نشریه علوم دامی (پژوهش و سازندگی)
پیاپی 123 (تابستان 1398)

Regarding the role of mitochondria in the quality of sperm motility and fertility, protection of mitochondrial function against ROS-induced damage can be an important step in improving roster sperm fertility. The mitochondria are the most important source of ROS and the unique properties of mitochondria prevent antioxidants from entering, which results in poor antioxidant performance in protecting ROS-induced damage. Therefore, the use of antioxidants that can pass through the mitochondrial membrane and inhibit ROS in this region can be a good way to reduce the damage caused by ROS and improve the sperm quality and fertility. The aim of the present study was to use mitochondrial mild uncoupling combinations to reduce the risk of ROS-induced injuries and increase the survival of sperm after freeze-thawing. For this purpose, 14 Ross breed rooster with 28 weeks of age were used. The semen was taken by massaging the abdomen-back procedure. After initial evaluation, semen samples were pooled After dilution of semen samples and addition of 2-4-dinitrophenol (DNP) at five levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 nM), they were cooled and then frozen. After two months, semen samples were thawed and evaluated for the percentage of dead and live sperm, sperm motility parameters, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation and sperm morphology. The results of this study showed that addition of DNP at 0.75 nM resulted in improvement in total and progressive motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and sperm normality compared to the control group, and significantly decreased MDA concentration compared to control group (p <0.05).

The effect of replacing alfalfa hay by ferula ovina on microbial protein synthesis and rumen parameters of Kermani sheep were studied in a 4×4 completely randomized design experiment. In this experiment, four Kermani sheep (38 ± 3 kg BW) were used in four periods of 21 days, including 16 days for adaptation and five days of sampling. Animals received a diet which had 30% alfalfa, 10% wheat straw and 60% concentrate and in experimental diets, alfalfa was replaced by 10, 20 and 30 percent by dried ferula ovina which was collected from Baft city pastures. In order to estimate microbial protein synthesis, the urine of animals in last five days of each experimental period were collected. In animals which received 10% ferula ovina, allantoin quantity, total excretion of purine derivatives, total nitrogen and microbial protein synthesis were the highest. The amount of creatinine in animals received diet containing 20% of ferula ovina was higher than those who received diet containing 30% ferula ovina. Feeding animals with diets containing ferula ovina, significantly decreased the amounts of dry matter intake, nitrogen intake and its retention, ammonia nitrogen and total protozoa population. In conclusion, the results of this experiment showed that dried ferula ovina can be used up to 10% of diet of sheep.

Many of blood serum biochemical parameters are associated with resistance to disease, meat quality and performance traits, and can be useful in determining animal health status. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of strain and sex on growth traits and blood serum biochemical parameters of quail. For this purpose, a number of one-day-old chicks from each quail strain (125 Wild, 159 Italian speckled, 58 Scarlet, 56 Tuxedo, 81 English white, 92 A and M Texas and 57 White Button), were used. The chicks were weighed weekly until 42 day of age. At 35 day of age, 10 birds (5 male and 5 female) were slaughtered from each strain, and their blood serum was separated. The evaluation of blood serum biochemical parameters including total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes parameters was conducted using autoanalyzer apparatus. The growth traits and blood serum biochemical parameters data were analyzed and compared with R comuter software among strains and sex levels. The effect of sex on body weight at 42 day of age, body weight gain in sixth weeks, calcium, globulin and AST enzyme was significant and strain had a significant effect on all growth traits, cholesterol, triglyceride and phosphorus (P <0.05). All growth traits and blood serum biochemical parameters (with the exception of uric acid and AST enzyme concentrations) were higher in female quails than those of males.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of monensin on growth performance, body weight gain, feed efficiency and rumen volatile fatty acid in weaning Holstein male calves. This study were conducted using 66 weaning male calves (average body weight 103 ± 5 kg and average age 90 ± 5 days) that received experimental diets including A) control without monensin, B) control with 70 mg/d monensin and C) control with 140 mg/d monensin in a complete randomized design with periods of 90 days (days of 90 to 180). The effect of treatments was significant on dry matter intake (P= 0.01). Daily Feed intake was 5.99, 5.82 and 4.04 Kg respectively for 1 to 3 treatment that highest in 70 mg monensin and lowest in control group. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved in month 5 in calves fed monensin as compared with control group (P= 0.05). The results indicated that monensin increased final weight in calves fed monensin as compared with control group. Body weight in 70 mg monensin was highest as compared with others (P≤ 0.05). Average daily gain in month 5 was significant (P≤ 0.05) that highest in 140 mg monensin group. Average height gain was significantly different between experimental treatments that highest in 140 mg monensin group (12.65 am). Monensin had significant effect on propionate that highest in 70 mg monensin group.

To evaluate the reproductive performance of Markhoz does in an accelerated kid production system (three kiddings in two years) and to compare with a conventional kid production system, 90 mature does in Sanandaj Breeding Station were monitored into three groups: 1-twice mating a year with hormone (CIDR and injection of 400-IU PMSG); 2- Twice mating a year without hormone; 3- Conventional system, once a year (control group). Data on pregnancy rate, twinning or prolificacy rate, litter size, fecundity rate, born kid crop and weaned kid crop and viability rate were calculated and analysis was performed with GLM process using SAS software. The parturition rate and fecundity rate of does in the experimental (1,2) and control groups was 2, 1.77 and 1.66, and respectively 3.43, 2.7 and 2.17 during the 24 months that had a significant difference (P<0.05). Born Kid Crop and Weaned Kid Crop and weaning rate during 24 months in treatment 1 was significantly more than the treatment 2 and control (P<0.05). Average of Born Kid Crop and Weaned Kid Crop per doe in the experimental groups and control was 2.95, 2.62 and 1.39 kg respectively, and 10, 8.01 and 7.67 kg respectively, that the differences between three treatment were significant (P<0.05). The Net income of the implementation of reproductive treatments and three kiddings in two years was more than control treatment.

Total of 43 milking buffaloes were considered in this experiment to investigate the effect of body condition score of calving (BCSc) on reproductive performance at North-west Buffalo Rearing and Breeding Center, West Azerbaijan, Iran. The experiment was carried out in the form of completely randomized design with 2 factors of BCS and Parity. The BCS had 4 of 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99, and 4.0-4.49, and Parity had 3 levels of 1: first calving, 2: 2nd- 5th parity, and 3: 5+ parity. The BCSc of individual animals was determined by measuring animals’ backfat thickness using an ultrasound machine at the 12–13th rib (mm) at the start of the trial. The results showed a linear relationship between BCSc and parity with calf birth weight (P<0.05). The lowest age at first estrus after calving was in animals within group of BCS with 2.5 to 2.99 (P<0.05), but the effect of parity on age at first estrus after calving was not significant (P<0.05). The main effect of BCSc and parity were significant on conception rate in the first artificial insemination such that buffaloes within BCSc group of 3-3.49 and within parity group 2 had higher conception rate. In this study the open days after calving and calving intervals increased with increasing BCS (P<0.05). The effect of BCS and parity group was not significant (P>0.05) on the number of artificial insemination resulted in pregnancy. Breeding efficiency was linearly associated with number of parity (P>0.05), but it did not affected by BCS (P>0.05).

The objective of this study was to compare genetic gain, inbreeding rate and generation intervals from three breeding programs, include open nucleus, closed nucleus and sire reference through stochastic simulation. Four levels of herd size, three levels of number of female per male, and four selection indices in three breeding programs (open nucleus, closed nucleus and sire references) were combined to make of 144 scenarios. The highest total genetic gain and genetic gain of traits were obtained in the open nucleus system. The closed nucleus had the lowest generation interval, and it in terms of the inbreeding rate was between the other two systems. The sire reference system had the least amount of inbreeding and maximum generation interval. The generation interval affected by herd size and showed a significant difference in the herd level and increased with increasing herd size. The number of female per male significantly affected the inbreeding rate and generation interval, but total genetic gain and genetic gain of the traits were less affected, and the high value was observed in the 25 female per male scenario. The selected indices showed a significant effect on the total genetic gain, and the highest value was obtained in index 4 (Weight at selling, Number of kidding per year, Litter size).

A total number of 288 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used to investigate the effect of different levels of protein and choline supplementation in the diet on production traits, carcass parameters, hematology and intestinal morphology. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design as factorial experiment (3 × 2). Experimental treatments consisted of three levels of protein (control or recommended level, medium or 1.5 units lower than recommended level and low or 3 units lower than recommended level) and 2 levels of choline supplementation (0 and 1000 mg/kg diet). The results showed that the use of low-protein group reduced body weight gain, villus height and villus height/cryt depth ratio in the jejunum and increased feed conversion ratio in broilers (P<0.05) when compared with control group. The higher relative liver weight and lower red blood cell counts were also observed in the medium-protein group compared with control group (P<0.05). The effect of choline supplementation and interaction between protein levels and choline supplementation in the diet on growth performance, blood hematological parameters and intestinal morphology were not significant. However, choline supplementation tended to increase carcass yield (P=0.087) and to decrease the relative liver weight (P=0.089). According to the results of current study, reducing the dietary protein level, especially 3 units lower than recommended level, negatively affected the production traits and intestinal morphology; but the use of choline supplementation in these diets has no positive effect in broiler chickens.

A total number of 176 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used for 49-d period to investigate the effect of different form of Manganese Supplementation in the corn-soybean meal based diet on performance, carcass traits, hematology, blood biochemistry and intestine histology of Broilers Reared under Summer Temperature Conditions. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 treatment and 4 replicates (11 birds) in each treatment. Treatments consisted of control group and three form of manganese supplementation (mineral, Organic and mix of mineral (50%) and organic (50%) form). The results showed that the addition of 100 ppm organic Mn in compared to control or mineral Mn groups increased body weight at 42d and 49-d. Feed efficiency was improved with organic Mn supplementation in compared to control group. However, all carcass traits were not affected by dietary Mn supplementation. The effect of different form of Mn supplementation on number of erythrocyte and leukocyte were not significant (P>0.05). Moreover, the shank and leg traits especially shank ash and Mn was significantly increased when organic form of Mn supplemented to control diet during summer condition. According to the results of current study, the addition of 100 ppm organic form to basal level could improve performance traits such as FCR, BW and had beneficial effect on bone traits in male Broilers Reared under Summer Temperature Conditions.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of pistachio by-product biochar (PBPB) on cumulative gas production, gas production parameters, short chain fatty acids, digestibility, methane and ammonia production and volatile fatty acids in an in vitro batch fermentation system. The study was carried out in a completely randomized design with four treatments and three replications. Four levels of PBPB including 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 % was added to the experimental diets with ratio 60% forage to 40% concentrate. All samples were incubated in three replications using buffered ruminal fluid collected from 4 Kermanian sheep. Result indicated that inclusion of biochar to experimental diet had no significant effect on cumulative gas production after 24 and 96 h of incubation, short chain fatty acids, protozoa population and volatile fatty acids. Inclusion of PBPB to the diet significantly increased pH (P<0.01) compared to control treatment . Concentrations of ammonia (P<0.05) and methane (P<0.01) significantly decreased at 1 and 1.5% of PBPB compared to control. In general, these findings indicated that the use of PBPB can have had a great potential to decrease methane mitigation and ammonia concentrations and improving of rumen fermentation

Abstract This research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the performance of Twenty-second generation improved indigenous hens in rural areas of Fars province in two hot and cold climates. For this purpose, two counties per climatic region, 3 villages per county and 4 families per each village were covered for a period of 72 weeks. Each family received twenty one 45-day old chickens. During the experiment period, mortality and egg production were recorded daily. Live body weight mean of hens was measured at 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 weeks of age. The results showed that chickens raised in hot climate produced more eggs than those in cold climate during the experiment (P<0.01). Average egg mass in months and in entire experimental period, was significantly lower (P<0.01) in cold climate (Dasht Arjan and Sepidan Counties) than hot climate (Darab and Zarindasht Counties). Average live body weight was significantly lower in Dasht Arjan compared to other Counties at 72 weeks of age (P<0.05), but no significant difference observed between climates. Durability percentage in hot climate was significantly higher that cold climate during the experimental period (P<0.01). The mortality rate in indigenous hens was relatively high (%46). The cause of most mortality was disease. The mortality rate in this generation of indigenous hens at the station for up to 72 weeks, 14.8 percent was reported.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three sources of chromium (Nano-Cr, Met-Cr and Bonza-Cr) on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, some blood metabolites and rumen protozoan population in Mehraban fattening lambs. Twenty-eight lambs 7 month of age (mean body weight of 27.30 ± 3.98 kg), were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments for 63 days during winter season, -6 to 15 centigrade, using completely randomized design. The feed conversion ratio of Cr supplemented groups were not different from that of control group (P=0.11). The gas production, organic matter degradability and metabolizable energy in lambs receiving Met-Cr and Cr-Bonza on day 60 were higher than those of other groups (P˂0.001). The ammonia nitrogen decreased (P˂0.05) in lambs receiving Met-Cr and Bon-Cr compared to other groups on days 40 and 60 of experiment. Total volatile fatty acids of rumen liquor of lambs supplemented with Cr were increased (P=0.03) compare to control on day 40 of experiment. The protozoa count did not influence due to incorporation of Cr to diet (P>0.05). The serum albumin of lambs received Nano-Cr and blood urea concentration of Cr supplemented animals were affected (P<0.05). The overall results indicated that the addition of Met-Cr and Bonza-Cr increased the growth of lambs, but it did not affect the population of protozoa and gross profits.

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of salinomycin antibiotic at different doses (0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/L) on gas production kinetics, some rumen digestion and fermentation indices, and at the doses of 0, 4 and 16 mg/L on some rumen microbial populations using Real-time PCR method. For this purpose, three ruminally fistulated male rams were used to collect the rumen fluid for incubations of 144 h in the first and incubations of 24 h in the second phase of the experiment. Results indicated that the gas produced at all the measured times and the asymptotic gas production (A) increased linearly and quadratically with increasing doses of salinomycin. However, the gas production rate (µ) was not affected by the treatment. The gas produced after 24 h of incubation (GP24), in vitro true dry matter degradability (IVTDMD), in vitro true organic matter degradability (IVTOMD) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration increased in a linear and quadratic manner, but partitioning factor (PF) decreased and microbial biomass (MB) and ammonia concentration were not affected by salinomycin. Among the rumen microorganisms, the relative population of protozoa and Fibrobacter succinogens decreased at the highest dose of salinomycin and those of fungi, methanogens and Clostridium aminophilum remained unaffected by salinomycin. These results revealed that salinomycin has a positive impact on rumen digestion and fermentation indices, which regarding recent findings on its effects in preventing different kinds of human cancer, it can be used as feed additive in animal nutrition.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of different levels of pomegranate peel on gas production and also ruminal degradation, protozoa population and rumen fermentation parameters in Zell sheep. In this study, three fistulated Zell ewes with a mean weight of 40±2.1 kg and 24 months age were used in a CRD model. The experimental treatments were control (without pomegranate peel) and treatments containing 5, 10 and 15 percent of pomegranate peel in diets. The results of dry matter and NDF degradability showed that the amount of rapidly (a), slowly (b) and potential degradable (a+b) fractions in control treatment was significantly higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). The CP degradability results of rapidly (a), slowly (b) and potential degradable (a+b) fractions in control and treatment containing 5 percent of pomegranate peel were significantly higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). The highest amount of total gas produced in 96 hours, ME and digestibility of OMD were observed in cotrol diet and significant differences were observed between experimental diets (P<0.05). The rumen protozoa population in treatment containing 10 and 15 percent of pomegranate peel were significantly lower compared to cotrol and 5 percent of pomegranate peel treatments (P<0.05).Butyric acid and propionic+isobutherric acids concentrations in control treatment was higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). In general, the results showed that the use of pomegranate peel up to 5 percent in the diet caused at least negative effects on rumen parameters such as nutrient degradation and protozoal population.

The aim of this study was to identify regulatory genes affecting mastitis in dairy cattle using DNA microarray data. To reach this goal, the gene expression data with the largest number of arrays pertained to GPL1221 Platform with accession number GSE24560 was extracted from the GEO database. For quality control of data, ArrayQualityMetrics package and for preprocessing of data, three step function in AffyPLM, an add-in package in R environment were used. After identifying differentially expressed genes, a Tabu search algorithm was used to determine regulatory genes using bnlearn package in R environment. The results of this study revealed the causative and regulatory role for BCL2A, CCL2, S100A12, AOX1 and MGP genes on expression of other genes in mastitis of dairy cattle. Gene anthology analysis, revealed significant differences in 7 groups of molecular function, 48 groups of biological process and 11 groups of cellular components. Also, the results of the enrichment of the gene expression data set showed that most of the differentially genes expressed in this study that were significantly (P<0.05) active in metabolic pathways (GO: 0009605, GO: 0002376 and GO: 0006954) involved in response to pathogens, immune response and response to inflammation in the mammary tissue of dairy cattle.

To evaluation the effects of adding different levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils in usual and microcapsulated forms to diets on performance, carcass components and meat oxidative stability in broiler chickens, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. The results of this study showed that the use of diets containing different levels of Satureja essential oils in usual and microcapsulated forms had no significantly different than the control group (no additive) on feed intake, feed convertion ratio, carcass characteristics, percentage of dry matter crude protein and fat and water holding capacity of the breast tissue. Also, due to different holding times of breast tissue in the freezer, the production of malondialdehyde in this tissue was significantly influenced by experimental treatments at 24 hours after freezing. Also, the results of this experiment showed that the use of diets containing Satureja essential oils in usual and microcapsulated forms, statistically caused a significant difference on the amount of free N breast tissue at 0 and 48 hours after freezing. According to the results of this study, adding different levels of Satureja essential oils in usual and microcapsulated forms to diets did not improve the performance and carcass characteristics, but it prevented an increase in the oxidation of the breast muscle in broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary natural pigments from marigolds and red pepper on performance and egg qualitative characteristics of laying hens. A total of 96 hy-line W-36 laying hens were used in a completely randomized design in six treatments and four replications of four birds in each from 77 to 85 weeks of age. The performance and egg qualitative characteristics were examined during experimental period. The results showed that the effect of natural pigments utilization from plants marigolds and red pepper was significant (P<0.05) on feed conversion ratio, egg production percentage and egg mass, however it did not have any significant effect on feed intake and average egg weight (P>0.05). Also, the effect of experimental treatments was not significant on egg qualitative traits, including albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk height and yolk index (P>0.05), but it had highly significant effect on yolk color (P<0.001). According to the results of this experiment, it seems that the utilization of natural pigments from plants marigolds and red pepper each by amount 2gr/kg of laying hens diet have an effective role in increasing egg yolk color and marketing without any adverse effect on performance indices and egg qualitative characteristics.

Identification of genomic regions controlling economic traits is one of the most challenging uses of dense markers in animal genetics. Fat storage is economically important for breeding sheep. Therefore, identification of lipid-associated gene positions was the main goals of this study.In this study, 49034 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to identify the genomic regions affecting fat deposition of 106 sheep individuals include Afshari (n=37), Moghani (n=34) and Qezel (n=35) breeds were used. All samples were genotyped by Illumina OvineSNP50K bead chip. By running the quality control on the raw genotype, from tolal 49,034 SNP markers only 46,676 SNPs remained then genomic relationship principal component analysis (PCA) was used in order to assign correct individual to each breed. Theta and Fst analysis were applied to survey the population differentiation in three breeds, so five regions in 99.99 percentile FST score of the genome distribution were selected for further analysis. These regions are stated on chromosomes number 3, 13 (two areas), 15 and 22 were associated with LDL and HDL receptors Lipolise regulation in fat cells and fatty acid metolism. To verify those regions, Extended Haplotype Homozygosity (EHH) test based on linkage disequilibrium was perform. The results of this study shows that SNP bead chip are useful for population differentiation and GWAS so this can help us to achive an genetic improvement by genomic selection.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of heat stress on production of dairy cows of National Research and Development Station for Dual-Purpose Cattle (Gavdasht, located in Babol city). In this order from 3876 test-day records which have been collected from 159 heads of Holstein cattle during the years 2015 to 2018 were used. Using meteorological data of the nearest synoptic station, two climate index with different weightings of dry bulb temperature and humidity were calculated and compared. Because longer periods of heat stress might have a more severe effect than shorter periods, 1-, 2-, and 3-d periods were also considered, by averaging the weather data measurements. Generally, regression analysis with a generalized linear mixed model was used to study the change in test day milk yield in response to climate conditions. Goodness of fit of models were determined using coefficient of determination (R2) and mean square error (MSE). Based on these results, the index with the temperature and relative humidity (THI) was determined as the best indicator for studying the climatic conditions of this study area. It was also observed that the average weather data 2 d before the test date (TD) explained more of the variability of milk yield than weather data 1 or 3 d before TD or on the TD itself. The starting point of heat stress for the Holstein cattle of Gavdasht Research Station was around 74 and their yield decreased by -0.12 kg per unit increase of THI ≥ 74.

In present study of effects of feed form, probiotic and enzyme was investigated on performance, microbial population, viscosity, intestinal morphology and pH of digestive organs in broilers fed triticale-based diet. Eight dietary treatments consisted of feed form (pellet or mash) with or without a Bacillus-based probiotic (0.03% diet) and enzyme carbohydrates (0.05% diet) in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 4 replicates for each treatment in 42 days. The highest Weight Gain in starter period was for the broiler chicks fed the pelleted diet with enzyme and probiotic but the differences were not significant at the end of period. Also, pelleted diet containing probiotic and pelleted diet containing probiotic and enzyme, had the lowest feed conversion ratio during the starter and growth period, respectively. Microbial population, pH of digestive organs and intestinal morphology were not significantly affected by addition of experimental treatments but, feed form has a significant effect on ileum viscosity. In conclusion, pellet form and supplementation of a triticale-based diet with enzymes and probiotics improved the growth performance during starter period and intestinal viscosity of broiler chicks, but did not improved performance at the end of period.

Growth traits in broiler chicken are important economic traits in breeding programs. A major part of the growth performance in birds is the result of the gens combination, which use of these combined effects requires the optimal design for mating system to use the general and specific genes' combining ability. The aim of this study was to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for body weight traits in a crossbred population of four Japanese quail strains from of partial diallel cross design using an animal model includes direct additive and non-additive genetic effects. The estimation of variance components for body weight traits, including hatch weight and weights at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 days-old were performed using a single-trait animal model via Gibbs sampling. Gibbs chains with 1,500,000 iterations were generated, with an initial discard of 150,000 samples and a sampling interval of 100 iterations. The estimated heritability of the above mentioned traits were 0.655, 0.276, 0.201, 0.022, 0.053, 0.04, 0.129, 0.087, 0.417 and 0.046, respectively. The contribution of direct additive genetic variance was lower in early weighting traits and the additive variance contribution was incremented with an increase in the bird's age. Adding non-additive genetic effects, including dominance and epistasis in the model, reduced the error variance and increased the accuracy of additive genetic variance estimates.

Processes of muscle development and lipid metabolism that plays important roles during fetal growth and development stages, are different in thin- and fat-tailed sheep breeds. Therefore, in order to have a better perception of differentially expressed genes and their pathways in ovine prenatal muscle tissue , the gene expression data from muscle tissue of two thin- and fat-tailed breeds of sheep derived from the gene expression array experiment (Access number: GSE23563) were analyzed. The LIMMA package in R used to identify 691, 410, 404, 290 and 155 differentially expressed genes at 70, 85, 100, 120, and 135 days from gestation, respectively.Also,identification of significant gene clusters was performed for each fetal stage using Cytoscape. Finally,13 genes were recognized as differentially expressed at all 5 stages of sampling; among them, EEF1A2, ITGAM,NINL and RPL39 were confirmed as genes related to fetal weight, involved in the muscle development and lipid metabolism regulation.Also Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis for differentially expressed genes by DAVID led to identification of significant processes and pathways associated with myogenesis, lipid metabolism and nervous and immune system in the developing muscle tissue transcriptome. The results of this study could provide supplementary information revealing genes with significant impact on the formation of muscle and fat tissues during fetal development and also the pathways involved in these biological processes.These genes might provide some evidence on DNA markers associated with some economic traits including birth weight,carcass and meat quality traits in sheep which can be applied in selection and breeding programs.

The purpose of this study was to compare the four mating strategies in ostrich flocks using simulation. Simulated traits included egg production (EggsPro), chicken production (ChicksPro), hatchability (Hatchability), live weight at the beginning of mating (LWB), and live weight at the end of mating (LWE). The selection of males was based on the breeding value of the LWB trait and the selection of females based on the breeding value of the ChicksPro trait. The first strategy was an optimal mating, the second strategy crossed individuals based on the highest genetic gain, regardless of the increase in inbreeding, the third strategy was the mating of individuals based on the lowest inbreeding, regardless of genetic progress, and the fourth strategy was the mating of individuals randomly, regardless of inbreeding and genetic gain. The results showed that if the goal in a breeding program is rapid progress without limitation on inbreeding, a mating strategy with the highest genetic gain is the best suited, and if there is no possibility of mapping this crosses, a random mating can be replaced. In closed populations with high inbreeding or populations that need to be genetically protected, and secondly important the breeder also wants to improve performance in the economic traits, a mating strategy with minimum inbreeding can be desirable, and if the goal of breeding is a continuous, sustained and significantly improvement in economic traits, which is required to prevent inbreeding, the optimal mating strategy could be the best option.

Morphological and molecular studies are considered as a powerful tool for estimating genetic diversity and the determination of phylogenetic relationships among different populations of honeybee subspecies. In the present study, morphological and molecular markers (PCR-RFLP) were used to study the phylogenetic relationships of Iranian subspecies honeybee with other honeybee subspecies around the world. Samples were collected from 100 cities belonging to 20 Iranian provinces during the summer of 2016. A total of 2,250 and 300 worker bees were studied for morphological and molecular analyses, respectively. The results of phylogenetic trees plotted using morphological and molecular markers revealed that 29 honeybee subspecies were classified into five groups. In this clustering, the Iranian subspecies honeybee (A. m. meda) with A. m. cyprica, A. m. syriaca, A. m. anatolica, A. m. armeniaca, A. m. caucasica, A. m. caucasica, Am. Pomonella subspecies were assigned in same cluster. This group included subspecies from Eastern Mediterranean, the Near East and the East of the Middle East (O), which was reported in previous studies. The results showed that the honeybee subspecies (or race) in Iran was exactly the same as the Iranian honeybee subspecies (A. m. meda); it also seems that imports of foreign subspecies in the past two decades and the trafficking imports of queen in the last decade had no significant impact on Iranian honeybee subspecies genetic purity due to its adaptation to the country's climates and the instability and incompatibility of other imported subspecies, so that it has not lost its genetic identity.

This study evaluated the effects of coating of soybean meal (SMB) with the fat enriched in saturated fatty acid (SFA) and zeolite on rumen degradable dry matter (RDDM), rumen degradable protein (RDP) and intestinal digestibility of protein. Treatments were (1) SBM, (2) SBM protected with 40% SFA, (3) SBM protected with 38% SFA and 2% zeolite, (4) SBM protected with 50% SFA, (5) SBM protected with 48% SFA and 2% zeolite. To obtain the RDP fraction, samples were ruminally incubated for 16 h. The intestinal digestibility of crude protein was performed by three-step in vitro procedure. The results showed that SBM protecting with SFA reduced protein solubility compared with untreated SBM (P=0.002). The RDDM and RDP were decreased (P<0.05) with increasing fat level in the product. Using 2 % zeolite significantly decreased (P<0.05) RDP. There were no significant differences between SBM and SBM protected treatments in intestinal digestibility. It was concluded that protection of SBM with SFA decreased of RDDM and RDP, while RDP values showed more decrease with the inclusion of zeolite in the fat matrix.