Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran: 4 (3)

Open Access Article

1 - Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cellular Signaling Alteration in Animals
س. لوساکو آ. پریلو

Contamination by heavy metals has attracted increasing attention considering the ability of these elements in producing serious consequence to ecosystem, and especially on animals health. Due to their widespread use in human activities such as industry, agriculture and More

Contamination by heavy metals has attracted increasing attention considering the ability of these elements in producing serious consequence to ecosystem, and especially on animals health. Due to their widespread use in human activities such as industry, agriculture and even as medicine (e.g. arsenic, selenium and platinum), numerous health risks may be associated with exposure to these substances. All heavy metals, in spite some of them are essential micronutrients, have their toxic effects because of their bioaccumulation on living organisms, and so generally exhibit chronic toxicity via metabolic interference and mutagenesis. They are also classified as carcinogens (known or probable) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In the present paper, the lead, cadmium and chromium disease processes (induced toxicity) were summarized with particular emphasis on the generation and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the unifying factor in determining toxicity for all these metals. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

2 - The Potential of Tropical Agro-Industrial by-Products as a Functional Feed for Poultry
اس. سوگیهارتو ت. یودی‌آرتی آی. اسرولی م. ویدیاستوتی

Following the ban of synthetic antibiotics as antimicrobial agents and growth promoters, poultry nutritionists are now trying to find antibiotic substitutes. Agro-industrial by-products are abundant in tropical countries and have been used as the alternatives to convent More

Following the ban of synthetic antibiotics as antimicrobial agents and growth promoters, poultry nutritionists are now trying to find antibiotic substitutes. Agro-industrial by-products are abundant in tropical countries and have been used as the alternatives to conventional feedstuffs in poultry rations. These by-products are also known to contain several bioactive compounds such as oligosaccharides, phenolic compounds, certain fatty acids, vitamins, etc. The compounds may serve as antimicrobial agents, antioxidants and immune-modulators for poultry. Owing to this, agro-industrial by-products have a potential to become functional feeds that can promote the health and well-being of poultry. The potentials of some tropical agro-industrial by-products (e.g., palm kernel meal, rice bran, cassava meal, copra meal, banana peel meal, orange peels and pulp) and their derivative products as functional feeds for poultry are elaborated in the present review, and the possible mechanisms through which agro-industrial by-products may improve the health status of poultry will also be discussed. Future studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of agro-industrial residues and their derivative products in substituting the use of synthetic antibiotics in poultry rations. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

3 - Effects of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Oils on Nutrients Digestibility, Blood Parameters and Growth Performance of Brown Swiss Neonatal Calves
م.ع. ابراهیمی س. سبحانی‌راد ا.ع. بیات

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dietary supplementation of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oils(EO)on nutrients digestibility, blood parameters and growth performanceof neonatal dairy calves during eight weeks. Sixty More

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dietary supplementation of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oils(EO)on nutrients digestibility, blood parameters and growth performanceof neonatal dairy calves during eight weeks. Sixty suckling dairy calves with an initial body weight (43.2±3.8 kg) were randomly allocated to five treatments including CO, control without essential oils (EO) supplementation; AJW-L, ajwain (AJW) oil mixed in milk at 1 mL/d per calf; AJW-H, AJW oil mixed in milk at 2 mL/d; THY-L, thyme (THY) oil mixed in milk at 1 mL/d and THY-H, THY oil mixed in milk at 2 mL/d. The experiment consisted of 7 d adaptation and 60 d sampling and data recording period. Experimental diets had no significant effects (P>0.05) on feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio. Dietary supplementation of both AJW and THY linearly improved (P Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

4 - Effects of Chitosan and Whole Raw Soybeans on Feeding Behavior and Heat Losses of Jersey Heifers
اچ.م.سی. هراکی ج.ر. گاندرا ای.ر. اُلیویرا سی.اس. تاکیا ر.اچ.ت.ب. گواِس آ.م.آ. گابریل جی.سی.جی. رُدرگیوس ای.ر.اس. گاندرا ت.ل. پریرا جِی. دامیانی جِی.د.اُ. باتیستا

This study aimed to determine the effects of chitosan, whole raw soybeans or their interaction on feeding behavior and heat losses through thermography assay of Jersey heifers fed high concentrate diets. Twelve Jersey heifers (age of 6±0.5 months and 139.50&plusm More

This study aimed to determine the effects of chitosan, whole raw soybeans or their interaction on feeding behavior and heat losses through thermography assay of Jersey heifers fed high concentrate diets. Twelve Jersey heifers (age of 6±0.5 months and 139.50±25.56 kg of live weight, mean±SD) were randomly assigned to a replicated latin square design with 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement. The experimental period consisted of 14 days of adaptation to the diets, 6 days of sampling and 5 days of wash out. The diets were: control (CO), chitosan (CHI, inclusion of 20 g/kg dry matter (DM) of chitosan), whole raw soybeans (WS, 163.0 g/kg of WS on diet DM basis), and chitosan + whole raw soybeans (CHI+WS). Chitosan decreased DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake (0.79 and 0.31 kg/d, respectively), increased the eating time (31.88 min) and decreased the NDF content of regurgitate rumen bolus (57 g). Whole raw soybeans did not affect feeding behavior, except for a higher time in standing rest. The association of CHI and WS increased the time which animal ruminated stand. The diets did not influence superficial temperature of heifers. However, WS diet increased heat losses by radiation and convection. The highest values of heat losses were observed after 2 hours of feeding. The interaction of CHI and WS did not alter feeding behavior and heat losses. Feeding WS to heifers increased the total heat losses. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

5 - Comparing Logistic and Michaelis-Menten Multiphasic Models for Analysis of in vitro Gas Production Profiles of some Starchy Feedstuffs
ا. پرند ع.ر. وکیلی م. دانش مسگران

Two multi-phasic models (logistic (LOG) and Michaelis-Menten (MM)) with three sub-curves were used to describe gas production kinetics of corn (CG), barley (BG), wheat (WG) and triticale (TG) grains. In each model sub curve, 1 describes the gas production caused by ferm More

Two multi-phasic models (logistic (LOG) and Michaelis-Menten (MM)) with three sub-curves were used to describe gas production kinetics of corn (CG), barley (BG), wheat (WG) and triticale (TG) grains. In each model sub curve, 1 describes the gas production caused by fermentation of the soluble fraction, gas production caused by fermentation of the non-soluble fraction is described in sub curve 2 and sub curve 3 represents gas production by microbial turnover. With MM model TG and WG had highest gas production from the soluble fraction followed by BG and CG. With LOG model there was no difference in gas production from the soluble fraction between BG and CG (P>0.05) and TG and WG (P>0.05) but TG and WG had higher gas volume from this fraction comparing to CG and BG (P<0.05). For gas production caused by fermentation of the non-soluble fraction, CG had the highest volume using MM model and CG and BG had higher volume with LOG model comparing to WG and TG (P<0.05). With MM model BG had highest gas production by microbial turnover but with LOG model WG and TG had higher gas production for the third sub curve. The LOG model had a slightly better fitting performance comparing to MM model in the present study but considering the methodology of this trial and the nature of models it does not necessarily represent the superiority of LOG model over MM model. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

6 - Growth Performance, Feeding Behavior and Physiological Responses of Young Growing Holstein Male Calves to Dietary Chromium-Methionine (Cr-Met) Supplementation Related to Body Weight and Age
م. یاری م. بهاری‌فرد ع. علیزاده ماسوله ا. موسایی

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on growth performance, feeding behavior and physiological responses of Holstein male calves during two different phases of body weight (BW). Twenty six (153.5&plus More

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on growth performance, feeding behavior and physiological responses of Holstein male calves during two different phases of body weight (BW). Twenty six (153.5±9.83 kg of BW) male calves were divided in two groups (n=13) and randomly assigned to treatments: 1) control and 2) Cr-Met (1.1 mg Cr/kg of diet on a dry matter (DM) basis). Each phase consisted of 1 week pen acclimatization, 3 weeks diet adaptation and 1 week sample collection. After the first phase, all calves received the basal diet (without Cr-Met) for 6 weeks. After this period, the second phase started (240.1±12.15 kg BW). During the second phase treatments changed between 2 groups. Calves fed with Cr-Met diet had lower DM intake and average daily gain (P<0.05) and rectal temperature (P<0.01) than the control group, whereas blood metabolites and feeding behaviors were similar between 2 groups during the first phase of experiment. During the second phase, calves fed with Cr-Met had greater DM intake, weight gain, average daily gain and standing time behavior (P<0.05) and lower blood glucose concentration, rectal temperature and resting time behavior (P<0.05) compared with calves fed with control diet. In conclusion, effect of feeding 1.1 mg Cr/kg DM as Cr-Met supplement to Holstein male calves on growth performance, blood glucose and resting and standing behavior might be related to body weight. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

7 - Effects of Four Diet Structure and Two Protein Percentage Content on Growth Performance and Biometric Measurements of Holstein Calves
ع. شاهورانی 1. سراج ک. جعفری خورشیدی

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different diet structure and protein levels on the growth performance and biometric measurements of male Holstein calves during starter period (from 1 to 60 days of age). In this experiment, 56 Holstein male calves wer More

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different diet structure and protein levels on the growth performance and biometric measurements of male Holstein calves during starter period (from 1 to 60 days of age). In this experiment, 56 Holstein male calves were randomly divided into a 4 × 2 factorial experimental design with 4 levels of diet structure (grinding, nutty, pelleted and grain) and 2 levels of protein (22 and 24%) in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 7 replications. The measured traits were: body weight gain, average daily feed intake, body temperature, biometric measurements (height, chest girth, length and width), blood parameters (glucose and beta hydroxyl butyrate), fecal score and rumen fatty acids. The results showed that average feed intake, body weight and glucose and beta-hydroxyl butyric acid concentration in the blood at two levels of protein, had no differences. But the structure of feed mostly influenced traits. Nutty diet showed higher feed intake and body weight. The grinding diet increased volatile fatty acids in rumen of valves. The structure of diet affected biometric measurements, grain and nutty diets increased the body height and chest girth. The fecal score and concentration of volatile fatty acids was variable in different diet structures but the difference was not meaningful. In terms of body temperature, nutty and pelleted diets containing 22% protein increased body temperature spite of the grinding diet that decreased the temperature up to 0.25 ˚C, it is mentioned that changing the structure of diet may be a useful way for controlling heat stress. The findings of this study indicated that nutty starter increased feed intake and significant weight gain compared to grinding, grain and pelleted diets, it is suggested to use nutty starter to increase the growth performance of the production period of calves. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

8 - Analysis of Awassi Sperm Motility in Two Media at Different Levels of Temperature, pH and Osmolality
م. آلومار م. زرکاوی م.آ. آلزوآبی

The effects of five levels of osmolality and pH as well as three temperatures on Awassi ram sperm motility parameters assessed by computer-aided sperm analyzer(CASA)in tyrode albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) and egg-yolk-tris (YET) media were studied. Semen obtained from More

The effects of five levels of osmolality and pH as well as three temperatures on Awassi ram sperm motility parameters assessed by computer-aided sperm analyzer(CASA)in tyrode albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) and egg-yolk-tris (YET) media were studied. Semen obtained from five adult Awassi rams were pooled and diluted in the above two media at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mOsm/kg at temperatures of 4˚, 20˚ and 37˚ degree celsius and also at pH levels of 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 at the same temperatures. The osmolality, pH and temperature had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the percent motility (MOT %) and the percent of sperm showing progressive motility (PMOT %). With the exception of lateral head displacement, all the other CASA motility parameters were also significantly affected (P<0.05). Semen incubated in YET was able to tolerate osmolarities within 200 to 400 mOsm/kg range for MOT %. Alkaline condition at pH 9 had higher negative effect than acidic condition at pH 5. Compared to the 20 ˚C and 37 ˚C, the 4 ˚C had negatively affected MOT % and PMOT % and this was more obvious in TALP medium. In conclusion, our results suggest: 1) the significant effects of osmolality, pH and temperature on Awassi sperm incubated in both TALP and YET media and 2) the need for careful selection of temperature by which the semen may be manipulated during artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization experiments in these two media. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

9 - The Use of Crushed Caraway (Carum carvi) and Black Seed (Nigella sativa) Additives on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, Serum Components and Physiological Responses of Sanjabi Lambs
س. کاکی م.م. معینی ف. هژبری ز. نیکوصفت

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of caraway and black seed supplementation on the physiological responses, antioxidant, serum, and hematological parameters of Sanjabi lambs. 18 Sanjabi male lambs were randomly assigned to three dietary treatmen More

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of caraway and black seed supplementation on the physiological responses, antioxidant, serum, and hematological parameters of Sanjabi lambs. 18 Sanjabi male lambs were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: (i) basal diet (control); (ii) basal diet with added 30 grams black seed/kg dry matter (DM); and (iii) with added 30 grams caraway/kg DM. The lambs fed caraway diet had higher final body weight than that of the control (P<0.05). Lambs fed black seed diet had lower alanine aminotransferase and cholesterol concentrations than those of the controls (P<0.05). Lambs fed caraway diet had lower blood malondialdehyde compared with the control (P<0.05). In conclusion, caraway and black seed supplements could improve growth performance and antioxidant parameters in fattening lambs. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

10 - Effect of Water Deprivation and Drinking Saline Water on Performance, Blood Metabolites, Nutrient Digestibility, and Rumen Parameters in Baluchi Lambs
و. وثوقی-پوستین دوز ع. طهماسبی ع.ع. ناصریان ر. ولی زاده ه. ابراهیمی

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of water deprivation and drinking saline water on the performance, blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility of Baluchi lambs. To this aim, 20 lambs, 170 ± 5 days of age, and with 31 ± 2.8 kg bodyweight, More

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of water deprivation and drinking saline water on the performance, blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility of Baluchi lambs. To this aim, 20 lambs, 170 ± 5 days of age, and with 31 ± 2.8 kg bodyweight, were assigned to four groups according to a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) free access to water during the day with a low total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration, 2) access to half their pervious ad libitum water intake with a low TDS concentration, 3) free access to water during the day with a high TDS concentration and 4) access to half their pervious ad libitum water intake with high TDS concentration and the experiment lasted 42 days. Results showed that the restricted access to water led to significant effect on dry-matter intake, average daily gain, water consumption and ratio of water consumption to feed intake, aldosterone hormone, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol, triglyceride, packed cell volume (PCV) concentration, serum chloride, potassium and sodium, rumen pH, digestibility of acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP) and organic matter, fecal output and urine exertion (P<0.05). Also drinking saline water had significant effects on dry-matter intake, average daily gain, water consumption and ratio of water consumption to feed intake, serum sodium and urine exertion (P<0.05), while either water restriction nor saline water had any significant effect on other measured parameters of experimental-group lambs (P>0.05). The results indicated that lambs can subsist under water deprivation and drinking saline water for at least 28 days without harmful effects. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

11 - Genetic Evaluation of some Carcass Characteristics Assessed by in vivo Real Time Ultrasonography in Baluchi Sheep
ع. محمدی س. حسنی س. زره داران م. باقری ع. میرشاهی

In order to evaluate carcass characteristics of a nucleus flock of Baluchi sheep, in vivo ultrasound technique was used to measure backfat thickness (UBFT) and longissimus dorsi muscle area (ULMA) and also to estimate genetic parameters for these ultrasonic traits and l More

In order to evaluate carcass characteristics of a nucleus flock of Baluchi sheep, in vivo ultrasound technique was used to measure backfat thickness (UBFT) and longissimus dorsi muscle area (ULMA) and also to estimate genetic parameters for these ultrasonic traits and live weights in different ages. The data were collected from 576 animals during 2011. (Co)variance components were estimated by univariate and bivariate animal models using restricted maximum likelihood and Asreml software. Females had higher UBFT and ULMA than males. Estimates of direct heritabilities were 0.32, 0.23, 0.27, 0.02, 0.12, 0.22 and 0.18 for UBFT, ULMA, birth weight (BW0), weaning weight (BW3), 6 month weight (BW6), 9 month weight (BW9) and yearling weight (BW12), respectively. There were positive and high genetic (0.68±0.15) and phenotypic (0.62±0.03) correlations between UBFT and ULMA. The genetic correlations among ultrasonic and pre 6 month weights were positive and low except for BW0 and ULMA (0.39±0.28). Contrarily, moderate to high positive genetic correlations between ultrasonic traits and weaning and post-weaning weights were found (0.33 to 0.61). Phenotypic correlations between ultrasonic and growth traits were positive and ranged from 0.09 to 0.37. High positive genetic correlation between UBFT and ULMA suggests that selection for larger muscle mass result in higher fat carcasses. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

12 - Effects of Acidifier Supplementation and Toxin Binder on Performance, Carcass, Blood Metabolites, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Population in Broiler Chickens
م.ر. حیدری ع.ا. صادقی و. رضایی‌پور

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of acidifier (in drinking water) and toxin binder on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood metabolites, microbial population and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 256 one-day old More

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of acidifier (in drinking water) and toxin binder on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood metabolites, microbial population and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 256 one-day old broiler chickens were distributed in four treatments with four replicates per each. The experimental treatments were: 1) control group (without acidifier and toxin binder), 2) group supplemented with acidifier, 3) group supplemented with toxin binder and 4) group supplemented with both acidifier and toxin binder. At 24 and 42 days of age, four birds per each treatment were selected and carcass traits, blood metabolites, microbial population and intestinal morphology were determined. The results showed that the experimental treatments had no significant effect on the growth performance of broiler chickens. The liver and heart weight was higher in broilers that received toxin binder (P<0.05). The experimental treatments did not alter the immune response and microbial population of the broiler chickens. The results indicated that the lowest serum concentration of cholesterol and triglyceride was observed in broiler chickens received treatment acidifier in combination with toxin binder (P<0.05). However, the birds fed toxin binder had a lower serum concentration of total protein, uric acid and liver enzyme activity (P<0.05). In the intestinal morphology, use of acidifier in combination with toxin binder improved the intestinal morphological traits in broiler chickens (P<0.05). On the basis of the present results, it can be used acidifier in combination with toxin binder in broiler chickens without any negative effect on the growth performance. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

13 - Pre- and Post-Hatch Effects of Eucalyptol Supplements to Water-Based Humidifiers in Broilers’ Incubators
م. ولی‌پور ماکویی ی. مهمان‌نواز

Direct abiotic environmental factors may influence embryonic development, chick quality and adult phenotype. Supplementing various levels of 1, 8-cineol (eucalyptol) to water as humidity source in broiler’s incubator and investigating its pre- and post-hatch effec More

Direct abiotic environmental factors may influence embryonic development, chick quality and adult phenotype. Supplementing various levels of 1, 8-cineol (eucalyptol) to water as humidity source in broiler’s incubator and investigating its pre- and post-hatch effects to determine the appropriate application protocol were the aims of this study. Four levels (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6%) of pure eucalyptol with 3 replicates were used on 1440 Ross 308 broiler chicks. During incubation, moisture loss on 18th day of incubation, hatchability, and weights of hatched chicks were measured. Post-hatch, various performance factors and carcass traits were determined through 42 d rearing period. Eucalyptol at 0.2% resulted in the greatest moisture loss at 18 d of incubation (12.8%) in addition to the highest hatchability (91.8%) and the highest hatched weight (45.9 g) (P<0.05). The same treatment (0.2% eucalyptol) significantly improved average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the percentage of breast, thigh and back-neck (P<0.05). The positive effects of 0.2% eucalyptol on pre- and post-hatch traits indicate that this new protocol of incubation may be of benefit to the world broiler industry. The potential links between eucalyptol as a source of humidity for incubation and epigenetic modification and/or other modification mechanisms require further investigation. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

14 - Effect of Stocking Density and Methionine Levels on Growth Performance and Immunity of Broiler Chicks
س. حیدری م. طغیانی

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density and incremental methionine levels on performance, immune response, carcass traits, and digestive organs of broiler chicks. A total of 390 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to six d More

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density and incremental methionine levels on performance, immune response, carcass traits, and digestive organs of broiler chicks. A total of 390 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to six dietary treatments and five replicates base on 3 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets included three levels of stocking density (12, 16 and 18 birds/m2) and two levels of methionine (100 and 120% requirement recommended for Ross 308) applied during 42 days of experiment. The results showed that 18 birds density decreased body weight and weight gain, feed intake and increased feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) in overall rearing period. The 120% methionine level tended to increase body weight at 42 day of age. Stocking density significantly (P<0.05) affected the relative weight of proventriculus, pancreas, gizzard and duodenum. The jejunum relative weight and ileum length of chicks received 120% methionine level significantly increased. Antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBC), Influenza and Newcastle viruses, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and lymphoid organs except spleen were not affected by dietary treatments (P<0.05). As a conclusion, broiler performance of chicks adversely affected by stocking density and methionine levels had no considerable effect on their performance. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

15 - Effects of in ovo Injection of Vitamins B6 and B12 in Fertile Eggs Subjected to Ethanol Stress on Hatching Traits, Performance and Visceral Organs of Broiler Chicks Reared under Cold Stress Condition
ط. مؤمنه م. ترکی

Two subsequent experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection of vitamin B6 and B12 in fertile eggs subjected to ethanol (EtOH) stress on hatching traits (first), performance and visceral organs of broiler chicks under cold stress (second). A num More

Two subsequent experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection of vitamin B6 and B12 in fertile eggs subjected to ethanol (EtOH) stress on hatching traits (first), performance and visceral organs of broiler chicks under cold stress (second). A number of 510 fertile eggs were incubated. A number of 180 eggs were considered as controls (three subgroups as: not-injected, eggshell with a hole and distilled water-injected). A number of 110 eggs were injected with 25 µL of a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of EtOH 47.5% + distilled water. Eggs in two other groups were injected with 25 µL of a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of EtOH 47.5% + 100 µL of B6 (n=110), 25 µL of a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of 47.5% EtOH + 1000 µL of B12 (n=110). A number of 240 one-day chicks, allocated to second experiment. Hatched chicks were divided into 4 treatments. Temperature was maintained 12 ˚C from 28 to 42 days of age. Hatchability percent (P<0.05) reduced by EtOH injected group. The lowest body weight at one day was observed in the EtOH injected group compared to other groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was detected in body weight gain and feed intake of chicks during 1-14 days of age between EtOH + B6 and EtOH + B12 groups. There was no effect of treatment on feed conversion ratio and visceral organ weight (P>0.05). In ovo injection of vitamins B6 and B12 alleviated EtOH-induced oxidative stress in chickens embryos. No significant difference was observed in the performance of the hatched birds in the cold conditions temperature (P>0.05). Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

16 - Evaluation of Body Surface Temperature in Broiler Chickens during the Rearing Period Based on Age, Air Temperature and Feather Condition
م. مقبلی دامنه ا. برازنده م. ستایی مختاری اُ اسماعیلی‌پور ی. بدخشان

Thermal comfort zone is a crucial importance in broiler chickens to preserve body temperature homeostasis. Since surface temperature contributes to thermal comfort, body surface temperature can be used to evaluate thermal equilibrium in animals. The heat flow at the bou More

Thermal comfort zone is a crucial importance in broiler chickens to preserve body temperature homeostasis. Since surface temperature contributes to thermal comfort, body surface temperature can be used to evaluate thermal equilibrium in animals. The heat flow at the boundary layer between broilers’ bodies and the environment differs between feathered and unfeathered areas. The aim of the present investigation was to adopt linear regression models incorporating environmental temperature and age of birds to predict the surface temperatures of the feathered and unfeathered areas. Temperatures of eight different parts on the body surface were measured using an infrared thermometer during the growth period (1-6 weeks). High correlation between the temperature of feathered regions and air temperature showed that these areas respond faster to changes in the rearing environmental temperature. Six equations were developed for predicting mean surface temperature and also differences between the body surface and air temperature as a function of air temperature, age and feathered or unfeathered body parts. As the air temperature increases, mean surface temperature and difference between body surface values raised and declined, respectively (P<0.05). Similar to the body surface temperature, the effect of age on difference between body surface and air temperature was different for feathered and unfeathered regions. According to the results, it is proposed that the deferent between the feathered and unfeathered areas should be incorporated in the models which used to predict broiler chicken body surface temperature. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

17 - Effects of Photoperiods during the Laying Period on Broiler Breeder Performance
ت. مکرمی ن. هدایت ایوریق ب. نویدشاد

The effects of increasing the laying period day-length from 13 to 16 hours were examined in Ross (308) broiler breeders. The birds reared on 8-h photoperiods and then were photo-stimulated at 21 weeks by increasing the photoperiods from 8 h of light, 16 h of darkness (8 More

The effects of increasing the laying period day-length from 13 to 16 hours were examined in Ross (308) broiler breeders. The birds reared on 8-h photoperiods and then were photo-stimulated at 21 weeks by increasing the photoperiods from 8 h of light, 16 h of darkness (8L:16D) to 11L:13D. Then the birds were given an additional 60 min of light per week cumulatively, such that in different experimental groups the 12L:12D, 13L:11D, 14L:10D, 15L:9D and 16L:8D photoperiods were achieved in 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 weeks of age, respectively. The photoperiods remained unchanged until the experiment was finished at 50 weeks of age. The 16L:8D group had a poorer feed conversion and less egg production and egg mass than the other 3 groups (P<0.05). The total settable egg percentage was significantly lower for 15L:9D and 16L:8D than for 13L:11D and 14L:10D birds (P<0.05). The 13L:11D and 14L:10D h hens had more double-yolked and broken or abnormal eggs, followed by the 15L:9D h birds, and the 16L h birds (P<0.05). The mean egg weight of 14L:10D birds was significantly more than for 16-L h birds (P<0.05), with 13L:11D and 14L:10D birds were intermediated (P<0.05). The percentage of hatchability was higher in 13L:11D h hens followed by the 15L:9D and the 16L:8D birds (P<0.05), with 14L:10D h hens intermediated between 13L:11D and 15L:9D groups. The findings of this study suggest that 13L:11D was the optimal photoperiods for Ross 308 broiler breeders in the laying period up to 50 weeks of age. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

18 - Phenotypic Correlations in Broiler Breast Meat Quality and some Welfare Criteria: Implications of Photoperiod Length and Light Intensity
ای. درلی فیدان آ. نازلیگول م.ک. تورکییلماز اس. آنوپول آیپک ف. سویل کیلیمسی اس. کاراارسلان م. کایا

The goals of this research were to estimate the phenotypic correlations among various meat quality traits, carcass parts weight, some blood parameters, and eye dimensions from a male broiler line and to describe the relation among these variables. Two photoperiod length More

The goals of this research were to estimate the phenotypic correlations among various meat quality traits, carcass parts weight, some blood parameters, and eye dimensions from a male broiler line and to describe the relation among these variables. Two photoperiod length groups and two light intensity groups of commercial meat-type broilers were used as treatments. A total of 272 1 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups based on the photoperiod length and light intensity, with four replicates. Eight broilers from each group were used for colour measurement (CIE L*a*b*), pH, cooking loss, and water holding capacity at the age of 42 days. The pH at 24 hours after postmortem (pHu) was capable of directly interfering with the attributes of the meat, since this trait was inversely related with a*, water holding capacity and pH 15 mins postmortem (pH15) in the dim, reducing (DRLI) group, indicating an effect of pHu decrease during 24h postmortem on protein denaturation. This study demonstrates that the variables of poultry meat quality are related and that there is a phenotypical association between a* value, water holding capacity (WHC) and the other attributes of the meat. The pHu, a* value and WHC could be efficient meat quality indicators in this broiler line. Corticosterone (CORT) level had a significant positive correlation (r=0.323, P<0.05) with glucose level in the bright light (BLI) group. Eye weight had a significant correlation with all eye dimensios in increasing photoperiod length group. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

19 - Potential of Genomic Breeding Program in Iranian Native Chickens
س. ابراهیم&rlm;پورطاهر ص. علیجانی س.ع. رأفت ا.ر. شریفی

Development of genomic selection can be a new strategy in breeding of native chicken. The main aim of this study was to evaluate application of a genomic selection program in Iranian native chickens from economic and genetic points of view. In this study, two scenarios More

Development of genomic selection can be a new strategy in breeding of native chicken. The main aim of this study was to evaluate application of a genomic selection program in Iranian native chickens from economic and genetic points of view. In this study, two scenarios including conventional scenario with 3360 and 3380 animals and genomic scenario were compared using ZPLAN+ software. The traits in the selection index were egg number, body weight, mean weight of egg and age at sexual maturity. In genomic scenario different reference population size were considered. In this scenario the genomic information from cocks (800 cocks were genotyped) was added to available information in conventional scenario based on selection index method. The generation interval was 14.5 months for all conventional and genomic scenarios. In comparison of scenarios, genetic gain and the economic profit increased by increasing reference population size in genomic scenario (€126.88-€147.45 with 80 cocks) and (€140.20 to €160.77 with 60 cocks) per animal unit. The reliability of selection index was 0.33 for cocks in conventional scenario. The reliabilities of genomic scenarios were 0.61-0.84 for 80 selected cocks and 0.66-0.87 for 60 selected cocks and that were high in comparison to conventional scenario. This study showed that genomic selection can increase the genetic improvement rate of native chickens. However, the costs of genomic scenarios were higher than conventional scenario, but genomic information increased accuracy of selection and genetic gain in breeding goals traits. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

20 - In vitro Fiber Digestibility, Gas Production and Enzyme Activity of Cellulolytic Bacteria of Arabian Camels (Dromedary) Fed Cultivable and Pasture Forage
پ. دادور ط. محمدآبادی م. ساری ج. فیاضی

This experiment was conducted to evaluate of rumen cellulolytic bacteria activity of dromedary camels fed cultivable and pasture forage. Four fistulated dromedary camels were fed for 35 days in 2 periods as cross over design with cultivable and pasture forage (4 camels More

This experiment was conducted to evaluate of rumen cellulolytic bacteria activity of dromedary camels fed cultivable and pasture forage. Four fistulated dromedary camels were fed for 35 days in 2 periods as cross over design with cultivable and pasture forage (4 camels per forage). Then rumen fluid was collected after morning feeding. Inoculant of cellulolytic bacteria was prepared and in vitro gas production, digestibility and enzyme activity were measured (6 replicates). Treatments were including: rumen fluid of camels fed cultivable forage × wheat straw and or atriplex as a substrate and rumen fluid of camels fed pasture forage × wheat straw and or atriplex as a substrate. The result showed, after 96 hours incubation, the produced gas and actual digested organic matter for treatments 1 and 4 were higher (P≤0.01). However, the ammonia-N was affeted by treatments at 24 and 48 h incubation (P≤0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and natural detergent fiber by bacteria were influenced by treatments (P≤0.01). The results revealed that the activity of endoglucanase and exoglucanase in treatments 1 and 3 at 48 h incubation (P≤0.01) and values of treatment 4 at 96 h was the highest (P≤0.01). Therefore, pasture forage such atriplex caused to a silent delay in starting bacteria fermentation activity in camels, then primary delay was compensated by adaptation to the substrate. Also feeding of C4 pasture forage to camels improved the fiber degradability and enzyme activity of rumen bacteria in compared with C3 cultivable forage. Manuscript profile

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