فهرست مطالب مهدی ژندی

In order to determine the effects of sodium acetate and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on dry matter consumed, feed digestibility, milk yield and milk fat profile, 33 Holstein cows several calving times during days 5-31 after calving in a completely randomized design with Three treatments and 11 replications were used. The experimental diets included 1- basic diet (control), 2- diet containing 300 gr of sodium acetate , 3- diet containing 100 gr of CLA. Daily dry matter intake and milk production, body weight and body condition score were measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. milk samples were taken at regular intervals to determine the amount of milk compounds. Also, on the last day, a sample was taken to determine the profile of fatty acids. Dry matter intake was not significant among dietary treatment (P>0.05). Milk production was increased by supplementing diets with sodium acetate (3.16 kg/d) and CLA (2.46 kg/d) compared to control treatment. CLA supplementing decreased milk fat content significantly and sodium acetate increased it. The yield and content of milk protein and lactose were not significantly different between the treatments. With the consumption of sodium acetate, the amount of milk fat and milk production increased, as probably the hypothesis that sodium acetate is lipogenic for adipose tissue was ignored and Acetate partition nutriunt toward milk fat production. CLA consumtion, negative energy balance did not change between as spared energy partition toward more milk yield. The use of CLA could be beneficial for the health of consumers by increasing the trans-10-cis-12 CLA isomer transfer to milk and reducing thrombogenic and atherogenic indicators.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing egg yolk multi-antibodies against diarrhea pathogens on growth performance, hematological parameters, and feces microbial culture of Holstein suckling calves. 48 calves (male and female) were randomly assigned to three treatments and kept individually from 1 to 28 days of age. The treatments included the group fed with immunopro supplement (containing egg yolk multi-antibody and various probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, and electrolytes) (IP), the positive control group containing all components of the treatment group without multi-antibody (C+) and the negative control group (C-). Feed intake was recorded every day, body weight and Skeletal growth parameters of calves was recorded every seven days, hematological parameters were measured on day 1 and 28, and feces microbial culture parameters were measured on day 28. The use of IgY supplements increased body weight, daily weight gain, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Skeletal growth parameters (withers height, hip height, hip width, and Heart girth), hematological parameters, and feces microbial culture parameters were not affected by the experimental treatments. The use of IgY supplement decreased feces score, duration of diarrhea, and body temperature (P <0.05). The results suggested that the consumption of IgY against diarrhea pathogen's for up to 28 days promoted the immunity and health of Holstein's suckling calves.

Gastrointestinal tract infections and subsequent diarrhea are the main reason of mortality of newborn calves. Diarrhea is the most common disease that occurs in cattle farms and causes death and serious economic losses to the livestock industry. Due to negative effects of antibiotics, including Bacterial resistance to antibiotics, many countries in the world have banned the use of these antibiotics in the animal industry since 1996. The use of probiotics is mostly seen as an alternative to antibiotics in animals, and many scientific works show the beneficial effects of supplements with probiotic strains in the diets of different farm animals. Probiotics have been shown to have positive effects on the whole body, including weight gain and immune function, and reducing the presence of pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotics Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis and their effect on the growth performance, health, and prevalence of diarrhea in suckling Holstein calves. . . . . . .

The present study was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with 32 replications in two treatments. Calves were monitored for 28 days. Body weight was measured every week, and dry matter intake and health status were checked and measured every day. Blood samples were taken from the calves on the first, seventh, 14th, 21st, and 28th days, and the blood was kept at 4°C until reaching the laboratory, and then blood parameters were measured. fecal samples were taken for microbial culture on the 7th, 14th, and 28th days and were cultured in the laboratory.

The results showed that probiotic supplementation does not affect weight, daily weight gain, skeletal growth, Feed Efficiency, and hematological parameters. However, feed intake and the number of Lactobacillus in feces increased significantly (P < 0.05). Additionally, probiotic supplementation reduced fecal score, diarrhea duration, and body temperature significantly (P<0.05).

Probiotic oral supplement improved the symptoms of diarrhea and the negative effects of diarrhea, and it also improved the performance of feed consumption and increased the beneficial bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract system in suckling calves. By preventing diarrhea, probiotic supplements can reduce the losses caused by calves dying and, as a result, make dairy farms more profitable.

Reproductive efficiency and egg production are decreased in aged birds, which are economically significant. The current study was aimed to compare the different ages of laying Japanese quails on egg quality characteristics, blood parameter and liver histology.

A total number of 180 laying Japanese quail were purchased from three commercial flocks with different ages studied for one week after four weeks of habituation. Birds were assigned into three age groups, young (11 weeks), adult (26 weeks) and old (45 weeks) with five replications (9 birds per replication). During of experiment, feedlot performance and egg quality parameters were evaluated. In the end of study, ten quail per treatment were randomly selected and dissected. Following this time, blood and liver samples were collected for evaluating blood biochemical parameters (triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very lowdensity lipoprotein (VLDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and liver histology. The liver tissue was processed with hematoxylin-eosin after processing.

The findings showed that in old quails, a decreased the percentage of egg production and egg mass, and an increased the food conversion ratio and consumed feed per dozen eggs compared with other two groups (P<0.05). In adult and young quails had lower egg weigh, egg Length and width, yolk diameter, yolk weight, yolk percentage and albumen height than old group and Yolk index, albumen and shell percentage had higher (p<0.005). Old quails had higher Haugh unit and Shell weight than adult quails(p<0.005). In different age groups, Shape index, yolk height, egg white weight, and shell thickness were not significantly different. In adult quails Triglyceride and VLDL were higher than the other two groups (P<0.05). Total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were the highest in the adult group and the lowest in the old group (P<0.05). Old quails had more liver tissue damage than young quails.

In general, although the egg quality characteristics of Japanese quails increase with age, production performance decreased along with the decrease of blood lipid metabolites and the increase of liver damage.

Suckling calves are exposed to different stressors such as birth, pathological factors and environmental factor stress which cause increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress. Trace minerals are a part of some antioxidative enzymes which are necessary for health maintenance. Trace mineral amount of colostrum and milk is not optimal and usage of trace mineral supplements are necessary for suckling calves. Therefore, the aim of this study was evaluation of adding a mixed supplement of trace minerals including copper, iron, zinc and manganese on growth performance, biochemical, enzymatic, antioxidant, hormonal and hematological parameters.

A total of 20 day-old male and female suckling Holstein calves were randomly divided in to two equal groups (ten calves per group) based on initial body weight (40±5 Kg) and until weaning (day 63) they were kept in individual pens. the control group calves were fed with milk and starter diet including whey protein as trace mineral career and treatment group were fed with milk including 15 part per million (ppm) iron sulfate (FeSo4), 6 ppm zinc sulfate (ZnSo4), 6 ppm manganese sulfate (MnSo4) and 1.5 ppm copper sulfate (CuSo4) supplements and basal starter diet including 100 ppm FeSo4, 40 ppm ZnSo4, 40 ppm MnSo4 and 10 ppm Cuso4 supplement until weaning on day 63. During entire experimental period calves accessed starter diet and water ad libitum. Feed intake was calculated daily and calves were weighed weekly to calculate feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily gain. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, 42 and 63 to determine plasma trace mineral levels and biochemical, enzymatic, hormonal, antioxidant and hematological parameters.

The results indicated that growth performance, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and thyroxine (T4) concentration were not affected by trace mineral supplement. Although, plasma zinc concentration and high density lipoprotein concentration were recorded higher in animals received supplemented trace minerals (P<0/05), low density lipoproteins concentration was lower in the calves fed with trace mineral supplement (P<0/05). In addition to the parameters listed above, alkaline phosphatase concentration, red blood cells count, hemoglobin and hematocrit and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were significantly increased in the calves received trace minerals supplement (P<0/05).

Totally, supplemental trace minerals could not improve growth performance and enzymatic antioxidant activity of suckling Holstein calves; however, some biochemical, hormonal and enzymatic parameters related to inflammation, ossification, and cellular basal metabolism were improved in suckling calves.

Bacillus coagulans is a new strain of the probiotics group that in addition to being spore-forming, stimulates the secretion of lactic acid in the digestive system.This experiment is performed to assess the effect of Bacillus Coagulans on the functional traits and microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract of Ross 308 broilers.

In order to assess the effect of Bacillus coagulans probiotic supplement on the feeding of broiler chicks, an experiment is conducted on 960 chicks including 12 replications of 20 chicks. The nutritional periods consist of starter (1-10 days) , grower (11-25 days) and finisher (26-42 days). To implement the experiment , The experiment was conducted on Ross 308 male chicks with average weight of  40±0.12 gram and in a completely randomized manner in four treatment groups. Experimental groups are 1) basal diet without consuming bacillus coagulans, 2) basal diet with adding probiotic supplement at the rate of 400 g/ton feed in starter and grower periods and 200 g/ton feed in finisher period, 3)basal diet adding probiotic supplement at the rate of 400 g/ton feed in starter and 200 g/ton feed in grower and finisher period and 4) basal diet adding probiotic supplement at the rate of 200 g/ton feed in starter, grower and finisher periods. Production traits consisting of body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio are measured at the end of each period of starter, grower and finisher. On days 7 and 40, two chicks from each replicate are slaughtered using carbon dioxide gas and the cecum was isolated. The samples sent to the laboratory under specific protocols to count clostridium perfringens, E.coli, salmonella, streptococcus and lactobacillus. Furthermore, the cloaca temperature of all the remaining chickens of the experiment project is measured on the day 40 of experiment. Total excreted nitrogen and pH of litter contents are measured on the day 40.

Consumption of Bacillus coagulans had no meaningful effect on weight gain of chickens up to 42 days of age, but compared to the control group, the groups that consumed Bacillus coagulans showed higher weight gain. In the starter and final period, consumption of Bacillus coagulans led to the reduction of feed intake (p≤0.05). At day 42, groups that consume Bacillus coagulans had lower conversion rates than control group. Adding Bacillus coagulans to the diet of broilers at day 40 had a meaningful effect on increasing the population of lactobacilli1 (p≥0.05). On the other hand, consumption of Bacillus coagulans reduced the bacterial population of Clostridium, Streptococcus and Escherichia coli (p≥0.05). The results of this experiment show that broilers receiving Bacillus coagulans produced lower rate of nitrogen fecal escape than control group (p≥0.05). Additionally, the use of this bacterial compound in the diet of broilers reduced the cloaca temperature of chickens compared to the control group (p≥0.05). Adding this bacterium to the diet of broilers had no effect on pH litter (p>0.05).

The achieved results of this research indicated that dietary supplementation with Bacillus coagulans led to increase body weight gain and decrease FCR , balances the beneficial microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract, reduces gastrointestinal inflammation and improves digestibility.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium acetate and conjugated linoleic acid on dry matter intake, body weight, activity of liver enzymes and blood metabolites in fresh cows.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of sodium acetate and conjugated linoleic acid on dry matter intake, body weight, liver enzyme activity, milk production and blood metabolites in newborn cows. Materials and Methods In this study, 24 Holstein cows with an average initial weight of 601.47±13 kg and a body condition score of 3.64±0.21 were used for 25 days during days 5-30 postpartum. This experiment was performed in 3 treatments and 8 replications in a completely randomized design by comparing the means by the mean least squares method at a significance level of 0.05. Treatments include 1- control with a source of calcium salt of palm fat, 2- Diet containing 300 g of sodium acetate supplement, 3- Diet containing 100 g of conjugated linoleic acid supplement (50% cis-9 trans-11CLA, 50% trans-10 cis-12 CLA) was. Dry matter intake and milk production were recorded daily, body weight and body condition score at the beginning and end of the experiment. Blood samples were also taken on days 5, 7, 14, 20, 25. The cows were milked in three meals of morning, evening and night, and the record of each meal was recorded. In order to measure milk composition, milk samples were taken on days 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20 and 25 after calving.

The results showed that the mean body weight, body condition score and dry matter intake were not significantly different between treatments. The concentration of non-esterified fatty acids was not affected by the treatments. Also, no significant differences were observed for triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, total plasma protein and blood urea nitrogen between treatments. Plasma glucose concentration was significantly different between treatments (p<0.05), however, CLA and sodium acetate significantly increased and decreased compared to the control) (p<0.05. Sodium acetate significantly reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase compared to control and CLA treatment (p<0.05). Daily milk, corrected milk production of 3.5% fat and milk fat percentage were significantly different between treatments, and sodium acetate and CLA treatments significantly increased and decreased milk fat percentage, respectively, compared to the control (0.05). Also, milk fat production increased with sodium acetate compared to control and decreased with CLA (p <0.05).

By consuming CLA due to the reduction of milk fat, the amount of blood glucose increased, as a result of which the intensity of the negative energy balance decreased, which in turn reduced the damage to the liver cells. Sodium acetate also improves energy levels, possibly due to the supply of acetate for milk fat synthesis. It can be concluded that adding sodium acetate is the best way to have a healthy liver along with increasing milk production and milk fat after birth.

Placentome in cattle comprises fetal cotyledon and maternal caruncle and is a vital site for feto-maternal substance exchanges. There are considerable metabolic and hormonal interactions in the placentomes that could affect the body of the fetus and the mother. Despite the importance of this tissue in reproduction of cattle, there are few studies on this tissue probably due to worries about the invasive trait of placentome collection and its implications for the future reproductive performances of the cow. In this study, we described a method of placentome collection from cows and investigated its implications for the cows’ subsequent reproductive performance. In this study, placentomes were collected from six cows within 30 minutes after parturition by using a guitar string and a hygienic protocol. Then, one dose of vitamin K and two doses of B-complex (during two days) were administered and the health status of the cows was monitored for several days. The number of inseminations until conception, the length of open days, the interval between two subsequent parturitions and the health status of the following calf were recorded for each cow. These six cows considered as placentome collected group and their data were compared to 45 cows in the same herd as control group. Cows in the control group had at most 430 days of interval between their two subsequent parturitions and underwent no manipulation. According to the results, general health of the placentome collected cows was not affected after placentomectomy. None of the reproduction related parameters including the number of insemination until conception, the length of open days, the interval between two parturitions and the health status of the calves showed significant difference between the placentome collected group compared to control. However, the interval between the first parturition and the second insemination was significantly shorter in the cows that underwent placentome collection. In this study, we described an easy and efficient method of placentome collection from alive cows and showed that this method does not have considerable implications for the cows’ reproductive performance. Therefore, by careful collection of placentomes and by having justifiable research purposes, placentome collection from the cows could be considered for future studies.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of organic selenium (oSe) on blood parameters of male broiler breeder under dexamethasone (Dexa) challange. Fifty broiler breeder roosters (Ross 308) at the age of 64 weeks were randomly allotted to five groups (10 roosters/group) and fed a standard diet supplemented with different levels of oSe during 10 successive weeks of the experimental period. To induce stress, dexamethasone (2 mg/kg body weight) was injected during weeks of 4 to 6 of the experiment, in one-day-interval manner. Experimental treatments including diet without oSe supplementation and Dexa treatments (negative control; NC), or treated with Dexa and different levels of oSe including 0 (positive control; PC), 0.15 (Se15+Dexa), 0.30 (Se30+Dexa) or 0.45 (Se45+Dexa) mg/kg of diet. During the experimental period, concentration of testosterone, corticosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hepatic enzymes activity (ALT and AST), uric acid, total protein, albumin, plasma lipid and glucose parameters, were evaluated every two weeks. Liver enzymes and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, TAC, concentration of uric acid, total protein, albumin and glucose were not affected by the treatments. Dexamethasone injection increased plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and MDA in the PC group compared to the NC group (P<0.05). However, oSe ameliorated these negative impacts in dexamethasone-stressed roosters (P<0.05). Generally, the results of this study indicate that dietary inclusion of oSe mitigate the negative effects of Dexa on some blood parameters in roosters under dexamethasone challange.

Various studies have shown that the use of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can alter the reproductive process in different animals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the effect of conjugated linoleic acid on some qualitative parameters of sperm and fertility in roosters.

Thirty-two roosters with 59 week age, were randomly divided into four group (eight roosters in each group) and transferred to individual cages. All experimental groups were given the same basic diet and different levels of conjugated linoleic acid: treatment 1 (0 gr per day per rooster), treatment 2 (0.2 gr per day per rooster), treatment 3 (4 0.0 gr per day per rooster) and treatment 4 (0.6 gr per day per rooster) were given as capsules. The experiment was continued for 9 week after 2 week of habituation. Sperm quality parameters including: semen volume, total motility, progressive motility, semen concentration, percentage of abnormal sperm, percentage of live sperm,  active membrane sperm and malondialdehyde concentration were evaluated weekly. During two weeks, semen was collected to assess fertility and hatching rates and inoculated into 68 broiler breeder chicken (17 birds in each group).

CLA did not have a significant effect on sperm parameters and body weight (p > 0.05). The effect of test time on all sperm parameters except seminal volume was significant. Also, the interaction effect between treatment and time was significant on sperm concentration, semen total motility, sperm membrane activity and body weight but was not significant on other parameters (p > 0.05). Fertility results show that different levels CLA did not have a significant effect on fertility and hatching.

Our results indicate that different levels of conjugated linoleic acids have no beneficial effects on the quality of fresh sperm in broiler breeder flocks.

Considering that trace elements play an important role in growth performance and immune system in livestock. Nowadays, inorganic forms (mineral salts) of these minerals are added to mineral supplements. Because of mineral interaction, inorganic forms have lower bioavailability in gastrointestinal tract. One of the ways to increase the availability of trace minerals in the digestive tract of livestock is to replace their organic form (chelate with peptides and amino acids) in mineral supplements. For this purpose, the effects of organic sources of trace minerals on livestock performance have been studied. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of replacement of inorganic form of zinc, copper, manganese and selenium with organic source on starter intake and growth performance of Holstein suckling calves.

30 Holstein calves (42 ± 2 kg of birth weight) were equally assigned to two groups of 15 (5 male and 10 female) control and treatment. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design and lasted for 80 days. The experiment was started at 4 days of age and calves were weaned at 70 days of age and were kept up to 80 days in individual hutches. All calves were equally fed with same starter. Chelated copper, zinc, manganese and yeast selenium in treatment group and copper sulfate, manganese oxide, zinc oxide and sodium selenite in control group were added to the starter. Weight and starter intake of calves were measured weekly and daily, respectively. Blood parameters and serum levels of zinc, copper, manganese, and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes were measured at the start of experiment and at the time of weaning. Calf feces were collected at the end of the experiment and after preparing the samples by wet ash method (AOAC, 984.27); fecal excretion of copper, zinc and manganese elements was analyzed.

Results showed that starter intake and feed efficiency increased significantly by 85.6g and 6.44% respectively in treatment group. Calves were fed with organic form showed higher average daily gain (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in blood parameters, serum levels of copper and zinc. However, level of manganese in blood serum was significantly higher in treatment group. It was not found significant changes in level of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, β hydroxybutyrate and immunoglobulin G in both groups (P≥0.05). In this study, Fecal excretion of manganese, zinc, and copper decreased significantly by 25%, 16%, and 22% respectively for calves were fed the organic form (P≤0.01).

This study showed that replacing inorganic forms of manganese, zinc, copper and selenium with their organic source had positive effects on growth performance and feed efficiency of suckling Holstein calves. Therefore, total replacement of copper, manganese, zinc and selenium with their organic form in mineral supplements of calf starter is recommended.

To investigate the effect of oral administration of prepared specific egg yolk antibody (IgY) against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K99 on growth performance, health, the prevalence of diarrhea of neonatal calves, an experiment was conducted using 60 newborn calves in a completely randomized design with two treatments. Calves were kept individually. Calves in the control group received only milk or colostrum for 30 days and calves in the treatment group received milk or colostrum with IgY against inactivated K99. During the experiment, health parameters and the prevalence of diarrhea were recorded daily, and growth performance was evaluated weekly. The results showed that average daily gain, starter dry matter intake and feed and milk efficiency were higher in the IgY group than the control group (P<0.05). The general health score in the IgY group was higher than control group and fecal and ear scores in this group were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). The count of fecal coliforms in the IgY group was decreased by approximately one log compared to the control group (P<0.05). The results of the present study showed that oral administration of IgY against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K99 has beneficial effects on health and average daily gain of suckling Holstein calves and It can be a good way to replace antibiotics.

This study was aimed to evaluate whether high ambient temperature (heat stress, HS) can affect sperm quality parameters in Belgian blue bulls. For this purpose, semen samples were collected from three healthy mature Belgian blue bulls which were located in a breeding company under uniform feeding and management conditions. After semen collection, and the primary evaluations, the ejaculates with more than 60 percent total motility were subjected to the freezing process. After thawing the samples were used to assess the motion parameters, morphological abnormalities, acrosome integrity, chromatin condensation, viability, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl ion production. The results indicated that total and progressive motility and straight-line velocity were lower in the HS group compared to the control (P≤0.05), moreover, the generation of H2O2, hydroxyl ions, percentage of aberrant chromatin condensation, total morphological abnormal sperm cells, spermatozoa with bent tails and proximal protoplasmic droplets were higher in the HS compared to the control (P≤0.05) while the percentage pf damaged acrosome was not differ between HS and control (P≥0.05). In conclusion, these findings show that elevated ambient temperature can decrease the quality of frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa may leading to a lower fertility rate.

This study was designed to add the reduced glutathione to a lecithin nanoparticle-based extender and evaluate the quality of bull sperm after freezingand thawing. In the present study, the effect of four different levels of glutathione (0, 1, 2.5 and 5 mM) in extender-based on lecithin nanoparticles wasevaluated. The lecithin nanoparticles were prepared and the particle size was reduced by using a sonicator device. During three weeks, 48 ejaculatesfrom six Holstein bulls were collected and frozen. Properties evaluated after freezing and thawing were kinetic parameters (CASA), membraneactivity (HOST), membrane integrity (eosin-nigrosine) and morphology (Hancock solution). The results showed that using 2.5 mM glutathione in theextender significantly increased total and progressive motility (63.38±1.5 and 43.1±1.1 respectively, P <0.05). The results of eosin-nigrosine stainingand Host test showed that the highest viability and cell membrane functionality were related to 2.5 mM treatment (64.8±1.5 and 58.1±1.1 respectively)(P<0.05). In general, 2.5 mM glutathione could improve the quality of bull sperm compared with other concentrations after freezing and thawingprocess. It seems that the 2.5 mM glutathione is optimum concentration for bull extender based on the lecithin nanoparticles.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of encapsulated reduced glutathione added to extender on the quality of bull sperm after freezing and thawing process. Extender contains lecithin nanoliposomes supplemented with different concentrations of glutathione (0, 1, 2.5 and 5 Mm concentration). The supplemented nanoliposomes with glutathione were prepared by thin-film preparation method.  The particle size decreased to nanometer by sonication. 40 ejaculations were collected from 6 Holstein bulls and frozen for 6 weeks. Evaluated characteristics after freezing and thawing process were kinetic parameters (CASA), membrane activity (HOST), membrane integrity (eosin-nigrosin) and morphology of sperm ( Hancock's solution). Results showed that level 1 mM significantly increased the total and progressive motility (47.5±1.7, 32.7±2 %).  Although, there was no significant difference with level 2.5 mM glutathione (45.0±1.7, 26.2±2 %). Also, the concentration of 2.5 mM showed the highest value of cell membrane integrity and cell membrane functionality but did not differ with the concentration of 1mM. However, supplementation of nanoliposomes with 5 mM glutathione reduced the quality of post-thaw sperm. Thus, level 1 M encapsulated glutathione can provide better protection compare to the other level of that for bull sperm.

In this research the effects of different levels and particle sizes of zinc oxide on reproductive performance of hens and roosters of broiler breeders were evaluated. A total of 200 female Ross 308 broiler breeders in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 5 replicates and 5 birds per each replication, and 24 male Ross 308 broiler breeders in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 6 replicates and one bird per each replication at 54 weeks of age were used. The experimental treatments included the diets containing 70 mg zinc from zinc oxide with large particle size (LPZnO-70), 100 mg zinc from zinc oxide with large particle size (LPZnO-100), 70 mg zinc from zinc oxide with small particle size (SPZnO-70) and 100 mg zinc from zinc oxide with small particle size (SPZnO-100). The results indicated that the experimental treatments had no significant effect on egg production, body weight, egg weight and egg yolk weight. In the entire experimental period, the egg shell thickness was significantly higher in treatment containing SPZnO than LPZnO (P<0.001). The highest and lowest fertility and hatchability ratioes were observed in treatments containing SPZnO-100and LPZnO-70, respectively. The highest semen volume was observed in roosters of treatments containing SPZnO-100 and LPZnO-100 (P< 0.05). Generally, it can be concluded that SPZnO has a more desirable effect on reproductive parameters of broiler breeders due to its higher bioavailability. Since the level of 100 mg zinc per kg of diet from both sources of zinc oxide resulted in better reproductive performance, the utilization of SPZnO-100 might be recommended.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of encapsulated reduced glutathione added to extender on the quality of bull sperm after freezing and thawing process. Extender contains lecithin nanoliposomes supplemented with different concentrations of glutathione (0, 1, 2.5 and 5 Mm concentration). The supplemented nanoliposomes with glutathione were prepared by thin-film preparation method.  The particle size decreased to nanometer by sonication. 40 ejaculations were collected from 6 Holstein bulls and frozen for 6 weeks. Evaluated characteristics after freezing and thawing process were kinetic parameters (CASA), membrane activity (HOST), membrane integrity (eosin-nigrosin) and morphology of sperm ( Hancock's solution). Results showed that level 1 mM significantly increased the total and progressive motility (47.5±1.7, 32.7±2 %).  Although, there was no significant difference with level 2.5 mM glutathione (45.0±1.7, 26.2±2 %). Also, the concentration of 2.5 mM showed the highest value of cell membrane integrity and cell membrane functionality but did not differ with the concentration of 1mM. However, supplementation of nanoliposomes with 5 mM glutathione reduced the quality of post-thaw sperm. Thus, level 1 M encapsulated glutathione can provide better protection compare to the other level of that for bull sperm.

The aim of present study was to produce selenium enriched yeast and determine its optimum level on morphology and biometry of internal and reproductive organs in broiler breeder hens in comparison to Selemax (commercial organic sodium selenite) and mineral selenite. This study was done in two parts, in the 1st experiment; selenium-enriched yeast was produced. In the 2nd experiment, a total of 150 Ross 308 broiler breeder hens (49 weeks of age) were used in 6 treatments of 5 replicates with 5 hens each. The treatments were included: 1) Control group (without selenium), diet containing; 2) 0.15; 3) 0.30 and 4) 0.45 mg/kg of produced selenium enriched yeast (SY0.15, SY0.3, SY0.45, respectively), 5) 0.30 mg/kg Selemax, and 6) 0.30 mg/kg sodium selenite (SS). At the end of the experiment, three hens from each replication were slaughtered. In the 1st experiment, the amount of selenium per kilogram of dry selenium-enriched yeast was 2823 mg. In the 2nd experiment, the number of large follicles in the SY0.45 group was significant higher compared to control, SY0.15 and SS groups. The weight of the abdominal cavity fat of the SY0.45 group was significantly lower compared to control group. Therefore, using of 0.45 mg/kg of produced organic selenium in the broiler breeder diet increased number of large follicles and decreased abdominal cavity fat. Of course, further studies are needed to assessment of other performance and reproductive parameters.

This study was conducted to compare the influence of two kind of multi species probiotic on growth performance and biochemical and hormonal blood parameters. 21 male and female animals were used in thrid day of age. They were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments including: control (without probiotic), probiotic Protexin and probiotic Di-pro. Dry mater intake was daily determined and body weight was measured on days 0, 20, 40 and 60. Blood samples were obtained on days 0, 30 and 60 to assess biochemical and hormonal parameters. Feed conversion ratio was lower (P<0.05) in Di-pro but there were no differences in average daily gain and dry mater intake compared to the other groups. Plasma cortisol level decreased in Di-Pro (P<0.05), and plasma T3 concentration increased in Protexin (P<0.05) compared to the other groups, while other blood parameters did not have any significant differences. The results suggest that probiotic Di-pro may improve growth performance by decreasing the feed conversion ratio in suckling Holstein calves.

The immune response of aged broiler breeder hens is influenced by many factors including obesity and aged lymphatic organs, but may improve by increasing the bioavailability of various nutrients such as zinc (Zn). Dietary supplementation of phytase can improve Zn availability in senescent broiler breeder hens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementary zinc oxide (ZnO) and phytase in a maize-soybean meal-based diet on immune responses of broiler breeder hens. In a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, a total of 128 hens were randomly assigned into eight groups. The birds received two levels of phytase (0 or 300 U/kg diet) and four levels of ZnO (30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg diet) for 13 successive wk (59-72 wk of age). Results showed that phytase supplementation significantly increased immunoglobulin M (IgM), cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) responses, total number of leukocytes, percentage of lymphocytes, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratios. The percentage of basophils and monocytes, however, decreased with phytase supplementation. Supplementation of ZnO increased anti-sheep red blood cells (SRBC) antibody titer, IgM, CBH responses, the total number of leukocytes, and the percentage of lymphocytes. Dietary supplementation of ZnO decreased the percentage of heterophil, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. A significant interaction effect of phytase and ZnO was found on the total number of leukocytes and percentage of lymphocytes. Dietary supplementation of ZnO (90 mg/kg diet) and phytase had some positive effects on improving immune responses in broiler breeder hens.