Ghasem Khadem; Taghi Ghoorchi; Abdolhakim Toghdory; Katayoun Mehrani; Kamel Amozadeh Araee
Abstract
In order to investigate the use of non-steamed flaked and milled barley in Holstein suckling calves, 12 suckling female calves with an age of about 20-25 days and an average initial body weight of 44±2.7 kg were used. This research was conducted for 35 days with two treatments and six replications. ...
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In order to investigate the use of non-steamed flaked and milled barley in Holstein suckling calves, 12 suckling female calves with an age of about 20-25 days and an average initial body weight of 44±2.7 kg were used. This research was conducted for 35 days with two treatments and six replications. The treatments included: 1- starter diet containing milled barley, 2- starter diet containing non-steamed flaked barley. The results showed that calves received non-steamed flaked barley had better final weight, weight changes, daily weight gain, dry matter consumption and feed conversion ratio than calves received milled barley(P<0.05).there was a significant difference in the eating, rumination, and resting behavior of calves among the treatments received milled barley and non-steamed flaked barley(P<0.05); These factors increased with the consumption of milled barley. However, the fecal consistency score the number of calves with diarrhea, and the average number of days with diarrhea were not affected by the use of milled barley and non-steamed flaked barley, the results of the present study showed that the blood glucose concentration of calves received non-steamed flaked barley was higher (79.44 mg/dl) than of calves consuming milled barley (71.09 mg/dl) (P<0.05); But it had no significant effect on the concentration of triglyceride cholesterol, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin and their ratio, based on the results of this research, barley processing, as a non-steamed flaked barley, while increasing the initial ration consumption, daily weight gain, improved the final weight and also did not have a negative effect on blood parameters.
Maryam Mahmoodinejad; Bahram Shohreh; Zarbakht Ansari Pirsaraei; Soheil Yousefi
Abstract
Objective: The use of probiotics and medicinal plants as growth stimulants and alternatives to antibiotics in broiler diets helps prevent the growth of harmful intestinal bacterial, including coliforms, enhances resistance to pathogens, promotes the synthesis of antioxidants and antibacterials, stimulates ...
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Objective: The use of probiotics and medicinal plants as growth stimulants and alternatives to antibiotics in broiler diets helps prevent the growth of harmful intestinal bacterial, including coliforms, enhances resistance to pathogens, promotes the synthesis of antioxidants and antibacterials, stimulates local immunity, and improves immune system function. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of adding sea galangal (Alpinia officinarum) powder and probiotics on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood cell population, caecal bacterial population, and ileum tissue morphology of Japanese quail under heat stress conditions
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted using 480 quail chicks in a completely randomized design with 24 experimental units, six treatments, and four replications. Experimental treatments included: 1. Control (basic diet without galangal powder or probiotics); 2. Basic diet with 50 mg of galangal powder; 3. Basic diet with 100 mg of galangal powder; 4. Basic diet with 50 mg of galangal powder + 0.2 g/kg lactofeed probiotic; 5. Basic diet with 100 mg of galangal powder + 0.2 g/kg lactofeed probiotic; 6. Basic diet with 0.2 g/kg lactofeed probiotic only. Performance traits (weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) of quail chicks were evaluated at 10, 20, and 35 days of age and over the whole period. Carcass parameters, blood cell populations, caecal bacterial populations, and ileum tissue morphology were also assessed.
Results: The use of galangal powder and probiotics significantly improved feed intake and feed conversion ratio under heat stress conditions. Carcass yield was higher in quail that received galangal powder + probiotics (P<0.05). The heterophil level and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocytes count in quail fed diets containing galangal powder and probiotics were lower than in the control group under heat stress conditions (P<0.05). The population of lactic acid bacteria in the cecum of birds fed diets containing galangal powder and probiotics was higher than in other treatments (P<0.05). Under heat stress conditions, the total bacterial population and the population of cecum coliforms were higher in the control treatment than in other experimental groups. Villus height, crypt thickness, and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the ileum tissue were higher in birds fed 50 mg of galangal powder + 0.2 g/kg probiotic than in the control treatment under heat stress conditions (P<0.05); while the highest crypt depth was observed in birds fed the control treatment. The parameters of crypt diameter, inner muscle layer thickness, and outer muscle layer thickness of ileum tissue under heat stress conditions were not affected by any of the experimental treatments.
Conclusions: In conclusion, adding 50 mg of sea galangal powder + 0.2 g/kg lactofeed probiotics to the basal diet under heat stress conditions significantly improved carcass yield, bursa of Fabricius development, caecal bacterial population, blood cell counts, and ileum tissue morphology in Japanese quail
sara larki; alireza alborzi; javad jamshidian; Fatemeh Madankan
Abstract
Objective: Due to the development of resistance to common anthelmintic drugs, researchers are looking for efficient and cost-effective ways to combat parasitic infections. Nanoparticles are currently used for biomedical applications due to their nanoscale size and high reactivity. Given the high prevalence ...
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Objective: Due to the development of resistance to common anthelmintic drugs, researchers are looking for efficient and cost-effective ways to combat parasitic infections. Nanoparticles are currently used for biomedical applications due to their nanoscale size and high reactivity. Given the high prevalence of trichostrongylosis in small ruminants, any disruption in the development of the proparasitic stages can play an important role in the control and prevention of the disease. Nanoparticles, as a new, safe, cheap and available antiparasitic agent, can play an important role in reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal strongylosis in ruminants.
Method: A number of sheep feces samples were collected directly from the rectum of the animal and examined for parasitic infections with Strongyloides eggs using the fecal flotation method. Then, feces culture was performed on samples infected with Strongyloides eggs under appropriate temperature and humidity conditions for seven to 10 days. After 24 to 48 hours of cultivation, the first and second stage (L1 and L2) trichostrongylid larvae in the culture medium were collected using the Berman method and exposed to metal nanoparticle oxides such as aluminum, zinc, and iron in combination with 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and once without DMSO. Also, the third stage (L3) trichostrongylid larvae were exposed to these nanoparticles after stool culture and isolation using the Berman method. Then, the mortality rate of each larva was examined and counted under a stereomicroscope according to their movement. Distilled water and albendazole were used as negative and positive controls of the experiments, respectively. In order to examine the ultrastructural surface of the larvae cuticle treated with nanoparticles, a number of L3 trichostrongylid larvae were prepared before exposure to nanoparticles and after exposure using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Results: The real mortality rates of L1 and L2 larvae treated with aluminum oxide at concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 mg/ml were 23.9, 44.66, and 70.85%, respectively, zinc oxide were 43.03, 51.30, and 95.92%, respectively, and iron oxide were 84.33, 42.96, and 48.98%, respectively. No mortality was observed in the treatment group exposed to metal nanoparticles in L3 larvae. In the scanning electron microscope images were observed the cuticular layer of L1 and L2 trichostrongylid larvae treated with iron oxide nanoparticles had a rough and wrinkled appearance compared to the smooth and uniform appearance of the normal larvae.
Conclusion: According to the results of present study, in order to the low price and availability of iron and zinc nanoparticles, can be widely used as a preventive agent against trichostrongylosis in small ruminants in pastures.
mohammad asadi; reza kamali; nader asadzadeh
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The various challenges that cows face in late pregnancy have lasting effects, affecting aspects of the calf's metabolism at birth and post-colostrum immunity. On the other hand, the increase in oxidative stress and excessive production of free radicals during the transfer ...
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Abstract
Introduction: The various challenges that cows face in late pregnancy have lasting effects, affecting aspects of the calf's metabolism at birth and post-colostrum immunity. On the other hand, the increase in oxidative stress and excessive production of free radicals during the transfer period affects the growing fetus. This effect can alter the ability of calves to defend themselves against pathogens and cope with stressors, leading to changes in body weight, performance and skeletal development during the critical first month of life. Identifying and optimizing the effect of specific nutrients in the animal health program can be an efficient management strategy to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with the transition period, followed by immune disorders and impaired health and growth of calves; In this regard, vitamins and minerals are known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Providing essential micronutrients to the mother during pregnancy is an effective way to meet the needs of the baby.
Material and Methods: This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of injecting minerals and vitamins in the late pregnancy of cows on performance, stool consistency, some blood metabolites, antioxidant status and skeletal growth indicators of their calves. For this purpose, 32 pregnant cows were selected based on the calving cycle, age, body weight and body condition score and were divided into 4 treatments and 8 repetitions in the form of a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 1) control group (no vitamin and mineral supplement injection), 2) treatment receiving injectable vitamin supplement, 3) treatment receiving injectable mineral supplement and 4) treatment receiving vitamin and mineral supplement injection together. Supplements were injected 28 days before calving. After birth, calves born from each group were examined for 35 days. Blood samples were taken from calves at the end of the ex-perimental period (35 days after birth) to measure blood parameters.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that birth weight, day 35 weight, daily weight gain and total dry matter consumption of calves born from mothers receiving minerals, vitamins and minerals and vitamins were increased compared to the control group (P≥0.05). In the treatments receiving minerals, vitamins, and minerals and vitamins, an increase in colostrum IgG, IgG consumed by each calf, and serum IgG of calves was observed at birth and three days after birth (P≥0.05). Also, maternal injection of minerals and vitamins improved stool consistency and reduced the number of animals suffering from diarrhea; So that the best result was obtained from the simultaneous injection of minerals and vitamins (P≥0.05). On the other hand, the concentration of glucose, total protein and albumin of calves receiving maternal minerals, vitamins and minerals and vitamins were associated with a significant change compared to the control treatment (P≥0.05). Maternal injection increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and decreased the total antioxidant status in calves compared to control calves (P≥0.05). The superoxide dismutase enzyme activity of calves born from the group receiving minerals and vitamins at the same time was associated with an increase, and the highest change in catalase activity was related to calves receiving treatment of minerals, and minerals and vitamins. In the calves born from the treatments receiving minerals, vitamins and minerals and vitamins, the height of the withers on the 28st day was increased compared to the control calves (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: In general, the simultaneous injection of minerals and vitamins to animals in the transition period before calving is recommended due to better performance and improvement of the immune system and health of their calves.
Seyede Atiye Mojaverian; Shahabodin Gharahveysi; Mohsen Hajipour
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic forms of copper, zinc, and manganese on broiler breeder hens' production and reproductive performance of Ross 308 broiler breeders at 33 and 36 weeks.
Method: In this study, 240 hens and 30 roosters of Ross 308 ...
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Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic forms of copper, zinc, and manganese on broiler breeder hens' production and reproductive performance of Ross 308 broiler breeders at 33 and 36 weeks.
Method: In this study, 240 hens and 30 roosters of Ross 308 strain were used in 30 experimental pens. This research was carried out as a factorial experiment (2×3) with three types of minerals (copper, zinc, and manganese) and two forms (organic and inorganic) in a completely randomized design with six treatments, five replications, and 8 hens and one rooster in each replication. Weeks 29 to 32 were considered as the adaptation period. The experimental treatments were as follows: 1) ration containing inorganic zinc, 2) ration containing organic zinc, 3) ration containing inorganic copper, 4) ration containing organic copper, 5) ration containing inorganic manganese, and 6) ration containing organic manganese. The required amount of elements in inorganic form was 16 mg/kg for copper (copper sulfate), 90 mg/kg for zinc (zinc sulfate) and 130 mg/kg for manganese (manganese sulfate) and the recommended amount of elements in organic form in the present study was 13.33 mg/kg for copper (copper-methionine), 48.65 mg/kg for zinc (zinc-methionine) and 73.86 mg/kg for manganese (manganese-methionine). The data obtained by LSmeans method were analyzed by SAS statistical software.
Results: The results of the study indicated that diets containing organic forms of elements significantly influenced various egg production traits, including egg production rate, egg mass, egg weight, hatchable eggs, fertility rate, hatchability, and the weight of hatched chicks (p< 0.05). Specifically, organic zinc enhanced the percentage of egg production, egg weight, and egg mass during weeks 33 and 36 of the study. Conversely, inorganic zinc demonstrated a better effect on egg mass compared to inorganic manganese (p< 0.05). Furthermore, the impact of organic and inorganic copper, as well as inorganic zinc, on the percentage of egg production in these weeks was significantly greater than that of inorganic manganese. Similarly, regarding egg weight, a notable positive effect was observed from the combination of organic copper and inorganic zinc, which outperformed inorganic copper and both organic and inorganic manganese (p< 0.05). The results also revealed that the effect of organic zinc on the percentage of hatchable eggs was significantly greater than that of other organic and inorganic elements among the treatments studied during the specified weeks (p< 0.05). Additionally, the findings regarding hatchability indicated that the effects of both organic and inorganic zinc surpassed those of other elements (p< 0.05). The influence of these elements on the fertility rate was also significant, with organic and inorganic zinc exhibiting a higher effect than other organic and inorganic elements (p< 0.05). Lastly, the impact of the studied elements on the weight of freshly hatched chicks demonstrated the superiority of organic zinc compared to other organic and inorganic elements (p< 0.05).
Conclusions: In general, the effect of the organic form of elements on the studied traits was greater than the inorganic form of the studied elements, and the highest and lowest impact of the treatments on the studied traits were related to organic zinc and inorganic manganese, respectively. Based on the present results, the use of organic forms of inorganic elements (especially organic zinc) is recommended to improve the production and reproductive traits of broiler breeders.
Hasan Rouhanipour; Kazem Yussefi Kelarikolaei; seyed davood sharifi; Seyyed Abdollah Hosseini; Hussein Yussefi Kelarikolaei
Abstract
Objective: Optimizing the balance between ME intake and expenditure is fundamental to the formulation of broiler chicken diets and levels of other dietary nutrients for efficient conversion of feed into muscle mass. Arian broiler is one of the meat strains that originated in Iran and considering that ...
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Objective: Optimizing the balance between ME intake and expenditure is fundamental to the formulation of broiler chicken diets and levels of other dietary nutrients for efficient conversion of feed into muscle mass. Arian broiler is one of the meat strains that originated in Iran and considering that several decades have passed since the arrival of Arian line in the Iran country, It is necessary to carry out continuous nutritional experiments to more accurately meet the requirement of them with regard to optimizing growth, FCR, carcass efficiency and increasing tissue by increasing the density of nutrients such as AA. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of energy levels and dietary amino acid on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Arian broilers.
Materials and Methods: The effects of energy levels and dietary amino acid on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in Arian broiler chickens with a total of 720 Arian strain day old broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments, 5 replicates and 24 birds per each for 42 days. The diets of experimental included T1:basal diet (energy and amino acid levels according to the Arian requairements guide), T2:diet with less energy level during the starter and grower periods and then according to the Arian requairements guide until the end of the period, T3:diet with less energy and amino acid levels during the starter and grower periods and then according to the guide until the end of the period, T4:diet with less energy level during the starter and grower periods and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period, T5:diet with less energy and amino acid levels in the starter and grower periods and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period, T6:starter and grower period diet according to the Arian requairements guide and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period.
Results and Discussion: The daily weight gain of birds fed starter and grower period diet according to the Arian requairements guide and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period increased compared to the diet with less energy and amino acid levels during the starter and grower periods and then according to the guide and diet with less energy and amino acid levels in the starter and grower periods and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period (P<0.05). Birds that received a starter and grower period diet according to the Arian requairements guide and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period had a higher glucose level and lower low-density lipoprotein, compared to the birds that received the basal diet (P<0.05). The relative breast weight and production index of birds that were fed with starter and grower period diet according to the Arian requairements guide and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period increased, compared to the birds that received the basal diet and diet with less energy and amino acid levels during the starter and grower periods and then according to the guide until the end of the period (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The economic calculations of the design showed that it is possible to use the advantage of using energy levels and dietary amino acid in ration of Arian broilers. Overall, the feeding a starter and grower period diet according to the Arian requairements guide and then higher amino acid levels in the finisher period had positive effects on growth performance and economic indicators in Arian broilers are recommended.
Hossein Mohammadi; Amir Hossein Khaltabadi Farahani; Mahdieh Mehdipour
Abstract
Introduction: Identifying signatures of selection can provide valuable insights about the genes or genomic regions that are or have been under selection pressure, which in turn leads to a better understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships. In the last decade, most selection programs in meat type ...
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Introduction: Identifying signatures of selection can provide valuable insights about the genes or genomic regions that are or have been under selection pressure, which in turn leads to a better understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships. In the last decade, most selection programs in meat type chicken had been mainly focused on fast growing and optimal feed efficiency. This selection for rapid growth has been resulted an accumulation of fatty tissue and decrease of chicken meat quality, it has been new challenges in poultry breeding due to genetic correlation between rapid growing and fat deposition. Understanding the genomic features of poultry is essential for successful breeding programs and conservation. This study aimed to identify effective genes and genomic regions on positive signature of selection in broiler at seven weeks by linkage disequilibrium-based method.
Materials and Methods: In the present study, a total 475 chickens from two chicken lines divergently selected were obtained using the Illumina chicken 60 K SNP chip. The broilers used in this study were from two Chinese broiler lines. In the first step, for the detected regions of the genome were evaluated using the XP-EHH method based on linkage disequilibrium using Selscan software v.2.0. Candidate genomic regions and genes were identified by SNPs located at 1% upper range of XP-EHH values in ten creeping windows. Finally, GeneCards and DAVID databases were also used to interpret the function of the obtained genes. Additionally, the latest published version of Animal genome database was used for defining QTLs associated with fat deposition traits in identified locations.
Results and Discussion: Candidate genes STAB2, TAPT1, JDP2, FNDC3B, PTPN11, ADIPOR1 and SLC44A3 obtained these regions. Further investigation using bioinformatics tools showed these genomic regions overlapped with lipid metabolism, fatty acid transport, lipoprotein receptors, glucose metabolism and homeostasis. Various genes that were founded within these regions can be considered as candidates under selection based on function. Also, a survey on extracted QTLs showed that these QTLs involved in some economically important traits in chicken such as abdominal fat weight and carcass fat weight traits.
Conclusion: However, will be necessary to carry out more association and functional studies to demonstrate the implication of genes obtained from association analyses. Identifying important economic traits and locating parts of the genome that have changed as a result of selection could be used in poultry breeding programs. The results of our research can be used to understand the genetic mechanism controlling fat deposition trait and using these findings could potentially be useful for genetic selection in chicken for increasing body weight while reducing body fat deposition during a broiler breeding.
Amirhosein Mehranforooz; Hassan Aliarabi; Daryoush Alipour; Abbas Farahavar
Abstract
Introduction: The physical characteristics and nutrient composition of feed are among the most critical factors influencing animal health, performance, and feeding behavior. These factors not only directly impact the nutritional requirements of livestock but also play a pivotal role in enhancing production ...
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Introduction: The physical characteristics and nutrient composition of feed are among the most critical factors influencing animal health, performance, and feeding behavior. These factors not only directly impact the nutritional requirements of livestock but also play a pivotal role in enhancing production efficiency, improving product quality, and mitigating nutrition-related disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feed physical form during late gestation and early lactation in ewes on blood metabolites, antioxidant status, and lamb performance after birth.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted using 36 Mehraban ewes with an average body weight of 50.17 ± 2.09 kg and an average age of 3 to 4 years in a completely randomized experimental design. The experimental treatments included: (1) mash concentrate, (2) pelleted concentrate, and (3) pelleted total mixed ration (TMR). These treatments were provided to the ewes during the last two months of gestation and the first month of lactation. To evaluate blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant status, blood samples were collected from the ewes at three time points: 30 days before lambing, at lambing, and 30 days after lambing, prior to the morning feeding. Milk yield and milk fat content were also assessed on day 21 postpartum. Additionally, lamb performance was evaluated by weighing the lambs at birth and weekly until the end of the trial.
Results and discussion: The results indicated that feed intake during both the pre- and post-partum periods, as well as milk production, were significantly higher in ewes fed with pelleted total mixed ration (TMR) and pelleted concentrate compared to those fed with mash concentrate (P < 0.05). However, the milk fat percentage was not affected by the experimental treatments. Feeding pelleted TMR and pelleted concentrate significantly increased serum glucose and urea concentrations (P < 0.05), while other blood parameters, such as cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, and liver enzymes, were not influenced by the treatments. Furthermore, feeding ewes with pelleted feed led to a significant reduction in malondialdehyde concentration and an increase in total antioxidant capacity at certain time points (P < 0.05), indicating a reduction in oxidative stress in animals fed this type of feed. Additionally, the body weight and daily weight gain of the lambs were influenced by the physical form of the feed consumed by the ewes at certain time points. Lambs born to ewes fed with pelleted TMR and pelleted concentrate had higher weight and daily weight gain between days 7 and 30 compared to those born to ewes fed with mash concentrate (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in birth weight was observed among the different treatments.
Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study indicated that feeding ewes with pelleted total mixed ration (TMR) and pelleted concentrate during late gestation and early lactation can enhance ewe performance, improve lamb performance, increase certain biochemical parameters, and strengthen the antioxidant status of the ewes' blood. These findings underscore the significant role of feed physical form as an effective tool in optimizing animal health, production performance, and welfare.
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