نشریه علوم دامی (پژوهش و سازندگی)
پیاپی 105 (زمستان 1393)

In this study, genetic parameters and (co)variance components were estimated for weights at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 months, daily weight gain from birth to 3 months and daily weight gain from 3 month to 12 month, Keliber ratio from birth to 3 months and Keliber ratio from 3 to 12 month, and production of fleece for South Khorasan goats at Sarbisheh station over a period of 16 years (1996–2012). Records of 2544 kids, the progeny of 149 sires and 851 dams were used in the study. Analyses were carried out by MTGSAM program. Six different animal models were fitted for all traits. The most appropriate model was model 2 with only permanent environmental maternal effects. Estimates of direct heritability varied from 0.01 for weight at 12 months to 0.49 for production of fleece. Maternal effects are important sources of variation on growth traits significantly and ignoring maternal effects in the model would cause inaccurate genetic evaluation of kids. Bivariate analysis was also used to estimate correlations between traits. Direct genetic correlations among studied traits ranged from 0.01 for daily weight gain and Keliber ratio from birth to 3 months and 3 to 12 month-almost traits to 0.88 for weight at 3 months- Keliber ratio from birth to 3 months. Phenotypic and environmental correlations were generally lower than those of genetic correlations

In this research, 6517 records, collected by Khojir sheep Breeding Station (Tehran, Iran), during 1991 to 2011 were used to estimate genetic parameters of lamb survival in Zandi sheep. Genetic parameters were estimated using 16 different models of animal model, sire and threshold models using REML procedures. The AIC criterion was used to evaluate the models. The effects in the most suitable animal model were included direct additive genetic, maternal additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. The effects in the most suitable sire model were included sire additive genetic effects and maternal common litter effects. The effects in the most suitable threshold model were included only sire additive genetic effect. The estimated heritability of lamb survival based on animal, sire, and threshold models were 0.09 ± 0.001 and 0.13 ± 0.02, and 0.19 ± 0.06, respectively.

Twenty male Raini goats with an average live weight of 30 ± 2.5 kg and 18 month of age., were used in a completely randomized design with 4 experimental diets and 5 replications to study effect of different levels By-Pass(UDP) protein(2.75, 4.86, 5.91 and 6.97 percent in dry matter) on growth and carcass characteristics. Metabolismable Energy (ME) level of the all diets were similar (10.04 MJ ME/Kg DM). The control treatment diet was offered the level of Undegradable protein (2.75 % DM) which recommended by AFRC (1998). The goats were weighted at fortinightly intervals during the 84 days experimental period. The average of daily live weight gain of treatment were respectivelity 68, 87.3, 99.5 and 117 g/days and feed conversion were respectvelity18.38, 13.86, 12.21 and 10.56. The result indicated that high levels By-Pass protein significantly (P<0.05) increased daily live weight gain and improvement feed conversion compared with control group (UDP = 2.75). But there was no such a significantly for dry matter Intake in different treatment (P>0.05). After completion of this period (84 days), in each treatment 3 goats and 12 goats all together were slaughtered, the high levels By-Pass protein diet had significantly increased warm and cold carcass weight compared with control diet (p < 0.05) The results indicated that growth rate and carcass gain were highest in goats fed the greater levels Bypass protein (higher than advised in AFRC). But it is not economically reasonable.

The aim of the present study was to determine the appropriate standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement to 49 day of olds in male BUT,6 turkey poults. Experiment 1 and 2 were used from 8-28 and 28-49 d-old respectively. One hundred sixty male BUT,6 turkeys in each experiment were used in a completely randomized design with eight treatments (8 levels of standardized ileal digestible lysine in 4 replicates of 5 birds in each. Standardized ileal digestible lysine level of basal diets in experiment1 and 2 were 1.33 and 1.15% respectively. Different levels of lysine (0.075, 0.15, 0.225, 0.3, 0.375, 0.45, 0.525%) were added to basal diets. In Experiment 1, By using of Broken Line- Linear Ascending, Quadratic Polynomial and Broken Line- Quadratic Ascending standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements for weight gain were 1.56±0.05, 1.67 and 1.65±0.1 and for FCR were 1.58±0.05, 1.75 and 1.74±0.1% respectively. In Experiment 2, By using of Broken Line - Linear Ascending, Quadratic Polynomial and Broken Line- Quadratic Ascending standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements for weight gain were 1.47±0.11, 1.57 and 1.49±0.05 and for FCR were 1.57±0.17, 1.61 and 1.59±0.08% respectively. In conclusion, standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements in starter for body weight gain and FCR ranged between 1.56 to 1.67 and 1.58 to 1.75 % respectively. In Experiment2, standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements for body weight gain ranged between 1.47 to 1.57 and for FCR between 1.57 to 1.61%.

Effects of summer savory (Satureja Hortensis L.) dry powder (SSDP) and essential oil (SSEO) on performance, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites were assessed using 20west Azerbaijan native kids (16±1.94 kg initial live weight) in a random block design with 5 treatments (4 replicates per treatment) over a 13-week period. Treatments were: i) basal diet without additive (Control), ii): basal diet with 10 g/d of SSDP, iii) basal diet with 20 g/d of SSDP, iv) basal diet with 100 mg/d of SSEO and v) basal diet with 200 mg/d of SSEO. Treatments had no effects (P˃0.05) on dry matter intake, average daily gain and feed conversion of kids. The ruminal pH of the groups fed diets which supplemented with 20 g/d of SSDP or 200 mg/d SSEO tended to be lower (P˂0.05) than those fed other additive treatments. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, butyrate and branched-chain volatile fatty acid were not changed by treatments, while supplementation of 20 g/d of SSDP or 200 mg/d SSEO to diets resulted in higher (P˂0.001) propionate molar proportion versus the other additive treatments. Ammonia N concentration significantly reduced (P˂0.05) when diet supplemented by high dose of SSDP. The blood urea nitrogen was also significantly decreased (P˂0.05) by addition of 20 g/d of SSDP compared with control. However plasma concentrations of glucose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, beta hydroxyl butyric acid and non-esterified fatty acids were not differ (P˃0.05) among treatments. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that addition of SSDP or SSEO to diet have the potential to improve ruminal fermentation of kids.

Honeybee is a pollinator that has prominent role in agriculture products and nourishment for human. So, the most number of studies like genetic improvement were done on honeybee. Recent advances in knowledge of molecular genetics of bee emphasize the potential for using genetic markers to select favored traits. This research was done to determine polymorphism of loci of first foraging age (AFF) trait in Iranian honeybee (Apis mellifera meda). Two colonies with high production- long longevity and low production- short longevity were selected from 11th generation of “Iranian Breeding Honeybee Project”. In the high production colony, foraging initiation had started sooner (age of 9 33 day). Also‚ the length of foraging initiation period in comparison with low production colony (age of 12-29 day) was longer. Genetic polymorphism of the loci was assessed by using 4 primer pairs. PCR products were detected using polyacrylamide gel. 26 polymorphic alleles were observed using AFLP markers. Totally‚ the most amount of Shanon Index is related to E3M2-1 locus in low production population (0. 693) and also E M3-4 position in high production population (0. 693). Therefore‚ these two loci have shown most polymorphism. The least amount of Shanon Index is related to E6M3-5 locus in low production population (0. 156). The highest effective allele was belong to E3M3-4 position in high production colony and the lowest was related to E6M3-5 position in low production population. Heterozygosity was diverse between (0. 053) in E6M3-5 to (0. 05) in E3M2-1. Mean of (He) in low production colony was (0. 321) and in high production colony was (0. 324). Mean of Shanon Index were (0. 490) and (0. 491) respectively. Genetic variance between 2 populations was only ٪10. There was difference in production in the 2 populations but, genetic diversity is not very impressive. Genetic similarity in them may is because of using the small number of samples in this research.

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition and degradability parameters of DM, ADF and NDF in Alnus subcordata saw dust (SD) biodegraded by Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus ulmarius fungi. The SD samples were incubated by the fungi at 30 ± 1˚C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity for 7 and 17 days. Biodegraded samples were sterilized to constant activity and oven dried for chemical composition and rumen degradability using of two ruminal cannulated Moghani male sheep, For this purpose. Results showed that, biological treatments decreased the NDF, ADF and Ash contents of the substrate. The rumen degradability of DM, ADF and NDF as well as soluble fraction (a), non soluble but degradable (b) fraction, degradability rate (C) and effective degradability (ED) in different times of biodegradation were increased (P<0.05) as a result of biological treatments. Period of biological treatment had significant effect on the biodegradability rate as the highest amount of biodegradability was found at 17 days of incubation where the lowest values were in control samples

One hundred and sixty one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) in a 6-wk period were conducted to 2 groups (with 4 replicates for each group), 20 chicks for a replicate. One group of these chickens was raised in normal temperature (NT) treatment and the other in cold temperature (CT) treatment to induce ascites. At the end of the experiment (wk 6), 2 chickens from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered. The heart was removed; the right ventricle was dissected away from the left ventricle and septum. Weights of right and left ventricles were determined separately. Plasma levels of, Uric acid, urea, glucose, total proteins, triglyceride, HDL, cholesterol, were determined at day 21 and 42. Mortality was necropsied daily to determine cause of death.Results in blood parameters showed that at day 42, birds in CT group, had greater (P < 0.05) plasma glucose& red blood cell and lower plasma protein, than NT group. Also at day 42, birds in CT group, had greater (P < 0.05) plasma cholestrol and lower uric acid, than NT group. Other blood parameters neither were nor significantly (P > 0.05) affected by treatments. Throughout the study, the right ventricle- to-total ventricle ratio as determine the incidence of ascites and total mortality percentage due to ascites of CT-treated birds at the end of experiment were greater (P < 0.05) than those of NT treated ones.

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and Oregano (Oreganum vulgare L.) essential oils on performance, carcass characteristics, antioxidant status and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 216 as-hatched broilers (Ross-308) were divided into 6 treatments with 3 replications of 12 birds per each. Experimental treatments were as follow: Control group without additive, positive control group with 200 parts per million (ppm) vitamin E, diets containing 200 and 400 ppm of thyme essential oil and diets containing 200 and 400 ppm of oregano essential oil. The results showed that supplementation of diet with vitamin E and oregano and thyme essential oils not influenced on average body weight at 42 days of age, However addition of 400 ppm of oregano eesential oil significantly increased (P<0.05) the average body weight when compared with the control group at 24 days of age. The inclusion essential oils of thyme and oregano in diets did not affect on daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics and liver superoxide dismutase activity of the chickens (P>0.05). Supplementation of diet with 400 ppm thyme and oregano essential oils and 200 ppm vitamin E significantly increased (P<0.05) glutathione peroxidase activity in liver when compared to control group. Birds received thyme and oregano essential oils in the diet, had lower (P<0.05) malondialdehyde concentration in liver than control group. All dietary treatments increased (P<0.05) total antioxidant capacity and decreased (P<0.05) malondialdehyde concentration in serum when compared with the control group except group of containing 200 ppm thyme essential oil. Addition of oregano essential oil, 200 ppm thyme essential oil and vitamin E significantly decreased (P<0.05) serum cholesterol compared with the untreated control, Also all treatments decreased (P<0.05) serum LDL concentration. These results suggested that supplementation of thyme and oregano essential oils to broiler diets tended to increase growth rate, improved antioxidant status, decreased serum LDL and cholesterol, and these could be consider as a natural antioxidant in poultry diet

In order to determination the methionine requirement of Arian broilers chickens during the starter period, a trial with 700 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with 7 treatments, 5 replicates and 20 chicks in each experimental units was performed. Experimental groups were consisted of 0.38, 0.43, 0.48, 0.53, 0.58, 0.63 and 0.68 % of methionine. Other amino acids provided higher than the recommendation. Broken line equations were used to determine the methionine requirement. Body weight at the age of 7 and 14 days, with weight gain and FCR during days 0-7 and 0- 14days were affected by different levels of methionine (p<0.05). Broken line models were fitted only for FCR at the age of 7 days. Methionine requirement for this period were 0.51 %. The feed and product prices (live weight) were used by order of maximum benefit to determining methionine requirement. Methionine requirement for this method were 0.55 percent

Central composite design (CCD; 5 levels and 3 factors) and response surface regression (RSREG) were used to evaluate the response of broiler chicks [average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake (FI)] to dietary requirements of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met) and threonine (Thr). A total of 60 battery brooder units of 6 birds each were assigned to 15 diets in 3 replication from 2 to 16 d of age. Analysis of variance showed that the overall effects of of Lys, Met and Thr had significant effects on ADG, FCR, however only the effect of Thr on FI was significant (p < 0.05). Also, it has shown that the linear and non-linear effects of those amino acids ADG and FCR was significant (p < 0.05). The interaction among those variables on ADG was significant (p < 0.05) but on FCR was not significant. For both ADG and FCR, the goodness of fit in terms of R2 corresponding to RSM models showed a substantially moderate (ADG model: R2 = 0.51; FCR model: R2 = 0.57) to none (FI model: R2 = 0.29) accuracy. The results of this study revealed that the platform of RSM model (for conducting group amino acid requirements) may be used to describe the inter-relationships (or interactions) between multiple amino acid contents and broiler performance to achieve the optimal target (high performance and low cost). In other words, RSM was also employed to optimize multiple variables to predict the best performance conditions with a minimum number of experiments

To investigate the effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZMB) on incidence of ascites syndrome and blood parameters of Arian broiler chicks, an experiment with 500 one-day-old chicks were conducted. This experiment was based on completely randomized design with 5 treatments including 1) control (basal diet), 2) basal diet with 100 mg/kg probiotic, 3) basal diet with 150 mg/kg avilamycine, 4) basal diet with 200 and 5) basal diet with 400 mg/kg Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil) with 4 replicates and 25 chicks per replicate in a 42 days. At 35 days of age, 3 mL of blood was collected from the brachial vein of 2 birds from each pen. The concentrations of total protein, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, globulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL and LDL in serum samples were subsequently measured. For investigating ascites related metabolites, hematocrits, RV/ TV ratio, heart weight, T3 and T4 hormones were measured.The RV/TV ratio was investigated at the age of 42 days According to result, using ZMB had no significant effect on blood parameters including, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, and globulin (p>0.05). Investigation of ascites related parameters indicated that red blood cells count, hematocrit, T3 and T4 hormones and heart weight didn’t affected by using ZMB (p<0.05). However, Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil at levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced RV/TV ratio in comparison with control (p<0.05). As the RV/TV ratio is a reliable indicator for ascites, it can be concluded that Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil could be attractive subject for future investigation in ascites induced broiler o-bid/_ nu
E C ataria multiflora Boiss essential oil) with 4 replicates and 25 chicks per replicate in a 42 days. At 35 days of age, 3 mL of blood was collected from the brachial vein of 2 birds from each pen. The concentrations of total protein, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, globulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL and LDL in serum samples were subsequently measured. For investigating ascites related metabolites, hematocrits, RV/ TV ratio, heart weight, T3 and T4 hormones were measured.The RV/TV ratio was investigated at the age of 42 days According to result, using ZMB had no significant effect on blood parameters including, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, and globulin (p>0.05). Investigation of ascites related parameters indicated that red blood cells count, hematocrit, T3 and T4 hormones and heart weight didn’t affected by using ZMB (p<0.05). However, Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil at levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced RV/TV ratio in comparison with control (p<0.05). As the RV/TV ratio is a reliable indicator for ascites, it can be concluded that Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil could be attractive subject for future investigation in ascites induced broiler.

The purpose of this study, was to evaluate the use of Echinacea purpurea (EP) root as a feed additive in broiler chicken diets. 340 7-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into 5 experimental treatments (with 4 replicates) including control diet without additive, experimental diet supplemented by flavophospholipol (FL) (650 ppm) and three experimental diets were supplemented by 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0% EP root. Body weights of broilers were measured at 7, 21 and 42 days and feed intake was measured weekly. At 42 days of age blood samples were taken from eight chickens per treatments and then, chickens were slaughtered for determination of carcass component and meat quality. The result of this experiment indicated that body weight and body weight gain of EP 1% and FL treatments were higher significantly than other treatments at 42 days old (p<0.05). However, feed intake and FCR were not significantly different among dietary treatments. Organs weight and carcass yield of experimental treatments were not significantly different in comparison to control (p>0.05), but intestine weight of FL treatment was lower significantly than others. Levels of phosphorus and uric acid of EP treatments were lower significantly than control; where glucose of FL treatment was higher than other treatments. Aspartate aminotransferas and Alanine aminotransferas enzymes of EP dietary treatments were lower activity than control and FL treatments (p<0.05). Evaluation of meat quality indicated that breast meat lightness, redness and yellowness values were not significantly different (p>0.05). Moisture of meat was not significantly differed among treatments, but Breast and thigh crude protein of EP treatments were lower than control. After 30-day storage, pH of thigh was higher in control (p<0.05). In overall, the results of current experiment suggested that dietary inclusion of 1% Echinacea purpurea root can be applied as alternatives in-feed antibiotics for broiler diets.

An experiment with 300 one-day old Ross male broiler chicks was conducted to determine the effects of glauconite and zeolite on the broiler's performance, tibia bone and blood characteristics. Five experimental treatments [control, glauconite (2 & 4 percent), and zeolite (2 & 4 percent)] were used in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates. During the experiment weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured periodically. At 42 days of age, one chick per replicate was slaughtered to determine calcium and phosphorus of blood serum and tibia bone parameters. Analysis of variance and separation of means by Duncan's multiple range tests were conducted by SAS software. The results indicated that by adding 4% zeolite to diet, weight gain was increased in starter, grower and total rearing period (P<0.05). In comparison with other treatments, feed consumption at 0-42 days of age was increased significantly (P<0.05) in 4% zeolite treatment except 4% glauconite group. There were no significant differences in FCR among treatments (P>0.05). Also, adding 4% zeolite led to significantly (P<0.05) increase in tibia bone volume compared to 2% zeolite group but experimental diets had not significant effect on tibia bone relative weight, length and density (P>0.05). Supplementation of diets with glauconite and zeolite did not have effect on serum Ca and P content at the end of experiment (P>0.05).

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of summer savory essential oil (SSEO) with Cereals (based on barley or corn) on performance, rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations and some blood parameters of west Azerbaijan native kids. In a randomized complete block design with a 3×2 factorial (0, 200 and 400 mg/d of SSEO × barley or corn grain based diets) arrangement with 6 replications, 36 female Kids with 18 ± 2.62 kg initial live weight were used for 11 weeks. Kids were kept in individual cages and had free access to food and water. Dry matter intake, weight gain and feed conversion ration were not affected by the treatments but total concentration of volatile fatty acids and rumen fluid acetate in group fed 400 mg summer savory essential oil and barley grain were higher than other treatments (p< 0.05). Propionate, butyrate molar ratios, however, and branched fatty acids were not affected by any of the factors tested (p > 0.05). Concentrations ofblood glucose was affected by the essential oil supplementation (p< 0.05). In conclusion, the summer savory essential oil could affect the rumen fermentation butblood parameters did not differ significantly between treatments except for glucose other than glucose did not affected the blood metabolites

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chemical treatments including urea (5%), ammonia (3.5%), calcium hydroxide (4%), sodium hydroxide (5%), sulphuric acid (5%) and hydrogen peroxide (5%) on pH, DM solubility, lignin, silica, phenolic compounds, cellulose and hemicellulose stucture and ruminal degradability of rice straw. After processing, the treated straw was ensiled for 1 month and then analysed for chemical characteristics, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and ruminal degradability (fistulated cows). The results showed that urea treatment showed no considerable effect on chemical compositions and ruminal degradability when compared to untreated straw. Ammonia treatments caused a slight increase in dry matter solubility and neutral detergent fiber (P>0.05) while, the release of phenolic compounds and degradability of NDF were largly enhanced with ammonia treatment (P<0.01). Improvement in solubility of DM, phenolic compounds and NDF were highest as a result of acidic treatment (P<0.01). Although, DM degradability was enhanced, inter molecular hydrogen bonds in cellulose microfibrills and NDF degradability was depressed with acid application (P<0.01). Treatment with hydrogen peroxide increased degree of esterification, showed no effect on chemical characteristics (P>0.05), but decreased significantly DM and, in particular hemicellulose degradability (P<0.01). The highest improvement in ruminal degradability, silica and phenolic compounds solubilities were achieved with NaOH treatment (P<0.01). In conclusion, treatment with hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid resulted in increased esterification of hemicellulose and in decreased the optima pH for ruminal microbes, respectively while, ammonia and sodium hydroxide treatments showed no adverse impact on the chemical characteristics with a substantial enhancement in ruminal degradability of rice straw.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate interactions of wheat bran, barley bran, or soybean hulls with sodium deoxycholate and cholesterol in broiler chickens. A completely randomize design was used with a 4×2 factorial arrangement and 256 one-day old broiler chickens (Ross 308) with 8 experimental diets in 4 replicates of 8 birds per replicate for each experiment. Factors for first experiment were included dietary fibers (wheat bran, barley bran, or soybean hulls (3% for each fiber) and control), and bile acid (0.0 and 0.15%). Factors for second experiment were included dietary fibers (similar to first experiment) and cholesterol (0.0 and 0.15%). The results of the first experiment showed that the inclusion of bile acid in diet was significantly decrease feed intake and body weight gain (P<0.05). Treatments contained wheat bran and barley bran led to increases in feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). On the other hand, feed conversion ratio was improved by inclusion of bile acid in diets contained wheat bran and barley bran rather corresponded diets (P<0.05). The inclusion of bile acid led to decreases in villi index (P<0.05). On the other hand, the inclusion of barley bran in diet resulted in increases in villous surface area and villi index (P<0.05). Only the addition of bile acid in diet contained soybean hulls led to decreases in villous surface area rather corresponded diets (P<0.05). The results of the second experiment showed that the inclusion of cholesterol in diets led to decreases in body weight gain (P<0.05). The effect of fiber and interaction showed that all experimental diets rather control caused a decreases in body weight gain (P<0.05). Meanwhile interaction showed that all experimental diets was increased feed conversion ratio rather control (P<0.05). The diet contained soybean hulls led to the highest crypt depth and the lowest vilii index (P<0.05). The lowest villous height was related to diets contained soybean hulls + cholesterol (P<0.05). The results of current study have shown that fiber type had different effects on intestinal morphology. The inclusion of soybean hulls in diet had more antinutritional effects rather other tested fibers. The inclusion of bile acid and cholesterol in diets could not decrease antinutritional effects of soybean hulls on intestinal morphology. Although the inclusion of bile acid in diets cased some modulation in performance but the inclusion of cholesterol in diets did not show such ability.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on performance native hens of Khorasan province. A total of 400 native hens from Khorasan station were used in a completely randomized design (factorial experiment) with 8 treatments, 5 replicates and 10 hens in each replicate of age 26 to 50 weeks. Eight experimental diets based on corn, soybean and wheat contain different levels of Ca (2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4) and total P (0.5 and 0.75) per percent of diet, and levels of other nutrients such as energy and crude protein was similar. The results showed that different levels of Ca and P did not show any effect on egg weight. Levels of Ca have significant effect on the egg production, so that the highest egg production(72.16) and egg mass was observed in the 3.5% Ca, although the level 3 and 3.5 percent of the Ca in the early production period (26-33 weeks) had similar effects. P levels had no effect on the egg production and egg mass. Level of 4% Ca showed the highest feed consumption, but P levels did not effect on feed intake. The best feed conversion ratio(3.16) was observed in the group receiving 3.5% Ca. Effect of Ca levels on tibia ash was significantly so that the lowest of ash was observed in 2.5% Ca. Levels of 0.75 P was reduced ash of the tibia. Overall, the results of this experiment showed that 3.5% Ca improves egg production and FCR in native hens, but P levels had no effect on production traits

A 42-d trial with 400 unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb 500) was conducted to study the effects of licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) extract and an antibiotic-lincomycin- on performance abdominal fat and weights of selected internal organs, blood metabolites Immunity system response. The feeding program consisted of a starter diet (1-21) d of age and a grower diet (22-42) d of age. Chicks were randomly assigned to 5 treatments (There were 4 replications per treatment with 20 chicks per pen): basal diet (control); 5 ppm of lincomycin; Basal diet plus 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 % licorice extract via drinking water. No differences in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were observed (P>0.05). Birds receiving licorice extract had lower weights of gallbladder and abdominal fat compared to those fed control diet (respectively significant for 0.1 and 0.3% licorice extract(P<0.05). however no effects were detected for breast, thigh, liver, pancreas, bursa, thymus, and spleen weight. Licorice extract consumption significantly reduced the serum levels of LDL and total cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), but no differences between treatments were observed regards to serum triglyceride and HDL concentrations. In 21 and 42 d of age, antibody responses to Newcastle and Influenza diseases vaccines as well as lymphocyte percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio were unaffected by treatments. From these results it was concluded that licorice extract can reduce abdominal fat without any adverse effects on broilers performance and immune status.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of antibiotic, organic acid, probiotic and prebiotic on quality traits of eggs, egg yolk lipids and blood metabolites of laying hens strain hy-line (W-36). The experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design from 32 to 42 weeks of age with 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 8 hens in each replicate. The experimental treatments consisted: 1- control, 2- basal diet + 150 g/ton antibiotic (oxy tetracycline), 3- basal diet + 3 kg/ton of organic acid supplementation (orgacid), 4- basal diet + 50 g/ton probiotic (Protexin) and 5- basal diet + 2 kg/ton prebiotic (Mannan oligosaccharide). The results showedthat among the traits of eggs, egg weight significantly increased by treatments receiving organic acid and prebiotic (P<0.05). Egg yolk cholesterol significantly decreased by diet containing probiotic (P<0.05). Blood glucose concentration wassignificantly increased by dietary organic acid (P<0.05). ALK enzyme activity in blood serum by use of probiotic significantly increased compared to treatment containing antibiotic (P<0.05). The results of this experiment showed that the use of dietary supplements, have beneficial effects on egg characteristics and blood metabolites of laying hens

An experiment was conducted in order to assess the effects of different levels of dietary canola meal (CM; 0, 10 and 20 %) and copper (0, 125 and 250 mg/kg) on performance, susceptibility to ascites syndrome and some blood metabolites of broiler chickens. During a six week period of experiment, a total of 495 male broilers (Ross 308) were used in completely randomized design with a 3×3 factorial arrangement with 5 replicates (11 birds per replicate). Feed intake was not significantly affected by treatments during starter, grower and whole periods of the experiment (P>0.05). Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly impaired (P<0.05) during the starter period when 20% CM was added to the diets. Body weight gain (P<0.01) and feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) were significantly improved by copper supplementation during the growing and the entire periods of the study. Replacing soybean meal by CM significantly increased (P<0.05) the proportions of liver, heart and right ventricular weight:total ventricular weight ratio (RV/TV) at 42 d of age. However, concentrations of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count were not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). At 42 d, the concentrations of plasma total protein and enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase) were similar among the treatments (P>0.05), but concentration of plasma albumin was significantly reduced, when 20% CM was added to the diets. In conclusion, the results of this study did not show any adverse effect for added CM up to 20% on the performance, susceptibility to ascites and plasma enzyme activities. Also, copper supplementation significantly improved growth performance of broiler chickens

The variation within a population of 100 pieces of native chicken from 5 regions of Khuzestan province (Abadan, Dezful, Shushtar, Ahvaz, Izeh) were analyzed by using 6 microsatellite markers, in the present study. The DNA was extracted by using Salting Out method from blood samples collected. The PCR reactions for all locuses were performed and it was found that all of them are highly polymorphic.The frequency of studied locuses was obtained from 0.247 to 0.005.A total of 103 alleles were detected. The average of PIC rate was estimated (0.898). Average hetero-zygosity in whole population (0.948) detected Abadan, with the most level (0.97), and Shushtar with the lowest one (0.92). So Abadan and Shushtar have shown the highest and lowest levels, respectively.The Phylogenetic tree resulted from DA genetic distance was drawn by UPGMA method, that Shushtar known as the oldest population. The High level of genetic variation identified in this study, generally.

Osteopontin gene is located at the end of chromosome 6 in cattle and it is one of the most important genes influence on milk protein percentage and reproduction. In this study, blood samples were collected from100 Brown Swiss cows and DNA was extracted from whole blood by modified salting out procedure. Cows were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphism of intron IV by PCR-RFLP and BsrI restriction enzyme method. Breeding values were individually predicted for milk production, fat and protein milk percent traits by restricted maximum likelihood method. Association between polymorphisms and breeding values were calculatedat a 5% significant level. Frequencies of TT, TC and CC genotypes were 0.32, 0.46 and 0.22, respectively. Studied population was inaccord with Hardy-Weinberg expectation. There was no significant association between genotypes and breeding values of milk production, fat or protein percent traits.