Abbas Mirzapour-Abibagloo; Nemat Hedayat; Reza Khalkhali-Evrigh; Reza Seyedsharifi
Volume 26, Issue 1 , March 2024, Pages 1-13
Abstract
Introduction Iranian sheep breeds, due to the climate diversity of country, show high diversity and have acquired high adaptability. Compromise with poor quality feed, tolerance of adverse weather and manageable body size are among the factors that probably caused sheep to adapt to different climates. ...
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Introduction Iranian sheep breeds, due to the climate diversity of country, show high diversity and have acquired high adaptability. Compromise with poor quality feed, tolerance of adverse weather and manageable body size are among the factors that probably caused sheep to adapt to different climates. Heretofore, several studies have been carried out in the field of identification of selection signatures in the different native breeds based on SNP-chip data. However, the use of whole genome data can provide researchers with more information about the differences between breeds and their genetic capacities. Identifying and evaluating the effects of climate on the genome of native breeds of Iranian sheep can be effective in designing breeding and conservation strategies. The aim of the present study was to identify the signs of selection related to Iranian sheep compared to the Romanov breed at the genomic level.Materials and Methods For present study, we used the whole-genome sequencing data related to 43 Iranian and non-Iranian sheep available in the NCBI database. These reads, after performing quality control, were aligned to the sheep reference genome by BWA program. Here, RealignerTargetCreator and IndelRealigner commands available in the GATK program were used to realign around insertions and deletions. Then, the HaplotypeCaller algorithm was used to identify the variants of all samples in ERC GVCF mode. Further, using GenotypeGVCFs module, the variants of all samples were simultaneously identified and finally a VCF file containing raw variants was created. Using the SelectVariants command of the GATK program, all SNPs were separated from other variants. After applying multiple quality filters, high-quality SNPs were extracted and only bi-allelic SNPs present in autosomal chromosomes were used for downstream analysis. Putative selection signatures were identified by using two methods including Fst and XP-EHH. Genes located in positively selected genomic regions were extracted using BEDtools program and the GTF file related to the sheep genome. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed on selected genes by "g:Profiler" web-based tool.Results and Discussion Here, Fst and XP-EHH methods were used to identify the signatures of selection related to Iranian sheep in comparison with Romanov sheep. After converting Fst values to ZFst, 958 genomic windows containing 907 protein-coding genes were detected that had scores above the threshold (ZFst > 3.35). GO analysis on 907 genes identified by the ZFst method led to the identification of 157 significant GO terms in the field of biological processes. In addition, 26 significant terms related to molecular functions and 5 significant terms related to cellular components were also identified. The number of genomic windows identified by the XP-EHH method was 953, which contained a total of 311 protein-coding genes. Among identified genes for each method, 29 genes were detected by both methods as signatures of selection for Iranian sheep. From the GO analysis of 29 common genes, no significant term was obtained. However, these genes were involved on traits related to improving milk fat quality (PCCB), fertility (SPATA5, RAB35 and DICER1), muscle growth and development (NF1, AKAP6 and HDAC9), body weight (FBXL3, GRID2 and ADAMTS17), adaptability to harsh desert and mountain condition (BMPR2 and NF1) and also, milk related traits (EXOC6B).Conclusion The results showed that Iranian sheep were probably selected to adapt to dry desert areas and improve the quality of meat and milk. The gradual accumulation of such information in different populations will improve the understanding and knowledge of researchers and breeders and will help them to implement efficient breeding programs.
Wahidullah Charkhi; Fardin Hozhabri; Hadi Hajarian
Volume 26, Issue 1 , March 2024, Pages 15-31
Abstract
Introduction: Medicinal plants are one of the most important known herbal additives in feeding ruminant animals. It has been reported that medicinal plants with favorable effects on rumen fermentation improve the function of the digestive system and as a result feed intake, as well as the level of animal ...
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Introduction: Medicinal plants are one of the most important known herbal additives in feeding ruminant animals. It has been reported that medicinal plants with favorable effects on rumen fermentation improve the function of the digestive system and as a result feed intake, as well as the level of animal products and the growth rate of infants increases. Also, numerous and sometimes contradictory reports have been reported about the effects of using medicinal plants in the diet of different animals on blood parameters. Limited studies have been published regarding the addition of medicinal plants to the diet of mother ewes and its effect on the suckling lambs. Most of the studies are about the direct use of medicinal plants by lambs and its effect on the performance and other behavioral characteristics of the animal. Therefore, in the present study, the main goal was to investigate the effects of adding a mixture of different proportions of medicinal plants such as cumin, coriander seeds and peppermint to the ration of lactating ewes on the performance, blood parameters, and antioxidant status of the suckling lambs.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in a completely randomized design using 48 lambs with an average weight of 3.34±0.44 kg along with 24 lactating ewes with an average milk production of 1107.03±122.25 grams per day in individual stalls for a period of 65 days. The groups of mother ewes included: control (basic diet) and first, second and third treatments, in addition to the basic diet, were received 15 grams of cumin, coriander and peppermint mixed powder with the ratios of 60:30:10; 10:45:45 and 30:60:10 %, respectively. The lambs were weighed every two weeks and at the end of the experiment, blood was taken from the jugular vein.
Results and Discussion: The final weight and average daily gain (ADG) of lambs of first treatment were higher than other groups (P<0.05). Red blood cells (RBC) and hematocrit were the lowest in third and the highest in first treatments, although there was no significant difference with control. Platelets and red cell distribution width (RDW) in first treatment were lower than control (P<0.05). There was no difference between treatments in terms of white blood cells (WBC), percentages of lymphocytes and granulocytes. The concentration of blood glucose in lambs of first treatment decreased compared to control. The total antioxidant capacity of lambs from mothers receiving herbal supplement increased and malondialdehyde was lower compared to control.
Conclusion: The results showed that the use of a mixture of cumin, coriander and peppermint in the ration of mother ewes increased the antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde in suckling lambs, although ADG was not noticeable.
mohammad asadi; Taghi Ghoorchi; Abdolhakim Toghdory
Volume 26, Issue 1 , March 2024, Pages 33-44
Abstract
Introduction: During pregnancy, especially the period around birth, animals make many metabolic adjustments to support the transition from pregnancy to lactation. Since the last two months of pregnancy (late pregnancy) constitute 75% of fetal growth, therefore, enriching the sheep diet can have positive ...
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Introduction: During pregnancy, especially the period around birth, animals make many metabolic adjustments to support the transition from pregnancy to lactation. Since the last two months of pregnancy (late pregnancy) constitute 75% of fetal growth, therefore, enriching the sheep diet can have positive consequences on the health and general performance of the ewe and lamb. In such conditions, using of management and nutritional strategies will reduce the problems during the transition period and heat stress condition. Under stress condition, the mobilization of glycogen reserves and glucose production occur to produce energy to maintain stability in the body. Chromium is one of the scarce essential minerals that plays an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Chromium is part of the glucose tolerance factor that increases the affinity of insulin receptors to insulin hormone and increases the sensitivity of receptors to insulin.
Material and Methods: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different forms of chromium in ewes during the transition period under the heat stress condition. Forty pregnant Afshari ewes from 42±5 days before the expected lambing were assigned to four treatments with 10 replications in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 1) basal diet without chromium supplementation (control), 2) basal diet containing three milligrams of inorganic chromium per kg of DM, 3) basal diet containing three milligrams of chromium in the form of chromium-methionine per kg of DM and 4) basal diet containing three milligrams of chromium in the form of chromium nanoparticles per kg of DM.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that ewes receiving chromium had less weight changes at two, four and six weeks after lambing (P≥0.05). Also, supplementation of different forms of chromium increased the body condition score of ewes at the time and six weeks after lambing (P≥0.05). Ewes receiving chromium-methionine and chromium nanoparticles had better body condition than control and inorganic chromium treatments. There was no significant difference in glucose concentration between the treatments 60 and 90 minutes after intravenous glucose injection. After 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after the intravenous injection of glucose, the insulin concentration of the ewes receiving different forms of chromium decreased compared to the control treatment (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: In general, the use of chromium, especially in the form of chromium-methionine and chromium nanoparticles, is recommended during the transition period of ewes under the influence of heat stress.
Ramin Kasaeizadeh; Somayyeh Salari; Mohammad Reza Abdollahi; Farshad Baghban
Volume 26, Issue 1 , March 2024, Pages 45-60
Abstract
Introduction: In the past studies, the beneficial effect of insoluble fiber in broiler feed has been well demonstrated. Studies have shown that moderate amounts of fiber in poultry diets lead to significant improvements in nutrient utilization efficiency. Depending on the type of dietary fiber (soluble ...
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Introduction: In the past studies, the beneficial effect of insoluble fiber in broiler feed has been well demonstrated. Studies have shown that moderate amounts of fiber in poultry diets lead to significant improvements in nutrient utilization efficiency. Depending on the type of dietary fiber (soluble or insoluble), the particle size plays a role in the growth and development of gizzard and improves the mixture of digestive substances with digestive secretions. On the other hand, nutritionists are trying to respond to the rapid growth needs of birds by increasing the energy concentration of diets. Fats are considered for this purpose, as their energy value is at least twice that of carbohydrates and proteins. At a young age, the secretion of bile acids and the activity of pancreatic lipase are low, and therefore, the ability to digest fat in young broilers is compromised. Some studies have shown that cellulose and oat hull as a source of insoluble fiber (3%) in the diet of broiler chickens have increased the apparent digestibility of crude fat in the ileum and increased the availability of energy for the bird. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of sunflower hull with different particle sizes in diets containing different sources of fat on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and the microbial population of the caecum of broiler chickens.
Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted using 360 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement for 42 days. Experimental treatments included: sunflower hulls (SFH) (without hulls, 3% with 1 mm particle size and 3% with 5 mm particle size) and different fat sources (3% tallow, 3% canola oil). Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) of birds were recorded and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. To determine the ileal digestibility of nutrients, 3 g/kg of chromium oxide was fed to chickens on days 37-42 of the rearing period. On the 42nd day of rearing, the ileum contents of 2 birds were collected and stored in a freezer at -20◦C. To investigate the morphology of the small intestine, 5 cm of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were taken. Cecal microbial population also determined at 42 days of age. The data obtained from the experiment were analyzed using SAS statistical software and GLM procedure. To compare means, Duncan's (1955) multi-range test was used at a significant level of 5%.
Results and discussion: The results showed that, using of the coarse and fine SFH in the diet of broiler chickens increased FI and improved the FCR in the whole period of experiment (P<0.05). Canola oil improved FI and BWG compared to tallow (P<0.05). Apparent digestibility of crude protein and crude fat also increased by using of coarse SFH in the diet (P<0.05). The use of coarse SFH increased the villus height of duodenum and the villus height and thickness of ileum (P<0.05). Canola oil increased the villus height of ileum, but decreased the villus thickness compared to tallow treatment (P<0.05). The use of coarse SFH in the diet reduced the population of Escherichia coli bacteria in the cecum, and coarse SFH with different sources of fat increased the population of Lactobacillus (P<0.05).
Conclusions: In general, the results of the present study showed that the addition of coarse sunflower hull to the diet could improve the growth performance of broilers by increasing the digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, Lactobacillus population, and reducing the cecal population of E. coli. Although its interaction with canola oil also had positive effects on the population of beneficial gut bacteria.
leili jamshidi; sayed abdoullah hosseini; Amir Hossein Alizadeh-Ghamsari
Volume 26, Issue 1 , March 2024, Pages 61-71
Abstract
Introduction: Vitamins play an important role in improving the performance, immune system, and growth of birds. In recent years, due to the increase of the price of synthetic vitamin supplements and also due to the limitation of the use of commercial antioxidants, plant-based antioxidant sources have ...
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Introduction: Vitamins play an important role in improving the performance, immune system, and growth of birds. In recent years, due to the increase of the price of synthetic vitamin supplements and also due to the limitation of the use of commercial antioxidants, plant-based antioxidant sources have been considered in the poultry industry. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of herbal vitamin E supplements on production traits, humoral immune responses, and some blood parameters of broiler chickens.
Material and method: In a completely randomized design 480 Arian broiler chickens (one-day-old, mixed sexes) were allocated to four treatments, four replicates, and 30 birds in each replicate. Experimental treatments included: 1. basal diet (Contains 25 IU of synthetic vitamin E), 2. basal diet + 25 IU synthetic vitamin E, 3. basal diet + 50 mg herbal vitamin E supplement, and 4. basal diet + 100 mg herbal vitamin E Supplement. In this experiment, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. On day 40, two birds per replicate were randomly selected, weighed, and killed, and then the entire empty carcass and parts of the carcass including breast, thigh, neck back, and wings, abdominal fat, and some organs including heart and spleen were weighed. One day 40 days, to measure the concentration of total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes, blood was collected from each replicate of 4 birds. On day 33 to measure antibody titer against Newcastle disease and influenza, 1 ml SRBC was injected into 4 birds in each repetition.
Result and discussion: The results showed that the experimental treatments had no effects on feed intake, body weight, and FCR. Also, carcass characteristics including carcass percentage, breast, thigh, back, and neck percentage, abdominal fat, heart, spleen, and blood parameters were not affected by experimental treatments. Antibody titer against sheep red blood cell injection had no significant effect.
Conclusion: In total, according to the recommendation of commercial strains, the requirement of vitamin E is 50 IU, therefore in case of providing 25 IU of synthetic vitamin E in the diet, it is possible to provide the rest of the need up to 50 IU by using the herbal vitamin E supplement (at the rate of 50 mg per kilogram of feed) considering there are economic considerations.
Zahra Alimohammadi; Hassan Shirzadi; Kamran Taherpour; Ali Khatibjoo
Volume 26, Issue 1 , March 2024, Pages 73-86
Abstract
Introduction: With the increase of the population in the last century, the need for protein sources, especially protein with animal origin, has increased. One of the important and inexpensive sources of animal proteins is poultry products. However, many food-borne diseases that are among the most obvious ...
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Introduction: With the increase of the population in the last century, the need for protein sources, especially protein with animal origin, has increased. One of the important and inexpensive sources of animal proteins is poultry products. However, many food-borne diseases that are among the most obvious problems related to human health are transmitted to humans through poultry products. Generally, poultry are sensitive to pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are the main causes of bacterial enteritis in humans and account for about 90% and less than 10% of deaths in people with campylobacteriosis, respectively. Poultry farmers use antibiotic growth promoters to prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria, but their use has been banned in European Union since 2006 due to antibiotic resistance. However, in order to prevent the reduction of growth performance and mortality caused by the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to introduce suitable alternatives. The antimicrobial potential of several medicinal plants, some plant-derived bioactive compoundsas well as some organic acids against a suspension of two Campylobacter serotypes (including 8 strains of C. jejuni and 3 strains of C. coli) has been investigated, under in vitro study. It has been revealed that oregano, rosemary, and cinnamon have a higher potential in reducing campylobacter colonization, among other phytobiotic compounds. Considering that under in vivo conditions, no research has been conducted on these medicinal plants with broiler chickens exposed to Campylobacter colonization. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the growth performance, excreta microbiota, intestinal morphology, and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens challenged with C. jejuni and evaluating the potential of oregano, rosemary, and cinnamon in reducing the negative effects of this pathogen.
Material and Methods: A total of 192 one-day-old chicks were randomly allocated to 6 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates of 8 birds. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1-negative control (NC; basal diet without additive and without of C. jejuni); 2-positive control (PC; basal diet without additives but challenged with C. jejuni); 3-basal diet + Erythromycin (55 mg/kg); 4-basal diet + oregano powder (3 g/kg); 5- basal diet + rosemary powder (3 g/kg) and 6-basal diet+cinnamon powder (3 g/kg). All chickens were orally gavaged once a day with a suspension of C. jejuni live culture (2×108 cfu/mL, 1 mL/bird) on days 21 to 25, with the exception of those fed the NC. Throughout the experimental period, the birds were fed ad libitum and had free access to water.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the C. jejuni, while weakening performance during the growth period, caused an increase in campylobacter colonization and a decrease in lactobacilli counts of the excreta (P<0.05). The reason for the improvement of the microflora can be due to the presence of antibacterial compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, verbenone, and cinnamaldehyde in the composition of the mentioned medicinal plants. Campylobacter jejuni also decreased the digestibility of organic matter and led to a decrease in villous height, villous height to crypt depth ratio, and villi surface area in the jejunum (P<0.05). The reason for the improvement of the intestinal morphology by herbal additives can be due to the improvement of the microflora of the digestive tract. All the negative effects arising from C. jejuni were alleviated by dietary treatments containing feed additives (P<0.05).
Conclusion: In general, it can be concluded that oregano and rosemary have the potential to reduce the pathogenic effects of Campylobacter jejuni and can be used as suitable alternatives to antibiotics in feeding broilers.
Seyed Mohammad Ali Mirhosseini; Seyed Naser Mousavi; ali afsar
Volume 26, Issue 1 , March 2024, Pages 87-98
Abstract
Introduction: Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), a creatine precursor, is synthesized from L-arginine and glycine. The capacity for de novo synthesis may be limiting in high-yielding farm animals, especially in those fed all-vegetable diets. As the precursor to creatine, dietary GAA can also effectively “spare” ...
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Introduction: Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), a creatine precursor, is synthesized from L-arginine and glycine. The capacity for de novo synthesis may be limiting in high-yielding farm animals, especially in those fed all-vegetable diets. As the precursor to creatine, dietary GAA can also effectively “spare” arginine from being used for GAA synthesis, so that the arginine may be used for muscle accretion and other physiological functions. It has been reported that arginine affects bone development by its involvement in the formation of collagen and connective tissue. It also has been shown that reducing the protein level in broiler diets reduces the concentration of manganese and copper in the tibia. Therefore, low-protein diets probably decrease bone density in broilers. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of GAA supplementation to low protein diets on performance, calcium and phosphorus and the strength of the tibia of broiler chickens.
Material and Methods: The 240 male broilers of Ross 308 strain were assigned to 6 dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with 4 replications and 10 birds in each replication. Dietary treatments included diets containing 80, 90 and 100% of the breeder recommended ideal protein each containing 0 and 0.06% of GAA. Feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured for the grower (11-24 days), finisher (25-42 days) and the overall period (11-42 days). On d 42, two birds from each experimental unit were killed, and the ash, calcium and phosphorus content and the strength of the tibia of the chickens were measured.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that by reducing the ideal protein to 80% of the breeder recommendation, body weight gain and feed intake was reduced significantly (P<0.05). Reduction of the dietary CP from 100 to 80%, resulted in inferior FCR during grower period. The inferior performance of broilers fed reduced protein diets is attributed to a limited availability of amino acids (AA). The supplementation of essential AA alone has failed to increase performance in reduced protein diets. The addition of GAA decreased feed intake of treatments (P<0.05) with reduced protein diet (80% of management guide recommendation). Body weight gain and FCR were not affected by dietary GAA supplementation. By reducing dietary protein to 80% of the recommendation, the strength of tibia decreased significantly (P<0.05). A low-protein diet may be associated with a hypocalciuretic effect, increased Ca retention and requirement for available P to avoid Ca:P imbalance, hormonal flux, and bone mobilization. Addition of GAA to the diet did not affect the parameters of bone strength. Tibia ash, Ca and P content were not significantly affected by dietary treatments.
Conclusion: According to the results of this experiment, reducing the dietary ideal protein to 80% of the breeder recommendation, resulted in inferior growth performance and tibia strength of broiler chickens, and dietary addition of GAA did not ameliorate those effects.