Animal Science Journal
Year:2011 | Volume:24 | Issue:3 (92)|Papers Count:7

In order to assess effects of phase-feeding on growth performance of broiler chicks, an experiment was conducted for 45 days period. This study was conducted in 3×2 factorial arrangement with 5 replications each with 8 broiler chicks (Ross 308) in a completely randomize design. First factor in this study was diet changing phase (including 3, 5 and 9 phase), for each group a CP decrease in different phases occurred that number of changing phases is as below. First group three phase (once per 15 days), second group five phase (once per 9 days) and last group nine phase (once per 5 days). Second factor was level of diet CP (including low density (L) and high density (H)), in high and low density group, level of diets CP at the beginning of growth period was 21% and 20% that decrease gradually to 17% and 18% respectively at the end of period. Daily weight gain and carcass characteristics (Eviscerated carcass, % of live weight, percentage of different parts of carcass and abdominal fat) was not affected with different factors. Feed intake, feed efficiency, feed cost per unit weight gain and protein efficiency were optimized with increase in phase of diet changing (P<0.01). Diet protein density dose not affected on feed intake, protein intake and protein efficiency. Feed efficiency and feed cost per unit weight gain were optimized with decrease of diet crude protein density (P<0.01).

Wolf (Canis lupus) of main predator for artiodactyla and its impact on the use of artiodactyla habitats will be determined while this species actual and potential habitats are determined. In order to achieve this goal, habitat modeling tools can be appropriate. In this study, Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) method was used to determine habitat suitability and Ecological Niche of wolf in Kola Ghazi Natural Park. Kola Ghazi Natural Park is located 26 kilometers southeast of Isfahan. ENFA is used species presence and habitat variables. In this study, Biomapper software was used to perform habitat modeling and FRAGSTATS, IDRISI15 and ARC view3.2 software was used to prepare of habitat variables. The results showed that wolves in kola ghazi Natural Park has a high tolerance to environmental variables and in other words this species tolerate wide range of environmental variables and they exist in intermediate of habitat variables. Wild goat distribution, slop, mountainous areas, water resource and wild sheep are important effective parameters on the distribution of wolf.

In order to evaluate effects of gamma irradiation on ruminal dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability, in vitro CP digestibility, anti-nutritional factors and chemical composition of native rapeseed meal (NRM) and canola meal (CM), present study was carried out. Bags were filled with untreated or irradiated NRM and CM at doses of 15, 30 and 45 kGy, then incubated in the rumen of three ruminally fistulated Taleshi bulls for periods of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h and resulting data were fitted to non-linear degradation model to calculate degradation kinetics of DM and CP. Digestibility of rumen undegraded CP was estimated using the three-step in vitro procedure. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to monitor protein subfractions and the fate of true proteins of untreated and gamma irradiated NRM and CM in the rumen. The phytic acid of NRM and CM decreased (P<0.05) as irradiation doses increased, but irradiation up to 30 kGy decreased (P<0.05) the total glucosinolate content of NRM and CM. g-irradiation had no effect on chemical composition of NRM and CM. The washout fractions and effective degradability of DM and CP decreased (P<0.05) and potentially degradable fractions of DM and CP of NRM and CM increased (P<0.05) as irradiation doses increased. Gamma irradiation increased (P<0.05) in vitro CP digestibility of NRM and CM. Electrophoresis results of NRM and CM revealed that gamma irradiation at doses of 30 and 45 kGy reduced degradability of cruciferin and especially napin subunits in the rumen. In conclusion, gamma irradiation reduced ruminal degradability of protein and anti-nutritional factors of NRM and CM and increased in vitro CP digestibility of them at doses higher than 15 kGy.

The aim of this study was take advantages of usefulness potential microsatellite markers in detect Persian partridge Genetic Structure and population variability for the first time. The chukar partridge population was collected from Semnan & Fars province that keeping in Animal Science Research Institute of Iran (ASRI).The number of 120 blood samples were collected and DNA was isolated using Optimized and Modified Salting-out method. eight microsatellite markers using in this study was Aru1F114, Aru1E97, Aru1E102, Aru1E66, Aru1B3, Aru1G4, Aru1M127 & Aru1J76.The elements and thermal cycle for each locus was optimized before done PCR reaction. After PCR amplification, microsatellite alleles were identified on 8% denaturing polyacrylamide gels, followed by AgNO3 staining so partridges had been genotyped. Data analyses consist of several parameters of population genetics were done using GENEPOP 3.1.All of locus tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by chi-square (X2) and likelihood ratio (G2). All loci except Aru1E102 were deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in population (P<0.05). The entire loci were polymorphic. The most number of observed alleles were in Aru1E97 with 14 alleles and the lowest number of alleles were in Aru1F114, Aru1M127 & Aru1J76 with 4 alleles. The average observed number of alleles, Shannon’s Information index & Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) were 6.3750, 1.4568 and 0.6567 respectively. The average observed heterozygosity was 0.4522 and average expected heterozygosity was obtained 0.7017.Results of Genetic variation in Persian partridge population as comparison with other exotic similar studies, detect suitable variation value in Persian native partridge population.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of using different levels of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) medicinal plant on performance in broilers and laying hens. The levels of pennyroyal in each of these two experiments were 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent. In 1st experiment 300 Ross- 308 broilers in 5 treatments and 3 replicates (with 20 birds in each replicate) for 42 days and in 2th experiment 180 Hy- line (W36) laying hens in 5 treatments and 3 replicates (with 12 hen in each replicate) from 60-72 weeks of age were used in completely randomized design. The results showed that the using of different levels of pennyroyal medicinal plant has significantly effects on performance in broilers and laying hens (p>0.05). In broilers the highest amount of daily weight gain (46.24 g), the best feed conversion ratio (1.69) and the lowest percent of heart (0.84) and in laying hens the highest amount of specific gravity (1.083) were observed in experiment group 2 by using 0.5 percent of pennyroyal medicinal plant. Also, in broilers the highest percent of breast (33.29) and lowest percents of thighs (25.43) and in laying hens the highest amount of egg albumin weight (44.51g) and egg yolk weight (21.31g) were observed in experiment group 3 by using 1 percent of pennyroyal medicinal plant. The overall results showed that the using of 0.5 and 1 percents of pennyroyal medicinal plant lead to improving performance in broilers and laying hens.

In the present research some reproductive traits in Holstein cows of Khoramdareh agro-industry were studied. The data set comprised of 10, 891 records collected from 23 years (1988 to 2010) by animal breeding centre, Iran. The total number of animals in the pedigree file was 16/087. Genetic and phenotypic parameters using soft WOMBAT software and restricted maximum likelihood method under animal models and a multivariate trait was estimated. Genetic trend for each trait was estimated using SPSS programmer based upon regression of mean breeding value on year of calving. Phenotypic trend was also estimated based upon regression of phenotypic mean of the trait on year of calving. Levels of heritability from linear model for the traits age at first insemination (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), number of insemination resulted in conception (NSPC), open days (OD), pregnancy rate (PR), calving interval (CI), Non return rate to 90 days (NRR90) respectively 0.037, 0.016, 0.01, 0.032, 0.021, 0.051 and 0.034, respectively. Maximum genetic correlation between traits and open days and pregnancy rates between insemination number of days open and pregnancy, respectively, leading to -0.99 and 0/84 and the lowest genetic correlation between PR with NRR90 (0.001) respectively. Open days and pregnancy rate with the open days and NRR9 respectively Olsen -0.99 and 0.00 the highest and lowest phenotypic correlation showed. Genetic trend for the reproduction traits was between -0/009 for NRR90 and -0/04 for CI respectively. Phenotype trend for the about traits has lower trend for (0/002) NRR90 and (-0/74) for AFS respectively. Lower among environmental trend (-0/007) for NSPC and upper among environmental trend for AFS (-6/52) respectively.

Five hundred one-day old male chicks (Ross-308) were assigned based on a completely randomized design (CRD) and divided into 4 treatments with 5 replicates. Treatments were arranged in: Control group (plain water), 0.1 ml/lit (0.1%), 0.15 ml/lit (0.15%), and 0.2 ml/lit (0.2%) of thyme essence added to drinking water. Rations for all of the treatments were the same with respect of energy, protein minerals and other nutrients regarding to 3 growth phases including: 0-7, 8-21 and 22-42 days of rearing period. After day 7 chicks weighed and assigned to treatments randomly. Performance traits including: growth rate (average daily gain, feed intake and FCR) also economic efficacy and efficiency of energy and protein intake were calculated. Economic indices including point spread, performance index and production index were calculated base on the final data at the end of experiment. According to results feed intake, gain and FCR were different between groups significantly (p<0.05), so the thyme essence treatments had improved means comparing to control group. The most feed intake and average daily gain pertained to level of 0.2% thyme essence and the lowest to the control group. The highest gain per protein intake (kg/kg) and the lowest energy intake per average daily gain (cal ME/g) pertained to level of 0.2% thyme essence (p<0.05). Ratio of energy/protein was not significant between the treatments. Also the greatest economic indices including point spread, performance index and production index pertained to levels of 0.2 and 0.15 % thyme essence (p<0.05). As a final finding we can claims that using of drinking thyme essence at levels of 0.2 and 0.15 % could improve performance traits, energy and protein efficiency and economic indices in broiler chickens.