شکوفه غضنفری

The effect of utilization of feed disinfected with ozone gas on performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broilers was investigated using 432 Ross 308 male broilers in a 3×2 factorial arrangement with three levels of ozone gas (zero, 20, and 30 parts per million) and two levels of fat including low (1.5 and 2% vegetable oil for grower and finisher periods, respectively) and high (3 and 4% of vegetable oil for grower and finisher periods, respectively) in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 4 replications of 18 birds in each. At 42 days of age, two birds were selected from each replication and slaughtered after weighing and the weights of the carcass, heart, liver, small intestine, and ceca were measured precisely. The results showed that the weight gain of chicks fed a high-fat, ozone-free diet was significantly higher than that of chicks fed a high-fat, gassed with a 20 ppm ozone diet (P <0.05). The ceca weight of chicks fed low-fat diets was higher than that of birds fed high-fat diets and birds fed diets gassed with 20 ppm ozone had higher ceca weight (P <0.05). According to the results of this experiment, it seems that the utilization of ozone gas for the disinfection of diets containing high levels of fat has a negative effect on feed quality and reduces the performance of broilers.

The Japanese quail is a species known for its short production period and high productivity. Due to their small size and low feed requirements, they are considered a cost-effective option for egg production compared to other poultry species. Additionally, quail eggs are recognized for their superior nutritional value compared to regular chicken eggs. However, there is a need for effective methods to enhance productivity, especially in stressful situations. Previous research has indicated that the use of certain dietary supplements can address this issue and improve the productive traits of birds. Therefore, there is considerable scientific interest in studying the effects of natural compounds such as black seed and L-carnitine on the productive performance of laying Japanese quails, both under normal conditions and during heat stress. Investigating these factors can provide valuable insights into the development of strategies to effectively manage and optimize egg production in laying Japanese quails. This, in turn, would contribute to the sustainability and profitability of the poultry industry. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of black seed, L-carnitine, and vitamin E on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical parameters, and immune responses of Japanese laying quails.

A total of 500 Japanese laying quails were included in this study. They were divided into two temperature conditions: normal temperature and high temperature (36 degrees Celsius for 6 hours per day). Additionally, there were five experimental treatments: control diet (without any additives), black seed (1.5% black seed diet), L-carnitine (250 ppm + control diet), 1.5% black seed + 250 ppm L-carnitine diet, and Vitamin E diet (200 ppm + control diet). This resulted in a 5x2 factorial experiment with a total of 10 treatments, 5 replications, and 10 quails per replication. The study consisted of three phases: an adaptation period to the experimental diets lasting two weeks, exposure to the designated temperature conditions for five weeks, and a three-week recovery period. During these phases, various parameters were measured and recorded, including productive performance, carcass characteristics, and blood biochemical and immune indicators (such as triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, HDL concentrations, heterophil, and lymphocyte percentages) under both heat stress and recovery periods in Japanese laying quails. Data analysis was performed using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) method with the assistance of SAS software. Mean comparisons were conducted using Tukey's multiple range tests.

The results of this study revealed several important findings. During the initial two weeks of the experiment, the consumption of feed containing black seed + L-carnitine led to the highest feed intake, while diets containing black seed, black seed + L-carnitine, and vitamin E demonstrated the highest egg mass compared to the control group (P<0.05). During the heat stress period, high temperatures caused a decrease in feed intake, egg weight, egg production, and egg mass. However, the consumption of feed containing black seed + L-carnitine resulted in increased feed intake, and diets containing black seed, black seed + L-carnitine, and vitamin E showed increased egg production and mass compared to the control group. Furthermore, vitamin E exhibited a better conversion coefficient (P<0.05). During the recovery period, high temperatures led to a decrease in feed intake but an increase in bird body weight. The control group exhibited the lowest feed intake and body weight, whereas diets containing black seed, black seed + L-carnitine, and vitamin E demonstrated the highest egg production and egg mass compared to the control group. Birds fed diets with black seed and vitamin E exhibited a better conversion coefficient (P<0.05). Regarding carcass yield and relative liver weight, the effect of environmental temperature and experimental treatments during both heat stress and recovery periods was not significant. However, the consumption of black seed, L-carnitine, and vitamin E was found to increase carcass yield and relative heart weight. Additionally, high temperatures increased the relative liver weight (P<0.05). Moreover, birds fed control and black seed diets at normal and high temperatures exhibited higher blood cholesterol levels compared to other experimental treatments. In normal temperature conditions and diets containing vitamin E and L-carnitine, a higher percentage of lymphocytes was observed in the blood. In high temperature conditions and diets containing L-carnitine and vitamin E, the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was also higher (P<0.05).

Finally, the findings of this study highlight the beneficial effects of incorporating black seed, L-carnitine, and vitamin E into the diet of Japanese laying quails, both under normal and high-temperature conditions. These dietary interventions have shown positive impacts on the performance of the quails. Consequently, these results can serve as valuable guidance for quail breeders and producers in selecting suitable feed regimens to manage heat stress in Japanese quail layers, thereby enhancing performance efficiency, carcass characteristics, and blood lipid and immune parameters.

In the present experiment, the effects of different concentrations of rosemary extract(RE) spray on fertile eggs on the first day of incubation on embryonic parameters and quality of hatched chicks were investigated. Seven treatments were tested in a completely randomized design with five replicates, including five treatments of different concentrations of rosmarinic acid(RA) (0.5,0.1,1.5,0.2, and 2.55 mg/ml of RA) and two treatments of distilled water (with and without spray) on the first day of incubation. The results showed that the weight of the yolk sac of hatched chicks from eggs sprayed with a concentration of 2.55 mg/ml of RA was significantly lower than those from eggs treated with distilled water(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in hatchability percentage and embryonic mortality between unsprayed and sprayed eggs with distilled water compared to RE. The use of RE spray on egg caused a reduction in the body surface temperature(BST) of hatched chicks compared to those from unsprayed eggs(P<0.05). The length of the intestine of hatched chicks from eggs sprayed with 1.5 mg/ml of RA was greater than that of unsprayed and distilled water-sprayed eggs(P<0.05). Finally, the results showed that the spray of RE, with a concentration of 2.55 mg of RA, resulted in a heightened absorption of yolk sacs in hatched chicks compared to those eggs sprayed with distilled water. Moreover, an longer intestinal length was observed using a spray of 1.5 mg of RA, accompanied by a decrease in body surface temperature of hatched chicks in comparison to eggs without any spray.

The quality and quantity of dietary protein are primary factor influencing growth and feed costs. Seeds of faba bean (Vicia faba L), similarly as soybean meal, belong to high-protein feeds. The use of faba beans in poultry feed is limited despite having a suitable chemical composition, the main reason of which is the presence of anti-nutritional factors in this seed. Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center has produced a zero-tannin faba bean seeds variety (Mahta cultivar) that does not have the nutritional limiting factors of normal beans. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of zero-tannin faba bean seeds (Mahta cultivar) on growth performance, some immune and biochemical parameters of blood, morphology and microbial population of small intestine and meat quality of broiler chickens.

320 of one-day-old Ross 308 broilers with 4 treatments were used in a completely randomized design with 4 replications and 20 equal mixed birds of each sex in each replication for 42 days. Experimental treatments included 1- control diet (without faba beans and based on corn-soybean meal) 2- diets containing 10% zero-tannin faba bean 3- diets containing 20% zero-tannin faba bean and 4- diets containing 30% zero-tannin faba bean. Then, the growth performance of chickens, blood biochemical (triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and HDL concentrations) and immune (heterophil and lymphocyte percentage) indicators, intestinal jejunum morphological (villi length, villi width, crypt depth and thichness of muscle layer) and ileum contents microbial population (lactobacillus and escherichia coli) parameters and meat quality (pH, malondialdehyde, peroxide number and free fatty acids) of broiler chickens were measured and recorded. Finally, the analysis of data was performed using GLM method by SAS software. The means were compared using Tukey's multiple range tests.

The results showed growth performance (feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio) of the whole period (1 to 42 days) of birds fed with different levels of diets containing zero-tannin faba bean (0, 10, 20 and 30%) was not significant. There was also no difference between the growth performance of birds fed diets containing zero-tannin faba bean compared to birds receiving the control diet (without beans). A decreasing linear change in the weight gain of the whole period was observed with the increase in the percentage of zero-tannin faba bean (P<0.05). So, the birds that were fed with the control diet (without beans) and 10% zero-tannin faba bean had a better weight gain compared to other treatments, equal to 1738 and 1748 grams respectively, followed by the birds receiving the diet containing 20% zero-tannin faba bean had weight equal to 1623 grams and finally, the birds fed with a diet containing 30% zero-tannin faba bean had weight equal to 1574 grams (P<0.05). Some blood biochemical and immune parameters of broilers were not affected by different levels of zero-tannin faba bean in the diet. However, the amount of changes in HDL, the ratio of HDL to cholesterol, serum LDL and the percentage of heterophil, lymphocyte and the ratio of heterophil to lymphocyte in the blood of broiler chickens fed with a diet containing 20% of zero-tannin faba bean is worthy of consideration and requires further investigation and study (P>0.10). Also, morphological parameters of intestinal jejunum were not affected by different levels of zero-tannin faba bean in the diet. However, citizenship analysis showed linear changes in villi length, villi width and crypt depth of broiler intestines. The tendency to increase villi length was observed in birds fed diets containing 10% zero-tannin faba bean compared to other diets (P= 0.08). Villi width (P<0.05) and crypt depth (P=0.05) were lower in birds fed diets containing zero-tannin faba bean compared to the control treatment (without faba beans). Microbial population of escherichia coli and lactobacillus ileum contents were not affected by different levels of zero-tannin faba bean in the diet. The use of different levels of zero-tannin faba bean improved meat quality by decreasing pH, malondialdehyde concentration, peroxide and free fatty acids in broiler thighs (P<0.05).

Finally, according to the present results, it seems that among the different levels of zero-tannin faba bean (10, 20 and 30%) in the diet of broiler chickens, the level of 10% zero-tannin faba bean in terms of broiler performance should be more appropriate and competitive with the control diet (without faba beans and based on corn-soybean meal).

In the present study, the effects of peppermint essential oil (PEO) and artifier in low energy diets on production index, feed cost, blood biochemical parameters and shelf life of meat of broiler chickens was investigated. A total of 240 male Ross broiler were used in a completely randomized design with 2×2 factorial method and compared with the control treatment (5 treatments) and 4 replications. Experimental treatments were include 1. control treatment and treatments containing low energy diets (150 kcal / kg less than the control diet) supplemented with 2. without additives 3. 150 ppm PEO 4. 300 ppm artifiers and 5. 150 ppm PEO + 300 ppm artifiers. The results showed that among broiler chickens fed low energy diets, the use of PEO + artifier in the diet increased body weight, production index (P=0.11) and decreased feed price (P<0.05) in the whole period. No difference was observed between birds fed control diet and birds fed low energy diet containing PEO + artifier in body weight, production index, survival percentage and feed price. Also, birds fed low energy diets containing PEO + artifier had lower serum cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, triglyceride and meat malondialdehyde, and greater total antioxidant capacity, as compared to control diet. Finally, it can be concluded that the simultaneous use of 150 ppm PEO and 300 ppm artifier in low energy diets of broiler chickens compared to the control diet had the same performance and feed cost and improved blood biochemistry parameters and meat shelf life.

By increasing the poultry and broiler production industry, concerns for  having a food free of pathogens, and as a result, producing a quality and healthy product are increasing. Therefore, correct and efficient disinfection of poultry diets with maintaining the quality of them is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gasification of complete poultry feed by ozone on microbial papulation and the quality of broilers diets.

From 432 commercial male Ross strains in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with three levels of ozone gas (zero, 20 and 30 ppm) and two levels of low fat (1.5 and 2% vegetable oil for growth and finishing periods respectively) and high fat (3 and 4% of vegetable oil for growth and finishing periods, respectively) were used in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 4 replications. Diets were ozonated for 120 minutes at concentrations of 20 and 30 ppm. Aflatoxin B1 levels, microbial papulation and the presence of fungi in the feed as well as oxidation of feed lipids in broiler chickens were assayed  after ozonation.

Aflatoxin B1 was not found in grower and finishe diets. The lipid oxidation in ozonated diets with 30 ppm was significantly higher than non-ozonated diets (P<0.05).

According to the results of this experiment, the use of ozone gas to disinfect the broiler chickens diets, despite the destruction and inactivation of microbes and fungi, increases the oxidation of dietary fats.

 The most important effect of using emulsifiers and l-carnitine in the diet is to help the process of digestion and absorption of fats. Improving the efficiency of metabolizable energy consumption and crude protein when emulsifier and l-carnitine supplements used in the diet indicates the positive effect of emulsifiers on the digestion and absorption of fats and other nutrients. Considering the different metabolic activities l-carnitine and emulsifier (lipidol) in broiler chickens, it seems that the use of these compounds together in low-energy diets can significantly improve the performance of broiler chickens. Therefore, the present research investigated the role of lipidol and l-carnitine supplements in reducing the negative effects of low-energy diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical parameters and meat oxidative stability of broiler chickens.

The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with five treatments in four replicates and 12 chickens in each replicate. Broiler chickens were fed with diets including: 1. control diet 2. Low energy diet (150 kcal/kg less than the control diet) 3. Low energy diet + 100 ppm l-carnitine 4. Low energy diet + 1 g / kg lipidol 5. Low energy diet + 100 ppm l-carnitine + 1 g / kg lipidol for 42 days. Then, the growth performance of chickens, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical indicators (total antioxidant capacity, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL and HDL concentrations), nutrient digestibility (dry matter, protein, fat and organic matter) in starter and grower periods and meat oxidative stability of broiler chickens were measured and recorded. Finally, the analysis of data was performed using GLM method by SAS software. The means were compared using Tukey's multiple range tests.

The results showed that there was no difference in feed intake between the birds receiving the control diet and the other diets. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio of birds were significantly improved by control diet than other treatments (P<0.05). However, birds receiving low-energy diets containing lipidol + l-carnitine had the same feed conversion ratio (1.79) as birds receiving the control diet (1.75). Birds fed with low-energy diets containing lipidol and lipidol + l-carnitine had better weight gain and feed conversion ratio than birds fed with low-energy diets containing l-carnitine and without additives (P<0.05). Compared to the control treatment, the birds that were fed with low-energy diets containing lipidol and l-carnitine separately and together had a lower abdominal fat percentage (0.4%) (P<0.05). Also, birds fed with the control diet showed a tendency to increase the heart percentage compared to other experimental treatments (P=0.06). Birds fed with low energy diets containing lipidol and lipidol + l-carnitine had higher dry matter (3.6%), protein (7.8%) and fat (6.6%) digestibility in the starter period and higher digestibility of dry matter (6.9%) in the grower period compared to other treatments (P<0.05). In general, in the starter period, the birds fed with control diet showed lower digestibility of protein (P=0.06) and fat (P<0.05), and in the growth period, the digestibility of dry matter was lower than the birds fed with other diets. Birds that were fed with low energy diets containing lipidol and l-carnitine separately or together had higher total antioxidant capacity compared to birds fed with control diet and low energy diet without additives (P<0.05). Also, birds that were fed with low-energy diets containing l-carnitine and lipidol + l-carnitine had lower blood triglyceride (P=0.05) cholesterol and LDL concentrations compared to birds fed with control diet and low-energy diet without additives (P<0.05). Birds fed with low energy diet containing lipidol + l-carnitine increased blood HDL level compared to birds receiving low energy diet without additives (P<0.05). Birds that were fed with low-energy diets containing lipidol and l-carnitine separately and together had lower concentrations of malondialdehyde in thigh and breast meats on days 3, 6 and 9 after slaughter and kept in a refrigerator (4ﹾC) compared to birds fed with low energy diets without additives and control diet (P<0.01). 

Finally, the simultaneous utilization of 100 ppm l-carnitine and 1 g / kg lipidol in low-energy diet showed similar growth performance when compared with control diet and led to improved carcass quality, fat, protein and dry matter digestibility, blood lipid parameters and meat shelf life of broiler chickens.

Camels play a major role in the life of people in parts of Africa and Asia, especially in the desert areas. Today, camels are important for sustainable livestock production species in many arid regions of the world. Camels are economically important in terms of meat, milk and wool production in the desert. Due to climate change, camel as a desirable animal for arid areas, requires more extensive scientific view. According to FAO statistics, about 95% of 35 million humped camels worldwide are single-humped camels. The cytochrome b sequence is part of the mitochondrial DNA, passing from mother to offspring’s, can be used to elucidate genetic diversity and evolutionary history within and between different species. The aim of this study was to compare the genetic diversity using cytochrome b sequence in Turkmen camel and its genetic relationship with one and two-humped camels. In addition, the genetic relationship of within and between different species of camels has been objected. After preparing a blood sample from the abdominal vein of Turkmen camel, DNA extraction was performed using salting out method. Turkmen camel sequencing was performed using Illumina HighSeq 2000. Sequencing creates 150 bp reads of the genome sequence. The reads were assembled by Denovo method using CLC software and the contig of containing the cytochrome b gene was isolated based on the reference gene, NC_009849. Relevant data were obtained to compare the CYTB reference gene in new (Lamini) and old (Camelini) world species of camels. To study the genetic diversity of the camel species, a total of 42 one-humped camels, 31 wild tow-humped camels, 121 domestic tow-humped camels, and wild lamas including 31 guanicoe (Lama guanico) And 6 vicogna-vicogna (vicogna vicogna) and domestic llamas including 6 lama glama and 5 alpaca (Lama pacos) were compared. The alignment of CYTB gene sequence samples of different species was performed using CLC Genomics Workbench 12 software. Then the number of gaps, the number of differences and identities were obtained. A phylogenetic tree was drawn to investigate the genetic relationships between and within species. Sequences of Turkmen camels and other Iranian and Arabian one-humped camels along with other species were analyzed for alignment using CLC software. Phylogenetic tree of DNA and proteins sequences of the gene was performed using Neighbor Joining method with Jukes-Cantor protein distance size with 1000 bootstrap replications. DNA extraction based on spectrophotometry was 304 ng/μl and was suitable for sequencing. After sequencing, 589,326,158 readings of 150 base-pairs containing more than 88 billion bases were obtained. Assembling of the obtained reads produced 235978 contigs from which the contig of containing cytochrome b gene was selected based on the reference gene. The sequence of other camel species was extracted from the database and used based on the fact that the data contained the entire cytochrome b gene, which corresponds to 1140 bp of the reference gene. There is the biggest difference between new world of wild and domestic camels. There was a minimal difference between Arabian and Turkmen camels with 100% similarity, followed by Lama Glama and Lama Guanico, as well as between wild and domestic two-humped camels. The Turkmen camel was completely similar to the Arabian camel and had the greatest difference with wild two-humped camels. In the study of Di Rocco et al. (2010) it was shown that the difference of cytochrome b sequence between wild camels (VV and L Cuanicoe) was 6.4%, which in this study was 6.3% which could be due to the larger number of samples in this study. The phylogenetic tree of cytochrome b protein sequence showed that the llamas and one and two-humped camels are located in different branches of the tree. According to the results of DNA phylogenetic tree, llamas were on one side and two-humped camels were on the other side of the tree and one-humped camels were located between them. There was a great diversity within the population of llamas. Some domestic one and two-humped camels are associated with wild two-humped camels. The results indicate that wild two-humped female camels were mated with domestic one and two-humped males that resulted one and two-humped domestic camels phenotype. The same is true of llamas, with domesticated Lama Glama and Lama Pacos locating among the wild species of Lama Guanicoe and Vicogna vicogna phylogenetic branch. Ming et al. (2016) demonstrated that domestic and wild two-humped camel species are genetically distinct from each other. In this study, it was shown that the domestic and wild two-humped camels is phylogenetically close to each other and distanced from one-humped camels. Based on the cytochrome b sequence, Cui et al. (2007) were concluded that one and two-humped camels separated before migrating to Eurasia. Similarly, in this study, it has been shown that one-humped camels are separated from two-humped camels, then wild and domestic two-humped camels are separated from each other. As a result, there is a greater phylogenetic distance between llamas and humped camels. Iranian one-humped camels can be classified into four genetic groups, two of which are originated from wild and domestic two-humped camels and the other two groups are among the one-humped camels. Iranian domestic two-humped camels were also phylogenetically divided into four genetic groups.

The effects of water type and hardness on performance, immune and biochemistry traits of blood, intestinal microflora population, meat and bone quality were evaluated using 192 male broiler chickens as a factorial arrangement (2 × 2) with four treatments and four replicates. The two factors studied were the type of drinking water (magnetized water and non-magnetized water) and the water hardness (normal-850 and hardess-2000 ppm). The results showed that in the whole period, the birds were received normal magnetized water showed a tendency to gain more weight compared to other birds were received other treatments (P = 0.09). Birds were received normal, magnetized, and non-magnetized water had more feed intake compared to birds were received hard magnetized water. Birds were received hard water consumed less water (P <0.05). Birds were consumed magnetic water had higher blood cholesterol and heterophilic to lymphocyte index than birds were received non-magnetic water (P<0.01). Birds that received hard water and magnetic water had less energy to break bones compared to birds that received normal water and non-magnetic water. The magnetization of hard water increased the population of lactobacilli in the ileum compared to birds were received non-magnetic hard water (P <0.001). Water hardness increased water holding capacity and decreased oxidation in meat. Thigh of birds were received magnetic water had lower concentration of malondialdehyde (P <0.01). Finally, magnetization of hard water increased the population of Lactobacillus ileum in the intestine, improved meat quality and reduced bone strength and feed intake without affecting feed conversion ratio.

The effects of different sources of copper supplementation on growth performance, some blood biochemical and immune parameters,microbial population of small intestine and meat quality were investigated with using of 240 male broiler chicks in a completely randomizeddesign with 5 treatments and 4 replicates from 1 to 42 days. Treatments consisted of control treatment (basal diet without copper supplement)and four diets containing 16 mg/kg of copper-glycine, copper-sulfate, copper-nanochelate and copper nano-glycinec. The results showed thatthe use of different sources of copper had no effect on growth performance, some blood biochemical parameters and percentage ofheterophil, lymphocyte, white blood cell, antibody titer against Newcastle disease, cholesterol, triglycerides and water holding capacity andpH of meat of broilers. Gastrointestinal relative weight in birds fed with diet containing copper-glycine was lower than the birds receivingcopper-nanochelate (P<0.05). The total microbial population of ileum in birds fed diets without copper and copper-sulfate was higher thanbirds receiving diet containing copper-glycine (P<0.01). Meat malondialdehyde concentration of birds fed with diets containing copperglycineand copper nano-glycine after 6 day of storage at refrigerator was lower than other birds (P<0.01). According to the results, the useof 16 mg/kg of copper from organic, mineral and nano sources in the diet has no effect on growth performance, immune system and ilealmicrobiota in broilers, but the use of copper-glycine and copper nano-glycine supplements in the diet reduces the oxidation of meat.

The effect of garden thyme essential oil (TEO) and rapeseed oil (RO) on performance, immune traits and intestinal morphology using 432 one-dayoldRoss 308 male broiler as a (3x3) factorial experiment in a completely randomized design including different levels of TEO (0, 300 and 500 ppm)and RO (1, 3 and 5 percentage) were evaluated with 9 treatments and 4 replicates. Throughout the rearing period, broiler chickens receiving 3%gained more weight than 1% of RO and chickens receiving 300 ppm gained more weight than those without TEO (P˂0.05). The use of 3% RO + 300ppm TEO increased the thigh percentage compared to 1% RO. At 1 and 5 percentage levels of RO, with increasing levels of TEO in the diet, bloodcholesterol and LDL concentrations decreased and blood HDL increased (P<0.01). Levels of 3% and 5% of RO + 300 and 500 ppm of TEO in broilerchicken diets increased lymphocyte percentage and antibody titer against Newcastle disease and decreased heterophil percentage and heterophil tolymphocyte ratio of blood (P<0.05). Broiler chickens receiving diet containing TEO had the highest ratio of villi height to crypt depth (P<0.01). Basedon the results, the level of 3% rapeseed oil + 300 ppm thyme essential oil in the diet of broiler chickens can be used to improve performance,immunity and biochemical traits of blood.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of graded creatine monohydrate levels on diets at different levels of protein on carcass characteristics and hematological parameters. A total of 320 Ross 308 one-day-old broilers were in the form of 2*4 factorials, with four levels of creatine (zero, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5%), and two levels of protein (requirements of Ross 308 and 10% higher), with four replicates, were used. Blood sampling was performed at 35 days of age. To investigate the carcass characteristics, at the end of the experiment two birds at each replicate were randomly selected, weighed and slaughtered. 10% higher protein requirement increased daily weight gain, live weight, carcass yield, relative liver, and breast weight, and decreased feed conversion ratio and abdominal fat (P<0.05). Adding 0.3% and 0.5% creatine monohydrate to the diet increased live weight, carcass yield and relative weight of breast and thigh compared to other groups (P<0.05). Protein and creatine levels had no effect on immune cells and Newcastle titer; however, the data indicated a numerical increase in lymphocyte, monocyte and Newcastle titer and a decrease in heterophil. Creatinine concentration in the blood of birds fed with 0.3 and 0.5% creatine monohydrate was higher than broilers fed with 0.1% creatine monohydrate and control group (P<0.05). The results showed that moreover the beneficial effects of creatine at high levels and 10% higher protein requirements on growth performance and carcass traits, blood creatinine concentrations should be increased which could potentially improve immune system function.

In poultry farms, the stresses are inevitable, therefore, it is very necessary to achieve an efficient and practical way to control and reduce its negatives effects. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different sources of chromium on thyroid hormones and some blood parameters of broiler chicks under physiological stress conditions. A total of 216 one day old Ross broiler chicks (male) were used in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with two stress conditions (no stress, stress) and three levels of additive (no Additive, 2000ppb chromium-methionine, and 2000ppb chrome-methionine mill) in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments, 3 replicates and 12 bird per each. Dexamethasone was added to the diet (1.5 mg/kg diet) during 24-18 days of age to induce physiological stress. The birds were fed with chromium diets from 18 d until the end of the experiment. Blood samples were taken at 24 and 46 days of age via brachial vein and then analyzed for blood glucose, lipids, cortisol, thyroxine (T4) and thyroid iodothyronine (T3). Physiological stress reduced the concentration of thyroid hormones, glucose, serum lipids and cortisol hormones. In stressed birds, the use of chrome methionine diet significantly reduced cholesterol of serum. Chromium supplementing diet increased thyroxine (T4) concentration. Dietary chromium methionine significantly decreased cortisol concentrations of serum. Based on the results, adding chromium ppb 2000 from various sources reduces the effects of physiological stress on thyroid hormones and cholesterol concentrations in the serum of birds under physiological stress.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of particle size of chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chicks under physiological stress conditions. A total of 288 broiler chicks (male) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangment with two stress status (no stress, stress) and three levels of Cr-Met (no Additive, 2000 ppb of Cr-Met, and 2000 ppb of Cr-Met milled) in a completely randomized design with six treatments, four replicates and 12 birds per each pen. Dexamethasone was added to diets (1.5 mg/kg diet) for a week (18-24 d) to induce physiological stress. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly and feed conversion ratio was calculated. The malondialdehyde content and the water holding capacity of meat were measured at 24 and 46 d of age. Also, breast meat pH was measured at 46 d. Physiological stress decreased feed intake, weight gain, carcass yeild, relative weight of spleen, bursa, heart and liver, but increased FCR and water holding capacity of meat bereast (P<0.05). In stressed birds, both forms of dietary Cr- Met improved FCR and increased the meat pH (P<0.05). There were no differences between the effects of particle size of Cr-Met on the studied parameters. According to the results of this experiment, dietary supplementation of 2000 ppb Cr-Met in different sizes reduced the negative effects of physiological stress and improved the FCR and carcass yield of birds under physiological stress.

The effects of different sources of selenium supplementation and rosemary essential oil on growth performance, microflora population and intestinal morphology in broiler chicken with using of 480 male broiler chicks in a factorial arrangement (2x5) with 10 treatments and 4 replicates were investigated. Two experimental factors consisted of different sources of selenium (level of 0.3 mg/kg of diet from selenomethionine, nanoselenomethionine, selenitsodium, nano selenium bonza and without selenium) and rosemary essential oil (0 and 300 mg/kg of diet). Results showed that broilers received diet of without Se and rosemary essential oil had lower weight gain and feed intake.Broilers received diet of nano selenium bonza with rosemary essential oil had lower feed conversion ratio as compared to the other broilers (P<0.05). Broilers fed on diets of nanoselenomethionine with rosemary essential oil and nano selenium bonza with rosemary essential oil were increased villus height in jejunum (P<0.05). The crypt depth of intestinal in birds which received nanoselenium was more than the birds that consumed other sources of selenium in the diet (P<0.05). Crypt diameter nano selenium bonza with rosemary essential oil treatment was higher as compared to other treatments (P<0.01). Selenomethionine and nanoselenomethionine alone and in combination with rosemary essential oil treatments had high lactobacillus population and lactobacillus population to total microbial population ratio of ileum as compared to without Se and rosemary essential oil treatment (P<0.05). Based on the results, inclusion nanoselenium (0.3 mg/kg) supplement with rosemary essential oil (300 mg/kg) into the diet of broiler chicken can improve performance, gut morphology and microflora.

Antioxidant compounds and unsaturated fatty acids play an important role in improving the immune response and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different sources of antioxidant and soybean and rapeseed oils on humoral immune responses, intestinal microflora and some of the blood parameters of broiler chicken. A total of 480 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated in a factorial arrangement (2×5) based on a completely randomized design with 10 treatments and 4 replicates during 42 days of age. Experimental factors consisted of different sources of antioxidant (rosemary, thymus and satureja essential oils at level of 300 ppm and vitamin E at concentration 200 mg/kg and without antioxidant) and vegetable oils (soybean and rapeseed oils at concentration of 4 percent of diet). Immune characteristics and intestinal microflora population were evaluated. The use of different soybean and rapeseed oils had no significant effect on antibody titer (P>0.05) but the use of antioxidants improved immune responses against Newcastle disease (P<0.01). Also, the use of rosemary, thymus and satureja essential oils increased serum level of blood high density lipoprotein and reduced blood low density lipoprotein (P<0.001).  Furthermore, the concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride increased in without  antioxidant treatment (P<0.001).Also, use of antioxidant treatments caused significant decrease of heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (P<0.05), then these result are consistent with the immune response against Newcastle disease. Furthermore, escherichia coli to lactic acid bacteria ratio increased in rosemary and thymus essential oils treatments compared with without antioxidant treatment (P<0.05). The use of dietary soybean and rapeseed oils did not have a significant effect on different traits of broiler chicken, but adding dietary antioxidants improved immune responses and intestinal microflora and in between different antioxidants, the use of essential oils compared with vitamin E  induced significant improvement of traits.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of L-arginine on qualitative characteristics and fatty acid profile of Ross 308 aged broiler breeder roosters’ sperm. Twelve breeder roosters at age of 52 week were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments and four replicates in each treatment for eight consecutive weeks. Experimental groups were consisting diets with levels of 0.52 (Ross recommendation 308), 0.68 and 0.83 present of arginine amino acids. Semen collection was performed every 14 days and in weeks 54, 56, 58 and 60 were tested. At the end of the trial, fatty acid profile of sperm was also evaluated. On week 56, semen volume in roosters with 0.68 present arginine was higher than other treatments (P<0.05). On week 60, levels of 0.52 and 0.68 percent arginine in semen volume, percentage of  total and progressive motility were higher than the level of 0.83 percent of arginine (P<0.05). On week 58, the percentage of abnormal sperm were lower in 0.68 and 0.83 percent arginine treatment compared to 0.52 percent arginine (P<0.05). Semen concentration, sperm plasma membrane functionality and sperm fatty acid profile were not affected by treatments used in this study. It can be concluded that 0.68 percent of arginine (30% higher than recommendation) of diet improve some qualitative sperm parameters in aged broiler breeder roosters.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of licorice essential oil on growth performance, meat quality and oxidative stability of meat by using 625 d-old Aryan broiler chicks in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 5 replicates and 25 birds per each. Dietary treatments included a control group which received no additive (basal diet) and two graded levels of licorice essential oil (100 and 200 mg/Kg) added to the control basal diet, and a basal diet including an antibiotic (Avilamycin, 150 mg/kg feed). Dietary treatments were iso-caloric and iso- nitrogenous. The results showed that the birds fed on diets containing 200 mg kg licorice essential oil had more daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio compared to other treatments (P

This study was carried out toinvestigate the effect ofmannan-oligosaccharide prebioticonperformance,egg quality, immune response, intestine ileum microflora and nutrient digestibility in laying hens fed various levels of crude protein. A total of 150 Hy-Line W-36 layinghens were assigned to a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental diets consisted of 3 levels of crude protein (recommended level for strain, 90 and 95% of recommended level) and 2 levels of mannan-oligosaccharides (0 and 0.1% of diet). Reduction of crude protein to 10% of basal diet resulted in decrease of egg weight, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio (P

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Humulus lupulus essential oils as an alternative to antibiotic and antioxidant on productive performance, lipids stability of meat and ileum microbial population in broiler chickens during days 1 to 42 of age. A total of 625 day-old Arian broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments (200 and 400 mg/kg Humulus lupulusessential oils, 100 mg/kg antibiotic avilamycin, 150 mg/kg protexin probiotic and control) and five replicates of 25 birds each. Broilers that were fed dietary Humulus lupulus oil at level of 400 mg/kg and antibiotic revealed higher feed intake than broilers fed dietary Humulus lupulusoil at level of 200 mg/kg (P