farhad foroudi

A study was performed to investigate the effect of rumen protected methionine (RPM) on growth traits and feed efficiency of weaned Holstein calves using 40 calves in 4 experimental groups in a CRD plan with repeated measures were done. The experimental groups were included: 1) control (not given RPM after weaning at 75 days) 2) group was given RPM until 10 days 3) group that was given RPM until 20 days 4) group that was given RPM until 30 days after weaning. RPM was used in the amount of 2 g/d/calf. The studied traits included weight and average daily gain, body length and height, and calculated feed efficiency of experimental period. The results showed that the average feed and nutrient intake (protein and energy) of the third and fourth treatments at the ages of 85, 95 and 105 days were 9.79, 10.12 and 10.27% higher than the average of the first and second treatments (P<0.05). Daily weight gain and feed efficiency of these treatments were also 15.92% and 4.63% respectively (P<0.05).Treatments using methionine supplements had a higher average weight (4.16%) and a higher average height increase (8.15%) than the control (P<0.05). In conclusion, the use of coated methionine supplement in the ration of calves after weaning had a positive effect on growth performance, height measure and overall feed efficiency and it can be recommended at the mentioned level to the farmers. Key words: Body measures, Gain, Feed efficiency, Holstein calves.

This study was done to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of yeast extract and autolysed yeast on feed intake, ruminal fermentation parameters, IL-6 gene expression and antibody titers in early lactating dairy cows.  Twenty five lactating cows were divided into five experimental groups and five replicates in a completely random design. Experimental diets include basal diet (control group), basal diet + 20 g/d yeast extract, basal diet + 40 g/d yeast extract, basal diet + 20 g/d autolyzed yeast, and basal diet + 40 g/d autolyzed yeast. At the end of the experiment period, ruminal content samples were taken and fermentation products were measured. In the fifth week of the experiment, the cows were injected with a vaccine of foot-and-mouth disease. On weeks 7, blood sampling was taken and chemical components, antibody titer against foot-and-mouth disease virus and interleukin-6 gene expression were analyzed. Cows receiving yeast extract and autolyzed yeast at both levels had more dry matter intake than the control group (P<0.05). Autolyzed yeast and yeast extract had no effect on the daily milk production (P>0.05). Cows receiving autolyzed yeast had higher antibody titer against foot-and mouth-virus than the control group (P<0.05), but cows receiving yeast extract had no significant difference in antibody titer with the control group (P<0.05). Autolyzed yeast had no effect on concentration of volatile fatty acids (P>0.05), but yeast extract increased concentration of volatile fatty acids. Yeast extract decreased the molar percentage of acetate and butyrate and increased the molar percentage of propionate (P<0.05). Autolyzed yeast increased the relative expression of interleukin-6 gene. The highest increase in the relative expression of the interleukin-6 gene was observed in cows receiving autolyzed yeast. Based on the results of this study, autolyzed yeast at 40 g/d can improve the immune system, and yeast extract at 40 g/d can improve fermentation conditions in the rumen of dairy cows.

A total of 500 one-day old broiler chicks (as hatched) were assigned to 4 treatments with 5 replicates and 25 chickens in each replicate. Experimental design was a completely randomized block design in a 2×2 factorial arrangements with 2 levels of citric acid (0 and 0.4 % of diet; A0 and A1, respectively) and 2 levels of phytase (0 and 2000 FTU/kg diet; P0 and P1, respectively) in three phases including starter (1-10d), grower (11-24d) and finisher (25-42d). During grower, finisher and overall period of experiment feed intake and body weight gain was increased by dietary citric acid addition. Dietary phytase supplementation increased feed intake at finisher and overall period of experiment (P>0.05) and increased body weight gain during grower and overall period of experiment (P>0.05). The interaction effect of phytase and citric acid was significant for feed intake and body weight gain through the experimental period (P<0.01). Serum phosphorous was increased by phytase supplementation and alkaline phosphatase decreased by inclusion of citric acid to the diet (P>0.05). The interaction effect of phytase and citric acid significantly increased serum calcium, alkalin phosphatase and phosphorous in A0P0, A1P0 and A1P1 treatments, respectively (P>0.05). Crypt depth and villi length were significantly higher in A1P1 and A1P0 treatments, respectively (P<0.05). it was concluded that dietary addition of phytase improves broiler performance and intestinal morphology and the effect was more pronounced by supplementation of citric acid.

Effect of zeolite in preparturient diet on production, and reproduction traits in a completely randomized design with repeated measurements in time was studied. Diets included: 1) Control group (without zeolite), 2) Control+0.75% Zeolite, and 3) Control+1.5% zeolite. Dietary Ca was based of NRC recommended. The diets were fed to the animals during the last 15 days of gestation. After calving, all animals were fed with the same diet and their performance was evaluated. The control group had better raw milk production, and dry matter and energy intakes, but feed efficiency was higher in zeolite-consuming cows (P≤0.01). Protein, NDF and ADF intakes and corrected milk production (4%) were not significantly different among the groups. The milk fat percentage of zeolite-consuming cows were higher than the control (P≤0.01), but the percentages of protein, lactose and SNF were not significantly different. Plasma concentrations of total Ca, Ca++ and their ratio were similar during calving, but higher in zeolite-consuming cows at 6, 12 and 24 h postpartum (P≤0.01). The frequency of hypocalcaemia and postpartum disorders were higher in the control group than the other two groups (P≤0.01). Body condition score and colostrum quality of zeolite-consuming cows were higher than the control (P≤0.01). According to the results of this research, the use of zeolite at the level of 1.5% DM of preparturient diet is recommended and compared to the level of 0.75% DM and control group, it has a better effect on controlling blood Ca concentration and improving the production and reproductive traits of cows.

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of different sources in the extruded flaxseed production and its impact on the performance of laying hens and the quality of egg trays.In this experiment LSL laying hens in a completely randomized design with 9 treatments, 5 replicates and 10 hens in each replicate at the age of 34 to 42 wk-old. Experimental control treatment standard diet based on corn and soybean, treatments flaxseed full fat with 7.5 and 15% ration levels, treatments flaxseed full fat and soybean meal with 7.5 and 15% diet ration, treatments flaxseed full fat and sunflower meal with 7.5 and 15% diet ratios, treatments flaxseed full fat and corn gluten 7.5 and 15% diet rations. The results showed that using 7.5 and 15% full-fat flaxseed and corn gluten and 15% full-fat flaxseed and soybean meal improved the units (P<0.05). The highest shell weight was observed in treatments containing full-grain flaxseed and corn gluten, the difference was significant (P>0.05). Blood metabolites analysis showed that the number of white blood cells in the treatments containing full fat flaxseed and corn gluten significantly was different from the other treatments (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the number of heterophiles, monocytes and eosinophils (P>0.05). The results of this study showed that the use of 7.5 and 15% of extruded flax and corn gluten increases the yield and improves the quality of eggs.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of in ovo feeding of carbohydrates and antioxidants in the stored incubating eggs. To perform this experiment, 1200 hatching eggs from the broiler hens of Cob 500 strain were distributed after storage in two time intervals of 3 and 14 days for amniotic injection on the 17.5th embryonic day in a completely randomized design with 10 treatments and 5 iterations (each iteration with 24 eggs). The experimental treatments include: 1) negative control (without injection), 2) positive control (injection of 0.5 ml normal saline solution), 3) injection of 0.5 ml carbohydrate solution, 4) injection of 0.5 ml antioxidant solution and 5) injection of 0.5 ml of a mixture of carbohydrate and antioxidant solution. The percentage of losses in the treatments of mixed carbohydrates and antioxidants in both periods was less than the control (P<0.05). Crypt depth and length-to-width ratio of intestinal villi, as well as the glycogen in the thigh muscle of the chickens hatched from the eggs injected with carbohydrates, a mixture of carbohydrates and antioxidants during two storage periods of 3 and 14 days, had a significant improvement compared to the control (P<0.05). Blood glucose concentration of the chickens hatched from the eggs injected with carbohydrates, antioxidants, and their mixtures with 3 days of storage had a significant increase compared to the control (P<0.05). Total antioxidant capacity in the chickens hatched from the eggs injected with antioxidants and 3 days of storage had a significant increase compared to the control (P<0.05). The results show that the injection of carbohydrates, antioxidants, and a mixture of carbohydrates and antioxidants in the pre-hatching period would be effective on the stored fertile eggs.

Applying low-calcium to control milk fever have many problems in practice. Dietary Ca levels should be reduced by quantitative and qualitative methods such as limiting feed intake, which negatively affects the milk production and health of the cows. Anionic salts are also expensive and should be consumed before calving for a long period. It is also difficult to produce a homogeneous diet for selected cows in special section of a farm. In addition, add these salts to cows' diets reduces the palatability of the diet, decrease dry matter intake, conversely, increase negative energy balance and the concentration of non-esterified plasma fatty acids. Therefore, as an important goal of this research, it seems vital to introduce a method that solves the problems and have many advantages to improve productive traits and health related factors of fresh cows during a hot full stressed summer.

Study was performed by 60 Holstein cows near calving in 3 experimental groups using a completely randomized statistical design with repeated measurements in time. Study was done in summer season, adaptation and experimental period were 15 and 45 days from -15 to +30 after calving time, respectively. Experimental diets including: 1) Low-Ca or control diet (Ca=0.44%), 2) Anionic diet (Ca=1%), 3) Control +enriched Zeolite diet. From second week after calving the cows were fed with a fresh milking diet The DCAD of diets were +100, -100, +100 mEq/kg DM respectively. The Anionic and Zeolite supplementation were used at level of 2.8 and 1.5% based on daily DMI of cows. Experimental traits were included milk production and compositions, total and ionized plasma calcium and some reproductive disorders.

According to the results, consumption of DM and energy between diets were significantly different. Fat percentage of zeolite diet was higher than others but raw and corrected milk yield of anionic diet was the highest (P≤0.01). Plasma and ionized Ca concentration of zeolite diet were the same with two other diets at calving time but at 6, 12 and 24 hours after that were significantly higher than others (P≤0.01). The frequency of severe and subclinical hypocalcaemia was higher in control diet and older cows, but in zeolite diet was lower than others (P≤0.01). The highest BCS was for zeolite (2.98) and the lowest (2.86) for control diet (P≤0.01). The frequency of postpartum disorders (calving difficulty, retained placenta, endometritis, and abomasum displacement) was significantly lower in zeolite and anionic diets than control (P≤0.01). Highest percent of ssuccessful pregnancy, inversely, lowest percent of culled cows from herd observed in zeolits and anionic diets (P≤0.01).

According to the results, improved dry matter and energy consumption was observed in zeolite diet compared to anionic which had a direct effect on milk productive traits. Improved total and ionized Ca plasma concentrations during calving and after that and better control on hypocalcaemia and related problems in the herd, with highest BCS and a significant reduction in the frequency of postpartum disorders are of the advantages of zeolite diet. So the proposed method of calcium restriction using zeolite supplement seems to be successful and can be used as an alternative for common methods.

In this study, the effects of different dietary levels of synthetic tryptophan on some growth parameters and carcass quality of rainbow trout was investigated. For this purpose, 120 fish (mean weight 6.5±0.4 g) were randomly distributed in three treatments with four replicates and fed with diets supplemented with 0 (control diet), 0.2%, and 0.4% tryptophan for 8 weeks. Results showed that addition of tryptophan at 0.2 and 0.4% levels significantly improved the weight gain, specific growth rate, daily growth rate, and survival compared to the control group (p<0.05). The lowest feed conversion ratio (1.01±0.04) and highest protein yield ratio (2.48±0.02) were observed in 0.4% tryptophan treatment (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in length gain and condition factor between treatments (p>0.05). The highest crude protein (61.62±1.21%) was observed in 0.4% tryptophan treatment, which was significantly different from those in control and 0.2% tryptophan treatments (p <0.05). There was no significant difference in moisture content between treatments (p> 0.05). Regarding the carcass amino acids profile, the highest amounts of methionine (1.59±0.02%), methionine + cysteine (2.15±0.03%), threonine (2.35±0.01%), isoleucine (2.37±0.04%), leucine (4.20±0.06%)و and valine (2.81±0.03%) were measured in 0.4% tryptophan treatment (p<0.05). In general, findings of the current research illustrated that most growth parameters of rainbow trout were improved by adding tryptophan to the control diet, although the fry carcass had higher amino acid and crud protein values by supplementing diet with 0.4% tryptophan.

Betaine is a derivative of three methylates of glycine amino acids, found in the body of many animals. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of betaine supplementation in the diet on gene expression and activities of lipogenic enzymes, and lipid levels of blood and liver in broilers. A total of 320 broilers were evaluated (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates, with the diets consisted of the control treatment which did not use the betaine supplementation. The second, third and fourth treatments contained 0.05, 0.08 and 0.11% betaine hydrochloride 98%, respectively. Betaine supplementation to the diet has no significant effect on lipoprotein lipase gene expression, and the activities of enzyme Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase (p> 0.05). Betaine supplementation caused a significant decrease in liver cholesterol and triglyceride chicks fourth treatment (containing betaine hydrochloride 0.11 percent) compared to the control group (p<0.05). In general, the results show that in broilers lipoprotein lipase gene expression and the activities of enzyme Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase are less influenced by betaine.

This study aimed to examine the effects of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on the hematological and immune parameters of Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio). An experiment was designed with five treatments, including diets with 0, 2, 5, 7 and 10% of C. vulgaris each with three replicates for 8 weeks. At the end of experiment, the hematological and, immune system parameters were measured and analyzed. The results revealed that supplementation of C. vulgaris in diets resulted in higher percentage of haemoglobuling (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC). In addition, a significant increase in the levels of IgM, lysozyme and C4 complement levels were found in fish fed CV at different levels showing a positive effect by this microalgea on the immune status of Koi carp. Based on the results, supplementation of CV particularly at 5% of its dry powder in diet of Koi carp can play an important role in the stimulation of fish immune system.

Investigated the effects of beet (as a source of plant pigment) on rainbow trout skin discoloration experiment in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 3 replicates were performed. For this purpose, 240 fish (20 pieces per experimental unit) were reared for 45 days under standard conditions. Experimental groups included a control treatment (no beets) and nutritional treatments with 5%, 10% and 15% were beets. For measuring changes in skin color on the 45th day in Experiment, 2 pieces of fish from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered. After a side cut on the part of the body with the skin and also making cold for 24 hours, based on three criteria colorimetric parameters L * (brightness), a * (redness) and b * (yellowness) colorimetric device 400-MINOLTA CR were evaluated. Results were shown significant differences between experimental groups, there were no effects on the skin and flesh color (05/0 <P). Although numerically the highest rates of red meat and skin index was for 10% beet group and the highest value of yellow and brightness index was for no beets group. Although by calculation ΔE (the deviation of color) in the skin, the results were shown that 10% beet group had more significant differences than the other groups (P <0/05). And also there was a significant difference (P <0/05) in the flesh which was in P-value level (probability level)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of safflower on skin color and rainbow trout carcasses were implemented. For this purpose was researched a total of 240 fishes ranged in weight from 230±10 gr as a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 3 replicates and 20 pieces per replicate for 45 days in Khojier station research on June to August 2013. Diets were included a control group, five, ten and fifteen percent of safflower. To perform for colorimetric tests of rainbow trout skin and meat 2 fishes at day 45 randomly caught and a piece of the meat with skin was removed and after 24 hours of freezing, L*(brightness), a*(redness) and b*(yellowness) parameters were evaluated by Minolta CR-400 colorimetric device. In the Colorimetric Results showed that between dorsal muscle parameters L *, a * and b * treatments on compared to control were non-significant difference) P>0/05). The skin colorimetric showed brightness indicator a significant difference in 10% of safflower treatment compared with other treatments (P≤0/05). In conjunction with redness and yellowness indices, treated with 15% safflower showed non-significant increase and decrease, respectively, compared to the control group (P>0/05). This experiment showed that the use of different levels of safflower can be effective in changing the skin color of the rainbow trout.