Journal of Animal Production
Year:2021 | Volume:23 | Issue:1|Papers Count:13

The aim of this study was to identify the allelic variants of C4-A and LF genes and to investigate their associations with the nunber of milk somatic cells in Holstein cows. Mastitis is one of the most common diseases in dairy cows, that reduces milk production and imposes high costs on breeders. C4-A and lactoferrin genes are amonge the genes that affect the immune system to fight pathogens, microbial agents and mastitis. 384 blood samples were prepared from Holstein cows and DNA extraction was performed using optimized salting out method. IPLEX technique was used to determine the genotype of the samples. To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms, the marker sites of 1-rs137485678; C

To study the effects of replacing canola meal with black seed meal on performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics, eighteen male lambs (with initial BW, 29. 5 ± 1. 5 kg and 110 ± 7 days of age) were used in a completely randomized design with 3 different treatments over 90 days. Experimental treatments were: 1) control; diet containing 9% canola meal, 2) diet containing 4. 5 % canola meal plus 4. 5 % black seed meal and 3) diet containing 9 % black seed meal. The amount of dry matter, ash, crude protein, fat, NDF, ADF, and ADIN of black seed meal was 92. 60 ± 0. 58, 7. 24± 0. 27, 35. 8± 1. 0, 12. 31± 0. 51, 24. 56± 1. 24, 13. 0± 0. 79 and 2. 15± 0. 17, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatments for digestibility of organic matter, NDF, fat and protein. Daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, daily weight gain, final body weight, carcass efficiency, weight of liver, heart, kidney and testis were not differed between experimental groups. However, lambs fed with black seed meal had lower level of subcutaneous fat, tail-fat and total body fat deposition compared to control group (P<0. 05). Feeding 9% black seed meal increased blood total protein and albumin concentration compared to the other experimental groups (P<0. 05). The results of this study showed that it could be feasible to use black seed meal up to 9% in finishing lamb diet.

The effects of different levels of mild metabolic acidosis by anionic diet on the performance of transition dairy cows were investegieted in 12 cows from 3 weeks (wk) before calving. One wk before calving, cows assigned to two groups according to urine pH (UpH) to recommended level (R UpH=6. 2 to 7) and less than 6. 3 (low UpH). The average prepartum urine pH was 6. 7 and 5. 8 for R UpH and low UpH groups, respectively (P<0. 01). The prepartum serum concentration of Ca was not affected by the experimental groups, but significantly increased in the low UpH group within 2 h after calving. A trend was observed for higher serum concentration of phosphorus in the low UpH cows before calving. Although no significant difference was observed in prepartum DMI, but postpartum DMI and milk production were higher during wk 1 after calving in low UpH group (P<0. 05). Total concentrations of protein and globulin were decreased on the day before calving in low UpH group. Also, after calving the concentrations of BUN, total protein, globulin, and milk protein were lower in this group of cows (P<0. 05). Therefore, the induction of higher levels of metabolic acidosis in comparison to the recommended level before calving, can improve serum concentration of Ca and performance of transition cows.

In the present study, the chemical composition and nutritional value of quinoa crop residues were determined using insitu and invitro gas production techniques in comparison with alfalfa hay. After harvesting, whole quinoa plants were dried at environmental temperature, the seeds were separated, and the crop residues were used for the experiment. The results showed that the content of gross energy, dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and lignin of quinoa was higher than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). Crude protein concentration of quinoa (12. 29%) was lower than alfalfa hay (14. 32%). The main part of the tannin in quinoa was hydrolysable. Although the degradation rate and post-ruminal digestibility of quinoa and alfalfa hay were similar, ruminal, and total tract digestibility of quinoa were lower than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). No significant differences were found in gas production rate (c) between quinoa and alfalfa hay, however, it’ s gas production potential (b) was lower than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). Organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy and net energy of lactation in quinoa crop residues were also lower than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). Based on the results of this study, quinoa crop residues have suitable nutritional potential for replacing part of the forage to meet part of the nutritional requirements of ruminant feeds. However, invivo studies are recommended to determine it’ s appropriate level in the diet.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ruminal pH-adjusting additives on histomorphometry and histopathology of rumen-reticulum and liver tissues. Twenty-four Arabi male lambs with three to four months old and initial body weight of 23. 9± 3. 15 kg were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments and eight replicates in a period of 77 days. The experimental treatments consisted of a control diet, control diet + sodium bicarbonate buffer (buffer), and control diet + Megasphaera elsdenii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bacterial-yeast). At the end of the experiment, lambs were slaughtered and samples were taken from the liver and gastrointestinal tract for tissue studies. Rumen-reticulum wall thickness in the buffer receiving lambs was greater than that of control group (P<0. 05). The thickness of the rumen-reticulum epithelium in the buffer and bacterial-yeast receiving lambs was less than the control group (P<0. 05). Rumen-reticulum papillae thickness was higher in control than other treatments (P<0. 05). The thickness of reticulum tunica muscularis in the buffer treatment was higher than other treatments (P<0. 05). Periportal hepatitis was seen mildly in the liver of bacterial-yeast receiving lambs. In according to the results of the present experiment, the use of pH regulators, especially bacterial-yeast, in lambs fed with high concentrate levels, in terms of histopathology, reduce tissue damages in the rumen-reticulum and liver and improve tissue structure of rumen-reticulum.

The effects of replacement of alfalfa hay and wheat straw with different levels of tarragon plant stalk (TPS) on feed intake, digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, and blood and rumen parameters of sheep were investigated using four Kermani male sheep (BW= 45± 2 kg) with approximately three years old in a Latin square design with four 21-day periods. The experimental diets were: 1) control diet (without TPS), 2) diet containing 8% TPS, 3) diet containing 16% TPS and 4) diet containing 24% TPS (DM basis). Dry matter intake, and dietary digestibility of DM, OM and CP were not affected by feeding of TPS in the present research. The amounts of nitrogen intake, nitrogen excreted in the urine and feces, the amount and percentage of retained nitrogen, ruminal pH, ruminal concentrations of NH3-N and volatile fatty acids, and protozoa population were not affected by experimental diets. Feeding different levels of TPS had no effect on, microbial protein synthesis, and concentrations of blood glucose, total protein, urea nitrogen, triglyceride and cholesterol. Results of this study showed that tarragon plant stalk could be replaced with alfalfa hay and wheat straw up to 24% (DM basis) in sheep diet without any effect on ruminal fermentation, blood parameters or feed intake.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of reducing dietary ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA) on dry matter intake, yield and milk composition, ovarian performance and blood concentrations of estradiol and progesterone using 24 multiparous Holstein cows. Experimental treatments including different n-6 to n-3 EFA ratio; namely, 2. 5, 4. 5, or 6. 5 parts of n-6 to 1 part of n-3 EFA. Dry matter intake and milk yield of cows were recorded daily. Also, body condition score and milk composition were recorded and ovarian activity was monitored by transrectal ultrasound scanning. Dry matter intake and milk composition were not affected by treatments. Daily milk yield was significantly higher in low and medium n-6/n-3 FA ratio diets in comparison to high diet (P<0. 05). Cows assigned to high n-6/n-3 FA ratio diet had greater plasma Haptoglobin concentrations compared to other diets (P<0. 05). Results indicated that number of large follicles was greater in medium diet than high diet (P<0. 05). Progestrone concentration was significantly decrease in high diet treatment (P<0. 05). Results of this study indicate that modulating dietary n-6/n-3 FA ratio could lead to a higher milk yield and improve ovarian performance in fresh cows.

The effects of feeding fermented cottonseed meal on performance, egg quality characteristics, gastrointestinal microbial population, and blood serum parameters were studied in a completely randomized design with nine treatments, six replicates, and 12 birds per replication using 648 Hy-Line W-36 laying hens. Raw cottonseed meal was fermented with a liquid mixed culture containing Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a ratio of one to 1. 2. The experimental treatments included replacing 7. 5, 15, 22. 5, and 30 percent of the raw or fermented cottonseed meal with soybean meal in the diet. After seven days of fermentation, free gossypol content of cottonseed meal was reduced from 985 to 107 mg/kg (P<0. 05). The use of different levels of fermented cottonseed meal in the diet increased egg production percentage and egg mass and decreased feed conversion ratio compared to raw cottonseed meal (P <0. 05). The eggshell strength in hens fed diets containing fermented cottonseed meal was higher than control birds and chickens receiving diets containing raw cottonseed (P <0. 05). Feeding the diets containing different levels of fermented cottonseed meal significantly increased lactic acid bacteria population in crop and cecal of laying hens (P <0. 05). Blood cholesterol concentration was lower in birds receiving diets containing fermented cottonseed meal than in other birds (P <0. 05). The results of this research showed that replacing fermented cotton meal up to 30% with soybean meal in the diet of laying hens improves the parameters of eggshell quality, microbial flora in the gastrointestinal tract, and blood cholesterol of laying hens without negatively affecting performance.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of two types of omega-3 calcium fat powders with animal and vegetable origin on productive performance, reproductive and egg quality of broiler breeder hens by using 60 hens and 20 roosters (65 weeks), in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates for two months. Experimental treatments were: 1-control (without fat powder); 2-1. 5% animal omega-3 calcium fat powder based on fish oil; 3-3% animal omega-3 calcium fat powder based on fish oil; 4-1. 5% vegetable omega-3 calcium fat powder based on flaxseed oil; 5-3% vegetable omega-3 calcium fat powder based on flaxseed oil. Egg production percentage and economic benefit of hens fed with diets containing 1. 5% animal and vegetable fat powders were greater than hens that received 3% of them (p<0. 05). The highest concentration of yolk docosahexaenoic acid and docosahepanthanoic acid were in eggs of hens fed with diet containing 3% animal and vegetable fat powder and the lowest concentration of linolenic acid was in the yolk of eggs obtained from control hens or hens fed with diet containing 1. 5% animal fat powder (P<0. 05). The lowest percentage of hatchability and the highest omega-6: omega-3 ratio were related to hens received control diet (P<0. 05). Based on current results, adding animal or vegetable omega-3 calcium fat powder at the level of 1. 5% in old broiler breeder hen’ s diet, without negative effect on performance, improve hatchability and yolk fatty acid composition and is economically more affordable.

In order to investigate the effect of Savory and Ajwain essential oils on performance and the quality of produced eggs in the challenged hens with Salmonella Enteritidis, 100 Hy-Line W-36 laying hens with 44-week-olds, in a randomized complete block design were studied for 13 weeks. Treatments included negative control, positive control, antibiotic: 0. 15g oxyvet per kilogram of basal diet, Savory essential oil, and Ajwain essential oil ((1g per kilogram of the basal diet). All experimental groups except negative control were challenged with 1 mL of suspension solution containing 1×107 CFU/mL Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria by oral gavage in the ninth week. Quantitative and qualitative parameters were evaluated at the end of each week, and before and after the challenge, respectively. Challenge with Salmonella Enteritidis had no significant effect on laying hen performance and egg quality. Before the challenge, antibiotic and essential oils of two medicinal plants reduced feed intake and egg weight compared to the control group; and reduced feed intake and feed conversion ratio after the challenge (P<0. 05). In the pre-challenge period, all three treatments, especially the essential oil of Ajwain, reduced the albumen Haugh unit (P<0. 05). After the challenge, Savory essential oil reduced yolk cholesterol content; and essential oils of two medicinal plants decreased yolk lipid oxidation in both pre-and post-challenge periods (P<0. 05). The results of this study showed that the essential oils of two medicinal plants increase the quality of produced eggs by reducing egg yolk MDA and cholesterol levels.

The effects of chicory root powder on performance, digestibility, immune system and carcass characteristics of broilers were investigated using 360 pieces of Ross 308 strain day-old broiler chicks (male and female), in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replicates and in a growth period of 1-42 days of age. The experimental treatments were consisted of a basal diet and diets containing the levels of 0. 25, 0. 50, and 0. 75 percentages ofchicory root powder. Feed intake and weight of birds were measured periodically and body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated. Nutrient digestibilities were measured at 33-36 days of age. The use of chicory root powder in the feed of broilers caused an improvement in feed conversion ratio at 1-14 and 28-42 days of age (P<0. 05), but had no significant effect on perfomance traits in the whole of experimental period. The digestibility of protein and fat in broilers fed with 0. 75% chicory root powder were higher than the other diets (P<0. 05). The relative weight of liver decreased in broilers fed with chicory root powder (P<0. 05). Feeding of broiler chickens with 0. 25 percent dietary chicory root powder increased the number of lymphocytes and decreased the number of heterophils (P<0. 05). According to the results of this experiment, the use of 0. 25, 0. 50 and 0. 75% chicory root powder in broiler ration does not have significant effect on production performance of broiler chickens but improves the immune system activity of broilers.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of different dietary n-6: n-3 fatty acid (FA) ratio on performance, egg quality, some blood and reproductive parameters of Japanese quails breeder. A total of 720 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments, six replicates and 24 birds (16 females and eight males) in each replicate. Dietary treatments were control (n-6: n-3 FA ratio were 13: 1) and different n-6: n-3 FA ratios (1: 1, 3: 1, 6: 1 and 9: 1). The results showed that, quails fed diet with n-6: n-3 FA ratio of 1: 1 had the highest feed intake in comparison with the others (P <0. 05). Egg mass of quail was increased significantly when their diets containing n-6: n-3 FA ratio of 6: 1, in comparison with 9: 1 and control (P <0. 05). The birds fed diets containing n-6: n-3 FA ratio of 1: 1 and 6: 1 had higher eggs Haugh unit rather than control (P <0. 05). Feeding quails with diets containing n-6: n-3 FA ratio of 1: 1 to 9: 1 reduced serum triglyceride concentration compared to the control group. Blood cholesterol concentration of birds that fed diets containing n-6: n-3 FA ratio of 1: 1 and 6: 1 was lower than control and blood glucose was the highest in the birds that fed diets containing n-6: n-3 FA ratio of 1: 1 (P <0. 05). The results of this experiment showed that the use of dietary n-6: n-3 FA ratio of 6: 1 in breeder quail diets can improves production performance.

The effect of levels of coenzyme Q10 on performance, carcass characteristics, some blood parameters, immune system, organoleptic properties of meat and gastrointestinal tract development of Japanese quails, was conducted using 605 one-day old Japanese quails in a completely randomized design with 11 treatments and 5 replicates from1 to 35 days of age. The experimental treatments included negative control, control, positive control and dietary levels of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 210 mg/kg coenzyme Q10. The feed intake, feed conversion ratio and daily weight gain were measured in whole experimental period. The antibody titers against Newcastle and influenza vaccines and also sheep red blood cells were measured at 30 day of age. The feed conversion ratio was lower in treatment containing 210 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 than negative control treatment (P<0. 01). The antibody titers against Newcastle and influenza and also SRBC were significantly increased as dietary level of coenzyme Q10 increased (P<0. 01). The blood urea nitrogen concentration decreased by consumption of diets containing coenzyme Q10 than that of negative control treatment (P<0. 01). The concentration of red and white blood cells and ileal crypts depth of quails fed diets containing coenzyme Q10 were higher than birds of negative control group (P<0. 01). The meat redness and lightness showed improvement in quails fed diet containing 210 mg/kg of coenzyme Q10 in compared with birds of negative control treatment (P<0. 01). Based on the results of this study, the addition of coenzyme Q10 up to the level of 210 mg/kg in the diet of Japanese quails improves the performance, blood parameters, immune system, and organoleptic properties of meat.