IRANIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL SCIENCE
Year:2013 | Volume:3 | Issue:2|Papers Count:30

Antioxidant are the agents which dispose / scavenge the reactive oxygen species, minimize the oxidative stress / lipid peroxidation and ultimately improve the fertilizing potential of the spermatozoa. Currently, many antioxidants are under investigation and manganese is one of them in reducing the oxidative stress both in male and female. The antioxidative action of manganese (Mn2+) on various biological systems has been studied. The high concentration of Mn2+ may be harmful in certain cases, but, its lower doses are effective. Mn2+ in very small amount (mM) affects human health and its deficiency may cause symptoms such as impaired or depressed reproductive functions. It is a cofactor of some antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), pseudo-catalase and photosynthetic oxygen evolving center. It also facilitates the sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. This article reviews the detrimental effects of Mn2+ on male fertility and alterations in physiological functions of spermatozoa on in vitro supplementation of Mn2+. I have also provided information on the role of Mn2+in other system of the body which may be applied to the future research in the field of reproductive biology.

In order to determine the incidence of buffaloes on enteric CH4 emissions, information about animal production and farm management was analyzed and the CH4 emission factor estimated using the IPCC Tier 2 model. CH4 emission factor for the category of buffalo cattle and buffalo bulls was estimated for the period 2000-2007, in Italy, Europe and worldwide. During 2007, the CH4 emission factor for buffalo cattle and bulls worldwide was 61.35 and 47.48 kg CH4/head/yr respectively. The CH4 emission factor from 2000 to 2007 worldwide showed an increase of 1.94 and 4.68 kg CH4/head/yr for buffalo cattle and bulls respectively, also considering that the buffalo population is increasing and that the CH4 emission factor depends on body weight and milk yield.

Thirty two multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized block design to investigate the effects of feeding diets included two different source of nonfiber carbohydrate during the transition period on dry matter intake (DMI), lactational performance, blood metabolites and parturitional characteristics. Cows received total mixed rations containing either macaroni wastes (MW) or steam-flaked barley (SFB) begin-ning 21 d prior to expected calving date. A common lactation total mixed ration was fed postpartum. Cows fed MW had greater pre and postpartum DMI than cows fed SFB (P<0.001). No treatment effects on milk yield, milk composition, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were observed. There was no effect of prepartum diets on pre and postpartum plasma concentrations of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, phosphor, protein, albumin, globulin and cholesterol. Prepartum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not affected by treatments. Fecal and urine PH were not affected by treatments. Fecal consistency score was reduced for cows that received the SFB diet compared to cows received the MW diet (P£0.05). Feeding MW prepartum decreased gestation period (P£0.05). Other parturi tional characteristics and health problems did not influence by treatments. MW compared with SFB improved dry matter intake. Lactation performance and metabolic parameters were similar between treatments. From the present results, it could be concluded that the MW might be as a good alternative energy and NFC source for use in transition rations.

The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the chemical composition and ruminal degrad-ability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of ten pasture forage species dominant in the west provinces of Iran. Duplicate nylon bags of pasture samples were suspended in the rumen of four wethers for up to 96 h. The chemical composition of forages varied from 54 to 212 g/kg DM for CP, 239 to 638 g/kg DM for NDF, 190 to 378 g/kg DM for ADF and 60 to 108 g/kg DM for ash. The effective DM degradability at rumen outflow rate of 0.05/h was different (P<0.05) between forages and varied from 307 g/kg for Festuca ovina to 679 g/kg for Prangus ferulacea. The lowest CP degradability was for Festuca ovina (402 g/kg) and the highest for Bromus tomentellus (760 g/kg). The lowest NDF and the highest ADF degradability were for Hordeum bulbosum and Prangus ferulacea, respectively. The results of this study showed that the rate and extent of ruminal CP and cell wall degradation were different among forages, therefore must be considered as a main parameter in ration formulation of grazing ruminants.

Little scientific information is available that has evaluated safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cake as a sub-stitute to conventional ingredients in small ruminants diet. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of feeding safflower cake in total mixed rations (TMRs) on lamb and kid growth rates, carcass traits and meat fatty acid composition. Two consecutive trials were conducted using Comisana breed lambs and Garganica breed kids. Animals were randomly allocated to two isocaloric and isonitrogenous TMRs formu-lated to meet or exceed nutritional requirements, and consisted of the control diet and an experimental diet contained safflower cake. Animals were slaughtered after the feeding trial which lasted 50 days and the carcass traits and meat quality were evaluated. In both slaughter trials, none of the parameters studied were (P>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments except for slaughter weight and cold-carcass dressing that were improved in lambs fed safflower. Feeding the safflower diet resulted in significantly lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) content in meat, as well as the n-6 / n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio and saturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, while total PUFA and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) as well as the indices related to human health increased. These results suggest that including safflower cake in diet for small ruminants can produce meat with an improved meat lipid profile. As result, safflower maintained carcass yields with no detrimental effect on meat quality.

These experiments were conducted to determine metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibilities of soybean meal, sunflower meal and canola meal in broiler chickens by using titanium oxide as indigestible marker in intact or caecectomized cockerels. Ileal and total tract digestibility of amino acids were measured using broiler chickens, moreover, digestibility were also determined in the intact and caecectomized cockerels. The mean excreta apparent and true digestibility of amino acid in broiler and intact cockerel were 76.99, 78.07 and 84.18, 88.35 for soybean meal 92.16, 92.84 and 78.09, 85.94 for sunflower meal and 69.82, 70.22 and 86.47, 88.50% for canola meal respectively. The mean values of ileal apparent and true digestibilities (standardized ileal digestibility) of amino acid in broiler were 72.18, 73.12 for soybean meal; 47.48, 48.47 for sunflower meal and 62.05, 62.45% for canola meal respectively. The mean values of apparent and true digestibilities of amino acid obtained from caecectomized cockerel and broiler were 80.34, 84.45 for soybean meal, 74.48, 82.47 for sunflower meal and 84.74, 87.12% for canola meal respectively. The experiments shown that apparent amino acid digestibility of soybean (9 to 11%), sunflower (34 to 50%) and canola meals (19 to 27%) from broiler (excreta and ileum), were lower than those intact and cae-cectomized cockerel. The result of experiments indicated that apparent metabilizable energy (AME), True metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn), True Metabolizable Energy (TME) and Nitrogen correction of True Metabolizable Energy (TMEn) values for canola and sunflower meals at 21 and 42 d broiler were significantly higher than cockerels. However, data shown that amount of metabolizable energy obtained from canola and sunflower meals were higher than those of broiler excreta or ileal and caecec tomized cockerels.

A study was carried out to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility by West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep fed graded levels of dietary pigeon pea seed meal (PSM). Four diets designated A, B, C and D were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20, and 30% levels of PSM, respectively. Four WAD rams aged between 15 and 17 months and weighing between 16 and 19 kg were used to conduct digestibility study in a 4 × 4 latin square design experiment. Data were collected on dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient intake and digestibility. Simple linear regression and correlation were used to assess relationships between some of the digestion components. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in DMI among the treatment means. The nitrogen intake (g/d) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the animal group fed PSM based diets rather than in the control group. Fecal nitrogen, though higher in the animals fed diets C and D, did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Urinary nitrogen was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the group fed PSM diets than in the control group. Apparent-nitrogen digestibility was also significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treatment groups fed PSM diets than in the control group. The metabolic faecal nitrogen (MFN) and the endogenous urinary ni-trogen (EUN) increased by increasing levels of PSM. The biological value (BV) and digestible crude pro-tein (DCP) also increased significantly (P<0.05) by increasing dietary levels of PSM. The results of this study indicated that dietary boiled pigeon pea seed meal enhanced digestibility and nutrient utilization by West African Dwarf sheep accompanying with the highest N-balance at 20%level of PSM.

Thirty six male Chall lambs (four-month old and 26 ±1.5 kg body weight) were randomly assigned into four treatments (nine lambs per treatment) to study the effect of Powerfeed ® (a commercial mixture made from wheat processing by-product and wheat bran) on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, se-rum sodium and potassium concentration and urine pH. Lambs in control group were fed with a total mixed ration based of alfalfa and barley grain. Barley grain was replaced with Powerfeed ® (PF) at levels of 4, 8 and 12 in treatments 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The experiment lasted for 105 days comprising 15 days of adaptation period and 90 days finishing period. No significant differences were observed in weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, serum sodium and potassium concentration and urine pH of lambs in control group when compared to other treatments. In conclusion, Powerfeed ® can be used as partial re-placement of barley grain in total mixed rations of finishing lambs.

This study was performed to determine the effects of different levels of chromium methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on growth performance, meat oxidative stability and ruminal metabolites in male kids. Thirty-two male Mahabadi goat kids, with an average initial body weight (BW) of 22 ± 2 kg at 4 months of age, were allocated in a completely randomized design with four treatments: control without Cr and three levels of Cr supplementation 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg respectively as Cr-Met/animal/d. Diets were the same for the all groups with a ratio forage: concentrate of 30:70, except for the addition of Cr-Met. The animals were fed in two equal meals (at 08:00 and 16:00 h) and the leavings were collected before the morning meal. Animals were kept in individual pens for 100 days. Kids were weighed after 10 days of adaptation period and at 21 days intervals after feed restriction. Kids were slaughtered at the end of the trial and Longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) samples were immediately stored at -20oC. Thio Barbioturic Acid Reactive Sub-stances (TBARS) methods were used in order to measure meat stability. Supplemental Cr-Met did not affect (P>0.05) the final BW, total BW gain, dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG). Concentrations of NH3-N and total and individual volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the rumen were not affected by the Cr-Met (P>0.05). However, Cr-Met supplementation increased rumen pH and decreased ruminal protozoa count (P<0.05). TBARS values of the LDM were significantly increased as the storage time increased from 1 to 2 months (P<0.05). It was also found that increasing dietary chromium supplementation, especially at level of 1.5 mg Cr-Met, significantly decreased lipid oxidation and the TBARS value at 2 months of storage (P<0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of goat kid diet with Cr-Met had minimal effects on growth performance and rumen metabolites but improved oxidative stability of LDM during refrigerated storage kids.

Watermelon seed full-fat (WMSF) and watermelon seed meal (WMSM) samples were analyzed for proximate composition and then incorporated in broiler chicks diets at increasing levels up to 20%. Feeding increasing levels of WMSF to broiler chicks for up to 20% increased weight gain (P<0.05), feed intake, protein consumed, protein efficiency ratio and improved feed conversion ratio. A positive linear effect was observed for weight gain, protein consumed and protein efficiency ratio in birds fed WMSF. Feed intake was linearly increased with increasing the level of WMSM. However, no similar response was noted for weight gain, protein consumed, protein efficiency ratio and feed gain ratio in chicks given increasing levels of WMSM. The study indicated that WMSF and WMSM may be used as feed ingredients in broiler chick diets at up to 20%.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of ginger supplementation on malondialdehyde (MDA) level, as an oxidative stress marker, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in broiler chicks. Two hundred male 1-day-old chicks were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments (basal diet as control group and basal diet containing 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g/kg ginger, respectively), with five replicates and ten birds per replicate. The levels of MDA and TAC were measured at days 21 and 42 of age. At day 21, mean MDA levels in chicks fed diet containing 2.5 g/kg ginger decreased numerically, and decreased significantly (P<0.05) in chicks fed diet supplemented with 5 and 7.5 g/kg ginger, compared with that of control diet. At day 42, plasma MDA levels in chicks fed diets containing ginger decreased as compared with that of the control group. There were no differences for plasma MDA level among chicks fed diet containing ginger. There were sig-nificant differences (P<0.05) among treatments for TAC level. At day 21, the highest mean of TAC was found in plasma of chicks fed diet containing 7.5 g/kg ginger, and the lowest one was for chicks in the con-trol group. At this period there was no difference between TAC level of chicks fed 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg ginger. At day 42, the similar results were observed, except that ginger supplementation over 5.0 g/kg had no sig-nificant effect on TAC level. The results showed that ginger supplementation, at and over 5.0 g/kg, caused improvement in the plasma of broiler chicks, with a decrease in MDA and an increase of (TAC).

The nutritive and anti-nutritive components of raw Detarium microcarpum seed meals (DSM), and its’ impact on performance and blood constituents were investigated in broilers. Day-old broilers (n=225) were randomly assigned to five treatments at graded levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% DSM in a completely ran-domized design. Feed and water were given ad libitum till 56 days. The analyzed DSM contained 26.5% crude protein, 11.1% crude fibre, 15.2% ether extracts, 3.5% ash and 33.1% NFE. Anti nutritional components of DSM contained 13.1% tannin, 9.6% saponins, 16.4% oxalate, 25.5% phytic acid and 5.1% hydro-gen cyanides. Weight gain and FCR were linearly decreased with increased inclusion of DSM. Haemato-logical and serum biochemical indices of birds fed 10, 15 and 20% diets were decreased (P<0.05) compared with those fed 5% and control diets. Inclusion of 5% DSM in broiler chicks’ diet had no adverse effect on blood constituents. DSM needs processing to improve inclusion levels beyond 5% in broilers’ diets.

The aims of this study were the comparative study of probiotic, acidifier, antibiotic growth promoters and prebiotic on activity of humoral immune and performance parameters of broiler chickens.500 one day old male broilers (308 Ross strain) were divided into 5 groups: A, B, C, D and E. Each group with equal num-bers of male included 4 replicates (25 chicks per replicate). Group A was as control and the other groups were administrated with distinct dose of drugs, comprised: Virginamycine 150 gr/ton, protexin 100 gr/ton, salkil 6 kg/ton, immunoval 1 kg/ton, respectively. 40 broilers were selected from each group randomly and performance parameters such as weight, mortality, amount of grain for consumption, feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated by means of scale and reference formula. Moreover, at three time points (9th, 17th and 24th days) about 1 cc of blood was taken from broilers’ brachial vein, within each of the five groups. Laboratory analysis conducted on blood samples featured Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test performed on sera and humoral immunity assessed as antibody production to Newcastle disease virus. The results showed that the group C and the group E were the best groups in terms of the performance parameters and the HI rate.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of using different levels of Red Pepper powder (RP) and Marigold flower powder (MF) on egg production, egg yolk color and some blood metabolites in laying hens. Ninety, 103-weeks old laying hens were divided into 5 treatments groups of 6 birds in each cage with 3 replicates in a completely randomized design. The birds were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet contain-ing different concentrations of RP (1 and 3%) and MF (1 and 3%) along with a control / untreated group. During 9 weeks of experimental period egg production, egg quality and quantity parameters were recorded. The blood samples were taken at 14, 28 and 42 days of experiment. The white blood cell counts and some blood metabolites were measured. The egg yolk colors were measured using Fan Roche methods. There were no significant differences among treatments for egg quality traits but the yolk color changed in treated group compared with controls (P<0.01). The highest yolk color was obtained in 3% RP (with 13.33 Roche Fan score). Effect of RP and MF powder on total blood leukocyte counts was not different significantly in laying hen, but there was a significant effect of RP and MF powder on eosinophil count (P<0.05). There was a significant effect of RP and MF powder on triglyceride and total cholesterol (P<0.05). The RP and MF did not significantly affected the LDL, HDL, glucose, uric acid, Ca, P, ALT and AST enzymes in treated laying hens (P>0.05).

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of costmary (Tanacetum balsamita) medicinal plant on performance, egg traits, and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens. Hundred-eighty of Hi-line laying hens (W 36) from 46 until 58 weeks of age were used in a completely randomized design in five treatments and three replicates (12 birds per replicate). The treatment groups consisted of a control group (1) with no costmary supplementation, and 2, 3, 4 and 5 experimental groups with 0.5%, %1, 1.5% and 2% of cost-mary, respectively. Using different levels of costmary significantly affected the performance, egg traits and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens (P<0.05). The highest and lowest change amounts of daily feed intake (113.47 g) and (99.10 g) were obtained in groups 3 and 1, respectively. The best yolk color index (5.5) was observed in group 3 by using 1% of costmary and the highest Haugh unit (98.75), yolk weight (19.35 g) and albumin weight (36.91 g) were observed in group 5 by using 2% of costmary, whereas the highest percent of egg yolk index (44.66%) was observed in control group. The lowest amounts of blood triglyceride (82.05 mg/dL) and cholesterol (617.2 mg/dL) were observed in groups 5 by using 2% of costmary. The overall results showed that the use of 1.5% and 2% of costmary medicinal plant in the diets of laying hens had positive effects on their performance, egg traits, and blood biochemical parameters.

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the photoperiod on the seminal traits of crossbreed wool-producing rams throughout on year period. For the effect of photoperiod two periods were considered: decreasing daylight length (summer and autumn) and increasing daylight length (winter and spring). For the study 5 Baluchi × Moghani (BL×MG) and 5 Arkharmerino × Moghani (AM×MG) rams were used. Semen collection started from first of October 2010 to end of September 2011. After a training period of 2 weeks semen ejaculates were evaluated for volume, total sperm count per ejaculate (TSE), spermatozoa concentration, semen color, wave motion, percentage of progressive motility, percentage of live and abnormal spermatozoa, semen pH, methylene blue reduction time (MBRT) and semen index (se-men volume × spermatozoa concentration/mL × live spermatozoa % × progressive motility %). Analysis of the yearlong data showed that semen samples with the best quality were collected in September to Novem-ber (P<0.05). Significant seasonal variations of semen traits were observed for all of seminal traits except for progressive motility, percentage of live spermatozoa and MBRT. Yet, no statistical differences were found between the two genetic groups (P>0.05). Although there were significant seasonal changes in semen characteristics of the crosses, the fresh semen showed adequate quality to be used for artificial or natural insemination all around the year. Photoperiod was found to influence semen production in two genetic groups at 38 o02’ N, 46 o27’ E at an altitude of 1567 m above sea level of Iran. However, these effects should are not detrimental to the use of rams for breeding purposes throughout the year.

Forty ewes (3-6 years of age, average weight 41.2 kg) were randomly chosen from the flock of the sheep experiment station of Tripoli University. Ewes were divided into two groups, control group (C) received untreated barley straw and treatment group (T) received barley straw treated with 10% urea solution applied as 40% (V/W). Barley straw was sprayed with molasses when fed to animals. Both groups received com-mercial concentrate according to physiological state. Experiment started by introducing the rams in June. Average concentrations of progesterone did not significantly differ and were 2.96 ng/mL and 2.38 ng/mL during 9 weeks for T and C groups, respectively. In T group, 53.3% of ewes were fertilized during the early period (two weeks after the introduction of the rams) and maintained levels of 3.5 ng/mL of progesterone. However, no ewes of C group were fertilized in this period. Conception rate, prolificacy and viability were 83.3%, 1.07 lamb/ewe, 93.75% and 78.94%, 1.13 lamb/ewe, 88.23% for T and C groups, respectively. These differences were not significant. Progesterone concentrations were below of 0.07 ng/mL during 9 weeks post-partum in both groups. Cereal straws can be treated with urea without adverse effects on repro-ductive performance.

A 90 day study was conducted on twenty four indigenous non-descript goats allocated into four groups. They were fed ad libitum basal complete feed constituted rice straw: rhea (60:40) grass hay and concentrate mixture @ 250/animal/day. Basal complete feed contain 11.07% DCP and 54.21% TDN. Groups were con-trol (T0) basal diet without polyherbal supplementation, treatment 1 (T1) diet with Ruchamax @ 10 g/day/animal, treatment 2 (T2) diet with AV/DAC/16 @ 10 g/day/animal and treatment 3 (T0) diet with AV/RMF/17 @ 10 g/day/animal. The experiment was designed to investigate the efficacy of polyherbal formulations on blood haematological constituents and immunological response in goats. Total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and PCV were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T3 and T1 than T2 and T0. HA titer was found to be significantly higher in AV/RMF/17 and Ruchamax though they did not differ significantly from each other.

This experiment was carried out for a period of 4 weeks with 240 day old straight- run broiler (Cobb-500) chicks to investigate the effects of administering electrolytes in drinking water on the productive performance (live weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion and water consumption) and to determine the economic impact of using electrolytes. The chicks were randomly distributed into three different treatments: control (without electrolyte supplementation), continually supplemented electrolyte group and intermittently supplemented electrolyte group (when temperature rose to 30 °C or above). Statistically significant (P<0.001) differences in body weight and body weight gain were observed among treatments with the highest final body weight and body weight gain in birds that received electrolytes. Analysis of performance data showed significant difference in feed conversion (P<0.05) and also in water consumption (P<0.01). Birds of continuously supplemented electrolyte group and intermittently supplemented electrolyte groups showed significant improvement in feed conversion. Economic returns tended to be higher (P<0.05) in the continuously electrolyte supplemented group. Data suggest that both continuous and intermittent supplementations of electrolyte during summer improve the feed conversion in broilers. Thus electrolytes may be supplied to broilers during summer but additional feeding trial would be helpful to fully evaluate the impact of additional electrolytes.

108 milk samples were collected to study the relationship of somatic cell counts (SCC) and milk composition with milking methods and udder hygiene from 27 Holstein Frisian (HF) dairy cows having moderate milk yield in mid-lactation and parity of 2 to 4, at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar dairy farm. All animals were randomly distributed into three categories on the basis of milking methods (Mm) including machine milking (MM); gentle hand milking (GH) and rough hand milking (RH). Each category was further subdivided into three groups on the basis of udder hygienic conditions. Upon cleaning methods and visual contamination of udder, the udder hygienic (UH) conditions were categorized into good (washed with water and disinfectant) (GUH), moderate (washed with water only) (MUH) and poor (cleaned with towel) udder hygiene (PUH), having three animals in each group. 10 ml milk sample was collected in sterilized glass bottles from each animal during 28 days of experiment with weekly interval. Milk samples were analyzed for SCC and milk composition i.e. milk fat %, solid not fats (SNF) and total solids (TS). Results showed a significant difference for SCC and SNF, influenced by udder hygiene and TS affected by udder hygiene × milking method interaction (UH×Mm). Non significant differences were observed for all the studied traits. Means table showed maximum value of SCC in (PUH) (0.554 millions/mL) followed by (0.521) in (MUH) and (0.470) in (GUH), where as for (Mm), higher SCC was calculated in MM (0.548 millions/mL) followed by RH (0.474) and GH (0.523). Lowered trend was observed in SCC under (GUH) interactions and lowest SCC was found in (GUH×GH) (0.425 millions/mL). Various treatments showed no significant effect on milk fat %. SNF was significantly affected by (UH) and showed maximum value of (8.94%) in (GUH) and minimum value of (8.58%) in (PUH). For TS, (GUH×MM) interaction showed maximum value of 12.33% while (PUH×RH) interactions showed minimum value of 11.62%. It is suggested that the association of somatic cell count may be used as an indicator of hygienic status of the farm and may be use as a tool for setting milk marketing standards.

Emphasis on milk yield (MY) as well as milk yield persistency (MYP) and calving interval (CI) is necessary to achieve more sustainable production in dairy cattle. Therefore the main objective of this study was to find an optimum regression model to estimate economic values for MY, MYP and CI. Using a deterministic bio-economic model, seventy five production states differing mainly in MY, MYP and CI were studied. For each production state, the total revenue comprised income from sold milk, calves of one week of age and manure. Feed costs were obtained from energy requirements for maintenance, growth, lactation and pregnancy. Non feed costs included costs of net replacement, health, artificial insemination and some others which were modeled as a function of CI. Multiple regression analyses of annual profits for production state on the means of MY, MYP and CI were used to estimate the economic values. Two different regression models were used. Both models included the linear effect of MY and the quadratic effect of MYP. How-ever, in one model the effect of CI was linear (Model CIL) whilst it wasquadratic in the other (Model CIQ). Under both models, economic value for MY was positive (0.10 $ for model CIL and 0.32 $ for model CIQ) as was expected for the assumed milk pricing system. Economic values for MYP in the models had different signs (-118.2 $ for model CIL and 715.55 $ for model CIQ). Under model CIQ maximum profit was associated with a value of MYP greater than unity and was not consistent with the definition of persistency. Economic value of CI was negative under both models (-2.68 $ for model CIL and -6.36 for model CIQ). In the model CIQ, the profit function had a minimum value for CI (at 803 days) which was not consistent with the previously reported relationship between profit and CI. Estimates of economic values for MY, MYP and CI showed that the model CIL was superior to the model CIQ due to a lower number of fitted effects and increased consistency with the real situation of dairy systems.

The GH gene and BMP15 gene have been used as candidate genes for marker-assisted selection in different livestock species. Random blood samples were obtained from 180 Zel sheep breed to study genetic polymorphism of these genes. DNA was extracted from blood samples and a 365 bp fragment from the exon V of the ovine growth hormone gene and a 312 bp region from exon II of BMP15 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. SSCP analysis showed three conformational patterns (A, B and C) for GH gene but for FecXL locus of BMP15 no banding patterns were observed in the animals tested. Results indicated that there were no significant associations (P>0.05) between polymorphism of the GH loci and lambing rate.

Data on body weight and body measurements (body length, height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth) of adult Kilakarsal sheep have been collected from 124 adult animals managed at the farmers filed in Ti-runelveli districts of Tami Nadu, India to estimate the body weight from body measurements. The data were subjected to standard statistical analysis using SPSS software and linear regression analysis was applied by keeping the body weight as the dependant variables and different body measurements as independent variables. The overall means (±SE) for body weight, body length and height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth of Kilakarsal sheep pooled over sexes were 23.39 ± 0.33 kg, 56.92 ± 0.31 cm, 69.74 ± 0.33 cm, 71.92 ± 0.44 cm and 69.44 ± 0.49 cm, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between body weight with body length, height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth were 0.525, 0.531, 0.831 and 0.761, respectively. The R2 values for the regression equation, considering individual independent variables viz. body length, height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth were 0.276, 0.282, 0.691 and 0.579, respectively. The highest R2 value was obtained from chest girth variable followed by paunch girth. The R2 values increased with the addition of independent variables in the equation and the maximum R2 value was obtained as 0.783 from all the variables. The study revealed that the chest girth is the best predictor for the estimation of body weight and this alone contributed 69.1 per cent variation in the body weight of adult Kilakarsal sheep.

The objective of this research was to discriminate four local breeds of goat in Central Java-Indonesia using multivariate analysis. Data from eight morphological traits of four goat breeds, namely Kejobong goat (JG), Etawa Grade goat (EGG), Kacang goat (KG) and Jawarandu goat (RG) originated from Purbalingga, Pur-worejo, Grobogan and Pemalang regencies, respectively, were used. One hundred and sixty six animals were used as materials, in which they were classified into two groups, namely young group (<1 year old) and mature group (³1 years old). The number of goats designated as male-young, male-mature, female-young and female-mature were 54, 32, 38 and 42 heads, respectively. GLM, CANDIS, PRINCOMP and DISCRIM procedures of SAS were used to compute all data observed. UPGMA of MEGA 5 was used to illustrate the distance among breeds. Results showed that body weight as reflection of body measurements in the mature group was higher in males than those in females. Males tended to be heavier than the females. The chest circumference (CC) was the most influential single variable in determining breed. KG, JG and EGG were categorized into a similar group, while KG showed farther distance in relation to the other three breeds.

Two breeds of chickens were used to develop reference family and detect QTLs affecting egg quality traits: cocks of a native Polish breed Green-Legged Partidgenous (GlP) and hens of Rhode Island Red (RIR). Dur-ing the first 100 days of the laying period, the GlP hens lay about 40 eggs weighting on average 50 g, whilst the RIR flock laid 83 eggs with a mean weight of 60 g. QTL analysis of egg quality traits was performed on 552 birds of the F2 generation with the aid of 19 microsatellite loci on chromosomes 6, 7, 8, Z and linkage groups 9 (E 36), 19 (E 52) and 26 (E 46). Linkage analysis was performed for 19 microsatellite markers within the mapped population and ten QTLs were found to affect seven egg quality traits: at week 53-shell thickness, shell strength, albumen weight, egg specific gravity and percent of yolk in egg; and at week 33-percent of yolk in egg and Hugh’s units.

This study was conducted at Beresa watershed district of Guraghe Administrative Zone, the southern Re-gional State of Ethiopia to evaluate the on-farm reproductive and egg production performances of local Kei and its F1 crosses with Fayoumi and Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken breeds under farmers’ management. The local Kei paternal line was mated with maternal lines of Fayoumi and RIR chickens to produce F1-crosses. Twenty-four households were involved in the study who received 10 chicks from each 3 genotypes (total of 720 chicks). Three hay-box brooders fitted with chick-runs were provided to each household in which the three genotypes were reared. Eggs were collected on a daily basis and body weights were measured at 24, 34 and 52 weeks age. The highest egg fertility was observed in Fayoumi-crosses. The hatchability of total egg set and that of fertile eggs was higher for Fayoumi-crosses and local Kei chickens than for RIR-crosses. The Fayoumi (154 days) and RIR-crosses (161 days) reached age of sexual maturity earlier than local Kei chickens (183 days). The RIR-crosses were heavier (P<0.05) in body weight than Fayoumi-crosses and local Kei. The F1 crosses had significantly (P<0.05) higher rate of egg production on hen-day and hen-housed basis than local Kei chickens. The Fayoumi-crosses produced more (P<0.05) eggs than RIR-crosses. The F1 crosses produced significantly (P<0.05) higher total egg mass than local Kei chickens. Eggs from RIR-crosses were heavier (P<0.05) than Fayoumi-crosses and local Kei chickens. The F1 crosses reached their peak egg production at about 34 weeks of age while local Kei at 38 weeks. The Fayoumi-crosses had significantly higher hen-housed and hen-day egg production rates and survival ability than RIR-crosses. In conclusion, Fayoumi breeds could be a better strategy to upgrade the poor performance of indigenous chicken populations.

Animal welfare considerations are becoming increasingly important for farming of animals, both in Tunisia and internationally. Practices which may have once been deemed acceptable are now being reassessed in the light of new knowledge and changing attitudes. And a clearly defined concept of welfare is needed for use in precise scientific measurements. If animal welfare is to be compared in different situations or evaluated in a specific situation, it must be assessed in an objective way. Likewise, welfare is a multidimensional concept and its assessment systems have been developed by researchers of the European project Welfare Quality ®. These systems should include animal-based measures directly related to animal body condition, health aspects, injuries and behavior. In this context, a Tunisian study was carried out in 35 dairy farms to evaluate welfare quality of Tunisian Holstein population cows through some welfare indicators validated by the European project Welfare Quality ®. The studied sample included 350 females (Holstein; 161 heifers and 189 cows). Avoidance distance (at the feeding rack and inside the stable), body condition, lameness, fertility, somatic cell count, and milk yield were assessed. The study showed that animals differ in their relationship with the stockholder, performance, and health state, early experience and temperament.

This paper attempts to examine the physical and financial performance of some primary dairy co-operatives in west Bengal state in Indian context. The study suggests that financial performance indicators dominate over physical ones, and all the dominating variables have long term positive impact on primary milk producers’ co-operative societies (PMPCSs). Also, the significant impact of financial performance variables contributes to high profit efficiency for all primary dairy co-operative societies under study. These results seem to suggest that in order to strengthen the dairy development programme on co-operative line at the primary level more emphasis should be given to these dominating physical and financial performance variables in general and physical dominating variables in particular.

Quantitative analysis of production through evaluation of inputs consumption quantity is of main principles in agricultural policies, which is followed by increasing in production through optimal use of resources. This study has been conducted to estimate different types of production functions in mechanized farms of broiler chicks located in Gorgan city. Cross-section survey data were gathered in spring of 2009 via filling in 71 questionnaires and also interviews with managers of broiler chicks farms located in Gorgan were made. Then, according to viewpoints of experts, mechanization level of each broiler chick farm was as-signed and grouped into two mechanized and semi-mechanized groups. Afterward, Linear, Cobb-Douglas and Transcendental production functions were estimated and analyzed for the mentioned groups. Results showed that the best functions for mechanized and semi-mechanized farms are linear and Cobb-Douglas models, respectively. Also, return to scale in mechanized and semi-mechanized broiler chick farms showed diminishing and ascending trends, respectively.

The present study was undertaken on 125 broiler farmers randomly selected from five districts, Hisar, Jind, Fatehabad, Sirsa and Bhiwani of Hisar division of Haryana to assess extent of adoption of various scientific practices by the broiler farmers. The package of practices recommended by regional state agricultural university was adopted as the set of scientific practices. The information was collected with the help of a pre-tested structured interview schedule. As a general trend, it was observed that the farmers with smaller flock size are poor adopters of technology. In case of small category farmers, a majority of respondents reported low level of adoption. Of the respondents from medium category, an equal number had adopted low, medium and high level of practice. Almost all of the large category farmers reported a high level of adoption. These results indicate that information seeking behavior of different categories of farmers was totally different based on the size of their enterprises. The larger enterprise possessed better knowledge base and better resourcefulness. Two distinct points emerge from the study: (1) uniform or blanket approach in the organization of poultry extension services is likely to meet only partial success and (2) there is poor information sharing in the peer to peer networks and there are diverse information sources for different categories of farmers. Also, local appropriation of knowledge and technology is an important factor.