and managing directors of the cooperatives in Hamedan that through purposive sampling 23 of them were selected to respond the main question of research. The experts introduced 20 strategies to strengthen livestock cooperatives. According to the results of coefficient of variation “consideration of new financial resources for provision of capital cooperatives and funding from the government” with agreement of 81 percent of experts, “employing high executive ability managers in cooperatives” with agreement of 100 percent of experts, “holding specialized training courses for managers and members of animal husbandry cooperatives” with agreement of 95.2 percent of experts and “use of experienced and educated persons in cooperatives” with agreement of 100 percent of experts were placed at the first priority to third.

Nettle is medicinal plant with antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and can be an alternative to antibiotics in poultry diets. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of leaf powder of Urtica dioica L. on performance, carcass traits and immune system in broilers. One day old broiler chicks (200 Ross 308) were divided into 5 treatments with 4 replicates and 10 chickens per cage. The treatment groups received 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent dietary Urtica dioica L. leaf powder, respectively during days 0-42 in starter, grower and finisher diet. Daily feed intake, daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (performance) were measured.The birds were immunized with sheep red blood cell (SRBC) on days 8 and 22 of age and serum antibody levels produced in response to SRBC were measured on days 21, 28, 35 and 42. Skin response to Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) injected intradermally on day 16 was measured. The weights of carcass components and bursa of fabricius and thymus were measured after slaughter. The results indicated that 2% powder increased body weight gain and reduced feed conversion ratio in finisher and entire period compared to the control group (P<0.05). Bursa of fabricius weight was increased with consumption of 1.5 and 2% powder and thymus weight was increased with consumption of 1, 1.5 and 2% powder in comparison to control group (P<0.05).The inclusion of 1.5 and 2% powder to diet increased total anti-SRBC and IgG titer on days 28, 35 and 42 (P<0.05). One, 1.5 and 2% leaf powder increased cellular immunity on PHA-P injection (P<0.05). It is concluded that 2% nettle leaf powder increased performance, cellular and humoral immunity of broilers.

This study was carried out using 214 Afshari×Booroola-Merino cross lambs aimed to compare compensatory growth in lambs with common and delayed weaning. From birth till 11th month of age lambs weighted every month. Lambs grouped within two groups according to their weight, body size and growth rate. First group was weaned at age of 120± 5 days and the second group on day 150±5. At birth, lambs were kept with dames for 3 to 4 weeks and had freely suckling. Hereafter, lambs were suckled three times a day (namely; morning, noon and evening) and also fed using quality forage. The mean weights of the lambs regardless their gender were 5.2, 28.6 and 51 Kg at time points of birth 120 day and 11 month respectively. The mean weights of male lambs at birth and on day 120 of age were 5.45 and 36.1 kg where those of females were 4.96 and 29.72 respectively. Birth type and sex have significant effects on birth weight and weight at 120 days of age (P<0.01). This study showed that delay in weaning time accompanied with manual feeding and providing necessary nutrients results in compensatory growth in lambs. The results indicated that the fixed effects dictated by gender and type of birth were not statistically significant at the age of 11 month (P<0.05). Hence increasing in litter size in ewe is quite economically accepted, reduction in weight of multiple lambs will be compensate later by delay in weaning and consequently production of meat per ewe will be increased

The aim of the present study was to determine the appropriate standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement in starter male BUT, 6 turkey poults (8-28 day of olds).One hundred sixty male BUT, 6 turkeys were used in a completely randomized design with eight treatments (8 levels of standardized ileal digestible lysine: 1.33 (basal diet), 1.405, 1.48, 1.55, 1.63, 1.705, 1.78, 1.855%) in 4 replicates of 5 birds in each. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured during the trial period. Increasing of standardized ileal digestible lysine levels resulted an increase of body weight and decrease of feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). The lowest and the highest body weight gain and FCR related to basal and 1.705 % digestible lysine.By using of Broken Line- Linear Ascending, Quadratic Polynomial and Broken Line- Quadratic Ascending standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements for weight gain were 1.56±0.04, 1.67 and 1.65±0.1 and for FCR were 1.58±0.05, 1.75 and 1.74±0.1 respectively. In conclusion, standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements in starter for body weight gain ranged between 1.56 to 1.67 and for FCR between 1.58 to 1.75 %.

Estimation of genetic, environmental and phenotypic trends in past age is taken to measure the past animal breeding and management programs and design of programs for the hereafter. In the present study, in overall, 28782 records of growth traits of Mehraban sheep, collected by the Deputy of Livestock Affairs, Agricultural Jihad of Hamedan province during 1994 – 2010, were used to estimate genetic, phenotypic and environmental trends for body weight traits of Mehraban sheep. Variance components and breeding values for different traits were estimated using univariate and multivariate analyses of animal models by Average Information algorithm of Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AI-REML). Genetic, phenotypic and environmental trends were estimated based on the regression coefficient of average breeding values on birth year and regression coefficients of average phenotypic values and environmental deviations on weighting year, respectively. Estimates of genetic trends for birth weight, weaning weight and the weights at 6, 9 and 12 months of age were -1.59, -16.87, -3.27, -16.8 and -3.48 gr/yr, using univariate analyses and -1.33, -25.63, -11.34, -35.6 and -9.06 gr/yr, using multivariate analysis, respectively. Estimates of phenotypic trends were -46.31, 149.64, 475.16, 716.75 and 1050.6 gr/yr, using univariate analyses and -5.63, 109.33, 482.05, 816.68 and 1077.73 gr/yr, using multivariate analysis and estimates of environmental effects trends were -44.82, 156.7, 483.43, 732.75 and 1054.08 gr/yr, using univariate analyses and 1.44, 125.36, 491.21, 852.93 and 1086.8 gr/yr, using multivariate analysis, respectively. Only genetic trends of birth and weaning body weights and phenotypic trend of birth weight in multivariate analysis and also genetic, phenotypic and environmental parameters of birth weight and phenotypic and environmental parameters of body weights at 6 and 12 months of age in univariate analyses were significant. The outcomes of the present study indicated negative genetic trends for birth and weaning body weights and generally, absence of positive genetic improvement of body weight traits in Mehraban sheep during past years and a need to design animal breeding programs for genetic improvement of the mentioned traits in Mehraban sheep.

Cadmium, as an environmental pollutant, can exert oxidative stress on spermatogenesis and sperm morphology. This study was performed to investigate not only the effect of cadmium on viability, motility and acrosome integrity of ram sperm but also examine the protective role of silymarin, as an antioxidant, on cadmium toxicity. Epidydimal sperm obtained from Farahaniˊs ram divided into four groups: 1. sperm at 0 hour 2. Sperm incubated for180 minutes (control) 3. sperm treated with cadmium chloride for 180 minutes and 4. sperm treatment with silymarin+cadmiumchloride for 180 minutes. MTT ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method was used to assess sperm viability. Sperm motility was done according to World Health Organization guidelines while acrosome integrity in the sperm was evaluated by comassie brilliant blue staining. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA followed with Tukeyˊs test. The percentage of sperm viability, motility and acrosome integrity was significantly decreased in cadmium chloride-treated group compared to the control. In silymarin+cadmiumchloride group, silymarin could compensate the adverse effect of cadmium chloride on sperm parameters (except sperm motility) compared to cadmium chloride group. Silymarin as a potent antioxidant prevented adverse effect of cadmium on some ram sperm parameters.

This study was conducted to evaluate the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and true metabolisable energy (TME) values of wheat gluten in growing broiler chicks (Ross 308) using two experiments in a completely randomized design. In the first experiment, total collection and marker tecniques were used to deterimine AME and AMEn values of wheat gluten using a corn- soyabean reference diet and three test diets in which 5, 10 and 15% corn and soybean fractions were substituted with wheat gluten. In the second experiment, eighteen.48-d-old male broiler chicks were used to determine TME and TMEn of wheat gluten according to the Sibbald force feeding method. According to the results of the first experiment, level of gluten substitution in the reference diet significantly (P<0.05) affect AME and AMEn values of wheat gluten.The highest AME and AMEn values for wheat gluten belonged to the highest (15%) level compared to the lowest (5%) substitution level. The average TME and TMEn values of wheat gluten measured by force feeding method (in the secod experiment) also obtained 4912 and 4934 kcal/kg, respectively. Collectly, the results showed that in replacement of practical diet method using 15% substitution level resultes in more precision estimation of wheat gluten AME in growing chickens.

This study was carried out to determine the nutritive value of 17 superior cold-region ecotypes of alfalfa. The ecotypes included: Chaleshtor, Famenine, GharahAghaj, Gallebani, GharahGhezloo, Ghahavand, Gharghalogh, Hokm Abad, Koozareh, MalekKandi, Mohajeran, Ordoobad, Rehnani, Sahand Ava, Sedghian, Shoorkat and Silvaneh. The yield performance of the ecotypes was determined in similar cultivating and climatic conditions. Chemical analyses were determined according to AOAC procedure and Digestibility of the ecotypes was measured using Tilley and Terry in vitro method. Six superior ecotypes were selected and were analyzed for true protein (TP) and non protein nitrogen (NPN). The means TP and NPN of six superior ecotypes (Gallebani,Mohajeran,GharahGhezloo,Chaleshtor, Sahand Ava and GharahAghaj), were 79.10, 59.62, 59.72, 58.16, 57.51and 55.31, respectively and no significant difference observed between treatments. Dry matter, digestible dry matter and crud protein, Mt production/hectare of GhareAghaj ecotype were 4.95± 0.27, 2.7±0.13, and 0.821±0.60, respectively and can be introduce as superior between the ecotypes.

Twelve feedlot Holstein calves (213±17 kg initial BW) were used in a complete randomized design to evaluate the effects of thyme (THY) and cinnamon (CIN) essential oils on performance and nutrient digestibility. Treatments were: 1- control (CON, basal diet), 2-THY (5 g/d/calf) and 3-CIN (5 g/d/calf). Calves were fed ad libitum diets consisting of 15% forage and 85% concentrate for 80 d. Supplementation of THY or CIN did not affect DMI and average daily gain, whereas feed conversion ratio tended (P=0.08) to be improved. Apparent digestibility of nutrients and blood metabolites were not affected by experimental treatments. Four ruminally fistulated Holstein steers (540±35 kg initial BW) were used in a 4×4 Latin square design with 21-d periods and assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments: 1- CON (basal diet), 2- THY (500 mg/kg DM), 3- CIN (500 mg/kg DM) and 4- monensin (MON; 33 mg/kg DM) to evaluate the effects of MON, THY and CIN on rumen degradation characteristics of feedstuff. The addition of essential oils (EO) and MON had no effect on DM degradability parameters of soybean meal (SBM), corn grain (COR) and alfalfa hay (ALF). Crud protein degradability characteristics of COR and ALF were not influenced by EO. However, CP degradability parameters of SBM were partly changed by additive treatments (P≤0.05). Results suggest that supplementing bulls with THY and CIN have minor impacts on performance and rumen degradation characteristics of feedstuff.

The present study was conducted to evaluate of the effect of sound stress at four different levels on performance (weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio) and some blood parameters (blood leukocyte count Heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio and plasma corticosterone concentration) in broiler chickens. Chickens had free access to feed and water throughout the experiment. This experiment had five experimental treatments that included of control group and sound stress groups with intensities of 10, 20, 40 and 80 decibel (db), each treatment consists of four replicates of 16 chicks (same ratio of male and female). Experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design. Chickens exposed to the sound stress from 3 to 21 days of their age. Birds feeding with a starter diet from 7 to 21d and a grower diet from 22 to 42d, according to NRC. Results indicated that sound stress with intensity of 80 db reduced weight gain and feed consumption and also increased feed conversion ratio compared to other groups at the end of experiment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between sound stress (10, 20 and 40 db) and control groups for weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Corticosterone concentrations and Heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio were significantly increased in sound stress group with intensity of 80 db at 21days (P<0.05). Finally, the findings obtained in the study shown that noise stress intensity, stress time and old chickens during stress can affect performance and blood parameters of the birds.

This study was conducted to investigating the effects of adding thymus plant on digestibility and fermentable gas production parameters in some feedstuffs on in vitro status, by 3×4 factorial experiment in complete randomize design. The treatments were wheat straw, alfalfa and barley grain with 0, 1.5, 3, and 6% levels of thymus plant mash. Test gas syringes volume to 100 ml and the incubation time was 24 hours. The result showed that, gas production from the fermentation process rapid part degradation (a) the grain was affected by treatments. Also the gas production rate of slow degradable fraction (b) and potential gas production (a+b) in the wheat straw treatment with increasing of thymus level was decreased. Degradation rate in alfalfa hay treatment with increasing levels of thymus decreased, but in wheat straw were increase. Metabolizable energy and organic matter digestibility of alfalfa hay treated with thymus 6% was significantly lower than other treatments, but the adding most level of thymus increased of metabolizable energy and organic matter digestibility of wheat straw. The addition of different levels of thymus plants to barley grain and wheat straw treatments decreased total gas production compared to the control group. Also addition of thymus plants in rate of 6% significantly decreased the CO2 production compared to the other levels. The amount of methane production from fermentation of alfalfa hay was decreased significantly with increasing of thymus levels compared with control group. The results of this study it can be concluded, the thymus plant additive for ruminant diets can be used as a suitable to optimize rumen fermentation.

Apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude fat, non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) and total digestible nutrient (TDN) date by-products (included seed, pulp and lerd) were studied in this experiment. Also, Nitrogen balance of these by-products and their effects on blood parameters were determined. Six Raini mature goats (4-5 years and 45±3 kg BW), were used in a changeover design with six replicates (goats) and three periods was used. Every experimental period lasted 21 d including 16 d of adaptation to the experimental diets and 5 d for collection of samples. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages equipped for separate collection of urine and faeces. Alfalfa digestibility was determined at the beginning of the experiment. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 60% alfalfa and 40% date by-products and fed to the animals about 40 g/w0.75. In this study, Digestibility of DM, OM, crude fat and TDN of seed and pulp were significantly higher than lerd (P<0.05). Blood parameters in goats fed these by-products were not statistically significant. In conclusion, using date seed and pulp compared with lerd showed better digestion coefficients. However, because of low protein content of these by-products, supplementing these diets with protein sources is recommended.

This study was conducted to compare the effects of fennel (Foeniculum Vulgar), black caraway (Carum carvi) and prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharide on performance, carcass traits and blood parameters of broiler chickens. A total number of 160 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design were divided into five treatments, four replicates and 8 chicks per replicate. The five experimental treatments were: 1-control diet or basal control (no additives), 2- adding 1 % fennel to basal diet, 3- adding 1 % caraway to basal diet, 4- adding mixture of 0.5 % nettle and 0.5 % caraway to basal diet and 5- adding advised commercial level of prebiotic (Fermacto; 0.2 %) to basal diet. The results showed that the birds fed diets supplemented with mixture of 0.5 % nettle and 0.5 % caraway or prebiotic had higher body weight during the whole experimental period compared with control group (P<0.05). Moreover, supplementation diets with 1 % nettle, mixture of 0.5 % nettle and 0.5 % caraway and prebiotic improved feed conversion ratio during the whole experimental period and decreased the blood levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) compared with control treatment (P<0.05). Prebiotic supplementation significantly decreased relative weights of abdominal fat and liver (P<0.05). The addition of 1 % craway to the diet also significantly increased the weights of thymus and bursa of Fabricius compared with 1% nettle and control treatments (P<0.05). This study showed that the inclusion of nettle and mixture of nettle and caraway, similar to including prebiotic, to the broiler diet can improve growth performance and decrease serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations.