فهرست مطالب خلیل میرزاده

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 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.

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 present study was to evaluation the effect of different levels of soybean lecithin in tris extender replaced with egg yolk on semen quality parameters of Arabic ram after freeze-thawing process. For this purpose, the experiment with numbers of 8 adult and healthy Arabic rams with an average weight of 75 ± 5 kg were used in a completely randomized design. Semen samples were collected using electro ejaculator. Semen samples were mixed and after dilution, were divided in to 5 experimental groups. Treatments were increasing levels of soybean lecithin (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent) and egg yolk (15 percent) in tris base extender and 5 percent of glycerol. The 5 numbers of 0.5 ml straws from each treatment were filled. The straws were equivalence for 2 hours in 5˚C and then freezed. After 2 weeks, straws were thawed at 37˚C. Qualitative parameters of spermatozoa including the motility, viability, morphological abnormalities, membrane integrity and the pH of semen were evaluated. The resulted of this experiment showed that extender containing 1.5 percent of soybean lecithin significantly improved total motility and progressive motility, viability, morphological abnormalities and membrane integrity of Arabic ram spermatozoa compared to the other levels of lecithin as well as egg yolk (P<0.05). The most improvement have been observed at the 1.5 % soybean lecithin. Therefore, this level can be used in tris extender for maintaining of Arabic ram spermatozoa in freeze condition.

Basic color in horses, such as black and white, brown and chestnut ASIP and MC1R gene is affected. The relationship between color horse and purity the study of gene polymorphism Aguti put special attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the polymorphism in exon 2 gene Aguti population of Arabic horse in Khuzestan. In this study, PCR-RFLP method for the detection of different alleles of the Aguti gene in horses used. Bleed extension of the 45 head of horses in the city of Ahvaz, Dezful and Shush were collected. Polymerase chain reaction 101 bp fragment of exon 2 gene and gene-specific primers were used Aguti. 11 bp deletion in exon 2 gene ASIP (Aguti signaling protein) occurred because of the In / del (delete and Insertion) of the gene Aguti. Finally three band pattern AA, Aa, aa abundance 0.414, 0.457, 0.127, respectively. The allele frequencies of A and a 0.644 and 0.356 respectively.The results showed that this fragment of gene polymorphism and genotype AA, Aa, aa population was established. The results showed that there is Hardy-Weinberg dis equilibrium in the studied population.

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 Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene plays a key role in the production of triglycerides and milk fat by encoding the enzyme DGAT1. Recent research has shown that polymorphisms in the DGAT1 gene affect milk production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate polymorphism in exon 14 region of DGAT1 gene in Khuzestan dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using PCR-SSCP method. To perform this experiment, blood samples were collected from 80 dromedary camels in Khuzestan province. After DNA extraction, a 310-bp fragment of exon 14 region of DGAT1 gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six different SSCP patterns, including six different genotypes of AA (45%), AB (33.75%), BB (5%), CC (3.75%) , DD (2.5%) and EE (10%) and five alleles including A (0.619), B (0.219), C (0.038), D (0.025) and E (0.1) were identified. Moreover, the chi-square (χ2) test showed that the population was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The number of effective alleles, Shannon index, expected and observed heterozygosity for this site was calculated 2.259, 1.07, 0.557 and 0.338, respectively. The results indicated polymorphism and low heterozygosity in the population under study. It is suggested to increase the diversity in the dromedary camel population of Khuzestan by developing appropriate breeding programs.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of asparagus extract on quality semen of Arabian rams at different storage times at a temperature of 4degrees Celsius. Sperm collection was performed from 10 Arab rams with an average age of 2.5 years per week (once a week) for six weeks. Afteradding 0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5% asparagus extract to the semen diluent, sperm quality parameters were evaluated at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours after storage inliquid condition. At zero hour, sperm viability in diluent had 3% asparagus extract was higher than diluent containing 0 and 4.5% extract (P<0.05).After 24 hours of semen storage, the parameters of total motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were higher in spermdiluent containing 1.5 and 3% of the extract (P<0.05). Qualitative parameters of sperm in 48 hours after sperm collection and storage in diluentcontain 3% of extract had significant and better performance (P<0.05). The highest rate of plasma membrane integrity, progressive motility and totalsperm motility was observed in diluent containing 3% extract in 72 hours after sperm storage (P<0.05). According to the results of this study, the useof asparagus extract in the diluent at the rate of 3% improves the sperm quality of Arabian rams after cooling conditions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intra-egg injection of purslane extract levels on reproductive and blood parameters in Japanese quail. 600 Japanese quail eggs were used in 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 30 eggs per observation. Treatments were: non-injection, normal saline injection and injection of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% of purslane extract into the air sac of eggs immediately before incubation. At the end of the incubation period, reproductive indices were assessed. Hatched chickens were reared and blood sampling was done at 35th day of breeding, and slaughter of birds was done at 58th day for evaluation the morphometric characteristics of genitalia. The highest hatching percentage and the lowest embryonic mortality rate were observed in the non-injected and normal saline groups (p<0.05). Embryo growth rate, age of embryonic death, and sera metabolite concentrations were not affected by the treatments. Serum estrogen concentration in female quail was not affected by treatments (p<0.05). The highest level of serum testosterone was observed in 0.2% of purslane extract (p<0.05). 0.1% purslane extract significantly increased the percentage of both testis weight compared to control group (p<0.05). The highest length of left testis was belong to 0.2% purslane extract (p<0.05). The diameter of largest ovarian follicle was higher in treatments of 0.2 and 0.3% of purslane extract than control (p<0.05). In general, due to adverse effect of experimental treatments on hatchability and embryonic viability rates, injection of purslane extract into Japanese quail egg sac is not recommended to improve reproductive performance.

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 aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of peppermint extract on semen quality of Arabi rams. Semen was collected from 12 Arabi rams weekly for 8 weeks and immediately mixed, and then were divided into 5 parts and received zero, 50, 100, 150 and 200 μl/ml of peppermint extract. At different storage times of diluted semen containing treatments (zero, 24, 48 and 72 hours) in liquid condition, semen quality parameters were evaluated. Immediately after sperm collection, the lowest total motility and sperm viability belonged to the level of 200 peppermint extract (P<0.05). At 24 hours, levels 150 and 200 of extract increased the rate of morphological abnormalities of sperms. At this time, the lowest level of sperm plasma membrane integrity was related to the level of 200 peppermint extracts (P<0.05). 48 hours after sperm storage, the highest total motility, viability and plasma membrane integrity of sperms were belonged to the control group (P<0.05). 72 hours after semen storage, no statistically significant differences were found among treatments for all sperm quality parameters. At this time, the highest concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in seminal plasma was related to the level of 100 μl/ml peppermint extract (P<0.05). In general, by adding different levels of peppermint extract to the diluent and maintaining the diluted semen of the Arabi ram in a liquid state at 5°C, the concentrations used of peppermint extract not only did not improve the qualitative parameters of the sperm, it also had a devastating effect.

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 the present study was to investigate the effect of adding different levels of garlic extract as an antioxidant to diluent on the semen characteristics of Arabi rams under liquid conditions at 5°C.

Semen samples were collected from 12 Arabi rams weekly for 8 weeks and their semen was immediately mixed, diluted, and divided into the number of experimental treatments and received different levels of garlic extract. Treatments included garlic extract levels (zero, 50, 100, 150 and 200 μl/ml). At different storage times of diluted semen containing experimental treatments (zero, 24, 48, and 72 hours), semen quality parameters were evaluated.

At time zero (immediately after sperm collection and addition of garlic extract), sperm quality parameters in experimental treatments were not statistically significant compared to the control. At 24 hours, 50 μl/ml of garlic extract improved the spermatozoa progressive motility of total motility rates, but 200 μl/ml of extract reduced the total motility of sperm (p < 0.05). At 48 hours, the highest sperm viability was related to the level of 50 μl/ml garlic extracts (p < 0.05). 72 hours after semen collection, the highest progressive motility of spermatozoa was observed at the level of 50 μl/ml garlic extracts (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde concentration of seminal plasma as an indicator of peroxidation was not affected by experimental treatments.

In general, sperm quality parameters were improved by adding 50 μg/ml garlic extract to the semen diluent of Arabian rams and storage the diluted semen in liquid condition at 5°C.

It seems that vitamin A has a role in improving the reproductive performance of bird. The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary effect of five levels of 0, 4000, 8000, 16000 and 32000 IU/kg of vitamin A on ages of embryonic mortality, levels of steroidal hormones and reproductive organs of male and female Japanese quail. 320 adult Japanese quails were used in randomized complete block design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 16 birds per replicate with 12 of females and 4 males for 42 days. During experiment, birds had free access to water and feed and the lighting schedule or photoperiod was 16 hours of light. The embryonic death stage was not affected by treatments. In male quail, weight percentage of right testis was affected by experimental treatments. Weight percentage of right testis in the treatment containing 8000 IU/kg of vitamin was lower and the highest percentage was belong to 16000 IU/kg of vitamin A (P

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary protein on production and some blood parameters in Japanese quail. This experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 16 adult Japanese quail in each replicate for 42 days. Treatments consisted of 5 dietary protein levels include the 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 percent, which were set in the basal diet of corn and soybeans meal. After 2 weeks of the experimental diets consumption, egg production rate, egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured and recorded weekly for 6 weeks. Every 2 weeks, 5 eggs were randomly selected from each replicate, and quality characteristics of eggs were evaluated. At the end of experiment, 2 birds from each replicate were selected randomly and blood collection was done for evaluation the blood parameters. The results showed that dietary protein levels had a significant effect on some productive and blood characteristics of Japanese quails including shell strength, albumen weight, albumen diameter, yolk weight, yolk height, as well as blood values of triglycerides and LDL (P<0.05). The highest positive impact of dietary protein levels on egg shell strength, albumin weight and albumin diameter was observed in 22% of dietary protein (P<0.05). The most egg yolk weight and yolk height were recorded in 24% of dietary protein. In conclusion, the use of 22 and 24% of protein in Japanese quail diet, is advisable because of higher productive performance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tribulus terrestris powder on thyroid hormones (T3 &T4) and IGF-I concentrations in blood serum of Arabi male lambs. For this purpose, 18 Arabi male lambs with an average age of 3 months and average weight of 16.14 ± 2 kg were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 6 replications per treatment for 5 months. Experimental treatments included the zero (control), 15 and 30 gr/kg of Tribulus Terrestris powder in diet. The weights of lambs were measured monthly. At the age of 4-8 months, 5 consecutive samples were collected monthly to measure serum T3, T4 and IGF-I concentrations. The results showed thatTribulus terrestris powder had no significant effect on body weight. The concentrations of T3 and T4 were higher in lambs treated with Tribulus terrestris powder compared to control group (p<0.05). Concentrations of T3 at the age of 7 months and T4 at 8 months of age in lambs fed 30g/kg of Tribulus terrestris were significantly higher than control group (p<0.05). IGF-I concentration in lambs feed with 15g/kg of Tribulus terrestris at the age of 6 months was higher than control group (p<0.05). In general, the results of this study showed that feeding of 15 g/kg of Tribulus terrestris powder in Arabi male lamb diet by modulating thyroid hormones and IGF-1 and improving the reproductive system, prevents the reduction of sexual behavior and failure of reproductive activity.

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.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Tribulus Tresstrise (TT) herb on sex ratio of semen in Arabic Khouzestan ram using real time-qPCR technique using 18 rams in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments. The SRY and PLP genes were amplified to isolate the specific fragments of Y- and X- chromosome sequences. The treatments included: i) the control group (0% TT), ii) Diet containing 15 g/kg TT, iii) Diet containing 30 g/kg TT. Sperm sampling was taken from all rams at 10 month of age and blood sampling was performed at 8 and 10 month of age. The results showed that expression rate of SRY gene increased with increasing TT level and rams that received 30 g/kg TT diet had the highest SRY gene expression and PLP gene expression decreased with increasing TT level (p-value =0.004). There was positive correlation between Testosterone concentration and SRY gene expression at 8 (0.65) and 10 (0.59) month of age, and the relationship between PLP gene expression and Testosterone concentration was negative and -0.61 and -0.66 at 8 and 10 month of age, respectively (p-value= 0.006). The results indicated that adding Tribulus Tresstrise herb to the ram diet increases the SRY gene expression and also sperm containing Y chromosome. In other words, it increases the sex ratio toward male gens in Arabic Khozestan ram by increasing the androgen hormones.

Mineral elements for various activities such as biochemical, productive and reproductive functions of animals are necessary and their concentration in the body of animals, under the influence of soil and plants will be different in each region.

The aim of present experiment was determination of concentration of macro and micro minerals in blood of gazing camel in the pastures of Khuzestan.

Eighty-eight camels under 11 classes, according to age and physiological situation in Hoveyzeh, Jofeir and Abadan-Khoramshahr regions were investigated during the autumn and winter grazing seasons.

Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and iron in serum of all class of camels were in the optimal range, compared to the critical level. The concentrations of camels blood Zn and Cu were under critical level, so they were deficient, the P was near the deficiency threshold. Concentration of Mn was low.

Therefore, as important roles of minerals in improvement of production and reproductive situations of camels in these regions, the mineral status of feedlot must be improved by proper mineral supplementation, the results of present experiment could be useful.

Halophytic plants constitute a significant part of the local flora in arid and semiarid regions. Native sheep, goats and camels graze these forages. The Suaeda fruticosa, Seidlitzia rosmarinus and Atriplex leucoclada that are belonging to the chenopodiaceae family, have considerable forage potential in the arid and semiarid rangelands. Overall, these plants are tolerant to drought, and used to reclaim degraded rangeland. In addition, they reduce ground water salinity and improve condition and structure of soil. Meanwhile, there are some secondary metabolites in halophytic plants like condense tannin that effect on consume and performance of the animals. Characteristic of a pasture, climatic conditions the pasture, range management, time of grazing in the pasture, animal characteristics and method of study are factors that all or some can influence yield, chemical compositions and rumen degradability of Halophytic plants. There are a few reports about the nutrition value of Atriplex spp., Seidlitzia spp. and suaeda spp. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate of chemical composition and nutrients degradability of these halophyte plants for dromedary camels.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Two female camels (about four years old) with rumen fistula were used in present experiment. The plants sampling were conducted from three regions of Jofer, Howayzeh and road of Abadan-Khorramshahr on the Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran, an area of approximately 60 Km in diameter. All ranges in term of topography have plain shape, without stone and deep canyons, and with high levels of underground water. The soil of these ranges has salinity characteristic and clay constitution. The study regions climate typified that of south Khuzestan. Annual mean temperature is 24.9°C with average minimum and maximum temperatures ranging from 2.6°C in January to 42°C in August. Precipitation averaged 224 mm per day.  The study area had a fair diversity of vegetation types. Four types of these plants named Atriplex leucoclada (AL), Suaeda fruticosa (SF), Seidlitzia rosmarinus (SR) were evaluated individually or in different mixture in completely randomized design. Treatments were, T1, 33.5% AL + 66.5% SR; T2, 100% AL; T3, 66.5% AL + 33.5% SF; T4, 66.5% AL + 33.5% SR; T5, 100% SR; T6, 33.5% AL + 66.5% SF; T7, 66.5% SR + 33.5% SF; T8, 66.5% SF + 33.5% SR; T9, 100% SF. Dry matter (DM), crude protein CP, ether extract (EE), ash, NDF, ADF, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), neutral detergent soluble fiber (NDSF), total 80% ethanol-soluble carbohydrate (TESC), organic acids, starch and in situ degradability of DM, OM, NDF, CP of each plants were measured.    Atriplex leucoclada had the highest hemicellulose, NDF and organic matter among three halophyte plants. The highest concentrations of tannin and oxalate and organic acids were related to Seidlitzia rosmarinus. The SR and AL had respectively highest and lowest dry matter (DM) degradability and effective degradability (ED) (P<0.05). There was not any difference between Seidlitzia rosmarinus and mixture of Seidlitzia rosmarinus + Suaeda fruticose (Treat 7 and 8). Briefly, according to the results of this section, replacement the high levels of Seidlitzia rosmarinus instead of Suaeda fruticose, increase the dry matter degradability more effectiveness than low levels of that. Organic matter degradability of the SR and SF was significantly higher than the AL (P<0.05). The T7 and T2 treatments had the highest and lowest NDF degradability among others, respectively (P<0.05). Crude protein degradability was highest in the treat containing 66.5% SR+33.5% AL (T1), and AL treat had lowest in situ CP degradability percentage. The results were shown that CP degradation rate was faster than DM, OM and NDF in the initial incubation times. It was concluded that according to DM, OM and NDF degradability, the best plant mix for better feeding of grazing camels are treatments T5, T7 and T8 (without AL); but as protein degradability and chemical composition data, the treatments containing AL (T1, T3, T4 andT6, excepted T2) were the best mix. Therefore, it seems that one of the strategies for improving the digestibility of halophyte plants in camels is mixing these plants with each other, which according to the results of the present experiment, a combination of AL with SR or SF may be caused to more ruminal degradability in feeding of grazing camel and rehabilitation of rangelands.

Oak kernel contains high starch, so it can be used as an energy source in the concentrate of ruminant diet. Also, oak kernel containing active biological compounds, such as tannin, gallic acid, galloyl or hexahydroxy decanol derivatives (Saffarzadeh et al. 1999). Tannins form complexes with a large number of nutrients and bacterial cell membranes, enzymes, and decrease digestion in the rumen (Rajablo 2009). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect experimental diets including 0, 15.80, 31.58, and 47.37% oak kernel on degradability parameters, fermentative and in vitro digestibility in Holstein cow and river Khuzestani buffalo. Oak kernel used by 15.8, 31.58 and 47.37 % in diet (balanced on the base of NRC, 2001) of cow and buffalo. Gas production and fermentation parameters of experimental diets were determined by Menke and Steingass (1988). Rumen fluid was collected from animals before the morning feeding. About 200 mg sample (1.0 mm screen) incubated in 100 ml vials with 35 ml buffered rumen fluid under continuous CO2 reflux for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, in a water bath maintained at 39°C. Cumulative gas production data were fitted to the exponential equation Y=b (1−e−ct), where b is the gas production (mL) from the fermentable fraction, c is the rate constant of gas production (mL/h), t is the incubation time (h) and Y is the volume of gas produced at time t. Partitioning factor, microbial biomass and truly digested organic matter was calculated by Makkar and Becker (1997). For determination of partitioning factor at the end of each incubation period, the content of vials was transferred into an Erlenmeyer flask, mixed with 20 mL neutral detergent fiber solution, boiled for 1 hour, filtered, dried (in oven at 60 °C for 48 h) and ashed. Digestibility of dry matter and NDF of experimental diets were determined using Tilly and Terry method (Tilly and Terry 1963). Rumen fluid was collected from animals and was mixed with McDougall buffer in a ratio 1:4. After gasifying with CO2, tubes were incubated at 39 ˚C. After 48 h of fermentation, 6 mL of 20% HCl solution and 5 mL pepsin solution were added and the incubated for 48 h simulating post-ruminal degradation. After incubation, the residual substrates of each tube were filtered and used to determine digestibility of DM and NDF.
Dry matter degradability was measured by in situ technique using cow and buffalo fitted with rumen fistula (400±12 Kg, BW). Five g of each milled sample (2.0 mm screen) were transferred into a polyester bag (10×20 cm, 52 μm pore size) and incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 24, 4 8, 72 and 96 hours (n= 4). The degradability of DM were calculated using the equation P = a + b (1- e -ct). The obtained data were analyzed in a split plot design using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS software, version 9.2. The Duncan multiple range test was used to compare means at P< 0.05. Dry matter digestibility and NDF were the highest in treatment including 31.58% oak kernel in cow and buffalo (P<0.05). Regardless of the type of treatment, dry matter digestibility was not significant in cow and buffalo (P>0.05), but NDF digestibility in buffalo was more than cows (P<0.05). The highest potential of gas production was for diets containing oak kernel (P<0.05). The value of PF, microbial biomass, microbial biomass efficiency and organic matter digested was not significant between diets containing different amounts of oak kernel (P>0.05). Slowly degradable fraction (b), potential of degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED) were the highest in the diet containing 31.58% oak kernel (P<0.05). Fraction of rapidly degradable (a), slowly degradable fraction (b), constant degradable rate (c), potential of degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED) was not different in cow and buffalo (P>0.05). Researchers reported that tannins cause inhibition of microbial enzymes and decrease in fermentation (Danesh Mesgaran 2009). Tannins can reduce microorganism adhesion to nutrients; inhibit microbial activity which has negative effects on fermentation and methane production (Frutos 2004). According to the result, it can be concluded, 31.58% oak kernel by improving in vitro fermentative condition of rumen can be used in diet of cow and Khuzestan buffalo, but it requires more studies.

In present experiment fermantability of three halophyte species including: Atriplex leucoclada (AL), Suaeda fruticosa (SF) and Seidlitzia rosmarinus (SR) in the form of individually or mixed as 0.0, 33.5 66.5 and 100% with each other (9 diets), were evaluated using a compelet randomized design. These halophyte species were collected from southern rangelands of Khuzestan province during autumn and winter grazing season. The diets were different regarding the rate and amount of gas producedtion (P

An experiment was conducted to evaluate different levels of Salvia mirzayanii essential oil on performance, blood and immunity parameters of broiler chickens under heat stress condition. Completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 150, 300 and 450 ppm of Salvia mirzayanii essential oil) was used for 42 days. Broilers were under heat stress conditions from 22 days of age. Increasing levels of essential oil in the diet significantly decreased feed intake in comparison with the control at the starter period. But level of 450 ppm essential oil had the highest feed intake during grower period and total of experiment. Feed conversion ratio significantly decreased by increasing levels of essential oil compared with the control. Triglyceride and LDL cholesterol concentration were significantly decreased at the level of 450 ppm essential oil. Percentage of heterophile, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L) decreased, and percentages of lymphocyte and monocyte increased by increasing levels of essential oil at 21 days of age (P