Iranian Journal of Animal Science
Year:2016 | Volume:47 | Issue:1|Papers Count:15

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

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of rice bran and dietary multi-enzyme (Natuzyme) on performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical parameters of 288 laying hens during 12 week. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 4×2, with four different levels of rice bran (0, 5, 10 and 15%) and two levels of multi enzyme (0 and 0.05%) with three replicates (n=12 birds). Egg production, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg mass were not influenced by rice bran and enzyme supplementation. The effects of different levels of rice bran and supplementation of enzyme were not significant on Haugh unit, specific gravity, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness and shell weight/surface area. Also the effects of different levels of rice bran and supplementation of enzyme were not significant on albumin, blood total protein, uric acid, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerid and glucose. It was concluded that rice bran could be used up to 15% in laying hens diets without any detrimental effect on performance and egg quality.

In this study 60 Arian male chickens for six weeks were used in a completely randomized block to evaluate the effect of three dietary energy level on performance and prevention ascites. Diets energy levels were: as catalog; 100 and 150 kcal lower in starter and grower and finisher periods; 200 kcal and 300 kcal lower in starter and grower that catalog respectively. During the experiment, body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate and production index were determined. Hematocrit and blood parameters were measured at 35 days of age. At the end of the experiment, carcass characteristics and the right ventricle (RV) weight and total ventricle (TV) weight ratios were determined and compared. Reducing dietary energy level was increased body weight gain and feed intake (P<0.05). Feed cost per kg of weight gain was reduced by reducing dietary energy level (P<0.05). Reducing dietary energy level decreased the amount of hemoglobin and hematocrit (P<0.05) and increased the cortisol level (P<0.05). T3 hormone was not affected by diet energy, but T4 was increased by Reducing dietary energy (P<0.05). Also T3 to T4 ratios was reduced by Reducing dietary energy (P<0.05). Results showed that reducing 100 kcal diet energy in starter and 150 kcal in the grower and finisher periods than the Arian catalog was performed better than the other two energy levels on performance and parameters related to ascites.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of synbiotic and two levels of dried garlic powder on performance during 1-49 and ileum morphology and microbial population at 49d of age in broiler chicks. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates of 10 chicks per replicate. The dietary treatments consisted of 1) control diet without additives, 2) control diet plus 200 mg virginamycin/kg diet, 3) control diets containing 500 mg synbiotic/kg diet, 4, 5) control diet containing 0.2 and 0.4 percent garlic powder, respectively. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly and used to calculate of the performance parameters. The results showed that at 21 to 49d and whole experiment period, birds fed antibiotic and 0.2 percent garlic powder had better daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The length and width of the villus in the birds fed 0.2% garlic powder was higher than the control group. The greatest and least number of lactobacillus and coliform was observed in synbiotic and antibiotic treatment, respectively.

The growth hormone (GH) gene is a candidate for growth trait in farm animals and plays an important role in growth metabolism. Growth hormone can contribute in growth metabolism when it's receptor (GHR) are on cells target. The single nucleotide polymorphism was occurred in GH and GHR genes and that associated with carcass traits in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep breed with using PCR-SSCP. In this research, blood samples were collected from the left jugular vein from 152 Lori-Bakhtiari sheep breed. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples by using the salting-out procedure and PCR were used to amplify the regions are located in exon 4 (214 bp segments) of the ovine GH gene and exon 10 (218 bp segments) of the ovine GHR Gene. The single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) patterns of PCR products were studied using acrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver-nitrate staining method. The result showed polymorphism in GH gene but any difference between banding patterns for GHR gene was not observed. The sequencing results showed the presence of 5 Single nucleotide polymorphism for GH gene in the studied population. No significant associations of the available genotypes in the exon 4 of the ovine GH Gene with carcass traits.

The aim of this study was to investigate the fermentation characteristics and cellulolytic enzymes activities of dromedary camels rumen anaerobic fungi in fed with cultivated and pasture forages. Hence, the inoculant of rumen anaerobic fungi was prepared by using specific medium and the gas production, digestibility and enzyme activity of rumen fungi were determined on the basis of a 2×2 factorial design. The results showed that gas production potential was higher in treatments containing atriplex substrate, but the rate of gas production was higher in wheat straw treatments. Also the total gas production (50.71 ml) in treatment with rumen fluid of camel fed pasture forage and atriplex substrate was the highest (P£0.01). The medium's ammonia nitrogen at different times of incubation was affected by the type of feed and substrate (P£0.01). The results showed that the organic matter digestibility was not affected by the type of feed but was decreased in atriplex treatments by changing substrate. Also digestibility of DM and NDF in atriplex treatment showed increasing trend at the end of experiment. Endo and exoglucanas activity of rumen fungus in treatment with rumen fluid of camel fed with pasture forage and atriplex substrate had the highest increase (P£0.01) in the final hours of incubation. It seems that for in vitro evaluating fermentation of halophilic forages, it is better to use a rumen fluid accordance with substrate.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of physical and chemical processing on crude protein fractions of two varieties of canola (Okapi and Modena) and safflower (62 and Zarfan) seed using cornel net carbohydrate and protein system and on protein subunits using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Formaldehyde was used as chemical treatment, while toasting and autoclaving were used as physical treatments. In vitro protein fractionations were determined to find out the contribution of different protein fractions (A, B1, B2, B3, C and NDIP). Results showed that there was significant difference in OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF in canola and safflower seeds (p<0.001). The proportion of soluble crude protein fraction (SCP) decreased while B2and B3 fractions increased as the result of processing. Formaldehyde had a more significant impact than the other two treatments. The SDS-PAGE pattern of varieties showed that treatment with toasting had no effect on protein bands in canola and safflower varieties while autoclaving resulted in the disappearance of some bands and formaldehyde resulted in the disappearance of all bands with molecular weights higher than 14.4 KD in canola but not in safflower varieties.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of reducing metabolizable protein with rumen-protected Lysine and Methionine in diet during the last 5 weeks of gestation on performance and blood parameters of Afshari ewes and lambs. Twenty five mature (once lambing) ewes in a Unbalanced complete randomized design fed with diets containing low metabolizable protein but containing rumen-protected lysine and methionine (LMP+LMRP) and high (HMP), respectively, 20 percent less than and equal to recommendations of NRC (2007), The results showed no difference between the treatments regarding dry matter intake, body weight of ewes at the end of gestation, body weight changes from start of the experiment until the birth, body weight after lambing and 20 days post lambing (p>0.05). Decline changes in Body weight at lambing was increased in the HMP group rather than LMP+LMRP group and the difference was tend to significant (p<0.10), Which was correlated with total birth weight. Colostrum and milk amount and milk composition were not affected by the treatments, but a tendency to milk yield increasing was observed at HMP comparing to LMP+LMRP. The blood metabolites were not affected by the decreaseing metabolizable protein. Eosinofil and Monocite of plasma were higher in HMP, but No significant difference was observed on the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells and other blood cells between the treatments. In general, decreasing the level of MP less than NRC (2007) recommendation before lambing of Afshari ewes did not affect the performance of ewes.

In order to study the effects of Artichoke leaf powder on the quality parameters of thigh and breast meat and the fatty acids profile of breast meat, 240 day-old Japanese quails were used. The Brids were assigned to 4 treatments including basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with levels of 15 and 30 g/Kg Artichoke powder and 300 mg/Kg vitamin E with 4 replicates for each treatment in a completely randomized design. Treatments of artichoke powder and vitamin E resulted in lower malondialdiahid in thigh meat. The amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was lower in breast meat of birds fed diet containing 15 g/Kg Artichoke powder. The amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in quail breast meat did not affected by the treatments. The amounts of alpha-linolenic acid and PUFA were greater in breast meat of quails treated with Artichoke powder than birds fed basal diet and diet supplemented with vitamin E. PUFA/SFA ratio, total amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and also omega-6/omega-3 ratio were improving in birds treated with Artichoke powder. This study showed that dietary levels of 15 and 30 g/Kg Artichoke leaf powder can increase linolenic acid and consequently relative improvement of nutritional value of quail breast meat.

In this expriment, the effect of different levels of Ziziphus zizyphus (ZZ) (0, 30 or 60 mg) on fermentation parameters, total protozoa population and three sub family of protozoa Entodiniinae, Ophryscolecinae, Diplodiniinae and family of Isotrichdae and methane gas production was assessed using in vitro method and a completely randomized design. The rate of gas production for the insoluble fraction (c) (P˂0.01) was decreased but (P˂0.01) fermentation potential (a+b) at 30 and 60 mg ZZ by was improved 3 and 6 percent respectively. Cumulative gas production at 24h was not significantly different among treatments; however methane production was decreased (P˂0.05). Ammonia nitrogen also was linearly decreased (P˂0.01) by 20.85 and 43.85 percent, respectively. Incorporation of 60 mg ZZ to the basal diet decreased acetate (P˂0.05) and increased propionate (P˂0.05) and ratio of acetate to propionate was decreased (P˂0.01) from 2.6 to 2.2. Total protozoa population (P˂0.01) and Entodinium count was decreased (P˂0.05). However Ophryscolexs number increased (P˂0.05). Based on this study, it is suggested that supplementation of ZZ could improve in vitro ruminal fluid fermentation in terms of potential extent of gas production (6%), reduction of methane losses (17.4%), NH3-N concentration (43.8%), acetate to propionate ratio (0.2 ratio) and protozoal population.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of crud protein (CP) level on dry matter intake in prepartum period, productive performance and health of fresh cows. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were assigned randomly to one of two dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were treatment 1, 13% CP of DM (control), and treatment 2, 16% CP of DM. Diets were similar in lactation net energy and rumen degradable protein and CP levels increased with RUP supplements. All cows had 50 days of far-off, and 10 days of close-up periods. Prepartum dry matter intake in treatment 2 was significantly greater than in control treatment (P>0.05). Milk production, fat corrected milk, and milk fat and lactose yields in treatment 2 were significantly higher than in control treatment (P>0.05). Changes in body condition score (BCS) were not significantly affected by treatments. Although blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was significantly higher in treatment 2, but b- hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and phosphorus concentrations were significantly decreased in treatment 2 compared to control treatment. The incidence of metabolic disorders, such as hypophosphatemia, and hypomagnesemia were significantly greater in treatment 2 compared to control treatment. Overall, results of this study showed that increasing crude protein through RUP sources in a shortened close-up period increased prepartum DMI, milk production after calving, and reduced incidence of ketosis in Holstein fresh cows.

The present experiment was conducted to determine nutritional values of wild pistachio trees (P. khinjuk) leaves it's use it in the diet of sheep. Initially chemical composition of P. khinjuk leaf was determined. The diets containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% of P. khinjuk leaf were prepared and used for sheep to determine the best replacement level of it with corn silage. Fermentation and digestion characteristics of experimental diets were investigated by in vitro gas production technique. Effects of selected diets from the in vitro step (control and diet contains 30% of the khinjuk leaf) on feed intake, digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation parameters and blood metabolites were studied using 10 Arabian rams in a completely randomized design. The concentration of crude protein, NDF, ADF and tannin in khinjuk leaf were 9.88, 47.95, 39.02 and 3.9%, respectively. The gas production declined by increasing the percentage of P. khinjuk leaf in the diet, but the microbial biomass and efficiency of microbial synthesis was increased (P<0.05). Dry matter intake was increased in sheep fed diets containing P. khinjuk leaf. There was no significant difference for apparent digestibility of dry matter, NDF, ADF, and blood glucose and cholesterol among experimental diets (P>0.05). Digestibility of crude protein and concentration of ammonia nitrogen in rumen fluid and blood urea nitrogen in diet containing of P. khinjuk leaf was lower (P<0.05). Therefore, dietary inclusion of P. khinjuk leaf up to 30% in the diets of sheep had no negative effect on digestibility, ruminal and blood parameters of sheep.

The present study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters and genetic, environmental and phenotypic trends of milk production traits in Holstein cattle of Hamedan province. In this study 11986 305-d records of first three parities of Hamedan province Holstein cattle, which were gathered during 1990-2011, were used. Variance-covariance components and breeding values were estimated using animal mixed model, based on Average Information algorithm of Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AIREML). Herd-year-season and parity were fixed effects and directs additive and permanent environmental factors were considered as random effects. Heritability estimates for milk yield, fat corrected milk yield, fat percentage, protein percentage, fat yield and protein yield were 0.16, 0.14, 0.20, 0.11, 0.15 and 0.13 and their repeatability estimates were 0.44, 0.39, 0.31, 0.20, 0.35 and 0.39, respectively. Genetic trends of these traits were, 3.42 kg/yr, 2.51 kg/yr, -0.002 %/yr, -0.000 %/yr, 0.082 kg/yr and -0.020 kg/yr, environmental trends were 85.89 kg/yr, 67.61 kg/yr, -0.028 %/yr, -0.007 %/yr, 1.12 kg/yr and 1.62 kg/yr and their phenotypic trends were 89.54 kg/yr, 70.26 kg/yr, -0.030 %/yr, -0.007 %/yr, 1.22 kg/yr and 1.69 kg/yr, respectively. The results of this study showed that the production traits of Hamedan province Holstein cattle did not have noticeable genetic improvements in past years and most of milk and fat yield increment have been induced by improvement of environmental conditions.

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of phenolic components of Scrophularia striata powder on feed intake, digestion and fermentation, rumination kinetic and rumen ecosystem in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep. In this experiment, 12 six months old lambs and average weight 30±1.5 kg were fed with 0 (control), 3 and 6 percent Scrophularia striata for one month. Feed intake, digestibility, rumination activity, blood metabolites and protozoa were measured. The results showed that the use of Scrophularia striata had no effect on dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake, body weight and feed efficiency (P>0.05). Highest digestibility of DM, OM and the protein was for 3% Scrophularia striata (P<0.05). Digestibility of NDF and ADF in treatments containing Scrophularia striata were higher than the control (P<0.05). The rumination time for dry matter and NDF was increased for 3 percent Scrophularia striata (P<0.05). The treatment of 6% significantly reduced blood urea and cholesterol (P<0.05). Ammonia levels in treatment containing 6% Scrophularia striata significantly reduced in comparison to other treatments (P<0.05). The result showed Scrophularia striata decreased protozoa population and species of Entodinium, Diplodinium, Epidinium and Ophryoscolex (P<0.05). According to the effect of phytochemicals of Scrophularia striata powder on improvement of fermentation and digestion, reducing ammonia and gas production, it can be concluded that it can be used at 3% level in Lari-Bakhtiari sheep diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of D-aspartic acid on semen characteristics of Ross 308 roosters. Thirty 60-wk-old Ross 308 roosters were randomly assigned into 6 groups and individually caged. All groups fed the same basal diet and orally administered with different levels of D-aspartic acid: 0 (A-0), 40 (A-40), 80 (A-80), 120 (A-120), 160 (A-160), and 200 (A-200) mg/Kg BW per day as a single capsulated dose. Seminal characteristics including ejaculate volume, motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration, abnormality, viability and hypo osmotic swimming test were studied following two weeks of adaptation period, and continued for up to six weeks. Results of the experiment revealed that D-Aspartic acid positively affected rooster sperm parameters with all parameters being significantly improved with increasing the level of D-aspartic acid except for abnormality percentage that was not significantly affected by the treatment (p>0.05). Taking all parameters into account, A-200 treatment exhibited the most optimal response in sperm parameters amongst all treatments. However, further studies including fertility and hatchability tests are needed to ascertain these results.