Journal of Animal Production
Year:2017 | Volume:19 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:20

In order to estimate the genetic parameters for days from calving to first service (DFS) in Iranian Holstein cattle by using repeatability, multiple-trait (MT) and random regression (RR) models, 159, 482 records of parities 1 to 6 collected during 1981 to 2013 and distributed over 33 large Holstein herds were used. Bayesian information criterion of MT model was lower than other models and Bayesian factor of MT model was significant compared to other models (p<0. 05). Estimates of heritability of DFS with RR model decreased from parity 1 (0. 09± 0. 01) to parity 6 (0. 03± 0. 01). Estimated heritability by MT model decreased from parity 1 (0. 08) to parity 5 (0. 04) and increased in parity 6 (0. 10). The obtained heritability using repeatability model was 0. 055± 0. 01. Genetic correlations between DFS in different parties were reduced continuously with increasing distance between parities in RR and MT models. Overall, the result of this study indicates that multiple trait model performs better than other models in estimation of genetic parameter for DFS.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of immune system in Arian, Native, Arian × native crosses, native × Arian crosses and Ross chickens. Through artificial insemination, a total number of 298 birds produced and reared with 100 Ross strain chickens. Thereafter, 15% to 20% of chickens were randomly chosen for immune system performance and some of blood parameters comparison. The studied traits were humoral, cell-mediated and innate immunity responses, plasma protein concentrations and relative weight of lymph organs. Data were analyzed using GLM procedure and means were compared using Tukey method. The highest titer of total antibody was in Arian strain and the lowest was in Ross strain. There was no significant difference between sexes and strains for cell-mediated immunity. Responses in crossbred chickens for humoral and cell-mediated immunity were not significantly different from Ross strain. No significant difference was observed for hematocrit percent between crossbred chickens and commercial strains. In crossbred chickens, the percentage of plasma albumin was significantly higher than the other strains (p<0. 05). While the lysozyme activity of crossbred chickens was significantly lower than Arian strain (p<0. 05), it did not indicate any difference with Ross strain. The relative weight of all organs in crossbred chickens was lower than native and higher than commercial chickens. The results of current study indicated that the performance of immune system in crossbred chickens was favorable and in some cases better than the other strains. Therefore, it is possible to create resistance birds with suitable growth performance from crosses of native and commercial strains.

This study was performed to compare different models for estimation of direct and maternal heritability and also for obtaining of genetic trend for body weight traits in Kurdi sheep of North Khorasan. The records of body weight in birth (BW, 7345 records), 3-month (3W, 5905 records), 6-month (6W, 5294 records), 9-month (9W, 3800 records) and 12-month (12W, 3863 records) weight that collected during 1990 to 2013 by Sheep Breeding Station of Shirvan were used. Estimation of genetic parameters for different traits by using of six animal models was carried out by ThrGibbsf90 software. The most suitable model for each trait was determined based on Deviance Information Criterion (DIC). The estimates of direct heritability for BW, 3W, 6W, 9W and 12W traits were 0. 172± 0. 0007, 0. 257± 0. 0007, 0. 351± 0. 0006, 0. 120± 0. 0007 and 0. 131± 0. 0009, respectively. In this study, the material genetic effect was significant for BW, 3W and 6W traits (p<0. 01) and proportion of maternal permanent environmental variance to phenotypic variance was varied from 0. 055 (12W) to 0. 186 (BW). Although estimated heritability of maternal effects for body weight was lower in older ages, the result of this study showed that including maternal effects (maternal genetic and permanent environmental effect) in the statistical model could lead to more accurate estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits in all ages. The phenotypic trend for BW, 3W, 6W, 9W and 12W were 8. 4, 74. 6, 8. 3, 54. 3, 78. 3 gr/year, respectively and direct additive genetic trend for mentioned traits was-0. 07, 14. 2,-21. 9, 13. 7, 24. 9 gr/year, respectively. Therefore, the results of bayesian analysis are more reliable than convientioal statistical methods.

The aim of this study was to fit the best model for describing the egg production for Japanese quails at thirteen week of age. For this purpose, the daily egg production records on 314 quails were used for the different models including nonlinear logistic, incomplete gamma, McNally, Lekhorst, Narushin-Takma 2, McMillan and Nelder by R software. The best model was selected by some statics such as Mean Square Error (MSE), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The results showed that Narushin-Takma 2 (minimum MSE, AIC and BIC) and Compartmental I Functions (maximum MSE, AIC and BIC) were the best and worst function to describe the egg production, respectively. The highest correlation (0. 953) between predicted and actual values for the number of egg were obtained by Narushin-Takma 2 model. The results of the model comparisons and correlations indicate that Narushin-Takma 2 function describes Short-term egg production in quail better than other functions studied in this research and this function could be considered in a short-term prediction of the reproductive potential Japanese quail in breeding goals.

In this study production, reproduction, management and economic parameters obtained from 7 flocks with 600 head of native sheep were used during annual cycle of production in village systems. The economic values of traits were estimated using maximizing profit, revenue per cost and minimizing cost method. The results showed that the average profit per sheep per year, revenue per cost ratio and cost per revenue ratio for this system were 3, 211, 391, 1. 40 and 0. 713 Rials, respectively. Feeding and husbandry costs represented about 64% and 20% of total cost, respectively. In maximizing profit method, average economic values (relative) of traits was 7, 550. 139 (1. 102) Rials for survival rate, 7, 630. 49 (1. 1143) Rials for conception rate, 7, 172. 632 (1. 0475) Rials for lambing frequency, 6, 520. 575 (0. 95228) Rials for lambing rate, 7, 969 (0. 9164) Rials for lamb survival rate to weaning, 8, 150. 719 (1. 1903) Rials for kid survival rate to yearling, 6, 847. 3565 (1. 00) Rials for lamb live weight at sale, and-2610 (-1. 93) Rials for body weight of sheep. In revenue per cost method the average economic values of aforementioned traits in all systems was 0. 677, 0, 683, 0. 646, 0. 592, 0. 711, 0. 726, 0. 566,-0. 293, respectively. The sensitivity of economic values to changes in prices of input parameters was low and to changes of prices in output parameters was high. Since the input parameters used in this study were collected from a wide range of management and climates conditions, estimated economic values could be used for designing the appropriate selection index for Kordi sheep.

The present experiment conducted to investigate the effect of processing broiler litter with different levels of tannin extracted from pomegranate peel on in vitro rumen digestion and fermentation, rumen fungi and bacteria growth using completely randomized design in Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Dietary treatments were adding pomegranate peel extract to broiler litter at levels 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 percent of dietary dry matter (DM). The gas and potential of gas production were constant with increasing level of pomegranate peel extract up to 20 and 15 percent, respectively. Rate of gas production was similar between treatments, except for diets containing 20 and 35 percent of pomegranate peel extract which decreased significantly (p<0. 05). Increasing the level of pomegranate peel extract decreased rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration, but increased partitioning factor, microbial protein production and efficiency of microbial protein compared to control diet (p<0. 05). Highest and lowest two-step crude protein digestibility was observed in diets containing 15 and 35 percentage pomegranate peel extract, respectively (p<0. 05). After three days incubation of diets in specific rumen bacteria medium with increasing level of pomegranate peel extract, DM digestibility and ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased (p<0. 05). Dry matter digestibility in all of investigated times were constant by incubation of treatments containing pomegranate peel extract in specific rumen fungi medium. According to the results, processing of broiler litter with pomegranate peel extract up to 25% of dry matter has potential to improve nitrogen metabolism in ruminants without any negative effects on nutrients digestibility.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pomegranate Seed Pulp (PSP) containing long-chain fatty acids with L-carnitine (LC) on performance and carcass traits of 32 Mahabadi male kids. Experimental diets were (1) diet without PSP and LC, (2) diet with 10% PSP kg/DMI and without LC, (3) diet without PSP and with 300 ppm LC kg/DMI, and (4) diet with 10% PSP and 300 ppm LC kg/DMI. Kids were slaughtered at the end of study and carcass characteristics were measured. Addition of PSP and LC in diet decreased kidney fat (p<0. 05). The kids fed with PSP and LC supplement had higher fat digestibility than other treatments (p<0. 05). Furthermore, the use of PSP in the diet decreased the feed cost per kg of hot carcass (p=0. 05). The results of this study indicated that replacing a part of dietary cereal grains with PSP and LC supplement decreased kidney fat. Also, the simultaneous use of LC and PSP increased apparent digestibility of fat, and showed numerically higher performance. According to the results of this study, the PSP can be used as an economical byproduct without negative effects on performance, and along with LC in the diet of kids it will reduce kidney fat as well.

Effects of castration of male Morkhoz kids on quality characteristics of biceps femoris muscle and tissues composition of thigh were studied based on a completely randomized design (2 treatments and 4 replicates). Sixteen males were fed for 119 days and kids in the second treatment were castrated one week prior to the adaptation period. Results showed that muscularity in the femur region was significantly higher in the control (intact) group (p<0. 05). Morkhoz kids castration decreased moisture and increased fat percentages (p<0. 05). Castration significantly increased palmitic acid percentage and declined total desirable fatty acids percentage and (C18: 0+C18: 1)/C16: 0 ratio in intramuscular fat of the biceps femoris muscle (p<0. 05). Results showed that Morkhoz kids castration, with respect to the amount and composition of fatty acids, wouldn’ t be compatible with human health.

Effect of supplementation of monensin (Mon), chromium (Cr) and their interaction in close-up period was investigated on 30 pregnant multiparous dairy cows in a completely randomized design with four treatments. Treatments were (1) un-supplemented cows (CON), (2) Mon supplemented cows (400 mg Mon/d), (3) Cr supplemented cows (0. 03 mg Cr/metabolic BW), (4) Mon-Cr supplemented cows (400 mg Mon/d plus 0. 03 mg Cr/metabolic BW). The production and fertility parameters were recorded. Dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition as well as open days did not show significant difference among treatments. Placenta delivery time was earlier in supplemented cows with Mon-Cr (120 min) compared to the control group (243. 1 min; p<0. 05). The results showed that although supplementation of Mon and Cr did not separately improve measured parameters in the preset study, supplementation of diet with both Mon and Cr could reduce placenta delivery time and hence could improve retained placenta in fresh cows.

The effects of different dietary levels of Olive Leaf Powder (OLP) as a natural antioxidant on growth performance, carcass traits, some blood parameters, small intestinal morphology and feed digestibility in broiler using a total of 300 one-day-old Cobb500 broilers were studied in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 3 replicates and 20 chicks for each replicate, up to 42 d. The experimental diets included corn-soybean meal basal diet (negative control), basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg of alpha-Tocopheryl acetate (positive control) and three basal diets containing 2, 2. 5 and 3 percent OLP. The results showed that during total experimental period (1-42 d), weight gain was decreased (p<0. 05) in OLP received groups in comparison with positive control. Feed intake during 1-42 d period was decreased (p<0. 05) in group which was treated by 3% OLP in comparison with positive control group. In starter period, feed conversion ratio was increased (p<0. 05) in all groups treated by OLP in comparison with negative and positive controls. Dietary inclusion of different levels of OLP increased (p<0. 05) length of villi, crypt depth and villus surface in comparison with the negative or positive controls. A significant decrease (p<0. 05) was observed in serum concentrations of the triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins in OLP treated groups in comparison with negative or positive controls. Based on the results, dietary inclusion of OLP up to 2% in the broiler diets is recommendable, because it reduces blood lipids and also improves intestinal morphology.

The effect of different sources of insoluble fiber on performance, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits and cecal microbial population was studied with 320 day-old chickens, Ross 308 broilers from 1 to 24 days of age in a completely randomized design by 4 treatments, 4 replicates, and 20 chickens in each replication. Experimental treatments include control (corn-soybean meal) which was diluted by 3% of treated wheat straw, sunflower and soy hulls. Feed intake was not affected by treatments from 1 to 24 days of age. Body weight gain increased in treated wheat straw group relative to soy hull group. In addition, feed conversion was improved in broiler feeding by treated wheat straw compared to sunflower and soy hulls (p<0. 05) but its difference with control treatment was not significant. Weight of the GIT organs and gizzard characteristics was not affected by treatments at 24 days of age. Insoluble fiber sources increased lactic acid bacteria (p<0. 05) and decreased Escherichia coli in the ceca realtive to control diet. Based on current results, diet dilution with 3% insoluble fiber did not have negative effect on growth performance but improved beneficial ceca microflora in broiler chickens.

The effects of seeds and whole plant powder and extract of Milk thistle (MT) plant in reducing the negative effects of feeding 500 ppb aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on broiler chickens performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters were examined using 192 one-day old chick (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design with six treatments, four replicates and 8 birds per repetition. The experimental treatments included (1) control, (2) contaminated control (CC), (3) CC + 0. 5% of MT seed powder, (4) CC + 1% MT plant powder, (5) CC + 600 mg/kg MT plant extract, (6) CC + 1000 mg/kg MT plant extract. Results indicated that feeding contaminated diet reduced body weight gain and increased the feed conversion ratio and alanine aminotransferase enzyme compared with control in whole experimental period (p≤ 0. 05). The inclusion of 1% MT plant powder to the contaminated diets improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio in 1-7, 7-21 days and whole experimental period (1-35 d) compared to the contaminated control (p≤ 0. 05). The addition of 0. 5% MT seed powder, 1% MT plant powder and 1000 mg/kg MT plant extract to the contaminated diets decreased alanine aminotransferase enzyme (at 35 d) compared to the contaminated control (p≤ 0. 05). It was concluded that compared to other treatments, 1% MT plant powder was more effective in reducing the negative effects of feeding AFB1 in broiler chickens.

The effect of two types of dietary acidifier-Globacid® and Greencab®-and their mixtures on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibilities and intestinal microflora in broilers were studied by using 128 one-day old Cobb 500 broiler chickens of either sex, four treatments and four replicates of eight chicks in each in a completely randomized disign. The experimental treatments consisted of a basal diet, diet containing basal diet + 0. 085% Globacid® , diet containing basal diet + 0. 035% Greencab® and diet containing basal diet + mixture of 0. 085% Globacid® and 0. 035% Greencab® . The effect of treatments on growth performance, carcass characteristics and intestinal microflora was not significant and the higher digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein in comparison to control diet was seen in treatment containing the mixture of Globacid® and Greencan® acidifiers. According to the results of this study, the dietary mixture of Globacid® and Greencan® acidifiers can be useful in broilers by improving dry matter, organic matter and crude protein digestibilities and decreasing feed intake trend.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplemented with zinc oxide (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg of diet) and Vit E (Vit E; α-tocopherol acetate; 0 and 40 IU/kg of diet) on fertility and hatchability of Japanese quails, and growth performance and immune response of their progenies. A total of 960 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) 70 d of age were housed in cages and randomly allocated to 10 treatments with 4 replicates of 24 birds in each (16 females and 8 males). Dietary supplemented zinc and Vit E significantly increased hatchability (p≤ 0. 05). There was a significant effect of Vit E on breeder quails fertility, while zinc supplementation was reduced embryonic mortality at the second stage (10-16 d; p≤ 0. 05). Supplemental zinc significantly improved feed conversion ratio of offspring in the first three weeks of age, while added Vit E improved feed conversion ratio only in the first week of offspring growth (p≤ 0. 05). Dietary supplementation of Japanese quail’ s ration with zinc and Vit E increased immune response of offspring, and enriched Zn content of tibia bone of offspring increased with zinc supplementation. In conclusion, supplementing breeder Japanese quails ration with zinc and Vit E improved hatchability and growth performance and immune response of offspring.

The impact of the conditioning process (steam and dry) and processed sodium bentonite (SB) in pellet diet on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood metabolites of broiler chickens in growing period was investigated. For this purpose, 810 day-old male broiler chickens, Ross 308 strain were used. A completely randomized experiment in a 3×3 factorial framework with three types of feed conditionings (without conditioning (dry), 2 minutes steam-conditioning and 4 minutes steam-conditioning) and three levels of sodium bentonite as a pellet binder (0, 0. 75 and 1. 5 percent) in with nine treatments and six replicates was explored. Processing form alone had a significant effect on the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (p<0. 05), so the best feed conversion ratio was observed in two minutes of the steam processing (1. 33) and 1. 5% of sodium bentonite (1. 39). The effects of processing, the level of sodium bentonite and their interactions were not significant on feed intake. The effect of processing type on cholesterol and HDL was significant, and the interaction effects of conditioning and G-bind showed a significant effect on serum VLDL of the birds (p<0. 05) and the best VLDL was related to 0 minutes steam conditioning and without G-bind. Except for the relative weight of the liver, relative weight of any of the various parts of the carcass and inner organs was not affected by treatments. In general, the 2 min steam improves feed conversion ratio and performance of broilers in the growing period.

In order to determine the estimating equations of the apparent metabolisable energy corrected for the nitrogen (AMEn) in Iranian wheat cultivars and to compare these equations with the equation provided by NRC1994 as well as information of the NRC1994 table, two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, the regression equations predicting AMEn for broiler chickens at age 10 and 24 days were evaluated by using 12 different Iranian wheat cultivars in two consecutive crop years and corresponding chemical composition and their AMEn. In order to verify the authenticity and accuracy the results of first experiment, a second experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replicates and using 256 ten days-old chicks Ross308. Wheat AMEn in the second experiment was calculated using four methods: 1. NRC1994 Table, 2. Regression equation provided by NRC1994, 3. Biological methods in these study, 4. Regression equations of the first trial. In the first experiment, regression equations used for predicting AMEn of wheat at 10 and 24 days of age were as follows: AMEn=37. 289 NFE and AMEn=41. 859 NFE. In the second experiment, the highest average live weight at 42 days belongs to the birds in fourth treatment (2542 g) and lowest weight in first treatment (2266 g). Traits related to performance in biological methods and equations obtained in the first experiment were better than the treatments derived from the regression equation by NRC and NRC tables (p<0. 05). Our results suggest that applying the regression equations presented in the current study to estimate the AMEn of wheat is more accurate in formulating diet.

The aim of this experiment was to assess the effects of encapsulated oregano oil on microbial population, morphology, length and weight of different parts of digestive tract of Aryan broiler chicks. A total of 625 Arian broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized trail with 5 treatments and 5 replicates at the age of 1 to 42 days. Treatments were including 1. basal diet (negative control), 2. basal diet+probiotic (0. 1 g Protexin/kg), 3. basal diet+antibiotic (0. 15 g Avilamycin/kg), 4. basal diet+oregano oil (0. 2 g/kg), and 5. basal diet+encapsulated oregano oil (1 g/kg). The results showed that broiler performance at the end of 42 days was not affected by treatments (p<0. 05). The highest lactobacillillus colony numbers were observed in encapsulated oregano oil. The length of duodenum in probiotics group was lower than others groups (p<0. 05). The length and weight of other parts of digestive tract except ileum weight were not affected by dietary treatments (p>0. 05). Finally, according to result of intestinal microbial count, it seems that encapsulated oregano essential oil can improve the intestine microbial population and bird's health.

In this study, the effect of fat source and type of growth promoting additives in laying hens diets on productive performance and egg quality traits was investigated. This experiment was conducted in a (2×3) factorial experiment, 108 ninety-six week-old Hy-Line W-36 laying hens treated with two fat sources (yellow grease and fat powder) and three types of growth promoting additives (none-additive, probiotic and antibiotic) for 12 weeks. The birds were allocated randomly to six treatments with six replicates (3 birds per replicate). Results showed that none of the performance variables (egg production rate, egg mass, average egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio) were affected by the supplemental fat sources (p> 0. 05). The addition of probiotic in feed resulted in significant reductions in feed intake, egg production and egg mass as well as in yolk percent (p< 0. 05). Interaction between fat source and growth promoting additive type as well as the main effect of fat type on egg shell thickness was significant. Thus, it could be concluded that the quality of egg shell is affected by the type of fat during the late stages of production. On the other hand, it cannot be ignored that the use of supplemental probiotic reduced feed intake, egg production and egg mass.

The goal of this paper was to study the effect of ginger extracts and vitamin E on the performance of ovine Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs). For this purpose, different concentrations of hydro and hydroethanolic extracts of ginger and vitamin E on viability, colony formation and expression of inhibiting (bcl2ll and bcl2) and inducing (bax) apoptosis genes were studied. Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs) were extracted from lamb testes with slaughterhouse origin using two steps enzymatic digestion method and enrichment by differential plating method. The characterization of SSCs was carried by alkaline phosphatase staining and expression of c-kit and oct-4 genes. Results have shown that the viability of SSCs was decreased significantly by using more than 800 μ g/mL of hydroethanolic extract of ginger, in comparision with control group (p<0. 05), while 800 μ g/mL of hydro extract of ginger has been resulted to be the most viable cells, and increasing the vitamin E concentration (upto 100 μ g/mL) resulted to be the most survival of SSCs. Expression of bax in effective concentration of hydro extract of ginger (150 μ g/mL) and vitamin E (50 μ g/mL) was decreased, but hydroethanolic extract of ginger (150 μ g/mL) and higher concentration of hydro extract of ginger (more than 800 μ g/mL) increased the expression od bax. Based on the results of current study, 150 μ g/mL of aqueous extract of ginger or 50 μ g/mL of vitamin E can be used to improve ovine SSC culture system.

To examine the possible role of maternal effect on progeny immune system development, the injection effects of the Khazak yolk into the yolk of the commercial Ross egg on the performance, immunity and expression of TLR4 was determined in a commercial Ross chicken. For this purpose, 150 Ross fertile eggs were randomly assigned to two experimental groups including group I (control in-ovo Ross yolk injection) and group II (in-ovo Khazak yolk injection) and were kept in incubator for three weeks. After incubation period, newly hatched chickens were fed with balanced ration for six weeks. Three chickens from each experimental group were killed at 27-and 42-d post hatch for analysis of immune organs weight (liver, burs and thymus), the HI anti-body titer levels and liver TLR4 mRNA expression levels. The results of statistical analysis demonstrated that the in-ovo injection of Khazak yolk into the Ross eggs not only significantly enhances growth rate and immune function but also decreases expression of TLR4 mRNA in the liver of treated group compared with the control group (p˂ 0. 05). Based on these results, it's possible that injection of Khazak yolk into the Ross eggs at the first day of embryonic development enhances the chicken immune response at older ages.