دکتر محمد حسن فتحی نسری

Today, animal nutritionists and experts are looking for solutions to produce high quality animal products. In lamb meat, post-mortem biochemical changes, such as lipid oxidation, lead to off-odours and flavour development that have negative impact on the shelf life of these products. Therefore, the possibility to extend the shelf life of lamb meat is a primary objective of the meat industry. Some of plant compounds are excellent source of natural antioxidants that can improve the shelf life and quality of meat mainly by inhibiting fat oxidation and microbial growth. Saffron petal (SP) is one of the by-products of saffron, which is a plant source rich in flavonoid compounds and anthocyanins, and annually large amounts of it discard as a waste product. Also, the use of these residues in animal feed, cause the reduction of environmental pollution. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of feeding of SP on performance, blood parameters and antioxidant status of blood and meat of Afshari fattening lambs.

Eighteen male Afshari lambs aged four to five months with an average initial weight of 17±2.5 kg in a completely randomized design were used. Experimental treatments were included: 1) control (basal diet without SP), 2) basal diet supplemented with 1.5% SP and 3) basal diet supplemented with 3% SP (DM basis). The experimental period was 84 days and lambs were slaughtered at the end of the experiment.

The results showed that the addition of SP to the diet had no effect on feed intake, daily weight gain and nutrient digestibility. The amount of plasma urea in lambs fed with both levels of SP and the concentration of plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride in lambs fed with 3% of SP significantly decreased (P<0.05). In lambs fed with 3% SP, the total antioxidant capacity and activity of glutathione peroxidase enzyme in blood and longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle was increased and the amount of malondialdehyde in the blood and LL muscle was decreased (P<0.05). But the activity of superoxide dismutase in the blood was not affected.

Overall, the results of this research showed that adding 3% of SP to the diet of fattening lambs without affecting the performance, improved the antioxidant status of the blood and increased the shelf-life durability of meat.

The use of agricultural plants resistant to environmental stresses, such as fodder beet, is inevitable in water shortage conditions. Such products have high moisture, which makes it difficult to store them. Total mixed ration (TMR) silage can be a good solution for this problem. This research was carried out in order to evaluate the feasibility of using of using TMR silage containing 25 or 35% of fodder beet (DM basis) in the feeding of fattening lambs by in vitro and in vivo methods. 

In the in vitro experiment, diets containing two levels of fodder beet (25% and 35%, DM basis) were ensiled as TMR silage for 60 days and some important silage fermentation properties were evaluated. In the in vivo study, diet containing 25% fodder beet was used in the feeding of fattening lambs in two forms of TMR silage (60-days silage) and TMR for 70 days.

The amount of dry matter, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber , water-soluble carbohydrates, crude fat and ash in the whole plant (aerial organ and root) of fodder beet were 17.1, 11.1, 35.9, 19.6, 50.1, 0.59 and 8.1 percent, respectively. Silage fermentation properties and aerobic stability were significantly affected by diet and time (P<0.05). Increasing the level of dietary fodder beet, decreased pH and concentrations of CP, true protein and starch of experimental silages. The pH value of silage containing 25% fodder beet on the 15th day and the pH value of silage containing 35% fodder beet on the ninth day of the aerobic stability test compared to the concentration on the first day of reopening suffered aerobic spoilage with an increase of half a unit (4.73 vs. 4.17 and 4.53 vs. 3.94, respectively) which indicates the weaker aerobic stability of silage containing 35% fodder beet. Lambs fed with TMR silage, consumed more (P<0.05) dry matter than the control group (1914.7 vs. 1756.9 g/day), and other performance indices did not show significant differences. The concentration of all blood parameters in the experimental lambs was in the normal range, which shows that the lambs did not suffer from metabolic problems or special complications by feeding the experimental diets.

Based on the results obtained from this research, feeding TMR silage containing 25% fodder beet caused better fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability compared to 35% level, and it seems that it can be used for feeding fattening lambs, without any adverse effect on performance and health.

The worldwide population growth leads to an increase in livestock production that along with the challenges caused by climate change and water scarcity highlights the importance of raising resistance livestock such as camels. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of partial and total replacement of dietary alfalfa with camelthorn. Total 18 fattening Sandi growing dromedary camels (9 to 10 months old with an average initial weight of 115±7.7 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental treatments in a completely randomized design, with 6 replicates for each treatment. Experimental diets included: 1- control diet (without camelthorn), 2- diets containing 25% camelthorn, and 3- diets containing 50% camelthorn (dry matter basis). The feed intake was recorded daily and the animals were weighed monthly (on days 0, 30, 60, 90, and 150 of the experiment). The results showed that dry matter intake was increased with increasing camelthorn inclusion in the diet (P ≤ 0.05). Although, the average daily gain was reduced in the diet containing 50% DM camelthorn (P ≤ 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the treatment containing 25% DM camelthorn and control. Feed cost per kilogram weight gain and profit per kilogram of weight gain tended to increase (P = 0.01) with increasing the inclusion of camelthorn in the diet. Overall, the findings of this study showed that feeding camels with camelthorn up to 50% of dietary DM, not only did not have severe deleterious effects on growth performance, but also reduced the production costs.

The present study was aimed to evaluate temporal changes in milk fatty acids and antioxidants of Saanen goat in response to berberine (BBR) supplementation during the transition period. Twenty-four primiparous Saanen dairy goats were used from 21 days before predicted parturition to 21 days after kidding. Experimental treatments were included: 1) control (without BBR supplement), 2) control + 1 g/d BBR, 3) control + 2 g/d BBR and 4) control + 4 g/d BBR. Body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) of individual goats were measured on days -21, -14, -7, 0, 7, 14 and 21 relative to parturition. Also, milk samples were harvested at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 following parturition. The results showed that dry matter intake (DMI), BCS and milk yield were increased with supplementation of 2 and 4 g/d BBR (P≤0.05). Milk lactose was also enhanced with increased BBR ingestion (P≤0.05). BBR consumption caused changes in milk fatty acids (FAs) profile in accordance with the energy balance. By supplementing 2 and 4 g/d BBR in transition goats, the level of de novo FAs were increased and free fatty acids (FFAs) were decreased (P≤0.05). BBR supplementation was also associated with a decrease in C18:1n9 fatty acid. The level of milk malondialdehyde (MDA) in goats supplemented with 2 and 4 g/d BBR was also decreased (P≤0.05). The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as well as the level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes in the milk of goats fed 2 and 4 g/d BBR was higher than the control (P≤0.05). In summary, these results showed that BBR supplementation as a new therapeutic strategy in transition period could improve lactation performance, energy balance, and milk antioxidant indicators.

The effect of using different levels of olive cake on production, milk composition and antioxidant atatus of dromedary camels, an experiment using 9 Turkmen dromedary camels with milk production of 5 ± 0.7 kg/day and average weight of 500 ± 30 kg a 3 three-week periods (14 days of adaptation and 7 days of sampling) was investigated in the form of a change over design with 3 treatments and 9 replications. The experimental treatments were included: 1- control group, 2- treatment containing 15 percent olive cake and 3- treatment containing 30 percent olive cake. Feed intake and milk production were not affected by experimental treatments. Milk fat percent a nd yield and milk protein percent (2.5, 0.11 kg and 2.66, respectively) decreased due to use of olive cake in the diet (P<0.05). There was no difference in the concentration of most of fatty acids and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the milk of camels fed experimental diets, but concentration of palmitic acid in camels that consumed 30 percent olive cake was lower than control group (P<0.05). According to the results of this research, the use of olive cake (in the level of 30 percent of ration DM) in camel feeding, may have positive effects on increasing the nutritional value of dairy products especially in arid and semi-arid areas.

In this research, the effect of increasing the amount of alfalfa hay in the starter diet on the performance, blood parameters and health of Holstein dairy calves fed according to the milk feeding pattern by step down method using 24 female Holstein calves with 4±1 day of age and birth weight of 41.2 ±3 kg were studied in a completely randomized design with three treatments and eight calves in each treatment for 56-days (until weaning). Experimental treatments include: 1) feeding milk without alfalfa hay, 2) feeding milk with five percent of alfalfa hay (based on dry matter of the diet) and 3) feeding milk with 10 percent of alfalfa hay (based on dry matter of the diet). there was no difference between experimental treatments in terms of dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, daily weight gain, fecal score, skeletal growth indices and ruminal pH. The concentration of propionate in the rumen of calves fed with milk and five percent alfalfa hay was significantly higher than the control and 10 percent forage treatments (P <0.05). The ratio of acetate to propionate in the rumen of calves fed milk and five percent alfalfa forage was significantly higher than of calves of other treatments. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration was higher in calves fed the starter containing five percent of dry alfalfa than calves in other treatments (P <0.05). According to the results of this study, replacing part of the starter of dairy calves fed with high amounts of milk and alfalfa hay improves their rumen development.

In the present study, the chemical composition and nutritional value of quinoa crop residues were determined using insitu and invitro gas production techniques in comparison with alfalfa hay. After harvesting, whole quinoa plants were dried at environmental temperature, the seeds were separated, and the crop residues were used for the experiment. The results showed that the content of gross energy, dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and lignin of quinoa was higher than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). Crude protein concentration of quinoa (12.29%) was lower than alfalfa hay (14.32%). The main part of the tannin in quinoa was hydrolysable. Although the degradation rate and post-ruminal digestibility of quinoa and alfalfa hay were similar, ruminal, and total tract digestibility of quinoa were lower than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in gas production rate (c) between quinoa and alfalfa hay, however, it’s gas production potential (b) was lower than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). Organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy and net energy of lactation in quinoa crop residues were also lower than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). Based on the results of this study, quinoa crop residues have suitable nutritional potential for replacing part of the forage to meet part of the nutritional requirements of ruminant feeds. However, invivo studies are recommended to determine it’s appropriate level in the diet.

In this study, the nutritional value of four camel rangeland plants, including Alhaghi Sp (AS), Haloxylon persicum (HP), Seidlitzia rosmarinous (SR)  and Tamarix Gallica (TG) in different phenological growth stages including vegetating, flowering and seeding were evaluated. Rangeland specieswere randomly sampled and their chemical composition were measured. Rumen digestibility of dry matter was assessed using a fistulated camel. The results showed that the amount of crude protein of AS and SR was higher than that of other species, Also, the lowest levels of natural detergent fibers, acid detergent fibers and tannins were observed in SR (P <0/05). Slowly degradable fraction, degradation rate and effective degradability of SR was significantly higher than other species (P <0/05). Results of this study showed that SR was better than other rangeland species due to its high crude protein content and lower acid detergent fiber and phenolic compounds, so it was used instead of alfalfa at three levels of zero, 50 and %100 in camel’s diet. Feeding SR did not affect milk yield and its components including fat, lactose and total solids. Dry matter intake of dairy camels decreased with increasing of SR in diet, but milk protein and urea nitrogen increased (P <0/05). The results of this study indicated that replacement of alfalfa hay with SR in feeding dairy camels while maintaining camel production performance, reduc the cost of feeding camel and made it more economical to rear this valuable livestock.

Food- feed competition is one of the main challenges in the sustainability of livestock production systems. From this point of view, it is important to identify the nutritional value of agricultural waste as an alternative for animal feeding. The current study was carried out to evaluate nutritive value, phenolic compounds and in vitro digestion characteristics of different parts of Berberis Vulgaris plant. The experimental treatments included: 1) alfalfa hay, 2) barberry branches, 3) leaves before barberry harvesting, 4) leaves after barberry harvesting and 5) a mixture of branches and leaves (in the ratio of 60:40). The samples of barberry harvest wastages were manually prepared and sun-dried. The chemical compositions and phenolic compounds of samples were determined according to standard laboratory methods after milling samples and gas production of samples was assessed at zero, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr. The results revealed that dry matter, organic matter and ash content were similar among treatments. The highest crude protein was observed in barberry leaf; also the main tannins in barberry wastes were hydrolysable. Gas production rate (c) was the same among treatments; however, the highest gas production potential (b) was observed in leaf (P<0.05). Feed fermentation efficiency, organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy and net lactation energy were also higher in barberry leaf than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). In conclusion, barberry harvest residues (except branches) has acceptable nutritional value and due to its large volume in South Khorasan province, the possibility of industrial scale preparation and lower cost than alfalfa, can be used as a replacement for current forage like alfalfa in ruminant nutrition.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bentonite, kaolin and activated carbon on the absorption of Cu, Fe and Mn by in vitro and in vivo methods in Baluchi lambs. In vitro experiment, the binders effect on the minerals absorption was investigated in a completely randomized design with factor arrangement with standard solutions of Cu, Fe and Mn with concentrations of 7, 20 and 30 mg/l, respectively, four levels of binders (no binders, 10, 20 and 40 g/l) and three pHs 5.5, 6.4 and 7.5 and incubation for 60 min. In vivo experiment, bentonite, kaolin and activated carbon including 0, 10 and 20 g/kg DM were added to diet of 36 fattening lambs (6-7 months) for 90d in a completely randomized design. Feed intake, weight gain and blood and wool concentration of Cu, Fe and Mn were measured on 0, 45 and 90d. In vitro experiment, activated carbon had the highest and kaolin had the lowest mineral absorption by increasing binders levels and pH (P<0.05). In vivo experiment, the effect of treatments on feed intake, body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and blood and wool concentration of Fe were not significant.The concentration of Cu and Mn in the blood and wool in lambs fed with binder were lower than control treatment (P<0.05). In general, the use of binders, especially activated carbon at low concentrations, causes less absorption of minerals. In vitro methods can be used to select binders instead of animal experiments.

Buffering and alkalizing supplements have been used in dairy cows in order to increase production and prevention of ruminal acidosis for many years. Magnesium carbonate is typically obtained from magnesite mines and magnesium oxide is produced by the calcification of magnesium carbonate (reduction, oxidation and burning or heating with extreme heat). Some minerals such as bentonite and zeolite have buffering properties and a special role in the buffering capacity of rumen cation exchange. Buffers raise acetate to propionate ratio and improve fiber digestion. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the buffering capacity (BC) and buffering value index (BVI) of some native buffer and alkalizer agents including sodium bentonite, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide and sodium bicarbonate and their effects on ruminal fermentation and digestion parameters in vitro.

The first experiment was performed with different types (11 samples) of buffer and alkalizer agents to determine the buffering Capacity (BC) and buffer Value Index (BVI). The experimental samples were including magnesium carbonate A (MgCA), magnesium carbonate B (MgCB), magnesium carbonate C (MgC C), magnesium carbonate D (MgC D), magnesium oxide A (MgOA), magnesium oxide B (MgOB), magnesium oxide C (MgOC), magnesium oxide D (MgOD), sodium bentonite A (SBeA), sodium bentonite B (SBeB) and sodium bicarbonate (SBi). The buffering capacity was defined as the resistance to change in pH from 7 to 5. In order to determine BC, individual samples were dried and ground to pass through 1-mm screen. Buffering capacity was determined by titrating the 30-ml solution under continuous stirring from its initial pH to 5 with 1 N HCl and by titrating a similar prepared solution of samples from its initial pH to 7 with 1 N NaOH. In the second experiment in vitro batch culture technique used. The basal diet contains 80 percent of the concentrate and 20 percent of the forage. half-gram (DM) of base ration with magnesium carbonate (MgC), magnesium oxide (MgO), sodium bentonite (SBe) and sodium bicarbonate (SBi) (1 and 3% DM of ration) were added into the culture vials, then incubated with 50 ml of buffered rumen fluid. Rumen fluid was collected from two ruminally fistulated cows. The gas production was estimated. In vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) was measured after 8 and 24 h incubation times.

The results showed that the highest pH, buffering capacity and buffering value index were in MgOA and the least of these parameters indicated at MgCD, respectively. Compared to the control lower values were obtained for total gas production (b) of MgO 3%, MgC 3%, MgO 1% and SBe 3% additives. In the present study, addition of MgC and SBi (3% DM diet) also caused a remarkably increase in total gas production. Although the exact mechanisms are not known for the general responses in gas production to supplementation of MgC and SBi, one of the mechanisms of   increasing total gas production is considered to be the higher ruminal microbial numbers caused by the SBi and MgC addition. It has been demonstrated that SBi addition increased the number of ruminal total bacteria, cellulolytic and amylolytic bacteria in buffalo. 3% MgO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the final pH and it decreased (P < 0.05) the IVDMD compared with the control (after 24h incubation). Significant increase in pH by additive MgO and bentonite can be due to the exchange of cations with hydrogen ion as a modifier of hydrogen ion. Also, in this experiment use of SBe decreased digestibility of dry matter. Some researchers reported that 0.5% MgO (DM diet) does not change the digestibility of dry matter compared to sodium bicarbonate. On the other hand, results of this section of experiment was in agreement with results of gas production, MgC and MgO treatments which had the most and least amount of produced gas (respectively), these also affected digestibility of dry matter. Generally, buffers and alkalizing compounds have no effect on digestibility of dry matter, and probably this reduction in magnesium oxide treatment may indicated a change in the microbial population of ruminal fluid because of the effects of these treatments. In addition, Concentration of NH3-N did not differ (P = 0.2443) between the treatments. Some compounds, such as bentonites, are believed to be able to absorb and release proteins and other nitrogen substrates, so absorbing it when ammonia is high in the rumen, and when the ammonia concentration is reduced, a large amount of it released and thus increases the efficiency of ammonia and protein in the rumen.

In general, the results of this experiment show that magnesium oxide, while increasing the pH of the rumen fluid, also has negative effects on the parameters of gas production, fermentation and possibly microbial activity, and also reduces the in vitro digestibility of dry matter. However, magnesium carbonate and sodium bentonite as a true buffer and due to the preservation and stability of rumen fluid acidity can improve fermentation conditions without having a negative effect on digestibility, so using 1% magnesium carbonate and sodium bentonite as a true buffer is suggested in the livestock diet.
 

Methane eructated from ruminants is considered to be one of the most important contributors to global warming, imposing an environmental burden that cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, it represents a loss of 2% to 15% of the gross energy intake (Johnson and Johnson 1995). Animal nutritionists have been studying manipulation of the rumen microbial ecosystem to reduce methane emission without the adverse effects on rumen function. There is a need to identify feed additives to modify ruminal fermentation characteristics and increase the efficiency of feed utilization, thereby inhibiting the ruminal methanogenesis. In recent years, essential oils (Benchaar 2007), plant secondary metabolites such as condensed tannins and saponins (Pen et al., 2006; Bhatta etal, 2009) and dietary lipids (Dohme et al., 2001) have arisen as attractive rumen modifiers to improve rumen microbial metabolism as well as inhibit methane production in ruminants. Particularly, Woodward et al. (2006) showed a positive effect of fish oil (FO) on reducing CH4 emissions in a short-term study, whereas no reduction was observed for a longer-term study. The positive effects of tannin-rich plant extracts on methane emission and methanogens population in vitro as well as in vivo have been examined (Patra et al., 2006; Patra and Saxena, 2010; Becker et al., 2014). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pomegranate by-products (pomegranate oil and peel) on the in vitro rumen fermentation with respect to methane emissions. Basic substrate was contained of 600 g/kg forage and 400 g/kg concentrate. Pomegranate oil was administered in doses of 2, 4, and 6% of substrate DM in the first trial and in the second trial powder peel pomegranate was added in doses of 2.5, 5, and 7.5% of substrate DM. Syringes were inoculated with 40 ml of a rumen fluid–buffer mix (10 ml rumen fluid and 30 ml buffer) and were incubated at 39°C. The gas production was measured at different incubation times and total gas production, CO2, hydrogen, and methane production were determined after 24h of incubation. Data were analyzed by GLM procedure of SAS (2001) software. The results of the first experiment showed that the addition of pomegranate oil to substrate did not affect total gas production, digestibility parameters (b and c), metabolizable energy (ME) and organic materails dry (OMD). Methane production was decreased by addition of 6% of pomegranate oil (P< 0.05), but not by lower levels of oil. Lipids significantly decreased CH4 emission in the short-term study (−27%), but this effect was not observed after 11 wk of lipid supplementation. On the other hand, several in vitro trials have shown that FO reduced CH4 methanogenesis (Fievez et al. 2003; Patra and Yu 2013). Saturated medium chain fatty acids, C10-C14, also lead to methane reduction. At ruminal temperature, an increasing chain length of medium chain fatty acids seems to reduce their efficiency in inhibiting methanogens and methane formation due to lower solubility (Bucher et al. 2008; Patra 2012). Beauchemin et al. (2008) reviewed the practical application of lipids to reduce methanogenesis. Oil supplementation to diet decreased methane emission by 80% in vitro (Fievez et al. 2003) and about 25% in vivo (Machmu¨ller et al. 2000). The toxic effects of certain oils on rumen protozoa contributed to reduce methane production (Machmu¨ller et al., 1998). The addition of canola oil at 0%, 3.5% or 7% to the diets of sheep reduced the number of rumen protozoa by 88–97% (Machmu¨ller et al. 1998). The detrimental impact of unsaturated fatty acids has also been reported (Henderson1973). Machmulleur et al. (1998) observed coconut oil as more effective inhibitor followed by rapeseed, sunflower seed, and linseed oil. Coconut oil comprises medium chain fatty acids. Dong et al. (1997) compared canola oil to coconut oil and demonstrated coconut oil as more effective methane inhibitor. Coconut oil controlled rumen methanogens by changing the metabolic activity and composition (Machmu¨ller et al., 2003). The inclusion of sunflower oil to the diet of cattle resulted in 22% decrease of methane emissions (McGinn et al., 2004). In the second experiment, adding of 5 and 7.5% of pomegranate peel to substrate DM reduced (P <0.05) total gas production after 24, 72, and 96 h of incubation. Metabolizable energy, b fraction, and OMD digestibility reduced by pomegranate peel powder. Because these parameters dependent the total gas production. Methane production was reduced by adding pomegranate peel to diet, but no difference was observed between methane produced by diet contained different doses of pomegranate peel. However, a direct effect of condensed tannins on rumen methanogens cannot totally be excluded (Field et al. 1989). Furthermore, tannins decrease the degradation of nutrients in the rumen, which then may be degraded in the hindgut. This could have contributed to a lower methane emission, because hindgut fermentation differs from ruminal fermentation by resulting in a lower methane production per unit of fermented nutrients (Fievez, et al. 1999). A meta-analysis of in vivo experiments with tannins by Jayanegara et al. (2012) reported a relatively close relationship between dietary tannin concentration and CH4 production per unit of digestible OM. According to Goel and Makkar (2012), the antimethanogenic effect of tannins depends on the dietary concentration and is positively related to the number of hydroxyl groups in their structure. These authors concluded that hydrolyzable tannins tend to act by directly inhibiting rumen methanogens, whereas the effect of condensed tannins on CH4 production is more through inhibition of fiber digestion. They also pointed out that more animal research is needed with these compounds to establish their antimethanogenic effect. Hydrolysable tannins are hydrolyzed in the rumen and some could be toxic (Lowry et al., 1996; McSweeney et al. 2003). Addition of pomegranate oil and pomegranate peel powder to base substrate did not have a significant effect on digestibility in in vitro conditions, but reduce the production of methane gas as a harmful greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, that would loss significant portion of the energy of the feed. Therefore, the use of pomegranate oil and pomegranate peel in the present experiment as inexpensive edible compounds not only have no negative effects on feeding ruminants, but also a good alternative to ionophors and other antigens.

Pomegranate seed pulp (PSP) as a valuable and low cost feed may be used as a cereal grain replacement in ruminant diet.
This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of replacing some of cereal grains of diet with ensiled PSP (with or without added urea) on dry matter intake and production performance of south Khorasan crossbred goats.
A total of 21 goats with average daily milk yield of 645.8 ± 0.15 kg and average body weight of 26 ± 2.5 kg were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets based on collected records at pre-experiment period. Experimental diets were included: 1- control (without PSP), 2- containing 10% of ensiled PSP without urea, and 3- containing 10% of ensiled PSP with urea (DM basis), were fed individually as totally mixed ration to goats.
Replacing some of cereal grains of diet with ensiled PSP without urea increased (P Ensiled PSP with urea can be used as a cost effective by-product for replacing of some part of diet’s grain and thereby reducing the production costs.

Regarding the high amount of saffron production in Iran and especially in South Khorasan province and increasing need to forage production, optimum usage of saffron foliage residues could play an important role in the supply of partial forage needed for livestock in this province. This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition and ruminal dry matter (DM) degradability of saffron foliage residues treated with Pleurotus florida fungi using in situ and gas production techniques in Animal Nutrition Laboratory of University of Birjand with two treatment and based on t-test statistical analysis. For this, saffron foliage residues were harvested at late vegetation growth stage and treated with Pleurotus florida fungi. The results showed that treated saffron foliage residues contained lower content of DM, NDF and ADF, but higher CP than untreated residues (the DM, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and ash content of untreated residues were 93.9, 6.6, 45.9, 38.0 and 5.2% of DM, and of treated residues were 67.7, 14.8, 28.2, 26.7 and 6.7% of DM, respectively). The DM ruminal degradability parameters of residues were significantly increased by Fungi treating. Treating of saffron residues also increased their gas production from DM potentially fermentable fraction (b), metabolisable energy, organic matter digestibility, and short chain fatty acids content. Treating saffron residues with Pleurotus florida improved their nutritional value.

In this study, barley straw was irradiated with doses of 100, 200 and 300 KGy to evaluate the effects of electron beam on the chemical composition, ruminal degradability parameters and ruminal-postruminal digestibility of its dry matter (DM). Initially, using nylon bag technique, an amount of 5 g of grounded samples (with 6 replicates) was incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h in the rumen of two fistulated Holstein heifers and then parameters of DM ruminal degradability were estimated. Then ruminal digestibility and post ruminal digestibility of DM were determined by incubating of feed samples in rumen for 16 h and in Daisy digester apparatus, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SAS statistical software. The results indicated that acid detergent fiber (ADF) in irradiated samples was numerically reduced, while NDF reduction of irradiated samples was statistically significant (P<0.05). Effective degradability of DM increased significantly (P<0.05) by irradiation at 200 KGy. Post-ruminal and total tract digestibility of DM increased significantly (P<0.05). The results of this experiment showed that electron beam irradiation had an effective role in improving the nutritive value and digestibility of barley straw, but regarding the absence of a dose related effect, the dose of 200 kGy is recommended.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ensiling and using of fertilizers nitrogen and phosphorus on chemical composition and ruminal DM degradability of safflower plant (Carthamustinctorius L.). The safflower plant was cultivated at December 2009، and harvested at June 2010 in flowering stage، chopped to 3-5 cm particles and then ensiled in the laboratory silos for 60 days. The experimental treatments were: unfertilized forage (control)، phosphorus fertilized forage (100 kg per ha)، nitrogen fertilized forage (300 kg per ha)، nitrogen and phosphorus fertilized forage (300 kg N and 100 kg P per ha)، silage produced from unfertilized forage، silage produced from phosphorus fertilized forage (100 kg per ha)، silage produced from nitrogen fertilized forage (300 kg per ha)، silage produced from nitrogen and phosphorus fertilized forage (300 kg N and 100 kg P per ha). Chemical composition، DM degradability and digestibility were determined using standard methods. Nitrogen and P fertilizers reduced the NDF and ADF and increased the ash، Ca and P contents of plant (P<0. 05). The N fertilizer increased the CP، NPN and buffer soluble protein and decreased the ADIN content of plant (P<0. 05). The N and P fertilizers and ensiling increased a and c fractions and ruminal effective degradability of DM (P<0. 05). Applying the N and P fertilizers and ensiling also increased the gas production parameters including b and c fractions and ME and OMD content of plant. Based on resultys of this research، using of safflower silage produced from nitrogen and phosphorus fertilized forage compard to unfertilized forage is recommended. Keywords chemical composition; ruminal degradability; gas production; safflower; forage; silage

Pomegranate seed pulp (PSP, resulting from squeezing of pomegranate seed) contains remarkable amount of nutrients such as protein and specially oil which in areas that it is accessible can stand in ruminant’s diet instead of some cereal grains, but its tannin content can reduces palatability and nutritive value. Irradiation is one of physical processing methods that can reduce tannins and improve nutritional value of feeds. So, PSP was irradiated with three doses of 10, 15 and 20 KGy of electron beam and then chemical composition, phenolic compounds content and DM ruminal degradability parameters and ruminal, post-ruminal and total tract digestibility of its DM were measured. The data were analyzed based on completely randomized design using Proc GLM of SAS software. The results showed crude protein was significantly increased by irradiation at 15 and 20 KGy while water soluble carbohydrate was reduced by irradiation. Total phenolic compounds and total tannin content were reduced by all irradiation doses while condensed tannin content was not affected by irradiation. Amongst hydrolysable tannins, gallic acid and ellagic acid content were significantly reduced by all three irradiation doses and tannic acid and punicalin were significantly reduced at higher doses of irradiation (15 and 20 KGy) but punicalagin A content was not reduced by irradiation and punicalagin B content was reducted at 10 and 20 KGy irradiation. Irradiation did not change degradability parameters, ruminal digestibility and total tract digestibility of PSP’s DM but post-ruminal digestibility of its DM was significantly reduced by irradiation. From these results it looks that irradiation of PSP at 15 KGy had the best outcome because while it reduced total tannin and detrimental hydrolysable tannins including gallic acid, tannic acid and punicalin, it caused to preserved the hydrolysable tannins with antioxidant properties including punicalagin’s A and B.

The chemical composition, ruminal degradability parameters, ruminal and post ruminal digestibility of saffron residues were determined using in situ and in vitro (gas production) methods. The harvested residues at late vegetative phase were compared with the residues harvested at the early dormant phase. The results showed that NDF and ADF concentration of harvested residues at early dormant phase were higher where as it content of CP was significantly (P

In this study, atriplex stem samples were irradiated with three doses (100, 200 and 300 KGy) to evaluate the effect of electron beam on the chemical composition, ruminal degradability parameters and ruminal-postruminal digestibility of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Initially, using nylon bag technique, an amount of 5 g of grounded sample (six replicates) was incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 hours in the rumen of two Holstein heifers and then parameters of ruminal degradability were estimated. Then ruminal digestibility and post ruminal digestibility of nutrients were determined by incubating of samples in rumen for 16 h and by Daisy digester apparatus, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software. The results indicated that reduction of acid detergent fiber (ADF) in irradiated samples was numerically reduced, while NDF reduction was statistically significant (P<0.05). Quickly degradable fraction (a), potentially degradable fraction (b) and effective degradability of DM increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing dose of irradiation. Quickly degradable fraction (a) of NDF at the doses of 100 and 200 KGy irradiation increased but this change was not statistically significant. Potentially degradable fraction (b) of NDF was significantly increased (P<0.01). Quickly degradable fraction (a) of ADF at the dose of 300 KGy increased that it was not statistically significant. Post-ruminal and total tract digestibility of DM increased significantly (P<0.05). Ruminal, post ruminal and total tract digestibility of NDF was not affected by irradiation. This experiment showed electron beam irradiation had an effective role in improving the nutritive value and digestibility of atriplex stem, but regarding the absence of a dose related effect, the dose of 100 KGy is recommended.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and polyethylene glycol)PEG 6000) application on safflower forage and silage on their chemical composition, ruminal degradability parameters and in vitro gas production. Safflower forage was harvested in June 2010 at budding growth stage with 30 percent dry matter content from research farm of Birjand university agricultural college. Urea was used as forage’s N fertilizer (at rate of 300 kg N/ha) and PEG solution (with concentration of 30g/100 ml, solution 30% w/v) was used as silage’s additive. Chemical composition was determined in both safflower forage and silage but DM ruminal degradability and gas production were determined just in safflower silage. So there was 2 treatments in evaluation of forage chemical composition as: 1- forage fertilized with N, and 2- unfertilized forage, while 4 treatments were available in evaluation of safflower silage as: 1- silage of unfertilized forage and without polyethylene glycol additive, 2- silage of unfertilized forage and with polyethylene glycol additive, 3- silage of fertilized forage and without polyethylene glycol additive and 4- silage of fertilized forage and with polyethylene glycol additive. Forage N fertilizing caused to increase its CP content and took place a suitable fermentation trend in its silage. Also, silages of fertilized forages had higher ruminal and post-ruminal digestibilities. Adding PEG had no effect on digestibility and other determined parameters of experimental silages. The results of this study showed safflower N fertilized forage and its silage was of high nutritional value in ruminant feeding, especially at arid areas with saline soils which this plant is well adapted.

In this study، samples of sugarcane bagasse were irradiated with doses of 100، 200، 300 KGy to evaluate the effect of electron beam on the chemical composition، ruminal degradability parameters and ruminal-postruminal digestibility of dry matter (DM)، neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). For this purpose، initially using the nylon bag technique، the amount of 5 g of each sample (6 repeats) was ground and incubated for 0، 2، 4، 8، 16، 24، 48 and 72 hours in the rumen of two Holstein heifers and parameters of ruminal degradability were estimated. Statistical analysis of data on various parameters and effective degradability was performed using SAS software. Based on the results of the study، the reduction of ADF content of bagasse in irradiated treatments was ruminically significant (P<0. 05)، while for NDF content this reduction was statistically significant (P<0. 05). Quickly degradable fraction (a) of DM and NDF of sugarcane bagasse were significantly increased (P<0. 05). Potentially degradable fraction (b) of NDF of sugarcane bagasse increased with increasing of irradiation dose and for DM، it was decreased at first and then was increased at the dose of 300 KGy، although this change was not statistically significant. Total digestibility of DM in sugarcane bagasse increased significantly (P<0. 05). Ruminal digestibility of ADF was significantly increased with dose of 100 KGy (P<0. 05). The results showed electron beam irradiation had an effective role in improving the nutritive value and digestibility of sugarcane bagasse، but regarding the absence of an dose related effect، the dose of 100 kGy is recommended.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding alfalfa hay and starter fiber level on feed intake and performance of Holstein dairy calves, using thirty two male calves in a completely randomized design assigned to four diets in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. The experimental treatments were as follow: T1: starter with low fiber and without alfalfa hay, T2: starter with low fiber along with alfalfa hay, T3: starter with high fiber and without alfalfa hay and T4: starter with high fiber along with alfalfa hay. Results showed feed intake was not significantly different in pre-weaning and throughout the study but after weaning there was significant difference among treatments. Average daily gain of calves was not significantly different during pre-weaning period but during post-weaning and throughout the study there was significant difference among treatments for this trait. Feed efficiency was not significantly different among treatments in pre-weaning and post-weaning periods but it was significantly different during throughout the study. The results of this experiment showed adding fiber to dairy calves ration through both starter concentrate and alfalfa hay may reduce their performance.

The fresh Pomegranate seed pulp (PSP، containing 47. 5 percent dry matter) was ensiled within plastic buckets (three kg weight) for 70 days and then chemical composition، phenolic compounds concentration and DM ruminal degradability parameters and ruminal، post-ruminal and total tract digestibility of DM were measured. The results showed that ensiling significantly decreased total phenolic compounds، total tannins، gallic acid، tannic acid، penicillin and punicalagin A content of PSP but condensed tannins، ellagic acid and punicalagin B content were not affected by preservation method. DM ruminal degradability parameters، rapidly and slowly potentially degradable fractions and effective degradability on passage rate of 0. 02، 0. 05 and 0. 08 per h were not significantly affected by treatments but ensiling increased the ruminal and total tract digestibility of DM and decreased the DM degradability rate constant and DM post-ruminal digestibility. Based on the results of this study ensiling could improve the nutritional value of PSP.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of storage type (drying vs ensiling) ¬on the nutritional value of saffron residues. Chemical composition, degradability parameters and ruminal and post ruminal digestibility of residues were determined using in situ and in vitro (gas production) methods. Experimental data were analyzed based on T-test using SAS statistical software. Results showed that ensiling caused the amount of water soluble carbohydrates and crude protein to decrease and to increase, respectively. Ensiling did not affect the minerals and phenolic compounds content of residues. ¬DM rapidly degradable fraction (a), DM effective degradibility, DM ruminal digestibility and total tract digestibility were not affected by ensiling¬¬. Further, gas production from DM potentially fermentable fraction (b), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) content of dried and ensiled residues was the same. The results of this study showed storage type of residues had no effect on their nutritive value, however more in vivo studies on nutritive value of these residues are recommended.

Thirty Holstein calves (15 males and 15 females) were used to evaluate the effects of feeding steam-rolled barley grain on feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, rumen metabolites and weaning age. Average birth weight of calves was 40.1_+ 0.8 kg. The experimental diets were as: 1- starter containing ground barley, 2- starter containing dry rolled barley and 3- starter containing steam-rolled barley. All experimental diets were formulated to be iso energetic and iso nitrogenous, and offered from the first day of experiment (3 days age). During the experiment, calves were fed raw milk based on 10% of their birth body weight and they were taken out two weeks after weaning. Experimental data were analyzed based upon a completely randomized design in which there were 3 treatments and 10 replicates per each treatment. The results of this study showed that there was not statistically significant differences among experimental diets regarding average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and average feed efficiency in pre and post weaning period. Calves fed diet 3 at wk 6, two wk after weaning and in whole period of experiment had significantly (P<0.05) greater rumen propionate concentrations than those fed diets 1 and 2. Calves fed diets 1 and 2 at two wk after weaning and whole period of experiment had significantly (P<0.05) greater rumen butyrate concentrations than those fed diet 3. The results of this study showed feeding steam-rolled barley grain to calves from the first week after birth although affect some VFAs concentration, but did not affect performance and weaning age of Holstein calves.