t. mohammadabadi

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of Myrtle leaf powder on quantitative and qualitative parameters of sperm, antioxidant capacity of semen plasma, and blood superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in Arabi ram in non-breeding season. 12 adult Arabic rams were used in 3 experimental treatments with 4 replicates per treatment. The treatments consisted of 3 levels of Myrtle leaf powder (0, 12.5 and 25 g/kg of DM). After 42 days feeding of experimental treatments, semen samples were collected and blood samples were obtained once a week for 4 consecutive weeks and the quantitative and qualitative parameters of sperm and total antioxidant capacity of semen were measured. Also, blood samples were subjected to measure testosterone level and SOD activity. 25 g/kg of myrtle powder had the best effect on improvement the sperm and semen characteristics include the motility (73.88%), viability (74.19%), morphological defects (10%), plasma membrane integrity (43.38%), semen volume (1.91 ml) and spermatozoa concentration (1.39 × 109/ml) as well as increased the seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (109.38 μmol/litr) and blood plasma SOD (500.19 U/ml) (p < 0.05). The blood sera testosterone concentration was not affected by treatments. A positive and significant correlation was found between the TAC and SOD with quantitative and qualitative parameters of sperm in Arabi ram (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of Myrtle leaf powder in diet improved reproductive performance, seminal plasma TAC and blood SOD activity in Arabi ram. The best result was obtained from 25 g/kg of this plant.

The current experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of conocarpuson digestibility, microbial rumen fermentation, and blood parameters in the Arabi sheep. At the first experiment, the most proper diet among diets containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% conocarpusfoliage, instead of corn silage, were selected by in vitro methods. The result indicated, diet containing 15% conocarpus had the greatest potential of gas production and digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber (p < /em><0.05). Then, diet containing 15% conocarpusfoliage was used in the feeding of Arabi sheep with average weight of 25±5 kg and 12±1 months age. These diets containing 55% forage to 45% concentrate were used in the completely randomized design for a period of 35 days. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber and acid in the experimental diets was not different (p < /em>>0.05). Also, blood triglyceride and aspartate and alanine aminotransferase did not influence by treatments (p < /em>>0.05). The potential of gas production and digestibility of straw in sheep fed with control and experimental diets had not significant difference (p < /em>>0.05). Dry matter intake, blood urea, glucose and LDL in treatment containing conocarpus were less than the control treatment, but blood cholesterol and HDL increased (p < /em><0.05). Ammonia nitrogen and pH of rumen in diet containing conocarpus was less than control (p < /em><0.05). The result of this study showed, due to the lack of a negative effect on digestibility and fermentation and the other parameters in this experiment, maybe conocarpus foliage can be used by 15% as replacement with some forage in Arabi sheep diet.

Oak nut is containing 55% starch and can be used as an energy source in the ruminant nutrition. In addition to nutritional compounds, oak nut contains high amounts of active biological compounds, such as tannin, gallic acid, galloyl or hexahydroxy decanol derivatives. Tannins form complexes with a large number of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, polysaccharides, bacterial cell membranes, digestive enzymes, and minerals, but decrease microbial digestion in the rumen. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of oak nut on the population and digestive activity of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa counts in the rumen of Najdi goat and Arabi sheep. For this purpose, six Najdi goats and six Arabi sheep (average weight 35 ± 2 kg) were fed with a diet containing oak nut (63 %) and a diet without oak nut for 28 days. Iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated according to NRC, in diet 30:70 forage to concentrate (3 animals per treatment). Samples of rumen fluid were collected before the morning feeding. Then, digestive activity of rumen bacteria and fungi, fermentation parameters, and protozoa counts of animals which fed with experimental diets were determined. Growth and digestive activity of rumen bacteria and fungi were determined by measuring DM, NDF and ADF disappearance in specific culture for each incubation time (9 replicates for each treatment). Gas production and fermentation parameters by fungi and bacteria were determined. The protozoa count, genus, and species were identified on the basis of Yanez Ruiz et al (2004). Cumulative gas production data were fitted into the exponential equation: Y = b (1 − e−ct), where b = gas production from the fermentable fraction (mL), c= the gas production rate constant (mL/h), t = the incubation time (h), and Y = gas produced in time t. Partitioning factor (PF), microbial biomass, and truly digested organic matter were calculated by Olivera (1998). For determination of partitioning factor (PF) at the end of each incubation period, the content of vials was transferred into an Erlenmeyer flask, mixed with 20 mL neutral detergent fiber solution, boiled for 1 hour, filtered, dried (in oven at 60 °C for 48 h), and ashed. The data were subjected to analysis as a split plot design using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS (version 9.1). The Duncan’s multiple range test was used to compare the mean differences at P<0.05. The disappearance of DM, NDF, and ADF by goat rumen bacteria at 24, 48 and 72 h were significantly higher in the control group than oak nut treatment (P<0.05). According to the results, there were no significant differences for the disappearance of DM, NDF, and ADF by the sheep and goat rumen fungi between the control group and oak nut treatment at 1, 3, and 6 days of incubation (P>0.05). The disappearance of DM, NDF, and ADF by the rumen fungi was not different between treatments at all times of incubation (P<0.05). The gas production potential of wheat straw, PF, microbial biomass production, the efficiency of microbial biomass, and truly digested organic matter by the rumen bacteria and fungi of sheep and goats did not have any significant differences in control treatment compared with oak nut treatment (P>0.05). Truly digested organic matter in the control treatment were higher than oak nut treatment (P<0.05). The PF by rumen fungi of sheep in diets containing oak nut was higher than goats, while the truly digested organic matter by the rumen fungi of goats was higher than the control diet in sheep (P<0.05). The total population of protozoa and Holotriches species was deceased in oak nut treatment (P<0.05). The population of goat rumen bacteria and fungi in control group was higher than that in control sheep group. The phenolic compounds (tannins) in diets containing oak nut decreased fibrolytic enzyme activity, inhibited carbohydrates fermentation, and consequently decreased fiber digestibility by rumen microorganism (Tavendale et al. 2005). Tannins can reduce microorganism adhesion to nutrients; inhibit microbial activity which has negative effects on fermentation and methane production. But, the increase of gas production rate by oak nut is due to higher soluble carbohydrate and lower NDF and ADF in diets containing oak nut, which increases the digestibility (Hadi et al. 2003). Phenols may disrupt protozoal membranes, inactivate protozoal enzymes, and deprive protozoa of substrates and metal ions, which are essential for protozoa cell metabolism (Calsamiglia et al. 2007). Based on the results, using 63% oak nut caused a decrease in microbial population, a decrease in the disappearance of nutrients and fermentation parameters of bacteria and fungi and a decline in the rumen protozoa population of Arabi sheep and Najdi goat. Also, the results showed higher tolerance of goats to the diet's tannin.

Oak kernel contains high starch, so it can be used as an energy source in the concentrate of ruminant diet. Also, oak kernel containing active biological compounds, such as tannin, gallic acid, galloyl or hexahydroxy decanol derivatives (Saffarzadeh et al. 1999). Tannins form complexes with a large number of nutrients and bacterial cell membranes, enzymes, and decrease digestion in the rumen (Rajablo 2009). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect experimental diets including 0, 15.80, 31.58, and 47.37% oak kernel on degradability parameters, fermentative and in vitro digestibility in Holstein cow and river Khuzestani buffalo. Oak kernel used by 15.8, 31.58 and 47.37 % in diet (balanced on the base of NRC, 2001) of cow and buffalo. Gas production and fermentation parameters of experimental diets were determined by Menke and Steingass (1988). Rumen fluid was collected from animals before the morning feeding. About 200 mg sample (1.0 mm screen) incubated in 100 ml vials with 35 ml buffered rumen fluid under continuous CO2 reflux for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, in a water bath maintained at 39°C. Cumulative gas production data were fitted to the exponential equation Y=b (1−e−ct), where b is the gas production (mL) from the fermentable fraction, c is the rate constant of gas production (mL/h), t is the incubation time (h) and Y is the volume of gas produced at time t. Partitioning factor, microbial biomass and truly digested organic matter was calculated by Makkar and Becker (1997). For determination of partitioning factor at the end of each incubation period, the content of vials was transferred into an Erlenmeyer flask, mixed with 20 mL neutral detergent fiber solution, boiled for 1 hour, filtered, dried (in oven at 60 °C for 48 h) and ashed. Digestibility of dry matter and NDF of experimental diets were determined using Tilly and Terry method (Tilly and Terry 1963). Rumen fluid was collected from animals and was mixed with McDougall buffer in a ratio 1:4. After gasifying with CO2, tubes were incubated at 39 ˚C. After 48 h of fermentation, 6 mL of 20% HCl solution and 5 mL pepsin solution were added and the incubated for 48 h simulating post-ruminal degradation. After incubation, the residual substrates of each tube were filtered and used to determine digestibility of DM and NDF.
Dry matter degradability was measured by in situ technique using cow and buffalo fitted with rumen fistula (400±12 Kg, BW). Five g of each milled sample (2.0 mm screen) were transferred into a polyester bag (10×20 cm, 52 μm pore size) and incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 24, 4 8, 72 and 96 hours (n= 4). The degradability of DM were calculated using the equation P = a + b (1- e -ct). The obtained data were analyzed in a split plot design using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS software, version 9.2. The Duncan multiple range test was used to compare means at P< 0.05. Dry matter digestibility and NDF were the highest in treatment including 31.58% oak kernel in cow and buffalo (P<0.05). Regardless of the type of treatment, dry matter digestibility was not significant in cow and buffalo (P>0.05), but NDF digestibility in buffalo was more than cows (P<0.05). The highest potential of gas production was for diets containing oak kernel (P<0.05). The value of PF, microbial biomass, microbial biomass efficiency and organic matter digested was not significant between diets containing different amounts of oak kernel (P>0.05). Slowly degradable fraction (b), potential of degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED) were the highest in the diet containing 31.58% oak kernel (P<0.05). Fraction of rapidly degradable (a), slowly degradable fraction (b), constant degradable rate (c), potential of degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED) was not different in cow and buffalo (P>0.05). Researchers reported that tannins cause inhibition of microbial enzymes and decrease in fermentation (Danesh Mesgaran 2009). Tannins can reduce microorganism adhesion to nutrients; inhibit microbial activity which has negative effects on fermentation and methane production (Frutos 2004). According to the result, it can be concluded, 31.58% oak kernel by improving in vitro fermentative condition of rumen can be used in diet of cow and Khuzestan buffalo, but it requires more studies.

Medicinal herbs such myrtle leave are used in animals, and secondary metabolites of them alter rumen fermentation in livestock. Essential oils of myrtle leaf are containing terpinolene, cineole, linalool, terpineol and linalyl acetate. Also there are phenolic acids such as gallic acid, vanillic acid and ferulic acid; tannins such as galotannin and flavonoids such as myrcetin, catechin and quercetin in myrtle oil. Myrtle leave was used traditionally in the treatment of bronchitis, sinusitis, diarrhea and hemorrhoids. The studies showed that myrtle essential oils are used greatly as a food preservative. Also researchers reported that secondary metabolites of medicinal plants have hypoglycemic properties and reduce cholesterol and other blood lipids. There is rare information about using of myrtle leaf in livestock nutrition. Therefore, purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effect feeding of myrtle leave on the gas production characteristics and fiber digestion and protein in Arabi sheep and effect of myrtle essential oils on gas production parameters. Material and In this trial, 8 Arabi sheep (about 9 months’ age and average weight 23±1.5 kg) were used and fed with diet without myrtle leave and diet containing 0.4 percent myrtle leave in diet 70:30 concentrate to forage for 30 days (4 replicates per treatment). In the end of experiment, fermentation parameters, gas production and in vitro digestibility of wheat straw and soybean meal with rumen fluid of sheep’s fed with experimental diets were measured. Rumen fluid was collected from animals before the morning feeding. About 200 mg sample (1.0 mm screen) incubated in 100 ml vials with 35 mL buffered rumen fluid under continuous CO2 reflux for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, in a water bath maintained at 39°C. Cumulative gas production data were fitted to the exponential equation Y=B (1−e−ct), where B is the gas production (mL) from the fermentable fraction, C is the rate constant of gas production (mL/h), t is the incubation time (h) and Y is the volume of gas produced at time t. Partitioning factor (PF), microbial biomass and truly digested organic matter was calculated by Makkar and Becker. For determination of partitioning factor at the end of each incubation period, the content of vials was transferred into an Erlenmeyer flask, mixed with 20 mL neutral detergent fiber solution, boiled for 1 hour, filtered, dried (in oven at 60 °C for 48 h) and ashed. In the second trial, the effect of different levels of myrtle essential oils (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mL) in diet 30% forage and 70% concentrate on gas production parameters was measured by gas production method. Essential oils of myrtle leaf were taken by clevenger. Digestibility of dry matter and NDF of samples (wheat straw and soybean meal) were determined using tilly and terry method. Rumen fluid was collected from animals, and were mixed with McDougall buffer in a ratio 1:4. After gasifying with CO2, tubes were incubated at 39 ˚C. After 48 h of fermentation, 6 mL of 20% HCl solution and 5 mL pepsin solution were added and the incubated for 48 h, simulating post-ruminal degradation. After incubation, the residual substrates of each tube were filtered and used to determine digestibility of DM and NDF. The obtained data were analyzed in a completely randomized design using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS software, version 9.1. The Duncan multiple range test was used to compare means at P< 0.05. Result and The results showed that no significant difference between treatments was observed in gas production potential of wheat straw, but gas production potential of soybean meal with rumen fluid of animals fed with myrtle leave after 96 hours’ incubation (158.13 mL/hour) increased (P<0.05). The gas production rate of wheat straw and soybean meal increased by myrtle leave (P<0.05). Fermentation characteristics (partitioning factor, truly digested organic matter and microbial biomass) of wheat straw were not affected by experimental treatments, but the partitioning factor, truly digested organic matter and microbial biomass of the soybean meal in animals fed with myrtle leave was higher in compared with control treatment (P<0.05). On the base of second experiment, using different levels of myrtle essential oils in diet significantly reduced gas production potential and rate and truly digested organic matter in comparison to the control treatment but PF significantly increased (P<0.05). Other parameters did not affect by levels of myrtle essential oils. It seems the inhibitory effect of essential oils on rumen microbial fermentation and decrease of digestion and gas production because of high content of active matters of essential oil in compared with myrtle leave, but increasing of gas production by inclusion of leave in diet refer nutrient availability of myrtle leave for microorganisms. The researchers reported cineole, alfa-pinen and tannins of myrtle essential oils caused to inhibition of microbial enzymes and decrease fermentation. Tannins can reduce microorganism adhesion to nutrients, inhibit microbial activity which have negative effects on fermentation and methane production. According to the result, it appears that inclusion 0.4 % myrtle leave in diet increased gas production and digestibility of NDF in Arabi sheep. But, myrtle essential oils levels significantly reduced gas production, fermentation and digested organic matter.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of silymarin against lead induced oxidative stress in broiler chickens. Therefore، 240 broiler chickens of Ross 308 allocated to 24 experimental units in a completely randomized design with factorial 2x3 arrangements and four replicates of 10 birds. The experimental diets containing silymarin at 3 levels (0، 100، 200 mg/kg) and 2 levels of lead (0، 200 mg/kg) were fed for 6 weeks. Results of this experiment showed that supplementation of 200 mg/kg silymarin attenuated adverse effect of lead on body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in 42 d. Also، addition of 200 mg/kg silymarin in lead-induced oxidative stress improved carcass characteristics. In addition، supplementation of silymarin in lead-induced oxidative stress no significantly decreased blood lipid parameters (cholesterol، triglyceride، LDL). Furthermore، supplementation of 200 mg/kg silymarin significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased malondealdehyde (MDA) and heterophyle /lymphocyte (H/L ratio). These results suggested that supplementation of silymarin in lead induced oxidative stress had a protective role and by improving the antioxidant system improved the performance.

In order to investigate effects of addition of Salvia mirzayanii essence and comparison with antibiotic an experiment was conducted as dietary a completely of the randomized design with 5 treatments، and 5 replicates with 12 chickens per replicate for 42 days with treatments control، virginiamycin antibiotic 10% (100 ppm) and three levels of S. mirzayanii essence (200، 400 and 600 ppm). Weight gain and feed intake recorded weekly and carcass characteristics analysis and blood parameters were determined at 28 and 42 days of age. Highest weight gain was observed at the level of 200 ppm essence at the 22-42 days of age (grower phase) and at1-42 days of age (total of experiment)، 200 and 600 ppm essence showed the highest results. Feed intake was highest in 200 and 600ppm essence level in the grower phase as well as overall. Best feed conversion ratio at the grower phase and total of experiment observed in the 200 ppm essence treatment. Gizzard and gastrointestinal tract weights significantly decreased with addition of antibiotic. This essence significantly decreased cholesterol، HDL and LDL. Bursa of fabricius weight was significantly highest at level of 400 ppm essence and lowest at the level of 600 ppm. Dietary addition of essence significantly decreased blood eosinofil. The results of this experiment showed that S. mirzayanii essence could be used as growth promoter and using low levels of the essence could improve performance and immune system.