امین کاظمی زاده

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary fat and vitamin E on the growth performance and blood parameters of Japanese quail. The experiment was conducted with 320 pieces of one-day-old quail in the form of a completely randomized design with 20 experimental units including 5 groups, 4 replications and A number of 16 pieces of quail chicks were performed in each repetition. The experimental groups include: 1) base diet (control), 2) base diet containing 2% soybean oil, 3) base diet containing 2% tallow oil, 4) base diet containing 2% soybean oil and 200 mg/kg vitamin E, 5) base diet They contained 2% tallow oil and 200 mg/kg vitamin E. The results showed that the treatment containing 2% tallow oil and vitamin E increased the weight of the birds compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). The lowest feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were observed in the birds that received the groups containing soybean oil or tallow along with vitamin E. Persistence percentage was not affected by experimental groups (P<0.05). The highest level of production index was related to the birds fed with the level of two percent tallow oil and E. The effect of experimental groups on blood parameters including total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL was not significant (P<0.05). In general, the use of two percent tallow oil along with vitamin E in the diet of birds improved the performance of quails.

Fertility is one of the main factors influencing the economic result in poultry flocks and it is influenced by several variables including breed, nutrition quality, flock age and sperm quality. As a result, the decrease in the fertility of beef mother herds after the peak of production is one of the most important factors in reducing the economic profit of breeding units. It has been shown that fertility decline at the end of the productive period can be partially prevented through artificial insemination. The requirement for optimal use of artificial insemination in any species is the possibility of storing sperm in liquid and frozen form. Fertility rate of poultry sperm in frozen conditions is facing a serious challenge compared to other species, this challenge may be related to some special physiological characteristics of rooster sperm that lead to increased sensitivity in frozen conditions. Ginger is a plant that has strong antioxidant substances, which increases the level of antioxidant enzymes and collects free radicals and protects the cell membrane against the risk of oxidation and peroxidation of fats. The main antioxidant compounds in ginger are gingerols, sesquiterpenes, shogaols and some phenolic ketone derivatives, which have the ability to neutralize superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. This evidence shows that adding ginger powder to the diet of broilers can improve the quality of sperm after thawing and increase the fertility rate by improving the antioxidant properties of semen and protecting sperm from damage caused by freezing-thawing. In this research, twenty-seven Ras 308 breeding broilers were tested in the southern desert research farm in collaboration with Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.  At the age of 47 weeks, the sows were habituated for two weeks in individual cages and fed with basic ration and abdominal rubbing method for sperm collection. From the age of 49 to 60 weeks for 12 weeks, the sows were fed with a basic diet (control group) or diets with different levels of ginger powder (treatment groups) and kept at a temperature of 19-23 degrees Celsius and a photoperiod of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness.  Experimental treatments included: control diet (no feeding of ginger powder), daily feeding of 7.5 grams of ginger powder and daily feeding of 15 g of ginger powder per kg of diet. During the test period, sperm samples were collected weekly by abdominal rub method and after initial evaluation, from the age of 51 weeks, they were frozen, and the quality parameters of semen, including total and progressive aspect, plasma membrane function, sperm viability and morphology after thawing were evaluated. took Frozen semen samples from weeks 59 and 60 were inoculated into broiler hens to evaluate sperm fertility after thawing. The effect of treatment and test weeks on most of the parameters measured including total and progressive motility, viability and function of sperm plasma membrane was significant. The interaction of treatment and test weeks significantly affected overall and progressive behavior, but its effect on survival tended to be significant. The effects of treatment, week and the interaction of treatment in week had no significant effect on the percentage of abnormal sperms. The study by Shafiq et al. (2015) improved the storage of rooster sperm using rosemary essential oil after the freezing and thawing process; The results of the research showed that the use of rosemary essential oil in the diluent improves the quality of rooster sperm, which is consistent with the present research.  Ginger comprises essential antioxidant compounds such as gingerols, sesquiterpenes, shogaols, and certain phenolic ketone derivatives. These compounds possess the remarkable ability to neutralize superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, contributing to their sustained antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase plays a crucial role in safeguarding sperm in the tissues of the testis and epididymis. A decline in the levels of this enzyme within the body has been associated with infertility. Recognizing the significance of these antioxidant components and enzymes underscores their continuous impact on maintaining reproductive health. By being placed in the sperm plasma membrane, this enzyme protects the sperm nucleus and epididymal fluid from the attack of free radicals and causes the final swelling and development of sperms. Fertility percentage and sperm yield in chicks of hens fed with 7.5 and 15 g/kg of ginger powder in the diet increased significantly compared to the control group. Among the sperm parameters, sperm motility and viability are considered to be the most important factors influencing sperm transfer to SSTs; In this research, the total and progressive motility and survival were increased in the groups of 7.5 and 15 grams per kg of diet, which can be the reasons for increasing the fertility and hatching of chicks in these groups. In a research by Masoudi et al. (2021), they investigated the effect of milk thistle, carob and ginger on the reproductive performance of Ras breed broilers and reported that supplementing the diet with plant additives significantly improved the quality of sperm and fertility of the sows compared to the control group. In generally, the results of the present study showed that the addition of 7.5 and 15 g per kg of ginger powder in the diet significantly increased the total and progressive motility, the integrity and function of the plasma membrane, and finally, the fertility and egg retrieval of sperm after thawing.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of Algae on performance and meat quality in Japanese quail. For this purpose, the numbers of 306 pieces of 3-days age of Japanese quail were used in a completely randomized design by; 6 experimental treatments, 3 replicates and 17 chickens per replication. The experimental treatments comprised different levels of Algae as; T1: no Algae (control group), T2; 0.05 %, T3: 0.1 %, T4: 0.15%, T5: 0.20 %and T5: 0.25% of this Algae was added to the basic diet. In addition to measuring yield performance at 35 days of age, 4 pieces of quail in both sexes (males and females) were randomly selected and slaughtered from each replicate for evaluation of meat quality. Our results showed that the effect of different levels of Algae in quail’s diets doesn’t have any significant effect on average body weight gaining, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and live weights (p > 0.05). Feeding different levels of Algae had significant effect on carcass weight (p < 0.05). Also, feeding other levels of Algae had significant effect on carcass yield rate (p < 0.05). Although, there was no significant difference between all treatments for meat malondialdehyde index (p > 0.05) But, it had significant effect on meat pH, water holding capacity and blood loss percentage between treatments (p < 0.05). In general, the results revealed that using Algae at level of % 0.1 of the diet could be effective for improving performance and meat quality in Japanese quail.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of flaxseed oil and ginger powder on production performance and egg yolk fatty acid profile in broiler hens during three periods of 28 days. Number 200 pieces of Ross 308 broiler chicken with 45 weeks of age and in a completely random factorial design (2×4) including 2 levels of ginger (zero and 1.5%) and two levels of flax (zero, 1, 2 and 3%) in 8 experimental treatments 5 replications of 5 hens per replication were performed. Only in the period of 28 to 56 and 56 to 84 days, egg production was affected by ginger powder and flax oil and their mutual effects (P<0.05). In the whole period, only ginger powder and the mutual effects of ginger powder and flax oil increased egg production (P<0.05). In none of the periods, linseed oil and the simultaneous effects of ginger powder and linseed oil had no effect on egg weight (P>0.05), and only the effects of ginger powder in the period 56 to 84 days were significant, which caused a decrease in egg weight (P<0.05). Egg mass measurement was affected by ginger powder and linseed oil and their simultaneous effects only in the period of 28 to 56 and 56 to 84 days and the whole period (P<0.05). Consumption of flaxseed oil and ginger powder and flaxseed oil at the same time led to a significant increase in egg yolk fatty acids and a significant decrease in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 (P<0.05). In general, supplementing the diet of mother hens with 1.5% level of ginger and 2% level of linseed oil has a positive effect on production performance and egg yolk fatty acid profile.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of flaxseed oil and ginger powder on lipid profiles, thyroid hormones and liver enzymes of elderly broiler breeders. For this purpose the Number of 200 female Ross 308 broiler breeders by 45 weeks of age used in a completely random factorial design (2×4) including 2 levels of ginger (zero and 1.5%) and two levels of flax (zero, 1, 2 and 3%) as long as 10 weeks in 5 experimental treatments 5 replications and 5 hens per replication were performed. The results showed that consumption of ginger, flaxseed oil and co-consumption of ginger with flaxseed oil had no significant effect on triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL and glucose (p<0.05).LDL concentration decreased in birds fed with 1.5% ginger powder (p<0.05). using 1.5% ginger powder in the ratio decreased aspartate aminotransferase enzyme, while, feeding flaxseed oil and co-consumption feeding of flaxseed oil and ginger oil had no significant effect on in control treatment group (p<0.05). Consumption of ginger, flaxseed oil and concomitant consumption of flaxseed oil and ginger reduced the enzyme alanine aminotransferase compared to the group receiving zero levels of ginger and zero flaxseed oil (p<0.05). Using ginger and flaxseed oil in the diet had no significant effect on thyroid hormones (p<0.05). Adipose tissue and liver parameters didn’t significantly affected by flaxseed and ginger oil (p<0.05). To wrap up, the results of present study revealed that, supplementing the mother's diet with 1.5% ginger and 2% flaxseed oil has a positive effect on liver enzymes.

This research was conducted with the aim of studying the effect of vitamin E and the type of dietary fat on the growth performance and qualitative traits of meat of Japanese quail. The experiment was conducted with 320 one-day-old quails in the form of a completely randomized design with 20 experimental units including 5 treatments, 4 repetitions and 16 quail chicks (male and female) in each repetition. Experimental treatments include: 1. basic diet without vitamins and fat (control), 2. Basic diet containing 2% soybean oil, 3. Basic diet containing 2% tallow oil, 4. Basic diet containing 2% soybean oil and 200 mg/kg vitamin E 5. The basic diet contained 2% tallow oil and 200 mg/kg of vitamin E. The weight of the quails was measured at the end of each week and the feed consumed in each week was determined. On day 35, two birds were selected and slaughtered from each experimental unit and thigh and breast meat samples from both birds were used to evaluate meat quality parameters. The results showed that in the first and second week, fat and vitamin E did not affect the weight of the birds (p > 0.05). In the third, fourth and fifth week and the whole period, the level of 2% tallow oil and 200 mg of vitamin E caused an increase in the weight of the birds compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). In the third, fourth and fifth weeks, the lowest feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were observed in birds that received 2% level of tallow oil and soybean oil along with 200 mg of vitamin E. The effect of experimental treatments on pH, humidity, storage capacity and Malon dialdehyde was not significant (p > 0.05). In general, the use of 2% tallow oil along with 200 mg/kg of vitamin E in the diet of birds improved the growth performance.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fodder beet on performance, carcass traits and blood parameters of fattening male lambs. 32 fattening male lambs with an initial weight of 28.05 ± 0.25 kg by using a completely randomized block design with four treatments and four blocks for 84 days were fed with experimental diets including control (zero), 10, 20 and 30% fodder beet with the ratio 60% of the concentrate and 40% of the fodder as total mixed ration twice a day. During the experiment period, there was no significant difference in the weight of the lambs among the control group and the groups in which different levels of fodder beet were used in their diets. There was no significant difference in average daily gain among all groups except for the lambs fed with 20% fodder beet diet. In the group that received 30% fodder beet, the feed intake (DM/d) was the lowest compared to other groups (P<0.05). No significant difference in the feed conversion ratio among the experimental groups was observed. There was no difference in slaughter weight, empty-body weight, hot and cold carcass weight, carcass traits and carcass dressing percentage of lambs among different groups (P>0.05). The experimental treatments had no effect on the biochemical characteristics of lambs blood, but fodder beet intake increased blood hemoglobin (P<0.05). Based on the results, fodder beet up to 30% could be used in fattening lamb diets without negative effect on performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters.

 Optimal nutrition occurs only when poultry efficiently use the nutrients in the feed for growth, health, reproduction and survival. Vitamins should be present in sufficient amounts in the diet due to their vital functions in the animal's metabolism and the optimal utilization of other nutrients.

Five hundred one-day-old 308 Ross strain chicks (male and female) were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 5 replications and 20 chicks per replication. Dietary treatmets are included five levels of vitamin supplementation: 1) control (100% recommended values of strain Ross 308 catalog), 2 to 5) 90%, 80%, 70% and 60% recommended values. During the 42 days of the experimental period, performance was recorded at the end of each period (ages 10, 24 and 42 days). Evaluation of humoral immune response was performed using SRBC injection at 35 days of age. Cellular immune response was assessed at 37 days of age by hypersensitivity test. At 42 days of age, ten birds per treatment were bled to count white blood cells and then the birds were slaughtered, and the relative weights of different parts of the carcass were measured.

The suggested level of 80% vitamin supplement had no significant effect on performance including feed intake, FCR, survival percentage and production index (p<0.05). By reducing the level of vitamin supplement, the length of jejunum and the percentage of wings and spleen decreased in the experimental treatments (p<0.05), but the percentage of carcass and other components were not affected (p>0.05). Antibody titer in response to SRBC injection, cellular immune response and the number of white blood cells were not affected in level of 80% vitamin supplement, although the level of 80% vitamin supplement significantly reduced IgG titer and heterophil percentage (p<0.05).

In general, the results showed that it is possible to reduce the level of vitamins in the diet of broiler chickens by 20% without negatively affecting the performance and responses of cellular and humoral immunity.

One of the major problems of mother herd industry is the accumulation of abdominal fats and increasing plasma fat index by furthering production period. These changes predispose chickens and roosters to metabolic diseases and fertility issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of flaxseed oil and ginger powder on fat metabolism, lipid profiles and liver enzymes of broilers.

we used 72 pieces of Ross 308 broiler mother rooster by 45 weeks of age, in a completely randomized factorial design (4×2) including 2 levels of ginger powder (consisting 0 & 1.5 percent of ratio), 4 levels of flaxseed oil. (0, 1, 2 and 3percent of ratio) as long as 10 weeks in 8 experimental treatments with 3 replicate and 3 roosters per replication.

The results of present study revealed that consumption of ginger powder and flaxseed oil significantly reduced the triglyceride and plasma cholesterol concentrations in broiler compared to the control group (p<0.05).  Also, interactions of different levels of ginger powder and flaxseed oil on triglyceride and total plasma were significant (p<0.05). Consumption ginger powder significantly reduced low-density lipoproteins and increased high-density lipoproteins of blood plasma (p<0.05), while flaxseed oil and the simultaneous effects of ginger powder and flaxseed oil had a significant effect on low density lipoproteins (LDL). And did not have any significant effect on high density lipoproteins (HDL) (p<0.05).  The Glucose concentration didn’t affect by ginger powder and flaxseed oil and also the interaction effects of ginger powder and flaxseed oil (p<0.05). Using 1.5% of ginger powder in diet decreased aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (p<0.05), while using flaxseed oil and simultaneous consumption of flaxseed oil and ginger powder had no significant effect on aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (p<0.05). The main effect of ginger powder, flaxseed oil and the interaction effects of ginger powder and flaxseed oil in reducing plasma alanine aminotransferase were also significant (p<0.05). Liver weight, relative liver weight and abdominal fat weight, relative weight of abdominal fat weight didn’t affect by ginger powder and flaxseed oil and the simultaneous effects of ginger and flax (p<0.05).

Based on the results of the present study, supplementation of the mother rooster diet simultaneously with a level of 1.5% ginger powder and the level of 2% flaxseed oil had positive effect on lipid profile and liver enzymes.

Application of antibiotics causes two major health problems, including antibiotic residues in body tissues and animal products and the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics. On the other hand, antibiotics improve growth, feed efficiency and control infectious diseases. Following the ban on the use of antibiotics as growth stimulants in the poultry industry, the EU has been paying more attention to non-antibiotic growth-promoting compounds since 2006, including organic acids, probiotics and herbs. Previous studies have shown that in many oils of dark plants Mentha pipperita, thymol, carvacrol, menthol and in some cases paracetamol are the most important components of growth improvement, their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. kefir is also a natural probiotic. The fermenting agent of kefir milk is kefir seeds, which contain casein and the species Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus and others. Diets containing Mentha pipperita, by improving the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract and reducing the population of harmful microbes, can create better conditions for the use of final feed products and thus improve the growth and better performance of chickens. In studies, the positive effects of kefir on the performance and biochemical parameters of broiler blood have been reported.

This study was conducted in the animal husbandry research station of Khuzestan University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In this study, four hundred one-day-old Japanese quails were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments, four replications and 25 observations per replication for 35 days. The experiment was performed. Treatments are: Treatment 1) Basic diet + drinking water (control group), Treatment 2) Basic diet + drinking water + 0.5% Mentha pipperita extract, Treatment 3) Basic diet + drinking water + kefir milk 2%, Treatment 4) Basic diet + drinking water + Mentha pipperita extract 0.5% + kefir milk are 2%. The weight of quails was measured at the end of each week and the feed consumed was determined. The average of daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were calculated. At the end of the fifth week, from each replicate, two quails with a weight close to the average were selected and slaughtered.  Breast and thigh meat samples were used to measure pH, water holding capacity and meat moisture content. Also, at the end of the fifth week, two samples were randomly selected from each replicate and blood was taken from their wing vein to measure blood parameters, thyroid hormones and testosterone.

The addition of mint and kefir extract significantly increased the weight of Japanese quails. The highest weight gain in the third and fourth weeks was observed in treatments 2, 3 and 4, respectively. In a study that investigated the effect of kefir on broiler performance, it was shown that the use of kefir as a natural probiotic causes significant weight gain, which is consistent with the present results. Mentha pipperita essential oil and kefir have been reported to improve feed conversion ratio and stimulate digestion in broilers. Kefir added to broiler drinking water has been reported to increase body weight, increase daily weight, reduce daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, and improve performance. Mentha pipperita lowers blood cholesterol levels by liver or intestinal cells. Peppermint also accelerates LDL catabolism by increasing liver LDL receptors. In addition, Mentha pipperita inhibits the activity of the enzyme fatty acid synthase (FAS) and increases the beta oxidation of fatty acids, thereby effectively reducing fat storage. The concentration of thyroid hormones was not affected by the treatments. In some studies, thyroid hormone concentrations increase with nutrition of mint and kefir. Testosterone concentrations were significantly affected by experimental treatments. Changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis are the most important factors affecting the reproductive system. So far, the effect of many different plant extracts on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormonal axis has been investigated. Plant extracts such as marjoram and ginger have been reported to increase testosterone, LH and sometimes FSH, and play an effective role in activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Peppermint, with its special chemical composition, can stimulate the signaling pathways of sex steroid production in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The effect of experimental treatments on pH and moisture of breast and thigh meat and their water holding capacity was not significant.

According to this study and economic considerations, it seems that the combined use of 2% kefir and 0.5% Mentha pipperita in drinking water can improve the performance and also modulate lipid profiles in Japanese quails, as well as increase reproductive performance in males.

The aim of this study was the effect of adding different levels of vitamin C (0, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 mg / ml) after freezing in semen diluent on the quality parameters of Najdi goat sperm.

Semen samples were collected twice a week from 4 male goats with an average weight of 50± 5 kg by electroojaculator. The sperm samples after cryopreservation were analyzed for sperm motility and velocity characteristics using computerized sperm analysis system (CASA), percentage of sperm survival and abnormal sperm, membrane health and antioxidant capacity.

The results showed that the levels of 3 and 4.5 mg of vitamin C in diluent of goat sperm containing improved total motility, progressive motility and percentage of sperm survival in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). In sperm membrane health, the level of 3 mg of vitamin C was significantly different from the control and the level of 1.5 mg of vitamin C (P <0.05); But there was no significant difference with levels of 4.5 and 6 mg of vitamin C. The percentage of abnormal sperm was not affected by different levels of vitamin C (P <0.05). Sperm antioxidant capacity at the levels of 4.5 and 6 mg of vitamin C, had the highest value and had a significant difference compared to the control treatment (P <0.05).

According to the results of this study, adding 3 and 4.5 mg levels of vitamin C to Tris diluent Najdi goat sperm improves sperm quality parameters and sperm antioxidant capacity after freezing.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between blood plasma leptin and progesterone concentrations in pre and post sexual maturity in Najdi female calves. For this purpose 7 female Najdi calves of Shushtar Breeding Station of Najdi cattle with average ages of 8 months and the average weight is 85/00±9/72 were used. For determination of the leptin and progesterone concentrations, multiple sampling before and after sexual maturity were performed. The results of this study indicate that in female Najdi calves, 13-16 month with 137.81±13.5 kg body weight was considered the age of sexual maturity. No significant correlation was found between plasma leptin and progesterone concentrations before (r=0.082, p>0.05) and after sexual maturity (r =0.096, p>0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation (r=0.73, p<0.01) between leptin concentration and body weight. Significantly positive correlation (r=0.84, p<0.01) were found between plasma leptin and age. The significantly positive correlation between plasma progesterone concentration and age (r=0.45, p<0.01) as well as body weight (r=0.44, p<0.01) were observed. In conclusion, the results showed that there was no significant relationship between leptin and progesterone concentration, but there was a positive correlation between leptin, progesterone and body weight and bud age of Najdi female calves.

The use of the plant Tribulus Terrestris can improve semen quality in some mammals and birds. However, little information is available about adult male lambs. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of different levels of Tribulus terrestris on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sperm of mature male lambs. In this study, 18 lambs of the arabi lambes age 3 monthes and average body weight 16.14±2 were divided into three groups of six in a completely randomized design, and received different levels of Tribulus terrestris including three groups: 1) without Tribulus terrestris (control), 2) 15 g/kg DM Tribulus terrestris and 3) 30 g/kg DM Tribulus terrestris for 5 months. The spermatogenesis was carried out by the electrocautery device two times a week from lambs after feeding Tribulus Terrestris. Quantitative and qualitative semen parameters including seminal volume and pH, sperm concentration, motility, survival and morphological abnormalities of sperms were evaluated. Results showed, the lowest semen volume was in the control group (p < 0.05). The highest concentration, motility and survival of sperm were from 15 g of Tribulus terrestris (p < 0.05). The level of 30 g of Tribulus terrestris showed the highest morphological abnormalities of sperm (p < 0.05). Mean pH was not affected by experimental treatments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, considering to all the measured parameters, adding 15 g of Tribulus terrestris per kilogram dry matter to the diet improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sperm in the freshly mature arabi lambs.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of different levels of the Lavandula angustifolia extract on semen quality of broiler chickens during storage in a liquid condition at 4°C. Semen was collected from 10 Ross-308 broiler breeder roosters twice a week for 4 weeks, and immediately mixed together after the initial evaluation. The semen samples were divided into 5 parts after dilution and each received 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 µg/ml levels of Lavandula angustifolia extract. Semen quality parameters were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after storage at 4°C. Adding different levels of Lavandula angustifolia extract resulted significant increase in total and progressive sperm motility after 6 hours of semen storage (P<0.05). The effect of Lavandula angustifolia extract on sperm survival rate was significant (P<0.05). So that treatment with 10 μg/ml of this extract at 12, 24 and 48 hours improved this parameter compared to control (P<0.05). Adding 10 μg/ml of Lavandula angustifolia extract to seminal fluid resulted significant increase in plasma membrane integrity of the sperm after 48 hours of semen storage (P<0.05). 24 and 48 hours after semen storage in liquid condition, the least amount of sperm abnormalities belonged to treatments of 10 and 15 μg/ml extract and the highest amount was in the control and high dose extract (P<0.05). In general, the addition of Lavandula angustifolia extract at 10 μg/ml to diluted semen of broiler roosters improved sperm parameters during semen storage at 4°C.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on post-thawed sperm quality parameters and fertility of male broiler breeders. Twenty 49-week-old Ross 308 broiler roosters were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=5). Different levels of curcumin including: 0 (T1), 10 (T2), 20 (T3) and 30 (T4) mg of curcumin/bird/day were supplemented to basal diet and fed to the birds from 49-61 weeks of age. After a 5-week of feeding curcumin (49-53 weeks), sperm quality was assessed for 6 weeks (54 to 59 weeks of age) following cryopreservation of semen samples. In order to evaluate fertility rate, the semen samples from weeks 60 and 61 were thawed and artificially inseminated into 68 broiler hens (n=17). Curcumin supplementation increased total motility in the T3 and T4 groups, and progressive motility in the T2, T3, and T4 groups compared to the T1 group (P<0.05). Feeding curcumin increased the viability of sperm in T3 and T4 groups compared to the T1 group (P<0.05). Plasma membrane functionality (HOS) was increased in all curcumin-treated birds compared to the control group (P<0.05); however, the highest performance was observed in T3 and T4 groups. Curcumin supplementation increased fertility rate in T3 and T4 groups compared to the T1 group. In general, the results of this study indicated positive effects of curcumin on sperm quality and fertility of broiler breeder roosters after thawing, and the best results were obtained when 20 or 30 mg of curcumin were fed daily for 13 weeks.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma leptin and blood testosterone concentration before and after puberty. Eight male Najdi calves with mean age of 7 months were used for this purpose. Blood samples were taken three times before and after reaching puberty. At each sampling period, a blood sample was collected to determine the plasma concentration of leptin from all 8 consecutive and 6 consecutive blood samples and at 20 min intervals from 4 animals to determine the plasma level of testosterone. The results of this study showed that the age of puberty in the Najdi race was 13-15 months old and the average weight was 120.08 ± 36.91 kg. Plasma leptin concentration was negatively correlated with testosterone (P <0.05, r = -0.43), age (P <0.01, r = -0.77), body weight (P <0.01, -0.39), testicular environment (r = -0.62, P <0.01) and testicular height (r = -0.72, P <0.01). In general, it can be concluded that with the onset of puberty and the increase in testosterone concentration, leptin concentration decreased due to the negative effect of testosterone on the production of leptin hormone in the body.

Trend in body weight, thyroid hormones and some blood metabolites changes in broiler breeder hens after the peak egg production was studied. Blood samples from 20 Ross 308 broiler breeder hens, were investigated from 47 to 55 weeks of age. Plasma lipid profile including cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein LDL, lipoprotein HDL, and also glucose concentrations were measured every two weeks, and plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and tetradothyronine (T4), aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period. Results showed that body weight and plasma concentration of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL were increased, and concentrations of HDL were decreased (P<0.05) over the experimental period. Plasma T4 concentrations were decreased with age of the birds (P<0.05), while T3 concentrations were not affected. Plasma GOT and GPT enzymes activities were increased over the experiment period (P<0.05). In general, by increasing of age and subsequently body weight of breeder hens, several major changes have been occurred in blood metabolites and metabolic hormones which could reduce production and reproduction of broiler breeder flocks.

This study was aimed to determine the effect of dietary Curcumin supplementation on the plasma lipid profile and some sperm quality parameters in broiler breeder roosters. In a completely randomized design, a total of twenty-eight 51-weeks-old Ross-308 roosters were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups (n=7) and individually caged for 9 successive weeks. Treatments were different levels of Curcumin that were added to a basal diet including: T1, control (no Curcumin supplement), T2, 0.006%; T3, 0.012%, and T4, 0.018% of the diet. To determine plasma lipid profile, blood samples were collected from five birds/treatment at the end of the trial. Also, semen samples were weekly collected from each bird during the experiment, and sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated. The results showed that concentrations of the plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL were decreased, and concentrations of HDL were increased in T3 and T4 groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma lipid profile and plasma concentration of glucose between T1 and the control group (P<0.05). Sperm plasma membrane integrity and motility were linearly improved in treated groups compared to the control (P<0.05). The highest decrease in plasma lipid profile and most improvements in sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity was observed in T4 groups compared with other groups. In conclusion, considering all the measured parameters, dietary supplementation of 0.018% Curcumin had the best response on modifying plasma lipid profiles and improving sperm quality characteristics compared with other treatments.

The aim of this study was to determine correlation of plasma lipids profile with testicular histology parameters in Ross-308 broiler breeder roosters. This study was performed on 12 male ross 308 broiler breeder. Blood samples were collected from a wing vein to measure plasma lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL lipoproteins, cholesterol, and glucose). The concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL were measured by spectrophotometric method using commercial kits of pars azmoon co. though, glucose concentration was measured by electrochemical method using glucose monitoring system. For testicular histology study (endocrine parameters of the testis); the 5 μm paraffin cross sections of testis tissue was used. The data were analyzed by the Pearson correlation test. Our results showed that the plasma HDL values were positively correlated with the number of leydig cells (r=0.73; p<0.01), the number of spermatogonia cells (r=0.92; p<0.001), seminiferous epithelium thickness (r=0.86; p<0.001) and diameter of seminiferous tubules (r=0.62; p<0.001). Also, plasma cholesterol and glucose values were negatively correlated with the number of the leydig cells (r=-0.78; p<0.01؛ r=-0.69; p<0.001), spermatogonia cells number (r=-0.68; p<0.001؛ r=-0.72; p<0.01), seminiferous epithelium thickness (r=-0.80; p<0.01؛ r=-0.82; p<0.001), and diameter of seminiferous tubules (r=-0.80; p<0.01؛ r=-0.82; p<0.001). Plasma LDL value also had a negative correlation with the number of spermatogonia cells (r= -0.39; p<0.001), and also, diameter of seminiferous tubules (r= -0.69; p<0.01). Plasma triglyceride values was negatively correlated with the number of spermatogonia cells (r= -0.79; p<0.001), and seminiferous epithelium thickness (r= -0.76; p<0.01). In conclusion, HDL lipoprotein had a positive correlation with testicular histology indexes, on the other hand, triglyceride, cholesterol, lipoprotein LDL, and glucose showed a negative correlation with that.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Curcumin supplementation on histological parameters of testis in aged Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters. A total of twelve 48-week old broiler breeder roosters in a completely randomized design were randomly assigned to four treatments and three replicates during a 13 weeks of experimental period. Treatments included no dietary Curcumin supplementation (control group), and daily supplementation of 10, 20, and 30 mg Curcumin/birds as mixed in the basal diet. At the end of the experimental period, all of the roosters were slaughtered, and testis tissue samples were collected. Testicular weight was higher in the roosters that daily received 30 mg Curcumin compared with the control group (P<0.05). Dietary supplementation of 20 and 30 mg Curcumin/day increased the diameter of seminiferous tubule compared to the control group (P<0.05). Seminiferous epithelium thickness was dose-dependently increased in Curcumin-supplemented birds compared to the control group (P<0.05). The number of spermatogonia cells was increased in all treatment groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). The number of Leydig cells was also increased in roosters received 20 and 20 mg Curcumin/day compared to the control birds (P<0.05). However, treatments did not affect the number of testis blood vessels (P>0.05). According to the results of the present study, dietary supplementation of 30 mg Curcumin/day/bird improves testis histological parameters in aged broiler breeder roosters.