Iranian Journal of Animal Science
Year:2017 | Volume:47 | Issue:4 |Papers Count:18

This study aimed to determine the effects of different centrifuging protocols (different rotation and time) on Caspian horse sperm characteristics. In this study, semen samples from four healthy adult Caspian pony stalian were collected using an artificial vagina and then diluted in milk phosphocaseinat based extender. Then semen samples were divided into seven equal parts, which part assigned to treatments including centrifugation treatments (500×g, 1000×g and 2000×g each for 4 and 7 minutes) and without centrifuge (control). Cooling of treatments were done at 0, 24 and 48 hours after centrifugation. Sperm motion characteristics, viability and percentages of healthy sperm were assessed. The results showed that motility, viability and percentages of healthy sperm reduced in 2000×g treatments (p<0. 05). Stored sperm in 500×g and 1000×g treatments had better quality compared to control group (p<0. 05). In addition, compared to 2000×g treatment, in 500×g and 1000×g treatments a less recovery rate was observed (p<0. 05). In conclusion, Caspian horse's semen in treatment with centrifuging for 7 minutes at 1000 g, showed better result.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of zinc oxid nanoparticle and probiotic on performance, microbial population and blood parameters in broiler chickens (Ross 308). The experimental was done in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments, 4 replications and 12 chickens in each replication (288 chicks). The experimental treatments were 1) control diet with standard zinc oxid (100 mg/kg) 2) control diet plus 100 mg/kg probiotic, 3, 4) basal diet plus 25 and 50 mg/kg zinc oxid nanoparticle, 5, 6) basal diet plus 25 and 50 mg/kg zinc oxid nanoparticle plus probiotic. In the whole of experimental period, the using zinc oxid nanoparticle with probiotic significantly improved body weight and FCR compare to control group (P<0. 05). The colony counts of coliform and lactobacillus bacteria in chickens fed with 50 mg/kg zinc oxid nanoparticle along with probiotic were significantly lower and higher than control group respectivily (P<0. 05). Total protein and albumin in serum of chickens which received 50 mg/kg zinc oxid nanoparticle along with probiotic were significantly higher compare to control (P<0. 05). In conclusion, zinc oxid nanoparticle with probiotic caused an improvement in performance parameters and count of benefit microbial bacteria.

This experiment was conducted to determine the quality and quantity of chemical compounds and the proper harvesting time of propolis form honey bee hives in Karaj. A completely randomized design with three treatments (propolis harvesting time) and six replicated (hives) were used. Propolis samples were collected from hives in June, July and August. Ethanol extract was prepared from samples and standard methods were used for evaluation. Methods of pholin, FRAP, and Alominium chloride were used to measure phenol level, felavenoide, and antioxidant patency respectively. The results showed that amount of phenol, felavenoide and antioxidant potency were 216. 7 mg/gr, 61. 69 mg/gr, and 3305. 27 μ mol respectively and antioxidant activity was 52. 42%. these amounts were higher than the qualities of samples harvested in June and July.

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of slow-release bolus containing zinc, selenium and cobalt on growth performance and blood parameters of Markhoz male goats for 60 days. Eighteen Markhoz male goats, 15 months of age with average weight of 24. 4± 5. 1 kg were randomly divided into 2 groups (9 goats per group) including: 1) control group (basal diet without any mineral supplements and slow-release bolus and 2) bolus group (basal diet + one slow release bolus). The dry matter intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency were determined. Blood parameters were measured on days 30 and 60. Daily feed intake was similar among treatments. Daily weight gain (37. 41 gr/day), plasma concentrations of vitamin B12 (185. 05 IU/L) and Zinc (0. 86 mg/L), the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase (167. 31 IU/L) and whole blood glutathione peroxidase (261. 28 IU/gr Hb) and serum T3 level (1. 35 nmol/L) were lower in control group than group receiving bolus (P<0. 05). The activity of creatine phosphokinase and serum T4 concentration were also significantly lower in group receiving bolus compared to control group (P<0. 05). The overall results of this study showed that slow release bolus containing Zn, Se and Co could improve performance, blood glutathione peroxidase, vitamin B12 and tri-iodothyronine (T3) status in Markhoz goats compared with the group that received the basal diet without any mineral supplements.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of royal jelly injection in comparison with different doses of eCG on Arabian ewe's reproductive efficiency in the short and long term estrous synchronization programs in non-breeding season. 72 Arabic breed ewes with age of two to five-year and average weight of 38. 8± 1. 2 kg were used. Ewes were receiving intravaginal sponges for 6 days (36) and 12 days (36). At the time of sponge removal, each group was divided into three subgroups of 12 ewes, and they received 300, 600 IU eCG and a combination of 500 mg royal jelly and 300 IU eCG (eCG-RJ), respectively. Fertility rate was greater in 600 IU eCG and RJ-eCG treatment than 300 IU ewes (P<0. 05). Barren rate and gestation period were lower in this treatment compare to 300 IU ewes (P<0. 05). Weaning weight and net income and gross income were greater in RJ-eCG treatment than other groups (P<0. 05). Oestrus incidence, prolificacy rate and mean of birth weight were not different between the treatments (P>0. 05). Results demonstrate that MAP sponge with 6 days priming for oestrus induction in anoestrus ewes was as effective as 12-day treatment. Also, the treatments of RJ-eCG and 600 IU eCG in conjunction with sponge-MAP were similarly effective in induction of oestrus and improvement of fertility. However, from economic point of view, treatment of RJ-eCG showed better results and can be used to enhance the reproductive efficiency in the livestock.

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for the first three lactations profitability and sum of first three lactations as lifetime profitability in Iranian Holstein cows were estimated, using data of 86, 065 cows in 423 herds, from 2000 to 2011 collected by the Animal Breeding Centre of Iran (ABCI). Economic data were collected from three large dairy farms in Isfahan province. Estimates were performed by using bivariate animal model through the VCE. 6. 2 software. Estimated heritabilities were moderate and ranged from 0. 14 (for third lactation profitability) to 0. 32 (for lifetime profitability). Estimated genetic correlations were close to one and ranged from 0. 88 between first and third lactation profitability to 0. 99 between second lactation profitability and lifetime profitability. Phenotypic correlations were high and in the range of 0. 38 between first and third lactation profitability to 0. 82 between second lactation profitability and lifetime. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between first lactation and lifetime profitability were 0. 96 and 0. 76, respectively. These high values of correlations and heritabilities obtained for the first lactation profitability (0. 31) showed that the profitability of the first lactation might be a good predictor of lifetime profitability. Therefore, by direct selection on first lactation profitability, genetic-economic merit could be improved.

The present study aimed to determine the sequence of mitochondrial DNA genes encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunits 1, 5 and 6, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and ATP synthase subunit 6 in the Iranian single and doublehumped camels. In this study, 10 Dromedary blood samples from Mashad slaughter house, and 15 blood Bacterian camel's Meshkinshahr Breeding Center samples from were collected. After DNA extraction, the regions of mtDNA was amplified by PCR and sequenced by chain termination method. Results showed that, the energy-related mitochondrial genes showed amino acid substitutions according to their roles in energy metabolism in both camels. ATP6 acquired the greatest changes because it controls the majority of energy production, and the COX1 acquired the lowest changes. The phylogenetic test results showed that Iranian camels have the lowest genetic distance with Arabian camels. Furthermore, it can be concluded that using either individual genes or a set of genes to draw a phylogenetic tree will lead to the same result. Therefore, to perform phylogenetic studies, we can propose that using only one of these genes can generate a tree, which represents a group of genes.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of Nasturtium officinalis (NO) medicinal plant powder on performance, carcass quality traits, blood biochemical and antioxidant parameters of broilers from 11 to 42 days in two experimental periods: grower (11 to 24 days) and finisher (25 to 42 days). In this experiment 280 Ross-308 broilers (male and female) were used completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates per treatment and 14 birds in each replicate. Experimental groups included: 1) control group (without NO), 2) group with 0. 5% NO, 3) group with 1% NO, 3) group with 1. 5% NO and 5) group with 2% NO. The results showed that using of NO without having any significant effects in carcass quality traits, blood biochemical and antioxidant parameters, affect the performance of broilers in grower, finisher and total periods (p<0. 05). In these periods, using 1% of NO powder in broilers diets improved the amount of daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The lowest amount of daily weight gain and the highest feed conversion ratio were observed in control group. The highest body weight was obtained with 1. 5% of NO. In conclusion using 1% Nasturtium officinalis powder in broiler diets can improve their performance.

Negative energy balance (NEB) occurs in high-producing dairy cows in first few weeks after parturition, that energy demand for maintenance and milk production exceeds the dietary energy intake. NEB has a considerable economic importance due to negative effect on health and fertility in dairy herds, therefore, the identification of its effective regulatory mechanism is important. miRNAs are one of these effective regulatory factors in NEB. Despite of the importance of NEB, the regulatory mechanisms related to miRNAs has not been well documented. In this study miRNA-seq data from liver tissue of eight Holstein dairy cows were analyzed to identify new miRNAs and isomirs. All data have been achieved from GEO in NCBI database. A total of 291 new miRNAs with homologous gene in other species were identified. Moreover, 164 new miRNAs without homologous were identified. Investigation of target genes of these miRNAs lead to identify biological paths related to NEB. Also 466 new isomiR and 95 new miRNA* were detected for the first time in cow genome. The results of the current study provide new information for better understanding of the regulatory roles of miRNAs in NEB.

The melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R), encoded by extension locus, plays an important role in coat color variation in livestock. In this study, the 840 bp of 5′-flanking region and most part of coding sequence of ovine MC1R gene was sequenced in 15 Lori-Bakhtiari sheep with different coat colors. The results showed eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): five synonymous mutations (c. 464G. A, c. 557G>C, c. 635c>T, c. 692C>T and c. 932C>T) and three non-synonymous mutations (c. 128G>C, p. Phe>Tyr, c. 638G>A, p. Arg>Gln and c. 653G>A, p. Arg>His). Based on the results, among the three non-synonymous mutations, the c. 128G>C mutation which resulting in the replacement of Phe with Tyr amino acid could affect the functional performance of MC1R protein and this substitution might cause the color variation in this breed. In addition, the c. 128G>C was observed in single phenotype. However, the two SNPs at position 638 and 653 led to substitution of two amino acids in MC1R, but these mutations didnot influence on MC1R performance. Therefore, our results suggest that the mutations of ovine MC1R gene could be associated with coat color phenotype in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet with zeolite coated with silvernanoparticles on performance, intestinal morphology characteristics and ilium microbial population of broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with 375 day-old broiler chicks with five replicates per treatment and 15 chicks per replicate. Treatments were: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet supplemented with1% zeoliteand 3, 4, and 5) basal diet supplemented with1% zeolitecoated and 0. 25%, 0. 5% and 0. 75% nanosilver. Results showed that dietary supplementation with 1% zeolite and all level of silver nanoparticles had better feed conversion ratio than the basal diet on d 22-42 (P<0. 05). Diets supplemented with silver nanoparticles at 0. 5% and 0. 75% level increased villi length and villus/crypt ratio significantly compared to the basal diet (P<0. 05). In comparison to the basal diet, diets supplemented with silver nanoparticles decreased crypt depth. On d 21, broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with 0. 5% and 0. 75% silver nanoparticles had lower coliforms bacteria population compared with basal diet and basal diet supplemented with 1% zeolite (P<0. 05). In conclusion, the present results showed that zeolite coated with silvernanoparticles can improve feed conversion ratio, intestinal morphological characters and decrease coliforms population in broiler chickens and it can be considered as a growth and health promoters.

Hundred and thirty lactating Holstein cows (36 primiparous and 94 multiparous) in early lactation period (34. 3 ± 9. 1 days in milk) with averaging milk yield 52. 2 ± 9. 2 kg/d were allocated in a change-over design to compare the feeding of finely ground (FGC) versus steam flake corn grain (SFC). The performance, some blood metabolites, liver enzymes and insulin hormone were evaluated. The study lasted 44 days in two 22 days periods with the first 17 days as adaptation period and the last 5 days as sample collection period. The SFC was prepared by steam flaking of corn for 30 minutes in a stainless steel tank to increase the corn moisture up to 18-20%. The results show that DMI (P=0. 53) as well as milk yield (P=0. 078) were not differing between treatments (P>0. 05). Corrected milk fat was tended to be greater for FGC compared to SFC (P=0. 07), and energy corrected milk also was increased in SFC (P=0. 02). Feeding ground corn caused to increase milk fat and steam flake corn feeding caused to increase milk protein percent (P<0. 01). Although flaking increased blood glucose concentration, no other blood metabolites were differed between treatments. Insulin concentration as well as liver enzyme (ALT and AST) concentrations was similar between two treatments (P>0. 05). In conclusion considering the cost of flaking and the base on present research results, corn grain flaking may not be recommendable for early lactation period.

The aim of this study was investigating the effects of dry period length on milk production and milk component in commercial large dairy herds using 2143 cow records. The Cows were classified according to dry period length in ≤ 45, 45-51, 52-65, 66-76 and ≥ 75 days. Milk yield and contents were recorded during 6 to 12 months. Data were analyzed using the MIXED MODEL procedure of SAS. Results indicated that reduced dry period length to less than 45-day reduced milk production yield, and changes in body condition score and rate of retained placenta was increased. Milk fat content decreased none linearly with increasing dry period length and it was the least when length of dry period was 52-65 days. Dry period length cubically affected protein content of milk; protein content was decreased and then increased by increasing dry period length. Generally, the results showed that reduceing dry period length to less than 45 day had negative effects on health, milk yield and milk components.

In this research fitness of nonlinear models of Von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, Brody and Logistic to describe the growth curve of Zandi sheep breed of Khojir station was studied. In this order from 14569 body weight records (from birth to 400 days of age) which have been recorded as daily from 3581 heads during the years 1992 to 2014 were used. Each model was fitted separately to body weight records using whole data, and also for different environmental factors (i. e., sex, type of birth, season of birth, year of birth and age of dam) separately using the nonlinear least square (NLIN) procedure of SAS. Goodness of fit of each model was determined using adjusted multiple coefficient of determination (R2 Adj), Akaike’ s information criterion (AIC), root mean square error (RMSE) and Durbin-Watson (DW). All used models in the current study fitted the growth data of Zandi sheep well based on different goodness of a fitting criteria. However, the results showed that Logistic growth model with the highest accuracy (R2 Adj= 0. 9702; AIC= 85886) and the lowest error (RMSE= 4. 61) could describe growth curve better than the other growth models, and was followed by Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy and Brody growth models, respectively. The results of this research indicate that the Logistic model can be used to the regulate feeding programs, determination of management problems and optimum slaughtering age of lambs at the Khojir breeding situation.

The effects of intra amniotic injection of zinc-methionine and nano zinc-methionine on metallothionein mRNA expression of chicken’ s liver and intestine were studied. Four hundred fertiled eggs (Ross 308 strain) were allocated to 4 treatments, 4 replicates/ treatment and 25 eggs per replicate using a CRD (Complete Random Design) design. Experimental treatments were: 1-no injection (negative control), 2-injection of 1 ml 0. 9% saline solution (positive control), 3-injection of 1 ml 25% zinc-methionine solution and 4-injection of 1 ml 25% nano-zinc-methionine solution. On day 17 of incubation, eggs were injected using insulin syringes. Results showed that in Ovo injection lead to no significant effect on hatchability. The injection of zinc-methionine and nano zinc-methionine caused significant (P<0. 01) increase in chicks weight at hatch, and a week after that. A similar result was obtained for liver and intestine samples. Groups treated with zinc-methionine and nano zinc-methionine showed significant (P<0. 01) increase in metallothionein mRNA expression in liver and intestine and remained significant (P<0. 01) at day 7 after hatch. Experimental treatments significantly (P<0. 01) increased the liver and intestine metallothionein content at day 1 and 7 after hatch. Conclusion is that in ovo injection of zinc-methionine and nano zinc-methionine lead to increase body weight at first 3weeks of broiler rearing.