نشریه علوم دامی (پژوهش و سازندگی)
پیاپی 112 (پاییز 1395)

Birth weight (BW) is the first trait that could be measured after birth. BW influences the growth, production, reproduction, and calving ease of the mother and also affects the future performance of the calf. The 355582 BW records of Holstein cows were used in this research which was recorded by Animal Breeding Center of Iran between 1988 and 2010. The likelihood ratio test showed that the differences between first 5 models and sixth model were significant (P

Sorghum grain is an important ingredient in poultry diets. Nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn) content of sorghum grain is a measure of its quality. As for the other feed ingredients, the biological procedure used to determine the TMEn value of sorghum grain is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to find an alternative method to accurately estimate the TMEn content of sorghum grain. Artificial neural networks are the powerful method which widely used in agriculture and poultry nutrition. Therefore In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) and a multiple linear regression (MLR) models were used to predict the TMEn of sorghum grain based on its acid detergent fiber (ADF) and total phenols content. The accuracy of the models was calculated by R2, MS error and bias. The predictive ability of an ANN was compared with a MLR model using the same training data sets. The results of this study showed that it is possible to estimate sorghum grain TMEn with a simple analytical determination of ADF and phenolic content. The R2 values corresponding to testing and training of the ANN model showed a higher accuracy of prediction than that established by regression method (R2=84% vs 56% for training and R2=83% vs 47% for testig data sets respectively). In conclusion, the ANN model may be used to accurately estimate the TMEn value of sorghum grain from its corresponding chemical composition (ADF and total phenols content).

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of pennyroyal and ration crude protein levels on performance, egg quality and blood metabolites of laying hens. Experiment was conducted as a factorial (3*3) (0, 1, 2% pennyroyal) and crude protein (NRC, 10, 20% lower than NRC recommendation) in a completely randomized design with 432 of Hy- line (W36) laying hens in 9 treatments and 4 replicates (with 12 hen in each replicate) for 12 weeks from 25-37 weeks of hens age. Using of 2% pennyroyal and ration crude protein and interaction between them negatively affected the performance of laying hens. The use 2% pennyroyal increased the percentage of eggshell. The egg production, egg mass and feed intake reduces in using pennyroyal and low crude protein diets. In interaction effects the best performance was observed in diet with no pennyroyal and NRC crude protein level. Using pennyroyal with low crud protein diets reduced the egg production percentage, egg mass, feed intake and increased the feed conversion. Interaction between pennyroyal and ration crude protein significantly affected the eggshell strength and Haugh unit. 2% pennyroyal reduced the blood uric acid level and 10% lower crude protein than NRC recommendation reduced blood total crude protein percentage. By reducing 20% ration crude protein, the percentages of hetrophlis increased and lymphocytes decreased. The overall results showed that in laying hens using pennyroyal, 10% and 20% crude protein lower than NRC recommendation have adverse effects on their performance.

In this study, the effects of partial replacement of forage sources with ýuntreated ýwheat straw (UWS) or WS silage (treated ýwith sodium hydroxide, molasses and ýwheat grain; TWSS) were investigated ýon performance of dairy cows. Nine mid-ýlactation Holstein cows ýwere offered one of the three diets, differing in their forage ýsources: 1) ýcontrol (20% alfalfa hay (AH) and 20% corn silage (CS)); ýý2) ýcontaining UWS (13% AH, 13% CS, and 13% UWS; ýand 3) containing TWSS ýý(13% AH, 13% CS, and 14.3% TWSS in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square ýdesign. ýýApparent digestibilities of control and TWSS diets (74 and ýý73.4%, ýrespectively) were similar (P>0.05), but higher than the UWS diet ýý(P0.05). Milk fat contents in the cows ýfed TWSS diet were ýhigher than those fed control diet (P

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of extra vitamin E (VE) supplementation on performance and some plasma parameters in laying Japanese quails exposed to Ag-coated titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs). Ninty six Japanese quails (20 weeks) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 4 replicates containing 4 birds (3 females and 1 male per cage). Treatments included two levels of VE (0 and 200 mg/kg Diet) and three levels of Ag-coated TiO2 NPs (0, 500 and 1000 mg/kg Diet). All produced eggs of each pen were collected once per day and the number of eggs and average weight of them were recorded to calculate the egg production and egg weight (per bird) throughout the experiment. The conversion ratio of egg weight was calculated for each pen. The results showed that Ag-coated TiO2 NPs supplementation in the mentioned levels resulted in an increased egg production (P0.05). Furthermore, the plasma parameters were not affected by Ag-coated TiO2 NPs (P>0.05). Although, the interaction of Ag-coated Tio2 NPs and VE was not significant (P>0.05), however, the plasma levels of triglycerides and uric acid respectively tended to decrease (P=0.08) and increase (P=0.09) in birds fed VE. In conclusion, Ag-coated Tio2 NPs did not show any toxic effect on the Japanese quail’s performance, egg quality and stress-related plasma parameters, hence, the insignificant effect of VE supplementation on the measured parameters in Ag-coated TiO2-exposed quails is logical.

Brassica juncea (L) belongs to the Cruciferae plant family commonly known as the mustard family. It is grown to a height of one to two meters. In order to investigate the effect of molasses on the fermentation quality and nutritive value of fodder mustard (Brassica Mustard), the three levels of molasses in a completely randomized design with five replicates were used. For this purpose mustard fodder was obtained at dent stage, chopped with an average particle length of 2 Cm and were preserved in 10Kg plastic boxes by mixing molasses at 0 , 3 and 6% of forage dry matter with five replicates. Silos were kept at room temperature and opened at 45 days for determination of pH , apparent specificity of silage( smell, structure and color), chemical composition(DM, CP, CF, NDF, ADF, ash , WSC and In Vitro digestibility. All of the silages had desirable degree of quality based on Flieg Point . NH3-N value concentration of silage decreased and WSC increased with increasing level of molasses addition (P>0.05). The effect of molasses on DM, CP, CF, OM and ADF contents was non- significant. The OMD(organic matter digestibility), DMD(dry matter digestibility) and DOMD( Digestibility of Organic Matter in the Dry) were increased by ensiling with molasses. The highest DMD(64.7%) and OMD(60.01%) were observed in treatment T3. In conclusion it was shown that mustard fodder can be effectively ensieled without molasses. However , additional 6% molasses to fodder of Mustard resulted in improved fermentation quality and nutritive value of silage.

The effect of genetic and non genetic factors on length of life and survival records of Kourdi lambs, 7469 records collected from 1988 to 2011 in Hossin Abad Sheep Breeding Station in Shirvan were used in this study that which belonging to 187 sire and 2258 dam. Data were analysed using linear models with included fixed effects of year and month and type of birth, sex of lamb, age of dam and lamb's birth weight as linear and quadratic covariate, and direct additive genetic, maternal additive genetic, maternal common environmental and residual random effects. Overall mean of length of life and cumulative survival rate up to yearling were 274.3 ± 165.3 days and 0.62 ± 0.26 percent. The effect of year, month, type of birth, birth weight and sex of lamb were significant on length of life and survival from birth to yearling. Male lambs had lower life length and survival rate than females in all ages. With increasing birth weight survival rate decreased. The direct heritabilities of length of life and survival rate estimated from different linear models were low (0.01 to 0.006). The maternal heritability ranged from zero to 0.02. The estimates of heritability in logarithmic, original and effective scale obtained from sire model with weibull function were higher than values estimated by different linear models. Estimated heritability for length of productive life was 0.013 and genetic correlation between satiability traits were high and positive.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Purslane extract (PE) on performance, egg quality and ovary quantitative characteristics of laying hens. One hundred and twenty laying hens (Leghorn, Hy-Line W36) were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 5 replicates and 6 hens per replicate. Four experimental treatments were, control (Corn-Soy basal diet) and 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 % of Purslane extract which added to basal diet. The results indicated that there were no significant differences on performance parameters of laying hens (P>0.05). Haugh unit traits, shell thickness and egg yolk percentage did not affected by different levels of PE (P>0.05). However, shell strength, shell percentage and yolk color, increased with inclusion of PE in diet rather than control group. Shell strength in 0.3 % of PE had highest value (2.02 kg/cm2). Primary antibody response did not affected by experimental diets (P>0.05), but, secondary antibody significantly (P

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of management indices on broiler farm efficiencies using a multi-criteria decision making model. Data was collected from a random sampling process including 68 questionnaires in the province of Golestan, in Iran. Feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio and survival percentage were considered as experimental traits.Farms were divided to four performance index ranges including weak group (200±25), intermediate group (250±25), suitable group (300±25) and top group (350±25). Multi-criteria decision making model was employed for determination the effect of management indices on efficiency of broiler farms. SAW method was used for determination of major factors affecting the performance parameters, Usage management factors, assessment of effective management factor on difference between the four groups and contribution of these factors in conflicts. According to the results intermediate and top group were aaplied nutrition management indices in a maximum level with 75.52 and 59.53 percent respectively. Among the nutrition management indices using feeding pellet, feeding system and diet number had most effects on differences between groups of broiler with 57.07, 29.04 and 7.36 percent respectively.

This study was conducted to introduce a method based on using digital image processing to estimate the weight of new born lambs of Zandi sheep. Data was collected from 115 new born lambs reared in the Zandi sheep breeding centre of Khojir, Tehran. Primarily, all lambs were weighted, and at the same time, several photos were taken from the side view of each lamb using a digital camera from a fixed imaging distance. Then, the features related to the lateral area of lambs were extracted from digital images using image processing tools (IPT) of MATLAB software. Afterwards, a suitable artificial neural network was designed to estimate the lamb's weight based on the features was extracted from digital images. The neural network was trained with the precision of 96.94 % to estimate the lamb's weight. In the test phase, there was a correlation equal to 90.11 percent between the actual weight of lambs and weights estimated by the artificial neural network (p

In current experiment, to evaluate and compare the efficacy of ethanolic extractions of Thyme and Rosemary on performance, blood biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology of broilers encountered with aflatoxicosis, 300 day-old Ross 308 were employed in completely randomized design manner having 4 treatments of 1) Negative control (basal diet), 2) positive control (basal diet contaminated with 600ppb AFB1), 3) negative control with herbal additives (basal diet along with mixture of ethanolic extraction of Thyme and Rosemary, each for 500ppm) and 4) positive control with herbal additives (basal diet along with 600ppb AFB1 and mixture of ethanolic extraction of Thyme and Rosemary, each for 500ppm), with 5 replicates and 15 chicks each. Result showed that inclusion of 1000ppm of ethanolic extraction of Thyme and Rosemary mixture in broiler diets faced with chronic aflatoxicosis significantly (P

In this experiment for the first time in Iran, designing, manufactureing and use of a new automated chewing activity recorder was evaluated to assay feed intake activity in lactating dairy cattle fed diets with different particle size. 8 Holstein cows are similar production, weight, age, breed and health, were used in a changover design 2×2 with two 21-day periods. The chewing activity that record visually and automatic recorder was not significant different that indicates the accuracy and performance of the new device. During of intake, jaw movements decreased when particle size of alfalfa hay increased. The number of jaw movements per minute when feed intake was not significant between the two treatment (P=0.1302). The jaw movement per a second was reduced when particle size of alfalfa hay increased. The jaw in each opening and closing movement were reduced when dietary forage particle size increased. The number of chewing per second was 1.36 time for ration containing shorter particles alfalfa hay and 1.33 time for larger particles alfalfa hay that were not statistically significant difference (P=0.1491).

Pistachio farming is a main agricultural enterprise in central Iran and pistachio by-product are produced during the de-hulling of pistachio nuts after harvesting. This by-product contains varying amounts of soft external hull, twigs, leaves and kernel and bony shells. The present paper aims to sum up the literature exists on the methods of processing and storage, chemical composition, the appropriate levels of pistachio by-product consumption for livestock and its effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in ruminants. This by-product has a good potential for use in ruminant nutrition as a low price feed. Ensiling is the best method for long time preservation of this by-product as storage is difficult owing to its high moisture content; however, the addition of 1.5% molasses and a maximum of 0.5% urea are effective in increasing the quality of pistachio by-product silage. The dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein, NDF, ADF, phenolic compounds and total tannin in the dry pistachio by-product have been reported to be 93.91, 83.84, 11.81, 30.27, 22.12, 10.38 and 6.16%, respectively. The average dry matter digestibility of pistachio by-product ranged from 56.5 to 52.0% of DM. This review evaluates pistachio by-product relative to their nutrient composition, content of secondary compounds, and their impact on feed intake, digestibility, microbial protein synthesis and animal performance. Possible reasons and implications of these results to use pistachio by-product as a feed were discussed.

The present study was carried out to investigate chemical composition and characteristics of Cynara scolymus in silage conditions. This experiment was conducted in a complete random design with 7 treatments including control (only forage)(T1), forage and 5% molasses (T2), forage and 10% molasses (T3), forage and 1% urea (T4), forage and 5% molasses plus 1% urea (T5), forage and 2% urea (T6), forage and 5% molasses plus 2% urea (T7). Results obtained showed that average dry matter of silages was 24.38%. Dry matters of T4, T5 and T7 were significantly lower than other treatments (P

This experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of hempseed on performance, immune response and plasma antioxidative activity and lipid profile in broiler chicks. A total of 250 one-day male broiler chicks (Ross 308 strain) were randomly divided into five treatments with five replicates (10 birds per cage). The treatments were: 1) Control diet (H0, no hempseed); 2) the diet contain 5% hempseed (H5); the diet contain 10% hempseed (H10); the diet contain 15% hempseed (H15) and the diet contain 20% hempseed (H20). Data were analyzed using of the PROC GLM of SAS 9.1 software and means were compared using of tukey test. The results of this study indicated that inclusion of hempseed up to 10% into diet significantly (P

An experiment was conducted in order to determine lysine requirement of Arian 386 broiler chicks in finisher period (28- 42 days of age). In this experiment 720 broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with six levels of lysine (0.76, 0.86, 0.96, 1.06, 1.16 and 1.26 percent of diets), six replicates and 20 chicks in each. Average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were affected by lysine level in diets (p

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different dietary energy levels in the rearing period on performance and productive traits of layer hens during the laying cycle. 196-day-old layer chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatments (2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900 and 3000 Kcal ME/kg), with 4 replicates of 7 birds each. The treatment containing 2800 Kcal ME/kg was considered as the control group. Results showed that feeding different dietary energy levels had no effect on feed intake and weight gain (P>0.05). Even though, feed to egg ratio was increased by reduction of dietary energy levels, decreasing energy levels up to 2400 Kcal ME/kg had no significant effect as compared to control group (P>0.05). Feed intake per dozen eggs and egg number per hen were not affected by reducing energy level up to 2500 Kcal ME/kg, as compared to control group (P>0.05). In addition, diluting the dietary energy up to 2600 and 2700 Kcal ME/kg had no effect on egg production and time of laying commencement, respectively (P>0.05). In conclusion, feeding the treatment containing 3000 Kcal ME/kg, not only improved performance and productive traits, but also increased the average weight of each egg when compared to other treatments (P

The purpose of this study was to compare effects of adding soybean oil as omega-6 fatty acid source and palm hydrogenated oil as source of saturated fat to flushing diet on artificial insemination efficiency in Chaal ewes. One hundred eleven of non-lactating and non-pregnant Chaal ewes, were divided into three experimental groups based on flushing diets: (1) control group (C), fed the flushing diet without any supplemental fat, (2) palm hydrogenated oil group (PHO), fed the flushing diet containing 3.5% supplemental hydrogenated palm oil and (3) group of soybean oil (SO), fed flushing diet containing 3.5% soybean oil. Estrus synchronization of ewes performed using progesterone sponges. The rate of estrus was recorded and forty eight hours after sponge removal, artificial insemination was performed with the laparoscopic approach. Fifteen days after artificial insemination, the rams were introduced into the flock. Number and weight of born lambs and weight of weaned lambs were recorded. Soybean oil significantly increased the multiple lambing rate in comparison with group fed hydrogenated palm oil and significantly increased the prolificacy and fecundity rates and consequently weaning rate in comparison with two other groups (P 0.05). In the programs of sheep artificial insemination and synchronized natural mating, adding soybean oil to flushing diet can improve reproductive performance. Also, It is recommended that to avoid using hydrogenated palm oil in flushing diet of sheep.

The effects of dietary energy and lysine levels on performance of growing Japanese quail were investigated by using 360 One- day old Japanese quails in a 2×6 factorial arrangement with two levels of metabolisable energy (2850, and 2950 Kcal/kg) and six levels of lysine (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6%) in a completely randomized design with three replicates and 10 birds per each. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly and feed conversion ratio was calculated. At 35 d of age, to evaluate carcass traits, four birds (from both sexes) from each replicate were randomly selected and killed. Results showed that body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield and breast yield (35 days) improved by increasing in dietary lysine (P