Background and objectives: About 65 to 70 percent of total cost of livestock breeding is related to nutritional issues. Sometimes antibiotics are used as feed additives to prevent the growth of intestinal pathogens, reduce metabolic abnormalities, stimulating growth and improving feed conversion efficiency in farm animals. The creation of resistance in pathogens and the possibility of antibiotics residues in products are the main disadvantages of antibiotics usage in livestock and poultry nutrition as a growth stimulator. The tendency to use secondary plant metabolites has increased as a way to improve livestock and poultry performance. This study was carried out to determine the effect of using Bioherbal plant powder on digestibility, blood parameters and gas production parameters in Holstein fattening calves. Materials and Methods: Ten male Holstein fattening bull-claves with average weight of 310 ± 30 Kg divided into two groups. Calves were randomly allocated to one of the experimental treatments. Animal on Bioherbal group are received basal diet plus 20 g of Bioherbal per day. Daily rations were offered to calves during three meals ad libitum rations. Calves were weighed every two weeks before the morning feeding. At the end of each experimental period, fecal sample was collected from each calf through a rectum and stored in a freezer. At the last day of each period, the blood sample was taken from the jugular vein and the plasma isolated and kept in the freezer for further analysis. At the end of the experiment, the feed or fecal samples were dried in an oven at 60 ° C for 48 hours, and milled for further analysis for chemical composition and nutrients digestibility. Statistical analysis for data was done with the proc mixed of SAS software. Results: The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent insoluble fiber (NDF) and acid detergent insoluble fibers (ADF) was greater in Bioherbal group when compared with control group (P<0. 01). Daily weight gain was numerically higher in the Bioherbal group (1. 78 Kg) than the control group (1. 35 Kg), but no significant difference was observed (P= 0. 06). Feed intake in the Bioherbal group (11. 54 Kg) was significantly higher than the control group (10. 81 Kg) (P<0. 05). Feed conversion ratio in Bioherbal group (6. 50) was lower than control group (8. 02) (P<0. 05). Blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol concentration didn’ t show any significant difference between groups (P>0. 05). There was a significant difference between control and Bioherbal treatment in terms of gas production (P<0. 01). The highest amount of gas production was related to Bioherbal treatment and the lowest amount was related to control group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the Bioherbal plant supplement improves the digestibility of nutrients, dry matter intake, feed conversion and weight gain of Holstein fattening calves.

Background and aim: One of the destructive effects of climate change is the reduction of precipitation and global warming which is leading to shortage of water resources. Therefore, it seems necessary to introduce water-resistant plants that are resistant to heat and drought (as sources of new forage plants). In this regard, the cultivation of dehydrated and drought-resistant forage (such as new cultivars of amaranth) was on the agenda. There is little information about the silage formation and nutritional value of forage of new Amaranth cultivars (in hot and humid Golestan province). The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of silage, fermentability, digestibility, energy and metabolizable forage protein of three new cultivars of amaranth cultivated in Golestan province. Materials and Methods: Forage of three new Amaranth cultivars including Laura, Sim and Kharkovsky. They were grown on a research farm Arqi-mahaleh in Golestan province and harvested at the time of flowering. These forages were chopped into pieces of two to four centimeters and mixed with a weight ratio of five percent molasses and five percent wheat straw. They were stored in silage in 10kg buckets. After 45 days (in the laboratory of the Animal Science Research Institute), the silos were reopened. Sensory evaluation and silage properties of experimental treatments, were measured. Then chemical compounds including dry matter (field and silage), crude protein, crude ash, crude fat, soluble sugar, were analyzed. Gas production test (by Menke and Steingass method) using ruminal leachate of three cows (by ruminal fistulation) and at different fermentation times including 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours were done. Digestibility, determination of energy and metabolizable protein (in a completely randomized design with six treatments in three replications) was performed. In final, metabolizable energy and protein as well as daily dietary intake of experimental treatments, were obtained. Results: Dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, neutral detergent fiber, water soluble carbohydrate and non-fiberous carbohydrates in forage silage of Laura cultivar were 23.0, 18.8, 0.97, 21.2, 30.5, 2.5 and 28.6 percent, respectively In Laura forage silage, total sensory evaluation, flag point, ammonia nitrogen (mg), acetic acid (mg), lactic acid (mg), propionic acid were 15.8, 7.78, 4.4, 18.4, 0.45 And 1.15 respectively. Gas production in silos of Laura, Sim and Kharkovsky cultivars (during 24 hours of rumen fermentation per 200 mg) were 45.3, 43.9 and 42.1 ml, respectively. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility in forage silage of Laura cultivar were 66.5 and 70.2 percent, respectively. The amounts of digestible energy, metabolizable energy, net energy and digestibility (dry matter, organic matter and organic matter in dry matter) of fodder and silage of Laura cultivar were higher than the other two cultivars. Relative forage value, relative nutritional quality and feed ratio (g / day / kg body weight during maintenance) in amaranthus silage (Laura cultivar) were 122.3, 108.0 and 43.8, respectively. Conclusion: Laura forage silage has better silage characteristics and crude protein, gas production, higher digestibility, higher protein and metabolizable energy, as well as relative forage value, relative feed quality and better-feed intake. This silage had a better quality for ruminant nutrition than other silage experimental treatments.

Introduction: Heat treatment of a wide variety of feeds has been traditionally used to improve the utilization of their protein by ruminants. Heat treatment of legume seeds can inactivate anti-nutritional factors, it is also effective in increasing the digestibility (Seifdavati 2012). Chemical composition and heat processing can affects fermentability of Vicia Ervilia grain. Particle size and moisture during processing also influence the possible effects of processing. Digestibility may be directly determined in vitro or estimated by using in vitro procedures, which are cheaper and more convenient. In vitro gas production technique was widely used to evaluate the nutritive value of legume forages (Evitayani et al 2004) and tannin containing tree leaves (Rubanza et al 2003). This experiment was conducted to investigate of the nutritive value of Vicia Ervilia using the in vitro disappearance and gas production techniques. Materials and Method: The experimental treatments were grinding Vicia Ervilia grain, steam flak, roasting and microwave. Processing steam flak, treated steam at 100°C for 30 min and then immediately passed through rollers were allowed to air for 48 h and then sealed in plastic bags. Roasting treatments at 120°C for 10 min and microwave irradiation (Nasional at a power of 800w) for 3 min. The treatments were milled through a 2.0 mm screen. Samples of treatments were dried in oven at 65°C for 24h. The gas production of treatment were recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36 and 48 h of incubation time using a water displacement apparatus. For this purpose two ruminal fistulated sheep were used. Rumen liquor samples were obtained from the two weathers that were fed a diet content 60% roughage: 40% concentrate. Rumen fluid was pumped with a manually operated vacuum pump and transferred into prewarmed thermos flask, combined, filtered through four layers of cheesecloth and flushed with CO2. McDougall (1948) buffer solution was prepared and placed in a water bath at 39°C. Samples (300 mg) were weighed into 50 ml serum vial. Each feed sample was incubated in triplicate with 20 ml of rumen liquor and buffer solution (1:2). The vials were sealed immediately after loading and were affixed to a rotary shaker platform set as (120 rpm) housed on a incubator. Vials for each time point, as well as blanks, were prepared in quadruplicate. The metabolizable energy, net energy for lactation content of feeds, short chain fatty acid and digestible organic matter were calculated using equations of Menke & Steingass (1988) and Getachew et al. (2002). For in vitro disappearance method, the incubation time were 2, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h. The rumen liquor was obtained from the same sheep used in the gas production technique and receiving the same diet to similar conditions for both techniques. Mc Dougall (1948) buffer prewarmed to 39 ºC. The inoculum was dispensed 20 ml per vial into 50 ml serum vial (containing of 300 mg sample per vial) which had been warmed to 39 ºC and flushed with oxygen free CO2. The vials were sealed immediately after loading and were affixed to a rotary shaker platform set as (120 rpm) housed in incubator. Vials for each time point, as well as blank (containing no substrate), were prepared in triplicate. Triplicate vials were removed after 2, 8, 12, 24 and 48h of incubation. The residues were washed three times in phosphate buffer followed by centrifugation (2500 rpm, 10 min) and dried at 105 ºC and determined DM disappearance. The data was analyzed by completely randomized design.Results and Discussion: Dry matter disappearance and gas product increased with increasing incubation time. Heat processing of steam flak increasing of DM disappearance and gas produced at 48 h and higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). The gas production volume at 48 h incubation for treatments of control, microwave, roasting and steam flaking were 141, 140, 134.57 and 147 (ml/gDM), respectively. The gas production for sum of soluble and insoluble (a+b) fractions (ml/gDM) and gas production rate (ml/h) in control treatment were 142.9 and 0.106, respectively. Dry matter disappearance from in vitro increased with increasing incubation time. The disappearance percentage of DM in control treatment for 2 and 48 h of incubation were 39.88 and 83.48 and degradabilities coefficients (a, b and c) were 31.08, 48.03 and 0.088, respectively. For roasting treatments DM disappearance and gas produced at 48 h were lower than the other treatments. Barley grain treated by the steam flak, flame rusting and exploring can be decreased ruminal crude protein (McNiven 1994). Ljokjel et al (2003) reported that heat treatment decreased ruminal degradation of starch in both barley grain and pea grain. Parnian et al (2010) showed that, cumulative gas production of sorghum grain was linearly increased by altering period of microwave irradiation. Parand et al (2010) reported that the gas production of barley grain for steam flak, microwave and roasting at 48 h were obtained 239.4, 275.9 and 239.7 (ml/gDM), respectively, these values does not match with the results of this study. Similar to the latter, previous in vitro and in vivo studies (Hironaka et al 1992; Huntington 1997) have shown that steam flaking increased ruminal starch digestibility of barley in feedlot cattle. Seifdavati et al (2012) showed the gas production of Vicia Ervilia at 24 h was obtained about 246.29 ml/gDM and rate of gas product was achieved 0.063 (%h) that decreased with autoclave processing. Hadji Panayioton and Economids (2001), reported degradability characteristics of lupin (a, b and c) about 12.45%, 84.41% and 0.1 h-1, respectively. There was strong positive correlation between gas production, in vitro and in situ dry matter disappearance so that the gas production technique can be suitable replacement for in situ and in vitro DM disappearances. The steam flaking treatment showed high potential for producing of gas and high degradability of DM compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). Regarding to high gas production and in vitro degradability in steam flaking treatment, this treatment can be used to improve of digestion process in animal nutrition.

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.

Introduction: When aflatoxin contaminated food is given to lactating animals, the metabolite of aflatoxin, called M, is secreted in milk. Since pasteurization, sterilization, and milk processing have little effect on the survival and reduction of AFM1 toxicity, this poison ultimately transports to various dairy products and endangers consumer health. Along with the negative effects of mycotoxins on health and livestock products, these compounds can to be effective in digestion, metabolism and ruminal microbial populations. In ruminants (especially lactating cows) fed with AFB1 contaminated feeds, health problems such as liver cancer, reduce immunity, reproductive disorders, malformation, decreased feed intake and milk production have also been reported. An increase in liver enzymes can be attributed to the signs of an abnormal body. In addition, previous studies aluminosilicate has been show to tightly bind aflatoxins in vitro. This significantly reduce mortality and morbidity in animals, decrease molecular biomarkers of aflatoxin exposure in humans and animals. Materials and Methods: Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of aflatoxin B1 and aluminosilicate toxin adsorbents on the parameters of gas production contains gas production potential (b) and gas production rate (c), in vitro fermentation parameters includes pH, ammonia nitrogen concentration, volatile fatty acids and ruminal digestion. In the first experiment, the effects of different levels of AFB1, including 0, 300, 600 and 900 ng/ml, were investigated on the parameters of gas production, fermentation and digestion using batch culture method. In the second experiment the effectiveness of three aluminosilicate adsorbents on the AFB1 detoxification was investigated. MegaBond and MycoBond as native adsorbents and MilBond as a commercial adsorbent were used in 6% of DM. The gas produced was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of the incubation. The data obtained were fitted to the non-linear equation to calculate parameters of gas production. Also, at the end of 24 h incubation, four bottles were transferred to refrigerator to stop fermentation. Then, pH, ammonia nitrogen concentration and volatile fatty acid (VFA) of batch culture medium was measured, as well as the dry matter digestibility. Results and Discussion: Results of first experiment indicated that with increasing the AFB1 from 0. 0 to 900 ng/ml, the gas production rate (c) decreased from 0. 134 to 0. 092 ml/h and the gas production potential (b) decreased from 160. 7 to 131. 3, but there was no significant difference between the treatments 0 and 300 ng/ml AFB1. In addition, the gas production lag phase increased significantly with increasing level of AFB1 (P<0. 05). Addition of AFB1 to the batch culture did not affect its pH, but the dry matter digestibility significantly decreased (P<0. 05) with increasing AFB1. Ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased significantly (P<0. 05) with AFB1 addition, so that the lowest concentration of ammonia nitrogen was observed at 600 and 900 ng/ml AFB1 (15. 2 and 15. 3 mg/dL, respectively). In this experiment the total VFA concentration decreased significantly with AFB1 (P<0. 05), but the molar ratio of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate and isovalerate was not affected (P>0. 05). In the second addition of different aluminosilicate adsorbents significantly reduced the rate and potential of gas production. Likewise, dry matter digestibility and ammonia nitrogen concentration reduced significantly (P<0. 05). Significant increase in pH of the culture medium by addition of aluminosilicate adsorbents can be attributed to the fact that aluminosilicate acts as a modifier of hydrogen ion in the environment due to the replacement of cations with hydrogen ion and prevents a significant decrease in rumen pH. Probably lowering the ammonia nitrogen concentration is due to the fact that the protozoan population is affected by aluminosilicate adsorbent and decreases; consequently, the population of the ruminal bacteria increases, which results in the removal of more ammonia nitrogen by microorganisms, and ultimately the concentration ammonia nitrogen decreases in the rumen. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that AFB1 reduced gas production rate (c), the gas production potential (b), the concentration of ammonia and digestibility, but the pH is not affected in vitro. Also, none of the adsorbents was able to neutralize or reduce the negative effects of AFB1 on the parameters of gas production, fermentation and rumen digestion, which could be due to the absorption mechanism of aluminosilicate adsorbents for AFB1 absorption. The results of this study indicate that adsorbents cannot reduce the negative effects of AFB1 on digestion and rumen fermentation, therefore only proposed strategy is to prevent the contamination animal feed with mycotoxins.

BACKGROUND: Whole Milk Thistle plant grows in wide regions of Iran, and regardless to its medicinal properties, it used as a feed by local grazers such as sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo and camel.OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to investigate the possibility of using Milk Thistle in diet of goats and its effect on fermentation and digestion of dietary fiber (wheat straw) and protein (soybean meal) when fed with diets containing barley or corn.METHODS: The experimental diets were included adding 20% Milk Thistle to barley or corn diets. In this experiment, native male goats from Cashmere goat of southern Khorasan or Birjandi strain (35±1.22 kg BW) were used. Dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen and glucose were measured. In vitro gas production parameters and digestibility of wheat straw and soybean meal incubated with rumen of animals fed with Milk Thistle also measured.RESULTS: In both barley and corn diets, DMI, ruminal ammonia nitrogen and pH, blood glucose and urea nitrogen significantly decreased compared with control (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between corn and barley diets. The digestibility of nutrients was not affected by the presence of Milk Thistle in diets. Gas production of wheat straw and soybean meal in barley diet was more than corn diet (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that the using 200 g kg-1 Milk Thistle in diet of goats had no negative effect on health, digestion, and there was no difference between the diets containing corn or barley.

The present study was conducted to identify nutritional value ofRumex obtusifoliusin three phenological stages (vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity).Samples were randomly taken in pastures of Saravan in Rasht, Iran in 2015. After drying and grinding, the chemical compositions of Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fiber (CF), Ether Extract (EE), Total Ash (ASH), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) were measured based on standard methods. Gas production (in vitro) and Dry Matter (DM) degradability (in sacco) were determined. Phenological stage effects were studied using a completely randomized design in three replications and data were analyzed using SAS software. In phenological stages of the plant with the progress of maturity, the amounts of CP, ASH, Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE), and Non Fibrous Carbohydrates (NFC) decreased while the CF, NDF, and ADF contents increased. CP had the highest value (23.92%) in the vegetative growth and lowest value (6.11%) in maturity stage. The gas production in 96 hours of vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages was 37.68, 40.76, and 26.69 ml/0.2g of dry matter. The DM degradability in 96 hours for vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages was 80.25, 70.42, and 40.43%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between gas production method and DM degradability methods were 0.99, 0.98, and 0.97 for vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages, respectively. Therefore, the gas production method due to its lower cost was suggested for measuring nutritive value of this plant. The results showed that considering higher or equal protein content of this plant during the vegetative growth and flowering stages as compared to alfalfa, it can be used for ruminant animal diet. Using this wild source is possible to significantly decrease the expenses involved in animal nourishment.

Introduction: Due to scarcity of forage and water resources and high feed prices in Iran, it seems that the utilization of native and cheap forage resources for ruminants is important. The Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is distributed in different regions of Iran included: Gonbad Kavoos, Gorgan, Nodeh Kalardasht, Dareh Hezareh, Dasht Mugan, Poshtkoh, Mollassani, Shush, Hamidieh, Ramhormuz, Izeh and Kazeroon. The Silybum marianum seed extract and whole plant contain many compounds including Silybin A and B, Silychristin, Apigenin, deoxy silydianin (flavonolignans). Seeds of this plant has about 20 to 25 percent oil, which oleic acids (31.85 %), linoleic acid (45.36 % percent) and palmitic acid (8.25 %) are the major fatty acids of Silybum marianum seed. Also, the Silybum marianum contains flavonoids and anti-nutritional compounds such as tannins and nitrates. Tannins, unsaturated oils and other anti-nutritional compounds may have negative effects on the digestion of fiber and protein fractions. Tannins can make complexes with large number of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, bacterial cell membrane protein and carbohydrates, and even digestive enzymes. The Silybum marianum plants are native to northern areas of Ahvaz and abundantly growth as self-propelled. The farm animals in these area (sheep, goats, camels, water buffalo and native cows, etc.) graze this plant as well as the manual feeding, but there is little known about its effects on the health, performance and digestibility of nutrients (in particular on the fiber and protein, due to existing the tannin and unsaturated oils in it) in those animals, and no research work has been done about Silybum marianum. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the feeding value of Silybum marianum and to measure its effects on rumen fermentation and digestion of fiber (straw) and protein constituents (soybean meal) feedstuff in Arabi sheep.Materials and Methods: Twelve male Arabi sheep with a mean body weight of 37±1.2 kg were allocated to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were including control diet (without Silybum marianum) and diets supplemented with different levels of Silybum marianum (50, 100 and 200 g/kg as diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively) that fed for 84 days. Dry matter intake, digestibility, fermentation parameters and blood metabolites were determined. Digestibility and gas production potential of wheat straw and soybean meal incubated with rumen fluid of sheep fed diets containing Silybum marianum were examined. The in vitro digestibility was measured by the two-step method. Gas Production was analyzed in triplicate as described by the Menke and Steingass.Results and Discussion: The results showed that dry matter intake, rumen fermentation parameters and blood metabolites were significantly affected by the experimental diets (P<0.05). Feeding Silybum marianum had no effect on pH and diets digestibility. The gas production of straw (P<0.05) and soybean meal (P>0.05) incubated with rumen fluid of sheep fed diets containing Silybum marianum reduced, except for diet containing 5% Silybum marianum. The Silybum marianum tannins and fatty acids were likely the limiting factors for feed intake. It was concluded that Silybum marianum essential oils, through olfactory stimulation, and due to having 25-20% oil, can be increased feed intake. The dry matter intake by cows fed diet containing 4.1% tannins, significantly decreased (P<0.05), compared to the control diet and diets containing 2% tannins. In agreement with the present study, addition of dried or silage of pistachios by products, contain tannins, to Kermani rams diet, did not affect crud fiber apparent digestibility. The tannins may reduce digestion fiber through formation complexes with lignocellulose material and stop adhesive microorganisms or their enzymes. In this experiment, the use of Silybum marianum decreased rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration that could be reflected by the tannins. In cattle and sheep feeding with diets containing medium levels of tannin (less than 4%) the rumen protein degradability was reduced. The Silymarin from Silybum marianum, has probably been affected with effect on glucose 6-phosphatase enzyme negatively, then inhibit the gluconeogenesis, and led to blood glucose reduction. The results of some experiments show that the tannin decreases concentrations of ammonia and subsequent the urea nitrogen plasma through reduction of protein degradation rate.Conclusion: The results suggested that addition of 20% Silybum marianum to diet of sheep have had no negative effect on rumen fermentation, wheat straw, soybean meal, and nutrient digestibility for sheep up to 20% of diet DM. Therefore, utilization of Silybum marianum in feeding small ruminants could be reasonable in some areas of Iran.

In recent years, in addition to conventional sources of gas, production from unconventional sources is also possible. Iran as a second-largest conventional gas reserves in the world and the fourth producer, intends to enter the gas competition, increase its share in the global gas trade. The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term exploration, extraction and production of gas and the impact of unconventional gas production. To achieve this objective, System Dynamics approach is used. The model developed consists of three sub-system conventional gas exploration and production cycle, investment and global demand and for the period 2001-2035 is simulated. Model validity is approved and simulation results indicated that, with current trends, the life of undiscovered gas reserves in Iran from 400 years to less than 30 years will be reduce in 2035. Gas production rising from 100 BCM in 2001 to more than 500 BCM in 2035. In other words, the gas production in Iran will be about 5 times over a period of 35 years. Applying scenarios such as increasing the rate of exploration, increased investment in development and increase investment in technological improvements will lead to an increase in gas production. However, the development of unconventional gas could reduce demand security of gas in world and reduce the Iranian gas production in a long- term period. At the same time taking into account all scenarios can increase gas production and thus offset the decline in production is due to the expansion of gas production from unconventional sources.