نادر اسدزاده

This experiment was performed to evaluation treated wheat screening waste in diet of broiler chickens. A total of 432 broilers (Ross 308) were used in completely randomized design for 9 treatments with 4 replicates of 12 chicks per replicate for 42 days. Treatments included 1) corn and soybean meal 2) corn and soybean meal in which 15% corn was replaced with wheat screening 3) corn and soybean meal in which 30% corn with substituted by wheat screening 4) diet 2 Natuzyme plus500 g /tone of diet 5) diet 3 + Natuzyme plus diet 500 g / tone of diet 6) diet 2 + protxin 150 g / ton of diet 7) diet 3 + protxin 150 g / tone of diet 8 ) diet 2+ 75 g protxin + 250g Natuzyme plus /ton of diet 9) diet 3+ 75 g protxin + 250g Natuzyme plus /ton of diet. In terms of production efficiency index, the highest levels was observed in control and in the diet containing 15% wheat screening with and without enzyme, probiotic and enzyme + probiotic (P<0.05). The highest villi length was observed in the treatments receiving 15% wheat screening wastes + multi-enzyme + probiotic supplement )P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of this experiment showed that, corn of diet replaced by 15% of wheat screening pluse 250 g of enzyme + 75 g probiotic per ton of diet can be used in broiler diets without any adverse effects on performance, production index and nutrient digestibility

Large parts of Iran have a dry and semi-arid climate, which is why opportunities for fodder production in the country are limited. Providing feed from agricultural by-products, including potato vines, can be considered a suitable option to compensate for the limitations of traditional feed (e.g. alfalfa). Ardabil province has about 15-20% of the country's potato cultivation area, and with the annual production of about 800 thousand tons of potato tubers, it ranks second in the country. Therefore, there is great potential in this province to produce by-products related to potatoes. The present study was conducted to investigate the possibility and effect of replacing potato vines with regular forage in the diet of pregnant sheep (during the last 45 days of pregnancy).

In the first step of this research, the chemical compositions of alfalfa hay and potato vine including dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined. In the next phase, 210 pregnant Moghani sheep were randomly assigned to seven treatments with three replicates and 10 sheep per replicate. In addition to the control treatment (pasture feeding), six treatments with different levels of potato vine (zero, 16, and 32%) were used in two food forms, mash and complete block. The mentioned diets were given to the animals in the last 45 days of pregnancy in the amount of 500 grams during the night feeding time. It should be noted that lactating ewes were not subjected to any treatment after lambing and the effect of an additional feeding period on milk production was examined after three months of lambing.

According to the results obtained, the percentage of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, gross energy, and ADF in potato vine was not significantly different from alfalfa feed, but the NDF percentage in potato vine was lower than alfalfa and its ash content was more than alfalfa (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the amount of dry matter digestibility (DMD) and dry organic matter digestibility (DOMD) between the potato vine and alfalfa hay. Ewe weight gain during the supplementary feeding period was influenced by different treatments (P<0.05). A similar pattern was observed for other traits such as ewe weight after lambing, birth weight of lambs, weight gain before weaning, and, weaning weight of lambs. In the current study, the examined traits in sheep that were fed with complete block showed better performance compared to sheep fed with mash. In this feeding method, animals are not able to choose due to the uniform composition of food, which leads to a uniform effect on the rumen and thus reduces the fluctuation in ammonia release for more efficient use of non-protein nitrogen. Complete block feeding is an efficient method to increase voluntary feed intake in ruminants. It also improves nutrient utilization by stabilizing fermentation in the rumen. The increase in birth and weaning weight in lambs whose mothers were fed complete block diets showed that the use of supplementary feeding in the last weeks of gestation of ewes, when carried out appropriately, leads to improvement in fetal growth and proper development of the mammary gland, and increase in birth weight of the lamb and milk production. The different treatments have a significant impact on the amount of milk production so that the average daily milk production throughout the lactation period was lowest in the control treatment (without using any nutritional supplements) and highest in the block feeding treatment at 16% Potato vine. The results showed that using the complete block produced a higher profit compared to the mash.

Based on the results of the present research, the use of 16% potato vine as a replacement for part of the usual fodder in the form of a complete feed block resulted in profitability in the nomadic sheep farming system. Given the cheap price and availability compared to alfalfa fodder and wheat straw, especially in drought conditions and poor pastures, its consumption is economical.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ram semen. For this purpose, 15 adult Zandi rams (3 to 4 years old) were used. Rams were fed the following diets during 60 days: 1) the base diet, 2) base diet containing 35 mg/kg zinc nanoparticles and 3) base diet containing 70 mg/kg zinc nanoparticles. Sperm collection was done from the first day of the experiment for 60 days and once every 10 days by artificial vagina. Quantitative and qualitative sperm parameters including semen volume, number of spermatozoa, motility, membrane integrity and viability were evaluated. The results showed that diet supplementation with 70 mg/kg of zinc nanoparticles improved the number of sperm, motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity and viability compared to the control group and the group receiving 35 mg/kg of zinc nanoparticles (P <0.05). Therefore, adding zinc nanoparticles to the diet is a suitable method to improve semen quality and thus increase reproductive performance in ram.

Storing spermatozoa in a cold environment decreases spermatozoa metabolism while maintaining sperm fertility. Because of their unique physiological characteristics, sperm cells’ reproductive ability in small ruminants is reduced by cooling. This study aimed to assess the impact of supplementing chilling medium with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the quality parameters of buck’s semen after chilling at 4°C. Semen was collected, diluted, and divided into five groups with different CoQ10 supplementation concentrations (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10 µM CoQ10). Collected semen were stored at 4°C for 50 h. The motility, mitochondrial activity, membrane integrity, viability, and lipid peroxidation were measured after 0, 25, and 50 h of chilling. According to the findings, different concentrations of CoQ10 had no impact (P>0.05) on semen at time 0 of storage. After 25 and 50 h of storage, supplementing the chilling medium with 5 µM CoQ10 increased (P≤0.05) progressive motility (PM), total motility (TM), viability, mitochondrial activity, and membrane integrity compared to other groups. Furthermore, 5 µM CoQ10 produced less lipid peroxidation (P≤0.05) after 25 and 50 h than the other groups. Adding 5 µM CoQ10 to the buck’s semen cooling medium is an effective procedure for protecting the quality of buck spermatozoa during cooling storage.

Sperm preservation at a cool temperature reduces sperm metabolism while preserving its viability and reproductive ability. Researchers have sought to extend semen preservation effectiveness for more than 24 hours. Due to the particular physiological characteristics of small ruminant spermatozoa, the cooling procedure decreases its reproductive ability. 

This study aimed to determine the effect of adding L-carnitine (LC) to the cooling extender on the quality of the ram’s sperm following cooling preservation at 4°C.

The collected sperm samples were diluted and divided into 4 groups with varying doses of LC supplementation (0, 1, 5, and 10 mM). The samples were kept at 4°C for up to 48 hours. At 0, 24, and 48 hours of cooling, the sperms’ total motility, progressive motility, viability, lipid peroxidation, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity were assessed. 

The results showed that different treatments did not affect the quality of semen samples at time 0 of cooling storage (P>0.05). Cooling medium supplemented with 5 mM LC demonstrated improved total motility, progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity compared to the other groups after 24 and 48 hours of cooling (P≤0.05). Furthermore, after 24 and 48 hours of storage, 5 mM LC produced less lipid peroxidation (P≤0.05) than the other treatments.

In conclusion, reinforcing ram’s cooling storage medium with 5 mM LC protects ram semen samples against cold-induced structural and functional impairment throughout 24- and 48-h storage.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality preservation in sheep using mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO during chilling process. In this experiment, semen samples were collected from five Zandi rams and added to the extender containing 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 50 and 500 µM Mito-TEMPO and stored at 4 ˚C until 48 hours. Sperm quality was evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 hours after chilling and total motility, progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and lipid peroxidation were assessed. No difference was observed between treatments at time 0 of cooling. During 24 and 48 hours cooling periods, using 5 and 50 µM Mito-TEMPO increased total motility, progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and decreased lipid peroxidation in ram chilled sperm. In conclusion, using 5 and 50 µM Mito-TEMPO in chilling herbal extender could be a suitable method to conserve ram sperm quality during chilling process.

Although sperm cryopreservation seems to be an efficient technique for distributing competent sperm for artificial insemination, the process affects the quality of post-thawed sperm.

This study was designed to see how the novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant “Mito-TEMPO” affected buck sperm quality during cryopreservation. 

After proper semen samples collection, they were diluted and divided into 5 equal groups and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen with 0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 µM Mito-TEMPO. Sperm motility, lipid peroxidation, abnormal morphology, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, and viability were all evaluated after thawing. 

When the freezing extender was supplemented with 10 µM Mito-TEMPO, total motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and viability increased (P≤0.05), while lipid peroxidation decreased (P≤0.05). 

Finally, the novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant “Mito-TEMPO” could be introduced as an effective cryo-additive to improve buck semen quality parameters during cryopreservation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of saturated and unsaturated fat sources in the diet of late pregnancy and early lactation on histological changes in the mammary gland of nulliparous Saanen goats. Thirty does from the second half of pregnancy were divided into three groups based on body weight. For each group, the diet contained either: 1) saturated fat (positive control, C+), 2) roasted soybeans (omega-6, SB), or 3) extruded flaxseeds (omega-3, FS). Milk production was determined weekly and mammary tissue sampling was performed three times after kidding and the histological information of the mammary tissue was obtained using Image J software. The results showed that consumption of flaxseed and soybean increased milk production in the whole period compared to the C+ group (P<0.05).  The percentages of epithelial cells and stroma were the highest and the lowest, respectively in the FS group compared to the other groups(P<0.05). The areas of alveoli, lumen, epithelium and the number of epithelial cells per alveolus were higher in the SB group; however, the number of alveoli per unit area  was lower in SB group than  in the other groups (P<0.05). Based on the results, it is concluded that the consumption of diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids, in critical periods of mammary gland growth, affects growth and development of mammary tissue, improves lactation performance and increases milk production.

In the management of camel breeding, weightlifting plays a decisive role in grouping livestock, regulating nutritional needs and also annual evaluation of animals. Due to the many difficulties and risks, camel owners usually prefer alternative methods such as using apparent estimates or weight -meter to estimate the weight of camels. Since the accuracy of mathematical models in estimating the weight of camels is not equal, so the present research was conducted to compare the accuracy of estimating artificial neural network and multiple linear regression model in estimating the weight of dromedary camels from their body dimensions. For this purpose, 26 camels with 203 records were used from a private farm for one year. Weighing and determining the body dimensions of camels (body length, shoulder height, back height, hump height to the ground, chest and abdomen girth) were measured monthly. To estimate the weight of camels from their body dimensions, the data were analyzed using multiple linear regression model and artificial neural network. The weight of camels on their body dimensions was estimated with accuracy of 0.94 and 0.99, respectively, using multivariate linear regression model and artificial neural network model. The weight of camels on their body dimensions was estimated with accuracy of 0.94 and 0.99, respectively, using multivariate linear regression model and artificial neural network model. The results of this research showed that the artificial neural network has the proper ability to estimate the weight of camels based on their body dimensions and can replace conventional regression methods.

Sistani cows are generally restless animals; therefore, controlling, treating, and weighing them is difficult. On the other hand, recording the weight of domestic animals, including Sistani cows, is inevitable, because it provides a good scale for management decisions in the herd such as balancing the diet, changing environmental conditions, or determining the time of slaughter of fattening animals. In addition to scales, various methods are commonly used to measure the body weight of large animals. Some of these methods include the use of weight-meters, appraisal assessments, and the use of mathematical models. One of the new methods for predicting livestock weight is artificial intelligence. Because some reports are indicating that artificial intelligence could facilitate the weighing process of animals, this study was performed to predict the body weight of Sistani cows using computer vision technology. The data required for this study were recorded in the Zahak breeding station located in Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran. The recording operation involved the weighing and biometric measurement of about 190 Sistani cattle, including calves, heifers, and male and female animals, every three months during a year. At the time of weighing, images of the lateral view of each animal were taken and recorded using the CANON SX150IS digital camera. During this period, a total of 358 weight records of Sistani cows at different ages were recorded. The digital images were initially preprocessed using MATLAB software, and then some morphological features were extracted from each image. For predicting the weight of Sistani cows via the Artificial Neural Network (ANN), the extracted features of images were introduced to the ANN model as input and the weight of cows as output. The "feed-forward neural network", which was trained by the "error propagation" algorithm, was used to predict the weight of cows. The function used in the hidden layer of the ANN model was sigmoidal and in the output layer was linear. An ANN model which had the highest precision and lowest error was selected as the final model for predicting the animal weights. The criteria for selecting the best model were the highest determination coefficient (R2) and the lowest mean square error (MSE) compared to other available models. Out of 22 features extracted from each image, only 15 of them, which had a higher correlation with the body weight of cows at different ages, were selected as effective features. As result, equivalent diameter, major axis length, minor axis length, bounding box, convex area, filled area, area, perimeter, and the number of non-zero pixels of the image (NNZ) had the highest correlation with the cattle weights (P<0.01) and used as effective features to train the ANN model. The final ANN model had 15 neurons in the input layer including selected image features, 11 neurons in the hidden layer, and one neuron in the output layer including the weight of the cows. The precisions of the artificial neural network in the training, validation, and test phase were 0.974, 0.970, and 0.981, respectively. The results showed that the final ANN model had acceptable precision in all light, medium, and heavy-weight cows, and the size and the age of animals did not have a significant effect on the precision of the artificial neural network model. A correlation between the actual weight of Sistani cows and the weights predicted by the ANN model was 98.3%. The average error of the model in predicting the weight of cows was 1.11%. In the practical test, a 2.32 kg deviation was observed between the predictions of the ANN model and actual weights in Sistani cows. The accuracy of the ANN model for predicting the weight of Sistani cows in the present study is acceptable and within the range of the other reports. The proposed method based on image processing and ANN, had acceptable results in predicting the weight of Sistani cows. Given the difficulties of weighing Sistani cows as heavy livestock and sometimes the time-consuming process, it seems that the use of new technologies such as computer vision methods can be a good alternative to conventional weighing methods and facilitate and reduce recording costs of Sistani cows.

In order to identify, register, certify, control and protect the country's livestock and poultry genetic reserves, a comprehensive system should be designed, which consists of the sub-sections like “preparing a comprehensive atlas”, “distribution map”, “accurate statistics and monitoring of the existing populations of the country's indigenous livestock and poultry genetic reserves”. . Therefore, this study has been conducted to introduce the population and breeds of livestock and poultry of the country aiming at designing of the "Atlas of genetic resources of livestock and poultry of the country" application program. In this application, the users can easily get to know the livestock and poultry breeds of each geographical region and observe their breed and breeding characteristics. Also, this app has a user-friendly search feature. The information can be updated from the application panel. In this application, there is a section called "Registration of new species" that can be obtained from the population and breeds of livestock and poultry all over the country with the voluntary participation of people. This information will be used in the database after filtering on the management panel.

An experiment was conducted to study growth traits and fattening potential comparison of two Iranian camel ecotypes (Kalkouhi and Turkmen) in enclosed breeding conditions. The project was carried out using 32 young male camels with an average age of 151±31 days and an average weight of 141.77±29.55 kg (in light, medium and heavy groups) during 9 months. Initial weights as covariate and monthly weight of camels as repeated measures were considered in the analyzing model. Least square mean of growth traits were calculated. The fix and random effects on growth traits with Mixed model procedure of SAS, 2004 software were included. Measurement of feed intake/residuary was recorded in group and daily, measurement of weight gain was recorded individually and monthly, as well as for all period. Results showed that the effects of breed (P<0.01), initial weight and weight categories on feed intake, growth performance and feed conversion ratio of young camels were significant (P<0.05). The average daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio for Kalkouhi ecotype were 3.83±1.01, 0.379±0.11 kg and 9.94±1.57 and for Turkmen ecotype were 4.31±1.05, 0.430±0.10 kg and 9.83±1.08 respectively. Mean total weight gain of Kalkouhi and Turkmen was 102.33±5.03 and 116.01±8.84 kg respectively (P<0.05). In conclusion, growth performance, fattening potential and feed efficiency of Turkmen ecotype was better than Kalkouhi ecotype and could be advised.

This research was conducted to investigate the possibility of using visual machine technology in measuring the body dimensions of Sistani cows. For this purpose, the record of body dimensions including length, shoulder height, hip height and chest circumference of 179 heads of livestock in Zahak Sistani cow breeding station, were measured at different time points, using a tape meter. At recording time, digital images were taken using the canon camera from the lateral view of cattle from distance of 2 meters. Digital image processing and feature extraction were performed using Graphical Unit Interference of MATLAB software. The feature of digital images as input and different body dimensions of cows as output of Artificial Neural Network(ANN) were used in the training and modeling phase. The results showed that, out of 22 features extracted from the images of Sistani cows, the 15 effective features, such as Equivalent Diameter, Major Axis Length, Minor Axis Length, Bounding Box, Convex Area, Filled Area, Area, Perimeter, and the number of white pixels of image (NNZ) had a significant correlation with the body dimensions of the Sistani cow(p<0.01). Body dimensions of Sistani cows including body length, shoulder height, hip height, and chest girths were estimated with accuracy of 0.98, 0.97, 0.97and 0.98%, by the ANNs model, respectively. The results of the present research showed that Artificial Intelligence Technology can act as a suitable alternative to biometric evaluation of Sistani cows and save time and relevant costs.

Using efficient mathematical methods can be effective in order to breed identification and genetic grouping. So, the aim of this study was to compare the morphological features of native camels of central desert of Iran with dairy camels of Pakistan using the principal component analysis method. For this purpose, 25 native camels of Iran and 62 dairy camels of Pakistan were used. Measurements of shoulder height, pin width, udder circumference and udder depth were considered. Principal component analysis (PCA) carried out using ggfortify package in R version 3.5.3. Also, scores of camel type were compared using the independent samples t-test in SPSS software (version 22). The results showed that Pakistan’s dairy camels was taller than native camels (p <0.05). Pin width, udder depth, and udder circumference in Pakistan’s camels were larger than native Iranian camels (p <0.05). The mean evaluation score of Iranian native camels was 57.12 ± 10.03 and in camels of Pakistani origin was 76.71 ± 12.31 (p <0.05). The results of PCA showed that native camels of the central desert of Iran and dairy camels of Pakistan are in two separate categories and have different morphologies. The results of the present study showed that it is possible to use mathematical methods including principal component analysis (PCA) in order to accurately distinguish Iranian native camels from dairy camels of Pakistan origin.

One of the major challenges in camel husbandry is the lack of records and registration. The camel breeding system in the country is Extensive and dependent on rangelands and the long distances and high dispersal of herds have added to the problems of recording and the establishment of net. On the other hand, recording, especially in weights of camels, is very difficult and it is necessary to use statistical models and estimation of body weight by body measurements. Networking to communicate camel breeders with each other and education and research centers can provide camel productivity in the country. therefore, it is necessary to use ICT in camel husbandry. In camel breeder assisted system, by communicating through the SARBANYAR app, in addition to communicating and providing skill training, camel breeder knowledge in the mobile platform will be enhanced. The camel herd is also tracked online using the GPS hardware and this APP.

The genetic divergence could define as a mechanism which two or more breeds within the same species with a common ancestor could differently evolutionary separated in genome structure. Molecular genetics may provide proper tools for estimation of the level of diversity and mutational events on this breed over time. Accordingly, the main objective of the present report was to evaluate and compare the candidate gene polymorphisms for two meat and dairy type of goat breeds using candidate gene polymorphism approach. For this purpose, in overall, 30 goat individuals for two meat and dairy goat breed were chosen for genotyping of six candidate genes (Calpastatin, Myostatin, Insulin growth like hormone, Leptin, Pituitary-specific transcription factor and SCD genes using PCR-RFLP techniques. Molecular descriptive Statistics such as genotype and allele frequencies observed and expected heterozygosity, Minor allele frequency ,and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium was calculated and compared using POPGENE software between populations. The Chi-square test was used for significant differences between the two populations for screened genes. The observed results interesting showed significant genotype and allele frequency pattern between the two studied breeds. Obtained outputs may insight to the understanding of Genetic divergence between well-known breeds due to domestication and artificial selection as well as geographical

The aim of this study was improvement of ram frozen semen efficiency using addition of glutathione antioxidant to freezing medium. In this experiment, semen samples were collected from five Zell rams and add to the extender containing 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mM glutathione. In sperm quality evaluation, sperm samples were evaluated and motion parameters, membrane integrity, morphology, acrosome integrity, mitochondria activity, viability and lipid peroxidation were assessed. The results showed using 4 mM glutathione resulted in improving of sperm total and progressive motility, membrane integrity, mitochondria activity, acrosome integrity, and viability as well as reduction of apoptosis rate and lipid peroxidation. Using the treatment of 8 mM glutathione caused to reduction of sperm quality after thawing and the antioxidantd did not have any effect on sperm morphology. In conclusion, using 4 mM glutathione in freezing extender could be a suitable method to improve ram sperm reproductive performance after freeze-thaw process.

The effect of diets containing different sources of fat on milk production and composition, and mammary gland morphology of the 40 primiparousSaanen does was studied during the last two months of pregnancy to 12 weeks after kidding. Goats were divided into four groups of 10 each, based onthe average initial live weight and were assigned to one of four experimental diets. The diets included a non-fat diet, diet containing saturated fat, dietcontaining roasted soybeans, and a diet containing extruded flaxseed. The results showed that during the whole experimental period, milk productionin goats fed with diet containing flaxseed was higher than in goats fed with non- fat diet or saturated fat diet (P<0.05). The average daily milkproduction of goats fed a diet containing flaxseed in the first, second, third, ninth, tenth, and twelfth weeks of lactation was higher than that of goatsfed non-fat diet or saturated fat (P<0.05). The percentage of protein, lactose, solids not fat, and milk solids in non-fat diet goats were higher than theother groups (P<0.05). The percentage of fat to protein ratio in goats fed a diet containing unsaturated fat was higher than in other groups (P<0.05).Consumption of diets containing unsaturated fats improved the volume, environment, and size of mammary gland quarters (P<0.05). In general, theuse of fat supplements rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as soybeans or flaxseed, in the close-up and early lactation diets could improve lactationperformance in primiparous Sannen goats.

Measuring the body dimensions in livestock is usually useful to predict the weight, grade and body score of animals. The shoulder height, chest circumference, chest depth, body length, forehead bone size, rump height, distance between eyes, ear length, and tail length are the most important body linear measurements in the livestock. Most of these dimensions are related to the live weight and some important traits of domestic animals. For example, the results of many studies indicated that the chest circumference, body length, pelvic width and shoulder height are the most appropriate and reliable parameters for estimating live weight of the animals. In recent studies, features of digital images have been used, in certain circumstances, to estimate body dimensions of domestic animals. The base of these measurements is the machine learning technology, and currently was tested on some livestock, such as dairy cattle. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate the possibility of using machine vision technology in order to estimate body dimensions of one-humped camel.

This research was conducted on one-humped camel in a privative camel breeding herd at Qom province. The studied herd originally consisted of 9 adult mature camels, one an adult luck and 11 pedigree camels from 2 to 12 months old of age. In the following months, five baby camels were born in the herd. The body dimensions of all camels were monthly recorded, and in the same time, digital images were captured from camels regarding a constant distance (2 meters). In this study, a total of 203 biometric records of camels at different ages were measured. Each photo was first transferred to a computer, and some edits were made to improve it's quality. Twenty two morphological features from each image were extracted using defined functions of graphical user interface of MATLAB. The characteristics that were more relevant to the biometric measurement of camels were selected using Pearson correlation coefficient by SPSS software. The data mining process with the aim of discovering mathematical relationship between extracted features of digital images and body dimensions of camels was done using a feed forward neural network which was trained by the "back propagation algorithm" in MATLAB software.

Some extracted features including equivalent diameter, major axis length, minor axis length, bounding box, convex area, filled area, area ,perimeter and the number of non zero points in digital images had high and significant correlation (P<0.01) with body dimensions of camels. These features were used as effective input to design the artificial neural network. Accuracy of the artificial neural network models to estimate body length, shoulder height, and hip height of one-humped camels were 0.98, 0.96 and 0.96, respectively.

The use of image processing and artificial neural network or other data mining tools can be considered as an appropriate and accurate alternative to human assessments, and help to save the time and expense associated with the biometry of large livestock, especially camels.

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of supplementary feedingmethods on Moghani suckling lambs weight gain in rangeland condition. This experiment was carried out for 90 days in the spring of 2015 in  completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 3 replicates of 10 lambs (male) in each treatment. Treatments including: 1. Traditional method without nutrition in rangeland; the lambs were taken with the ewes to the range, 2. Feeding 266 g/day barley grains, in addition to ewe milk and nutrition from the rangeland and 3. Feeding 311 gr/day of concentrates in addition to ewe milk feeding and nutrition from the rangeland. Lambs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and every 14 days before feeding in the morning through the experimental period. Milk yield and body condition score of the ewes were recorded every month. The weight gain, body condition score and milk yield were significantly higher in concentrate fed lambs rather than other treatments (p<0.05). In conclusion, in terms of economical, feeding the suckling lambs with concentrate and barley respectively lead to 61.4 and 17.4 thousand tomans increase in net income in comparison to traditional method in the studied flock.

This experiment was carried out to investigate the Moghani ewe production performance improvement through reproductive management and nutrition methods during the non-breeding season in rangeland condition. For doing these projects, in one flock with 400 ewes, two groups were identified, that including group 1(estrus synchronization+hormone therapy+supplementary feeding) and group 2 or control group (without estrus synchronization+ hormone therapy+supplementary feeding). Supplementary feeding duration in pre mating for 4 weeks and 1.5 month in late gestation with concentrate were done. During the project, production, reproductive traits and economical evaluation was carried out in each two groups. For quantities data analysis of T-test methods and for qualitative traits were used of frequency table and Chi-square. The results showed that, parturition rate, lamping rate, twining rate, born lamb crop (BLC) and weaned lamb crop (WLC) in experimental group was more than control group (p<0.05). In terms of fecundity, there was significant statistical difference between two methods, so that 104.21 vs. 48.64 percent in experimental group compared with control group were observed (p<0.05). In conclusion, in non-breeding season, in Moghani ewe using of estrus synchronization+hormone therapy+supplementary feeding, have the highest economic interest compared to the control group.

Nowadays, Incorporation of both phenotypes and genotype information enhanced the accuracy of genetic parameter predictions for growth characteristics in breeding schematics. The purpose of this study was to identify quantitative traits controlling positions (QTLs) associated with live body weight traits and growth characteristics using specific microsatellite markers in the 605 cm distance of goat chromosomes. In this regards, 4 half sib families were selected from large herd pedigree including 112 individual. Investigated records were included: birth, weaning, 6 months weights, average daily gain, calculated Keliber ratio index for two measured periods of birth- weaning age, weaning age- 6 months age. In the molecular study phase, a total of 45 microsatellite markers belong to 5 chromosome numbers (1, 2, 5, 6, and 26) with a pre-condition of the heterozygote pattern for microsatellite marker in each sire genotypes in progenies of heterozygote sires. The key findings of the present study are the identification of two QTLs between BMC1009-RM029 and INRABEN172 markers that are related to birth weight in chromosomes 5 and 26 (p

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementary pellet feed pellet on performance of Karkheh riverside nomadic sheep and goat flocks. Eight flocks (50 head per flock) were selected and divided in to two experimental groups (control and pelleted). Ewes and goats of control group, were fed according to traditional feeding system (As Is) where, the ewes and goats in experimental herds were received 300gr/d of supplementary pellet feed, during the last 45 days of gestation and 90 days of lactation. Average birth weight of lambs were 4.82 and 4.83 kg in control and experimental groups and the average birth wieght of kids were 3.59 and 3.67 kg in control and experimental groups that were not significantly different between the treatments. However, feed plett resulted in a higher weight gain of lambs and kids (P

Five microsatellite markers BM1329, OarAE101, BM143, BM4621 and BM415 which were closely linked to the fecundity gene FecB in Booroola sheep were chosen based on their high conservatism in the closest species and were analyzed for polymorphisms and also their correlation with the litter size of a goat. Observed results showed four microsatellite loci show polymorphism in the present study. However, BM4621 locus was monomorphic. The range of allele size of BM1329, OarAE101, BM143 and BM415 were 180 to 216 to 112, 102 to 112 and 198 to 200 in goat respectively. The alleles of the greatest frequency for of BM1329, OarAE101, BM143 and BM415 were 212, 99, 108 and 200bp respectively. Polymorphism information content (Nei Index) for BM1329, OarAE101, BM143 and BM415 were 0.82, 0.82, 0.72 and 0.49 respectively. Mean number of allele, Observed Heterozygosis, PIC and Shannon information index were 4.75 ± 2.2, 0.36 ± 0.12, 0.71 ± 0.15 and 1.41 ± 0.52 respectively. The litter size for first lambing for investigated loci were significantly different (p

Discovery of accurate, easy and economic embryo sex determination in the dairy cattle industry assumed highly particular importance. CffDNA is novel potential material to determine the sex of the fetus in early gestation period has not imposed negative effect on embryo health. In this regard, in overall, 16 Holstein cows experiencing eight weeks of gestation and 4 non-pregnant Holstein cows, two bulls (negative control) were chosen as candidates for this present experiment and subsequently that plasma was separated to extract ccfDNA. Qiagene commercial kit was used to extract. DEAD box protein gene-based primers for this study based on both chromosomes X and Y and past articles were selected and were synthesized reported. Polymerase reaction and the required conditions were optimized using proposed standard. The results of electrophoresis PCR patterns male fetus’s two bands and one band of female fetuses showed. Monitoring of birth of each gender embryos under the test after the birth of calves showed compelet match the molecular results re-confirmed