Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran: 1 (1)

Open Access Article

1 - A Review on the Lactic Acid Bacteria Probiotic in the Control of Coccidiosis, Campylobacteriosis, and Salmonellosis in Broiler Chickens
م. رویان

Roles of probiotic microorganisms in digestive physiology are contributed to enhancing animals health and reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. Banning the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry in many countries has been contributed to the inc More

Roles of probiotic microorganisms in digestive physiology are contributed to enhancing animals health and reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. Banning the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry in many countries has been contributed to the increasing use of probiotics because long-term use of antibiotics causes antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria in poultry and subsequently in the man, the vaccines are also costly. Salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and coccidiosis infections are the most common intestinal diseases in the poultry industry. The pathogens causing these diseases are Salmonella enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni, and Eimeria tenella, respectively. Probiotics are able to control these diseases. Certainly, controlling the causes of these disease outbreaks will promote the public health. On the other hand, the probiotics increase bird resistance against the invasion of Eimeria that may lead to protect against coccidiosis. This review deals to the potential of lactic acid probiotic bacteria to control coccidiosis, campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

2 - The New Progresses in Trace Mineral Requirements of Broilers, a Review
ب. نویدشاد م. محمدرضائی م. زارعی ر. ولی زاده س. کرامتی ف. رضائی ص. جباری ر. کچوئی پ. اسمائیل نسب

Since 1994 till today a few up to date have been made on the NRC (1994) recommendations for trace mineral requirements of broilers. The high prevalence of skeletal disorders in modern broilers could be a consequence of the uncoordinated growth rate and mineral nutrition More

Since 1994 till today a few up to date have been made on the NRC (1994) recommendations for trace mineral requirements of broilers. The high prevalence of skeletal disorders in modern broilers could be a consequence of the uncoordinated growth rate and mineral nutrition. The commercial companies of broiler production often use a huge safety margin of trace minerals in feed formulation, which will result in trace mineral excretion into the environment. There are differences in the commercially recommended levels of dietary trace element between commercial strains of broilers and all of them are different from NRC (1994) recommendations. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

3 - Comparison of in vitro Fermentation with in situ Degradation to Estimate Dry Matter Degradability and Energy Protein Synchronization of Roughage Based Diets
م. آیونگ ی.ی. کیاوت م.ت. هتون ک.س. میو آ. آیونگ

This study was aimed to evaluate the correlation between in vitro fermentation and in situ degradation parameters and to predict dry matter degradability and energy protein synchronization of roughage based diets. Different inclusion of roughage in diets [roughage 50% d More

This study was aimed to evaluate the correlation between in vitro fermentation and in situ degradation parameters and to predict dry matter degradability and energy protein synchronization of roughage based diets. Different inclusion of roughage in diets [roughage 50% diet (R50D), roughage 60% diet (R60D), roughage 65% diet (R65D) and roughage 70% diet (R70D)] were used to determine in vitro and in situ parameters. The relationships between in vitro and in situ parameters were analyzed by simple linear regression. The gas volumes and fermentation kinetics of R50D and R65D were greater (P<0.05) than those of other diets, however the lesser values of partitioning factor for microbial protein synthesis efficiency was found in R50D. Although the nutrient disappearances, degradation kinetics and effective degradability were greater (P<0.05) in R50D in compare with R60D and R65D, the lowest (P<0.05) energy protein synchronization was observed in R50D. The significant correlation (P<0.05) were observed in all regression equations of in vitro gas volumes and in situ nutrient disappearances. The in situ effective dry matter degradability and energy protein synchronization were correlated (P<0.05) with in vitro fermentation kinetics and some estimated parameters such as short chain fatty acid and partitioning factor for microbial protein synthesis efficiency. Among the correlations, the greater accuracy could be achieved by inclusion of two or more parameters in regression equation. The results showed that in vitro gas production technique has the potential to predict effective dry matter degradability and energy protein synchronization of roughage based diets. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

4 - Effects of Milking Frequency on Milk Production and Composition of Holstein Cows during Their First Three Lactations
آی. بوجنانه

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of milking frequency (two times daily vs. three times daily) on the 305-d lactation milk, fat and protein yield and fat and protein percentage of Holstein dairy cows in Morocco. Data analyzed were 31400 records c More

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of milking frequency (two times daily vs. three times daily) on the 305-d lactation milk, fat and protein yield and fat and protein percentage of Holstein dairy cows in Morocco. Data analyzed were 31400 records collected between 2009 and 2016 on 14272 cows raised in 194 herds. The frequency of milking had significant effects (P<0.05) on 305-d milk, fat and protein yield as well as fat percentage. The milk, fat and protein yield and fat percentage were higher by 265.1 kg, 13.3 kg, 5.8 kg, and 0.3 g/kg, respectively, i.e. 3,79%, 4.78%, 2.40%, and 0.75%, respectively, for cows milked thrice than those milked twice daily. However, the frequency of milking did not influence protein percentage (P>0.05). The interaction between parity and milking frequency was not significant (P>0.05) for any studied trait. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that increasing milking frequency increased milk, fat and protein yield as well as fat percentage regardless of parity. However, the additional milk yield obtained might not compensate for the cost of the labor generated by the extra milking. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

5 - Performance, Metabolic Responses of Fresh Cows to Daily or Every Other Day Oral Drenching a Glucogenic Precursor
م. کاظمی بن چناری م. جهانی مقدم ع.ر. علیزاده پ. قدرتی ح. شهابی ا. محجوبی م. گرجی دوز

The delivery method of [continuous (CONT) vs. every other day or intermittent (INT)] a glucogenic precursor (GP) which was contained glycerin (500 g/kg), mono-propylene glycol (250 g/kg), calcium propionate (150 g/kg), niacin (1 g/kg) and sulfate-Co (350 mg/kg) on perfo More

The delivery method of [continuous (CONT) vs. every other day or intermittent (INT)] a glucogenic precursor (GP) which was contained glycerin (500 g/kg), mono-propylene glycol (250 g/kg), calcium propionate (150 g/kg), niacin (1 g/kg) and sulfate-Co (350 mg/kg) on performance, selected blood metabolites and liver enzymes were evaluated. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein fresh cows were allocated in a completely randomized design (8 animals/each treatment) fed individually for a period of 14 days after calving. The experimental groups were: 1) no GP supplementation (CTR), 2) GP offered as an oral drench once a day (GP-CONT) on days 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 after calving and 3) GP offered as an oral drench once a day intermittently (GP-INT) on days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 after calving. The amount of oral drenched GP was 1 kg/d. Blood samples were obtained on 5 and 14 days in milk. Dry matter intake (DMI) was increased (P=0.05) in GP-INT cows compared to GP-CONT but not control cows. The yield of fat corrected milk was greater in CTR cows than in GP supplemented cows (P=0.01). The milk protein and fat content were greater for GP-CONT and CTR groups, respectively. Milk somatic cell count was decreased in GP supplemented cows than in CTR cows (64.5 vs. 365×103/mL; P=0.02).Plasma total protein concentration was greater in GP-CONT group. Insulin concentration was increased for GP-CON animals on day 5 (P<0.05). Non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxy butyrate as well as liver enzymes were unaltered by treatments. However insulin sensitivity index was lower in supplemented treatments with GP rather than control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the intermittent delivery of glucogenic precursor may be recommendable in fresh cows based on DMI criteria, which warrants further studies. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

6 - Ingestive Behavior of Heifers Feeding with Marandu Grass Silage
گ.آ. مندس و. روکا جونیور ج.ر.م. راس ف. وییرا سیلوا ف.پ. مونکائو د.آ. سیلوا پ.ف. سانتانا گ.س.س. دیوید

The present study was aimed at assessing the ingestive behavior of ¾ Zebu × Holstein heifers confined to different levels of substitution of sorghum silage by marandu grass silage. Twenty heifers were used with initial average weight of 346.25 kg, divided i More

The present study was aimed at assessing the ingestive behavior of ¾ Zebu × Holstein heifers confined to different levels of substitution of sorghum silage by marandu grass silage. Twenty heifers were used with initial average weight of 346.25 kg, divided into completely randomized experimental design with 5 repetitions and the following treatments: treatment 1) roughage fraction of the diet composed of 100% of sorghum silage; treatment 2) roughage fraction of the diet composed of 70% of sorghum silage and 30% of marandu grass silage; treatment 3) roughage fraction of the diet composed of 30% of sorghum silage and 70% of marandu grass silage and treatment 4) roughage fraction of the diet composed of 100% of marandu grass silage. Concentrate was provided (25.25% soybean meal, 73.44% ground corn and 1.31% mineral mixture, based on natural matter), made calculations for ingestion of 1.2% of the live weight. Visual observations were accomplished for determination of ingestive behavior, every 21 days. The substitution of sorghum silage by marandu grass silage increased time with feeding, it did not affect time with rumination, time of chew, number of chews a day nor number of meals a day, but it resulted in lower feed efficiency, without interfering in the rumination efficiency of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent insoluble fiber (NDF). Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

7 - Milk Production and Composition, and Intake of Holstein Lactating Cows Fed Diets with Partial Substitution of Soybean Meal with Flaked Field Pea
آ. پیرزاده نائینی م. دانش مسگران ع.ر. وکیلی ه. ابراهیمی

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a partial substitution of soybean meal with field pea (Pisum sativum) in Holstein lactating dairy cow diets on dry matter intake, milk yield and composition, blood metabolites, rumen ammonia-N concentration an More

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a partial substitution of soybean meal with field pea (Pisum sativum) in Holstein lactating dairy cow diets on dry matter intake, milk yield and composition, blood metabolites, rumen ammonia-N concentration and pH. Eighteen lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned into three groups based on parity, days in milk, and milk yield. Flaked field peas replaced soybean meal (SBM) at the levels of 0.0, 33 and 66% (P0, P33 and P66, respectively) and were fed to the animals for 33 days. Dry matter intake, milk yield, milk fat and protein content, blood metabolites, rumen ammonia-N concentration and pH were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by the diets. The results of this study demonstrated that field pea could safely replace soybean meal up to 66% in the diet of high-producing dairy cows. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

8 - Production of Monoclonal Antibody against Prokaryotically Expressed G1 Protein of Bovine Ephemeral Fever Virus
ر. پسندیده م.ر. صیفی آباد شاپوری م.ت. بیگی نصیری

Epitope-G1 of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) G glycoprotein has been genetically and antigenically conserved among various isolates of BEFV and only reacts with anti-BEFV neutralising antibodies. Therefore, it is a candidate antigen for development of the enzyme li More

Epitope-G1 of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) G glycoprotein has been genetically and antigenically conserved among various isolates of BEFV and only reacts with anti-BEFV neutralising antibodies. Therefore, it is a candidate antigen for development of the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological identification bovine ephemeral fever (BEF)-infected animals. The aim of this study was to produce a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against recombinant G1 antigen expressed into Escherichia coli. For this purpose, somatic cell hybrids between SP2/0 myeloma cells and spleen cells derived from Balb/c mice immunized with maltose-binding protein (MBP)-G1 fusion protein were established. After three rounds of cloning, the stability of antibody secretion in the positive clones was confirmed by ELISA and the reactivity of the MAbs against recombinant G1 was verified by Western blot analysis. The specific MAbs produced against recombinant G1 antigen in this study could be used for establishing BEFV diagnostic experiments in the future. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

9 - Effect of Using Reproductive Technologies on Genetic Progress in Sistani Native Cattle of Iran: A Simulation Study
ه. فرجی-آروق م. رکوعی ع. مقصودی م. مهری س. انصاری مهیاری ا. کریستین سورنسن

The effect of artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET) to bull dams (BD), and sexed semen (SS) to cow dams (CD) with and without controlling inbreeding were studied using stochastic simulation. Three levels of embryo transfer (no ET, ET on all BD, and ET on 20 More

The effect of artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET) to bull dams (BD), and sexed semen (SS) to cow dams (CD) with and without controlling inbreeding were studied using stochastic simulation. Three levels of embryo transfer (no ET, ET on all BD, and ET on 20% of BD), five levels of sexed semen (no SS: control, SS-X on all CD, SS-X on 20% CD, SS-Y on all CD, and SS-Y on 20% CD), three levels of artificial insemination (no AI, AI on 50% cows, and AI on 90% cows), two levels of mating system (random and minimum consistory) were combined together to make 66 scenarios in which the combination of no ET, no SS, and no AI are assigned as a control. The simulated population consisted of 40 herds with 50 cows each was monitored for 30 years. The results showed that the use of AI, ET, and SS techniques increased the annual change of total merit index (TMI), inbreeding, and selection accuracy. Compared to control, the rate of annual change in TMI and inbreeding were increased as 41.95, 36.91 and 83.91%; and 192, 57 and 207%, for using of AI, ET and combination of SS + AI + ET, respectively. The minimum consistory mating decreased inbreeding, but not affected other parameters. The results suggested that using of ET on 20% BD, SS-Y for all CD, and 90% AI alone or in combination with each other along with minimum consistory mating might resulted in high genetic progress and low inbreeding rate. These technologies and inbreeding control strategies may increase the ratio of annual change of TMI to inbreeding. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

10 - The Effects of Indigestible Neutral Detergent Fiber (iNDF) of Alfalfa Hay and Corn Silage on Ruminal Degradability of Ration Fiber in Sheep
س. یوسفیان ا. تیموری یانسری ی. چاشنی دل

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) of ration for estimation of rumen degradability of fiber in sheep. In experiment 1, to determine feed iNDF, four ruminal fistulated Zel ewes were used. Three grams of More

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) of ration for estimation of rumen degradability of fiber in sheep. In experiment 1, to determine feed iNDF, four ruminal fistulated Zel ewes were used. Three grams of alfalfa hay, corn silage, barley grain, wheat bran, ration 1 (including alfalfa hay and concentrate), and ration 2 (including corn silage and concentrate) in four replications were put in nylon bags and incubated in the rumen for 288 h. In experiment 2, the ruminal degradation of dry matter (DM), NDF, iNDF and potential digestible NDF (pdNDF) of alfalfa hay, corn silage, in both ration 1 and 2, were determined with in situ method using four ruminal fistulated Zel ewes. Rumen disappearance of DM at 0 and 2 hour incubation time and NDF at 96 hour incubation time in ration 2 were higher. The soluble, slowly degraded fractions, and rate of degradation in rations 1 and 2 were 28.93 and 25.93%; 50.40 and 46.26%; 2.36 and 3.19 %/h for DM; 11.81 and 11.74%; 61.37 and 46.32%, and 1.74 and 2.33 %/h for NDF, respectively. The iNDF content in alfalfa hay, corn silage, barley grain, wheat bran, ration 1 and 2 were 30.74 ± 3.02, 16.84 ± 2.14, 4.77 ± 1.48, 11.75 ± 2.29, 21.32 ± 0.77, and 11.42 ± 0.91% of DM, respectively. The results showed that despite the similarities in NDF content in both rations, difference in the iNDF content could affect on degradability in rumen. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

11 - Formation of Hydrogen Peroxide by Chilled Goat Spermatozoa and the Effects of Dead Spermatozoa on Motility Characteristics
م. آلومار

In this study, the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by chilled goat spermatozoa was measured. Furthermore, the effects of dead spermatozoa on motility characteristics were studied. Fresh collected ejaculates from five Shami bucks were centrifuged and virtually all More

In this study, the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by chilled goat spermatozoa was measured. Furthermore, the effects of dead spermatozoa on motility characteristics were studied. Fresh collected ejaculates from five Shami bucks were centrifuged and virtually all seminal plasma was removed. A part of the collected spermatozoa was killed by two ways: the first by repeated freezing in liquid nitrogen and thawing at 37 ˚C in water bath and the second by adding the spermatozoa to double distilled water.Two experiments were conducted after two hours of samples incubation intris-egg yolk (TEY) medium at 5 ˚C. In the first experiment, a fluorometric assay with 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine agent as a probe for H2O2 detection was used to measure H2O2 formation. In the second experiment, the effects of adding 0 (control), 25, 50 and 75 % (V/V) of dead spermatozoa to live ones on sperm motility were assessed using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). Hydrogen peroxide was generated from live and dead chilled spermatozoa and the amounts of this agent increased with time. Moreover, clear significant differences (P<0.05) were observed between the generated levels from dead spermatozoa compared to live ones. The dead spermatozoa by repeated freezing-thawing treatment produced the higher H2O2 amount (P<0.05). The values of percent motile spermatozoa (MOT %), percent of progressively motile spermatozoa (PMOT %) and average path velocity (VAP) were significantly (P<0.05) reduced compared to controls when dead spermatozoa were added. The negative effect on the previous CASA parameters was increased when the percentages of dead spermatozoa were increased whatever the way of sperm death was. In conclusion, the high formation of H2O2 from dead chilled goat spermatozoa may be responsible for motility decreased. The removal of dead spermatozoa from incubation medium could help to improve the motility characteristics of chilled goat sperm. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

12 - Chemical Composition and in vitro and in vivo Digestibility of Tea Waste in Sheep
م. زاهدی فر ح. فضائلی ا.ر. صفایی س.م. علوی

Tea processing includes several stages and in three of them namely drying, fiber-mat and screening some of the product is wasted. In this study, 25 percent of the tea processing plants in Iran were selected. Three samples were taken from each plant and analyzed for chem More

Tea processing includes several stages and in three of them namely drying, fiber-mat and screening some of the product is wasted. In this study, 25 percent of the tea processing plants in Iran were selected. Three samples were taken from each plant and analyzed for chemical composition and in vitro and in vivo digestibility and voluntary feed intake. Results showed that crude protein (CP) content of different tea by-products including drying, fiber-mat and screening were 198, 193 and 194 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively, without significant difference among them. Concentration of ash were 64.0, 62.0 and 56.0 g/kg DM for drying, fiber-mat and screening respectively which was significantly (P<0.05) the lowest in Screening. The content of K, Ca, P, Mg and Na were 16.2, 4.2, 2.5, 2.2 and 0.73 g/kg DM, respectively, without significant difference among the samples. The mean values for in vitro digestibility coefficient of DM, organic matter (OM), OM/DM and gross energy of the tea wastes were 0.48, 0.44, 0.42 and 0.42, respectively. Inclusion of tea waste in the diet significantly (P<0.05) reduced in vivo digestibility coefficient of CP and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The digestible energy was 10.0 MJ/kg which were not significantly different among the three types of tea waste. Inclusion of 80 g/kg DM tea waste in the diet significantly (P<0.05) reduced voluntary feed intake. Tea waste can be included in the diet of ruminants but its level should be limited due to presence of anti-nutritional factors. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

13 - Effect of Supplementing Sheep Diet with Glycyrrhiza glabra and Urtica dioica Powder on Growth Performance, Rumen Bacterial Community and some Blood Biochemical Constituents
ر. راه چمنی م. فرامرزی ف. مسلمی پور ج. بیات کوهسار

In this study, nine male Dallagh sheep (initial weight 35±2 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 latin square design experiment with three treatments and three 21-day periods (14 d adaptation, 7 d collection). Treatments were control (without addition) and t More

In this study, nine male Dallagh sheep (initial weight 35±2 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 latin square design experiment with three treatments and three 21-day periods (14 d adaptation, 7 d collection). Treatments were control (without addition) and two treatment diets containing 10% dry matter Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) and Urtica dioica (nettle) powder. The dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio were determined. Rumen fluid was obtained at 0, 4 and 8 hours after feeding. Also, blood samples were collected 2 h after feeding. Diet containing 10% licorice significantly increased feed conversion ratio versus control (P<0.05). In licorice treatment, lactic acid bacteria in rumen fluid were lower than nettle 8 hours after morning feeding. Sheep fed licorice had higher rumen protozoa count than control before morning feeding (P<0.05). Dietary supplementations had no effect on the weight gain, dry matter intake, and total count of bacteria, coliforms, rumen pH, blood glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, and albumin. In conclusion, licorice dry powder decreased lactic acid bacteria, increased feed conversion ratio, and had no significant effect on other studied factors. Also, nettle had no effect on performance, blood metabolite and rumen parameters. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

14 - Curl Size and Pelt Color Determination of Zandi Lambs Using Image Processing and Artificial Neural Network
م. خجسته کی ع.ا. اسلمی نژاد ع.ر. جعفری اروری

In this study, a method based on using image processing and artificial neural network is introduced to determine pelt color and curl size of newborn lambs in Zandi sheep. The data was collected from 300 newborn lambs reared in the Zandi sheep breeding centre of Khojir, More

In this study, a method based on using image processing and artificial neural network is introduced to determine pelt color and curl size of newborn lambs in Zandi sheep. The data was collected from 300 newborn lambs reared in the Zandi sheep breeding centre of Khojir, Tehran. Primarily, curl size and pelt color of new born lambs was recorded by experienced appraisers, and at the same time, several digital images were captured from the lateral side of each lamb. The features related to curl size and pelt color of lambs were extracted from digital images using image processing tools (IPT) of MATLAB software. To determining the pelt color, to classifying the pelts for curl size, and to estimating the curl size of pelt, three artificial neural networks were designed. The pelt color of the lambs was determined using an artificial neural network with a precision of 100%. The accuracy of the neural network which trained to classify the pelts on their curl size was 94.87%. The accuracy of the third neural network to estimate the curl size of pelts was 98.44%. The correlation between the curl size estimated using the artificial neural network and the curl size which measured by appraisers was 96.4% (P<0.01). The results of this study showed that there is a potential to use artificial intelligence as a substitute for human assessments in the recording of pelt traits. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

15 - Growth Modeling and Genetic Analysis on Growth Traits of Sirohi Goat under Field Conditions
ل. گاوتام ر.آ. کومار ناگدا ه. اشرف وایز

The data on 6772 growth records of Sirohi goats maintained at All India Coordinated Research Projecton Sirohi goat at Livestock Research Station, Vallabhnagar, Udaipur, India, and recorded between 2004 and 2016, were analysed to study the growth related traits and their More

The data on 6772 growth records of Sirohi goats maintained at All India Coordinated Research Projecton Sirohi goat at Livestock Research Station, Vallabhnagar, Udaipur, India, and recorded between 2004 and 2016, were analysed to study the growth related traits and their genetic control. The overall least squares means of body weight at birth, W3M, W6M, W9M, W12M, were 2.34 ± 0.03, 12.44 ± 0.19, 16.31 ± 0.22, 20.08 ± 0.47 and 25.09 ± 0.40 kg, respectively while least-squares means for pre- and post-weaning average daily gains were 113.66 ± 2.15 and 46.17 ± 0.94 g/day, respectively. The various non-genetic factors exhibited variable effects on the growth traits at different phases of age. Cluster and period of birth had significant effect on all growth traits. Season of birth had significant effect except birth weight. Summer born kids heavier and higher body weight and pre- and post-weaning gains than winter and rainy season born kids. Males had a higher weight and higher daily gain than females at almost all stages of growth. Kids of primiparous dams had significantly lower birth weight as compared to multiparous dams’ kids. Single born kids had a distinct advantage over those born in multiple births at all stages of growth. The regression on dam’s weight at kidding were positive significant for all stages of growth traits. The heritability estimates of all body weights and weight gains at different stages of growth were moderate (0.16-0.28), except for post-weaning average daily gain, which had low heritability (0.07±0.01). The phenotypic and genetic correlations among the different growth traits were positive and high, except for phenotypic correlation between pre- and post-weaning gains which was negative. Four non-linear growth models, viz., Gompertz, Brody, Logistic and Von Bertalanffy were used to describe the growth pattern in Sirohi kids based on the growth parameters. The highest R2 value and lowest mean absolute error (MAE), akaike’s information criteria (AIC) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values were observed in Brody model. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

16 - Effects of Dietary Guanidinoacetic Acid Supplementation on Performance, Blood Parameters and Meat Quality of Male Broilers with Cold-Induced Ascites
ا. محبی فر م. ترکی ع. عبدالمحمدی

The effects of dietary supplemental guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on performance, biochemical indices and meat pH of broilers with cold-induced ascites were studied. A total of 640 day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were assigned to four dietary treatments including co More

The effects of dietary supplemental guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on performance, biochemical indices and meat pH of broilers with cold-induced ascites were studied. A total of 640 day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were assigned to four dietary treatments including control diet; control diet supplemented with either 0.6, 1.2 or 1.8 g of GAA per kg of feed. Each treatment was replicated in 8 battery cages (n=20). At day 14, temperature was reduced to amplify the incidence of ascites. The birds fed the control, 1.2 and 1.8 g/kg GAA diets exhibited higher average daily gain (ADG) compared to those fed 0.6 g/kg GAA (P<0.05). Bird fed diet with 1.2 g/kg GAA also showed poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to birds in other dietary groups (P<0.05). Higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) were observed in birds fed the diet with 1.2 g/kg GAA (P<0.05). The mortality due to ascites was significantly lower in birds fed diet with 1.2 g/kg GAA compared to birds fed the control, 0.6 and 1.8 g/kg GAA diets. Moreover, there was a quadratic effect of GAA levels on mortality due to ascites. No significant effects of dietary treatments on leucocyte subsets and relative weights of lymphoid organs were observed. Lower meat pH was detected in chicks fed the GAA-supplemented diets compared to birds fed the control diet. Dietary GAA supplementation resulted in a linear (P=0.01) and quadratic (P=0.03) responses in meat pH. In conclusion, diet supplementation with GAA had reducing effects on the occurrence of ascites-related mortality in broiler chicks. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

17 - Effects of in ovo Injection of Zinc Acetate on some Gene Expression Associated with Embryonic Growth and Development, and with Growth and Carcass Characteristics of the Resultant Chicks
م. تقی پور شه بندی ز. انصاری پیرسرائی ح. دلدار م. کاظمی فرد

This study was conducted in two steps to determine the effects of in ovo injection of zinc acetate (ZAC) on some gene expression associated with embryonic growth and development, and with growth and carcass characteristics of the resultant chicks. In the first step the More

This study was conducted in two steps to determine the effects of in ovo injection of zinc acetate (ZAC) on some gene expression associated with embryonic growth and development, and with growth and carcass characteristics of the resultant chicks. In the first step the effect of in ovo injectionofZAC on the expression of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs:IGF-I and IGF-I), myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) and metallothionein (MT) genes was examined, and in the step two, the associations between genes expression with fertility, embryonic mortality, hatchability, body weight (BW) and relative organ weight on day of hatch, and body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) a week after hatching were investigated. Seven hundred twenty fertile eggs (n=720) were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups consisted of: 1) non-injected (NI) group, 2) sham group (group injected with deionized water (DW)), and 3) and 4) groups injected with 3.64 and 5.23 M ZAC, respectively. On day 3 of incubation the eggs were injected with 50 µL of each treatment into the albumen. On day 5 of the incubation and on hatch day, liver and breast muscle of the chicks were removed and immediately stored at -80 ˚C until RNA extraction and real time-PCR analysis. In ovo ZAC injection increased myogenic differentiation factor both in embryo and breast muscle. MT mRNA expression was also increased by ZAC injection. Hatchability was lower in ZAC groups and early embryonic mortality was higher in sham control (SHC) and ZAC groups. Injection of ZAC improved both BW and FCR during the first week of rearing, and increased the relative weights of liver and breast muscle. In conclusion, in ovo injection of ZAC increased some of gene expressions of tissues and BW7 during the first week, but decreased hatchability. Hence, lower doses of ZAC are recommended to use in further experiments. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

18 - Defining Economic Values of Important Traits in One Hump Camel in Desert Areas Rearing System
م. وطن خواه ع. شفیع نادری م.ر. مفیدی ع.ا. قره داغی م.ع. عباسی

In this study production, reproduction, population, management and economic parameters resulted from recording of 7 flocks with size 57 to 400 and 721 heads of camels in a cycle of reproduction, during three years from 2011 to 2013 were used to find out of the economic More

In this study production, reproduction, population, management and economic parameters resulted from recording of 7 flocks with size 57 to 400 and 721 heads of camels in a cycle of reproduction, during three years from 2011 to 2013 were used to find out of the economic values of important traits in one hump camel in desert areas rearing system. The economic traits that appeared in profit equation were durability, reproduction and production traits. The economic values, economic weights and the relative importance of traits estimated by increasing one unit and one genetic standard deviation of each trait, using maximizing profit, maximizing efficiency and minimizing cost situations. The results showed that from total annual revenue in each camel (294.10 US$), 66% accounted for sale of calf and 34% resulted from the sale of culling camels. The total annual cost in each camel (72.95 US$), feed, labour and management, facilities, drug and treatment and interest of investment accounted by 40.23%, 34.49%, 7.18%, 1.42% and 16.67%, respectively. The average annual profit and profit to cost ratio in each camel were equal to 221.15 US$ and 3.03, respectively. Relative importance of different group of traits for average of the herds were 58.44% for durability traits (survival rate in camel 14.31%, survival rate in calf to weaning age 34.74% and longevity of camel 9.39%), 24.33% for reproduction traits (conception rate 14.31%, calving interval -8.99%, and age at first calving -1.03%) and 17.23% for production traits (calf weaning weight 13.60%, weight of female replacement -1.09% and weight of camel 2.53%). Relative importance of durability traits resulted from maximizing efficiency and minimizing cost decrease steadily and added to the relative importance of reproduction and production traits. The estimated relative importance of different traits got in this study, could be used to form multiple trait selection indices to one hump camel breeding programs in desert areas rearing system. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

19 - Evaluation of Functional Properties and Fatty Acid Profiles of One-Hump and Crossbred (Dromedarius and Bactrianus) Camel Meat
ز. عبادی ف. سرحدی

In this study twenty-four male and female one-humped and crossbred (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) camel meat were evaluated during two fattening periods (6 and 9 months). The characteristics of camel meat and fatty acid profile in different parts of body ( More

In this study twenty-four male and female one-humped and crossbred (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) camel meat were evaluated during two fattening periods (6 and 9 months). The characteristics of camel meat and fatty acid profile in different parts of body (leg, shoulder, loin and neck) were measured. The results indicated that the pH ultimate of crossbred camel meat was lower than one-humped sample and the males had higher level than the females (P<0.05). The genetic groups of crossbred and one-humped had significantly different percentage of cooking loss, water binding capacity (WBC) and meat pigment concentrations. The fatty acid (FA) composition of camel meat was affected by crossbreeding and fattening periods especially in neck, loin and shoulder cuts. High level of unsaturated FA percentage and the ratio of mono and polyunsaturated FA (MUFA+PUFA) to saturated FA (SFA) were found in crossbred meat samples. Fattening period from 6 to 9 months increased the level of MUFA + PUFA/SFA ratio and health index of crossbred camel meat. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

20 - A Study of Genetic Diversity of Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) from Iran Using Microsatellite Markers
ا. لواف ط. فرهوش م. طرح ساز

The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a bird of prey with Eurasia distribution. Buteo buteo from Iran, has an important role in the ecological cycle of the north and the northwest parts of Iran, now is suffering from illegal hunting. Blood samples from 50 Buteo buteo bird More

The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a bird of prey with Eurasia distribution. Buteo buteo from Iran, has an important role in the ecological cycle of the north and the northwest parts of Iran, now is suffering from illegal hunting. Blood samples from 50 Buteo buteo birds from rehabilitation center of Pardisan Park, Tehran, Iran were taken to evaluate and study the genetic diversity of these birds using 10 microsatellite markers. The population was a random population involved birds from different habitats of Buteo buteo from Iran. The results of this study showed that the population had a high genetic diversity and the highest and lowest heterozygosity was observed at Bbu30 and Bbu33 markers (0.860 and 0.514), respectively. Expected heterozigosity (He) was ranged from 0.638 in Bbu22 to 0.832 in Bbu30. The lowest number of alleles (Na) and effective number of alleles (Ne) were observed at Bbu22 and Bbu30, respectively. The Bbu17 had the highest and Bbu22 had the lowest F-statistics value (0.313 and 0.104). This population did not show significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Results indicated that the Buteo buteo from Iran population from rehabilitation center of Pardisan Park harbors, showed adequate amount of genetic variation and the microsatellite information effectively evaluate the genetic diversity of this species needed for conservation genetic management. Manuscript profile

XML

List of Articles