g. r. ghorbani

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of soybean (SB) meal (SBM) with increased rumen undegradable protein as roasted SB (RSB), extruded SB (ESB) or their equal blend (RSB + ESB) on production performance, nutrient digestibility, N-utilization efficiency, and blood metabolites in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight lactating Holstein cows (BW = 534 ± 52 and DIM = 104 ± 5; mean ± SD) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 28-d periods receiving 4 diets: (1) 13.88% of diet dry matter (DM) as SBM; (2) 15.22% of diet DM as RSB, (3) 15.55% of diet DM as ESB, and (4) 7.69% RSB plus 7.69% ESB (RSB + ESB). Each experimental period consisted of a 14-d diet adaptation followed by 14-d data collection. Dry matter intake, actual milk and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield were not affected by the diet. Average milk fat and protein percentages (3.42 and 3.11%) and yields (1.28 and 1.17 kg/d), respectively, were not different among the diets. Plasma urea N concentration was similar across SB products but decreased compared with SBM. Feeding processed SB reduced NH3</sub>-N concentration in the rumen (14.0 vs. 17.2 mg/dL; processed SB vs. SBM), indicating lower ruminal degradation of processed SB protein, and thereby improved N-utilization. Based on our results, RSB and ESB and their equal blend had a similar effect on productivity and N-utilization efficiency in mid-lactation Holstein cows.

Transition period (3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving) is a critical period for cows' health and production (Grummer 1995). During the late gestation, nutritional demand of fetus increases considerably, while feed intake reduces more than 30 percent during the last 3 weeks of gestation (Sadri et al. 2012). Nutritional strategies are important for preventing the decrease in DMI during close up period. On the other hand, rapid increase of postpartum DMI could reduce the severity of negative energy balance, and therefore, improve milk production and health (Poláková et al. 2010). Grummer (1995) reported a positive correlation between DMI at d 1 prepartum and d 21 postpartum. Several nutritional approaches for the close-up diet have been proposed to stimulate prepartum DMI and minimize lipid mobilization: 1) use of bulky forage NDF sources into the diet to increase ruminal fill, 2) increase in dietary fat or NFC content of the diet to increase energy intake, 3) use of appetitive feeds for increasing in DMI and preventing ruminal acidosis and 4) use of feed additives that serve as gluconeogenic precursors to increase energy supply (Dann, et al. 2007). These approaches have yielded variable results in research and production settings. Diets with high levels of NFC are more common, but these diets may lead to acidosis and feed intake depression (Wang et al. 2013). In addition, readily fermentable carbohydrates (i.e. barley grain), increase ruminal propionate production and propionate can lead to reduction e in feed intake (Allen. 2009). Beet pulp is a unique feed ingredient containing 40% NDF with highly soluble fiber content (especially pectic substances) (Dann et al. 2007). There are different results for replacing grains with dried beet pulp in dairy cows nutrition. Clark and Armentano (1997) reported an increase in DMI of cows after replacing of shelled corn with dried beet pulp. However, some researchers demonstrated that dried beet pulp had no effect on cows' milk yield (Mahjubi et al. 2009; Clark and Armentano 1997). Although, Mahjubi et al. (2009) with replacing 50% of barley grain with beet pulp reported an increase in milk fat percentage. This study was designed to investigate the effect of different form of non-fibrous carbohydrates (lipogenic vs. glucogenic) diets on feed intake, performance, and ruminal pH in transition dairy cows. All procedures were conducted under protocols approved by the Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Laboratory Animal Care Advisory Committee. The experiment was conducted in Lavark at the Farm Animal Research and Teaching Unit of IUT. Twenty-four multiparous (1-3 parity) Holstein cows were kept in 9 m2 individual pens from 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after parturition. The animals have free access to feed and fresh water. In this study, pelleted beet pulp ground by a 2 mm screen was used as a partially replacement for ground barley grain. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows were fed a total mixed ration containing 100% barley as a grain source of concentrate and no beet pulp (BP0, Glucogenic Diet, GD) and in 2 experimental rations 25 (BP25, Low Lipogenic Diet, LLD) and 50% (BP50, High Lipogenic Diet, HLD) of barley grain in the glucogenic diet was replaced by beet pulp, from d 21 before anticipated calving to d 24 after calving. The experimental diets were formulated according to Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS, v. 6.1, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY) for pre and postpartum periods. Data were analyzed as a block randomized design (parity as blocks). Daily DMI was determined by subtracting orts from offered TMR and were recorded for individual cows. After parturition, cows were milked three times daily in a milking parlour, and milk production was recorded at each milking time. Milk samples were collected weekly from three consecutive milking, and preserved using potassium dichromate. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose and total solid by an automated near infra-red spectroscopy analyzer (Milk-O-Scan, 134 BN, Foss Electric, HillerØd, Denmark). Body weights were measured weekly pre and postpartum (from d -28 to d +25) and the changes in BW were calculated. Postpartum net energy balance (NEB) for each cow was calculated based on NRC (2001). Results showed that during the prepartum period, DMI (kg/d), DMI (%BW), and energy intake (Mcal/d) were increased by substitution of barley grain with dried beet pulp (P<0.01); however, the change in DMI as a percentage of BW from d 19 to d 1 before parturition was not affected by treatments. During postpartum, DMI (kg/d), DMI (%BW), and energy intake (Mcal/d) increased as a quadratic effect (P<0.01) with the increasing levels of beet pulp replacement. Body weights, back fat thickness and postpartum calculated net energy balance were not affected by the treatments. During postpartum, milk yield was the lowest by using HLD (P<0.01). However, 4% FCM and ECM and total solid of milk were not affected by the treatments. HLD significantly increased milk fat percentage (P<0.05) and decreased milk protein percentage (P<0.07) in comparison with the GD and LLD. During postpartum, ruminal pH was the lowest in GD (P<0.05). Results suggest that using of LLD in periparturient diets increased DMI, energy intake, milk yield and improved rumen health.

This errraeee was performed to determine the effects of different levels of alfalfa meal feeding on ue ueCaner, skeletal growth, ruminal fermentation and development of Holestin suckling milk calves. Thirty calves were randomly assigned to different treatments consisting of control (without forage), and experimental groups (contain 8 and 16 % alfalfa meal in starter). Feed intake was measured daily and body weight was weekly recorded, respectively. Also, ruminal fluid samples were collected at 35, 50, and 70 dayr of age to measure ruminal parameters. Oalves were slaughtered at 72 day (9 calves; 3 calves for each treatment) to measure rumen development parameters. Results showed that starter intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency during the pre and post-weaning periods were not different aCunl treatments. Also, weaning weight, final weight and skeletal growth were not significant for treatments. Ruminal pH significantly increased at 50 and 72 dayr with increasing alfalfa level. Acetate to propionate ratio and acetate concentration of rumen fluid increased at d 50 and 72 linearly and quadratically, respectively. Propionate and total volatile fatty acids concentrations linearly decreased at 50 and 72 days, respectively. Omasum weight with and without digest matter were greater with increasing forage level. Reticulo-rumen weight without digest matter increased quadraticaly with forage feeding. Alfalfa addition decreased corneum and epithelial layer thickness, but decreased papillae length. In overall, results of this study indicated that alfalfa meal feeding had no negative effect on performance of suckling milk calves, also improved ruminal pH, digestive organ weights and rumen development in suckling milk calves.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactisil Maize (LM) on quality of corn silage and performances of dairy cattle. Lactisil Maize consist four homofermentative strains (Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei and Pediococcus pentosaceus) and one heterofermentative strain (Lactobacillus buchneri) of lactic acid producing bacteria. For inoculants of the corn crops, 500 g of LM were diluted into 200 L of water and was sprayed over 50 t of the fresh forages (1.5×105 cfu per g of fresh forage). The silos were opened 180 day after ensiling and were fed to eight Holstein dairy cattle in a replicated 2 × 2 Latin square designed experiment.There were no significant differences between control and LM treated silages in concentrations of DM and crude protein.However, applying of the inoculants resulted in an increase in neutral detergent fiber of corn silage (P< 0.01). Higher concentrations of lactic and acetic acids were found in silages with inoculants compared with control silages (P< 0.01). Aerobic stability was higher in treated silage in comparison with control (P< 0.01). Animals fed the inoculants-treated silage had lower dry matter intake (DMI, P< 0.01)and milk yield (P< 0.05)per day due to negative effects of greater concentrations of volatile compounds on DMI. Digestibility of nutrients and molar proportion of rumen volatile fatty acids were similar between treatments. As a result, inoculating corn silages with this inoculant improves the aerobic stability of corn silage but cannot conquest suppressed DMI of dairy cattle which induces by silages with greater concentrations of volatile compounds.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inoculation of homo-fermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on ensiling characteristics and nutritive value of low dry matter corn silage (LDMCS). Corn forage was harvested at milk stage (22. 8 ± 0. 9% DM)، chopped at theoretical length of cut (TLC) 2. 5 cm، and stored in eighteen 3. 8 L mini silos for each treatment. The following treatments were used، 1) control (uninoculated)، 2) ecosyl (treated with ecosylTM corn silage inoculants containing Lactobacillus plantarum)، and 3) biotal (treated with biotalTM corn silage inoculants containing Lactobacillus plantarum، Pediococcus pentosaceus and Propionibacter freudenreichii). Triplicate silos for each treatment were opened and sampled for chemical analyses after 3، 6، 12، 16، 21 and 90 days of ensiling. Neither ecosyl nor biotal improved fermentation characteristics of LDMCS compared to the control silage. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF)، acid detergent fiber (ADF)، crude protein (CP)، water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents and lactic acid (LA) concentration were not affected significantly by inoculants (P>0. 05). Acetic acid concentration of control silages was higher; however، ethanol concentration was lower than the other silages. Biotal treated silages had the highest ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentrations compared to the control (P<0. 05). In vitro dry matterdisappearance (IVDMD) of control silage was higher than treated silages (P<0. 05). In conclusion، the results showed that homo-fermentative LAB inoculants used in this experiment did not improve the fermentation characteristics and nutritive value of LDMCS.

The study was conducted to examine the effects of compounds of pistachio by-product silage on the kidneys function and microbial protein synthesis in Holstein fattening male calves. For this purpose, levels of 0, 6, 12 and 18% of pistachio by-product silage (PBPS) were substituted with corn silage in twenty four Holstein male calves (155.1± 13.5kg). The calves were hosed in individual pens and 4 total mixed rations were feeding in a completely randomized design. The rations were fed adlibitum to the calves in a 6 month period. Microbial protein synthesis were predicted via spot sampling of urine for purine derivatives which measured by spectrophotometer for two consecutive days at 120 and at 180 days of experiment. Physical and chemical properties of urine were measured after the adaptation period to the rations and then every 45 day throughout the experiment. The results showed that increasing the levels of PBPS to 12 and 18%, microbial protein synthesis significantly (P<0.01) decreased in compared with control and 6% (PBPS) groups. No significant differences were observed between treatments for pH, specific gravity, white and red blood cells number and epithelial cells of urine. In spite of the urine dark color with increasing levels of PBPS, the calves were not affected by hemoglobinuria and hematory. As a whole, the results showed that phenolic compound of PBPS decreased microbial protein synthesis without detrimental effects on kidneys function in fattening male calves.

In a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement (3× 5× 3), three fistulated sheep with an average body weight of 47.5 ± 2.5 kg were used to determine the effect of cutting and growing stages (no bloom , early bloom and full bloom) on chemical composition and In situ degradability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Nylon bags (50 µm pore size) were filled with 3.5 g of each sample and suspended in the rumen before morning feeding and incubated for seven different times (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h). The results showed that alfalfa at no bloom stage had the highest crude protein and the lowest crude fiber content. The third – cut alfalfa had the highest degradability of dry matter and organic matter. Extent of degradability depended on crude fiber and solubility. During growth stage, the protein, soluble material and degradability levels decreased while crude fiber, neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP), and acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) increased. The amount of ADICP was an estimate of unavailable crude protein in the rumen. Although the rate of organic matter degradation was maximum in full bloom, no significant difference was observed between the three stages of growth. Effective degradability (ED) of crude protein was significantly different among stages the growth (p<0.05). Effective dry matter degradability (EDDM) with a passage rate of 6%/h was significantly higher in the third cutting of alfalfa. The results of this study showed that first cutting and full bloom alfalfa had the lowest and fifth cutting and no bloom had the highest CP levels. The effect of cutting and growing stages on degradability parameters was variable and did not allow any firm conclusions to be made.

An experiment was carried out to estimate the potential activity of rumen anaerobic fungi in the degradation of dry matter and fiber of feeds. Samples of wheat bran, bagasse, cotton seed, alfalfa and corn silage were used as the substrates to culture rumen fungi which were isolated from a fistulated Shal sheep. Loss percentages of dry matter (DML), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent (ADL), cellulose, and hemicellulose of samples were measured after 0, 3, 6 and 9 days of incubation. Dry matter and NDF loss of substrates varied from 10.6 % to 29.4% and 11.7% to 48.7% after 9 days of fungi growth. The highest and lowest DML and NDF were related to alfalfa and bagasses, respectively. The highest values for the ADF loss (39%), hemicellulose loss (65.6%) and cellulose loss (55.6%) were measured from alfalfa. The results indicated that rumen anaerobic fungi have the ability of degrading dry matter and fiber from different types of feed.

The effects of dietary vitamins C (VC), E (VE) and sunllower oil (SFO) on immune responses ofheat-stressed male broiler chickens were evaluated. Ali birds were kept under consistent temperatures from 10:00 to 20:00 and from 20:00 to 10:00 throughout the 1-49 day of age period. Antibodies to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in serum on thelOth day ofpostimmunization at 18, 35 and 48d of age were determined. At 7wk, CD4/CD8 T lymphocyte ratios in peripheral blood were determined. VC, VE, SFO or their interaction had not signilicant effects on immune responses indices and total mortality. However. chicks fed the VE-supplcmentcd diet had a higher antibody titer against NDV at 18 and 48d of age and higher CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratios. In addition. increasing SPO from 0 to 2.5%, enhanced anti-NDV levels at 18 and 35d of age and increased CD4/CD8 ratios at 49d of age. Moreover, total mortality was decreased with increaseing VC concentration from 0 to 255ppm, VE from 0 to 288ppm and SFO from 0 to 2.5 and 5%. These results suggest that immune responses and especially mortality in hcat-stressed broiler chickens be ameliorated by use of SFO accompanied by dietary VE or VC supplementation.

The objectives of this study include the determination of the growth potential of Naeini lambs when fed with diets varying in energy and protein concentrations and also an investigation of the influence of level of energy and/or protein intake on carcass characteristics and composition. Ninety Naeini weather lambs (initial live weight 29.89 ± 2.9 kg) were used in a 92-day feeding experiment. Animals were blocked to each of nine dietary treatments. Diets contained either 2, 2.25 or 2.5 Mcal ME/Kg DM and 11.7, 13.2 or 14.7% CP diets were fed in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement in randomized complete blocks. Lambs fed with high energy diets consumed significantly more feed (P<0.05) than lambs given the medium (ME) or low energy (LE) diets. The average final body weight and daily weight gain for lambs fed with HE, ME and LE diets were 41.4, 38.3, 34.5 Kg and 162, 124, 74 g/d, respectively, which were significantly different (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio in HE group was significantly lower (8.3) than ME (10.4) or LE (14.3) groups. Energetic efficiencies and protein efficiencies were better for HE than for ME and LE diets. Increasing dietary energy significantly (P<0.05) improved energy and protein efficiencies of the diets. Dressing percentage, lean meat and eye muscle depth were significantly (P<0.05) improved with increasing levels of energy in the diet, but also increased dissectible fat. No significant changes were observed in bone percentage and body ash due to any changes in dietary energy. As the protein level of rations increased, feed conversion ratio and carcass meat percentage increased, but carcass protein percentage decreased.

To determine the best ratios of alfalfa hay to corn silage with similar dietary NDF, cation-anion balance, energy and protein content in the lactating dairy cows, eight mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows with average body weight of 570 kg, and milk yield of 22 kg/d with 3.5% fat, were assigned to each of four experimental diets with alfalfa hay to corn silage ratios of 100:0, 67:33, 33:67 and 0:100., in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with two replicates. Dry matter intake, digestibility, rumen degradability of DM, fat percentage and total solids in milk for diets one to four were 19.09, 19.94, 20.94, 20.90 kg/d 69.07, 65.75, 71.78, 49.82% 52.8, 49.6, 50.4, 46.7% 3.47, 3.53, 3.79, 3.93% 12.17, 12.17, 12.48, 12.60%, respectively. Diets containing 67% silage showed the highest dry matter intake, 3.2% FCM and digestibility. Degradability in rumen were highest and lowest in diets containing 100% alfalfa hay or corn silage, respectively. Increased ratios of silage to alfalfa hay corresponded to increases in milk fat and protein yield, milk protein percentage and total solids in milk.