morteza mamouei

Superovulation is a crucial component of assisted reproductive technology. Inducing superovulation with Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation, potentially affecting reproductive outcomes.

This study aimed to examine the effects of GnRH treatment on superovulation response and embryo recovery in Holstein heifers.

Twenty-one Holstein heifers (age: 135.15 months; weight: 361.05 kg) were selected based on their general health status and ovarian function. All heifers received two consecutive doses of prostaglandin F2α and underwent superovulation. The heifers were inseminated twice: Once at the onset of standing estrus and again 12 hours later. In the treatment group (13 heifers), a single dose of GnRH was administered simultaneously with the second insemination. The superovulation response was evaluated based on the number of corpus luteum (CL), unovulated follicles (UoF), total recovered embryos/ova, and the number of transferable embryos, using logistic regression with the GENMOD procedure in SAS.

The mean number of CL was not significantly greater in the control group (13.6) compared to the GnRH group (11.4). The average number of UoF was similar between the two groups (P = 0.1853). However, the control group had a significantly higher average total number of recovered embryos/ova (7.7) compared to the GnRH group (2.1). Additionally, the control group progesterone more transferable embryos, with an average of 2.5, while the GnRH group averaged 0.7 (P < 0.0062).

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone likely deactivated the oviduct by disrupting the balance of estradiol and estrogen, leading to a reduction in both the total number of embryos and the number of transferable embryos in heifers.

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is rich in nutrients, growth factors, hormones, and other essential compounds necessary for cell growth. However, its use has several disadvantages. Platelets in particular contain the majority of the potent mitogenic factors found in serum.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of platelet lysate (PL) on in vitro embryo production by replacing FBS, to determine if this modified Charles Rosenkrans medium (mCR2aa) can support ovine embryo development compared to the commercially available BO-IVC medium.

In the first experiment, varying concentrations of FBS (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) and PL (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were investigated in the mCR2aa culture medium. In the second experiment, the optimized mCR2aa medium was compared to the BO-IVC medium. Ovine oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro using BO-IVM Bioscience medium and Brackett and Oliphant medium, respectively. Subsequently, the resulting zygotes were cultured in either mCR2aa medium supplemented with amino acids or BO-IVC medium, according to the experimental design, under a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO 2 , 5% O 2 , and 90% N 2 at 38.5ºC.

The results indicated that using 5% PL in the mCR2aa culture medium reduced the serum percentage to 2.5%.

It was not possible to completely eliminate serum from the mCR2aa medium solely by substituting it with PL. Further studies are needed to explore other serum properties such as chelating agents and antioxidant activities to fully optimize the mCR2aa medium without serum.

 More understanding of the physiological needs of the embryo during its growth from the zygote to the blastocyst stage, as well as the composition of the uterine and fallopian tubal secretions, has led to the development of single-step or sequential culture media.

 The present study aimed to investigate the utilization of mCR2aa culture medium as a sequential culture medium for embryo development, supplemented with platelet lysate (PL) to decrease the concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the embryo culture medium.

 After maturation and fertilization of sheep oocytes obtained from a slaughterhouse, potential zygotes were cultured in mCR2aa medium without FBS for two days (C1, 1 - 3 days of culture). In the second two days of culture (C2, 3 - 5 days of culture), 2.5% or 5% of FBS and 5% or 10% of PL were used. In the remaining days of culture (C3, 5 - 9 days of culture), 2.5%, 5%, or 10% of FBS, and 0%, 2.5%, 5%, or 10% of PL were used. These percentages were compared to the commercial BO-IVC™ medium and mCR2aa medium, both of which contained 10% of FBS.

 No significant difference was observed in the number of produced blastocysts between different treatments and the control. However, the number of hatched blastocysts in BO-IVC™, as a single-step culture medium, significantly differed from that of the other treatments. The number of hatched blastocysts in the sequential culture medium was higher in media supplemented with 2.5% FBS and 10% PL in the C2 mCR2aa medium, and 2.5% FBS without PL in the C3 mCR2aa medium, but no significant difference was observed in other treatments. However, increasing the concentration of FBS and PL in the C3 mCR2aa medium significantly decreased the number of hatched blastocysts.

 An increase in the percentage of PL to 10% necessitated a decrease in FBS to 2.5% in the C2 mCR2aa medium, while PL in the C3 mCR2aa medium was not required in the presence of 2.5% FBS.

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of injection of PMSG and GnRH hormones on reproductive performance of Arabi ewes in the breeding season. 75 ewes were divided into 5 groups. The first group had no estrus synchronization program and no hormonal injection (control). Vaginal progesterone sponge (MAP) was inserted into other groups for 14 days. Simultaneously with the withdrawal of sponge, they were treated with: 1- injection of 500 IU of PMSG, 2- injection of 100 micrograms of GnRH, 3- injection of 500 IU of PMSG plus 100 micrograms of GnRH and 4- without injection (MAP only). One healthy and fertile Arabi ram was assigned to each of the 5 ewes. Estrous behavior of ewes was recorded for 7 days. The estrous response, return to estrus, pregnancy length, lambing rate, prolificacy rate, fecundity rate and the ratio of the birth of male and female lambs, were not affected by treatments. Injection of PMSG and GnRH were able to reduce the time of estrus onset coMAPred to sponge treatment alone (P<0.05). The birth weight and weight of 30, 60 and 90 days in lambs, although were affected by the treatments (P<0.05), but no obvious effect of hormone injection was observed on these parameters. In general, the injection of PMSG and GnRH in the estrus synchronization program of Arabi ewes, although was an effective method in estrus onset time, but could not have a significant effect on the other reproductive performances of the animal during the breeding season.

The aim of present study was to evaluation the effect of different levels of soybean lecithin in tris extender replaced with egg yolk on semen quality parameters of Arabic ram after freeze-thawing process. For this purpose, the experiment with numbers of 8 adult and healthy Arabic rams with an average weight of 75 ± 5 kg were used in a completely randomized design. Semen samples were collected using electro ejaculator. Semen samples were mixed and after dilution, were divided in to 5 experimental groups. Treatments were increasing levels of soybean lecithin (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent) and egg yolk (15 percent) in tris base extender and 5 percent of glycerol. The 5 numbers of 0.5 ml straws from each treatment were filled. The straws were equivalence for 2 hours in 5˚C and then freezed. After 2 weeks, straws were thawed at 37˚C. Qualitative parameters of spermatozoa including the motility, viability, morphological abnormalities, membrane integrity and the pH of semen were evaluated. The resulted of this experiment showed that extender containing 1.5 percent of soybean lecithin significantly improved total motility and progressive motility, viability, morphological abnormalities and membrane integrity of Arabic ram spermatozoa compared to the other levels of lecithin as well as egg yolk (P<0.05). The most improvement have been observed at the 1.5 % soybean lecithin. Therefore, this level can be used in tris extender for maintaining of Arabic ram spermatozoa in freeze condition.

Growth, defined as changes of body weight over time, is an economically important trait in sheep that directly determines meat production.Increase in live weight or dimension against age has been described as growth. Changes in live weight or dimension for a period of time are explained by the growth curves. Animal breeders are interested in the genotypic and phenotypic relationships during all phases of growth. Knowledge of genotypic and phenotypic relationships among live weights, degree of maturity and growth rate during all phases of growth is necessary to formulate breeding programs to improve lifetime efficiency.  Growth models are mathematical functions which are applied for describing the growth pattern. Understanding, estimating, and capturing the defining characteristics of growth processes are key components of developmental research. The aim of the present study was to estimate the genetic parameters for growth traits in Zandi sheep, by determining the most appropriate animal models to be fitted. In addition, genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlations between traits were estimated.

The data used in this study were obtained from the Animal Breeding Center of Iran. The data were screened several times to remove the defective and out of range records. Growth curve parameters used in study were asymptomatic mature weight (A), Growth rate (B) and maturity rate (K). The procedure of SAS software was used for studying of fix effects. Based on body weight at different ages and using different initial values, each of the growth curve parameters was estimated using SAS software version 9.1 and NLIN procedure. Estimation of (co)variance components of growth curve parameters was conducted using Bayesian approach implemented in MTGSAM and Wombat software. The number of Gibbs sampling rounds used was 200,000 rounds.  Ten percent of these numbers (20,000 rounds) was burn-in. The convergence criterion for stopping repetitions in this analysis was also considered as 10 decimals (10-10). Sampling intervals of 200 and Gouss- Seidel 10000 repetitions were considered. In order to find the best model incorporating the constant and random effects affecting each of the parameters of the growth pattern, the following models, with and without regard to maternal effects including maternal additive genetic effects and permanent maternal environmental effects in the model (Meyer’s models) were tested.

 Environmental factors such as year of birth and sex of lamb showed significant influence on growth curve parameters (A, B and k) in Zandi sheep. Estimates of direct heritability is based on best models using REML and Bayesian methods for A, B and K were 0.064 and 0.14, 0.17and 0.16, 0.16and 0.18 respectively. Maternal heritability was in range of 0.006 - 0.08 and Proportion of environmental variance to phenotypic variance in range of 0.03 - 0.05 parameters growth curve. Among the growth curve parameters, only A and k have biological interpretation and therefore, relationship between them may provide necessary conclusions. Estimates of direct genetic correlation between growth curve parameters were 0.323, -0.429 and 0.803 between A-B, A-K and B-K, respectively. The positive and high genetic correlation between A and B parameters is evident as expected for common genetic and physiological mechanisms controlling these traits. Positive genetic correlation between these traits suggests that selection in one parameter of the growth curve would also improve the other parameter. Residual correlations between growth curve parameters varied form −0.296 (between A-K) to 0.732 (between B-K). Phenotypic correlations between growth curve parameters varied form −0.184 (between A-K) to 0.743 (between B-K). The phenotypic and genetic antagonism between A and k indicates that rapid reduction in growth rate after inflexion point results in lower mature weights. This finding would be helpful for improving selection by identifying the animal who reaches inflexion point earlier and attend higher mature weights later.

 Current genetic estimates for growth curve parameters in Zandi sheep could be applied in designing selection program in this breed. The low estimates of heritability for A, B and K parameters could be assigned to the high phenotypic variance arising from large environmental variation. This therefore implies that much of the improvement in these growth curve parameters could be obtained by improvement of environment rather than genetic selection. It is important to provide good environmental conditions along with optimal management strategies in the flock to achieve a desired shape of growth curve through changing the parameters of model.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between blood plasma leptin and progesterone concentrations in pre and post sexual maturity in Najdi female calves. For this purpose 7 female Najdi calves of Shushtar Breeding Station of Najdi cattle with average ages of 8 months and the average weight is 85/00±9/72 were used. For determination of the leptin and progesterone concentrations, multiple sampling before and after sexual maturity were performed. The results of this study indicate that in female Najdi calves, 13-16 month with 137.81±13.5 kg body weight was considered the age of sexual maturity. No significant correlation was found between plasma leptin and progesterone concentrations before (r=0.082, p>0.05) and after sexual maturity (r =0.096, p>0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation (r=0.73, p<0.01) between leptin concentration and body weight. Significantly positive correlation (r=0.84, p<0.01) were found between plasma leptin and age. The significantly positive correlation between plasma progesterone concentration and age (r=0.45, p<0.01) as well as body weight (r=0.44, p<0.01) were observed. In conclusion, the results showed that there was no significant relationship between leptin and progesterone concentration, but there was a positive correlation between leptin, progesterone and body weight and bud age of Najdi female calves.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of using hydroalcoholic sage extract after experimental copper poisoning on performance and blood metabolites of Japanese quail, in a completely randomized design with 320 one-day old Japanese quails in 4 treatments with4 replicates and 20 birds per each replicate. Experimental treatments were: 1) control (basal diet), 2) basal diet + 750 mg/kg copper sulfate, 3) basal diet + 10 g/kg sage extract and 4) basal diet with 750 mg/kg copper sulfate and 10 g/kg of sage extract. The feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly and calculated for starter, grower and whole periods. The results of this experiment showed that in starter period, FI was highest in control group compared to other treatments (P <0.05). In the starter and total periods, the average BWG of birds that received diet contained copper was significantly lower than birds in control and the birds that received diets supplemented with sage extract (P <0.05). In the starter period, the FCR was improved when diets supplemented with sage extract in comparison with the birds that received copper (P <0.05). Higher levels of blood glucose and triglyceride and lower levels of HDL and LDL were observed in birds receiving copper in their diet (P <0.05). The results of this experiment showed that supplementation Japanese quail’s diet with sage extract can improve BWG and FCR in starter period, and it may alleviate harmful effect of copper poisoning.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma leptin and blood testosterone concentration before and after puberty. Eight male Najdi calves with mean age of 7 months were used for this purpose. Blood samples were taken three times before and after reaching puberty. At each sampling period, a blood sample was collected to determine the plasma concentration of leptin from all 8 consecutive and 6 consecutive blood samples and at 20 min intervals from 4 animals to determine the plasma level of testosterone. The results of this study showed that the age of puberty in the Najdi race was 13-15 months old and the average weight was 120.08 ± 36.91 kg. Plasma leptin concentration was negatively correlated with testosterone (P <0.05, r = -0.43), age (P <0.01, r = -0.77), body weight (P <0.01, -0.39), testicular environment (r = -0.62, P <0.01) and testicular height (r = -0.72, P <0.01). In general, it can be concluded that with the onset of puberty and the increase in testosterone concentration, leptin concentration decreased due to the negative effect of testosterone on the production of leptin hormone in the body.

Selenium is an essential nutrient that play a very important role in the body and is an antioxidant.  The biological role of selenium is based on its effects on the structure of many selenoproteins. This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of nano-selenium nutritional supplementation on blood and semen glutathione peroxidase activity in Khuzestan Arabian rams. In this experiment, twelve Arabian rams with an average weight of 73±3 kg and two to four years old were used. Animals were divided into three groups; the control group (without nano-Selenium) and two experimental groups that received the 0.4 and 0.8 mg nano-selenium per kg dry matter, respectively. The results showed that selenium concentrations in blood and semen increased in treatment 0.4 compared to the control, which was significantly increased in the blood. Blood and semen selenium concentrations in group 0.8 were significantly higher than group 0.4 and control. The blood and semen glutathione peroxidase activity significantly increased in treatment 0.4 compared to control and in treatment 0.8 compared to the control and treatment 0.4. Finally, it was concluded that Nano-selenium supplementation increases the blood and semen glutathione peroxidase activity of Arabian rams and treatment 0.8 showed the best results.

The objective of this study was to investigate the additive effect of 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 IU/kg of vitamin D3 on the productive and egg quality characteristics in Japanese quail. 320 adult Japanese quail were used. Experiment was done in a randomized complete block design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 16 quails in each replicate (12 female and 4 male birds) for 42 days. After 2 weeks of treatments, the productive characteristics of birds were recorded weekly for 6 weeks. At the end of experiment, 5 eggs were selected randomly from each replication and egg quality traits were examined. Feed conversion ratio and also some egg quality parameters including eggshell weight, egg width and diameter of thin albumen were influenced by levels of vitamin D3 (p<0.05). Although the egg quality parameters had no significant difference with control, but the egg shell weight and egg width percent were increased with increase the levels of vitami D3 from 4000 (15.90 and 2.67, respectively) to 8000 (14.41 and 2.51, respectively) IU/kg (p<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in 4000 IU/kg of vitamin D3 (3.68) was significantly lower than the control (4.22) (p<0.05). The other egg quality characteristic as well as feed intake, percentage of egg production and egg weight were not affected by treatments (p<0.05). The results of this study show the improvement of feed conversion and eggshell weight and egg width in Japanese quail's, especially at the level of 4000 IU/kg of vitamin D.

Mineral elements for various activities such as biochemical, productive and reproductive functions of animals are necessary and their concentration in the body of animals, under the influence of soil and plants will be different in each region.

The aim of present experiment was determination of concentration of macro and micro minerals in blood of gazing camel in the pastures of Khuzestan.

Eighty-eight camels under 11 classes, according to age and physiological situation in Hoveyzeh, Jofeir and Abadan-Khoramshahr regions were investigated during the autumn and winter grazing seasons.

Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and iron in serum of all class of camels were in the optimal range, compared to the critical level. The concentrations of camels blood Zn and Cu were under critical level, so they were deficient, the P was near the deficiency threshold. Concentration of Mn was low.

Therefore, as important roles of minerals in improvement of production and reproductive situations of camels in these regions, the mineral status of feedlot must be improved by proper mineral supplementation, the results of present experiment could be useful.

During the semen storage, oxidative damage is one of the major causes of reduced motility and fertility of spermatozoa. Therefore, antioxidants such as zinc and vitamin C in seminal plasma may be have the important effects on reduce the lipid peroxidation of spermatozoa by prevent the destroy effect of ROS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of vitamin C and zinc in tris extender on spermatozoa characteristics of Arabi ram in liquid condition by 3×3×4 factorial arrangement with the use of completely randomized design. Treatments were included the levels of vitamin C (0, 150 and 300 μg/ml), zinc (0, 90 and 180 μg/ml) and storage periods of diluted semen (0, 2, 4 and 8 hours) in refrigerator temperature. Semen was collected weekly from 8 Arabic rams with 2-3 years old in breeding season and mixed together. The mixed semen was divided in to 9 parts and after dilution with tris, vitamin C and zinc levels were added. Spermatozoa characteristics include the progressive motility, viability and morphological defect rates were evaluated in various times of semen storage period. The effects of vitamin C, zinc and storage periods of semen on spermatozoa progressive motility, viability and morphological defect rates were significant (P<0.05). Also, comparison the means by Duncan test revealed that the highest motility and viability rates and lowest morphological defect rates were observed in zero levels of vitamin C and zinc (P<0.05). Therefore, vitamin C and zinc have no improved effects on motility, viability and morphological defect rates of spermatozoa in liquid storage condition of Arabian ram.

Halophytic plants constitute a significant part of the local flora in arid and semiarid regions. Native sheep, goats and camels graze these forages. The Suaeda fruticosa, Seidlitzia rosmarinus and Atriplex leucoclada that are belonging to the chenopodiaceae family, have considerable forage potential in the arid and semiarid rangelands. Overall, these plants are tolerant to drought, and used to reclaim degraded rangeland. In addition, they reduce ground water salinity and improve condition and structure of soil. Meanwhile, there are some secondary metabolites in halophytic plants like condense tannin that effect on consume and performance of the animals. Characteristic of a pasture, climatic conditions the pasture, range management, time of grazing in the pasture, animal characteristics and method of study are factors that all or some can influence yield, chemical compositions and rumen degradability of Halophytic plants. There are a few reports about the nutrition value of Atriplex spp., Seidlitzia spp. and suaeda spp. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate of chemical composition and nutrients degradability of these halophyte plants for dromedary camels.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Two female camels (about four years old) with rumen fistula were used in present experiment. The plants sampling were conducted from three regions of Jofer, Howayzeh and road of Abadan-Khorramshahr on the Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran, an area of approximately 60 Km in diameter. All ranges in term of topography have plain shape, without stone and deep canyons, and with high levels of underground water. The soil of these ranges has salinity characteristic and clay constitution. The study regions climate typified that of south Khuzestan. Annual mean temperature is 24.9°C with average minimum and maximum temperatures ranging from 2.6°C in January to 42°C in August. Precipitation averaged 224 mm per day.  The study area had a fair diversity of vegetation types. Four types of these plants named Atriplex leucoclada (AL), Suaeda fruticosa (SF), Seidlitzia rosmarinus (SR) were evaluated individually or in different mixture in completely randomized design. Treatments were, T1, 33.5% AL + 66.5% SR; T2, 100% AL; T3, 66.5% AL + 33.5% SF; T4, 66.5% AL + 33.5% SR; T5, 100% SR; T6, 33.5% AL + 66.5% SF; T7, 66.5% SR + 33.5% SF; T8, 66.5% SF + 33.5% SR; T9, 100% SF. Dry matter (DM), crude protein CP, ether extract (EE), ash, NDF, ADF, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), neutral detergent soluble fiber (NDSF), total 80% ethanol-soluble carbohydrate (TESC), organic acids, starch and in situ degradability of DM, OM, NDF, CP of each plants were measured.    Atriplex leucoclada had the highest hemicellulose, NDF and organic matter among three halophyte plants. The highest concentrations of tannin and oxalate and organic acids were related to Seidlitzia rosmarinus. The SR and AL had respectively highest and lowest dry matter (DM) degradability and effective degradability (ED) (P<0.05). There was not any difference between Seidlitzia rosmarinus and mixture of Seidlitzia rosmarinus + Suaeda fruticose (Treat 7 and 8). Briefly, according to the results of this section, replacement the high levels of Seidlitzia rosmarinus instead of Suaeda fruticose, increase the dry matter degradability more effectiveness than low levels of that. Organic matter degradability of the SR and SF was significantly higher than the AL (P<0.05). The T7 and T2 treatments had the highest and lowest NDF degradability among others, respectively (P<0.05). Crude protein degradability was highest in the treat containing 66.5% SR+33.5% AL (T1), and AL treat had lowest in situ CP degradability percentage. The results were shown that CP degradation rate was faster than DM, OM and NDF in the initial incubation times. It was concluded that according to DM, OM and NDF degradability, the best plant mix for better feeding of grazing camels are treatments T5, T7 and T8 (without AL); but as protein degradability and chemical composition data, the treatments containing AL (T1, T3, T4 andT6, excepted T2) were the best mix. Therefore, it seems that one of the strategies for improving the digestibility of halophyte plants in camels is mixing these plants with each other, which according to the results of the present experiment, a combination of AL with SR or SF may be caused to more ruminal degradability in feeding of grazing camel and rehabilitation of rangelands.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding zinc (zinc oxide) and vit E (α-tocopherol acetate) on antioxidant enzyme, sexual hormone and some biochemical parameters of Japanese quails. A total of 960 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) 70 d of age were housed in cages and randomly allocated to 10 treatments. Each treatment comprised 4 replicates of 24 birds (sixteen females and eight males). A 5 × 2 factorial arrangement with five levels of Zn include: 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg /kg of diet and two levels of dietary Vit E (0 and 40 IU/kg of diet) was used in a completely randomized block design, by using a corn- soybean meal basal diet. Water and feed were supplied on an ad libitum basis during the 10 wk trial. Results indicated that supplemented zinc significantly increased activity superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxides enzyme, also activity enzymes glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxides and total antioxidant increased with added Vit E but superoxide dismutase didnt influence. Level of testosterone and estrogen hormones significantly increased by supplement Zn. Level of cholesterol by added Zn and also level triglyceride and cholesterol by supplement Vit E decreased. Results this experiment indicted supplementation zinc and Vit E effective on antioxidant enzyme, sexual hormone and some biochemical parameters

In present experiment fermantability of three halophyte species including: Atriplex leucoclada (AL), Suaeda fruticosa (SF) and Seidlitzia rosmarinus (SR) in the form of individually or mixed as 0.0, 33.5 66.5 and 100% with each other (9 diets), were evaluated using a compelet randomized design. These halophyte species were collected from southern rangelands of Khuzestan province during autumn and winter grazing season. The diets were different regarding the rate and amount of gas producedtion (P

Increase in blood Zn bioavailability improves production and immune system. Due to the relation among zinc, leptin and immune system, this trial conducted to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation more than NRC recommendation on serum concentration of zinc and leptin in late gestation cows and its consequent colostral IgG and also its passive transfer to newborn calves, calves serum total protein and health scores.

This trial was conducted from 25 days before expected parturition day to 30 days after calving. Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows by mean of 3.1 and 2.9 lactation for control and high zinc level treatment respectively, fed diets containing 75 and 150 mg/kg of dry mater Zn. Feeding was once a day at 09:00. Diets were isocalorie and isonitrogenous and the only difference was the proportion of Zn. Blood samples were taken from cows tail vein to determine Zn and leptin concentrations on -25 and -5 days relative to estimated parturition time. Immediately postcalving, calves were weighed and removed from the dam to prevent nursing and cows were moved to a maternity barn, milked, and a colostrum sample was collected. Calves fed colostrum of their own dam and a sample of colostrum used to determine concentration of IgG. Calves jugular vein used for blood sampling to test seral IgG and total protein twenty-four hour after birth. Individual animal health score (nasal, eye and ear, fecal, cough and rectal temperature) were assigned (using a calf health-scoring system developed by the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison) to calves for 30 days.

Using 150 mg/kg of Zn in the diet increased seral Zn and leptin 5 days before calving compared with control (P<0.05). Colostral IgG and also calves seral IgG and total protein increased by consuming high level of Zn. Positive correlation was observed between colostral and calves seral IgG. Calves health scores had no significant difference between treatments.

Probably supplementation of high level of Zn in late gestation diets, by increasing in dams seral Zn and leptin, improves calves immune system.

Using 150 mg/kg of Zn in the diet increased seral Zn and leptin 5 days before calving compared with control (P<0.05). Colostral IgG and also calves seral IgG and total protein increased by consuming high level of Zn. Positive correlation was observed between colostral and calves seral IgG. Calves health scores had no significant difference between treatments.

Probably supplementation of high level of Zn in late gestation diets, by increasing in dams seral Zn and leptin, improves calves immune system

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E on reproductive and productive parameters in Japanese quails. A total number of 240 female and 80 male Japanese quail were divided into five treatments with four replications in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were zero control, 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg kg-1 of vitamin E. Fertility and total hatchability were not affected by treatments. But, the lowest hatch of fertile eggs and the highest embryonic death were observed in control group (p

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different concentrations of royal jelly in tris extender on motility, viability, morphological abnormalities and membrane integrity of spermatozoa in Arabi rams. For this purpose, the semen of 10 Arabi rams were polled and then examined under 5 treatments including the tris diluent containing the concentrations of zero, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% royal jelly in three times of zero, 24 and 48 hours in a completely randomized design. The results showed a significant difference in motility of spermatozoa among royal jelly treatments and control (P0.05). Concentrations 1 and 1.5% of royal jelly improved the amount of sperm plasma membrane integrity when compared with 0.5 and 2% of royal jelly concentrations (P

The Effect of various amount of soybean lecithin replaced with egg yolk to protect the ram semen in times of one hour after semen collection, as well as 24 and 48 hours after the semen store at 5°C was evaluated. Semen was collected weekly for 8 weeks from 10 rams with 2-3 years old and average body weights of 64 kg. Semen samples were pooled and divided into 4 parts. Each part was diluted with one of the tris base extender containing 0.5, 1 and 1.5 percent of soybean lecithin and 14 percent of egg yolk. The motility, viability, morphological abnormalities and membrane integrity of spermatozoa and pH of semen were evaluated. The results showed that 1.5 percent of soybean lecithin improved the motility and viability of spermatozoa at the first time (P

In this Research, effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on motility and fertility of indigenous rooster spermatozoa was evaluated using 20 and 48 indigenous roosters and hens, respectively. Semen was collected and pooled. In the first experiment, the pooled semen was diluted and divided into four aliquots.The treatments were included the diluted semen without BSA and with 1% BSA; In each group, spermatozoa motility was evaluated during 30 minutes of semen collection and 24 hours after semen storage in 4°C. Spermatozoa motility parameters were evaluated by computer assisted sperm analysis and routine methods. In the second experiment, hens were divided into 4 groups with 12 hens in each group and fresh diluted semen without BSA and containing 1% BSA as well as stored diluted semen without BSA and containing 1% BSA were inseminated. The eggs were incubated and proportion of fertile egg in each treatment group was recorded. By adding 1% BSA into the diluted semen of indigenous rooster, sperm motility parameters and fertility rate were not affected in fresh semen. However, after 24 hours of semen storage in liquid condition, BSA significantly preserved motility and fertility potential of spermatozoa (P

Chemical composition and metabolizable energy of three camel browsed halophyte species (Atriplex leucoclada، Suaeda fruticosa، Seidlitzia rosmarinus) were assessed and in vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD)، OM (IVOMD)، NDF (IVNDFD)، ADF (IVADFD) were determined using a completely randomized design. Plant samples were collected based on camel''s grazing patterns during the autumn-winter grazing seasons in southern Khuzestan province. The samples were mixed on dry matter basis to provide different combined mixtures (as treatments). Replacing 33. 5 or 66. 5% of A. leucoclada with S. rosmarinus or S. fruticosa reduced OM content and increased Ash content. Also، replacing of A. leucoclada with S. rosmarinus increased ME content. The IVDMD of treatments were different (p<0. 05). Replacing 66. 5% of S. fruticosa with S. rosmarinus and A. leucoclada with S. rosmarinus increased IVOMD. NDF and ADF digestibility of A. leucoclada were higher than those of S. rosmarinus and S. fruticosa، also S. rosmarinus than that of S. fruticosa (p<0. 05). It can be concluded that، three species were not different in terms of metabolizable energy but the combination of A. leucoclada with S. rosmarinus enhanced organic matter digestibility and energetic value

High ambient temperature is the major constraint on Buffalo productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance and thyroid gland function in winter and summer seasons in Khuzestan buffalo bulls. Six male indigenous buffaloes of Khuzestan with nearly the same age (2-3 years old) and weight were used. Semen and blood samples through jugular vein were collected, every two weeks throughout the summer and winter seasons. The thyroid hormones and thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in blood serum were measured by radioimmunoassay method. Semen quality was determined, using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) and routine methods. The concentration of thyroxin (T4) was lower in winter than summer (p ≤ 0.05). The level of T3 uptake was higher in cold season than that of in hot season (p ≤ 0.05). The differences of tri-iodotyronine (T3) and TSH concentrations, as well as free thyroxin index were not significant between seasons. The semen volume and spermatozoa parameters including concentration, progressive motility, linear velocity, mean velocity, beat cross frequency, linear coefficient and straightness coefficient were higher in winter than summer (p ≤ 0.05). Semen pH and amplitude of lateral head displacement of spermatozoa were higher in summer than winter (p ≤ 0.05). In winter, there was positive correlation between spermatozoa concentration and T3 value of blood serum (p ≤ 0.05). There were positive correlations between values of semen volume and T4, progressive spermatozoa motility percent and TSH, as well as, total motility of spermatozoa and TSH in summer (p ≤ 0.05). In general, thyroid function and semen quality of Khuzestan buffaloes may be affected by seasons.

The most poultry production in the world is dedicated to dry and tropical regions that these areas have long days with high temperature over 300C. In these regions the most important problem is heat stress which could cause less production and more mortality in the flock. In this study the useful effects of early age thermal conditioning and feed restriction to improve performance of broiler chicks under summer heat stress were investigated. Three hundred chicks (cobb 500) were randomly divided into 4 treatments, with 5 replicates (15 chicks) for each treatments in completely randomized block design. Treatments include thermal conditioning group (TC), feed restriction group (FR), feed restriction-thermal conditioning group (TCFR) and control group (C). The groups TC and TCFR were exposed to thermal conditioning (38±2 C, for 24 h) at third day and the FR and TCFR groups were exposed to feed restriction for seven hours (10 am to 5 pm) at 7-14 days. Thyroid hormones were measured at 26th and 40th days. Results showed that, thermal conditioning group improved weight gain in comparison with control (p<0.05). Although, All the mentioned treatments had not significant effect on feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Thermal conditioning group increased concentration of T3 and T3/T4 ratio at 26 day of age (p<0.05). The concentration of T3 and T3/T4 ratio at 26 day of age decreased and T3 concentration increased at 40 day of age in feed restriction group, (p<0.05). Therefore, thermal conditioning at 3 day of age, improved performance of broiler chickens through changes in thyroid hormone metabolism in the whole breeding period.