ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCHES (FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF TABRIZ)
Year:2021 | Volume:30 | Issue:4|Papers Count:8

Introduction: in order to digestion, absorption and transfer of nutrition to the body cells, sometime in addition to optimal and balanced nutrient compression, some feed additives are used in diet. Non edible feed additive are include a group of different compounds that can improve the production efficiency and maintain bird health (windisch et al, 2008). In recent years, interest in use medicinal plants as feed additive to replace antibiotic growth promotor has increased. The plant additive through effect on the micro flora of the gastro intestinal tract and the control pathogens improved growth. Components of essential oil have shown biological properties such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activity (windisch et al., 2008). Ferula assa-foetida is species rich in cumarin, especially sesquie terpen cumarin. Some biological studies have shown the antimicrobial activity and the antioxidant properties of the active ingredient in the plant. The mechanism action these compound is probably due the effect on the intestinal microbial population. (Dehpour et al., 2009). In this study, effect of Ferula assa-foetida gum powder, probiotic and antibiotic on performance and meat quality in broiler chicks were investigated. Material and method: In this research, 288 broiler chicks were tested in completely randomized design with 6 treatment and 4 replicate per treatment from 1 to 42 days. In each experimental unit 12 chicks were reared in the same environmental condition. Six experimental diets (treatments) were included: the basal diet without additives, basal diet containing 100 mg per kg of antibiotic, basal diet containing 0. 1, 0. 2 and 0. 3 percent of Ferula assa-foetida gum powder and basal diet containing 100ppm probiotic Basylakt. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly and mortality was recorded daily and then used to calculate the performance parameters. At the end of experiment (42 days), one bird from each replicate was killed to determine the concentration of malonedialdehyde (MAD), pH, water holding capacity, dripping loss and cooking loss in thigh meat. On day 21 and 35, two birds of each replicate 0. 1 ml SRBC (sheep red blood cell) suspension injected in breast muscles. Six days after each injection of red blood cells (days 27 and 41), about one ml of blood was taken from the same birds through the vein. Microtiter hemagglutination method was used to determine the antibody produced against RBC of sheep. Data from the experiment were analyzed in a completely randomized design by SAS software and comparison means were performed with using of Duncan’ s multiple range tests at 5% level. Result and discussion: The results showed that chicks fed with probiotic had higher daily weight gain and lower feed conversion ratio in total growth period. Howevert there was no significant different with treatment antibiotic and 0. 2 percent Ferula assa-foetida Gum Powder. In this experiment, feed intake and titer antibody against sheep red blood cells were not affected by any of the experimental treatments. Hoshmand moshaki et al (2013) Reported that adding 0. 15% Ferula assa-foetida Gum Powder in the diet broiler chicks increased the body weight gain and improve feed intake and feed conversion ratio than the control group. Also Hosseini et al (2013) reported that use of thyme, probiotic and avilamycine in the diet broiler chicks did not any significant effect on antibody titer against SRBC in experimental treatments. In this experiment, chicks fed with different levels Ferula assa-foetida Gum Powder had lower TBA than the control and antibiotic groups. pH was not affected by experimental treatment. The highest water holding capacity (WHC) was observed in treatment fed with 0. 2 percent Ferula assa-foetida Gum Powder that had significant different in compare to the control group. Dripping loss and cooking loss were decreased in treatment receiving 0. 2 percent Ferula assa-foetida Gum Powder compared with control group. Poultry meat is particularly prone to oxidative deterioration due to its high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid (Luna et al, 2010). In experiment Elias Hossain (2013) treatment fed with avylamycine and different level green tea ( 0. 5, 0. 1, 0. 2), pH, water hold capacity and dripping loss was not affected by experimental treatments, but cooking loss in treatment with 0. 2 percent green tea was lower the other groups. Conclusion: In this study use of 0. 2 percent Ferula assa-foetida Gum Powder and probiotic basylakt (100 ppm) in diet, improved performance and meat quality in the broiler chicks, thus they can be considered as possible antibiotic alternatives.

Introduction: Supplementation of vitamin E has shown to prevent disease and improve overall health and productive performance of farm animals (Liu et al. 2014). Moreover, vitamin E plays an important role in the reproductive performance of the animals (Liu et al. 2014). The vitamin E requirement may be defined as the amount required preventing peroxidation in the particular subcellular membrane which is most susceptible to peroxidation (Koyunku and Yerlikaya 2007). Little is known about the effects of vitamin E supplementation on specific reproductive events in sheep and goat. Most nutritionists assume that reproductive performance will not be limited when domestic animals are fed diets that meet the NRC levels. Fertilization in animals is an all or none phenomenon hence none or all ovulated eggs are fertilized. In general, three major variables of ovulation rates, embryonic survival and foetal survival rate contribute to the litter size (Koyunku and Yerlikaya 2007). The present experiment has been conducted in the two flocks with a history of relatively moderate fertility (90%) to examine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the number and total weight of lambs weaned. Material and methods: The experiment was conducted using 200 Lori-Bakhtiarii ewes (100 ewes per flock), with an average live body weight of 57. 5± 6. 7 kg and 2-7 years of age. The ewes in each flock were randomly divided into two groups, consisting of 50 ewes per group. Each group of ewes assigned to consume one of the two diets. Diets contained basal diet plus 250 gram per ewe barley grains (control) or basal diet plus 250 gram per ewe barley grains supplemented with vitamin E (500 IU). The basal diet was based on local feeds and pasture herbage ad libitum and the salt stone as free. The experiment started with the natural mating period in late summer. The 3 weeks feeding regimens started 2 weeks before ram introduction. The ewes from all groups were kept in the same shed and consisted as one flock while grazing. Ewes were placed in individual pens once daily to receive supplemental treatments. Ewes remained in individual pens until all trial supplements had been consumed. Ewes in each flock were mated to 10 fertile Lori-Bakhtiari rams during the breeding seasons of 34 days in late summer and early autumn. Weight and body condition score of ewes at mating were measured. Body condition scoring (BCS=1 for emaciated ewes to BCS=5 for obese ewes at 0. 5 interval) has been described by Russel et al. (1969). The body condition score of the ewes in this method was based on touching of the tips of both the spinous and the transverse processes of the vertebrae, and the fullness of fat and muscle cover over and around the vertebrae in the loin region. The animals were kept indoors from December to May and lambed indoors. Date of lambing, the number of lambs born, lambs birth weight, survival rate of lambs from birth to weaning and lambs weaning weight were recorded. Some combination traits as total lamb birth weight and total lamb weaning weight per exposed ewe were calculated. Data were analyzed using General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of SAS. Result and discussion: There were not any significance difference among the flocks and treatments on the ewe's body weight and body condition score of ewes at mating. Difference between control and vitamin E treatments with respect to the number of lambs born per ewe exposed to the rams was tended to be significant (P=0. 06). The number of lambs born per ewe exposed to the rams was not affected by flock, and body condition score of ewes at mating. Yearling ewes produced fewer lambs than older ewes but differences were not statistically significant. Mean of birth weight of lambs were not statistically differing between flocks, treatments, ewes body condition scores and ewes parity. Total birth weight of lambs per ewe exposed to the rams and per ewe lambing was different between treatments (P<0. 01) and higher in vitamin E treatment group. Total birth weight of lambs per ewe exposed to the rams was not affected by flock or ewe parity but, total birth weight of lambs per ewe lambing was differing between flocks (P<0. 01). Effects of body condition score on the total birth weight of lambs per ewe exposed to the rams and per ewe lambing were statistically significance (P<0. 05). The number of weaned lambs (P<0. 01), total lambs weaned weight per ewe exposed to the rams (P<0. 01) and total lambs weaned weight per ewe lambing (P<0. 05) were higher in vitamin E treatment than control group. There were not any significant differences among different flocks and different ewe parity on the number of lamb's weaned and total lambs weaning weight per ewe exposed to the rams and per ewe lambing. Body condition scores was influenced the number of lambs weaned and total lambs weaning weight per ewe exposed to the rams (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Data obtained in this study indicated that in the Lori-Bakhtiatri sheep, using supplemental vitamin E in the diet of ewes given before mating significantly increased the number of weaned lambs and total weight of weaning lambs per ewe exposed to the rams. These findings could further be used in exploring the frequency and amount of vitamin E supplementation for the improvement of ewes’ reproductive performance.

Introduction: On the one hand, among many types of bioactivities, plants secondary metabolites have repetitively demonstrated antibacterial and antimicrobial activities. On the other hand, the growing concerns over resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and chemical residues in animal derived foods have attracted the attention of many towards utilization of natural antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds. Phytochemicals exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities against a wide range of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. The antimicrobial properties of phytochemicals as feed additives have been explored in livestock production system (Patra 2012). In the recent decade, plant-extracted antibacterial biomolecules have successfully substituted antibiotics, other chemotherapeutic agents, and chemical and growth promoting antibiotic feed additives in many research studies. Of many classes of phytochemicals, saponins have shown various types of bioactivities including antibacterial effects. These biomolecules have various mechanism of actions against bacteria. Saponins s could suppress the bacteriolytic activity of rumen ciliate protozoa thus enhancing the total microbial protein flow from the rumen. Moreover, saponins also have selective antibacterial effects which may prove useful in, for example, controlling starch digestion (Wallace et al 2002). Studies have investigated the beneficial effects of saponin rich licorice root extract on ruminal microbial population and rumen fermentation. It is of note that information on the effect of phytochemicals on ruminal microbial fermentation at low pH is scarce. The effects of plant extracts on ruminal microbial fermentation are pH-dependent. Most of the research have focused on the effects of phytochemicals on high-forage diets at pH over 6. 2. Microbial populations and ruminal fermentation conditions varies between the cattle fed high-concentrate and high-forage diets leading to different final intestinal pH conditions. Ideally, a natural feed additive with the capacity of replacing ionophores of the high concentrate diet in low-pH environment is required. Therefore, we hypothesized that saponin rich licorice root extract could exert some antimicrobial activities at low pH. Hence, the objective of this experiment was to study the effect of licorice extract on in-vitro gas production parameters, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia-N concentration as well as protozoa populations in diets containing different levels of concentrate to forage ratio. Material and methods: Dehydrated licorice extract was obtained from Zagros Company (Kermanshah). Two experimental diets with different forage to concentrate ratio (40 to 60% or 60 to 40 %) were formulated. Licorice extract was added to diets at three levels of 1, 2 and 3 mg /liter of incubation media. The saponin content of licorice extract was 134. 75 mg/g of dried licorice extract. For in-vitro gas production, rumen fluid was taken from two rumen fistulated Kordish rams. For measuring gas production, 200 mg of experimental diets with four levels of licorice extract (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg/L incubation medium) were incubated with 40 ml of buffered-rumen fluid for 120 hours. The cumulative produced gas was recorded at different times of incubation and gas production parameters were fitted with Blummel et al. equation (2003). Organic matter digestibility (OMD) was estimated after 24 hours of incubation (Menke and Steingass 1988). N-ammonia concentration was measured based on the method of Broderickand Kang et al. (1980). Rumen protozoa were identified according to the method of Dehority et al. (2003). After 24 h incubation, 5 ml of buffered rumen fluid was pipetted into a screw-capped test tube containing 5 ml of formalin. Thereafter, two drops of brilliant green dye (2 g brilliant green and 2 ml glacial acetic diluted to 100 ml with distilled water) were added to the test tube, mixed thoroughly, and allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. Total and differential counts of protozoa were made with five replications. In-vitro rumen concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was measured by gas chromatography (Ottenstein and Bartley 1971). All in-vitro gas production trials were carried out in three runs. Rumen fermentation parameters, protozoa population and OMD data were analyzed in a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design and gas production data was analyzed in a factorial arrangement based on a complete randomized block design using Proc GLM of SAS software. The differences among treatments were evaluated using Tukey adjustment when the overall F-test was P ≤ 0. 05. Trends were declared when 0. 05 < P ≤ 0. 10. Results and discussion: The results showed that the interaction of diets and licorice extract were not significant on in-vitro gas production, rate of gas production, estimated OMD, ammonia-N concentration, pH, total protozoa population, Entodinium, Epidinium, Diplodinium, Eudiplodinium and Isotricha population and in-vitro ruminal concentrations of total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate and isovalerate. The effect of diets on gas production (P≤ 0. 05) and estimated OMD (P<0. 01) was significant. High concentrate diets compared with low concentrate diets had greater gas production and estimated OMD. In disagreement with our findings, saponin decreased gas production in low concentrate diet (Yogianto et al 2014) and adding saponin to diet containing high level of concentrate increased gas production (Aazami et al 2013). Furthermore, high concentrate diet had lower OMD compared with the low concentrate diet (Yogianto et al 2014). Diets containing high concentrate had lower acetate and greater isovalerate concentrations (P<0. 01). Addition of licorice extract reduced estimated OMD and total protozoa and Entodinium population (P<0. 01) and tended to increase total VFA concentration (P=0. 09) while decreasing the concentration of isovalrate (P=0. 06). Conclusion: Based on our results, it is concluded that licorice extract had no effect on fermentation parameters of diets containing different concentrate: forage ratios. Further studies are necessary to determine the effectiveness of saponin-containing plants extracts on rumen microbial fermentation and digestion kinetics.

Introduction: Crop residues such as straws are the lignocellulosic byproducts of crop cultivation that are produced in large amounts worldwide. Crop residues can be utilized as carbohydrate and energy sources in ruminant nutrition the presence of strong physical and chemical bonds between lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose reduces the nutritional value of these materials. Straws produced as cereal by-products are an important feedstuff for ruminants. However, they are not preferred by animals due to their poor digestibility, low nitrogen, and mineral contents. Pre-treatment techniques including physical, chemical as well as biological treatments could improve the nutritional value of low-quality feedstuff. Several chemical treatment methods have been developed to improve the nutritive value of low-quality forage by reducing the concentration of cell walls or increasing their digestion. Alkali treatment (e. g., ammonia and sodium hydroxide) is the most widely used method that can increase the degradation of forage cell walls. The underlying principle of the method is partial solubilization of hemicellulose, lignin, and silica and hydrolysis of uronic and acetic acid esters by the alkali (Chesson et al 1983). Various studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of dry and wet NaOH treatments for the improvement of nutritive value of low-quality forage and crop residues (Wanapat et al 1985, Moss et al 1990). However, the use of ammonia and other alkali for forage improvement has been limited due to their corrosive nature and the hazards they pose to humans. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the potential of biological treatments on improving the digestibility and feeding value of the crop residues by increasing the accessibility of their cellulosic fractions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different processing methods (chemical and biological) on chemical composition, in-vitro gas production parameters and digestibility of the wheat straw. Material and methods: Wheat straw was collected from Minudasht city. The present study had a completely randomized design and was conducted based on eight treatments ((1) untreated wheat straw (control (CON)), (2) CON processed with Urea, (3) CON processed with sodium hydroxide, (4) CON processed with hydrogen peroxide, (5) CON inoculated and fermented with Aspergillus niger for 21 days, (6) CON inoculated and fermented with Trichoderma harzianum for 21 days, (7) CON inoculated and fermented with Aspergillus niger for 40 days and (8) CON inoculated and fermented with Trichoderma harzianum for 40 days. Prior to hydrogen peroxide treatment (132 mL of 35% H2O2), samples were pretreated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH, 80 g/kg DM) to attain and maintain a pH of 11. 5. Treated samples were then placed into plastic bags, tied up and stored under anaerobic conditions. Prior to analysis, bags were opened and air dried. Chemical composition of the samples was determined using standard methods as described by AOAC (2003). In-vitro cumulative gas production was determined using 120 ml serum bottles as described by Theodorou et al (1994). A buffered mineral solution (Menke and Steingass 1988) was prepared and placed in a water bath at 39◦ C under continuous flushing with CO2. Rumen fluid was collected before morning feeding from three ruminally fistulated steers fed on a forage diet at a concentration of 40: 60. Invitro gas production was measured in triplicate on composite samples from the same treatment silos. For each replicate, a sample of 200 mg DM untreated and inoculated corn silage were collected from mini silos on 45 th th and 90 days of the fermentation/treatment process. The bottles were then filled with 30 ml of incubation medium that consisted of 10 ml of rumen fluid plus 20 ml of buffer solution and placed in a water bath at 39◦ C. Gas production was recorded at 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. Total gas values are corrected for blank incubation and expressed in ml g-1 of DM. A pressure transducer and LED digital read out voltmeter were used to measure the headspace gas pressure in the culture bottles. The volume of gas at the top of the culture bottles were transferred into a syringe by withdrawal of the syringe plunger until the pressure became zero. A medium similar to one developed for gas production was used for batch rumen culture system to measure the pH, and NH3-N as well as in-vitro digestibility. In order to measure the NH3-N using distillation method, contents of each glass bottle were emptied and strained through four layers of cheesecloth followed by addition of 0. 2 N HCl in the ratio of 1: 1 (strained rumen fluid: 0. 2 N HCl). Subsequently, all contents remaining in the bottles were filtered through nylon bags, oven dried at 60 ° C for 48 h and analyzed for in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and for in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). The pH of the rumen fluid was measured after 24 h of incubation. Results and discussion: Results showed that chemical composition of the treatments were significantly different from one another (p<0. 05). The highest and the lowest DM content were related to control and soaked treatments, respectively. Ash content was highest in sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide treatments while it was in the lowest urea treated wheat straw. Fermentation with two kinds of fungi had no effect on the chemical composition of the treatments (p>0. 05). Different processing methods had significant effect on potential and rate of gas production (p<0. 05). Soaked and trichodermal treated wheat straw had lowest and sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide had highest gas production potential. Processing with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide significantly increased the digestibility of DM and OM. However, soaked wheat straw had lowest digestibility, PF and microbial crud protein. Conclusion: Generally, processing with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide had the utmost effect on improving nutritional value of the wheat straw.

Introduction: The recent trend in the field of livestock and poultry feedstuff is directed towards the use of natural ingredients as substitutes to antibiotics, synthetic colors, and other chemicals. Among numerous natural candidates, blue-green microalgae (Spiralina platensis) is one of the high-quality natural feed additives used in the animal and poultry diet. Main species of Spirulina, S. maxima and S. platensis, are with distributed throughout the world (Oliveira et al, 1999). Spirulina maxima, contains high levels of vitamin B1 and B2, 𝛽-carotene, and up to 71% crude protein with sufficient concentrations of all essential amino acids except for the sulfur-containing ones (Becker, 2004). Dehydrated Spirulina platensis supplement has an excellent nutritional profile with up to 65% protein, essential amino acids, carotenoids, minerals and vitamins (Ross and Dominy 1990). Spirulina contains up to 20% of phycocyanin (water-soluble blue pigment) and chlorophyll a (green pigment), and relatively high vitamin B12 content of (Ciferri and Tiboni, 1985). Moreover, S. platensis is a good source of essential fatty acid, 𝛾-linolenic acid (Abd El-Baky et al. 2003). S. platensis is also rich in magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, chromium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc minerals (Belay, 1997). The available energy content of S. platensis has been determined to be 2. 50-3. 29 kcal/g and its phosphorous availability is 41% (Yoshida and Hoshii, 1980). Verma et al. (2004) reported that S. platensis inclusion in broiler nutrition at 1% of diet showed significantly stimulated the activity of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes while decreasing serum lipid peroxidation. Cholesterol level was significantly lower in the egg yolk of S. platensis supplemented diet fed hens (Sakaida, 2003). The addition of 1. 5 to 12% of S. platensis into broiler diets effectively replaced the protein source, in particular the soybean meal, by demonstrating satisfactory growth and feed efficiency rates (Nikodemusz et al, 2010). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adding microalgae in layer diets on the performance, intestinal microflora and morphology, and some blood parameters. Material and methods: In this completely randomized design study, a total of 192 LSL hens (26-37 weeks of age) were allocated to four treatment groups (4 replicates and 12 hens per replicate). The treatments consisted of feeding a corn-soybean meal control diet alone or supplemented with 1. 5, 3 or 4. 5% S. platensis. The metabolizable energy (kcal/kg), crude protein (%), calcium (%), available phosphorous (%), methionine (%), and lysine (%) in the diet was 2770, 17. 6, 4. 1, 0. 6, 0. 42, and 0. 82, respectively. Cages were regularly ventilated to maintain the daily temperature between 21˚ C and C 23˚ . Each cage was equipped with feeder and drinker. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. During the experimental period, a 16-hour lighting schedule was applied. Performance including feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production, and egg mass were calculated weekly over the entire period. After feeding the experimental diets for 12 weeks blood parameters of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL were analyzed. In addition, villi height, crypt depth, villi height to crypt depth ratio, epithelium width and villi surface as well as intestinal microflora (coliform, lactobacillus, and total bacterial population) were measured. Statistical analysis used in this study was performed in completely randomized design using GLM procedure with SAS software and comparison of means by fisher's protected LSD test. A P-value of less than 0. 05 was considered significant, unless otherwise stated. Results and discussion: The results showed that experimental treatments had no significant effect on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production and egg mass. In agreement with our findings, Zahroojian et al. (2013) reported that egg qualitative and performance traits of laying hens were not affected by diets containing S. platensis. In contrast, Shanmugapriya et al. (2015) reported the significant increase of body weight gain and feed conversion ratio by adding 1% S. platensis to the broiler diet compared with the control treatment. Variation in the reports may be due to the inclusion of different levels of S. platensis and or the age of experimental birds (Bonos et al, 2016). Addition of S. platensis to the laying hens diet had no significant effect on cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL, yet HDL levels were significantly lower in third and fourth treatments (3% and 4. 5% microalgae, respectively) (P<0. 05). Shanmugapriya et al. (2015) reported 1. 5% S. platensis and saccharomyces cerevisiae fed birds had lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels yet their serum HDL levels were higher compared with the control group. These results are inconsistent with our findings hence the variation may be due to concentration dependent effects of the microalgae. In addition, cultivation and processing conditions may influence the composition and subsequently the bioactivity of the microalgae (Gutierrez– Salmean et al, 2015). Experimental treatments had no significant effect on villi height, villi height to crypt depth ratio, villi surface and epithelium width, but the crypt depth was significantly increased in the fourth treatment (P<0. 05). Accordingly, the use of red seaweed in brown luhman laying hens diet increased the villi height and crypt depth compared to the control treatment (Kulshreshtha et al, 2014). Also, the use of different levels of S. platensis had no significant effect on coliforms, lactobacillus, and total bacterial population. Conclusions: Our findings showed that supplementation of diet with S. platensis at concentration of 4. 5%, could not considerably affect the performance of laying hens. Nevertheless, higher levels of the product may be needed for significant positive effects.

Introduction: The artificial insemination is based on sperm cryopreservation technique that induces irreversible damages to motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity, and fertility of the sperm (Purdy 2006; Baghshahi et al. 2014). Physical and chemical damages during cryopreservation are associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation of the phospholipids in the membrane by free radicals (Chatterjee et al. 2001). The removal of ROS is catalyzed by antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Numerous non-enzymatic defenses (vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione (GSH)) are also employed to protect cells from oxidative damages. An imbalance between free radical production and their removal leads to ageing and its subsequent progressive damage. Many studies have been investigated the protecting effects of synthetic and natural antioxidants against oxidative damage on spermatozoa during cryopreservation (Malo et al. 2010). Of many classes of natural compounds, plant secondary metabolites (e. g., flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, xanthons, phenolics, lignans and terpenoids) have repetitively shown antioxidative properties. Correspondingly, several studies have shown the positive effects of herbal antioxidants on the sperm quality during the freezing-thawing processes (Daghigh Kia et al. 2016; Vahedi et al. 2018). Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita L. ) with antioxidant effects contains phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids (Shahhoseini et al. 2019) (Bą czek et al. 2017). The aim of current study was to evaluate the effect of costmary extract as a natural antioxidant on post-thawed ram sperm quality. Material and methods: This study was performed at the Iranian Moghani sheep Breeding Center located in Jafarabad city, Province of Ardebil, Iran. Four mature and fertile rams (3-4 years old, mean live weight of 70± 4. 2 kg), were used in this study. Ejaculates were collected twice a week for 8 weeks by an artificial vagina (42-43° C). Only samples containing spermatozoa with greater than 70% motility were accepted for the experiment. To eliminate individual differences, semen samples were pooled and processed. The pooled ejaculate was diluted (37 ◦ C) using egg yolk-citrate extender containing different concentrations of Tanacetum balsamita extract (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 mL/dL). Diluted semen samples were aspirated into 0. 25 ml straws and equilibrated at 4° C for 3 h. After equilibration, the straws were placed on liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapor for 8 min, then plunged into liquid nitrogen, and stored in a liquid nitrogen tank until thawed and used for evaluation of sperm parameters. Prior to analysis, the frozen straws were thawed individually in a water bath (37 ◦ C) for 30 s. A computer-assisted sperm analysis (HFT CASA, Hooshmand Fanavar Tehran Co, Iran) was used to analyze sperm motility and velocity characteristics. Sperm viability was assessed using a modification of the eosin-nigrosin staining method described by Evans and Maxwell (1987). Sperm membrane functionality was evaluated using the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) (Revell and Mrode, 1994). For the assessment of the sperm morphology abnormalities, at least three drops of each sample were added to Eppendorf tubes containing 1 ml of Hancock solution (62. 5 ml formalin (37%), 150 ml sodium saline solution, 150 ml buffer solution and 500 ml double-distilled water). The prepared slides were assessed by phase-contrast microscopy at the 400× magnification. All data were analyzed by completely randomized design using the GLM procedure of SAS (version 9. 1, SAS Institute, 2004). Results and discussion: Samples cryopreserved in 8 and 12 mL/dL had higher total motility and progressive motility compared to the control group (P<0. 05). The percentage of VSL, VCL and VAP were higher (P<0. 05) in the extender containing 8 and 12 mL/dL extract compared to control and 16 mL/dL groups. LIN parameter was higher (p<0. 05) in 8 mL/dL compared to 16 mL/dL extract (46. 83± 3. 82% vs. 40. 52± 3. 23%). For parameter STR, the highest value (P<0. 05) was observed at 8 and 12 mL/dL of extract (81. 09± 7. 56% and 80. 27± 7. 18%, respectively). The highest (p<0. 05) percentage of sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity were observed in groups containing 8 and 12 mL/dL extract. Percentage of acrosome abnormality was higher (p< 0. 05) in 12 mL/dL extract groups (21. 25%) compared with control and 2 mL/dL extract groups (26. 70% and 27. 23%, respectively). Some studies have reported that herbal antioxidants reduce the free radicals following the freeze– thawing process (Ashrafi et al. 2013). In the present study, costmary extract treatment of the semen resulted in a significant improvement in motility parameters, viability and membrane integrity of frozen-thawed ram sperm. The main constituents of costmary extract have been reported to be polyphenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids (Faraloni, 2018). Among flavonoids, glycosides of luteolin, apigenin and quercetin are the most abundant ones while phenolic acids are mainly represented by chlorogenic, caffeic and dicaffeoylquinic acids. Reactive oxygen species occurrences during cryopreservation would lead to reduction of oxygen and sperm membrane lipid peroxidation thus loss of its integrity. Flavonoids protect membrane integrity by preventing the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidation hence hindering oxidative damage to the membrane components (Daghigh Kia et al. 2016). Our findings demonstrate the free radical scavenging and protective effect of costmary extract against oxidative damage during sperm cryopreservation. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed that supplementation of extender with 12 mL/dL Tanacetum balsamita L. extract has a beneficial effect on the quality of frozen-thawed ram semen.

Introduction: Use of alternative feed ingredients such as tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) pomace for poultry diets is an important factor of successful poultry production in many parts of the world (Bezabih Yitbarek, 2013). Commercial processing of tomato (juice, paste, puree, soups and/or ketchup preparations) produces a large amount of pomace with high nutritional value. Up to 30% of the tomato, by weight, is wasted in the industry as pomace. Tomato pomace as an inexpensive and primary by-product of tomato manufacturing have been successfully used for poultry nutrition worldwide. This fiber rich byproduct is a good source of protein, pigment, and vitamins (B and E). The composition of tomato pomace varies according to agricultural and processing practices, the degree of drying, moisture removal and separation of cellulose. Tomato pomace is used as an additive in livestock feed since ruminants such as cattle and dairy cow can digest fiber. Pamce is also used for nutrition of laying and breeder birds. Materials and methods: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of tomato pomace in breeder quails on performance, weight of organs, quality of newly hatched chicks and the amount of malondialdehyde in meat of progeny. A total of 160 Japanese quail were allocated in a completely randomized design to four treatments of 0. 0 (control treatment without tomato pomace), 4, 8 and 12% tomato pomace for five weeks. Each treatment had four replicates (including two males and eight females in each replicate). The diets of breeders and the growing quails was formulated acocording the nutrient requirements of quils (NRC, 1994). Tomato pomace was only fed to quail breeder. Before the experiment, the nutrients contents of both corn and soybean meal were analyzed by near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The birds had free acess to feed and water during the breeder and growing periods. A lighting schedule of 16L: 8D and 23L: 1D was imposed respectively during the breeder and growing periods. Twenty-five fertile eggs from each replicate (100 eggs from each treatment) were collected for hatchery in the 5 th week of breeder feeding program. The experimental protocol was approved by animal care and committee of the Urmia University. Ten newly hatched chicks were used for determination of chick quality parameters at hatch according to the Tuna method. Forty-oneday old quail chiks from each treatment were divided to four replicate pens and raised for five weeks. At the end of the experiment (day 35 of age), the birds were slaughtered and the weigths of carcass indices and internal organs were determined. Moreover, the breast meat samples were collected and used for determination of malondialdehyde content. Data was analyzed by SAS (9. 1) according the compeletely randomized design with four treatments and four replicates each. Difference among the treatment means were tested for significance using Duncan test (P<0. 05). Results: The results showed that the consumption of different tomato pomace levels in breeder quail had no effects on progeny feed consumption, weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the weeks and whole experimental period (P>0. 05). Althogh there were no significant differences between the treatments for feed consumption yet the quials hatched from the eggs of 8% tomato pomace diet fed birds had numerically higher feed intake compared with the other groups. Moreover, there were no effects of treatments on internal organs and carcass characteristcs at day 35 (P>0. 05). Effect of tomato pomace on activity of newly hatched chicks (P>0. 05) was not significant. The down and appearance of newly hatched chicks of quails fed 8% tomato pomace had the highest quality between the treatment groups (P<0. 05). The quality of retracted yolk, eyes, navel area, remaninig membrane and remaining yolk of chicks from the quails fed 4% and 6% tomato pomace was highest and significantly higher than those fed the basal and highest tomato pomace level (12%) (P<0. 05). The legs of chicks belong to the birds fed the highest tomato pomace level was lowest (P<0. 05) but there was no significant difference between the other treatments for leg quality. The eyes quality of chicks from quails fed 4% tomato pomace was highest whereas the lowest eye quality was related to the chicks of 0. 0 and 12% tomato pomace fed birds (P<0. 05). The consumption of all totamto pomace levels decreased breast malondialdehyde content of progeny at week 5 (P<0. 05). The breeder quails fed 4% and 8% tomato pomace had the highest decrease in meat malondialdehyde content of progeny as compared to the control birds (P<0. 05). Conclusion: In conclusion, consumption of tomato pomace in the diets of breeder quails had no effects on performance parameters of progeny birds. Consumption of 8% tomato pomace in breeder quail improves the body antioxidant status and quality of newly hatched quality. Tomato pomace feeding of 12% to quail breeder () increases the dietary fiber and possibly decrease the nutrients bioavailability and hence causes the lower quality of newly hatched chicks.

Bovine theileriosis, caused by Theileria annulata, is one of the most important livestock diseases in the world. The disease is transmitted by Ixodidae ticks and characterized by fever, enlargement of lymphatic glands, cachexia, and death. theileriosis can be detected by staining the blood smear Giemsa dye. The technique is suited the detection of acute infection but not in carrier animals, where infection rate may be little. The aim of present study was to detect T. annulata carrier cattle by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to compare the results with staining method in the northwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 281 apparent healthy cattle (no clinical signs of disease) of different ages (1 to 8 years old). Samples were tested by two techniques of (1) Giemsa staining and microscopy and (2) PCR based on applying the specific primers from the major merozoite-piroplasm surface antigen sequence of T. annulata (Tams-1) gene. A chi-square test was performed to compare the prevalence related to breed and age categories. Results: In this study, 25 T. annulata positive samples (8. 89%) were detected by microscopic method while PCR was able to detect 108 samples (38. 43%) for. In positive samples of cattle, the highest prevalence was recorded for 2-5 years old cattle (22. 4%). These differences in age results were significant (P<0. 05). Out of 108 positive PCR samples, 45 (41. 66%) were native and, 63 (58. 33%) were crossbreed cattle, yet the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Our results showed that there is a high percentage of carrier cows in northwest of Iran and indicate a high potential risk for the infestation of healthy animals and vectors of the disease.