فصلنامه پژوهشهای تولیدات دامی
پیاپی 21 (پاییز 1397)

In this study the effects of different levels of raw and autoclaved rice bran (0, 6, 12 or 18%) on the growth performance, carcass parameters, internal organs and the nutrients digestibility were assessed. This experiment was designed on 420 fourteen-day-old male broilers (Ross 308). Birds were randomly divided into 7 treatment groups and 3 replications, each with 20 birds. Treatments were: 1= diet with 6% row rice bran, 2= diet with 6% autoclaved rice bran, 3= diet with 12% row rice bran, 4=diet with 12% autoclaved rice bran, 5=diet with 18% row rice bran, 6=diet with 18% autoclaved rice bran and 7=control corn-soybean diet. The experiment was conducted using completely randomized design. The result showed that increasing the level of rice bran in ration led to a significant increase of feed conversion ratio and feed intake during growing and finisher periods (p<0.05). There was no significant effect of autoclave process on the growth performance. Abdominal fat was affected by the increase in the rice bran level and unlike liver, gizzard and pancreas, showed a significant decrease with the increase of rice bran level (P<0.05). Increasing rice bran level in diet resulted in more weight changes of ileum and cecum than which of intestine (P<0.05). Rice bran utilization significantly decreased the digestibility of dry matter, fat, protein and organic matter and in the opposite direction autoclave process increased digestibility of the fat and organic matter (P<0.05). Based on the results of this study, the use of 6% autoclaved rice bran in broiler chickens is recommended.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Myrtle essential oil (MEO) on intestinal morphology, antibody titres and blood parameters of broiler chicks. A total of 180 Ross 308 broiler chickens were allocated to 5 dietary treatments with 3 replicates of 12 birds each. The experimental diets consisted of diet free of antibiotics (control diet), supplemented diets with MEO at levels of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg, as well as flavomycin antibiotic at 450 mg / kg. The results showed that supplementation of MEO and antibiotic compared to the control group significantly prolonged the height of the villus height and lower the epithelial thickness of the small intestine at the age of 42 days (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between different treatments in relation to the width of the villus and the villus height to crypt depth ratio. The highest antibody titer against influenza and Newcastle disease was observed in chicks fed 500 mg/kg MEO (p<0.05). The effect of different levels of essential oil on hepatic enzymes including AST, ALT and ALP was not significant (p> 0.05). Overall, the results show that the supplementation of MEO diets in improved intestinal morphology and increased antibody titers, especially at a level of 500 mg / kg, which could be considered as an antibiotic alternative.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of black cumin powder on performance, yolk cholesterol content and egg oxidative stability in laying hens. A total of 96 Leghorn laying hens (Hy-Line W-36) of 25 weeks old were randomly distributed among eight cage replicates of three birds each. Experimental diets consisted of different levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg of diet) of dietary black cumin powder. The experimental period lasted for a total of 6 weeks. The results showed that the highest feed intake observed in hens were fed with rations included 15 g/kg of black cumin (P<0.05). Supplementation of black cumin had no significant effects on egg mass and feed conversion ratio. The effect of black cumin on shell quality indices were not significant. The highest egg yolk weight obtained from hens were fed the black cumin supplemented diet (15 g/kg of diet) (P<0.05). There were no significant difference in yolk cholesterol and malondialdehyde content between hens fed black cumin supplemented diets and hens fed the control diet. Therefore, it can be concluded that adding of black cumin (15 g/kg) to laying hens diet had positive effects on feed intake and egg yolk weight.

Inorder to evaluate the effects of four sources of fiber (soy hulls, barley hull, rice husk and corn husks) each with two particle size (with 1 and 2- mm of geometric mean) on performance, nutrient digestibility, some blood parameters, small intestine morphology and secum bacteria in broiler chicken, 540 Ross308 broiler male chicks from 1 to 42 days were used in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement 2×4, with nine treatments (one control treatment), four replications and 15 broilers in each replicate.Weight gain in the starter and finisher periods, feed intake during the finisher and the whole period, and feed conversion ratio in the growr, finisher and the whole period of breeding were affected the entire fiber source. The treatment with coarse barley hull had more weight gain, lower feed intake, and less conversion ratio (P<0.05). The most unfavorable feed conversion ratio observed in treatment containing rice husk. Crude protein (P<0.0493) and ether extract (P<0.0004) digestibility in corn husks fed diets was higher than other treatments. In duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the highest and lowest villus height were observed in barley hull treatment and control group, respectively (P <0.05). The depth of crypt was affected only in the jejunum and crypt diameter in all three parts of the intestine (P<0.05). The number of intestinal Lactobacilos in the chiks fed diets containing corn and barley hulls was significantly more than those fed with diets containing soya and rice hull. The fibers particle size had significant effect on E.Coli and coliform bacteria (P<0/007). However, with adding a fiber source such as barley or corn hull, to broiler diets would have beneficial effects in yield, health and welfare of the bird.

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of different microbial products on the performance and health of Baluchi lambs. 40 Baluchi make lamb with mean age of one year and initial body weight of 30 kg ± 1.5 kg for 90 days were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and ten replicates. Experimental diets were 1) basal diet (control group), 2) basal diet +0.5 gr probiotic, 3) basal diet+2 gr of prebiotic 4) basal diet+0.5 gr probiotic +2 gr of prebiotic per head (sheep) per day. Body weight (BW) and body growth measures were recorded First and period End. Feces were scored weekly. The pH ruminal fluid was determined immediately after sampling and straightening it. The results of this experiment showed that mean BW was higher in probiotic than other groups (52.85). There was no difference between treatments for the final weight, daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate. Also, there were no significant differences between treatments in health indicators, fecal consistency and digestibility of nutrients. The results of this study indicated that with use probiotic, pH ruminal fluid was increased and there was a significant difference between the control group (P <0.05). Overall Results of this experiment indicated that supplementation probiotics did not have a significant effect on the performance and health indicators of pre-growing lambs.

In this research, the effects of complete replacement of barley grain with wheat bran in livestock were investigated. This experiment was carried out using 12 Saanen dairy goats in a completely randomized design for 21 days, in which goats were divided into three quadruple groups. The treatments consisted of: 1- treatment containing 25% barley and 10% wheat bran (control), 2- treatment without barley and 37.25% wheat bran and 3- treatment without barley and 34.5% wheat bran plus 2% of Fat powder were. In the final week of the experiment, the dietary residue was collected and weighed daily to determine the daily intake of food, and the difference in feed in the feeder and feed residue showed that feed intake of 3 treatments did not differ significantly. (p>0.05). Subsequently, after measuring the digestibility of the feed by acid insoluble ash, it was found that digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ADF and organic matter was more than other treatments in the control treatment and this difference was significant (p<0.05) but NDF digestibility was not significant among treatments (p>0.05). Ruminal fluid was obtained from each livestock three hours after feeding by the Stomach tube. After pH measurement by pH meter, this parameter was higher in treatments 2 and 3 than the control treatment that their difference was also significant (p<0.05). The daily milk yield of goats was measured and it was observed that the milk yield of the control treatment was higher than the rest of the treatments and the differences between them were significant (p<0.05). Milk samples were analyzed by Milko-Scan machine of Bashir factory in Mashhad and it was found that only percentage of milk fat was significantly different between treatments (p> 0.05) and treatment 3 had the highest percentage of milk fat (p<0.05). The yield of milk production among treatments was significant, with the highest efficiency related to treatment 3 (p<0.05). Also, the energy in milk of three treatments based on milk fat was estimated and it was found that milk energy of treatments 1 and 2 were not significantly different (p<0.05) but milk energy of treatment 3 was higher than the other two treatments and this difference was significant (p<0.05). Finally, the difference in body weight of goats in each of the three treatments was calculated at the beginning and the end of the experiment, and it was determined that at the end of the experiment, the differences in body weight of the animals were not significantly different (p>0.05). In general, it can be concluded that complete removal of barley from ration of goats is not logical, and if it is decided to do so on the basis of competitive and economic conditions, it is better to add about 2% of the fat content to the rations of the livestock. Of course, due to the high cost of this supplement compared to barley, the cost of livestock feed has increased, which increases the price of milk produced and its compounds.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Lactic acid bacteria based probiotic and its use schedule on Kurd male calves’ growth performance and white blood cell antimicrobial activity. The experimental period was 105 days after calves adapted to new environmental conditions. This study was carried out by 12 calves with an average body weight of 195 ± 10 kg and age of 240±10 days in a completely randomized design with three treatments and three replicate. Experimental groups included: 1) the control group was fed on a commercial basal diet (without probiotic). 2) was fed on basal diet and daily usage probiotic 3) was fed on basal diet and probiotic usage a day then skip 2 days and repeated. Growth performance and feed conversion rate were determined by measuring calves weight and feed intake on day 0, 52 and 105 of experiment after 14 h feed deprivation. For measurement of reactive oxygen species as anitimicrobial activity index in white Blood Cells, blood samples were taken from all of the calves at the end of experiment. Although body weight gain and feed conversion rate was not significantly different among any of the treatments 2 and 3 but increased and decreased respectively compared to control group in end of experiment (p<0.05). Feed intake significantly increased in treatment 3 compared 2 (p=0.0424). No differences in reactive oxygen mean were observed in calves fed probiotic-supplemented diets and control group. According to this results dietary supplementation with probiotic did not affect white blood cell antimicrobial activity although improved Kurd calves growth performance and feed conversion rate, also daily usage of probiotic can be replaced by usage a day then skip 2 days and repeated schedule.

In order to study the effect of processing recycled poultry bedding (RPB) with tannin extracted from pomegranate peel (PPE) on the its ruminal and intestinal digestibility, an experiment was conducted as completely randomized design in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Experimental treatments consisted of zero (control treatment), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35% PPE in RPB. For each treatment, five repeat were considered. Rumen degradability and nutrients intestinal digestion were measured using nylon bags and three-step digestion methods, respectively. The results related to the percentage and trend of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestion as well as degradability parameters of DM and CP showed that increasing level of PPE in RPB reduced rapidly degradable fraction (a) of DM and CP and increased their slowly degradable fraction (b) (P=0.001). Constant of degradation rate and degradability potential were not affected by different levels of PPE. Highest and lowest effective degradability (ED) of DM and CP were observed in RPB containing 5 and 15% PPE, respectively (P=0.001). Highest and lowest percentage of rumen degradable protein (RDP) was observed in control treatment and RPB containing 35% PPE respectively (P=0.0013). The highest and lowest percentage of intestinal protein digestion were observed in RPB containing 25 and 35% PPE respectively (P=0.0021). RBP containing 25% PPE increased rumen un-degradable protein (RUP) (P=0.0072) and total CP digestibility (P=0.0051) compared to control diet. In general, results of nylon bag and three-step digestibility studies showed that using 25% PPE was optimum level for processing RPB due to reduction of crude protein degradability and increasing the flow of protein to the intestine.

The purpose of this study was to compare the antioxidant ability of royal jelly, vitamin E and vitamin C as additives to the maturation media on in vitro maturation of goat oocyte. To prepare goat oocytes, ovaries collected from local slaughterhouse were transported to the laboratory into the flask containing warm saline (30-34oC( in less than an hour. Cumulus oocyte complexs were removed from small antral follicles (2-6 mm) with slicing method, and were transferred to IVM medium. Cumulus oocyte complexs were put in maturation medium for 24 hours, and were reached to metaphase meiosis II (nuclear maturation). This study was performed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments included control, 10 mg/mL royal jelly, 200 µM of vitamin E, 100 µM of vitamin C, 200 µM of vitamin E + 100 µM of vitamin C and DMSO (as a solvent of vit E) in ten replicates. The results of this study showed that addition of royal jelly, vitamin E and vitamin C to the maturation medium, increased in vitro maturation rate of goat oocyte in comparison of control group. Supplementation of vitamin E, vitamin C and their combination significantly increased the oocyte meiotic maturation rate (87.26% ± 4.45) compared with the royal jelly (76.26% ± 2.55) and the control group (71.1% ± 1.26). Also, the addition of vitamin E + vitamin C combination was significantly increased relative gene expression of glutathione peroxidase but the superoxide dismutase and catalase were not affected by the treatment groups. In conclusion, the combination of vitamin C and vitamin E improved maturation rate and redox status of oocyte during in vitro maturation.

Estrus synchronization is a valuable management tool that has been employed in enhancing reproductive efficiency in ewes. This study was conducted to investigate the reproductive performance of ewes with short and long-term estrous synchronization programs accompanied by eCG or GnRH during the non-breeding season. A total of 48 Afshari ewes were randomly selected and divided into two groups. In the first group, ewes received intravaginal sponges for 7 days (n=24) and in the second group ewes received intravaginal sponges for 14 days (n=24). At the time of sponge removal, each group was divided into two subgroups of 12 ewes; intramuscularly received 500 IU eCG and 100 IU GnRH, respectively. Blood samples were collected at the time of sponge removal. Considering plasma progesterone concentrations, there were no significant differences between 7 and 14 days groups (P>0.05). In 14 days group, estrus and lambing rates of eCG subgroup were significantly higher than those in GnRH subgroup (P <0.05). Conception and lambing rates of eCG subgroup in 7 days group were significantly higher than those in GnRH subgroup in 14 days group (P<0.05). In 7 days group, twinning rate of eCG subgroup was significantly higher than that of GnRH subgroup (P<0.05). Therefore, in this study, short-term estrus synchronization programs (7 days) and injection of 500 IU eCG simultaneous with sponge removal exhibited the best reproductive performance in Afshari ewes during non-breeding season.

The aim of this study was to determine effect of in ovo injection of nanoparticles of zinc oxide on hatching, growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chicks after hatching. In total, 324 fresh hatching eggs were randomly distributed into six treatment groups of 54 eggs per treatment with three replicates of 18 eggs each, and injections were performed on day 15 of incubation. The treatments were sham, positive control injection of 60 ml of distilled water and in ovo injection 4 levels (15, 30, 60 and 120 ppm) of zinc oxide nanoparticles into site of the embryo in amniotic fluid sac. The results showed that in ovo injection of nano zinc oxide did not affect chicks feed intake in total rearing period (P>0.05). Also, there were no significant in ovo injection different levels of zinc oxide nanoparticles on body weight, and average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in the three periods, 1-10, 11- 42 days and total rearing period among treatments. In ovo injection of 15, 30 and 60 ppm of nano- zinc oxide did not affect the percentage of hatching compared to the control group. While the injection of 120 ppm in fertile eggs reduced the percentage of chicken intake compared to the control group, positive and negative (P <0.05). The results showed that in-ovo injection of 15, 30 and 120 ppm nano zinc oxide did not have a significant effect on the weight of hatched chicks compared to control group. However, The results showed that groups receiving levels 60 ppm zinc oxide nanoparticles had significant increase on body weight of the hatched chicks compared with the positive control group (P <0.05). In-ovo injection of different levels of nano- zinc oxide had no effect on carcass weight, heart weight, bursa of fabricius weight and spleen weight. The results of this study suggest that in-ovo injection zinc oxide nanoparticles on day 15 of incubation fertilized eggs could not improve feed intake, feed conversion ratio, hatching percentage and carcass yield of broiler chickens.

For the identification of phylogenetic characteristics of honeybee populations, sampling was conducted from 31 provinces of Iran in spring and summer 2016. Phylogenetic characteristics were evaluated based on mitochondrial ND2 gene. The intergenic regions between ND2 and COI genes were compared in different populations of honeybees. After sequencing and alignment of the genes, the relationships among populations were analyzed by MrBayes 3.2 and PAUP 4.0 b10 softwares. Eight nucleotide differences were found among Iranian populations of honey bee (A. m.meda). The phylogenetic tree was drawn and Iranian populations of honeybee (A.m.meda) were divided into four groups. The results showed that samples of East Azarbaijan and Yazd were separated from other honeybee populations. In addition, these two honeybee populations had the highest intergenic region (ITS2 with 70 nucleotides). Not only, populations of Charmahal Bakhtiari, Tehran, Sistan and Blochestan, Mazandaran, Lorestan, Kordestan, Kermanshah, Kohkeloye and Boyerahmad, Southern Khorasan, Ilam, Golestan and Gazvin were grouped with each other but also, ITs2 lengths of these populations were 62 bp. ITs2 Lengths were 59 to 70 bp. ITs1 lengths were 20 bp except syriaca subspecies. The shortest length of intergenic region was related with ITs3 (with two nucleotides AT). Populations of Ardabil, Zanjan and Kerman were grouped with bootstrap of 91 percent. Additionally, populations of Alborze, Northern Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Esfahan, Shiraz, Semnan, Markazi, Khozestan, Hormozgan, Hamedan, Qom, Boshehr and Western Azarbayejan were grouped with each other. The honeybee populations were compared using two-parameter Kimura method. Results demonstrated that there was no nucleotide difference between Gilan population and A. m.carnica subspecies. The collected samples from Gilan were not A.m.meda subspecies and were grouped with A.m.carnica subspecies. A.m.carnica is not a native subspecies therefore honeybee queens have been imported illegally by some beekeepers. A.m.intermissa and A.m.scutellata showed the most genetic distance (0.01) in comparison with Iranian populations of honeybee (A.m.meda). Population comparisons of Alborz, Shiraz, Semnan, Markazi, Khozestan, Hormozgan, Hamedan, Qom, Boshehr and Western Azarbayejan showed that there was no genetic difference among populations. The phylogenetic tree could differentiate syriaca, intermissa, scutellata and mellifera subspecies from carnica and meda subspecies based on ND2 gene. Moreover, A.m.ligustica was differentiated from A.m.carnica with a substitution C→T.

The purpose of this study was evaluation of leptin gene polymorphism by PCR-SSCP and its relationship with some growth traits in Lori Bakhtiari and crossbred of Lori Bakhtiari- Afshari sheep. Blood samples were collected from 58 sheep (male and female) of Lori-Bakhtiari in Shahr-e-Kord Sholi station and 42 sheep (male and female) of Lori Bakhtiari-Afshari crossbreed from villages of Shahr-e-Kord. DNA was extracted, using extraction kit of Sinnagen co. Evaluation of quality and quantity of DNA was performed using agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometry. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to amplify 275 bp fragment of exon 3 of leptin gene. Then single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) of PCR products was performed and genotypic patterns were obtained using acrylamid gel and silver staining. For leptin gene in Lori bakhtiari sheep, 8 band patterns including L1to L8 and for crossbreeds sheep, 10 band patterns including L1to L10 were obtained. There was a high polymorphism in exon 3 of the leptin gene in both breeds. Also results of means comparison showed that the leptin gene was significantly associated with weight at 6 and 12 months.

Heat shock proteins of 70 kDa (HSP70) are a natural protector of the cell during heat stress through maintaining cell homeostasis and preventing proteins from denaturation, especially in stressed conditions. In addition, HSP70 widely influence growth and reproduction traits. The present study objected to identify polymorphisms in regions of promoter and part of exon 1 of HSP70 gene and their association with reproductive traits in indigenous turkeys of north-western Iran. The blood samples of 193 turkeys recorded for reproduction traits, were taken and after DNA extraction, promoter and exon 1 regions were amplified. Various haplotypes were identified by SSCP method and their association with the traits in the turkeys analyzed. The results of this study identified 3 different pattern in the investigated regions of the HSP70 gene. Sequencing the different haplotype pattern revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in 211bp. The Statistical analysis of the effect of the genotypes of HSP70 on the reproduction traits showed that the GG genotype of this gene had a significant association with higher egg number and total egg mass of turkeys. Regarding the effect of the HSP70 gene as an effective gene on the reproductive traits of the indigenous turkeys, it can be used in breeding programs to improve reproductive traits and egg production in the indigenous turkey population.

I In this study, allelic polymorphism in candidate genes of TLR4 and IL2 involved in the immune system in four Iranian indigenous chickens were examined using PCR-RFLP technique. A total of 200 birds including common, West Azerbaijan, Marandi, Mazandarani indigenous chicken breeds were selected. For detection of mutation in TLR4 (257 bp) and IL2 (600 bp) genes the PCR products were digested by Sau96I and HphI restriction enzymes, respectively. Two alleles of C (138 and 119 bp) and G (119, 99 and 39 bp) and three genotypes of CC, CG and GG were identified in TLR4 marker site. Following the enzymatic digestion of the IL2 gene, two alleles of A (465, 64, 40 and 31bp) and B (454, 64, 40, 31 and 11 bp) and three genotypes of AA, AB and BB were identified. The whole populations was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for TLR4 and IL2 marker sites. The calculated Shannon information index and fixation index values for TLR4 and IL2 marker sites was estimated to be (0.56 and 0.69) and (-0.05 and -0.10), respectively. The highest observed heterozygosity value for TLR4 and IL2 loci was estimated to be (0.55 and 0.40), respectively. Regarding to the existence of polymorphism in the studied loci and reduction of heterozygosity in these populations, the occurrence of non-random crosses can be prevented. This leads to an increase in heterozygosity and thus prevents the loss of genetic diversity in the populations would be. In the populations also, by studying the immune responses associated with these two loci, these sites can be used as suitable markers in breeding programs for increase of resistance to diseases in indigenous chickens.