آغوز

 Suboptimal levels of kid survival are the largest contributor to reproductive wastage in goat flocks. This results in substantial loss of production, producer, and industry income, and is increasingly being perceived as poor animal welfare. Improving kid survival is therefore a priority for the industry. Nutrient provision during gestation not only affects maternal status and reproductive performance but also affects prenatal and postnatal offspring growth and health. Although trace minerals (TM) are needed by the body in small amounts, they are essential nutrients for several metabolic functions such as growth, development, reproduction, and immunity. Furthermore, newborn animals are dependent upon their dams for the transfer of these nutrients via the placenta and the mammary gland. The antibodies obtained from colostrum are the only defense mechanism against environmental factors in neonatal ruminants. Inadequate nutrition of the dam, immune system suppression, and stress factors may lead to the production of low-quality colostrum. Management and feeding of high-quality colostrum can reduce kid mortality, strengthen immunity, and increase animal life span. Nutrition affects the development of the mammary gland, the onset of lactogenesis, and colostrum production, either by affecting some of the hormones that control these processes or by contributing nutrients that are in demand at this stage of pregnancy. Selenium plays an important role in preventing impaired function of the immune response. Copper deficiency has been shown to result in lowered bactericidal activities of blood leukocytes in ruminant animals. Zinc sufficiency has also been linked to proper immune functions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of TM injection in late pregnancy on colostrum quality and plasma metabolites of Lori does and their kids.
Thirty Lori mature does with an average body weight of 40 kg and an age of 2-3 years were used. One month before the expected kidding, animals were divided into two groups (n=15 does/group) and randomly assigned to experimental treatments. Experimental treatments were no injection of trace minerals (Control; C) and injection of 1 mL of TM at four and two weeks before expected kidding. Blood samples were taken through the jugular vein. Each mL of TM solution contained 2.5 mg of Cu, 1.25 mg of Se, 5 mg of Mn, and 5 mg of Zn. All does were kept in similar nutritional and managerial conditions from mating to one month before kidding.
Results showed that plasma concentrations of glucose and total cholesterol (TC) tended to be higher and lower in the TM group at day 7 before kidding, respectively (P=0.06). Experimental treatments did not affect plasma triglyceride (TG), Ca, and Mg concentrations, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity of does at day 7 before kidding (P>0.05). Whereas, TM injection before mating decreased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased total protein (TP), BRIX index (BI), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant activity at day 7 before kidding (P<0.05). Colostrum of does received TM had a higher fat, protein, and BI content and a lower lactose content than the colostrum of the C group (P<0.05). Plasma concentrations of glucose and MDA were lower in kids born from does received TM than those born from the C group (P<0.05). Experimental treatments did not affect plasma concentrations of TC, Ca, and Mg concentrations in kids (P>0.05). Kids born from does received TM had higher plasma concentrations of TG, TP, BI and SOD, GPX, and total antioxidant activity than those of the C group (P<0.05).
According to the results of the present experiment, injection of a TM solution containing Cu, Zn, Se, and Mn four and two weeks before birth increased the concentrations of TP and BI as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX) and antioxidant capacity and reduced MDA concentration in Lori goat plasma. This improved the quality of colostrum produced by these does. Kids born from does receiving trace minerals had higher plasma concentrations of TP, BI, and activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX), higher total antioxidant capacity, and lower concentrations of MDA compared to the C group. Therefore, this strategy may have beneficial effects on the health, viability, and performance of kids before weaning.

Colostrum is a secretion product produced by the mammary glands immediately after birth. This vital and unique composition is designed to meet all the animal's needs when it cannot eat. For various reasons, maternal accidents can occur during pregnancy and birth, making it impossible to produce appropriate colostrum for the newborn calf. Therefore, the main task of the farmer is to provide suitable replacement colostrum as quickly as possible so that he can maintain the results of his year-long efforts to continue the generation. Various methods are used to preserve colostrum. Methods of colostrum storage include fermentation and freezing. Fermentation of the colostrum results in physical and chemical changes in the colostrum that can aid in the transfer of nutrients to the calf. This research was carried out to study and compare the effect of different methods of colostrum preservation on the efficiency of newborn calves of the Simmental breed and to recommend the use of one of the more suitable methods so that if the farmer does not have access to suitable colostrum, he can use.
To carry out this study, 32 newborn Simmental calves with an average weight of 39.5 ± 3.2 kg were used. The calves were divided into four equal groups (eight replicates per treatment), including 1. group fed with fresh colostrum from the mother (control), 2. group fed with fermented colostrum without any additives (fermented without additives), 3. the group that was fed colostrum fermented with low-fat yogurt (fermented with yogurt), and 4. the group was fed with colostrum that was kept frozen (frozen) in the freezer and heated to a temperature of 37 °C before consumption. Initially, a colostrum bank was used with 110 liters of colostrum from the first and second lactation cows, which started colostrum production at the same time by synchronizing parturition. Colostrum samples were separated and prepared in polyethylene (PET) plastic containers with a volume of two liters. In the fermented colostrum group, after filling the containers of the group with yogurt, two percent yogurt was added, and the containers were completely sealed and stored at room temperature until the experiment. The dishes belonging to the frozen group were stored in the freezer at -20 °C. In the first two days, all calves received two liters of colostrum per meal twice daily in the morning and evening. Feed was consumed daily. Calves were weighed at the beginning of parturition, on the 30th and 60th days of the schedule in the morning and before feed distribution, and from the 27th day of the calves' birth, the apparent digestibility of nutrients (dry matter) was measured. Samples were taken from three-day experimental rations and feces. Blood was collected from the jugular vein on days 0, 1, and 30. After serum separation, blood factors such as glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and total blood protein were measured. At the beginning of the course and the end of the project, body parameters were measured to check the growth status of the calf: hip width, height from withers, chest circumference, body length, chest depth, wrist circumference, and eye relief.
The results of different treatments of colostrum consumption in newborn calves concerning blood biochemical parameters showed that the amount of glucose in all three sampling times was not significantly different in all treatments, and the amount of blood protein and triglycerides were also not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). Colostrum consumption with different storage methods had no significant influence on the amount of concentrate consumed, the digestibility of the dry matter consumed, the final weight of the calf, the daily weight gain, and the feed conversion ratio (P>0.05). Also, the results showed that there were no significant changes in physical indices among different groups (P>0.05). The use of colostrum with different storage methods had no difference in the amount of cells associated with the immune system, including types of white blood cells, and therefore the immune conditions were similar in all groups (P>0.05).
The results of this study showed that consumption of colostrum in simply fermented form or with the addition of fat-free yogurt, as well as colostrum stored in frozen form, had a positive influence on blood parameters in newborn calves compared to the control group that used fresh maternal colostrum. The use of colostrum stored in any of the mentioned methods, depending on the conditions of animal husbandry, can help provide the colostrum needed by the calf and solve the problem of the animal breeder.

The growth and health of lambs from birth to weaning are influenced by yield and quality of the ewe's colostrum. Colostrum contains essential proteins, fats, hormones, vitamins, and antibodies that facilitate immunity, growth, and development. Therefore, to improve colostrum, it is necessary to use a quality diet. That colostrum is of high quality to ensure the best start to life for offspring. Consumption of high-quality colostrum improves neonatal survival and increases the reproductive potential and future productivity in sheep. Some plant essential oils have been used to improve ewes health and their productivity. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil on feed, intake, the quality of colostrum, milk yield, and milk composition, and growth of suckling lambs.

Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil was prepared commercially and added to the ewes' diet in order to influence the Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil during pregnancy and lactation (it lasted for 5 months and the habituation time was 21 days). A herd of 168 ewes (which were in the second and third pregnancy and the average weight of the ewes was 68.84±1.65 kg), all of which were subjected to the estrus synchronization program. Ninety pregnant ewes in the last month of their pregnancy were randomly divided into three groups. The first group did not receive any essential oil, and the second and third groups received a daily dose of 0.8 and 1.6 milliliters of Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil, respectively. The Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil was sprayed on the feed of just before each meal. At the time of parturition, 36 single-born female lambs and their dams were randomly assigned to the three experimental groups. Each group was further subdivided into 4 units of three ewes each to determine dry matter intake. All other data such as milk production and composition, colostrum, and lambs growth data were obtained from 12 ewes and their lambs in each treatment.

Both groups treated with Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil had positive effects on increasing dry matter and milk production, but ewes received a daily dose of 1.6 ml of Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil had the highest DM intake and milk production (P<0.05). The essential oil had no effect on the birth weight of lambs (P<0.05). Feeding the essential oil had a significant effect on fat, protein, and solid none fat in colostrum and milk. Somatic cells both in colostrum and milk declined as a result of feeding Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil(P<0.05).

The essential oil had a significant and positive effect on the somatic cells of colostrum and milk and caused it to decrease in the treatments containing essential oil. Because of the significant positive effect of Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum essential oil on milk production, milk and colostrums composition (fat and protein) and the growth rate of suckling lambs, it is concluded that this essential oil could be recommended as a suitable feed additive in the diet of ewes at a dose of 1.6 ml/d.

Colostrum composition as well as colostrum IgG concentration varies among goat breeds. Among all the goat breeds, Murciano Granadina has the lowest level of immunoglobulin. The present experiment was conducted with the aim of investigating the number of times colostrum feeding (4 and 6 servings) in 24 hours on growth performance and safety parameters in Murcianogradina goat kids.The present study was conducted using a completely random statistical design and comparison of means using the T test. The duration of insemination was 24 hours. The number of 20 Murciano Granadina goat kids was studied in two treatments with 10 replications. The first group was fed 4 servings of colostrum and the second group was fed 6 servings of colostrum during 24 hours. The amount of colostrum consumed during the study period was 30% of the birth weight of the goat kids. The first dose of insemination was given to the goat kids immediately after birth and by hand. In general, the findings of this research showed that among all the parameters measured (colostrum compounds, growth performance and blood parameters as well as blood parameters related to immunity) among the two lactating groups studied (4 and 6), No significant differences were observed.The results of this study showed that the number of times and amounts of colostrum feeding in 24 hours after the birth of Murcianogranadina goats had no effect on the average daily weight gain as well as the blood serum immunoglobulin levels of the goat kids

Efficient management methods should be used to achieve optimal production of livestock products in breeding, reproduction and feeding stages. If proper nutritional management is not performed correctly at the end of pregnancy, it will have adverse effects on the amount of dry matter intake and the metabolic condition of the animal during early lactation. In all animal tissues, there are variable proportions of mineral elements and vitamins; the concentration of these elements must be within the specified range in order to protect the functional and structural activity of the tissues and to keep the growth, health and productivity of the animal without reduction or damage.

In order to evaluate the effects of selenium and vitamin E supplements administered orally or by injection in late pregnancy on the concentration of selenium, copper, zinc and iron in the blood and milk of ewes and the blood of their lambs this experiment were conducted using 18 pregnant ewes of the first lambing in a completely randomize design with three treatments and six replications. Experimental treatments included: 1) Control (receiving a dose of 10 ml of selenium and vitamin E supplement by injection two weeks before delivery; each ml contains 0.5 mg of sodium selenite and 50 mg of vitamin E). 2) selenium and vitamin E (receiving 0.3 mg of selenium and 50 mg of vitamin E mixed with diet daily per kilogram of dry matter intake) orally from four weeks before delivery and, 3) Injection of 10 ml selenium and vitamin E supplement in two stages including four weeks before calving (five ml) and two weeks before calving (five ml).The Blood samples were collected from the ewes before the administration of supplements and at the time of delivery. Blood was collected from newborn lambs before consuming colostrum and 14 days after birth. Selenium, copper, zinc and iron concentrations were measured in colostrum and milk.

The results of the experiment indicated that the average weight of the ewes two weeks after lambing for ewes that received selenium and vitamin E orally was higher than the control (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the concentration of iron, copper and zinc in the blood serum of ewes or lambs. The concentration of selenium in the serum of ewes and their lambs and the colostrum of ewes that received selenium and vitamin E orally was higher than other ewes. No significant difference was observed between the experimental treatments in terms of the average body condition score (BCS) until the time of delivery, but two weeks after delivery, BCS in the orally supplement of selenium and vitamin E treatment was higher than that of control group.

The results of the present study showed that in order to improve the status of selenium in livestock and the convenience of supplement administration, the use of orally selenium and vitamin E supplements is preferred by its injection method.

Consumption of colostrum in sufficient quantity to provide the energy needed by small newborn ruminants to regulate their temperature is very important.Ruminant placenta prevents the transfer of immunoglobulin from mother to fetus during pregnancy. However, various factors such as production, nutrition, breed, duration of drought, climate and health status of goats can affect the composition of colostrum. Research has shown that small intestinal enterocyte cells lose their ability to absorb immunoglobulins within 24 to 48 hours after birth.The highest efficiency of immunoglobulin G uptake in the small intestine is 4 hours after birth and decreases linearly six hours after birth.If the goat kids do not consume enough colostrum in the early hours after birth, the risk of mortality in the herd increases. Inadequate consumption of colostrum in lambs and goat kids in the first hours after birth leads to increased susceptibility to disease and increased mortality rate, and the volume and quality of colostrum consumed can increase the survival of goat kids. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of colostrum consumption on the amount of immunoglobulin intake, growth performance and skeletal characteristics of Murcia goat kids.

The present study was performed on 80 newborn goats with different weights of Murcianogranadina breed with 4 treatments in a completely randomized block. Experimental treatments included four treatments of 15, 20, 25, and 30% of the newborn goat kids body weight. In that treatment was accepted.

Due to the fact that colostrum immunoglobulin levels in Murciano Granadina breed are at the highest level compared to other dairy goat breeds in the world (such as Sunan and Alpine). In the present study, feeding alternative goats with higher colostrum levels was able to grow and develop Lead to better muscle and skeleton (P <0.05). In the present study, the best results were observed in goat kids fed with levels of 30% of body weight (P <0.05). The results of this study showed that the increasing trend of skeletal growth and development for treatments consuming high levels of colostrum had continued up to 56 days. As body height and cap width were 30 and 9 cm higher for 30% colostrum treatment compared to 15% treatment, respectively, there was also a significant difference between treatments in terms of weight parameters at 21 days of age (P <0.05). And its value was the highest for 30% colostrum treatment and the lowest for 15% colostrum treatment.

The results of this experiment showed that consumption of colostrum in the first 48 hours after birth in the amount of 30% of the initial body weight of goats, the number of colostrum every 6 meals, affects the immune status and skeletal growth of goat kids.

As newborn farm animals are almost lacking adequate immunoglobulins to tolerate against environmental pathogens, feeding colostrum is a pivotal action in first days of their life and finding approaches to enhance immunoglobulins absorption into neonates' blood is highly interested. Therefore, the goal of the study was to investigate the effect of controlled-heating of colostrum on immunoglobulins' absorption and some blood and immunity parameters.

Forty neonatal male Zel lambs (4.49±1.21) were divided into two groups; one group was fed with three equal meals of raw colostrum as 15% of BW during the first 36 hours of age and the other group was fed with the equal amount of heat-treated colostrum. For this purpose, a pool of colostrum was first collected from the previously lambed ewes of the herd and gently mixed. Then, half of collected colostrum was heated indirectly in water bath (bain-marie) at 63 °C for 30 minutes. Both raw and heated colostrums were stored and frozen in 2.5kg nylon packs. Immediately after birth, lambs were ear-tagged and weighed and then first blood samples were taken. The assigned colostrums then were fed to lambs by bottles. After the end of feeding colostrum, lambs were fed with milk and starter feed until d 35 of age. Fasted blood samples were taken immediately after birth (day 0) and days 5, 20 and 35 of age and the sera were frozen until serological assay of total protein, albumin and immunoglobulin G. Apparent efficiency of absorption of immunoglobulins was calculated by the respective equation. The data were statistically analyzed as a repeated measures design with a completely randomized arrangement including two treatments and 10 replicates.

The results showed that feeding the heat-treated colostrum had significant effects on serum immunoglobulins, globulins and albumin concentrations of lambs (p<0.05), where feeding the controlled-heated colostrum caused about 39.5 and 38.1% significant increases in serum immunoglobulins levels of lambs in days 5 and 15, respectively. Serum globulins level was significantly greater in lambs fed heat-treated colostrum than other group. In contrast, serum albumins level was significantly greater in lambs fed raw colostrum in days 5, 20 and 35 (p<0.05) as compared the other group. Heating the colostrum caused a marked increase (p=0.0001) in apparent efficiency of absorption of consumed colostral immunoglobulins into lambs blood (43.04 vs. 23.05%). No significant effects were observed in serum total protein concentrations of lambs in both groups.

In general, the results of the study showed that the controlled, in-direct heating of ewes' colostrum at 63 °C for 30 minutes causes an increase in immunoglobulins absorption into lambs' blood.

In this experiment, effects of injection of vitamin E (VE) and selenium (Se) solution and vitamin B12 (VB12) and iron (Fe) solution to transition dairy cows on colostrum quality and calves’ antioxidant capacity, concentrations of VE and VB12, Fe and Se, serum metabolites and blood cells were studied. Twentyprimiparous (607.09±60.26 kg of body weight) and twentymultiparous (712±55.54 kg of body weight) Holstein dairy cows were divided to 4 based on parity and body weight in a randomized completely block design. Experimental treatments consisted of 1) injection of 7 ml of NaCl % 0.9 (Control), 2) injection of 60 ml of VE and Se solution, 3) injection of 7 ml of VB12 and Fe solution and 4) injection of 60 ml of VE and Se solution with 7 ml VB12 and Fe solution. Solutions injected on 21 and 7 day prepartum and calves blood samples collected before and 24h after cholestrum feeding. Results indicated that treatments had no effect on calves’birth weight and colostrum concentrations of fat, protein, lactose and solid not fat, and immunoglobulinG. Serum concentrations of VE and B12, Se and Fe, serum activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, total antioxidant capacity and serum metabolites did not affected by the experimental treatments. Altogether, it can be concluded that injection of VE and Se solution and VB12 and Fe solution to transition dairy cows on days 21 and 7 prepartum had no effect on calves’immune system at first 24h of life.

In this study effect of fish meal and soybean meal supplementation was investigated on quantity and quality of colostrum and blood parameters in pregnant ewes. A total of 40 multiparous ewes (average body weight of 68 ± 6.3 kg) during last month of gestation were fed with one of the four experimental diets including basal diet (CON), basal diet + 5% fish meal (T1), basal diet + 5% soybean meal (T2) and basal diet + 2.5% soybean meal + 2.5% fish meal (T3). The quantity of colostrum production was determined at six h post-partum using oxytocin injection method. The quantity of colostrum in T1, T2 and T3 was higher (P<0.05) than that in CON and the highest amount of colostrum production was obtained from group receiving basal diet + 2.5% soybean meal+2.5% fish meal (T3). Ewes in 5% fish meal group (T1) had higher (P<0.05) colostrum IgG concentration than ewes in other groups. The experimental treatments reduced the glucose concentration of the blood in pre-partum ewes (P<0.05). The addition of undegradable protein sources decreased the BHBA concentration and increased IgG concentration in the post- partum ewes (P<0.05). The lowest concentrations of glucose and NEFA in post-partum ewes were in the 5% soybean group (P <0.05). In conclusion, undegradable protein supplementation during late gestation increased serum IgG concentrations and improved colostrum quantity and quality in pregnant ewes.

Betaine is a methyl group donor that can affect important physiological processes involed with hemocyctein such as lactation. In the present study, the effect of betaine supplementation on concentrations of some blood metabolites, and on quantity of colostrum in pregnant ewes was investigated. Twenty multiparous pregnant Sanjabi ewes were fed either a basal diet (Control: 71.2±3.6 kg BW) or the basal diet supplemented with 5 g per kg dry matter betaine (Betaine: 71.6±3.8 kg BW) during the last month of gestation. Feed intake, body condition score, udder volume, and circulating concentration of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, albumin, total protein, urea and homocysteine were determined during the last month prepartum. The quantity of colostrum was measured in two times with oxytocin ingection until six hours post- partum, and then was analysed for its chemical composions. The dry matter intake, body condition score, and udder volume of ewes in both Control and Betaine were similar. Quantity of colostrum (593 vs. 365 g) and fat (93 vs. 59 g), and blood concentration of hemocystein (8.4 vs. 8.1 µmol/L) in ewes receiving betaine was greater (P <0.05) than those in Control. Ewes in Betaine had a tendency towards lower circulating concentration of glucose (3.2 vs. 3.4 mmol/L, P=0.098), and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration (0.46 vs. 0.82 mmol/L, P=0.059) than control ewes. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of betaine increased quantilty and fat content of colostrum, increased circulating hemocystein, and reduced circulating ketone bodies most likely via suppresing fatty acid oxidation in Sanjabi pregnant ewes.

In order to colostrum pasteurization and creating of dose-response curve for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous, the colostrum of cow was gamma irradiated at doses of 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 KGy. Chemical composition, true protein, electrophoretic pattern of proteins, lactose content, peroxide level and pH of colostrums samples before and after of irradiation were determinate. The obtained data were analysed using proc GLM of SAS software appropriate for completely randomized design. The effect of irradiation was significant on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous contamination of colostrums (p0.05) on chemical composition, true protein, fatty acid composition, peroxide level, pH and electrophoretic pattern of proteins and lactose content. Based on the results of this study, the appropriate dose for decrease in log cycle of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous population in colostrum is 0.68 and 1.15 kGy respectively. Therefore, gamma irradiation at low doses can eliminate Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous contamination without negative impact on colostrum quality.

Forty multiparous Holstein cows were used to investigate the effect of supplementary rumen protected Conjugated linoleic Acid (CLA) with injectable Se and vitamin E (E-Se) supplement on immune system in Holstein cows and their calve in a commercial dairy farm at Ghazvin province. The animals were divided in four experimental groups in a complete randomize design based on factorial. The experimental groups were: basal diet (Control), basal diet plus injectable E-Se Supplement, basal diet plus CLA 100 g/day per each cow) and basal diet plus CLA 100 g/day per each cow and Injectable E-Se Supplement. The dose of injectable E-Se supplement was 40 ml/cow. The injection has done muscularly in each cow in days, -21, 1, 14, 28 and 42 after calving. Blood Samples of cows collected at days of injection. Blood samples of calves collected at birthday pre feeding colostrum and 7 days after birth. The result showed CLA supplement had no significantly effect on mean concentration of Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Total antioxidant status (TAS) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in calves on days 1 and 7 (P>0.05). Effect of injectable E-Se Supplement on TAS concentration of Calve's Plasma had was significant (P>.05). CLA and injectable E-Se Supplements had no significant effect on mean concentration of IgG, TAS and MDA of cow`s colostrum (P>0.05). The CLA and E-Se supplements had no significant effect on TAS concentration and hematology Parameters of dairy cow (P>0.05). Based on acquried result use of CLA supplement in transition period had no effect on immune system of cows and their calves. Supplementary injection of E-Se significantly improved total antioxidant status of newborn calves.

In this study, effect of lycopene and corn supplementation on quantity of colostrum and concentrations of IgG in blood and colostrum in pregnant ewes was investigated.A total of 40 multiparous single-bearing ewes (body weight 68 ±8.4 kg) during last month of gestation were fed with one of the four experimental diets including; basal diet (CON), basal diet plus 1 g/d lycopen (LYC), 300 g/d corn (COR), 1 g/d lycopen plus 300 g/d corn (LYCࣤ). Quantity of colostrum production was determined at 6 h post-partum using oxytocin injection method.The IgG concentration in colostrum at 6 and 12 h post-partum as well as at 14 and one day pre-partum was determined. Quantity of colostrum at 6 h post-partum in COR, and LYCࣤ was higher (P

Fifteen female Holstein calves with average body weight 39.55±6.8 kg were randomly assigned to three groups immediately after birth. Treatment 1 (control): intramuscular injection of 0.14 ml normal saline per kg body weight before colostrum feeding, treatments 2 and 3: intramuscular injection of 0.07 and 0.14 ml selenofrol (each ml include 0.5 mg selenium and 50 mg vitamin E) per kg body weight after birth and before colostrum feeding, respectively. Sampling was conducted from the jugular vein immediately after birth (before colostrum feeding) and days 3, 14, 28 after birth. The serum IgG concentration was measured by ELISA method. Weight gain and indices of skeletal growth were measured at birth time and weekly for four weeks. Health status and feces flux coefficient was evaluated daily. Average of contents white blood cell, red blood cell, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hemoglobin, total serum protein and indices of skeletal growth had not significant difference among treatments. Activity of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme of control group was higher significantly than 2 treatments at 14 day of age. Average feces flux coefficient in control group was higher significantly than treatment two (P

The concentrations of urea, protein and macro-minerals and their interrelationships were investigated in 56 samples including 17 colostrums and 39 whole milks in lactating mares in 2011 in Urmia, Iran. Milk parameters were evaluated by auto-analyzer using commercial kits after separation of the milk casein in 0.1 normal HCl. The overall means for urea, protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium concentrations were 26.4mg/dl, 4.66 g/dl, 43.2, 20.2, 7.33, 39.7, and 13.1 mmol/l, respectively. The concentration of urea, calcium, phosphorus and sodium in whole milk were 24.4%, 2.8%, 14.3% and 9% greater than in colostrum and protein, magnesium and potassium in colostrums were 500%, 91% and 9% greater than in whole milk of mares. Mean comparison between colostrum and whole milk parameters revealed significant differences (P<0.01) in the concentrations of urea, protein and magnesium and not for other parameters. The highest concentrations of urea, calcium, phosphorus and sodium were found in whole milk and for protein, magnesium and potassium in colostrums. With the exception of the differences (P<0.05) in colostrum calcium concentrations among 5, 9 and 10 years old, no significant differences were observed among 6 age groups in milk and colostrum parameters. There were significant correlations between urea/protein (r=-.19, P<0.01), urea/calcium (r=.37, P<0.01), urea/phosphorus (r=-.35, P<0.01), urea/magnesium (r=-0.32, P<0.01), calcium/phosphorus (r=0.47, P<0.01), sodium/potassium (r=-0.49, P<0.01) and protein/magnesium (r=-0.72, P<0.01), which the greatest and strongest correlations were seen in urea and protein/magnesium, respectively. It is concluded that the concentrations of protein and magnesium in colostrum of mares were higher and urea was lower than in whole milk. Milk urea revealed the greatest relationships with other milk parameters which can be considered as the useful index in studies related to milk production in lactating mares.

The aim of the present study is determine the concentration of vitamin A and β- caroten in the serum of pregnant Holstein cows and calves during the birth and after the consumption of colostrum (24, 48, 72 hours after birth). This study was done to make a comparison between the level of serum vitamin A and β-caroten in dams with her calf, The blood samples were taken from 40 pregnant cows and borne calves of them, in the time of birth and 24, 48 and 72 hours after parturition. After separated serums, vitamin A and Beta- carotene were measured by spectrophotometer and using N. Hexane method. Statistically, the mean values of serum vitamin A in calves were higher than to those for dams (p<0/05), whereas the mean values of serum β-caroten in calves were lower than to those of their mothers pre and post calving. Also the mean values of serum vitamin A in females calves were more than to those in males, whereas, there was not a significant statistic differences between the mean values of serum β-caroten for males and females (p>0/05). This result shows that colostrum is necessary for cattle in the first time of birth to catch necessary substance especially vitamin A precursor.

In this study، effects of probiotic and synbiotic addition to colostrum and milk on passive transfer of immunoglobulins، and growth and health parameters in calves were investigated. Sixteen newborn male Holstein calves were assigned to four treatment groups and received the treatments for 48 days in a completely randomized design. Treatments were included as 1) colostrum and milk without any additive (control)، 2) colostrum and milk with 2. 5 g probiotic/day (the recommended level)، 3) colostrum and milk with 5 g probiotic/day، and 4) colostrum and milk with synbiotic (2. 5 g probiotic + 25 g prebiotic/day). Feeding the colostrum was performed immediately after the birth and then three times a day. Blood samples were collected on days 0، 1، 8، 16 and 48. Results showed that serum Immunoglobulin G concentrations were significantly greater in groups received probiotic than control and synbiotic groups (P<0. 05)، where the greatest was observed in 2. 5g probiotic group. There were no significant differences among groups in serum total protein concentrations. The starter intake in control group was significantly greater than other groups (P<0. 05). Liveweight of calves at the end of the study was significantly increased in probiotic group than synbiotic group (P<0. 05). Feed conversion ratio was improved by adding of probiotic to colostrum and milk when compared to control and synbiotic groups (P<0. 05). The use of probiotic or synbiotic significantly improved the fecal score (P<0. 05)، but no significant differences were observed in the health score among groups. In conclusion، probiotic addition is an effective tool to increase immunoglobulin’s uptake from colostrum into calf and also improve growth performance، so the recommended level of 2. 5% is confirmed to achieve the beneficial effects.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of some nutritional and injectable mineral-vitamin supplements on milk and milk components and colostrum quality in transition dairy cows during the summer season. One hundred high yielding، multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to four groups (25 cows per treatment). The treatments were consisted of: (1) control، (2) injection of Se- vitamin E supplement، (3) minerals and vitamins supplement bolus، and (4) combinations of treatments 2 and 3. The injectable supplement was contained vitamin E and Se and the dietary bolus was contained Cu، Co، Se، Mn، I، Zn، and vitamins A، E and D3. The data showed nutritional bolus increased (P<0. 05) milk yield of cows. The group supplemented with injectable vitamin E-Se with nutritional bolus had higher (P<0. 05) milk protein yield (kg/d). The treatments affected milk solids nonfat and the control group had lower content (P<0. 05) than those others. The nutritional bolus decreased (P<0. 05) and injectable Se- vitamin E increased (P<0. 05) milk somatic cell score (SCS) compared with control group. The treatments just affected the colostrum fat content. It is concluded that the nutritive bolus with or without injectable supplement had positive effects on milk and milk components and colostrum composition.

In this study the number of 71 head of conceived ewe from the flock of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep (with number of 360 head), in Sholi Station selected as randomly to determine influence of acquired colostrum immunity on mortality rate and performance of growth traits in lambs. The sampling of blood of ewe, colostrum of ewe and blood of lamb were taken 2 weeks before parturition, 1 to 8 hours after parturition and 36 hours after birth of lamb, respectively. The serum samples extracted and then measured immunoglobulin G (mg/ml) and total serum protein (gr/l) in samples. Results showed that the overall mean of immunoglobulin G (mg/ml) were 21.33, 48.48 and 7.86 for blood serum of ewe, serum colostrum of ewe and serum blood of lamb and total serum protein (gr/l) were 71.98, 114.48 and 65.77, respectively. The least square means of all traits were significantly (P<0.05) lower in died lambs. The concentration of immunity traits in serum of ewes, lambs and colostrums of ewes were not significant on performance of growth traits in lambs (P>0.05). Thus, lamb mortality can be reduced through improving the immunity level in blood of lambs by improving immunity level of ewes (through nutritional supplementation) before parturition.