fish oil

During the transition period, defined in dairy cows and ewes as the three-week period before and three-week weeks after parturition, animals are more susceptible to metabolic disease. Negative energy balance in pregnant ewes during last of gestation could result in fatal pregnancy toxemia and affects ewe and lamb health (Reynolds et al., 2006). Fat supplementation of the diet is an efficient mean to increase energy concentration of diet and modify body weight, body condition score, milk yield, fat content and fatty acid composition in lactating ruminants (Chilliard et al. 2003). The number of studies on sheep milk as responded to added fat is rather limited compared to studies on cows and goats. Supplementing fat in dairy rations to increase energy density has been extensively evaluated in numerous studies over the last a few decades. However, it was evident that production responses to the supplemental fat varied considerably. Many factors might contribute to the various responses, with one of them being the different fat sources (Reynolds et al. 2006, Hervas et al. 2008). Rumen protected fat production is mainly in order to deal with negative effect of fat on fiber digestion, prohibiting biohydrogenation and increasing long chained fatty acids to small intestine. This method was provided some years ago and the major advantage of it is the neutral fatty calcium soap consumed in rumen and improves the level of essential fatty acids (Hess et al., 2008). In some studies, supplementing dairy ewes with a ruminally protected source of trans-10, cis-12 CLA has been associated with increases in milk and milk protein yields (Lock et al., 2006; Husveth et al., 2010; Sinclair et al., 2010). Much of the research attempted to obtain milk fat with healthier properties by increasing milk concentration of specific human health promoting fatty acids. Although mechanisms of action are unclear and its use in humans is controversial, CLA is still of particular interest because of its speculated role in preventing human health problems and increasing the nutritive and therapeutic value of milk (Sinclair et al., 2010). So, this study has also tried to investigate effects of different fat sources and CLA during late-pregnancy and early lactation on performance of Afshari ewes.

Fifty Afshari ewes were assigned randomly to one of the five experimental diets with ten replicates in a completely randomized design. Treatments include: 1- control (without fat supplement), 2- 3% Protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids (palm oil), 3- 3% Ca salt of omega-6 fatty acids (soybean oil), 4- 3% Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), 5- 2% Protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids (palm oil) and 1% CLA. Animals were in experiment 14 days before to 45 days after the parturition and keep individually. Ewes were fed ad libitum and had free access to fresh water. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) recorded and ewes were weighed and BCS was measured weekly. Milk yield were measured weekly. Blood samples were taken from the ewes on d -14, 1 (lambing) and 14.

There was no difference on ewe Initial weight, body weight changes in lambing, body weight after lambing, body weight 35 days post lambing and body weight changes during 35 days post lambing between ewes supplemented with different fat sources. There were no differences between diets for body condition score and body condition score changes. DMI before parturition significantly decreased by feeding Ca salt of different fat sources (P<0.01), but DMI after parturition increase in ewes fed Ca salt of fatty acids (P<0.01). Supplementation with Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and CLA increased milk yield (P<0.01). Protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids increased fat content of milk (P<0.05), but unsaturated fatty acids not affected milk fat concentration. Other composition of the milk and colostrum were not affected by the treatments. One week before lambing, plasma concentration of cholesterol was greater for Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) ewes as compared with the control ewes (P<0.05). Plasma concentrations of glucose, protein, albumin and globulin not affected by treatments. Plasma concentration of cholesterol, 24 h after lambing, increased in Ca salt of omega-6 fatty acids diet and decreased in Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids diet (P<0.05). Two week post lambing, plasma concentrations of cholesterol, glucose, protein, albumin and globulin not affected by feeding different fat sources.

supplementing Ca salts of fatty acids to the peripartum diets increased DMI after parturition and Ca salts of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and CLA increased milk yield and improved Afshari ewes performance.

Recent studies have shown that consuming different sources of omega-3 fatty acids can play an important role in improving sperm quality in different species. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using different sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet of Qezel ram, on volume and concentration of semen, fatty acid profile and characteristics of fresh and frozen-thawed sperm.

In this study, which was carried out for three months, 16 adult rams of Qezel breed were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups, and each group received one of the diets, all of which were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The first group: diet without oil (control), the second group: diet with palm oil, the third group: diet with flax oil and the fourth group: diet with fish oil. After habituation of the rams, sperm collection was done weekly with an artificial vagina for 13 weeks. After evaluating the appearance and measuring the sperm volume, sperm concentration and motility in the fresh sperm samples, the sperm samples were frozen packing in straws. Physiological and biochemical characteristics of sperms after freezing-thawing, including sperm motility parameters (CASA), viability percentage, HOST and Hancock test and fatty acid profile were evaluated.

The results showed that the concentration, viability and integrity of sperm plasma membrane in the third and fourth groups were significantly increased compared to the control and second groups (P<0.01). Also, the abnormal morphology in the third and fourth groups was significantly reduced compared to the control and palm oil receiving groups (P<0.01). Motility parameters such as total motility, straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and average path velocity (VAP) in the third and fourth groups showed a significant increase compared to the control and the second group (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant increase in progressive motility in the fourth group compared to the first and second groups, and in the third group compared to the second group (P<0.05). Diet containing palm oil caused a significant increase in sperm palmitic acid in week 12 (P<0.05). Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids increased significantly in the groups receiving fish oil and flax compared to the group receiving palm oil and control (without oil) (P<0.01). The rest of the measured fatty acids did not show any significant changes.

The results showed that adding fish and flax oil to the diet of Qezel rams for 3 months improves the quality of physico-chemical characteristics and improves the freezing ability of sperm.

 To date, there is not any accurate estimation of calf mortality in the world; however, annual pre-weaning calves’ mortality was estimated to be around 7.8, 6.5, 5.5, and 2.6% in the United States, Iran, China, and Sweden, respectively. Raboisson et al. (2013) represented that most neonatal calf mortality happens at age under one month. Hill et al. (2011) reported that nutritional factors could modulate the calf immune system's functions. Studies on non-ruminants confirm that the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) relating to the n-3 FA can affect the immune response. In calves’ nutrition, using PUFA in milk or milk replacer (MR) had a pleasant effect on immune responses and antioxidant status. Supplementation n-3 FA, especially EPA and DHA, would increase the proportion of PUFA in the membrane phospholipids, which might change the performance of the immune system. The n-3 PUFA plays a critical role in influencing the immune system through various mechanisms described in detail by Calder (2012). Previous studies showed that adding n-3 PUFA to milk or MR decreases the symptoms of diarrhea and inflammatory diseases caused by viral or bacterial infections. So far, there are not enough reports regarding dietary n-3 PUFA on the APR in neonatal calves. Nevertheless, most research regarding FO supplementation and its anti-inflammatory effects on neonatal calves' health has been done on long-term consumption. As earlier mentioned, most calf mortality occurs at the first 30 days of age; consequently, long-term (more than one month) consumption of FO might not provide clear evidence to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of FO on the status of neonatal calves’ health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was the first evaluation of short-term supplementation of n-3 PUFA on the APR of neonatal calves.

Twenty-four bull calves, with a mean age of 34.5  3.7 days, were housed outdoors in individual pens bedded with wheat straw at the dairy farm facilities of Astan Quds Razavi Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Co. (Mashhad, Iran) in February 2019. The criteria for calf selection were, namely, the type of calf delivery (without any difficulty) and no history of disease or diarrhea. To achieve a quantitative similarity between calves, we used age and body weight as further criteria. The experiment's duration was 11 days (a week before LPS challenge and three days after LPS challenge) with an adaptation period (seven days). After the adaptation period, calves were weighed (57.5 ± 4.4 kg) and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups (six calves/group). Randomized calves received treatments during the study period according to the group they were already allocated: 1. negative control group (NC), 2. Positive control group (LPS challenge, PC), 3. Tallow 350 mg/kg BW group + LPS (TA), 4. Fish oil 350 mg/kg BW group + LPS (FO). All calves were fed the same diet, 5 L/d of whole milk, and had free access to freshwater during the experiment. The PC, FO, and TA groups were intravenously challenged with 0.5 μg/kg BW ultrapure LPS from E. coli serotype O111:B4 (Sigma–Aldrich: registered; product NO. L2630) on day eight. Treatments FO and TA were mixed with whole milk and were offered two times a day (at 0800 and 1700). FO and TA groups were isocaloric to compare the effect of manipulating fatty acid intake in the same level of energy intake on the APR of neonatal calves. The blood samples were collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h, post LPS challenge (p.c.) to evaluate inflammatory condition. The clinical signs (RT, RR, and HR) were recorded at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24 h p.c. According to Plessers et al.'s (2015) model, the appearance of behavioral phases (respiratory, depression, and recovery phase) was assessed. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design by using JMP (13.2) software.

The results of this study confirm previous experiments that showed a significant increase of cytokines level by the LPS administration (26, 29). As expected, the IL-6 increased when the TNF-α decreased (Maximal level at 3 and 1 h p.c., respectively). There was no significant difference in cytokines and APPs between PC, FO, and TA, while the FO had the minimum level. The typical sickness behavior of LPS-challenged calves was distinguished as respiratory, depression, and recovery phases according to Plessers et al.'s (2015) model. In this study, there was no significant effect of decreasing n-6/n-3 FA ratio on sickness behavior. Besides, the level of inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins were not affected by experimental groups. These results were in line with McDonnell et al., (2019) reported no FO effect on immune function during the pre-weaning period. Although the level of DHA + EPA requirement for calves has not been well known, studies represented that their highest level in humans is 5 g/d. Stanley et al. (2007) concluded that the n-6/n-3 FA ratio might not be a helpful concept and distracts attention from increasing absolute intakes of long-chain n-3 FA. In this regard, Flaga et al. (2019) represented that DHA-rich algae supplementation in milk replacer could decrease cytokines' mRNA expression. They suggested that 3 g/d DHA might be the maximum level in neonatal calves’ diet with an appropriate effect on the immune system. In the current study, NC, PC, and TA received 2 mg/d, and FO received 3 g/d DHA. It might be worthwhile considering the amount of DHA + EPA when FO is used as an n-3 PUFA source in calves’ diet.

The results showed that decreasing the n6/n3 FA ratio in diets by supplementing FO could not affect acute phase response in calves. Besides, short-term supplementation of FO could not improve calves' immune systems as no differences in cytokines and APP between PC and FO were observed. Although sickness behavior in FO finished sooner than PC, there was no significant difference between them. In this study, increasing MUFA intake could not affect APR in calve. It seems that more studies are needed to evaluate the effect of EPA and DHA on the performance and health status of calves.

Increasing the growth rate of broilers leads to some metabolic diseases such as ascites and sudden death syndrome and one of the proposed solutions to reduce its effects is to reduce the growth rate of birds through feed restriction. On the other hand, fat sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids also have a known effect on improving health. The present experiment was designed to investigate the interaction effects of dietary restriction and the use of fish oil in broilers with the focus on studying the effects on the small intestine and liver tissues.

A total of 675 one-day-old male broiler chickens from Ross 308 strain were used in a 3*3 factorial experiment with a completely randomized design with 9 treatments, 5 replications and 15 chickens. The factors studied were dietary restriction at three levels of zero, 6 or 12 hours of starvation during the first week of the growing period and replacement of all dietary oil with fish oil at zero and the last 12 or 18 days of the finisher period.

12-hour dietary restriction during the first week of the growth period reduced feed intake and daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio decreased due to fish oil consumption. Dietary restriction decreased hepatocyte diameter and hepatocyte nucleus volume and increased hepatocyte cytoplasm volume and hepatic sinusoid volume. Consumption of fish oil significantly reduced hepatocyte diameter, cytoplasm volume and hepatocyte sinusoid volume as well as dose-dependent increase in hepatocyte nucleus volume. In the duodenum and jejunum, dietary restriction reduced villi height. The ratio of crypt depth to villi height also increased in the duodenum due to 12 hours of feed restriction. Consumption of fish oil for 18 days at the end of the finisher period significantly increased the villi length in the duodenum, but in the jejunum, the opposite effect was observed.

The results of this study showed that 6 hours of dietary restriction during the first week of the grower period did not have a negative effect on the production traits of broilers and on the other hand significant tissue changes observed in liver and small intestine tissue testify to the effectiveness of dietary restriction programs and consumption of fish oil on the metabolism of broilers.

The effects of different levels of fish oil on productive and reproductive performance as well as serum biochemical indices in female Chukar partridges were evaluated. Thirty-six 1.5-year-old laying Chukar partridges and 12 age-matched males (female: male ratio of 3:1) were divided to four experimental groups (three replicates of three birds each) in a completely randomized, to orally receive 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mL of fish oil on a daily basis for 21 successive days where the control birds received 0.3 mL normal saline solution only as the sham control group. The birds had a free access to feed and fresh water and were weighed weekly. The eggs (n=271) were collected once per two hours during the photophase (8 times daily) for the last 21 days of the treatment period (from 7 through 28 d of experiment). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 10, and 21 of the trial to analyze selected biochemical attributes. Although administration of 0.2 mL fish oil increased the egg production and fertility rate, the difference was not significant as compared to the control group (p> 0.05). Feed intake, body weight, and daily weight gain were not influenced by the different levels of fish oil. A significant decrease in egg weight was detected in fish oil-fed birds where partridges receiving 0.2 mL fish oil recorded the lowest egg weight among the experimental groups (p< 0.05). Similarly, the birds administered with different levels of fish oil had lower serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the control group where the lowest records were found for 0.3 mL fish oil level. The interaction effect of fish oil level and time on serum total cholesterol was significant (p=0.02). The serum levels of LDL and glucose were decreased in partridges receiving 0.3 mL fish oil (p<0.05). No significant changes in the serum concentration of VLDL, HDL, total protein, calcium, and phosphorus were found during the trial. Data suggested that oral exposure of Chukar partridge to 0.2 mL of fish oil had poitive effect on egg production and fertility rate. However, egg weight was decreased. Oral administration of 0.3 mL of fish oil may decrease serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and glucose in partridges.

Negative energy balance in pregnant ewes during last of gestation could result in fatal pregnancy toxemia and affects ewe and lamb health. Fat supplementation of the diet is an efficient mean to increase energy concentration of diet and modify body weight, body condition score, milk yield, fat content and fatty acid composition in lactating ruminants. Addition of fats to ruminant diets provides preformed fatty acids (FA) which are directly available for milk fat synthesis in dairy cows and small ruminants. Much of the research attempted to obtain milk fat with healthier properties by increasing milk concentration of specific human health promoting fatty acids. Although mechanisms of action are unclear and its use in humans is controversial, CLA is still of particular interest because of its speculated role in preventing human health problems and increasing the nutritive and therapeutic value of milk. Therefore, this study contacted to investigate effects of different fat sources and CLA during late-pregnancy and early lactation on DMI, rumen metabolites and milk fatty acid pattern of Afshari ewes.

Fifty Afshari ewes were assigned randomly to one of the five experimental diets with ten replicates in a completely randomized design; 1- control (without fat supplement), 2- 3% protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids (palm oil), 3- 3% Ca salt of  omega-6 fatty acids (soybean oil), 4- 3% Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), 5- 2% protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids (palm oil) and 1% CLA in a completely randomized design. Diets were fed between 14 days before and 45 days after lambing. Dry matter intake was measured daily, feed compound and milk composition was measured weekly. Milk fatty acid profile was determined using Gas Chromatography. Feeding behaviors were recorded every 5 minutes in 40 day of experiment. Rumen samples were taken directly from the rumen fluid through the esophagus and concentration of volatile fatty acids determined using a gas chromatography. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical software and MIXED procedure.

In prepartum, the addition of saturated fat, omega-6, and omega-3 significantly reduced the dry matter intake, but this effect was not observed in CLA containing treatments (P <0.01). In the postpartum period, the addition of fat resources caused a significant increase in dry matter intake (P <0.01). NDF digestion decreased significantly by adding protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids (P <0.05), but not affected by other treatments. It has been reported that the effect of different fat sources on the dry matter is not constant and depends on various factors such as palatability, amount, source and degree of saturation, chain length and fatty acid stile (triglyceride and free fatty acid). The results showed that adding different sources of fat supplementation to 3% in diet did not have a significant effect on feeding behaviors of Afshari sheep. Animal-derived data showed that ewes were in good condition in terms of comfort. Rumen volatile fatty acid profile and pH after lambing were not affected by feeding different fat sources. In agreement with the results of this study, most studies no reported a significant effects on rumen pH with the addition of fat supplement. Adding protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids alone and, along with conjugated fatty acids, increased a significant increase in milk fat percentage. The addition of omega-6 fatty acids resulted in a reduction in the short, medium, and saturated fatty acid fatty acids, and the increase of medium chain fatty acids. The addition of omega-3 fatty acids did not have a significant effect on the fatty acid model of milk compared to the control treatment. The addition of conjugated fatty acids resulted in a significant increase in the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in milk. It has been reported that the pattern of milk fatty acids can be affected by the amount and type of fatty acids in the diet.

Dry matter was reduced by fat supplementation resources before lambing and increased afterward. Reduction in dry matter digestibility and dietary fiber was observed with saturated fat sources. Rumen pH and Volatile fatty acids (VFA) were not affected by feeding different fat sources. Adding conjugate fatty acids in the diet, increased the conjugate linoleic acid (CLA) concentration in the milk. In general, supplementing fat sources to the prepartum diets increased dry matter intake (DMI) after parturition and conjugated fatty acids resulted in a significant increase in the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in milk.

In recent years, the use of antibiotics, as additives in food products because of their potential sustainability in animal and human tissues, has been declared illegal. Therefore, scientists are interested in using essential oil essence with potential antimicrobial activity and improvement in rumen digestion. The use of essential oils improves the digestibility and rumen ecology. The uses of fish oil in feed for livestock have been considered in previous years. The uses of fish oil are limited due to flavoring effects on animal products. Fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, supplementing fish oil to the diet of ruminants, increased concentrations of these fatty acids in milk and meat that would be very useful for human health. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of fish oil and thyme essence on performance, digestibility, and carcass characteristics of Dalagh male lambs.
Sixteen Dalagh male lambs fattened with an average weight of 27±2 kg in a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications over 90 days. Experimental treatments included: 1- control diet based on barley grain and corn silage without fish oil and thyme extract, 2- diet supplemented with 2% fish oil (DM basis), 3- diet supplemented with 2% fish oil and 0.2% thyme extract (DM basis) and 4- diet supplemented with 0.2% thyme extract.
Sheep Final weight was significantly highest in three treatments than other treatments (P Results of the current experiment shows that fish oil in 2% of dry matter had most negative effects on nutrient digestibility of total mixed ration (P

This study was carried out to examine the effect of supplementation of canola and fish oils (5% fish oil, 3% fish oil 2% canola oil, 2% fish oil 3% canola oil and 5% canola oil) and Satureja khuzistanica essential oils (SkEO) (0 and 400 mg/kg), into a basal diet on productive performance, meat cholesterol, lipid stability and certain blood lipid components in broiler chickens raised under normal and heat stress conditions during day 22 to 42 of age. The experiment was conducted in a 4×2×2 factorial expriment using 640 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks in a completely randomised blocks design with 5 replicates of 8 birds in each replication. Oil source significantly decreased FCR, serum LDL and cholesterol content in thigh and breast muscles at day 42 of age. Inclusion of 400 mg/kg SkEO in diet significantly increased daily weight gain and decreased cholesterol content and TBARS concentration in thigh and breast muscles in heat stressed chicks. Heat stress condition significantly decreased FCR and increased TBARS as well as cholesterol content in breast muscle and serum cholesterol concentration during day 22 to 42 of age. It was concluded that supplementation of 400 mg/kg SkEO and canola oil into diet could have a positive effect on productive performance and reduce the meat and serum cholesterol concentration in broiler chicken.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different lipid sources and organic zinc supplementation on performance, egg bacterial activity and ovary morphology of laying hens for 10 weeks. with 288 sixty weeks old birds by employing a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement of 3×4 with 12 treatments, 4 replicates and 6 hens each. The factors of interest were 4% lipid from different sources (soybean oil, fish oil and tallow) and various levels of zinc (40, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of diet). In all three lipid sources, significant reduction (P

In recent years, the supplementation of farm animal’s diet with oils has received attention, due to their content of some fatty acids beneficial to human health, such as linoleic and linolenic acids. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different plant sources of beneficial fatty acids (canola oil and soybean oil) and fish oil, separately or mixed on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in fattening lambs.
Thirty-five male lambs with an initial body weight of 27.8 ± 2 kg and 4-5 months old were used in a completely randomized design for a 84-day feeding experiment with a 14-day adaptation period. Experimental treatments included: 1- control diet based (without oil), 2- diet with 3 % fish oil, 3- diet with 3 % canola oil, 4- diet with 3 % soybean oil 5- diet with 1.5 % fish oil 1.5 % canola oil, 6- diet with 1.5 % fish oil 1.5 % soybean oil, 7- diet with 1.5 % canola oil 1.5 % fish oil. Five lambs were then randomly allocated to each treatment. At the 70 day of period faeces output and feed intake samples were collected to determination of nutrient digestibility with acid insoluble ash method.
The results of current study showed that the experimental diets had significant effect on daily weight gain of lambs (P0.05). Oil supplementation did not affect on dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during total feeding trial (P>0.05). Digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and ether extrac did not affected, but digestibility of dry matter (DM) in control group was higher than that of other treatments (P The results of current study showed that soybean oil and canola oil at 3% can be used in lamb’s finishing diets without adverse effect on performance of lambs. While, the use of fish oil at this level is not recommended.

The aim of this study was to determine effects of different fatty acid profiles on rumen digestion coefficients, some of rumen metabolism parameters and rumen microbial populations. Different oils were used as source of fatty acids such as, Oleic, Linoleic, Linolenic, DHA and EPA. Palmitic acid supplemented from a commercial product (BergaFat T-300) containing high Palmitic acid percentage. Results showed that supplementation of unsaturated fatty acids led to reduction in nutrient digestibility and rumen population of protozoa, anaerobic fungi and cellulolytic bacteria (P˂0.05). Fish oil resulted in higher population of proteolytic and amilolytic bacteria in expense of cellulolytic and major biohydrogenating population (P˂0.05). Palmitic acid source reduced population of two of major cellulolytic bacteria, but there were no effects on cell wall digestibility, total and profile of rumen VFA (P>0.05). All of the oil supplements except for Palmitic acid supplement reduced methanogeinic archaea (P˂0.05). Unsaturated fatty acid sources including fish oil greatly reduced rumen biohydrogenating bacteria population (P˂0.05). Rumen total VFA and acetate concentration but not propionate decrease as PUFA sources supplemented. Fish oil resulted in greatest reduction in VFA concentration compared with control (103.9 vs. 74.0 mM/L, respectively).

The beneficial effects of adding supplemental polyunsaturated fats including omega-6 and omega-3 sources to the diet on reproductive performance of livestock have been shown in many studies. On the other hand, low performance of artificial insemination is a serious problem to perform genetic improvement projects in sheep. Special effect of adding fish oil as an omega-3 source to flushing diet on reproductive efficiency of ewes after laparoscopic artificial insemination has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing flushing diet with fish oil on reproductive efficiency of Chaal ewes after laparoscopic artificial insemination.
One hundred eleven of non-lactating and non-pregnant Chaal ewes, were divided into three experimental groups based on flushing diets: (1) negative control group (C-), fed the flushing diet without any supplemental fat, (2) positive control group (C), fed the flushing diet containing 3.5% supplemental hydrogenated palm oil (palm fat powder) and (3) fish oil group (FO), fed flushing diet containing 3.5% fish oil. Estrus synchronization of ewes performed using progesterone sponges for 13 days. Twenty to 48 hours after sponge removal, the rate of estrus recorded using rams with aprons and marking harnesses. Forty eight hours after sponge removal, artificial insemination was performed with the laparoscopic approach. Fifteen days after artificial insemination, to determine estrus non return rate and for mating of non-pregnant ewes, the rams with marking harnesses were introduced into the flock. Forty days after insemination, pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography. At the time of lambing, number and weight of born lambs and three months later, the number and weight of weaned lambs were recorded for each ewe in experiment and using them reproductive traits including pregnancy, parturition, abortion, stillbirth, barren and multiple lambing rates, prolificacy, fecundity, born lamb crop, lamb viability, weaning rate and weaned lamb crop (ewe productivity) were calculated.
Adding fish oil to flushing diet significantly increased the weaning rate from laparoscopic artificial insemination and accumulated weaning rate from artificial insemination and natural mating (P0.05). In the group fed hydrogenated palm oil, lamb viability until weaning time was significantly (P In the programs of artificial insemination and synchronized natural mating of sheep, adding fish oil to flushing diet can improve reproductive performance. It is recommended that avoid using hydrogenated palm oil in flushing diet of sheep.

Introduction High-producing dairy cows require large amounts of concentrates that are rich in energy and crude protein to meet their nutrient requirements. Cereal grains and oil supplements are commonly used for increasing energy density of diets fed to high-producing dairy cows. Dietary grain source (barley vs. corn) and oil supplement (soybean- vs. fish oil) resulted in varied dry matter intake and milk production responses in different research studies based on effects on nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation characteristics. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of, and interactions between, grain source and oil supplement on the feed intake, rumen fermentation characteristics, nutrient digestibility and lactational performance of Holstein cows.
Materials and Methods Eight lactating multiparous Holstein cows (parity = 3.3 ± 1.3 and days in milk = 77 ± 22.1; mean ± SD), were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 25-d periods. Each experimental period consisted of an 18-d diet adaptation period and a 7-d collection period. Cows within a square were assigned randomly to dietary treatments. Cows were blocked into 2 squares of 4 cows each based upon milk production, and days in milk, and within blocks were assigned to 1 of the 4 experimental diets with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: 1) BF = barley-based diet supplemented with fish oil at 2% of dietary DM, 2) BS = barley-based diet supplemented with soybean oil at 2% of dietary DM, 3) CF = corn-based diet supplemented with fish oil at 2% of dietary DM, and 4) CS = corn-based diet supplemented with soybean oil at 2% of dietary DM. The TMR amounts offered and refused were measured daily for each cow and DMI determined daily for each cow. Cows were milked three times daily at 0200, 1000, and 1800 h in a herringbone milking parlor. Milk yield for all cows was recorded and sampled at each milking during the last 7 d of each period. Milk samples were composited in proportion to milk yield, preserved with potassium dichromate, stored at 4°C, and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and total solids using an infrared analyzer (MilkoScan 134 BN; Foss Electric, Hillerød, Denmark). At the end of each experimental period, rumen samples were obtained at 4 h after the morning feeding using the stomach tube technique. Rumen pH was determined immediately after the samples were collected using a mobile pH meter (HI 8314 membrane pH meter, Hanna Instruments, Villafranca, Italy). Rumen fluid samples were acidified by sulfuric acid and analyzed for volatile fatty acid by gas chromatography (model no. CP-9002 Vulcanusweg 259 a.m., Chrompack, Delft, the Netherlands). Two fecal grab samples per cow were taken from the rectum twice daily across day 19 to 23 of each period and frozen at −20°C until analyzed. Acid detergent insoluble ash was used as an internal marker to determine apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility. Data were composited within period and analyzed with the MIXED MODEL procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, 2003) to account for effects of square, period within square, cow within square, treatments (grain source and oil supplement), and the interaction between grain source (barley vs. corn) and oil supplement (fish oil vs. soybean oil).
Results and Discussion Apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.05) and ether extract (P Conclusion Results indicated that grain source and oil supplement do not interact to affect productive performance of lactating cows. Due to lowering DM intake, feeding fish- vs. soybean-oil, but not changing diets fermentability, did not influence production performance of lactating cows.

Objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of two percent of dry matter fish oil as a source of n-3 fatty acids in comparison with two percent of palm oil on the metabolic status and yield of ten multiparous Holstein dairy cows from 45 days before up to 60 days after parturition. Feeding this amount of fish oil did not induce any significant effects on the dry matter intake, milk production and milk composition, but decreased milk fat yield and percent (P<0.05)and somatic cell score (P<0.01). Among blood metabolites, only cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase were significantly changed by fish oil consumption (P<0.05). Totally, with consuming fish oil, animal metabolic conditions improved to challenge negative energy balance and hypocalcemia around calving time. Results of this study indicate that consumption of two percent of fish oil in the dry period and early lactation could alleviate undesirable effects of negative energy balance, and improve common metabolic condition in early lactating dairy cows.

The current experiment carried out to investigate the effect of fish oil and selenium supplementation in the ration on performanceand blood parameters in lambs. Sixteen male Lori Bakhtiyari lambs with the same mean weight (39.6±0.290)were randomly allotted to 4 treatments in completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were included of: 1) control (basal diet without any additives); 2) FO (basal diet +2% fish oil; 3) FO + Se (basal diet + 2% fish oil +0.2 mg/kg selenium; 4) Se (0.2 mg/kg selenium). In order to evaluate the blood metabolites, samples were taken on day 60 of the experiment to measure the serum triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), density lipoprotein (LDL) and glutation peroxidase (GPX). Results indicated FO + Se had no significant influence on performance (p>0/05). Moreover, this treatment led to decreased serum TG, CHOL, LDL and increased GPX and HDL‎‎(P<0.05). Therefore results show that however performance was not affected by dietary treatments, selenium as well as fish oil compared to the control group significantly affected blood parameters.

Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows were used to investigate the effects of chromium-l-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation and dietary energy source on performance and lactation during the Transition period. Cows were fed a total mixed ration consisting of two energy source from 28 d before anticipated calving through 28 d after calving. The Cr-Met was supplemented at dosages of 0 or 0.08 mg of Cr/kg of metabolic body weight. The study was designed as a randomized complete block design with 2 (Cr-Met levels) × 2 (energy sources) factorial arrangement. Fish oil Supplementation had no significant effect on prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) but decreased postpartum DMI. Supplemental Cr-Met increased prepartum and postpartum DMI. The effect of treatments on milk production was not significant. No differences were detected in milk composition except for fat percentage; in which cows were fed the fish oil had lower percentage of fat compared to others. Ammonia–N concentration was not affected by treatments. The molar proportion of acetate and butyrate were significantly decreased when fish oil was added to the diets.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementing fish oil and thyme extract on dry matter, organic matter and nutrient digestibility, chewing activity and rumen metabolites in Mahabadi goat kids. For this aim, twenty-eight Mahabadi goat kids (average initial BW of 17/8 +- 2/8 kg, 4-5mo) were randomly assigned to four treatments: 1) control (basal diet), 2) supplemented with 0.2% thyme extract, 3) supplemented with 2% fish oil and 4) supplemented with 0.2% thyme extract and 2% fish oil. Animals were kept in individual pens with self-mangers for 94 d. Addition of fish oil decreased NDF digestibility (P=0.01) and increased EE digestibility (P=0.05) versus the control. Ruminal ammonia concentration decreased by thyme extract (P=0.05). Addition of thyme increased acetate concentration (P=0.09) and acetate to propionate ratio (P=0.07). It was found that diets 2 and 3 significantly decreased protozoa count compared with diet 1 (P=0.05). Time to eat (minutes per day) was not affected by treatments, but chewing time significantly decreased by with thyme essence (P<0.05). The results of this experiment indicate that supplementation of goat kid diet with fish oil and thyme extract decreased NDF digestibility and increased EE digestibility and increased rumen acetate concentration.

To estimate the effect of microencapsulated fish oil on blood metabolites، rumen and blood plasma fatty acids concentrations twelve Sannan dairy goats with 30 ± 5 days in milk (DIM) were allocated to 3 treatments in a 3×2 change over design with 2 periods of 30 days. Treatments were: 1) the control (without fish oil)، 2) microencapsulated fish oil (2% fish oil capsulated in 6% treated whey protein concentrate، 3) fish oil (2% fish oil and 6% whey protein concentrate). Concentration of C18:0 in the rumen for microencapsulated fish oil decreased significantly in comparison with the control. The same manner was observed in goat’s blood plasma for microencapsulated fish oil. Microencapsulated fish oil led to a significant increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids concentration، hence concentration of C18:3، C20:5 EPA، C22:5 DPA and C22:6 DHA as a source of ω3 fatty acids increased 10، 20، 10 and 13 folds in comparison with the control and 10، 20، 2 and 2. 5 folds in comparison with the fish oil treatment، respectively. HDL concentration in protected fish oil was significantly higher than that for the control and unprotected fish oil treatments. It seems that fish oil supplementation caused significant changes in blood fatty acids composition of ruminants as well as ω3 fatty acids in their products. Significant increase of ω3 fatty acids in blood plasma of microencapsulated fish oil treatment showed the protective effect of capsulation against rumen microbial biohydrogenation.