مهندس محسن باقری

Seasonal breeding mammals are sensitive to changes in day length. Thus, in small ruminants from temperate and subtropical latitudes, photoperiod is the main environmental factor that modulates their pattern of reproductive activity (Duarte et al., 2010). However, natural oscillations in the photoperiod or alterations by artificial photoperiod can lead to changes in milk production in ruminants with seasonal and non seasonal reproduction (Dahl et al., 2000). Exposure to artificially shortened photoperiods during the dry period increased their milk yields in the subsequent lactation (Auchtung et al., 2005; Mabjeesh et al., 2007). In the 12 wk of subsequent lactation, greater milk yields have been reported for does that received artificial short days during the dry period than those that received long days (Mabjeesh et al., 2007). Many livestock breeders in cold regions keep their animals in closed places in late autumn and during winter. In the closed position, the amount and intensity of light can be controlled. Short day length at the end of the pregnancy period is associated with increased milk production in lactating animals, but there is no information in this field for native goats in the country. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of reducing the length of the lighting period in late pregnancy on milk production and related hormones in black goats native to Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.

The work was conducted in the Farsan city (50º and 35' minutes of longitude and 32º and 16' of latitude and 2020 meters above sea level) located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces. 40 indigenous black goats were randomly assigned to one of the following two treatments. Treatment 1: control; Female goats that were exposed to natural day length during pregnancy (20 heads). Treatment 2: Female goats that were exposed to short day length (8 hours of light and 16 hours of darkness) during the last 45 days of pregnancy (20 head). The female goats of two different treatments were reared in two separate locations of the same size with the same environmental and management conditions during the late pregnancy period (experimental period). The quantity and quality of feed was similar for both groups. After giving birth, all female goats were exposed to natural day length. Hand milking was done at one week intervals from one week to one month after birth. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein at the beginning of the experiment, 20 days before parturition, at the time of parturition, 15 and 30 days after parturition.

In the first week, milk production in the experimental treatment was 11% more than the control treatment, but in the second, third and fourth weeks, this superiority reached 13, 16 and 21%, respectively. On average, milk production in the experimental treatment was 15% more than the control treatment. In dairy goats, it was reported that milk production in the subsequent lactation period was 26% higher in goats that were exposed to short day length conditions in the last third of their pregnancy than goats that were exposed to long day conditions at the same time (Mabjeesh et al., 2007).The interaction between the treatment and the milk measurement time was not statistically significant. Milk production peaked in the third week in the control group and in the fourth week in the experimental treatment. Changing the duration of lighting at the end of pregnancy did not have a significant effect on any of the milk compounds on the seventh, fourteenth, twenty-first and twenty-eighth days of lactation. Normally, the composition of milk is not affected by photoperiod (Mabjeesh et al., 2007).The amount of prolactin hormone in the control treatment 20 days before delivery was higher than the amount of prolactin hormone in the experimental treatment at the same time (p<0.05). It has been found that short day length reduces the secretion of prolactin (Smith 1998). In both treatments, the amount of prolactin hormone increased from 45 days before delivery to 30 days after delivery. At the time of parturition, the amount of prolactin hormone in female goats of both treatments was similar. Within each treatment, the amount of prolactin hormone in female goats 15 days after giving birth was higher than its value at the time of giving birth, and the amount of prolactin hormone at the time of giving birth was higher than its value at 20 days before giving birth, and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.01). However, within each treatment, the difference in the amount of prolactin hormone in female goats between the 30th and 15th days after birth was not significant. The interaction effect of treatment and prolactin measurement time was statistically significant (p<0.05). Within each treatment, the amount of prolactin hormone in female goats 15 days after giving birth was higher than its amount at the time of giving birth, and the amount of prolactin hormone at the time of giving birth was higher than its value at 20 days before giving birth, and this difference were statistically significant (p<0.01). However, within each treatment, the difference in the amount of prolactin hormone in female goats between the 30th and 15th days after birth was not significant. The interaction effect of treatment and prolactin measurement time was statistically significant (p<0.05). The average melatonin hormone before and during delivery in treatment 2 was higher than the control treatment (p<0.01), but after delivery the difference between the two treatments was not significant. The amount of IGF 1 hormone in female goats of both treatments decreased from 45 days before calving to the time of calving and then increased.The amount of IGF-1 hormone in the experimental treatment was higher than the control treatment in 20 days before delivery (p<0.01) and at the time of delivery (p<0.05).

As a result, reducing the length of the lighting period at the end of pregnancy increases the milk production of native black goats in the subsequent lactation period.

Goat milk production is very important in Iran. Artificially extending day length affected milk production in several domesticated species. In the dairy cow industry, the use of photoperiod management is usual because it is a safe, non-expensive, and effective method to increase milk production. Dairy cows with late gestation exposed to short days produce more milk than cows exposed to long days. But, long-day photoperiod during early lactation increases daily milk yield. In contrast to cows, small ruminants such as goats have seasonal reproductive cycles and therefore their response to photoperiod may differ. To date, no study was conducted to evaluate the magnitude of the response of native goats of Iran to photoperiod. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the magnitude of the effect of artificially shortening and extending day length on milk yield in black native goats of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in Iran.
Six weeks before the start of giving birth in the flock, 80 does whose parturition dates were close to each other were selected from a local black goat flock and each one was randomly assigned to one of the following four treatments (n=20 for each treatment). Treatment 1: Does exposed to natural day length during pregnancy and lactation (control); Treatment 2: Does exposed to natural day during the pregnancy period and exposed to long day length at the beginning of the lactation period; Treatment 3: Does exposed to short day length at the end of the pregnancy period and exposed to natural day length during the lactation period; Treatment 4: Does exposed to short day length at the end of the pregnancy period and exposed to long days at the beginning of the lactation period. Milk production and levels of prolactin, melatonin, and IGF-1 hormones were measured. The does were milked manually once a week at 07:00 starting one week after parturition. Before milking the does, their kids were separated for 12 hours. Blood samples (five mL) were collected at the start of the experiment, 20 days before parturition, parturition, 15 and 30 days after parturition from each doe via jugular venipuncture into a sterile evacuated tube and immediately placed on ice. Plasma was harvested by centrifugation at 2000 rpm for 20 min and stored at -20 °C until use.
In treatments 2, 3, and 4, the amount of milk obtained in each milking time increased until the third week of the lactation period, and then its increasing process slowed down. In the control treatment, the amount of milk obtained in each milking time increased until the third week, but the amount of milk obtained in the fourth week was less than that in the third week, although this difference was not statistically significant. The average milk obtained in four milking times for treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4 was equal to 868.5, 959.25, 1005, and 1085 mL, respectively. Over the monitored lactation period, the averages of milk yield in the second, third, and fourth treatments were 10%, 15%, and 24% more than that in treatment 1 (control). According to the results of this research, it was reported that milk production in goats that were placed in short-day length conditions in the last third of their pregnancy period was 26% higher than in goats that were in long-day length conditions at the same time. In another study, a 20% increase in milk production was reported in Saanen goats that were exposed to a long light period after giving birth. The amount of prolactin hormone in treatments 1 and 2 in 20 days before delivery was higher than in treatments 3 and 4 (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between treatments 1 and 2 as well as between treatments 3 and 4. At the time of parturition, the amount of prolactin hormone in all treatments was similar. At 15 and 30 days after delivery, the amount of prolactin hormone was higher in treatments 2 and 4 than in treatments 1 and 3 (P<0.01). Before giving birth, the amount of melatonin in female goats of treatments 3 and 4 was higher than in treatments 1 and 2 (P<0.01). Fifteen days after birth, the amount of melatonin hormone in female goats of treatment 2 was lower than that of female goats of treatment 1 (control treatment) (P<0.05), and the difference between other treatments was not significant. The amount of melatonin in different treatments was similar 30 days after birth. In the 20 days before parturition, the difference between the female goats of treatments 3 and 4 with those treated with natural day length (treatments 1 and 2) was significant (P<0.01) in terms of IGF-1 hormone levels. At 30 days after birth, the difference between female goats of treatment 4 and other treatments was significant in terms of the amount of IGF-1 hormone (P<0.05). According to the results of the present research, it has been reported that the long lighting period increases the concentration of prolactin and IGF-1 hormones. Decreased secretion of melatonin hormone with the increasing length of photoperiod has been reported in cattle and other animals. Increasing the duration of the light period reduces the time when melatonin secretion is at its peak.
In general, the application of a short light period before parturition and a long light period after parturition increased the amount of milk produced by female goats.

Sheep and goat meat is considered as one of the main sources of red meat in Iran. Lori-Bakhtiari sheep is one of the most important breeds among the native sheep breeds in Iran with a large population and acceptable meat quality and also adaptability to poor ranges. Weaning lambs is the removal of a milk-based diet, either provided by the ewe or milk replacement in a hand-rearing system, onto forage or grain-based diet. As with any management practice such as a change of diet or significant social change for the animal, the period may be stressful and careful management is essential. The time of weaning is very important in lambs since it affects feed consumption; growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs. Range sheep operations traditionally have allowed lambs to graze with their dams until late spring or early summer. This poses a problem when severe drought conditions and forage availability is limited. Early weaning can provide some very appealing benefits: More pasture will be available to maintain the retained ewe flock if lambs and cull ewes are removed earlier in the year; The ewe’s nutrient requirements are reduced after weaning, which will cause ewes on pasture to eat less and lose less weight; Lambs use supplemental feed more efficiently for growth than ewes use it for milk production; Placing lambs in a feedlot will reduce predator losses. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weaning age and rearing type on the growth performance of Lori-Bakhtiari male and female lambs. 150 Lori-Bakhtiari ewes were synchronized during the mating season and then randomly mated with Lori Bakhtiari rams. A total of 110 ewes gave birth in the lambing season with a range of 10 days, of which 113 healthy lambs (59 male lambs and 54 female lambs) were selected and studied at two months of age. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. Male lambs were divided into six treatments including early-weaned fattening lambs (10 heads), early-weaned non-fattening lambs (10 heads), traditional weaned fattening lambs (10 heads), traditional weaned non-fattening lambs (8 heads), late weaned fattening lambs (10 heads) and late weaned non-fattening lambs (11 heads), and Female lambs were studied in three treatments including early weaning (17 heads), traditional weaning (20 heads) and late weaning (17 heads). Weaning of lambs in early weaning, normal weaning, and late weaning was performed at the mean age of two months, three months, and four months, respectively. The fattening of male lambs continued until the age of six months. Other non-fattened weaned lambs (male and female) were raised with their dams up to six months of age without access to the mother's breast. Lambs had access to dry forage (in winter) and wet forage (in spring and summer) in addition to milk before weaning. At birth, the weight of all lambs was measured and the sex and type of birth (single and twin) of lambs were recorded. The weight of all lambs was measured and recorded at two months and then monthly up to six months. Daily weight gain in monthly periods and final weight gain in lambs of different treatments were calculated. Data were statistically analyzed by SAS software and MIXED procedure. At three months of age, early-weaned fattening lambs were heavier than the lambs of other treatments (P<0.05). At four months of age, early-weaned fattening lambs weighed more than traditional weaned fattening lambs and traditionally weaned fattening lambs weighed more than male lambs in other treatments (P<0.05). At this age, the weight of male lambs in traditionally weaned non-fattening, late-weaned fattening, and late weaned non-fattening treatments was not statistically significant. Also, in five-month-old male lambs, the weight of early-weaned fattening lambs was higher than the lambs of other treatments (P<0.05). The five-month weight difference of lambs was not significant in non-fattening treatments. At six months of age, early-weaned fattening lambs weighed more than traditional weaned fattening lambs, and traditionally weaned fattening lambs weighed more than male lambs in other treatments (P<0.05). In general, at six months of age, fattening lambs weighed more than non-fattening lambs (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the weights of lambs of non-fattening treatments at the age of six months.In male lambs, early-weaned fattening lambs from two to three months of age gained 293 g / day, which was significantly higher than the lambs of other treatments in the same period (P<0.01). The average daily weight gain in male lambs from three to four months of age was higher in early-weaned and traditional weaned fattening treatments than in other treatments (P<0.01). In males and from two to six months of age, the mean daily weight gain in early-weaned fattening, traditionally weaned fattening, and late weaned fattening treatments was 242, 226, and 212 g / day, respectively, and the difference between early-weaned fattening and late weaned fattening treatments was significant (P<0.01). During these four months, the average daily weight gain was equal in the non-fattening treatments. During the same period, the mean daily weight gain in fattening lambs was higher than the average daily weight gain in non-fattening lambs (P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference between female lambs in different treatments for weight at the same age. Also, there were no significant differences in terms of average daily gain in the rearing period between female lambs in different treatments. Data obtained in this study indicated that weaning of male lambs at two months of age and fattening them until six months of age had positive effects on their growth and final weight and weaning of female lambs at two months of age hadn’t a negative effect on their weight gain until six months of age.

This study aimed to determine the health status, chemical parameters and organoleptic properties of some nomadic dairy products in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Referring to the nomads of the province, three products including Curd, Gharaghorot and Gee were sampled. Sensory experimentation included perfume, flavors, texture, color and overall acceptance. The amount of protein, fat, salt, moisture, ash and some minerals and the E.Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, coliforms, mold and yeast contamination and total microorganisms count in the samples were studied. The amount of protein(P

A large volume of literature describes the biological roles of vitamin E and its application to preventing disease and improving health and productive performances of farm animals. It is widely documented that vitamin E play an important role in the reproductive performance. The vitamin E requirement may be defined as the amount required preventing peroxidation in the particular subcellular membrane which is most susceptible to peroxidation (Koyunku and Yerlikaya 2007). Little is known about the effects of vitamin E supplementation on specific reproductive events in sheep. Most nutritionists assume that reproductive performance will not be limited when domestic animals are fed diets that meet the NRC levels. However, little is known about the effects of vitamin E supplementation on specific reproductive events in sheep and goats. Because fertilization in this animals is an all or none phenomenon (i.e., either all ovulated eggs are fertilized or none of them are fertilized), the three major variables that contribute to litter size are ovulation rates, embryonic survival and foetal survival rate (Koyunku and Yerlikaya 2007). The present experiment has been conducted in the two flocks with a history of relatively moderate fertility (90 %). The objective was to examine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the number of lambs weaned and total lamb weaned weight.

The experiment was conducted using 200 Lori Bakhtiarii ewes (100 ewes per flock), with an average live body weight 57.5±6.7 kg and between two to seven years of age. The ewes in each flock were randomly divided into two groups, consisting of 50 ewes per group. Each group of ewes assigned to consume one of the two diets. Diets contained basal diet plus 250 gram per ewe barley grains (control) or basal diet plus 250 gram per ewe barley grains plus 500 IU vitamin E. The basal diet was based on local feeds; pasture herbage and the salt stone as free. The experiment started with the natural mating period in late summer. The feeding regimens started from 2 weeks before lasted to 3 weeks after ram introduction. The ewes from all groups were kept in the same shed and consisted as one flock while grazing. Ewes were placed in individual pens once daily to receive supplemental treatments. Ewes remained in individual pens until all trial supplements had been consumed. Ewes in each flock were mated to 10 fertile Lori Bakhtiari rams during the breeding seasons of 34 days in late summer and early autumn. Weight and body condition score of ewes at mating were measured. Body condition scoring (BCS=1 for emaciated ewes to BCS=5 for obese ewes at 0.5 interval) has been described by Russel et al. (1969). The body condition score of the ewes in this method based on touching of the tips of both the spinous and the transverse processes of the vertebrae, and the fullness of fat and muscle cover over and around the vertebrae in the loin region. The animals were general kept indoors from December to May and lambed indoors. Date of lambing, the number of lambs born, lambs birth weight, survival rate of lambs from birth to weaning and lambs weaning weight were measured. Some combination traits as total lamb birth weight and total lamb weaning weight per exposed ewe were calculated. Data were analyzed using General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of SAS.

There were no significance difference among the flocks and treatments on the ewe's body weight and body condition score of ewes at mating. Difference between control and vitamin E treatments with respect to the number of lambs born per ewe exposed to the rams was tended to be significant (p=0.06). The number of lambs born per ewe exposed to the rams was not affected by flock, and body condition score of ewes at mating. Yearling ewes produced fewer lambs than older ewes but differences were not statistically significant. Mean of birth weight of lambs were not statistically differing between flocks, treatments, ewes body condition scores and ewes parity. Total birth weight of lambs per ewe exposed to the rams and per ewe lambing was differ between treatments (p < 0.01) and was higher in vitamin E treatment. Total birth weight of lambs per ewe exposed to the rams was not affected by flock or ewe parity but, total birth weight of lambs per ewe lambing was differing between flocks (p < 0.01). Effects of body condition score on the total birth weight of lambs per ewe exposed to the rams and per ewe lambing were statistically significance (p < 0.05). The number of weaned lambs (p < 0.01), total lambs weaned weight per ewe exposed to the rams (p < 0.01) and total lambs weaned weight per ewe lambing (p < 0.05) were higher in vitamin E treatment than control group. There were not significance difference among different flocks and different ewe parity on the number of lamb's weaned and total lambs weaning weight per ewe exposed to the rams and per ewe lambing. Body condition scores was influenced the number of lambs weaned and total lambs weaning weight per ewe exposed to the rams (p < 0.05).

Data obtained in this study indicated that in the Lori Bakhtiatri sheep, using supplemental vitamin E in the diet of ewes given before mating, significantly increased the number of weaned lambs and total weight of weaning lambs per ewe exposed to the rams. These findings should be useful in further exploring the frequency and amount of vitamin E supplementation that may improve reproductive performance of ewes.

The aim of this experiment was to compare the feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of Lori Bakhtiari and Romanov×Lori-Bakhtiari crossbreed lambs. Forty-four Lori-Bakhtiari lamb and Forty-four Romanov×Lori-Bakhtiari lambs were used in a completely randomized design and using a factorial method (2×2) during two consecutive years. The average daily gain and daily feed intake were determined by individual weaning of each animal and then feed conversion ratio was calculated. Carcass characteristics of lambs were measured. The results showed that average daily gain during fattening period (212.1vs. 179.6 g), final fattening weight (52.12 vs. 48.26 kg), feed intake, carcass weight and fat tail percentage in Lori Bakhtiari lambs were greater than Romanov× Lori Bakhtiari crossbred lambs. The average daily gain before weaning (298.4 vs. 266.8 g), the average daily gain during fattening period (217.2 vs. 161.9 g), and feed conversion ratio (7.62 vs. 9.75) in male lambs was better than female lambs (p < 0.05). Fat tail percentage and total carcass fat content in male lambs were higher than that of female lambs (p < 0.05). It is concluded that, Romanov×Lori Bakhtiari crossbred lambs had higher performance than Lori Bakhtiari lambs before weaning. However, fattening period performance and carcass weight in Bakhtiari lambs were higher compared to Romanov×Lori Bakhtiari crossbred lambs. In addition, energy spent per kg of carcass and live weights in Bakhtiari lambs was lower than Romanov×Lori Bakhtiari crossbreds. Therefore, it can be concluded that the indigenous Bakhtiari sheep breed is more useful for fattening than that of Romanov×Lori Bakhtiari crossbreds in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lamb weaning age on subsequent productive and reproductive performance of Lori-Bakhtiari ewes. 103 heads of lactating ewes with an average age of 3.5 years were allocated to one of three treatments as: 1.weaned early 2.weaned as in traditional sheep rearing or 3-weaned late. Rams were introduced at 60 days postpartum and were remained with ewes for 3 months. Ewes that became pregnant were remained in trial. Again, rams introduced to ewes at breeding season and were remained with ewes for 6 months. The proportion of ewes that exhibit estrus, interval from lambing to first estrus and to conception, lambing interval, conception rate and number of lambs' birth per ewes exposed to the rams were recorded. Gain rate of ewes was higher for treatments 1 and 2 in first month after weaning than other months (p<0.05). Percentage of estrus and conception rate after first parturition were significantly higher (p<0.05) for ewes in treatment 1 than treatments 2 and 3. After first parturition, ewes in group 1, returned to estrus and conception earlier compared to 2 and 3 groups (p<0.01). Average of 3 lambing interval was lower (p<0.01) for group 1 ewes than groups 2 and 3 . In second parturition, the number of lambs born per ewe exposed to the ram was higher (p<0.05) for group 1 ewes than 2 and 3 groups. It was concluded that ewe's performance were improved by weaning their lambs at 60 days of age.

Water quality parameters of Kaj and Sendegan rivers in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province were assessed for rainbow trout culture. For Kaj and Sendegan rivers, 6 and 5 sampling stations were selected, respectively. The water samples were collected once a month from May to October (2015) and were sent to laboratory for assessing: Nitrite, Ammonium, Soluble Phosphate, BOD5, COD, TSS, TDS, Cu, Zn, Hg, Cl-, organophosphate toxins, pH, Malachite green and EC. The Nitrite concentration in Sendegan River (0.106 mg/l) was equal to standard (p>0.05) and in Kaj River (0.079 mg/l) was lower than standard (p<0.009). The soluble Phosphate concentration was higher than standard (p<0.0007) in the studied rivers (0.162 and 0.152 mg/l for Kaj and Sendegan, respectively). Measured TDS for Kaj (225 mg/l) and Sendegan (335 mg/l) rivers were higher than standard (p<0.03 and P<0.0001, respectively). BOD5 and COD concentrations were lower (p<0.0001) than its standards for two rivers (2.67 and 5.56 mg/l for Kaj River and 2.16 and 4.22 mg/l for Sendegan River, respectively). Amount of Malachite green in the last station of Kaj River was 0.003 mg/l (p>0.05) and in the last station of Sendegan River was 0.065 mg/l (p<0.05). The EC of Sendegan River (562 µs/cm) was higher than standard (p<0.0003). Other parameters in the both rivers, were lower than the standard (p<0.0001). Generally, water quality of Kaj and Sendegan rivers were not suitable for rainbow trout culture.

In this study, to estimate some population parameters and inbreeding rate in Lori Bakhtiari sheep flocks, the data set of 81 flocks of sheep were recorded from farmer flocks under current systems during 2015 to 2016. Questionnaire survey was used to collect data from last year information, recorded information, direct recording during visit the farm and interview with the smallholder farmer. The results showed that in 68% of the studied flocks, the male replacements were selected from the within flock, the selection criterion for all of the flocks was visual apparent characteristics and the type of mating was random. The average generation interval, the number of breeding ewes, the number of breeding rams, the proportion of ram to ewe, the duration of the ram stay in the flock were 3.30 years, 98.6, heads, 4.5 heads, 4.6%, 3.4 years, respectively, and 34.57% the flocks had at least one lamb with a visual genetic abnormality. Accordingly, the effective size and the rate of inbreeding, regardless of family size variance were 17.2 and 4.9%, respectively, and with family size variance estimated as 9.8 heads and 7.5%, respectively. The effect of city and type of breeding system were significant on most of the studied population parameters and inbreeding rate (P< 0.05). Therefore, the mean of effective size in farmer flocks was lower than minimum recommended for maintaining genetic diversity and implementation of the improvement breeding program, and this fact has caused an inbreeding rate of more than 5 to 7 times the permissible limit.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive responses to different flushing treatments in Lori-Bakhtiari ewe-lambs and mature ewes.For this purpose, a total of 55 ewe-lambs and 245 mature ewes in a flock containing 400 ewes, were selected and randomly divided into three groups. The treatments were as: 1; no flushing (control), 2;flushing with barley and 3;flushing with barley and fat. Flushing diets were offered from 2 weeks before to 3 weeks after ram introduction. The conception and parturition rates in ewe-lambs, were significantly affected by treatments (p

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of using vitamin E in the flushing diet on reproductive performance of Lori-Bakhtiari ewes. Two hundred healthy and non-lactating Lori-Bakhtiari ewes with an average live body weight 57.5±6.7 kg and 2-7 years of age, reared in the rural (n=100) and the nomadic (n=100) system, were studied. Ewes in each flock were randomly assigned to two diets. Diets contained basal diet plus 250 g/ewe barley grains (control) or basal diet plus 250 g/ewe barley grains plus 500 IU vitamin E. The feeding regimens started from 2 weeks before lasted to 3 weeks after ram introduction. Data for weight and body condition score of ewes at mating; conception rate, lambing and prolificacy were collected and analyzed by GLM procedure of SAS. Treatments did not affect the overall conception, lambing and prolificacy rates (P>0.05); however, these traits for the vitamin E group were numerically higher than the control group. Conception rate during first 21 days after ram introduction, and the majority of the ewes which had lambed during the first 21 days, were significantly higher (P0.05). Overall conception rate was lower for ewes with 2.5 body condition score (P

Water quality of the Samsami and Dinaran rivers of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province were assessed in year 1393. For each river, 7 stations were determined. Water sampling has been done monthly (May to October) and samples, under standard situation, were sent to laboratory for assessing: Nitrite, Ammonium, Soluble Phosphate, BOD5, COD, TSS, TDS, Cu, Zn, Hg, Cl-, Organophosphate toxins, pH, Malachite green and EC. Soluble phosphate was higher than standard in studied rivers (p

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of feeding barley grain during late gestation and early lactation on productive performance of maiden Lori-Bakhtiari ewes. Thirty-two maiden ewes were randomly assigned to equal two treatments as the control (fed custom ration) and the supplemented (fed custom ration plus 400 grams/day/head barley grain during 7-13 days before to 10 days after parturition). The lamb's birth weight was measured. Lambs sex, type of birth and mortality were recorded. Each ewe was individually observed for determine lambing difficulties. Lambs were weighed at 10 days, one month and four months (weaning) of age. The average daily gain between birth to 10 days, birth to one month and birth to weaning age were calculated. No significant difference was found for lamb's birth weight among treatments. Lambing difficulties was not observed in ewes of two treatments. The average daily gain from birth to 10 days (P

Flushing program can improve performance in sheep industry.
OBGECTIVES:The aim of this study was evaluation the effects of using supplemental fat in Lori-Bakhtiari ewes flushing diet on their lamb's weaned weight.
Three hundred healthy and non-pregnant Lori-Bakhtiari ewes were selected and randomly allotted to threenutritional groups (n=100) as: basal diet (control or C treatment), basal diet with 250 grams barley grain(B treatment) and basal diet with 144.5 grams barley grain 50 grams supplemental fat(BF treatment). Ewes received dietary supplement from day 14 before up to day 21 after ram introduction. Ewe's weight and body condition score before mating, ewe's weight at lambing,the number, sex, weight and type of lambs born, lambing date of ewes, lambs weaning weight and number of lambs weaned were recorded.
Mean of ewe's weight at lambing in the BF group was higher than other groups (P The use of supplemental fat with barley grain in Lori-Bakhtiari ewes flushing diet can be improvedweight of weaned lambs.

The study was conducted to examine the effects of physical form of ration on fattening performance of Lori- Bakhtiari male lambs. Thirty six healthy male lambs with 41. 2±3. 27 Kg body weight were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets (n=12): traditional ration (as control treatment)، total mixed ration (as mixed treatment) and total mixed ration in form of block (block treatment). Lambs were randomly distributed into three dietary treatments with three replicates and four lambs in each replication based on completely randomized design. Total experimental period was 90 days. During a three month experiment، dry matter intake (DMI)، lamb live weight and weight gain were recorded and feed conversion ratio was calculated. Results showed that، final live weight and average daily gain were significantly (P<0. 01) affected by physical form of diet. The lambs fed block ration had higher average daily gain (219 gram/day) than lambs fed mixed ration (193 gram/day) and traditional ration (170 gram/day). Average feed intake in control، mixed and block treatments were 1،523، 1،644 and 1،714 gram/d/head respectively and difference between control and other treatments was statistically significant (P<0. 05). Feed conversion ratio at the end of fattening period was not significantly different between all treatments but in block treatment was better than others (8. 99، 8. 50 and 7. 84 in control، mixed ration and block treatments respectively). It was concluded that، if providing block of ingredients was possible at same area، using block in fattening period of Lori-Bakhtiari male lambs may increase fattening performance.

In this study, production, reproduction, management and economic characteristics were measured from the records collected on six flocks (with 1,228 head of breeding ewes) during an annual cycle of production in nomadic system to determine traits performance as well as economic analysis of ewe rearing by the nomads of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.Sensitivity of revenues to changes in production levels and economic variables were analysed. Variable expenses represented about 56.86 % of total costs. Fixed (43.14 %) and labour expenses (37 %) had the highest percentage of total costs, respectively. Feed and transporting costs accounted for 15.35 and 2.74 % of total costs were at the next important costs. Revenue from selling live animals accounted for about 98.7 % while fleece weight selling was only 1.3 % of the total revenues. Profit per ewe per year was estimated to be -373,319 Rials. Economic efficiency of the system (0.9) indicated thatthe revenue from the ewe rearing in nomadic system only covered 90 % of the rearing costs. If lambing rate achieves more than 150 % then economic efficiency will become more than 1 and as a consequence revenues willcoverthe costs of the system and profit isexpected to become positive. If price per kilogram lamb live weight increases from 100,000 to 115,000 Rials then production revenues will become equal to its costs. With respect to economic conditions of the country, number of weaned lambs per ewe in nomadic system is needed to be increased through management and breeding improvement if the job is profitably expected to go on.

In this study production, reproduction, management and economic parameters resulted from recording 6 flocks with 1228 heads of breeding ewes during one year were used to determine the breeding objectives of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep in nomadic production system. A bio-economic model used to determine economic value for each trait in maximum profit, efficiency and minimum cost interests. For deriving economic weights, change in profit by one percent increase in mean of a trait, while all other traits werefixed at their means, were calculated and then divided by amount increased in that trait. To calculate the relative economic values, the absolute economic value of each trait was divided by the absolute economic value of the weight of wool. Sensitivity of economic weights to ±20 percentage changes in prices of costs and revenues were analysed. Economic analysis of system indicated that, costs, revenue, and profit per ewe per year were 1128200, 887255, and -240945 Rials, respectively. Labour costs with 55.7 % and revenue from live weight accounted for about 97.3 %, had the highest percentage of total costs and revenue, respectively. Feed and fixed costs represented about 36.9 % and 1.8 % of total costs, respectively. Lamb live weight at 5-month, litter size, lambing frequency, conception rate, lamb survival at birth, lamb survival from birth to 5 months, mature ewe live weight, fleece weight in ewes, ewe and replacement survival rate were represented in profit equation and accepted as breeding objectives. Relative economic values in maximum profit interest were, 2.64 for 5-month lamb live weight, 57.33 for litter size, 73.41 for lambing frequency, 97.88 for conception rate, 92.60 for lamb survival at birth, 113.96 for lamb survival from birth to 5 months, -0.067 for mature ewe live weight, 1 for weight of wool, 215.05 for ewe survival and 59.67 for replacement survival rate. It was concluded that litter size, lambing frequency, conception rate and survival rates, were the most important traits in breeding objectives. Sensitivity of economic weights with regard to meat price change was higher than the others.