Maryam Rahbar; Mehdi Behgar; Mohammad Rasoul Khoshniyat; Farahnaz Farahnaz Motamedi Sedeh; Parvin Shawrang
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) is used to study the effect of heat stress and is one of the critical factors in yield and infertility. This research was conducted to study the effect of THI on motility parameters and sperm motility velocity of Holstein bulls in different months ...
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ABSTRACT
Objective: Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) is used to study the effect of heat stress and is one of the critical factors in yield and infertility. This research was conducted to study the effect of THI on motility parameters and sperm motility velocity of Holstein bulls in different months and to study the internal correlation between these parameters.
Method: Meteorological data from the National Meteorological Organization were used to calculate THI. Semen collection and evaluation were carried out at Nahadehaye Dami Jahed (NDJ). Three Holstein bulls were used in this study. Diluted semen was then loaded into straws and frozen after cooling using a programmable freezer. The straws were immediately stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed in a water bath (37°C for 30 s) before evaluation. Sperm kinematic parameters were evaluated using CASA.
Results: The temperature-humidity index was lower in April than in other months and higher in July than in other months. The average temperature-humidity index in spring and summer was 64.00 and 70.67, respectively. Total motility, progressive motility, and slow motility were higher in May than in other months and lower in August than in other months. Among the sperm motility parameters, only beat cross frequency (BCF) and straightness (STR) showed significant differences in different months. BCF was higher in May compared to other months and lower in August compared to other months. However, STR was higher in July compared to other months and lower in August compared to other months. The temperature-humidity index had a significant negative correlation with progressive sperm motility. Regarding the relationship between motility parameters and sperm motility velocity, the results showed a significant positive correlation between total motility with progressive motility and curved line velocity (VCL). Progressive motility was also positively correlated with VCL and BCF. A significant positive correlation was observed between the sperm motility parameters. A positive correlation was observed between the average path velocity (VAP) and the VCL, straight line velocity (VSL), and BCF parameters. There was a positive correlation between the BCF parameter and the VCL and average path velocity (VAP) parameters.
Conclusions: The data show that mild heat stress leads to a decrease in sperm motility parameters and sperm velocity motility parameters. The negative correlation between temperature-humidity index and sperm progressive motility indicates the importance of heat stress on this important parameter. It is suggested that future studies should investigate the relationship between temperature-humidity index and sperm motility parameters with sperm fertility using regression models.
َAlireza Younesi; Kazem Karimi
Abstract
Introduction:The welfare of domesticated animals raised in industrial environments using mechanical and semi-mechanical tools has always been one of the main concerns of livestock farmers, as attention to the welfare of these animals can lead to increased productivity and reduced injury to the animals.
Material ...
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Introduction:The welfare of domesticated animals raised in industrial environments using mechanical and semi-mechanical tools has always been one of the main concerns of livestock farmers, as attention to the welfare of these animals can lead to increased productivity and reduced injury to the animals.
Material and methods:The present research, considering the importance of the topic of welfare, has designed a model of cow welfare in industrial dairy farms based on a structural-interpretive model and using the fuzzy Delphi method.To this end, the factors affecting the welfare of cows were examined using library studies, and ultimately a final model was presented through the design of a fuzzy questionnaire. The statistical population of the research included experts and specialists in the fields of animal husbandry and industrial dairy farming in Pakdasht County, who were included in the study using a snowball sampling method. A total of 18 experts and specialists in the fields of animal husbandry and cattle breeding participated in the study as knowledgeable individuals in the care and maintenance of dairy cows. The main tool used for the research was a questionnaire developed by the researcher, which included a structured self-interaction matrix to conduct a survey among relevant elites and experts. The questionnaire consisted of two main sections: one included demographic characteristics related to the sample population, such as gender, age, education, work experience, and studies; the other contained a pairwise comparison table of factors affecting cow welfare in industrial dairy farms, where experts indicated the relationship between each component and other presented components using specific letters.The analysis of results was conducted using fuzzy methods, and finally, the nature of the variables was examined through MicMac analysis.
Results and discussin:The results indicated that among the internal factors, the health of the locomotor system had the least influence and the highest dependency, while heat stress and automatic milking systems had the least dependency and the highest influence. The design of the flooring in the stalls and corridors, as well as the design of the barns based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, exhibited the least dependency and the highest influence. Among internal factors, variables such as infectious diseases, gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders, heat stress, automatic milking systems, design, size and dimensions of the barn and stalls, standing in barns, animal density in stalls, flooring design and type in stalls and corridors, density of dairy cows, barn design based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, and control of radiant heating acted as independent variables while other factors played a role as dependent variables. Among internal factors; locomotor health was the most influential factor while heat stress and automatic milking systems were the most susceptible factors. Among environmental factors; feed bunk and water trough conditions were the most influential while design aspects such as flooring type in stalls and corridors, barn designs based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, along with radiant heating control were found to be the most susceptible factors.
Conclusion: Factors such as the health of loco motor organs, feeding and watering facilities, healthcare practices, and humidity were significant at initial levels, while factors such as heat stress, automatic milking systems, design and type of flooring in housing and corridors, hall design based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, and control of radiant heating were significant at later levels affecting the welfare of dairy cows. Attention to these factors could be effective in improving the breeding conditions for cows.
Hasan Rouhanipour; Omid Ashayerizadeh; Seyed Davood Sharifi; Behrouz Dastar
Abstract
Objective: Young laying hens produce eggs with inferior eggshell quality, which is a commonly reported problem in laying hens farms as it limits the productive life of hens and decreases table egg quality, which has a great negative impact on the poultry industry. In recent years, poultry research has ...
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Objective: Young laying hens produce eggs with inferior eggshell quality, which is a commonly reported problem in laying hens farms as it limits the productive life of hens and decreases table egg quality, which has a great negative impact on the poultry industry. In recent years, poultry research has often focused attention on the potent effects of dietary arginine (Arg) on poultry performance. Also, the use of amino acid supplements with an essential trace element (Copper sulfate; CuSO4) in the diets of laying hens has become essential as a result of their lack of access to fresh feed, storage in cages, and processing of feed.
Materials and Methods: Effect of dietary Copper and L-Arginine supplementation on production performance, egg quality parameters, and blood serum metabolites during 22 to 30 weeks of age with a total of 288 Hy-Line W-80 white laying hens were used in 2 × 3 factorial arrangements with two levels of supplemental Cu (8 and 16 mg/kg in the layer diet denoted as Cu8, Cu16) and three levels of LA [include the recommended level according to Hy-line (RHL), as well as 20% higher (LA20) and 40% higher (LA40) than the recommended level] in the diet, 6 replicates with 8 birds per cage, for 8 weeks. The eggs produced were collected daily and after weighing, the percentage of laying, feed consumption, conversion factor, average egg weight and egg shape index were calculated weekly. On the last two days of each week, the eggs produced by each experimental unit were collected and tested for qualitative traits such as shell thickness, haugh unit, and etc. Feed intake of experimental units was calculated from the fraction of feed consumed at the end of the period from the feed allocated at the beginning of the period, based on hen days. At the end of 30 weeks, two birds with close to average weight were selected from each replicate and 5 ml of blood was collected from them with a syringe through the wing vein and transported to the laboratory using regular (non-heparin) blood tubes to measure serum biochemical parameters (LDL, HDL, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol) and estradiol hormone.
Results: Egg production of birds in response to Cu16+LA20 and Cu16+RHL diets increased, compared to birds fed with Cu8+RHL (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds in response to Cu16+RHL diet decreased, compared to birds fed with Cu8+LA40 (P<0.05). The egg Shape index in birds fed Cu16+LA20 increased, compared to Cu8+RHL, Cu8+LA20, and Cu16+RHL diets (P<0.05). Cholesterol was decreased in the groups supplemented with Cu16+LA40, compared to those fed with Cu16+RHL and Cu8+LA20 treatments (P<0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in bird's blood serum fed Cu16+LA40 increased, compared to birds fed Cu8+LA20 group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Adding 16 mg copper/kg with 20% and 40% higher of L-arginine than the recommended level can improve production, egg quality and serum biochemical parameters of laying hens in this age range.
Hossein Irandoust; Sayyed Habibollah Mousavi; Mohammad Reza Akbari; Mohammad Irandoust
Abstract
Objective: Occasionaly, significant quantities of imported soybean seeds are stored for long periods in customs warehouses at the country's ports. The soybean meal produced from these stored seeds is often darker in appearance compared to other soybean meals. The use of such stored soybean meal ...
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Objective: Occasionaly, significant quantities of imported soybean seeds are stored for long periods in customs warehouses at the country's ports. The soybean meal produced from these stored seeds is often darker in appearance compared to other soybean meals. The use of such stored soybean meal may potentially have adverse effects on the health and productive performance of birds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing various levels of stored soybean meal with imported soybean meal on the productive performance and egg quality of laying hens.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted over a period of 12 weeks using 375 commercial laying hens (White Shaver strain) at 34 weeks of age, arranged in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replicates of 15 birds per each. The treatments consisted of replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of imported soybean meal with stored soybean meal in the diet. At the beginning of the experiment, chemical compositipon of soybean meals samples were analysed. During the experimental period, the following parameters were measured: average daily feed intake, egg production percentage, average egg weight, and feed conversion ratio. To assess egg quality traits, six eggs were collected from each replicate every four weeks and transported to the laboratory. The following parameters were measured: egg shape index, yolk index, Haugh unit, and percentages of shell, yolk, and albumen. Additionally, the absolute weights of eggs, yolks, albumen, and shells were recorded, along with egg length and width, yolk height and diameter, and albumen height. Lipid peroxidation of egg yolk as malondialdehyde content was determined.
Results and Discussion: Laboratory results indicated that the crude protein content of stored soybean meal (44.6%) was 3.5% higher than that of regular soybean meal (41.1%), which could be attributed to differences in the source, harvest stage, type, processing method, and storage conditions. The ether extract percentage of regular soybean meal was 0.93%, whereas stored soybean meal exhibited a higher level of ether extract (1.36%), likely due to differences in oil extraction methods and systems. The urease activity in stored soybean meal was reported as 0.1, compared to 1.7 in regular soybean meal. Based on the lower urease index of the stored soybean meal, it can be concluded that the processing temperature was optimal. Therefore, the hypothesis that Maillard reactions caused the darker color of the stored soybean meal can be rejected. The experimental results showed that replacing various levels of stored soybean meal with imported soybean meal did not have a significant effect on average feed intake, egg production percentage, egg mass, egg weight, or feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Throughout the experimental period, the Haugh unit, shell strength, shell thickness, yolk color, yolk index, and the weight percentages of albumen, yolk, and shell were not significantly affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). However, replacing soybean meal with 100% stored soybean meal resulted in an increase in malondialdehyde concentration in the egg yolk (P < 0.05). Using stored soybean meal in commercial laying hen diets up to 75% of the imported soybean meal level did not have a negative impact on productive performance or egg quality characteristics.
Conclusion: In general, when soybean meal derived from long-stored soybean seeds is introduced to the market, its chemical properties—particularly crude protein content and unavailable protein—should be evaluated to determine its suitability as a replacement for regular soybean meal in diets.
Davoud Rostami; Abbas Pakdel; Ebrahim Ghasemi; Ali Sadeghi Sefidmazgi
Abstract
Objective: Production, economic, and nutritional metrics are used in the dairy farming industry to maximize profitability and enhance decision-making. The largest share of herd economics is represented by feed costs and milk income. Milk pricing methods in Iran are challenging due to ignoring milk quality ...
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Objective: Production, economic, and nutritional metrics are used in the dairy farming industry to maximize profitability and enhance decision-making. The largest share of herd economics is represented by feed costs and milk income. Milk pricing methods in Iran are challenging due to ignoring milk quality and composition. For analyzing profit margins and optimizing herd management, indices such as income over feed cost, milk corrected money, and income equal to feed cost can be used. This study aims to investigate the profitability of Holstein dairy herds in Isfahan province using technical-economic indices and evaluate the impact of different milk pricing scenarios on profitability based on these indices.
Method: In this study, two datasets were used: The first dataset contains 4,637,629 daily records of milk production, fat percentage, protein percentage, and somatic cell count for 255,804 cows in 120 herds in Isfahan province between 2016 and 2024; a second dataset consists of economic data on five selected herds, including prices for milk and feed. The feed cost was estimated using a regression model based on crude protein and net energy of lactation. NRC (2001) standard equations were used to calculate daily energy and protein requirements. Based on the number and level of milk quality components, four pricing scenarios were considered. For each scenario, technical-economic indices were calculated using SQL SERVER (version 18). The statistical analysis of the indices was conducted by SAS (version 9.4). Furthermore, to evaluate the effect of milk quality on profitability in each pricing scenario, the produced milk was graded based on its quality components. To assess the impact of inputs such as milk production, fat and protein percentages, as well as milk and feed prices on technical-economic indices, a sensitivity analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel (version 2021).
Results: The average price for each megacalorie of energy and each gram of protein was calculated at 44,215 and 222 Rials, respectively. The income over feed cost per cow per day was estimated at 2,823,520 Rials, with a range of -549,000 to 10,398,000 Rials. Isfahan province dairy farmers spend about 52% of milk income on feed cost, based on an average income equal to feed cost of 21.1 kg. The average milk corrected money (41.1 kg) was about 1% higher than the average milk production (40.8 kg). The average milk-to-feed price ratio was estimated at 1.27 (±0.33), with a range of 0.53 to 4.2. Sensitivity analysis revealed that a 10% decrease in feed prices and a 10% increase in milk prices led to a 13-15% and 22-25% increase in the income over feed cost index, respectively. Grouping based on milk quality showed that improvements in the studied indices occurred only in scenarios with higher baseline levels of milk protein and fat.
Conclusion: Based on the results, advanced pricing scenarios, which account for parameters related to milk hygiene quality and provide higher baseline levels for milk components, significantly improve profitability and encourage the production of higher-quality milk. The sensitivity analysis also revealed that fluctuations in milk production, milk prices, and feed prices have the greatest impact on economic indices. Therefore, revising milk pricing methods and incorporating milk quality components into pricing can motivate dairy farmers to produce higher-quality milk and enhance dairy herd profitability.
amir ahmadikhatir; taghi ghoorchi; abdolhakim toghdari; mohammad asadi
Abstract
Introduction: Climate change is a worrying issue that has negative effects on livestock. This global climate situation leads to multiple stresses in livestock, which will affect livestock production and health. Heat stress is the most important stressor that will have detrimental effects on livestock ...
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Introduction: Climate change is a worrying issue that has negative effects on livestock. This global climate situation leads to multiple stresses in livestock, which will affect livestock production and health. Heat stress is the most important stressor that will have detrimental effects on livestock growth and productivity. High temperature and humidity lead to an imbalance between metabolic heat output in the animal's body and its loss to the surrounding environment, resulting in heat stress. One of the solutions to optimize production conditions and livestock health, by improving nutrient metabolism and eliminating or reducing stress conditions, is the use of chromium as a metabolic enhancer. In the condition of stress, the mobilization of glycogen reserves and the production of glucose occur to produce energy to maintain stability in the body. Chromium is one of the scarce essential minerals that plays a 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: In order to evaluate of the effect of feeding milk enriched of inorganic, organic and chromium nanoparticles supplements on performance, digestibility of nutrients, nutritional behaviors and microbial protein synthesis of Holstein Suckling calves under heat stress conditions, 32 calves with average weight 37± 3 kg in a complete design were randomly selected with 8 replications and 4 treatments. Experimental treatments include milk without chromium supplement (control), milk containing 3 mg of chromium in mineral form per day, milk containing 3 mg of chromium in the form of chromium-methionine per day and milk contained 3 mg of chromium in the form of chromium nanoparticles per day. The duration of the experimental period was 63 days.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that, in calves fed with chromium nanoparticles-enriched milk, significant improvements were observed in final weight, period weight gain, daily weight gain, total dry matter intake, initial dry matter intake, and reduced feed conversion ratio (P≥0.05). Different forms of chromium had a significant effect on dry matter and organic matter digestibility in suckling calves, with the highest dry matter and organic matter digestibility being related to treatments receiving chromium nanoparticles compared to the control treatment (P≥0.05). Chromium supplementation in inorganic, organic, and chromium nanoparticles forms had no effect on the feeding behaviors of calves (P<0.05). However, the standing behavior of calves receiving different forms of chromium increased compared to the control treatment, and the lying behavior decreased (P≥0.05). The intake of different forms of chromium by calves did not cause significant differences in purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis (P<0.05). However, the amount of urinary uric acid in the control treatment was the highest and the treatment receiving chromium nanoparticles showed the lowest amount (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: In general, the use of chromium, especially in the forms of chromium-methionine and chromium nanoparticles, is recommended in calves affected by heat stress.
soheil mirhabibi; Mohammad Asadi; Mojtaba Haghighat; Hossein Emrani; Yagob Soleymani nanadeganiy
Abstract
Objective: The future of the dairy farm is the result of the proper rearing of the herd's suckling calves; therefore, attention to nutritional factors and disease prevention, which have a great impact on reducing mortality and economic losses to the farm in the early stages of life, is of great ...
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Objective: The future of the dairy farm is the result of the proper rearing of the herd's suckling calves; therefore, attention to nutritional factors and disease prevention, which have a great impact on reducing mortality and economic losses to the farm in the early stages of life, is of great importance. Since the structure of the cow's placenta separates the maternal and fetal blood supplies, the calf is born without immunoglobulins and completely depends on the absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum to obtain adequate immunity and protection against pathogenic organisms until its own immunity is established in 3 to 4 weeks. Adequate passive transfer has several short-term and long-term benefits, including reducing the risk of complications and mortality before and after weaning, increasing the rate of weight gain and feed efficiency, and increasing milk production and survival in livestock. Whether the calf ingests sufficient amounts of immunoglobulinG (IgG) depends on the volume and concentration of IgG in the colostrum fed. There are different recommendations regarding the appropriate amount and frequency of colostrum intake by calves due to the increase in the volume of colostrum produced, its intake has increased in some dairy units in recent years. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of colostrum (as a percentage of body weight) on performance, blood parameters, skeletal growth, and immune transfer of suckling calves.
Methods: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of colostrum on performance, skeletal growth, blood parameters and immune transfer of suckling calves using 32 newborn calves in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 8 replications (4 male and 4 female calves). The experimental treatments included: 1) calves that received 14% of their body weight of colostrum, 2) calves that received 16% of their body weight of colostrum, 3) calves that received 18% of their body weight of colostrum and 4) calves that received 20% of their body weight of colostrum. The duration of the experiment was 32 days.
Results: The results showed that no changes were observed in daily weight gain, final weight, height and chest circumference of calves among the treatments consuming different levels of colostrum. The use of different levels of colostrum based on percentages of body weight had no effect on serum IgG concentrations of suckling calves of different treatments at three time points: 24 and 48 hours and 30 days after birth. The use of different levels of colostrum had no effect on total protein, glucose, cholesterol, and blood triglycerides of suckling calves 24 hours after the initial colostrum and on day 30 of the experiment. However, regarding blood albumin on day 30 of the experiment, there was a significant difference between the treatments receiving different levels of colostrum (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: In general, different levels of colostrum intake did not have a positive effect on performance, immunity, or blood parameters of suckling calves. Thus, colostrum intake of 14% of calf body weight or less seems to be sufficient.
Parvaneh Hashemi; Leila Taherabadi; Farokh Kafilzadeh
Abstract
Introduction: Ensilage is one of the methods of preserving forage plants for livestock feeding. The use of carbohydrate sources to prepare of silage improve the quality of fermentation by producing high lactic acid concentrations. The aerobic stability of silage after exposure to air is one of the quality ...
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Introduction: Ensilage is one of the methods of preserving forage plants for livestock feeding. The use of carbohydrate sources to prepare of silage improve the quality of fermentation by producing high lactic acid concentrations. The aerobic stability of silage after exposure to air is one of the quality parameters of silages. Heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria are among the additives that have been used to improve the aerobic stability of silages. However, there is no information on the use of the Lactobacillus fermentum on the aerobic stability of Napier grass silage with or without the use of carbohydrate sources.
Aim of study: This research was conducted to study the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum 92069 and molasses on fermentation properties, aerobic stability and in vitro digestibility of Napier grass silage as a new forage source (introduced for the first time) in the country.
Material and methods: Napier grass was cultivated at experimental station of school of Agriculture, Razi University on May 2021. In order to prepare Napier grass silage, the forage was harvested, chopped and treated with 0, 3 or 6 % molasses with or without 0, 1 × 106 cfu or 2 ×106 cfu of Lactobacillus Fermentum 92069 per gram of fresh forage. Forage was ensiled in laboratory silos with four replicates. After 90 days of ensiling, chemical composition and fermentation products of silages such as lactic acid, butyric acid, acetic acid, ammonia nitrogen and in vitro digestibility were determined. The fungal population of silages including yeast and mold were also determined. During the aerobic fermentation process, aerobic stability of the silages and changes in pH and the population of fungal in the silages were determined.
Results and Discussion: Increasing the level of molasses was associated with an increase in dry matter and soluble carbohydrates of silage. The lowest pH values (3.90 to 3.97) and higher production of lactic acid concentration (47.9 to 53.3 g/kg dry matter) were observed in silages containing the high level of molasses with or without bacterial inoculant. The effect of using Lactobacillus fermentum increased the production of acetic acid, but had no effect on the aerobic stability. There was no difference in the fungi population of silages from different treatments. The digestibility of dry matter and organic matter and also metabolize energy were higher in silages containing molasses with or without bacterial inoculant.
Conclusion: The current research regarding the Napier grass silage prepared with no additive had a relatively good quality. However, the use of molasses led to an improvement in the anaerobic fermentation and digestibility. The aerobic stability of Napier grass silages in spite of an increase in acetic acid was not affected by the addition of the Lactobacillus fermentum up to 2 ×106 cfu/ g fresh forage.
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