farnaz arjmand kermani; Hossein Moradi Shahrbabak; Mohammad Moradi Shahre Babak; hossein mohamdi; Mehdi Javan Nikkhah; younes dossti
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 219-232
Abstract
Introduction: Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) infection is more common in dairy cattle herds. The main cause of leukosis is the disease that leads to the creation of cancerous lymphocytes in different organisms of the body and affects different species, including cattle. This disease reduces milk production ...
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Introduction: Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) infection is more common in dairy cattle herds. The main cause of leukosis is the disease that leads to the creation of cancerous lymphocytes in different organisms of the body and affects different species, including cattle. This disease reduces milk production and causes reproductive diseases, and finally the removal of infected animals. Due to trade restrictions and deaths caused by lymphosarcoma, it causes direct economic losses, which is also related to the decrease in milk production and the increase in the elimination rate. No treatment or vaccine is known for this disease so far. Therfore, studying the genomic regions related to susceptibility to BLV infection can be effective in controlling and treating this disease and genetic improvement of animals. This research aimed to perform a whole genom-wide association study (GWAS) study of cattle to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with BLV infection.Material and Methods This study was conducted using Holstein cows that were naturally infected with BLV. For this purpose, blood samples of 150 Holstein cows in an industrial dairy cattle farm in Isfahan were collected, and DNA and serum of them were extracted. The prepared DNA samples were genotyped using k30 microarrays (SNPchip30k) (by Illumina). Quality control of sequences for rare allele frequency components (PMAF < 0.05), missing genotype (PMIND > 0.05), genotyping rate (PGENO > 0.05), and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (PH-W < 1×10-6) and significance test was performed by PLINK software. Analysis of the ontology of genes was done by the online database https://www.Uniprot.org and finally, the ontology diagram of genes was drawn and analyzed by the online database PANTHER.Results and Discussion: After control analyzing, 145 cows (77 cases and 68 controls) and 22868 markers were left for further analysis, finally 8 markers higher than the significant threshold were identified, and most significant markers were located on chromosomes 17 and 21. Using ensemble sites and genecards, genes associated with significant selected markers were identified. The most important of them were GRK4, TP53BP1, SCAPER, GLRB, PDGFC, TNIP2, PSTPIP1, CEP350, MR1, TOM1L2, SREBF1, COPS and TNFRS13B. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that these genes are more involved in protein-coding and play a role in regulating enzyme activities, intercellular exchanges, DNA stability, calcium activity, nervous system, and lipid activity. Also, according to other research, these genes played a role in cases such as infectious poison lesions, subclinical ketosis disease, BCS of cattle, fatty acid metabolism and fat deposition, various infections such as mastitis, and in meat traits and muscle stiffness in beef cattle. It should be noted that some of these genes were related to the pathways of innate immunity, humoral immunity, and cancer tumors.Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that whole genome wide association study analysis as well as gene ontology analysis to identify genomic regions related to viral infections such as leukemia can be effective in designing treatment methods and prevention methods and in choosing Genomics and breeding programs in Iranian dairy cows.
Moein Taned; Mohammad Bagher Zandi; Morad Pasha EskandariNasab; Mohammad Abdoli
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 233-248
Abstract
Introduction: Accurate estimation of genetic and phenotypic variance enhances the selection of superior horses and serves as a valuable tool for the long-term improvement of the sport horse population. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the variance components for performance traits of sport ...
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Introduction: Accurate estimation of genetic and phenotypic variance enhances the selection of superior horses and serves as a valuable tool for the long-term improvement of the sport horse population. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the variance components for performance traits of sport horses using the Bayesian method.
Materials and Methods: A database was created using 49,026 records from 1499 horses collected between 2017 and 2020 from the Iranian Equestrian Federation. The sport performance traits examined were race completion time (RCT), number of errors in competition (NEC), and rank at the end of the competition (REC). Analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple comparison tests were used to determine the significance of environmental effects, and genetic parameters were estimated using a Gibbs sampling method. R software was utilized to evaluate environmental effects, fit the model, and estimate reliability, variance components, heritability, and genetic correlations, with the GIBBS1F90 and THRGIBBS1F90 software used for estimation. The statistical model included fixed effects for birth year, sex, age, breed, height of obstacles, and level of difficulty of the event, as well as random effects for rider, date, city of competition, and additive genetic effect.
Results and Discussion: Heritability (h2) was estimated using single-trait and multi-trait models for the traits RCT, NEC, and REC, respectively, as 0.02 and 0.08, 0.13 and 0.23, 0.16 and 0.29. The estimated genetic correlations between the traits RCT and NEC, RCT and REC, and NEC and REC were 0.38, 0.36, and 0.65, respectively. The mean estimated reliability (r2) using single-trait and multi-trait models for the traits RCT, NEC, and REC were 0.60 and 0.69, 0.62 and 0.73, 0.58 and 0.66, respectively. The heritability values of different traits can vary, and a specific trait may exhibit different levels of heritability across various populations. The estimated heritability of RCT, NEC, and REC fell within the range of values reported in various horse populations and it was <0.01–0.41, 0.07–0.38, and 0.02–0.23, respectively. These estimates demonstrate genetic variation in the traits within the study population, and their alignment with other studies increases confidence in the estimated values.
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the heritability of the traits studied was low. Among the performance traits, REC showed the highest heritability. Due to its positive genetic correlation with RCT and NEC, selecting for REC could potentially improve the other traits as well. These findings emphasize the importance of using multi-trait models in breeding programs, as they can provide more accurate heritability estimates and enhance the precision and reliability of breeding value predictions.
Ramin Abdoli; Reza Sourati Zanjani; Seyed Hosein Hosseini Moghaddam; Farjad Rafeie
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 249-261
Abstract
Introduction: Considering the importance of comparing the silkworm performances of Iranian and imported commercial hybrids from China production traits, viability index and cocoon dimensions index were investigated in eight Iranian (31×32, 32×31, 103×104, 104×103, 151×154, ...
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Introduction: Considering the importance of comparing the silkworm performances of Iranian and imported commercial hybrids from China production traits, viability index and cocoon dimensions index were investigated in eight Iranian (31×32, 32×31, 103×104, 104×103, 151×154, 154×151, 153×154 and 154×153), and nine imported Chinese commercial hybrids (Suju×Minghu (S×M), Minghu×Suju (M×S), Baiyue×Qiufeng (B×Q), Qiufeng×Baiyue (Q×B), BaiyueB×QiufengA (BB×QA), QiufengA×BaiyueB (QA×BB), 781×7532, Lianggang No2 and Guican No 5) in the present study.
Materials and Methods: After eggs hatched and according to the standard protocols, the studied hybrids were reared under the same conditions at Iran Silk Research Center (ISRC). Statistical analyses were done in three replications of 200 larvae (totally 600 records per each hybrid) based on completely randomized design. For comparing the means, Tukey's statistical test was used at a significance level of P<0.05. The GLM procedure was used in SAS software version 9.4. Data generated in respect of the studied traits were subjected for further analysis by a multiple trait evaluation index using the following formula: evaluation index (E.I.)= (A-B/C×10) + 50, where A is value of a particular breed for particular trait, B is mean value for a particular trait of all the hybrids, C is standard deviation of a particular trait for all the hybrids, 10 is standard unit and 50 is fixed value. Minimum / average Evaluation Index (E.I) value fixed for selection of a hybrid is >50. Based on the evaluation index (E.I) consisted of production traits and viability, best hybrids were identified.
Results and Discussion: The result of the research showed the close competition between Iranian and Chinese silkworm hybrids. In the situation that the performance of Iranian 32×31 and 31×32 hybrids for traits related to weight, shell weight and shell percentage of best cocoons was higher than the other hybrids but based on a composite index that was used in this research, 151×154, 154×151, 153×154 and 154×153 hybrids showed superiority. Based on this index, M×S and S×M as well as BB×QA and QA×BB had a higher average than the other hybrids. This result is based on the average of two-way crosses for the hybrids that both pairs were used in the experiment.
Conclusion: Generally, the results of mean comparisons and evaluation index showed that Iranian hybrids had better performance in all traits related to produce cocoons than the Chinese hybrids. Although, Chinese hybrids were significantly different from the Iranian for pupa viability percentage trait as Lianggang No2 hybrid showed the highest value.
Behzad Khorrami; Seyed Alireza Vakili; mohsen danesh mesgaran
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 263-277
Abstract
Introduction: Today, the use of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics in livestock diets is facing reduced social acceptance because of the appearance of residues in milk and meat, and therefore, ruminant nutritionists are seeking for appropriate alternatives for these feed additives. The study of ...
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Introduction: Today, the use of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics in livestock diets is facing reduced social acceptance because of the appearance of residues in milk and meat, and therefore, ruminant nutritionists are seeking for appropriate alternatives for these feed additives. The study of essential oils (EOs) as natural feed additives capable of improving rumen microbial fermentation has taken into consideration by nutritionists. Among the EOs, thyme (THY) and cinnamon (CIN) oil have attracted significant attention due to their antimicrobial activity against ruminal microorganisms. Therefore, more research is required to understand their impacts on rumen microbial fermentation in ruminants. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, few studies has synchronously compared the influences of THY and CIN on rumen fermentation and microorganisms. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of THY and CIN on performance, and rumen microbial fermentation under in vitro and in vivo conditions.
Materials and methods: In the in vitro experiment, different concentrations (0, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/l) of THY and CIN were incubated for 24-h in batch culture. In the in vivo study 18 growing Holstein calves were used in a completely randomized design to examine effects of supplementing a basal diet (CON) with thyme oil (THY, 5 g/d/calf) or cinnamon oil (CIN, 5 g/d/calf) on performance and rumen microbial fermentation. Calves were fed ad libitum diets consisting of 15% forage and 85% concentrate for 80 d.
Results and discussion: The high concentration of THY and CIN (1000 mg/l) inhibited rumen microbial fermentation thereby decreasing total gas production and DM disappearance at 24 of incubation, and total VFA concentration. Cinnamon oil at 1000 mg/l increased final pH of batch culture (P<0.05). The lower concentration of THY and CIN (125 and 250 mg/l) decreased the acetate to propionate ratio (P<0.05), without reducing VFA concentration. Supplementation of THY or CIN did not affect DMI and ADG. There were also no effects of EOs on ruminal pH, rumen concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and total VFA; whereas molar proportion of acetate and ratio of acetate to propionate decreased (P<0.05), and the molar proportion of propionate increased (P<0.05). Rumen molar proportion of butyrate was significantly increased (P<0.05) by adding CIN. The population of protozoa and methanogens bacteria decreased in the rumen of calves receiving EOs (P<0.05). Ruminal population of Fibrobacter succinogenes was not affected by treatments, but populations of Ruminococcus albus and flavefaciens decreased by THY and CIN (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, although dietary addition of THY and CIN did not have a significant effect on the performance of feedlot calves, but it improved the rumen fermentation properties, which may be considered as potential alternatives for antibiotics in beef production systems.
Soheila Ebrahimi; Mohammad Hassan Fathi Nasri; Homayoun Farhangfar
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 279-289
Abstract
Introduction: Today, animal nutritionists and experts are looking for solutions to produce high quality animal products. In lamb meat, post-mortem biochemical changes, such as lipid oxidation, lead to off-odours and flavour development that have negative impact on the shelf life of these products. Therefore, ...
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Introduction: Today, animal nutritionists and experts are looking for solutions to produce high quality animal products. In lamb meat, post-mortem biochemical changes, such as lipid oxidation, lead to off-odours and flavour development that have negative impact on the shelf life of these products. Therefore, the possibility to extend the shelf life of lamb meat is a primary objective of the meat industry. Some of plant compounds are excellent source of natural antioxidants that can improve the shelf life and quality of meat mainly by inhibiting fat oxidation and microbial growth. Saffron petal (SP) is one of the by-products of saffron, which is a plant source rich in flavonoid compounds and anthocyanins, and annually large amounts of it discard as a waste product. Also, the use of these residues in animal feed, cause the reduction of environmental pollution. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of feeding of SP on performance, blood parameters and antioxidant status of blood and meat of Afshari fattening lambs.
Materials and methods: Eighteen male Afshari lambs aged four to five months with an average initial weight of 17±2.5 kg in a completely randomized design were used. Experimental treatments were included: 1) control (basal diet without SP), 2) basal diet supplemented with 1.5% SP and 3) basal diet supplemented with 3% SP (DM basis). The experimental period was 84 days and lambs were slaughtered at the end of the experiment.
Results and discussion: The results showed that the addition of SP to the diet had no effect on feed intake, daily weight gain and nutrient digestibility. The amount of plasma urea in lambs fed with both levels of SP and the concentration of plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride in lambs fed with 3% of SP significantly decreased (P<0.05). In lambs fed with 3% SP, the total antioxidant capacity and activity of glutathione peroxidase enzyme in blood and longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle was increased and the amount of malondialdehyde in the blood and LL muscle was decreased (P<0.05). But the activity of superoxide dismutase in the blood was not affected.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of this research showed that adding 3% of SP to the diet of fattening lambs without affecting the performance, improved the antioxidant status of the blood and increased the shelf-life durability of meat.
Mahboobeh shahi; Taghi Ghoorchi; Abdolhakim Toghdory; Seyed Hadi Ebrahimi
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 291-301
Abstract
Introduction: Cottonseed is a valuable feed ingredient due to its high fiber and energy content, which can enhance the energy and protein levels in animal diets. In the irradiation or micronization method, using infrared rays and without damaging the fat cells, while maintaining the profile of fatty ...
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Introduction: Cottonseed is a valuable feed ingredient due to its high fiber and energy content, which can enhance the energy and protein levels in animal diets. In the irradiation or micronization method, using infrared rays and without damaging the fat cells, while maintaining the profile of fatty acids, the seed is heated, and its anti-nutritional factors are destroyed. Sodium hydroxide treatment can affect ruminal degradability and nutrient digestibility, ultimately influencing performance. This study aimed to assess the impact of feeding processed cottonseed on the performance, blood parameters, nutrient digestibility, and feeding behavior of fattening male lambs.
Material and Methods: The study was conducted at the animal husbandry facility in Ghala Khan village, North Khorasan province. For this purpose, 40 Afshari male lambs (4-6 months old) with an average weight of 27.6±4 kg were randomly allocated to four treatments with ten replications for 84 days. The experimental treatments included: 1) diet containing whole cottonseed, 2) diet containing ground cottonseed, 3) diet containing micronized cottonseed, and 4) diet containing sodium hydroxide-treated cottonseed. For irradiation, 5% of drinking water was added to the cottonseed and it was rotated inside a cylinder for 10 minutes at a speed of 20 revolutions per minute until the water was completely absorbed by the seed. Then, the seeds were exposed to infrared radiation with an irradiation distance of 12 cm for 60 seconds in a gas flicker micronizer and immediately after leaving the micronizer, they were placed between two metal rollers. They were pressed and filled at a distance of 1 mm. The chemical processing of the foam samples was done in such a way that first a 4% solution of sodium hydroxide (40 grams of sodium hydroxide in 100 milliliters of distilled water) was prepared. This solution was mixed with cottonseed samples to obtain four grams of sodium hydroxide per 100 grams of dry matter of cotton seeds, and then it was kept and dried in open air for 48 hours. Lambs were kept in individual stalls during the experiment and had free access to water during the period. Fecal and feed samples were collected during the last week of the experimental period for determining digestibility. Insoluble fiber levels were determined using Van Soest's method, and nutrient digestibility was assessed using acid-insoluble ash as an internal marker. Blood samples were collected on the last day and before morning feeding. Feeding behavior (resting, rumination, chewing, eating) of the lambs was measured continuously for 24 hours on the last two days of experiment.
Results and Discussion: The micronized cottonseed increased final weight as well as dry matter digestibility (P<0.05), and improved feed conversion ratio. There was no significant difference in feeding behavior in lambs fed with different treatments of cottonseed. Blood cholesterol, triglyceride and urea levels were highest in lambs fed micronized cottonseed and lowest in those fed whole or ground cottonseed (P<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that micronized cottonseed and processing of cottonseed by sodium hydroxide could increase daily weight gain and improved the feed conversion ratio in fattening lambs, suggesting their potential inclusion in feedlot diets.
Mohammad Hossein Moazeni Zadeh; Armin Towhidi; Mehdi Zhandi; kamran rezayazdi; Hoda Javaheri Barfourooshi
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 303-316
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing glycinate form of zinc, copper, iron and manganese on growth performance and some blood biochemical parameters of suckling calves. A total of 20 one-day-old Holstein calves were randomly divided into two equal groups. Until weaning ...
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing glycinate form of zinc, copper, iron and manganese on growth performance and some blood biochemical parameters of suckling calves. A total of 20 one-day-old Holstein calves were randomly divided into two equal groups. Until weaning on day 63, the control group received milk and basal starter diet containing whey protein as a carrier while the treatment group received milk containing 6, 1.5, 15, and 6 ppm of zinc, copper, iron and manganese respectively, together with basal starter diet containing 40, 10, 100, and 40 ppm of zinc, copper, iron and manganese respectively. To assess the growth performance, feed intake was measured daily, and calves were weighed weekly. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, 42 and 63. Supplementation with glycinate trace elements significantly increased serum albumin, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein and decreased low-density lipoprotein concentrations in suckling calves compared to the control group. Carpus lengths was increased in calves treated with organic trace elements compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, serum concentration of zinc tended to be higher in calves received glycinate trace mineral supplement (P=0.05). However, supplementation of organic trace minerals had no significant effect on growth performance and concentration of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase in serum. The results of this study showed that supplementing the diet of calves with glycinate trace minerals improved inflammation-related parameters such as albumin, low- and high-density lipoproteins, and energy metabolism-related parameters such as serum glucose. However, supplementation of glycinate trace minerals did not have a significant effect on the growth performance of suckling calves.
Kazem Yussefi Kelarikolaei; Hussein Yussefi Kelarikolaei; Hasan Rouhanipour; Seyyed Abdollah Hosseini; Karim Nobari; Mokhtar Mohajer; Parastoo Poorghafoor Langeroodi
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 317-333
Abstract
Introduction: In the past, the use of valine (L-Val) in broiler feeds was limited due to its high price and relatively low availability. However, L-Val is becoming more available for the feed industry, resulting in a more viable price, leading to its inclusion in feed formulas. Moreover, to decrease ...
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Introduction: In the past, the use of valine (L-Val) in broiler feeds was limited due to its high price and relatively low availability. However, L-Val is becoming more available for the feed industry, resulting in a more viable price, leading to its inclusion in feed formulas. Moreover, to decrease the dietary content of crude protein, the use of L-Val in broiler diets is becoming more attractive. Arian broiler is one of the meat strains that originated in Iran and considering that several decades have passed since the arrival of the Arian line in our country. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out continuous nutritional experiments to more accurately meet the requirement of Arian broiler with regard to optimizing growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass efficiency by increasing the density of nutrients such as amino acids (AA). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different ratios of dietary valine-to lysine on growth performance, blood parameters, immune system, carcass characteristics and economic indicators in Arian broiler chickens.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted for 40 days with three satges: starter (0-14 days old), growth (15-25 days old) and finisher (26-40 days old). In this study, a total of 500 Arian strain day old broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments, five replicates and 20 birds per each. Feed intake and body weight were measured at the end of each rearing periods and FCR was calculated. The experimental groups included: first group: control (-75; 75% ratio of valine to lysine without using synthetic L-Val), second group: +80 (ratio of 80% valine to lysine using synthetic L-Val), third group: +85 (ratio of 85% valine to lysine using synthetic L-Val), fourth group: -80 (ratio of 80% valine to lysine without using synthetic L-Val and fifth group: -85 (ratio of 85% valine to lysine without using synthetic L-Val). At 40 days of age, six birds from each replicate were randomly selected, weighed, and killed).
Results and Disscution: Results showed that diets with ratios of -80 and -85% valine amino acid increased body weight at the age of 0 to 42 days (P<0.05). The diets with a ratios of -85% valine amino acid increased feed intake during the total period of experiment (P<0.05). The intake of diets with ratios of -80 and -85% valine amino acid improved FCR and decreased abdominal fat (P<0.05). The level of albumen and total protein in control treatment were higher than in all experimental groups (P<0.05). Significant differences were not observed in relative size of spleen and bursa of fabricius, antibody titer against Newcastle disease and heterophile to lymphocyte ratio between experimental groups.
Conclusion: The results showed that feeding a diet containing -85% valine amino acid was more obvious on performance in the entire rearing periods, and also will improve serum lipid parameters, reduce fat storage in the abdominal area and increase profitability. Finally, the economic calculations of the project showed that it is possible to use the advantage of using synthetic valine amino acid in ration of Arian broilers.
Seyed Mousa Saadat Mirqadim; Majid Mottaghitalab
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 335-354
Abstract
Introduction: Today, the use of enzymes to improve feed digestibility and achieve higher productivity has been considered as an effective strategy in the poultry industry. Phytase is an enzyme that is used in most commercial diets with the aim of breaking the bonds of phytic acid to increase the digestibility ...
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Introduction: Today, the use of enzymes to improve feed digestibility and achieve higher productivity has been considered as an effective strategy in the poultry industry. Phytase is an enzyme that is used in most commercial diets with the aim of breaking the bonds of phytic acid to increase the digestibility and absorption of nutrient. On the other hand, by carrying out breeding programs and subsequently reducing resistance to diseases due to the shift of nutrient for more production, more attention has been paid to immunity system and gut health. Therefore, gut health has a key role in the absorption of nutrient resulting from the activity of endogenous and endogenous enzymes. Hence, research in term of gut health modifiers such a prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, parabiotics and essential oils have increased. Among them, phytogenics have become more popular nowadays. Phytogenic supplements are known as their role on growth performance and increase profitability through improving microbiota balance and intestinal health. In addition to dietary phtoygenic supplemets, dietary calcium and phosphorus reduction is probablely effective tool led to phytase activity released nutrient. Results from studies have been showed that, slight decrease in the level of calcium and phosphorus is effective in increasing the efficiency of these mineral and gut health via reducing gut acidity. In the present study, effect of high amounts of phytase in combination with phytogenic additive in diets with reduced calcium and phosphorus on nutrient digestibility, humoral immunity and some related blood parameters of broiler chickens were investigated.Materials and Methods: The 672 one-day-old male broilers of Ross 308 strain were assigned to 12 dietary treatments and four replicats in a 2x2x3 factorial arrangement with different amounts of phytase (zero, 500 and 2000 FTU) and two levels of phytogenic supplement (zero and 200 mg/kg of feed) on two dietary calcium (normal=0.81, 0.72, 66%; reduced=0.71, 0.62 and 0.56% for different phases) and phosphorus (normal = 0.36, 0.32 and 0.29%; reduced=0.31, 0.27 and 0.24% for different phases) in a completely randomized design.Results and Discussion: Addition of phytase to the diets in combination to calcium and phosphorus reduction increased phosphorus digestibility compared to that normal diets (P<0.05). Increasing phytase from 0 to 500 and 2000 FTU increased digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, phosphorus, calcium and protein (P<0.05). The interaction effect of adding phytase enzyme along with decreasing the amount of calcium and phosphorus on the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus were significant (P<0.05), and the inclusion of phytogenic supplement at the levels of 500 and 2000 FTU of phytase per kg of feed increased phosphorus digestibility (P<0.05). Decreasing dietary calcium and phosphorus concentration and adding phytogenic additive, improved nutrient digestibility of nutrients except protein (P<0.05). Inclusion 2000 FTU of phytase in diets increased digestibility of nutrients and decreased blood calcium compared to the usual amount and diet without phytase (P<0.05). The blood concentratin of alanine aminotransferase reduced by 2000 FTU of phytase compared to 0 and 500 FTU (P<0.05). Dietary addition of phytase decreased alkaline phosphatase (P<0.05). High levels of phytase inceasded total serum immunoglobulins at the age of 28 and 41 days compared to the zero level (P<0.05), but there was no difference compared to the 500 FTU. Addition of phytase or phytogenic supplement improved antibody level against Newcastle at the age of 41 days (P<0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, 2000 FTU phytase compared to 500 FTU and adding phytogenic supplement had positive effects on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and immunity in broilers.
Yasmine Bahri; hossein Moravej
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 355-373
Abstract
Introduction: Aflatoxin B1 is the most dangerous form of aflatoxins that could be produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus molds. Contamination of feedstuffs with aflatoxins is problematic during the manufacturing, processing, storage, and transportation stages, and it has adverse effects ...
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Introduction: Aflatoxin B1 is the most dangerous form of aflatoxins that could be produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus molds. Contamination of feedstuffs with aflatoxins is problematic during the manufacturing, processing, storage, and transportation stages, and it has adverse effects on the health and productivity of poultry and human health. By using inorganic and organic toxin binders in poultry feed, aflatoxins are not allowed to be absorbed through the animal's digestive system, and it is considered a good solution to reduce their negative effects.
Materials and Methods: In this research, the effects of adding a multi-component toxin binder to diets containing aflatoxin B1 were investigated on growth performance, carcass traits, and immune parameters of broilers, by using 180 one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) in a 3×3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with three levels of toxin binder (0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 kg/ton) and three levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) in nine treatments, four replications, and five chickens in each replicate.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the using of 1.0 kg/ton of toxin binder significantly reduced the negative effects of 0.5 mg/kg of aflatoxin B1 on the average daily feed intake and weight gain in the finisher and entire production periods and the final live weight in whole production period (P<0.05). The regression equations (Y= -25.033x+ 65.734) with (R2= 0.97), (Y= -23.961x+ 64.844) with (R2= 0.91), and (Y= -15.133x+ 64.319) with (R2= 0.75) were obtained to predict the average daily weight gain of birds fed with treatments containing 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 kg/ton of "Delta bond®" toxin binder and different levels of aflatoxin B1, respectively. Feeding chickens with diets containing aflatoxin B1 significantly increased liver and spleen weights (P<0.05). All treatments containing 1.0 mg/kg of aflatoxin B1 and treatments containing 0.5 mg/kg of aflatoxin B1 and 0.0 and 0.5 kg/ton of toxin binder showed a significant decrease in the bursa of Fabricius weight compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). In addition, the treatment containing 1.0 mg/kg of aflatoxin B1 without a toxin binder increased heart weight compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). In the case of immune parameters, the amount of heterophils and the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes were significantly increased and the number of lymphocytes was significantly decreased as the aflatoxin B1 level increased (P<0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant effects for the main and interaction of aflatoxin B1 and the toxin binder for the Newcastle antibody titer.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the addition of 1.0 kg/ton of a multi-component toxin binder to diets containing 0.5 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 can improve the average daily feed intake and weight gain in the finisher and entire production periods, final live weight, and bursa of Fabricius weight of broilers.
naser bayati; Hossein Mansoori Yarahmadi; nader papi; Jafar Fakhraei
Volume 26, Issue 3 , October 2024, Pages 375-385
Abstract
Introduction: Climate change causing deficiencies in freshwater resources and increasing salinity of soil and groundwater will lead to a scarcity of forage for ruminants in some countries. Halophyte crops that are adapted to soil and water salinity and high temperatures could provide suitable forage ...
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Introduction: Climate change causing deficiencies in freshwater resources and increasing salinity of soil and groundwater will lead to a scarcity of forage for ruminants in some countries. Halophyte crops that are adapted to soil and water salinity and high temperatures could provide suitable forage under these harsh conditions. Salicornia is an annual herbaceous halophyte belonging to the Amaranthaceae family, which has more than 175 genera and 2000 species of herbs and is a small shrub. Salicornia grows in temperate and subtropical climates and has yielded from 10 to 20 t/ha of dry biomass when irrigated with seawater. Salicornia is one of the few halophyte plants that can grow with direct use of sea water, although the salinity tolerance threshold of the plant is low in the germination stage. According to the limited studies related to the nutrition of halophyte plants in ruminants, this study aimed to investigate the nutritional value and degradability of different ecotypes of Salicornia spp. in in vitro condition.
Materials and Methods: First, Salicornia samples were collected from the farms of Urmia and Gamishan cities, and immediately after harvesting from the farm, the sample weight was determined to determine the dry matter (DM). In order to evaluate the nutritional value of Salicornia, chemical composition, minerals, gas production and degradability of DM were measured by in vitro.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the DM percentage of Salicornia was 92 in Urmia ecotype and 85.31 in Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). Salicornia crude fat percentage was 2.50 in Urmia ecotype and 1.20 in Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). The ash content of Salicornia fodder in Urmia ecotype was 19.40%. The percentage of NDF and ADF of Salicornia in Urmia ecotype was lower than Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). The amount of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese and iron of Salicornia in Urmia ecotype was higher than Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). The amount of potassium, copper and zinc in Salicornia was similar between Urmia and Gamishan ecotypes. The amount of gas production of Salicornia fodder in Urmia ecotype was higher than Gamishan ecotype at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 72 hours of incubation (P<0.05); While at 96 hours of incubation, the amount of gas production of Salicornia in Gamishan ecotype increased significantly compared to Urmia ecotype (P<0.05). The gas production potential (A) and gas production rate (C) were higher in Gamishan and Urmia ecotypes, respectively (P<0.05). The results showed that Metabolic energy, net energy and short chain fatty acids obtained from the gas production in Salicornia were higher in Urmia ecotype than Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). In the Urmia and Gamishan ecotypes, the degradability of the rapidly degradable fraction (a) of Salicornia was 29.04% and 45.47 and slowly degradable fraction (b) 39.24%, and 38.17%, respectively. Effective degradability of Salicornia assuming passage rates of 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 per hour in Urmia ecotype was 46.59, 42.37 and 40.20%, respectively.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, according to the higher amount of produced gas and estimated energy and short chain fatty acids in Urmia ecotype; its use in ruminant nutrition is recommended.