ali mehr

This experiment was designed to evaluate the protective effect of nano-hydroxyapatite against freezing damages on spermatozoa using five rams. Ejaculates (N=30) were collected with three-day intervals between sessions for six times. Ejaculates were pooled and split into 12 parts at each session. The amount of 0.01, 0.02, 0.05 or 0.1% nano-hydroxyapatite and 3, 5 or 7% glycerol were added. Samples were frozen and stored for two weeks. After that two straws from each treatment for each replication (totally 144 straws) were thawed and incubated at 37 ° C for 6 h. Sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated at 0, 3 and 6 h after thawing. Results showed that there was no interaction between nano-hydroxyapatite, glycerol and incubation time (P>0.05). Sperm viability and acrosome integrity were not affected by different levels of nano-hydroxyapatite particles (P>0.05). There was no difference between the level of 0.01 and 0.1% nano-hydroxyapatite particles on the total (21.8 and 21.5%, respectively) and progressive sperm motility (17.8 and 17.7 %, respectively; P>0.05). Total and progressive sperm motility was the highest (24.8 and 21.0%, respectively) in the level of 0.02% nano-hydroxyapatite particles (P<0.05). Membrane integrity was higher in the level of 0.02% nano-hydroxyapatite particles (52.7%) than other levels (P<0.05). Therefore, the addition of 0.02% nano-hydroxyapatite particles to the ram semen extender improved the quality of frozen spermatozoa.

The aim of the present study was to compare the expression of lactoferrin and TLR4 genes in cow milk somatic cells to investigate genetic differences effects and crossbreeding on the gene expression of the immune system as well as the effect of mastitis. Total RNA was extracted from fresh milk cells of 3 healthy Holstein¡ 3 Guilan Native and 3 F1 crossbred cattle belong to the National Animal Breeding Center of Iran and 3 Holstein with mild symptoms of clinical mastitis. After cDNA synthesis genes expression was measured using Real-time PCR relative to the reference gene GAPDH. The results showed while in crossbred cows the average expression of both genes was higher than parents (P0.05). This study indicated that while there was non-significance difference between Guilan native and Holstein¡ but the crossbreeding clearly affected on the expression of two genes associated with genetic resistance.

Antioxidant effect of olive leaf extract (OLE) was studied on motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa and malondialdehyde production in 12 Ross 308 roosters at their 30 weeks of age. Semen samples were collected by abdominal massage in 5 times. In each session after the initial sperm assessment, collected samples were pooled and diluted with Sexton extender.Samples were split into five parts and the concentrations of 0 (control), 50, 100, 150 and 200 µg/mL OLE were added to each part, then,the samples were incubated for 72 hours at 4 degree Celsius. Progressive motility, viability and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours of storage and production of malondialdehyde were analyzed after 48 hours of storage. Adding 100 µg/mL OLE to semen reduced malondialdehyde production (P

Artificial insemination (AI) has only been used as a supplement to natural mating. AI, when used in conjunction with accurate progeny testing schemes, can substantially increase the rate of genetic progress compared with that of natural service. Moreover, the use of AI causes the limitation of the transmitted diseases. Cervical insemination with frozen-thawed ram semen has not been widely adopted, probably because of the relative poor fertility obtained. Thus using fresh and diluted semen is only approach for performing AI.
AI is currently limited by the poor fertility achieved after cervical insemination with the storage of liquid semen at sub-ambient temperature. The success of this procedure in sheep is restricted by the short length of time that ram sperm can be stored in a liquid state. Moreover, the effect of cooling on sperm differs depending on species. It is also well known that ram spermatozoa are more sensitive to cold-shock stress than those of other species.
Seminal plasma, as physiological secretion, is a complex mixture of secretions originating from testis, epididymis and accessory sex glands which is mixed with epididymal sperm at ejaculation; it serves as the carrier of sperm to the female genital tract. This mixture contains numerous factors such as organic and nonorganic material which play an important role in the final maturation of the spermatozoa through hormonal, enzymatic and surface-modifying events. During natural mating, a mechanism may be activated to separate spermatozoa from seminal plasma. After being ejaculated into the vagina, sperm swim through cervical mucus and enter the uterus within minutes (>30 min); cervical mucus acts as a barrier for seminal plasma. In the artificial insemination industry, seminal plasma with all the useful and harmful components is not removed from semen and is in contact with sperm throughout cooling, freezing and storage.
On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the auto-destructive activity of seminal plasma was decreased which may be reduced by coating spermatozoa for less than 5 min during collection with the commercial diluent supplemented with egg yolk. The detrimental effect of lipid efflux induced by seminal plasma may be abolished by decreasing the time of the contact between seminal plasma and sperm.
The objective of this study was to determine whether coating method, as a collection method, can improve fertility of ram spermatozoa after 72 h storage.
Experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of seminal plasma on coated spermatozoa fertility by using 111 ewes, aged between 1 and 3 years. Semen from four mature, healthy and fertile Thaleshi rams, aged between 2 and 5 years, were used for AI. The animals were housed at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Education Research and Practice Farm, University of Guilan, South of Rasht (it is located at 37° 12´ North latitude and 49° 39´ East longitude) and fed daily with alfalfa hay and 0.5 kg of concentrate, and provided salt lick and water ad libitum. Semen was collected throughout the breeding season (August, 2011) by using an artificial vagina. Ejaculates from each ram were collected in a tube containing 5 ml of coating medium (269 mM Tris (Hydroxymethy1) aminomethane, 52 mM D-Fructose, 89 mM Citric Acid, 2000 IU/ml penicillin G and 0.4 mg/ml streptomycin pH=7.0) at72 h before insemination. Two or three consecutive ejaculates fromeach ram were collected. The ejaculates were placed in a water bath (35○C) immediately after collection. Semen quality was assessed, and to be accepted as a donor, and the ejaculation of each ram ejaculation had to fulfill the following demands concerning semen quality: volume ≥ 0.5 ml, macroscopic good visual mass activity (sperm motility ≥ 75%), sperm concentration ≥ 3 × 109⁄ml and normal sperm morphology ≥ 90%. Coated ejaculates were centrifuged for 10 min at 700 × g at room temperature and the supernatant was removed. The pellets were diluted by Tris-glucose up to 800 × 106 sperm/mL then they were split into three parts (E-S, E-S-and E) and incubated at 5 C. After 68 h‚ samples were centrifuged by 700 × g 10 min at 5 °C. In E-S, supernatant was removed and added 10% crude seminal plasma. In E-S-‚ supernatant was removed and added Tris-glucose. In E‚ pellet was mixed with supernatant. Samples were packaged into straws‚ incubated at 5 °C for 4 h and inseminated 72 h after collection. Ewes were allocated to three groups and inseminated after synchronizing estrus by using CIDER (14 d) and injection hCG (400 IU).
The results showed that the lambing rate was higher in ewes of second parity (18.91%) than ewes of first parity (5.12%). There was no significant difference between E-S- (24.32%) and E (10.81%) although the percentage of lambing rate was higher about 10 % in E-S- than E. There was no significant difference between E-S(5.12%) and E on lambing rate. The pair-wise comparison of the lambing rates between the three groups showed significant higher results for E-S- compared with E-S. Therefore, fertility of coated spermatozoa was not improved by adding 10% crude seminal plasma after three days storage at 5 C.

In order to study the effect of Satureja hortensis essence on productive performance and intestinal microflora of broilers, an experiment was performed with 192 day-old chicks. At 6 d, birds were split into 16 groups (12 chicks) included 4 group for each treatment. The amount of Zero (control), 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 150 ppm of Satureja hortensis essence were added to drinking water from 6 to 42 d. At 18, 28 and 38 d, a bird of each group were slaughtered and their ileosecalcontents were picked. CFU/g of Coliforms, E. coli and lactobacillus of samples were determined. Results indicated that control had the highest feed intakes (122.13), the lowest daily weight gain (60.36) and the highest feed conversion ratio (2.02; P<0.05). At 18, 28, and 38 d. the highest CFU/g of E.coli (6.36, 7.13 and 7.18, respectively) and the highest CFU/g of Coliforms (6.87, 7.37 and 7.44, respectively) were archived by control (P<0.05). CFU/g of lactobacillus was not affected by Satureja hortensis essence(P<0.05). The highest and lowest carcass ratio were obtained by Es150 and Es0, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion, theaddition of Satureja hortensis essence to drinking water of broiler is improved productive performance and decreased E.coli and Coliforms in gut.

In this study, nine Taleshi rams (approximately 3 years old and average BW was 55.6±1.57 kg) were selected randomly and allocated into three groups to investigate the effect of melatonin (regulin) on sperm during breeding and non-breeding seasons. The first group (control) did not receive any regulin, the rams of second group received one regulin and finally, the third group received two regulins subcutaneously at the same time. Scrotal circumference (SC), semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm viability of all rams were measured on day zero (regulin implantation day). Scrotal circumference was measured 45 days after regulin implantation and semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and viability were measured 46, 50, 54 and 58 days after regulin implantation. The results indicated that the use of regulin had not any significant effect on the SC and sperm quantity and quality parameters during breeding season (P 0.05). The SC and motility were increased by using two regulins during non-breeding season and this improved sperm viability in comparison to control group (P<0.05). Whereas, the use of regulin had not significant effect on semen volume and sperm concentration (P>0.05). It is concluded that improvement in the ram semen quality was expected with the use of two regulins during non-breeding season.

Use of acetic acid, as a feed additive, improved broiler chickens performance via modifying intestinal microflora. Experiment was conducted to test the possibility of replacing antibiotic growth promoters with acetic acid. This study was performed by using 144 broiler day-old chicks. Birds were split into four groups and each group divided into three subgroups (replicates) which contained 12 chicks at 6 days. The amount of 3 mg/Kg lincomycin hydrochloride (An), zero (AA0), 0.7 (AA0.7) and 1.4% (AA1.4) acetic acid were added to diet of each group. At 18, 28 and 38 day, one bird of each subgroup was slaughtered and its ileosecal contents were picked. CFU/g of Coliforms, E. coli and lactobacillus of samples were determined. The lowest of feed intake (104.91 and 104.90, respectively), the highest of daily gain weight (60.97 and 61.01, respectively) and the lowest of feed conversion ratio (1.72 and 1.72, respectively) were achieved by AA0.7 and AA1.4 at the entire period (P<0.05). CFU/g of E.coli was lower in AA1.4 (5.26 and 5.40) than AA0 (6.32 and 6.45) and An (5.73 and 5.60; P<0.05) at 28 and 38 day. CFU/g of lactobacillus was lower in AA0 (6.06) than AA0.7 (6.71) and AA1.4 (6.70) at 28 day (P<0.05) and there was no difference between AA0 and An (6.49; P>0.05). CFU/g of lactobacillus was lowest in AA0 (6.14; P<0.05) and there was no difference among other treatments at 38 day (P>0.05). Due to improved food intake, daily gain weight, feed conserve ratio, CFU/g of intestinal harmful and helpful bacteria, replacement of lincomycin with acetic acid in the diet of broiler chickens is possible.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Watercress extract on rooster sperm storage at 4 °C by using 15 mature roosters. Semen collection was performed twice a week in 5 times. In each session, ejaculates were pooled and split into five parts. The amount of 0, 300, 600, 900 and 1200 μg/mL Watercress extract were added to each part. After that, samples were chilled to 4 °C and kept until 72 h. Sperm viability (by staining Hoechst 33258), motility and membrane integrity were evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. To determine lipid peroxidation, the concentration of malondialdehid (MDA) was evaluated by using 300 106 spermatoza at 48 h. The results showed that the lowest of concentration of MDA (1.0 μM/mL) was in 600 μg/mL Watercress extract (P<0.05). The main effect of watergrass on sperm viability showed that viability of spermatozoa was lowest (73.4%) in 1200 μg/mL Watercress extract level (P<0.05). There was interaction between Watercress extract and storage time on sperm motility and membrane integrity (P<0.05). After 48 h incubation, membrane integrity was higher in 600 μg/mL (90.70%) Watercress extract than control (85.80%; P<0.05). At 72 h, there was no difference between 600 (51±3.36) and 300 (42.60±3.01) μg/mL Watercress extract on sperm motility (P>0.05) and it was higher in 600 μg/mL Grass water extract than other treatments (P<0.05). Therefore, the addition of 600 μg/mL Watercress extract to semen improves longevity of rooster spermatozoa at 4 C.

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 experiment was conducted to determine the effect of egg yolk levels and cold shock on coated spermatozoa by using 2 × 5 factorial arrangement of the ten treatments and 5 replicates under a repeated measure randomize design. At 5 sessions, semen was collected from three ram by artificial vagina contact with a tube containing Tris- fructose-egg yolk 15%. Samples were pooled, centrifuged and removed supernatant. Aliquot was split into two groups and each one was split into 5 subgroups and after that it was added egg yolk 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%. First group was encountered with cold shock and second group was gradually cooled up to 5◦C then samples were incubated for 72 h. Progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability (by Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining) and acrosome reaction (by PNA-Alexa flur-488) were investigated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Sperm viability under cold shock and gradual cooling was higher in 5% egg yolk (67.6 ±1.47and 77.3±1.47, respectively) than 0% egg yolk (59.75±1.47 and 71.2±1.47, respectively). Sperm progressive motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity were improved in present of egg yolk; but, there was no difference among the treatments containing egg yolk. It was suggested that 5% egg yolk was superior to keep the function of ram coated spermatozoa for storage at 5ºC in skim milk extender.

Experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of egg yolk for coating and storing spermatozoa. Ejaculates were collected from four rams. In each session، second ejaculates (n=4) were collected in a tube containing 1 mL coating buffers which were prepared by 10، 15 or 20% egg yolk plus Tris-fructose. Samples were pooled، centrifuged and the supernatant removed in the laboratory. The pellets were diluted with Tris-fructose containing egg yolk which was equal to its concentration in coating. To perform four replicates for each sample، diluted sample was split into four parts then each part was split into two fractions. One of them (cold-shock) was suddenly put on ice water and the other was chilled at 0. 25°C/min until 5°C. Aliquots were kept at 5°C for 36 h and sperm motility، viability and functional membrane integrity were determined at 0، 12، 24 and 36 h. The results showed that functional membrane integrity was highest in 20% yolk egg under gradual cooling at 0، 24 and 36 h (85. 7، 75. 9 and 71. 7%،respectively; P<0. 05). In the presence of 20% egg yolk، sperm viability was highest under cold-shock (74. 8%) and gradual cooling (78. 5%) and sperm motility was lower in cold-shock than gradual cooling at all storage times (76. 9، 60. 7، 36. 2 and 27. 7% vs. 85. 4، 73. 1، 54. 6 and 40. 8%، respectively; P<0. 05). Therefore، 20% egg yolk can improve coated sperm longevity in normal gradual cooling; but it does not prevent the destructive effect of cold-shock from taking place.

To determine the effect of different levels of L-glutamine and glycerol on freezing coated sperm, semen were collected from 4 Taleshi rams through artificial vagina contact with a tube containing Tris-fructose-egg yolk 15%. Ejaculates were pooled, centrifuged and supernatant was removed, then cell fractions were used. Samples were split into 9 equal parts and 3 (g3), 5 (g5) or 7% (g7) glycerol and 0 (G0), 80 (G80) or 160 (G160) mM L-Glutamine were added. Then samples were frozen by using liquid nitrogen and thawed after 2 weeks. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and acrosome reaction were investigated at 0, 3, 6 and 9 h after thawing. The results showed that there was an interaction between glycerol and L-glutamine on sperm motility and acrosome integrity. The highest sperm motility was observed in G80g5 (45±1.95), G0g7 (48.75±1.95) and G80g7 (50±1.95). The lowest sperm motility was achieved by G0g3 (26.5±1.95). The lowest acrosome integrity was observed in G160g3 (76±0.94). The highest plasma membrane integrity (45.28±1.57) and sperm viability (36.71±1.16) was observed in 80 mM L-glutamine. The highest sperm viability was observed in 7% glycerol (41.71±1.58). Therefore, 7% of glycerol and 80 mM of L-glutamine could be beneficial to freeze coated ram spermatozoa.

Experiment was conducted to study the effect of different antibiotics on sperm quality of ram by a completely randomized block design using 23 factorial arrangement with 2 block and 4 observations in each experimental units. Factors include three antibiotics named Gentamycin (G), Lincomycin (L) and Ampicillin (A) that were used at two different levels including zero and, respectively 5, 10 and 2.5 μg / ml of diluents. Tris-based and skimmed milk-based diluents were considered as block1 and block2 respectively. Semen was collected from four rams in 8 times. Samples were aggregated and divided into eight equal parts. The different levels of antibiotics were added to each part. Samples temperature was reduced at a rate of 0.25° C/min t 5° C and was stored at this temperature for 72 hours. Sperms evaluations were performed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after storage. The interactions between antibiotics on the progressive mobility, plasma membrane integrity and viability of sperm were significant (P<0.05).After 0,24,48 and 72h of storage, progressive motility(78.19, 66.26% and 54.52%), plasma membrane integrity(85.12%,75.12% and 62.62%) and viability of sperm(86.12% 78.38% and 70.62%) in a0g0l10 (Lincomycin 10μg / ml of diluents) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than other treatments except a0g5l0 (Gentamycin 5μg / ml of diluents) at 24, 48 and 72 h after storage. However the characteristics of a0g0l10were significantly higher than a0g5l0 at time zero. From this study we concluded that using Lincomycin 10μg / ml had the most effect on quality of spermatozoa during storage at 5° C.

Experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of SAF-Mannan on productive performance and intestinal microflora by 180 day-old chicks. At six d، Chicks were divided to five groups (treatments) and each group was split into three replicates which included 12 birds. Amounts of 0. 3 mg/Kg lincomycin premix، 0 (control)، 0. 5 (A0. 5) and 1 (S1) g/Kg SAF-Mannan for total period were added to diet of the first four treatments and also 0. 25and 0. 75 g/Kg SAF-Mannan for starter and grower، respectively were added to diets of the fifth treatment (S0. 25-0. 75). Poupulation of E. coli and lactobacillus of ileal samples were assayed at 18، 28 and 38 d of age. The results showed that birds fed on SAF-Manan diets had lower feed conversion ratio compared to control group (P<0. 05). At 18 and 28 d، the E. coli count in the al content of SAF-Manan treatments was lower than controland lincomycin treatment (P<0. 05). At 28 d، lactobacillus count in ileal content of birds fed on dietd containing 1 g SAF-Manan was higher compared to other treatments (P<0. 05). It could be conclude that addition of 0. 5 g/Kg SAF-Manan to broiler diet improve weight gain and feed conversion ratio probably، by modifying of intestinal microflora.

This experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of dietary Aloe vera gel powder on performance, and humoral immunity of Japanese quails. Seven hundred one day old Japanese quails were allocated in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments replicated 5 times each with 35 birds per replicate. The experimental treatments were: 1) control group (basal diet, diet without aloe vera gel powder), 2) basal diet + 0.1 percent of aloe vera gel powder.3) basal diet + 0.2 percent of aloe vera gel powder, and 4) basal diet + 0.3 percent of aloe vera gel powder. The results did not show any significant differences between dietary treatments for feed intake, feed conversion ratio and weight gain (P>0.05). Statistically, a higher thymus weight (% of body weight) was found for group with 0.3% Aloe vera gel powder compared to the control group (P<0.05). The relative weights of spleen and bursa of fabricius and total immunoglobulin (Ig) and IgG antibody titers against SRBC were increased by increasing the levels of Aloe vera gel powder in the diets but these differences were not significant (P>0.05). The highest IgM antibody against Sheep Red Blood Cell (SRBC) was obtained by 0.3% Aloe vera gel powder group (P<0.05). In spite of non-effective impact of Aloe vera gel powder on the performance of the birds, the improved response of immune system found with this study could be beneficial for the quails in some stress conditions.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of acetic acid and diet energy on productive performance and intestinal microflora in 216 day-old broiler chicks. Chicks were divided to 2 parts and each part was split into 9 groups (12 birds) after six days. The first and second parts of chicks were fed by control (N) and high energy (H) diet, respectively. Each of the amounts of 0 (A0), 0.7(A0.7) and 1.4 (A1.4) acetic acid were added to diets of three groups of both parts in 3 replicates. A bird of each group in the day 18, 28 and 38 was slaughtered and its ileosecal contents were picked. CFU/g of Coliforms, E. coli and lactobacillus of samples were determined. The results showed that the lowest feed conversion ratio was achieved by 1.4% acetic acid (P<0.05). There was intraction effect of time and acetic acid on CFU/g of Coliforms and E. coli (P<0.05). On day 38, CFU/g of Coliforms obtained by 0.7 and 1.4 % acetic acid was lower than 0% acetic acid (P<0.05). CFU/g of E. coli with 0.7 % acetic acid, achieved on day 28 was higher than on day 38 (P<0.05). The lowest CFU/g of lactobacillus was obtained with 0% acetic acid (P<0.05). Conclusion, the addition of acetic acid up to 1.4% to diet of broilers can improve feed conversion ratio, enhance the growth of lactobacilli and prevent the growth of Coliforms and E. coli in the digestive contents.

Two experiments were designed to examine the effects of crude seminal plasma (CSP) exposure of ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa before freezing. Experiment 1، two consecutive ejaculates were collected (n=4) within 5 min، the second one was carried out in a tube containing Fiser extender (coated spermatozoa); by centrifugation، seminal plasma was removed from coated ejaculates. The pellets were split into three parts and 0، 50 and 100% CSP (v/v) was added and they were frozen. Samples were thawed and incubated at 37°C for 6 h. The highest progressive motility (10. 41%) and the highest hypo-osmotic responses (12. 62%) were found for the coated spermatozoa without CSP at 6 (P<0. 05). The maximum viability was found for coated spermatozoa without CSP at 0 (29. 4%) and 6 (17%، P<0. 05). Experiment 2، epididymal spermatozoa were recovered (n=6)، pooled and split into three fractions and 0، 50 and 100% CSP and the diluents were added، after that they were frozen. Thawed epididymal spermatozoa were incubated at 37°C for 6 h. The highest (33. 3%) and lowest (25%) progressive motility were found for the epididymal spermatozoa without CSP and the epididymal spermatozoa with 100% CSP at 0، respectively (P<0. 05). The highest (19. 37%) and the lowest (9. 38%) viability were related to the epididymal spermatozoa with 0 and 100% CSP at 6، respectively (P<0. 05). Under the conditions of the current study، the addition of CSP to the ram epididymal and coated spermatozoa strengthened the detrimental effect of the freezing procedure.

Leptin is secreted mainly by fat، which is involved in energy metabolism and reproduction. Leptin and its receptor (Ob-R) have been detected in human spermatozoa and testis، thus it can be concluded leptin involves in male physiology. The goal of this study was determination of the presence of leptin receptor mRNA in the ram testis، epididymis and spermatozoa by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ejaculated spermatozoa from ten fertile Taleshi ram were collected by means of an artificial vagina. Testes، placental cotyledons and adrenal glands were obtained from abattoir. Placental cotyledons and adrenal glands were used as the positive control. Epididymal spermatozoa recovery was performed from epididymis. To purify spermatozoa، motile sperm were isolated by the swim-up procedure. Total RNA was isolated from epididymal spermatozoa، ejaculated spermatozoa، adrenal gland and placental cotyledon and then they were purified. The mRNA for the long form (Ob-Rb) and the short form (Ob-Ra) of leptin receptor was detected in testis. RT-PCR analysis of total RNA from epididymal spermatozoa and ejaculated spermatozoa revealed the presence of leptin mRNA in these cells. The mRNA for Ob-Rb was observed in epididymis and epididymal spermatozoa، but the Ob-Ra mRNA was absent. The presence of Ob-Ra mRNA was found in ejaculated spermatozoa، whereas Ob-Rb mRNA did not exist. It can be concluded that the mRNA for leptin receptor is present in ram gonads and spermatozoa.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of egg yolk and cooling on ram coated spermatozoa. Semen was collected from three ram by artificial vagina contacted with a tube containing Tris- fructose-egg yolk 15%. Samples were pooled، centrifuged by 700 g for 10 min and removed supernatant. Then، samples were diluted by Tris-glucose and centrifuged again to remove seminal plasma and egg yolk. Aliquots split into two fractions and each one was split into 5 parts and added egg yolk 0، 5، 10، 15 and 20%. The half of the treatments were gradually cold and other ones were encountered with cold shock then samples were incubated at 5C for 72 h. Progressive sperm motility، plasma membrane integrity، viability (by Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining) and acrosome reaction (by PNA-Alexa flur-488) were investigated at 0، 24، 48 and 72 h. The results showed that there was no difference between 15% and 20% egg yolk in the progressive sperm motility but they were higher than 0% and 5% egg yolk. There was highest difference between 0% and 20 % egg yolk in the progressive sperm motility. There was no difference among the treatments containing egg yolk in plasma membrane integrity and acrosome reaction. In both cooling rate، there was no difference among the treatments containing egg yolk in the sperm viability. It was suggested that 20% egg yolk was superior to keep the function of ram coated spermatozoa for storage at 5C.

In order to study the effect of green tea and fish oil on performance and antibody titer against Newcastle disease, 405 day-old broiler chickens were evaluated in a 3×3 factorial experiment using completely randomized design. Chicks were divided into 9 parts and each part was split into 3 groups. Each part was fed by diet containing 0% (T0), 0.75% (T0.75) or 1.5% (T1.5) dry powder of green tea and 0% (F0), 0.75% (F0.75) or 1.5% (F1.5) fish oil. Feed intake, gain weight and feed conversion ratio were estimated weekly. The vaccine of Newcastle was inoculated at 8 and 17d. To assay the antibody of Newcastle by HI test, blood samples were collected from five checks of each group from brachial vein at 25, 32 and 39 d. The results showed that there was no difference between treatments on the feed conversion ratio (P>0.05) and the lowest weight gain (30.43) and the highest feed intake (72.25) were observed by 1.5% fish oil and 1.5% green tea. At 39 d, the highest level of antibody (3) was obtained by 1.5 % fish oil (P<0.05). At 32 and 39d, the levels of antibody against Newcastle was lower in 1.5% green tea (2.09 and 2.18, respectively) than 0% green tea (2.64 and 2.84, respectively; P<0.05). Therefore, the addition of 1.5% fish oil and 1.5% green tea to diet of broiler chickens increased and decreased the humoral immunity responses against Newcastle disease, respectively.

The effects of Protexin (probiotic) and formic acid were studied on performance in 200 Cobb broiler chicks in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications and 10 chicks per replicate. The chicks in first group as control were fed with basal diet. The chicks in the second, third and forth groups were fed with food, which contained 0.1 gr/kg Protexin, 0.8 percent formic acid and 0.1 gr/kg Protexin with 0.8 percent Formic acid in diet, respectively. To measurement of performance, broilers and remainder food in each replication were weight, weekly and feed conversion rate were calculated in each week. The results indicated that body weight gain not affected by experimental treatments (P>0.05). Protexin and Protexin + formic acid in grower period and Protexin in finisher period reduced feed intake (P<0.05). Treatment groups improved feed conversion rate in grower and finisher periods (P<0.05) but the forth group were not significantly different from second and third groups (P>0.05). Thymus and bursa of Fabricius weights were increased in treatment groups (P<0.05). It is concluded that Protexin and formic acid improved feed conversion rate and increased weights of thymus and bursa of Fabricius, synergism effect of Protexin and formic acid on performance did not observe.