یوسف جعفری آهنگری

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of the cold period on female Chukar partridges and its impact on reproductive traits and hematological parameters. A total of 104 adult breeding partridges were used in this study. The experimental treatments included a control group (without cold exposure) and a cold-exposed group. The research was carried out over 3 weeks in a completely randomized design with five repetitions in the control group and five repetitions in the cold-exposed group. The evaluation of reproductive parameters was performed at the end of the period, and the evaluation of hematological parameters was conducted once a week in three phases. The results of the analysis of reproductive indices showed that the cold period did not significantly differ in terms of egg production rate, fertility rate, and hatching rate compared to the control group (P>0.05). The heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio significantly increased in different phases of the winter period compared to the control group (P<0.05). The total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, and hemoglobin levels after cold exposure in different blood sampling phases showed a significant increase compared to the control group (P<0.05). The findings of this study showed that cold exposure had a stimulating effect on the immune response, leading to a decrease in lymphocyte count and an increase in heterophil count. It is suggested that cold exposure may enhance immune responses and reduce egg production rates in Chukar partridges, possibly resulting in reproductive performance disorders.

Probiotic bacteria are becoming increasingly important in the content of human nutrition. Nowadays, probiotics are being increasingly promoted worldwide, with suggestions that probiotics can play an important role in immunological, digestive, and respiratory functions and could have a significant effect in alleviating infectious disease. Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics. Honey and bee products have been used in healing for centuries. Unfortunately, information about probiotics bacteria in local honeybee is not currently available and scant. Thus, the aim of this study was to isolate and identify the predominant Lactobacillus as probiotic from the honey stomach of Apis florea in the Iran. Samples of honeybee were collected from Apis florea colonies from Iran. Samples were preserved in fridge till test starts. Lactobacillus bacteria are isolated from honey stomach using MRS broth and agar medium. The isolates were Gram-stained and tested for Catalase reaction. Then DNA extracted of bacterial colonies amplified with PCR using lactobacilli primers. After sequencing, all bacterial gene identified by using Blast software.DNA from all lactobacillus in the honey were exhibited to be catalase negative, gram positive and the other with catalase positive and gram negative were eliminated.6 new strain/ species of Lactobacillus bacteria were identified from honey stomach in different colonies of A. florea and almost 28.4% of them identified as new species and candidate to register in NCBI.Most of them are Lactobacillus kunkeei. Lactobacillus in the honey stomach may have the potential to promote human performance and health.

Studies had shown that excessive production of free radicals during sperm processing decreases its quality parameters including motility, viability, and fertilizing ability. Therefore, it seems necessary to use a compound with antioxidant properties during this process. Evening primrose oil has antioxidant properties due to its phenolic compounds. the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of adding evening primrose seed oil to freezing diluent on the quality of ram sperm after freezing and thawing process.

In this research, the semen of 5 adult Romanov rams with an average age of 3 to 4 years and average weight of 60 to 65 kg were used. Semen collected using artificial vagina from trained rams twice a week. The treatments included control (without evening primrose seed oil), treatment 1 with 25 microliters EPSO, treatment 2 with 50 microliters EPSO, treatment 3 with 100 microliters EPSO. The collected semen sample to laboratory and examined in terms of volume, concentration and motility. Semen samples were diluted with a diluent based on Tris- lecithin soy and frozen. After thawing, parameters of general mobility and progressive mobility and other parameters related to mobility were evaluated. The survival percentage, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and peroxidation were determined.

The results showed that the level of 25 microliters of evening primrose seed oil improve the motility of the whole sperm compared to the control group, and no significant difference was observed in other experimental treatments compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the 25 and 50 microliters treatments with the control group in the progressive parameter, but there was a significant difference with the 100 microliters treatment compared to the other treatments and the control treatment(P<0.01).The results of lipid peroxidation showed that the lowest amount of Malon-di-aldehyde production was related to the 25 microliters treatment but no significant difference was observed with the control treatment. The results of the apoptosis test showed that the addition of levels of 25 and 50 microliters of evening primrose seed oil decreased the amount of apoptosis compared to the control group and the level of 100 microliters of evening primrose seed oil(P<0.01). Also, survival in the treatment of 25 and 50 microliters compared to others The treatments had a significant difference and increased survival(P<0.01). And finally, dead sperms in the 25 microliters treatment were less compared to other experimental groups, and this caused a significant difference in this trait compared to other levels(P<0.01).

In general, the addition of evening primrose seed oil in the freezing diluent leads to an increase in the viability and health of the plasma membrane of sperms after thawing. Adding 25 microliters of evening primrose seed oil to the diluent caused a significant difference in the parameters of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis compared to the control treatment.

Today, for the preservation and survival of honey bee colonies, special attention has been paid to the nutrition of colonies with extracts of medicinal plants. In this experiment, the effect of different levels of Rosa canina hydroalcoholic extract on population, queen egg laying, brood rearing, honey production and development of the hypopharyngeal glands of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) were studied during summer in an apiary in Ardabil province. At the beginning of the experiment, the colonies were homogenized according to the population, food storage and queens of the same age. The colonies were fed with control treatment and different concentrations of Rosa canina extract (2, 4 and 8% of the extract) during1 month. Brood rearing and queen egg laying were measured by Lattice frame (size of the squares are 5×5 cm2). The population of adult honey bee was measured by frame and 30 days after feeding the colonies. To investigate development of the hypopharyngeal glands, length and width of 10 acini from different parts of the gland for age 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days were measured using a stereomicroscope and by software (T Capture).This experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with four replications and four treatments. In this study, treatment of 2% Rosa canina extract had a significant effect on brood rearing, but in queen egg laying, population and honey production, although it had a better effect numerically, but this effect was not statistically significant. In the growth of hypopharyngeal glands, the highest growth of acini level at 3 days (0.0432 mm2) for honey bees fed with 4% Rosa canina extract and at 9 and 12 days (respectively 0.0763 and 0.0722 mm2) It belonged to the colonies fed with 2% Rosa canina extract (P<0.05). In general, it can be said that the use of 2% of Rosa canina hydroalcoholic extract has been effective in improving the performance of honey bee colonies. It is also recommended for beekeepers to use Rosa canina hydroalcoholic extract as a nutritional supplement.

This study was performed to investigate the nutritional effect of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) hydroalcoholic extract on physiological and performance of honey bee colonies. Experimental treatments included control group and groups fed with one, two and three percent of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) extract. At the beginning of the experiment, colonies were used with the same population and reserves and homosexual queens. In this experiment, the colonies were fed with lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) extract every other day and after feeding the colonies with experimental treatments for one month, were measured parameters such as population, queen egg laying, brood rearing, honey production and development of the hypopharyngeal glands. Brood rearing and queen egg laying were measured by Lattice frame (size of the squares are 5×5 cm2) .The population of adult honey bee was measured by frame and 30 days after feeding the colonies. To investigate development of the hypopharyngeal glands, length and width of 10 acini from different parts of the gland for age 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days were measured using a stereomicroscope and by software (T Capture).This experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with 4 replications. Data were analyzed using SAS software and GLM procedure and means were compared using Duncan test at 5% probability level. The results of this study show that at the level of brood rearing, colonies fed with 2% lemon balm extract had a statistically significant increase compared to the control treatment. For population, queen egg laying and honey production parameters, no significant difference was observed between the experimental treatments, but the 2% treatment of lemon balm extract, although not statistically significant, had a better effect numerically. The highest growth of acini level at 3 days (0.0417 mm2) was for honey bees fed with 2% lemon balm extract (P<0.05).There is also a statistically significant difference in the growth of hypopharyngeal glands at different times for each of the treatments. In general, it can be said that adding 2% of lemon balm extract is recommended as a nutritional supplement to honey bee colonies.

Heat stress is one of the most important effective factors on performance and health and exposure to heat stress is one of the major challenges in poultry industry. Therefore, consuming compounds with antioxidant properties such as herbs are recommended to reduce heat stress effects. A total of 300 one-day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were randomly divided to four treatments and five replicates due to the investigate of different levels Descurainia sophia on performance, immune system, T4 thyroid hormone and responses of HSP70 in broiler’s brain under acute heat stress condition. Treatments were included: control treatment (basal diet), basal diet with 0.5% Descurainia sophia, basal diet with 1% Descurainia sophia and basal diet with 2% Descurainia sophia. Heat stress were exposed on d 35 to 42 (34±1˚C) for 4 hours. In order to evaluate the hormone parameters, immune system and molecular experiments five chickens from each treatment were slaughtered and blood and brain sampling were performed on d 42 of experiment. The results of experiment showed that the treatments had no significant difference on performance parameters and lymphoid organs weight in poultry (P>0.05). The least ratio of heterophile and the maximum ratio of lymphocyte were observed in 1% and 2% Descurainia sophia treatments and increasing the expression of HSP70 and T4 hormone concentration were observed in 2% Descurainia sophia treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results showed that 1% and 2% Descurainia sophia is considered as a reducing agent in heat stress injuries and could be used as supplement and feed additive in poultry nutrition.

In this research, the effect of feeding coQ10 and omega 3 fatty acids on testicular histology and relative expression of TGF-4 & StAR genes in Hubbard roosters was investigated. Forty-eight roosters, at fifty weeks age, were randomly divided into four groups and were subjected to the basal diet supplemented with omega-3 (30gr), coQ10 (400mg) and omega-3+ coQ10 (30gr+400mg) per day for eight successive weeks.At the end of the trial, all birds were killed and two samples were collected from the same testicle one of which was processed for histology, whereas another was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen to assess relative gene expression. Results showed that seminiferous tubule diameters of experimental groups were significantly improved compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, leydig cell numbers and sertoli cellswere not significantly affected. The relative expression of TGF-4 genes were significantly decreased in three groups compared to control (P<0.05). Birds fed coQ10 and omega-3 had significantly higher StAR transcript level compared to other groups (P<0.05). Results of the present study showed that addition of a mixture of coQ10 and omega-3 fatty acids to rooster`s feed, lead to improvement in testicular histology and genes expression related to spermatogenesis.

Nanotechnology can be very effective in increasing productivity through food, nutrition, hygiene and breeding of livestock, poultry and aquatic animals. Nanotechnology has received a great attention within scientific and industrial communities in many countries including Iran. Nanotechnology, as a powerful new technology has the ability of creating massive revolution in feed supply and agricultural systems at global scale by improving diet quality and consequently health and growth performance (Buzea et al. 2007). One of the reasons for the extensive use of these particles in poultry units is due to their antimicrobial properties. Nanotechnology deals with structures that their dimensions are approximately between 1 to 100 nanometers (Sriram et al. 2010). Silver nanoparticles are among widely used nanoparticles. The interest in the use of silver based antimicrobial agents was primarily due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance among microbial populations and due to the fact that resistance to silver is not commonly encountered (Prestinaci et al. 2015). Nanoparticles according to their size, have new properties in comparison with mass materials. Silver nanoparticles in many characters are more effective compared with other metals. In addition, beneficial effects of silver nanoparticles are due to the size and resemblance of nanoparticles which caused their passage through the biological membrane and through the cell (Wang et al. 2015). Silver nanoparticles because of their small size for proper homogeneity can be coated by zeolite particles. Zeolite has been used in broiler feed due to its resistant chemical structure and it’s not digested and catalyzed by passing through the digestive tract. Also, zeolites are crystalline, hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline earth cations. Among many properties attributed to zeolites, two of the most characteristics that relates to their effectiveness in animal nutrition are their ability to lose and gain water reversibly and being capable of exchanging selectively a variety of cations in their structure without much changes of structure (Wawrzyniak et al. 2017). Therefore, zeolite can be considered as an appropriate carrier for nanoparticles. Based on these facts, silver nanoparticles had been replaced instead of massive particles of silver and been more effective in different industry. Silver nanoparticles lead to the production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in cells (Ahmadi and Kurdestani. 2010). Liver as the biggest gland in the body has several roles. In addition to digestive and metabolic activities, liver has immunological and detoxification activity (Maser et al. 1994). Silver nanoparticles can inter the cells and communicate with intracellular structures (Panzarini et al. 2018). The ability of silver nanoparticles to infiltrate into tissues led to resistance against their removal in blood and then, cause particles aggregation in utilizable tissues. Due to the reports of the aggregating and dangerous effects of silver nanoparticles, it seems necessary to histopathologically investigate liver and kidney of broiler chicken fed silver nanoparticles.

This experiment was performed at the Poultry Research Station Faculty of Animal Science at the Gorgan University of Agricultural and Natural Resources. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles coated on zeolite and organic acid on liver and kidney histology in broiler chickens. A total of 375 one-day old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) was randomly assigned into five treatment groups containing of five replicates with 15 birds in each replicate. Five dietary treatments groups were, (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet containing 1% zeolite, (3) basal diet containing 1% of zeolite-coated with 0.5% silver nanoparticles, (4) basal diet containing 0.15% organic acids and (5) basal diet containing 1% of zeolite-coated with 0.5% of silver nanoparticles and 0.15% a mixture of organic acid. The basal diet prepared for starter and growth periods, and composition of the experimental diets prepared according to the requirements prescribed for Cobb 500 (Cobb. 2012). Birds has ad libitum access to feed and water for all treatment groups and continuous lighting program was provided during the experiment. Two chickens per each replicate were slaughtered on day 42 for evaluating the histology of liver and kidney. The tissue samples were fixed in a 10% buffered formalin, processed through graded alcohols and xylene and embedded in paraffin blocks. Tissue sections were cut for 5 m at multiple levels and routinely stained with haematoxylin-eosin (H&E). Mounted slides were examined and photographed under a light microscope. Hepatocytes and kidney cells were evaluated for histopathologic lesions, focal point of lymph nodes in the liver parenchyma, around the portal region and focal point of heterophobia. Data were analyzed based on a completely randomized design using general linear method (GLM) procedure by using SAS (2003) software. Mean comparison was done by Duncan's multiple range tests at 5% level with values of P<0.05 being considered significantly different.

The experimental results didn’t show any significant difference between experimental treatments on liver and kidney histopathology in broiler chickens (P>0.05). Liver in the body as a detoxifying organ absorbs a significant part of toxins produced from harmful microbes and external particles into the blood. However, it was not possible to remove them completely in the tissues because of high ability of nanoparticles in dispersion in tissues of broiler chickens (Zargaran-Esfahani et al. 2010). Increased liver weight in the presence of nanoparticles due to inflammation in these organs has been reported in some studies. The results of this experiment didn’t show any significant difference between treatments on liver and kidney histopathology in broiler chickens and there were no toxicological effects of silver nanoparticles on liver and kidney tissues (P>0.05).

Nanoparticles coated on zeolite and with organic acid can be used as an additive supplement without any adverse effect on feeding and histopathological liver and kidney in broiler chickens.

Thyroid hormones are effective on reproductive performance of animals, especially in response to photoperiod. In different animal species, changes in serum concentrations of these hormones have been observed throughout the year. According to available data, by determining the serum level changes of these hormones, the sensitivity of the livestock species and breeds to photoperiod was predicted. The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of imported breeds (Saanen and Alpine) and indigenous goats (Mahabadi and native Semnan) to photoperiod change in the year, using thyroid hormones. This experiment conductedin the south of Damghan (Semnan province: 36 ° North and 54 ° East), at a height of 950 m above sea level, that has a warm summer and cold and dry winter. Sixteen male goats of 3 to 4 years old were selected from four Saanen, Alpine, Mahabadi and native goats of Semnan province. From the beginning of March, every 15 days, sampling was done from jugular vein. Serum T3, T4 was measured by ELISA method. The effect of breed and photoperiod on hormonal concentrations was analyzed by repeated measures method in a completely randomized design. T3 and T4 levels had changes during each year (p≤0.01). In all four breeds, T3 was high in autumn and winter and peaked in March. The T3 variation pattern was the same in four breeds, but the Saanen breed showed the most variation in T3. Differences in inter-species variation in some months were significant (p≤0.01), but in general, there was no significant difference in the maximum and minimum points of T3 between Saanen, Alpine and Mahabadi breeds. This difference was only significant for Semnan goats with other breeds (p≤0.01). Hormone level was significantly lower in Semnan native goats than in other breeds in March, April, November and December (p≤0.01). The level of T4 has also been influenced by variations in the photoperiod. Concentration of this hormone was highest in winter and autumn and in summer it was the lowest (p≤0.01). There was a significant difference between breeds in terms of sensitivity of changes in T4 concentration to changes in photoperiod (p≤0.01). In the months of the heat season (July, August and September); the concentration of T4 in Semnani goats was significantly higher From Saanen and Alpine goats (p≤0.01). Semnani goats were less influenced in the amount of thyroxin during photoperiodic changes. The results of this test showed that male Saanen goats more than Alpines were affected by changes in photoperiodic changes and climatic conditions in the southern foothills of Alborz mountain. There was no significant difference between two indigenous genetic populations in response to climatic conditions and photoperiodic changes. According to these results, it seems that the Alpine breed is a more appropriate option for use in these climatic conditions in our country.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet with zeolite coated with silvernanoparticles on performance, intestinal morphology characteristics and ilium microbial population of broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with 375 day-old broiler chicks with five replicates per treatment and 15 chicks per replicate.Treatments were: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet supplemented with1% zeoliteand 3, 4, and 5) basal diet supplemented with1% zeolitecoated and 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% nanosilver. Results showed that dietary supplementation with 1% zeolite and all level of silver nanoparticles had better feed conversion ratio than the basal diet on d 22-42 (P

Vitamin B12 is water-soluble vitamins that are essential in the process spermatogenesis and survival of normal function. We have little information about supplementation of vitamin B12, on quality of frozen semen. So the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of vitamin B12 on semen quality of Zel ram spermatozoa in pre and post freezing conditions.
Samples were collected from 6 healthy and mature rams with 55± 5 Kg body weight and 2-3 years old by using electro-ejaculator. Suitable samples were mixed with Tris extender in a ratio of 1:4 semen and after cooled to 5-00C was assessed. Then, 0.25 ml of straws was filled with diluted semen. At first, straws put upper vapor liquid nitrogen for 6-8 min, then kept and frozen in -196oC. After 10 days straws were thawed in 37oC and viability, motility, progressive motility, morphological defects, acrosomal defects, normal spermatozoa, plasma membrane integrity and recovery rate of viability and motility of spermatozoa by using staining and microscopic evaluation was performed and the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase of semen were measured. This experiment was carried out on the basis of completely randomized design with 4 treatments including levels of vitamin B12 (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg/mL) and 8 replications. The data from these tests was analyzed by using SPSS software, version 15.
Results showed that effect of vitamin B12 on vital parameters of spermatozoa such as viability, progressive motility, membrane integrity, defect acrosome and normal spermatozoa at cooled to 5oC and post frozen conditions were significant (p Therefore, it could be suggested that the level of 2 mg /ml, vitamin B12 in Tris extender can be used to protect spermatozoa and prevent structural damage caused by free radicals and lipid peroxidation and improve antioxidant enzyme activity in the process of frozen thawed of Zel ram semen.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the Response of duodenum histomorphometric characteristics, pH and microbial population of alimentary canal to silver nanoparticles coated on zeolite with 375 Cobb 500 broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replicates and 15 birds to each replicate. The examination treatments were: 1) control diet (C) 2) control diet supplemented with 1% zeolite (Z) (3, 4, and 5) control diet supplemented with 1% zeolite coated with 0.25% (NS25), 0.5% (NS50) and 0.75% (NS75) nanosilver. group NS50 increased villi surface area compared with the control treatment and group NS25 (P<0.05). On d 42, groups NS25 and NS50 increased crop lactobacillus population compared with control treatment and group Z (P<0.05). The use of all treatments (Z, NS25, NS50 and NS75) decreased ceca coliforms compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Also, the all of treatments decreased crop pH compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Groups NS50 and NS75 decreased ceca pH compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that silver nanoparticles coated on zeolite decreased pH and coliforms Harmful bacteria population and increased lactobacillus Beneficial bacteria and the end increased villi surface area of broiler chickens and it can be considered as a growth and health promoters.

This study was conducted to consider the effect of theophylline in laying and some of egg characteristics on laying hens. Commercial egg type Hy-Line hens were used in a completely randomize design with 4 treatments and 3 replicates for 50 days period. The levels of different theophylline supplements (treatment) were 0 (control), one, three, and five mg per kg of body weight for 50 days. The average data were compared by using Tukey–Kramer multiple comparison tests. All levels of theophylline significantly increased laying performance. The best laying performance was observed in 3 mg/kg of theophylline. The best effect on egg size, weight, yolk and albumen height was found in hens receiving highest concentration of theophylline (p≤ 0.05). All levels of theophylline significantly decreased yolk color index (p≤ 0.05). The lowest yolk diameter was observed in 3 mg/kg theophylline. The highest albumen Haugh unit was in 1 mg/kg theophylline (p≤ 0.05). Results showed that theophylline increased the rate of laying and some of egg characteristics in hens. The best laying performance was showed in 3 mg/kg and the highest egg weight and size in 5 mg/kg of body weight theophylline.

Honey bees need a range of elements to provide their nutritional requirements for normal growth and development. There is currently little information about the vitamin requirements in honey bees. Three trials were carried out at Honey Bee Department of Animal Science Research Institute of Iran.The experiments were carried out under natural condition to assess potential impacts of thiamine nutrition on the development of hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs) in honey bee workers (Apis mellifera meda) during different seasons. In this study, twenty honey bee colonies were divided into 5 experimental groups with 4 replications. Control groups (group 1) were fed sugar syrup (1:1). The experimental colonies in groups 2 and 5 were fed in the same manner but with syrup were supplemented with different levels of thiamine (100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm). The experiments were repeated for 45 days through the summer (Jul. 5, 2012 and Aug. 20, 2012), winter (Feb. 20, 2013 and Apr. 5, 2013) and spring (Apr. 27, 2013 and Jun. 13, 2013) seasons. To investigate the development of HPGs, length and width of ten acini for five worker bees in each replication with 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days were measured using a stereomicroscope and micrometer. The results showed that thiamine in diet affected the size of acinal area in HPGs. In summer, acini size was greater in honey bees (3 and 6 days) fed low level thiamine but in winter (9, 12 and 15 days) and spring (all ages) inverse effects were observed (P

Improving immunity system is crucial in preventing losses and higher production yield. There are several approaches to develop immunity systemand a lot of investigations have been carried out in field. In this investigation, antibody titre against sheep red cells (SRBC) was predicted using data on the number of blood cells such as heterophile, lymphocyte, basophile, monocyte and eaosinophile from 196 Japanese quail (98 female and 98 male) in Research Center of Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. 0.5 ml of SRBC (5%) solution was intramuscularly injected in the 28thday of growth. And in the 35th day blood sample was collected from cervical vein to count blood cells and antibody titre against SRBC. Antibody titre was conducted by haemaglutination method in order to study the correlation between the predicted antibody titre and the measured antibody titre. Nearly 0.1 ml blood was spreaded on lam which was fixed with methanol (99.5%) in air, and then was stained by gimsa followed by rinsing. Based on the results, a significant increase was observed in ratio of heterophil to lymphocyte in females compared to males (P

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles coated on clinoptilolite on performance traits, liver enzymes and blood lipid concentrations to use 375 Cobb 500 broiler chickens in completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replicates and 15 birds to each replicate. The use of silver nanoparticles coated on clinoptilolite improved feed conversion ratio compared with the control treatment (P0.05). The use of silver nanoparticles coated on clinoptilolite decreased alkaline phosphatase and alanine amino transferase level in serum (P0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that silver nanoparticles coated on clinoptilolite can be considered as a growth and health promoters as well as according to the results of liver function enzymes and blood lipids prevent liver damages during rearing period in broiler chickens.

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of fenugreek seeds or extract on some in vitro rumen fermentation and gas production characteristics. Samples of a total mixed ration (TMR) without any additive (control treatment), 4 diets with different levels of fenugreek seeds (2, 4, 6 and 8 percent of dry matter) and 4 diets containing different levels of fenugreek extract (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent) were incubated with rumen fluid. Gas production (GP) of feed samples were measured at hours 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 of incubation and gas production parameters, digestibility of organic matter, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production and metabolizable energy of the samples were estimated. Final pH and ammonia-N concentration of incubation fluids were measured at the end of incubation. Addition of fenugreek seeds had significantly increased cumulative GP and GP potential and constant rate (P<0.05). Means of SCFA were not significantly different among treatments, but rations containing fenugreek seeds had higher organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy compared to control (P<0.05). Addition of fenugreek seeds at levels above 4 percent significantly increased pH (P<0.05), but the ammonia-N concentrations showed no significant trend in response to increasing levels of fenugreek seeds. Increasing levels of fenugreek extract up to 1 percent increased levels of cumulative GP, potential of GP, digestibility of organic matter and SCFA production and metabolizable energy significantly (P<0.05), but higher levels of it had no more effect on these parameters. Constant rate of GP was significantly higher when 1.5 percent fenugreek extract was added and increasing levels of it had increasing effect on lag time (P<0.05). Addition of 0.5 percent fenugreek extract significantly increased pH (P<0.05). Based on results of this experiment it can be concluded that the inclusion of 2 to 4 percent of fenugreek seeds or 0.5 to 1 percent of fenugreek seed extract can improve rumen fermentation characteristics, digestibility of organic matter and SCFA production.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of egg yolk on quality of Zel ram spermatozoa in pre and post freezing conditions. Semen samples were collected from 4 healthy and mature rams using an electro-ejaculator and suitable samples were mixed with Tris extender in a ratio of 1:4 semen and samples were assessed, after cooled to 5-0C. Then, 0.5 ml of straws were filled with diluted semen. At first, straws were frozen on liquid nitrogen vapor, then kept in liquid nitrogen and after 10 days straws were thawed to investigation of morphological characteristics, viability, motility and progressive motility of spermatozoa. This experiment was carried out on the basis of completely randomized design with 3 treatments include levels of egg yolk 10, 15 and 20% and 9 replications. Results showed that the effect of egg yolk on viability, motility, progressive motility, normal spermatozoa and recovery percentage of spermatozoa were not significant (P>0.05), but the higher quality of spermatozoa and supply of energy source given in 20% egg yolk for lifespan, despite the absence of significant, if price of egg yolk is economical, 20% egg yolk can be used in Tris extender for maintaining and long term storage of Zel ram spermatozoa.

This experiment was conducted to compare the effect of trimethylglycine supplementation in diets with sufficient or insufficient quantities of protein on blood electrolytes and lipid concentrations in broilers subjected to heat stress condition. Ross 308 broilers were fed with four dietary treatments from 21 to 42 d of age. The treatments consisted of a diet with sufficient levels of protein (protein recommendation by NRC، 1994) and a low protein diet (0. 85 protein recommendation by NRC، 1994) that supplemented with trimethylglycine at 1. 5 g/kg of diet. Each of 4 dietary treatments was fed to six replicates with 18 chicks in each replicate. Four birds were wing banded in each replicate to determining of blood parameters before and after heat stress challenge at 35 d. Birds were daily exposed to 37oC for 8 hours. Dietary protein levels had significant effects on body weight gain in the grower phase (P<0. 05). Body weight gain was not significantly affected by dietary trimethylglycine levels from 2l to 42 d (P<0. 05). Broiler feed consumption was affected by protein level (P<0. 05). Feed intake of broiler chickens fed diets with NRC protein levels was higher than those birds fed the low protein diet. Supplementing of trimethylglycine and dietary protein level had not significant effect on feed conversion ratio (P<0. 05). The results of the experiment also showed that dietary protein level، trimethylglycine supplementation and sex had not significant effect on blood electrolytes and lipids concentrations before and after heat stress challenge (P>0. 05). Heat stress significantly decreased blood potassium (from 4. 34 to 3. 56) and increased triglyceride (from 64. 01 to 80. 46)، cholesterol (from 112. 69 to 135. 57) and HDL concentrations (from 67. 75 to 74. 49) (P< 0. 05). Heat stress had not significant effect on blood sodium and calcium concentrations.

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of probiotic on performance and immunity parameters of broilers. This research was done in a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications (14 chickens in each). A total of 224 Ross 308 one-day old broiler chicks were used. The rations supplied on the basis of NRC recommendations in periods of startrer, grower and finisher. At the end of experiment, one broiler from each pen with similar weight to mean weight of that pen was slaughtered to determine carcass characteristics. For blood collection, 3 broilers from each pen were selected and blood samples were collected in two stages of 28 and 35 days. The results showed that the body weight improved with the use of probiotic in periods of grower and finisher. Broilers fed with probiotic in periods of startrer, grower and finisher in comparison with the control group had a lower feed conversion ratio. The carcass yield, total gastrointestinal tract, pancreas weight and caeca length were significantly increased when probiotics were added in rations. Broilers fed with probiotic had lower abdominal fat (0.84) in comparison with the control group (1.8). In addition a significant decrease was observed in intestinal pH in broilers fed with probiotic. The use of probiotic significantly improved the titers of gumboro and newcastle in broilers. Therefore, it can be concluded that the supplementation of diet with probiotic has positive effects on performance and immune system of broilers.

This study was performed to investigate the relationship between concentration changes of metabolites and estrogen، progesterone، insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 hormones with ovarian follicular cyst formation in dairy Holstein cows. For this purpose، blood samples of 20 dairy cows (10 healthy and 10 suspicious cows to having ovarian follicular cyst) were collected before slaughtering. After slaughtering، ovarian follicular fluid of healthy and cystic follicles were aspirated. The blood and follicular fluid concentrations of glucose، urea، triglyceride، and total cholesterol and also the amounts of estrogen، progesterone، insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 were determined، using related commercial kites. This study showed that unlike of follicular fluids، the amounts of metabolites were similar in blood serum of healthy and suspicious cows. Glucose concentration was around 148. 15 percent higher in cystic follicular fluid than large healthy follicle (P<0. 05). The amount of triglyceride in cystic follicle fluid was 142. 12 percent greater than healthy follicular fluid (P<0. 05). The amounts of urea and total cholesterol did not differ between cystic and health follicular fluids. Estrogen، progesterone، insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations did not differ significantly between blood serum of cystic and healthy cows. In comparison between estrogen and progesterone concentrations of follicular fluids، the levels of estrogen around 141. 83 percent and progesterone around 241. 44 percent were greater in healthy follicular fluid and cystic، respectively (P<0. 05). Although، the amounts of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 did not differ statistically between healthy and cystic follicular fluids، the levels of insulin were 184. 62 percent greater in healthy follicular fluid than cystic follicular fluid. Pierson’s correlation coefficients between estrogen and glucose، total cholesterol، progesterone، insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 were positive، while these coefficients between estrogen with urea and triglyceride were negative. In addition، correlation coefficients between blood serum estrogen with triglyceride، total cholesterol، insulin-like growth factor-1 and progesterone were positive، but with glucose، urea and insulin were negative. In general، this study showed that the follicle fate is mainly dependent on the follicular fluid compositions، in particular glucose and triglyceride.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Artichoke on liver function in broiler chicks poisoned with CCl4. A total of 60 (Ross، 308) one-d-old broiler chicks were assigned into four treatments، using a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 1) control (received control diet)، 2) Artichoke (control diet supplemented with 3 percent Artichoke powder)، 3) CCl4 (control diet plus 1 ml/kg/BW of CCl4)، and 4) Artichoke+CCl4 (control diet supplemented with 3 percent Artichoke powder + 1 ml/kg/BW CCl4). Wing blood samples were taken to compare blood serum parameters including total protein، albumin، cholesterol and triglyceride as well as liver enzymes including Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST)، Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) and A،Lkaline Phosphatase (ALP). Meanwhile، liver samples were collected for liver histology. Results revealed that، blood serum parameters were not affected by Artichoke، while CCl4 decreased total protein and albumin while increasing cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in blood serum (P)

Effects of different levels of cottonseed meal on milk composition and blood parameters of Zel ewes were investigated. Eighteen ewes with an average body weight of 39±0.5 Kg with at least, lambed once, were selected and divided to three groups of six ewes. A ration was formulated for control group containing 13% soybean meal, group one; 5% soybean meal and 15% cottonseed meal, group two; 25% cottonseed meal, group three. Milk sampling was carried out weekly for seven weeks. Blood samples were collected twice at the end of each month. Data were analyzed using Minitab by the procedure of General Linear Model (GLM). Results showed that there was not significant differences between control and treatment groups (P>0.05). Means of percentages of milk fat, SNF, protein, density and freezing point for control and treatment groups were 8.38±0.2, 8.89±0.24, 8.86±0.27 and 9.7±0.09, 9.43±0.19, 9.5±0.14 and 3.61±0.04, 3.46±0.65, 3.54±0. 04 and 30.32±0.53, 28.43±0.81, 29.6±0.53 and 58.34±0.64, 57.59±1.12, 54.92±1.78 respectively. Differences between milk yields and lamb body weights were not significant (P>0.05). Ewes milk yield and lambs body weight for control group and treatments one and two were 839±0.05, 773±0.04, 895±0.05 g/d and 10.5, 10.36, 11.08 (kg), respectively. Results also showed that blood parameters, except mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, were not significantly different between two months of experiment (P>0.05). The use of rations containing 15 and 25 percentage of cottonseed meal (830 PPM free gossypol) for feeding Zel ewes during lactation did not caused any negative effects on milk yield, milk composition and lambs body weight during lactation. Therefore, cottonseed meal can be used up to 25% in Zel ewes ration without any adverse effect on milk compositions and yield during lactation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the monthly variations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), T3 to T4 ratio, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and testosterone in Dallagh rams during the breeding and non breeding seasons. Four healthy mature rams (3-4 years old) with an average body weight of 45±5 Kg were selected and kept in the same conditions. Blood samples were collected during June to November at three-week intervals. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes. T3, T4, TSH and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. During the experimental period, statistically significant changes occurred in the levels of serum T3 and TSH (P<0.05). The highest levels of T3 and TSH were observed in November and July, respectively; whereas, the lowest amount of T3 was observed in July. There were no significant differences in T4, T3 to T4 ratio and testosterone hormone during the experimental period (P>0.05). In conclusion, results showed that reproduction in Dallagh rams is not sensitive to day length and season. Therefore, they might be implemented in breeding and non-breeding seasons.