فراسنجه های خونی

The pre-weaning period is extremely important for dairy calves due to the close relationship between growth and health during the early stages of life and forthcoming performance as a cow. Nutritional management during the pre-weaning period can have short-term effects on health, mortality rate, growth efficiency, and farm economics, as well as long-term effects on milk production. Fatty acids in mammals serve more than their role as energy sources. For example, butyrate increases the development of rumen papillae and the development of both villi and pancreas. Recent studies have shown that intensive feeding of young calves in the pre-weaning period has a range of long-term positive effects, including reducing the age of insemination and parturition, increasing body weight at parturition, and improving milk production. Different types of fat supplements with different mixtures of fatty acids have been fed to dairy cows. However, a low fat level (about 3%) is recommended for starters. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of a commercial garlic essential oil (consisting of garlic, onion, and leek essential oils) on the growth performance, health, immunity, and blood and rumen parameters of Holstein’s calves.

An experiment was conducted with 40 calves with an average birth weight of 39.2 ± 5 kg and an average age of 6 ± 2 days in a completely randomized design with four treatments and 10 replications from 4 to 65 days of age. The treatments included 1) control treatment (without receiving essential oil), 2) treatment with a level of 30 mg of garlic essential oil, 3) treatment with a level of 60 mg of garlic essential oil, and 4) treatment with a level of 90 mg of garlic essential oil. The milk feeding schedule was constant for treatments, and all calves were weaned on day 65 of age. Calves' body weight was measured at the ages of 0, 30, and 65 days after being fed morning milk. To determine blood parameters, such as glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, the ratio of albumin to globulin, and total lipid, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein and through vacuum tubes containing heparin on days 30 and 65 four hours after the morning feeding. To measure the apparent digestibility of nutrients and to determine pathogens, samples were taken from the feces at the age of 0, 35, and 65 days and from the rectum of the calves. The status of feces consistency and the health of calves (ear position, eye, and nose discharge) was examined daily based on the method introduced by the University of Wisconsin. Data were analyzed using R software and the AOV procedure. Means were compared using Duncan's method.

There was no significant difference in the average feed consumption in the period from 0 to 4 weeks and from 4 weeks to the end of the period. However, feed consumption in the whole period was significantly different between the experimental treatments. As such, a higher amount of feed consumption was observed in the fourth treatment than in the rest of the treatments. The final weight and the daily weight gain of the whole period were significantly different between treatment 4 and the control treatment. The average initial weight of all treatments was 39.2 ± 3.1 kg. There was no significant difference in weight and daily weight gain between treatments at 30 days. However, the final weight and daily weight gain of the entire period was significantly different between treatment 4 and the control. Thus, the highest average final weight and the highest daily weight gain were recorded in the fourth treatment with a level of 90 mg of garlicon essential oil, and the lowest amount belonged to the control treatment. There was no significant difference between experimental treatments in terms of ear score, eye excoriation, nasal discharge score, and stool score. There was no significant difference in the chest width, height from the withers, and body length of the tested calves at the beginning of the period. At 30 days of age, however, there was a significant difference in chest width and body length among experimental treatments. Thus, treatment 4 (with 90 mg of essential oil) presented the highest chest width and body length, and the control treatment showed the lowest chest width (p = 0.0341) and body length (p = 0.0500). Moreover, the results of the data analysis at the end of the period showed a significant difference in the chest width and body length between the treatment with the level of 90 mg of essential oil and the control treatment.

Calves receiving garlicon essential oil with a level of 90 mg showed better performance in feed consumption than the other treatments. Furthermore, the body weight of control calves was lower than the other treatments, indicating the better performance of calves receiving essential oil. The important point obtained from this research is that the use of essential oil in the investigation of antibacterial properties can indicate the potential power of different medicinal plants, especially garlic.

 Wheat grain is normally used for animal feed in some regions, but is seldom used in others. Its nutritional composition is very similar to that of the barley grain commonly used, but there are concerns about its effects on the performance and health of the animals. Wheat seed is one of the grain varieties with the highest amount of protein available for animal feed, exceeding corn. Furthermore, it has a high energy value of 3.0 to 3.5 Mcal of ME (metabolizable energy), which is an important source of energy for animal feed. The most abundant carbohydrate in wheat is starch, a digestible polysaccharide. On the other hand, it is recommended that wheat has a moisture content of less than 14% to avoid problems with digestibility and contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi. Barley is an important grain which is widely used as a source of feed for ruminants. Feed deliveries during the fattening period are the physical processing of the feed. It has been demonstrated that barley starch ferments rapidly in the rumen. The high digestibility of barley has raised concerns regarding acidosis, lameness, liver abscesses, and gastrointestinal abnormalities in ruminants. It is generally considered that the processing of barley grain may be used in the feed industry to adjust the rate of digestion of its nutrients to avoid acidosis. Consequently, the distribution of particle sizes after processing is one of the main factors influencing the rate and extent of digestion of barley (feeding of livestock accounts for 65-70% of the cost of raising livestock). Wheat and barley are used as the predominant source of energy for animal nutrition in most parts of the world. Wheat seed has been used for a long time because of the extensive cultivation and livestock rearing in Iran. The most common way of processing barley and wheat grain in the country is by grinding. Farmers prefer to use whole grains in the production of concentrates, as the concentrate involves the use of crushed grains, but the farmer's wish to use whole grains in the concentrate requires a study and field investigation. The purpose of this study is therefore to examine the effects of the grain size of barley and wheat on the diet of lambs fattening and to compare their effects on growth performance, digestibility, rumination and blood parameters.

 This experiment was carried out in the form of a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of 3×2 with six treatments including 1. Finely milled barley grain with sieve number two, 2. Coarsely milled barley grain with sieve number eight, 3. Unmilled barley grain, 4. Finely milled wheat grain with sieve number two, 5. Coarsely milled wheat grain with sieve number eight, and 6. Unmilled wheat grain. Five fattening lambs aged 4-5 months with almost the same starting weight were allocated to each treatment and a total of 30 male lambs were individually tested for 98 days, including two weeks for acclimatization and 84 days for the remainder of the main test period. The performance of lambs was assessed in this experiment, including average daily feed consumption, daily weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion ratio. Nutrient digestibility was measured by the acid-insoluble ash (AIA) method from day 80 for four days. The digestibility of dry matter organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber was evaluated. Blood parameters were measured including blood glucose, blood cholesterol (LDL-c, HDL-c), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

 The results showed that daily weight gain was significant throughout the treatment period and daily weight gain was greater in the treatment group that consumed barley than in the treatment group that consumed wheat (P<0.05). The impact of the grain, the type of processing, and their interaction on feed consumption in all three experimental periods was not significant. Total feed consumption was not significant, but it was significant during the last month of fattening (P<0.05). Lambs consuming barley and wheat milled with sieve number eight had the highest feed consumption compared with the treatment of wheat and barley with sieve number two and whole grains (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in treatments receiving wheat was higher than that in those receiving barley (P<0.05). The type of processing had no significant impact on the feed conversion rate (P>0.05). In the study of nutritional behavior, the results showed that the parameters of eating and rumination were higher in the treatments receiving wheat compared to barley (P<0.05). Also, the treatments receiving unmilled barley and wheat (whole grain) showed the highest levels of eating and rumination (P<0.05). The treatments receiving barley and wheat grains with sieve number two also showed the lowest levels of eating and rumination. There were no significant differences in nutrient digestibility, rumination parameters, and blood parameters (P>0.05). Contrary to the view of the farmers that whole grains are better than milled grains, the results showed that overall the use of ground or whole grains did not show a significant difference.

 Overall, the results showed that there was no significant difference between whole grain and milled grain, and even from the point of view of palatability, milled grain with a sieve number 8 had a higher consumption rate than the other treatments. These findings indicate that milled barley grain with a sieve number 8 may be used as a substitute for whole barley grain in the feeding of lambs.

 In ruminants, vitamin B12 is a cofactor for two enzyme systems that are involved in many metabolic processes, such as the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, some amino acids, and DNA. Vitamin B12 in ruminants is synthesized by rumen bacteria or provided by dietary sources. Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in poor growth, anemia, and reduced milk production in lactating animals. In young ruminants such as newborn lambs and calves, the rumen is not fully developed for vitamin B12 synthesis until six to eight weeks of age. This means that during this period, a dietary source of vitamin B12 is necessary. Colostrum, milk, or milk replacers may be used as a source of vitamin B12 in these young ruminants. However, different factors, including nutritional deficiencies, may affect the vitamin B12 content in milk. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin B12 intramuscular injection on the lactation performance of ewes and on certain blood parameters in their lambs.

 The current research was conducted at the animal husbandry station of Lorestan University.  Twenty early lactating ewes (60±0.50 kg) were selected and allocated to one of the two groups (10 ewes per group). Treatments included 1. Ewes without vitamin B12 injection (control group) and 2. Ewes with a weekly injection of vitamin B12. The first injection of vitamin B12 was given immediately after the ewes were lambed and three further injections were given per week (four injections in total). The amount of vitamin B12 injection was 1 mg intramuscularly in each injection. Milk production was recorded during the 10th, 20th, and 30th days of lactation, and the lambs were separated from their mothers for 12 hours, at which time they were weighed using a digital scale for 10 minutes. The lambs were allowed to use their mother's milk. Immediately after separation from their mother, lambs were weighed again and the difference in weight before and after milk consumption was recorded. The milk composition (including milk protein, milk fat, fat-free solids, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and total unsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids) was measured with DA 7250 NIR Auto-analysis. To check the blood parameters of lambs, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of newborn lambs at 10, 20 and 30 days of age, and from two separate tubes, one for the count of cells and one for the measurement of serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and other metabolites in the blood. Vitamin B12 concentrations were measured using the Pars Azmoun kit and the ELISA device. The data analysis was carried out with SAS statistical software (version 9.4). The comparison of the means was done using a t-test with a significance level of 0.05.

 Results showed that milk yield in the vitamin B12 group were significantly higher than that in the control group during the four weeks of the experimental period (P<0.05). This increase in milk production can be considered a response to the increased availability of plasma glucose for milk lactose production by increasing plasma vitamin B12 concentration and its vital role, such as participating in many metabolic pathways in the body and acting as an intermediary in the catabolism of some amino acids. However, the percentage of milk compounds, including milk fat, protein, solids not fat, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, and saturated fats, was unaffected by the administration of vitamin B12 (P˃0.05). Blood vitamin B12 concentration was significantly higher in vitamin B12 injected ewes compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in growth performance, average wean weight, average birth weight, or daily weight gain of lambs born to vitamin B12-treated ewes compared to control lambs (P>0.05). Injection of vitamin B12 into pregnant ewes had no significant effect on the blood glucose, white blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells, or hematocrit percentage of the newborn lambs (P>0.05). Vitamin B12 status in suckling lambs can be related to the rate of transfer of this vitamin through milk during lactation and through the placenta during pregnancy.

 Consequent intramuscular administration of vitamin B12 to ewes at the beginning of lactation may increase milk production and thereby increase the lambs' performance and vitamin B12 concentration in the blood.

The nutritional value of corn industrial products is very important and it is one of the valuable sources of organic materials for industrial usage. Starch, animal feed, sugar syrup and oil are extracted from corn in starch factories. Residues from food industries are among the industrial wastes that can be consumed by animals. In extracting starch and preparing glucose from corn, some by-products are obtained which are suitable for animal feeding. Among these products, the corn steep liquor is more taken into consideration. Corn steep liquor, which is produced during the wet milling process of corn kernels to extract corn starch and oil, is a relatively cheap, tasty and easily available product for animals and it has potential to be used as a feedstuff in ruminants due to its proper energy and protein content and low fiber concentration. Corn liquor, is a viscous liquid with a light to dark brown color which has a smell similar to silage and acidic pH, 3.86, which can be used in animal feed. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of corn steep liquor replaced for soybean meal on feed intake and ruminal fermentation of lactating Dalagh ewes. Twenty one ewes with parity 3 (average weight of 36±3.7 kg) were used in 3 treatments and 7 repetitions in the form of a completely randomized design. The treatments included: 1) control, 2) diet containing 4 percent of corn steep liquor of DM and 3) diet containing 8 percent of corn steep liquor of DM.
The results showed that dry matter intake increased with the increase of dietary corn steep liquor level (P≥0.05). There was no significant difference in rumen pH and protozoa population. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration increased with the increase of corn steep liquor level in the diet (P≥0.05). There was no significant difference in the concentration of butyrate, isovalerate, valerate and the ratio of acetate to propionate in the rumen among the experimental treatments. However, with the increase in the dietary level of corn steep liquor, the concentrations of propionate increased and the concentration of acetate and total volatile fatty acids decreased in the rumen (P≥0.05). Blood cholesterol concentration was not significantly different between different treatments; but total protein, urea nitrogen, triglyceride and blood glucose concentrations increased with increasing the level of corn steep liquor in the diet (P≥0.05).
According to the results, it can be recommended to add corn steep liquor to animal rations up to the level of 200 grams per kilogram of dry matter consumed.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented sesame meal on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immunity and bone mineralization in broiler chickens. A total of 525 broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 7 treatments with five replicate per each. Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC1058 and Bacillus subtilis PTCC1156 in combination with Aspergillus niger PTCC5010 were used to ferment sesame flour. ​Experimental treatments included a basal diet and basal diet containing 6 or 12% fermented sesame meal and 6 or 12% untreated sesame meal with or without phytase enzyme. The treatment containing 6% USM+phytase enzyme and 12% FSM showed the highest weight gain during the starter and total phases in broilers, respectively (P<0.05). During total phase, feed conversion ratio improved in broilers fed diets containing 6 and 12% FSM and USM+phytase (P<0.05). The highest and lowest blood glucose concentrations were observed in the treatments containing 6% USM + phytase enzyme and 12% USM + phytase enzyme, respectively (P <0.05). The results of antibody titer against Gamboro and bronchitis showed that there was a significant difference in the titer against Gamboro between experimental treatments (p<0.05). The highest percentage of ash, phosphorus and calcium was observed in the treatment containing 6% FSM (P<0.05). The general result of the present study showed that the processing of sesame meal by fermentation method improved growth prformance and increased the level of antibody titer against Gamboro disease in broiler chickens. In addition, Phytase supplement in sesame meal diets improved bone mineralization in broilers.

Oxidative stress is inevitable in broiler chicken production, and it affects the physiological, behavioral, and biochemical status of growing chicken which ultimately deteriorates meat quality. The imbalance among free radicals and antioxidant enzymes within living cells or tissues leads to the oxidation of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and is a fundamental cause of oxidative stress. When the antioxidant mechanism within living cells weakens, the production of free radicals increases under physiological oxygen metabolism, and reactive species (i.e., reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species) are needed in cells in small quantities because they function as signaling molecules during homeostasis. However, excessive production of these species leads to oxidative stress. There is a mechanism in living cells to reduce the number of oxidative species through physiological scavenging. Numerous reactive oxygen species such assuperoxide and hydrogen peroxide are produced during oxygen metabolism. In addition, some reports showed that after the occurrence of oxidative stress, there are severe inflammatory reactions in the cells involved, which can lead to greater tissue damage and activate tissue apoptosis. Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the emergence of a number of chronic disorders such as diabetes and cancer by inducing inflammation. To protect against free radicals, living organisms have a combined antioxidant defense system including enzymatic system (such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymes in the cytosol and cell membrane structure) and a non-enzymatic system (such as glutathione, polyphenol, carotenoids, special dipeptides, proteins containing thiol group, polyamines, ubiquinol, flavonoids, bilirubin, uric acid, vitamin E with selenium, and vitamin C) in tissues. Black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) have been used as alternative medicine for more than 2000 years due to their multisystemic positive effects. Many active components of black cumin have been identified, including dithymoquinone, thymoquinone, nigellone, thymohydroquinone, nigilline, melanthin, nigelamine, damascenone, pinene, and p-cymene. Black cumin contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, cobalt, zinc, and manganese, and vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Moreover, black cumin is rich in essential oils, proteins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. The black cumin has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anthelmintic, hypocholesteremia, appetite stimulant, antidiarrheal, diuretic, antiulcer, spasmolytic and bronchodilatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and renal protective activities and has antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of black cumin on growth performance, antioxidant status, inflammatory responses, and biochemical and hematological changes in broilers under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide.

A total of 200 one-day-old chickens (Ross 308) were reared in the form of a completelyrandomized design with four treatments and five replications (10 chickens per replicate). Experimental treatments included: 1. Control group (fed with basic diet), and groups 2, 3, and 4 had levels of 50, 100, and 150 g of black seed per kg of diet. To induce oxidative stress, all birds received 1% hydrogen peroxide per liter of drinking water from 14 to 42 days of age. At 42 d, two birds were randomly selected from each cage and after blood sampling from the wing vein, were killed and dissected for liver and spleen tissue sampling. Growth performance, blood and biochemical parameters such as the number of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, heterophil and lymphocyte, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol, as well as serum antioxidant parameters including the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were determined. In addition, liver enzymes present in the serum including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Also, to evaluate the effect of black cumin on the inflammatory response of broiler chickens under induced oxidative stress, serum interleukins including IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured.

The results showed that black seed supplementation in chickens under induced oxidative stress significantly improved the growth performance, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and decreased MDA in serum, liver tissue, and spleen (P<0.05). Black seed supplementation significantly decreased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines of IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine of IL-10 (P<0.05). Also, black seed supplementation did not affect red blood cells, hematocrit, or hemoglobin, but increased white blood cells, lymphocytes, and decreased blood heterophils (P<0.05). Serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, ALT, AST, and ALP also decreased significantly under the influence of black seed.

Based on the results of this experiment, it appears that black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed supplement can improve the growth performance of broiler chickens due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary fat and vitamin E on the growth performance and blood parameters of Japanese quail. The experiment was conducted with 320 pieces of one-day-old quail in the form of a completely randomized design with 20 experimental units including 5 groups, 4 replications and A number of 16 pieces of quail chicks were performed in each repetition. The experimental groups include: 1) base diet (control), 2) base diet containing 2% soybean oil, 3) base diet containing 2% tallow oil, 4) base diet containing 2% soybean oil and 200 mg/kg vitamin E, 5) base diet They contained 2% tallow oil and 200 mg/kg vitamin E. The results showed that the treatment containing 2% tallow oil and vitamin E increased the weight of the birds compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). The lowest feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were observed in the birds that received the groups containing soybean oil or tallow along with vitamin E. Persistence percentage was not affected by experimental groups (P<0.05). The highest level of production index was related to the birds fed with the level of two percent tallow oil and E. The effect of experimental groups on blood parameters including total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL was not significant (P<0.05). In general, the use of two percent tallow oil along with vitamin E in the diet of birds improved the performance of quails.

A large part of the income of sheep breeding is obtained through lamb production, so the proper breeding of production lambs is the most important measure to increase economic efficiency (Emsen et al. 2004). Milk production in Iranian sheep breeds is less than the need of lambs, on the other hand, milking of most Iranian ewes to produce cheese is common and the lamb is fed milk residue (Ezzatpour 1998). Milk replacer with sufficient amounts of high quality protein and suitable levels of fat, has the necessary nutrients. The result of feeding a milk substitute provides a healthy future for the whole herd. In a study of Kachi lambs, lambs raised for 56 days with ewe milk were found to grow better than lambs raised during the same period with milk replacer. But from an economic point of view, the lambs raised with alternative milk had a significant net profit compared to the group raised with ewe milk (Salahuddin 2018). In the first fourteen days of lactation, the growth of lambs largely depends on the amount of milk they consume (Simenov 2014). In the first weeks of life, as lambs have a small rumen that has not yet developed, they are unable to digest solid food, so the growth performance of the lambs depends primarily on milk consumption. A 20 percent increase in milk consumption will increase growth performance by 33 percent during lamb rearing. On the other hand, increasing growth in the first days is effective in growth after weaning, and consequently the time to reach the desired slaughter weight will be reduced (Galvani et al. 2014).

To perform this experiment, 24 Ghezel suckling lambs were used in a complete randomized design with three groups of 8 heads for 60 days. The lambs were kept with the mother for three days after birth, then were randomly divided into 3 groups of 8 heads. To perform this experiment, 24 Ghezel suckling lambs were used in a complete randomized design with three groups of 8 heads for 60 days. The lambs were kept with the mother for three days after birth, then were randomly divided into 3 groups of 8 heads.Experimental treatments including group 1- daily consumed only breast milk 2 and 3- daily in addition to breast milk, respectively, consumed 5 and 10% of body weight instead of milk. From the third day, the starter and water were freely available to all lambs. Weight gain was measured weekly, feed intake and milk intake daily. Blood samples were taken at 30 and 60 days of age, The blood samples were immediately transferred to the laboratory, centrifuged (3000 rpm for 20 minutes), and then the serum was isolated and stored at -20°C. Triglyceride, cholesterol, urea nitrogen, total protein, albomin, creatin, enzymes of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and glucose levels of the serum were measured Using the BT300 plus biochemical autoanalyzer and using Pars Azmon kit. and stool samples were taken at the end of the period (60 days of age). Data analysis was performed with SAS software. The mean compare was compared with Duncan at 5% level.

The results of this study showed that daily weight gain was significantly higher in the lambs who consumed 5% of body weight intake of milk replacer in addition to breast milk. There was no significant difference between the lambs consuming 5% milk replacer and 10% milk replacer. Live weight of lambs consuming 5% milk replacer on the last day was significantly higher than control lambs, But there was no significant difference between lambs who 5 and 10% of milk replacer consumption. There was no significant difference between treatments in terms of other growth parameters. In terms of blood metabolites, the amount of total protein (Prot. Tot) was lower in the group of lambs who consumed milk replacer at 10% of body weight than the other two groups of lambs. There was no significant difference between the control group and the group consuming 5% milk replacer. Also, the amount of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in the lambs who 5% milk replacer group was significantly lower than the other two groups. There was no significant difference between control lambs and lambs who consuming 10% milk replacer. There was no significant difference between the groups in other terms of blood biochemical metabolites. The results of this study showed that daily weight gain was significantly higher in the lambs who consumed 5% of body weight intake of milk replacer in addition to breast milk. There was no significant difference between the lambs consuming 5% milk replacer and 10% milk replacer. Live weight of lambs consuming 5% milk replacer on the last day was significantly higher than control lambs, But there was no significant difference between lambs who 5 and 10% of milk replacer consumption. There was no significant difference between treatments in terms of other growth parameters. In terms of blood metabolites, the amount of total protein (Prot. Tot) was lower in the group of lambs who consumed milk replacer at 10% of body weight than the other two groups of lambs. There was no significant difference between the control group and the group consuming 5% milk replacer. Also, the amount of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in the lambs who 5% milk replacer group was significantly lower than the other two groups. There was no significant difference between control lambs and lambs who consuming 10% milk replacer. There was no significant difference between the groups in other terms of blood biochemical metabolites.In terms of stool parameters, Salmonella and Lactobacillus were not observed in fecal samples. The rate of Escherichia coli was higher in group lambs that consumed 5% of body weight instead of milk replacer than other groups.

The results of this experiment showed that the use of milk replacer in addition to breast milk at the rate of 5% of the weight of lambs could have positive effects on the growth performance of infant lambs of Ghezel breed.

The development of nanotechnology has led to the production of zinc nanoparticles, which possess unique characteristics such as a wider contact surface, higher surface activity, higher catalytic efficiency and stronger absorption ability. This combination has the potential to improve the growth of rumen bacteria and enhance energy consumption. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the effect of zinc nanoparticle supplementation on dry matter intake, milk composition and blood parameters in Holstein dairy cows.

The number of 24 Holstein dairy cows with an average weight (650±20 kg) and the number of calving bellies (2 and more) and lactation days (70±4 days) during a 35-day trial period, 4 trial diets including. The treatments: 1) Basal Diet containing 30 mg/KgDM zinc oxide, 2) Basal Diet + containing 30 mg/KgDM ZnO-NPs, 3) Basal Diet + containing 60 mg/KgDM ZnO-NPs, and 4) Basal Diet + containing 90 mg/KgDM ZnO-NPs. The study followed completely randomized design Zinc nanoparticles were produced in the laboratory using the by co-precipitation method. The cows were milked and fed three times a day. Feed samples and residues were collected twice a week. Milk samples were collected weekly for three consecutive days. To measure, Milk composition, Blood samples were taken weekly two hours after the morning meal using a vacuum syringe from the tail vein to measure serum parameters.

The results showed that the dry matter intake and the amount of milk production were not affected by the experimental diets (P>0.05). The number of body cells significantly decreased under the influence of ZnO-NPs nanoparticle consumption (P<0.05). They were not affected by the consumption of ZnO-NPs particles (P>0.05). Cows in the ZnO-NPs nanoparticle group showed higher concentration of SOD enzyme than the base group (P<0.05). Other compounds measured from the serum of cows were not significantly different among the experimental groups (P>0.05).

Overall, feeding zinc nanoparticles to dairy cows can be suggested as a solution to enhance of the dairy herd management.. The results showed that nano zinc sources in the diet of dairy cows were more suitable as a supplement compared to the mineral form of zinc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Today, the use of enzymes to improve feed digestibility and achieve higher productivity has been considered as an effective strategy in the poultry industry. Phytase is an enzyme that is used in most commercial diets with the aim of breaking the bonds of phytic acid to increase the digestibility and absorption of nutrient. On the other hand, by carrying out breeding programs and subsequently reducing resistance to diseases due to the shift of nutrient for more production, more attention has been paid to immunity system and gut health. Therefore, gut health has a key role in the absorption of nutrient resulting from the activity of endogenous and endogenous enzymes. Hence, research in term of gut health modifiers such a prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, parabiotics and essential oils have increased. Among them, phytogenics have become more popular nowadays. Phytogenic supplements are known as their role on growth performance and increase profitability through improving microbiota balance and intestinal health. In addition to dietary phtoygenic supplemets, dietary calcium and phosphorus reduction is probablely effective tool led to phytase activity released nutrient. Results from studies have been showed that, slight decrease in the level of calcium and phosphorus is effective in increasing the efficiency of these mineral and gut health via reducing gut acidity. In the present study, effect of high amounts of phytase in combination with phytogenic additive in diets with reduced calcium and phosphorus on nutrient digestibility, humoral immunity and some related blood parameters of broiler chickens were investigated.

The 672 one-day-old male broilers of Ross 308 strain were assigned to 12 dietary treatments and four replicats in a 2x2x3 factorial arrangement with different amounts of phytase (zero, 500 and 2000 FTU) and two levels of phytogenic supplement (zero and 200 mg/kg of feed) on two dietary calcium (normal=0.81, 0.72, 66%; reduced=0.71, 0.62 and 0.56% for different phases) and phosphorus (normal = 0.36, 0.32 and 0.29%; reduced=0.31, 0.27 and 0.24% for different phases) in a completely randomized design.

Addition of phytase to the diets in combination to calcium and phosphorus reduction increased phosphorus digestibility compared to that normal diets (P<0.05). Increasing phytase from 0 to 500 and 2000 FTU increased digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, phosphorus, calcium and protein (P<0.05). The interaction effect of adding phytase enzyme along with decreasing the amount of calcium and phosphorus on the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus were significant (P<0.05), and the inclusion of phytogenic supplement at the levels of 500 and 2000 FTU of phytase per kg of feed increased phosphorus digestibility (P<0.05). Decreasing dietary calcium and phosphorus concentration and adding phytogenic additive, improved nutrient digestibility of nutrients except protein (P<0.05). Inclusion 2000 FTU of phytase in diets increased digestibility of nutrients and decreased blood calcium compared to the usual amount and diet without phytase (P<0.05). The blood concentratin  of alanine aminotransferase reduced by 2000 FTU of phytase compared to 0 and 500 FTU (P<0.05). Dietary addition of phytase decreased alkaline phosphatase (P<0.05). High levels of phytase inceasded total serum immunoglobulins at the age of 28 and 41 days compared to the zero level (P<0.05), but there was no difference compared to the 500 FTU. Addition of phytase or phytogenic supplement improved antibody level against Newcastle at the age of 41 days (P<0.05).

Based on the results of this research, 2000 FTU phytase compared to 500 FTU and adding phytogenic supplement had positive effects on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and immunity in broilers.

In the past, the use of valine (L-Val) in broiler feeds was limited due to its high price and relatively low availability. However, L-Val is becoming more available for the feed industry, resulting in a more viable price, leading to its inclusion in feed formulas. Moreover, to decrease the dietary content of crude protein, the use of L-Val in broiler diets is becoming more attractive. Arian broiler is one of the meat strains that originated in Iran and considering that several decades have passed since the arrival of the Arian line in our country. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out continuous nutritional experiments to more accurately meet the requirement of Arian broiler with regard to optimizing growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass efficiency by increasing the density of nutrients such as amino acids (AA). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different ratios of dietary valine-to lysine on growth performance, blood parameters, immune system, carcass characteristics and economic indicators in Arian broiler chickens.

This experiment was conducted for 40 days with three satges: starter (0-14 days old), growth (15-25 days old) and finisher (26-40 days old). In this study, a total of 500 Arian strain day old broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments, five replicates and 20 birds per each. Feed intake and body weight were measured at the end of each rearing periods and FCR was calculated. The experimental groups included: first group: control (-75; 75% ratio of valine to lysine without using synthetic L-Val), second group: +80 (ratio of 80% valine to lysine using synthetic L-Val), third group: +85 (ratio of 85% valine to lysine using synthetic L-Val), fourth group: -80 (ratio of 80% valine to lysine without using synthetic L-Val and fifth group: -85 (ratio of 85% valine to lysine without using synthetic L-Val). At 40 days of age, six birds from each replicate were randomly selected, weighed, and killed).

Results and Disscution: 

Results showed that diets with ratios of -80 and -85% valine amino acid increased body weight at the age of 0 to 42 days (P<0.05). The diets with a ratios of -85% valine amino acid increased feed intake during the total period of experiment (P<0.05). The intake of diets with ratios of -80 and -85% valine amino acid improved FCR and decreased abdominal fat (P<0.05). The level of albumen and total protein in control treatment were higher than in all experimental groups (P<0.05). Significant differences were not observed in relative size of spleen and bursa of fabricius, antibody titer against Newcastle disease and heterophile to lymphocyte ratio between experimental groups.

The results showed that feeding a diet containing -85% valine amino acid was more obvious on performance in the entire rearing periods, and also will improve serum lipid parameters, reduce fat storage in the abdominal area and increase profitability. Finally, the economic calculations of the project showed that it is possible to use the advantage of using synthetic valine amino acid in ration of Arian broilers.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing soybean meal with corn germ meal in diet on feed intake, rumen parameters and blood metabolites of Atabai fattening lambs. Thirty lambs (with an average weight of 32±2.7 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 repetitions. The lambs of the control group were fed with the feed without corn germ meal. Other groups were fed by replacing 50% and 100% of soybean meal with corn germ meal in the diet for 84 days. Results showed that there was no significant difference between the experimental treatments in the final weight of lambs and dry matter intake (P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in protozoa population, pH and volatile fatty acids among different treatments (P>0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in rumen ammonia nitrogen during fasting and six hours after morning feeding (P>0.05). However, rumen ammonia nitrogen increased 3 hours after morning feeding (P<0.05). Among the different treatments, there was no significant difference in blood glucose, cholesterol, globulin, albumin-globulin ratio (P>0.05), but replacing soybean meal with corn sprout meal increased the concentration of triglyceride, urea, total proin, and high-density lipoprotein. Low and very low density lipoprotein and decrease of lipoprotein increased with density (P<0.05). In general, corn germ meal can be completely replaced with soybean meal without affecting the health and production of fattening lambs.

In the dairy cattle industry, the fertility trait is one of the most effective economic components, because the reduction of fertility prolongs the postpartum cycles and increases the costs of open days. Probiotics, prebiotics and microbial products such as bioactive peptides, enzymes and organic acids can be mentioned among the additives that affect reproduction. Probiotics are bacteria and yeast that are beneficial for the health of the body, especially the digestive system. New generation probiotics, besides yeasts, contain some bacteria, including types of bacilli, lactobacilli, streptococcus, etc., which are less studied. Recently, a supplement called Multiact D has been produced by Ariana Biotechnology Supplement Development Company, which claims to be effective on the health and reproductive performance of dairy cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate Multiact-D supplement containing prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic (manufactured by Ariana Biotechnology Company) on milk production and composition, blood parameters and reproduction in Holstein dairy cows.

Cows were studied in two groups of 50 treated rats (received 80 grams of Multiact supplement daily) and control between 20 and 100 days after calving. Once every month, the amount of milk produced and its ingredients were measured. Blood samples were collected on days 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 from 9 cows in each group and blood parameters were analyzed. Reproductive traits include the number of days until the first insemination, the number of inseminations per pregnancy, the percentage of pregnancy compared to the first insemination and total inseminations (percentage of conception), the percentage of pregnancy up to 100 days of lactation, the percentage of pregnancy up to 120 days of lactation, the percentage of infertility at 200 days and days. Re-registered. SAS software was used to analyze reproductive data.

The results showed that milk production, milk protein percentage, milk protein amount, milk lactose amount and body condition score were all increased in the treatment group, and milk fat percentage, total milk solids percentage, milk urea nitrogen decreased (0.5 0>P). Also, the concentration of total protein and iron increased in the treatment group, but the concentration of cholesterol and MDA decreased (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the percentage of pregnancy increased up to the 120th day of lactation and the number of open days decreased (P<0.05).

The use of Multiact-D supplement in the early lactation period had beneficial effects on the lactation performance and reproduction of Holstein P dairy cows. It also has effects on the concentration of blood parameters of Holstein dairy cows and reduces the level of oxidative stress.

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of different levels of a type of mineral ‎biochar obtained from Kohbanan mine in Kerman on the performance, digestibility, blood ‎parameters and ruminal fermentation of suckling Holstein calves in an industrial cattle farm. For this ‎purpose, 35 Holstein calves with an average weight of 48.88 ± 4.87 were used in a completely ‎random design in five treatments and seven replications.The experimental rations include: 1) milk ‎and ‎starter feed (basal ration), 2) basal diet with 10 g of mineral biochar mixed in the starter feed, 3) ‎‎basal diet with 10 g of mineral biochar dissolved in milk, 4) basal diet with 20 g of ‎mineral biochar ‎mixed in the initial feed, 5) basal diet with 20 g of mineral biochar ‎dissolved in milk. Consumption ‎of 20 grams of biochar in the initial feed increased the daily weight and improved the average feed ‎conversion coefficient . The highest amount of blood glucose and albumin concentrations ‎was related to calves fed with 20 g of biochar in ‎the initial feed. Calves consuming 10 and ‎‎20 g of biochar in the starter feed had the ‎highest apparent digestibility of nutrients. ‎Calves fed with 20 g of biochar in the initial ‎feed had higher rumen pH than the other calves. Therefore, the addition of 20 g mineral biochar to the starter diet of Holstein calves is ‎recommended because of its positive effects on performance, digestibility blood parameters and ‎rumen fermentation.‎

Considering the costs of providing feed for feeding ruminants, agricultural by-products, which are generally cheaper than conventional feeds, can be included in the diet of fattening animals, which will reduce production costs. One of these agricultural by-products is cotton waste from cotton ginning factories, which due to its plant origin and as a source of protein, fat and raw fibers, this product has the ability to be used as an alternative feed in the diet of fattening animals. This edible material is a mixture of woody parts of cotton bolls, stems, remnants of cotton fibers and leaves.This study was conducted to investigate the effects of substituting different levels of cotton waste for dried alfalfa on growth performance, quantitative and qualitative carcass traits, apparent digestibility, blood parameters, and liver enzymes Afshari lambs.

In this study, 24 male Afshari lambs with an mean weight of 30±1.9 kg and an mean age of 4 months were used in 4 treatments and 6 repetitions for 90 days. The experimental treatments included: 1) control group, 2) diet containing 33.33% cotton waste, 3) diet containing 66.66% cotton waste, 4) diet containing 100% cotton waste instead of dry alfalfa. Growth performance traits including daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were measured during the experiment period. Also, at the end of the experiment, three lambs from each treatment were slaughtered to measure the quantitative and qualitative traits of the carcass. On the 90th day of the experiment, blood samples were taken from five lambs from each treatment to measure blood parameters and liver enzymes..

The growth performance results showed that replacing 100% of cotton waste instead of dried alfalfa (1890 gr) in the diet of fattening lambs significantly increased the daily feed intake compared to the control group (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in the treatment containing 100% replacement of cotton waste instead of dried alfalfa (6.70) was significantly reduced compared to the control group (P<0.05). The final live weight in treatments where cotton waste was replaced by dried alfalfa was higher than the control group (P<0.05). Also, the treatment containing 100% replacement of cotton waste instead of dried alfalfa had a higher final weight (56.22 kg) than the control group and other groups. Apparent digestibility of crude fat (75.11%), NDF (69.31%) and ADF (30.32%) in the treatment containing 100% replacement of cotton waste instead of dried alfalfa compared to the control group It increased significantly (P<0.05). The concentration of blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL in blood serum increased with consumption of cotton waste (P<0.05); But the concentration of HDL decreased (P<0.05). A decrease in cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen was observed by replacing 33.33% of cotton waste (P<0.05). The live weight before slaughter, hot carcass weight, hot carcass percentage, cold carcass weight, cold carcass percentage, cold half carcass weight, thigh percentage and head percentage in the treatment containing 100% replacement of cotton waste instead of dried alfalfa increased significantly compared to the control group. had (P<0.05).

The general result of the present study showed that replacing 100% of cotton waste instead of alfalfa improved the growth performance, quantitative traits of the carcass and the apparent digestibility of nutrients.

Although minerals include a small part of the total cost of poultry feed, they perform special functions in the body. Given that today's birds are primarily raised under stressful conditions (including high production demands, environmental stress, heat, and exposure to various other stress factors), their nutrient metabolism, including the absorption of minerals, has changed. This has led to decreased feed consumption, reduced mineral absorption, and consequently, increased excretion of minerals. Minerals that serve as cofactors for many enzymes are crucial; thus, to support proper functioning and enhance the immune system's response, higher amounts of these nutrients are required in diets. Chromium (Cr) is a critical micronutrient for humans and animals. It contributes to physiological and nutritional efficiency. Chromium increases glucose glycogenesis, promotes glucose transport, and increases protein synthesis. Chromium is important in protein digestion and reduction of lipid peroxidation and increased growth production. Chromium deficiency is associated with reduced growth rate, and glucose, and protein metabolism. Under environmental, nutritional, and hormonal stress, the benefits of chromium supplementation clearly demonstrated. Considering that with the increase in age and egg size, the egg quality decreases, and also the function of the immune system decreases at the late phase of egg production. Therefore, supplementation of layer hen diets with some nutrients at the end of the production period can improve the egg quality and potentiate the humoral immune response. Thus, the subject of the current study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chromium-methionine on egg laying performance, egg quality traits at different storage times and temperatures, humoral immune response, and some blood biochemical parameters of laying hens at late–phase of the egg production cycle.

A total of 120 Leghorn laying hens (Hy-line W36, 73 weeks- old) were assigned in a completely randomized design with 6 dietary treatments, 5 replicates and 4 laying hens in each replicate for 6 weeks. The experimental treatments were 6 levels of chromium-methionine supplementation (0, 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 μg/kg of diet) of corn-soybean meal-based diet. The hens were housed in a 60 × 60 × 40 cm cage. All hens were housed in an environmentally controlled house with temperature maintained at approximately 25ºC. The house had controlled ventilation and lighting (16L: 8D). All hens were supplied with feed and water ad libitum. The hen-day egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were recorded daily. The feed conversion ratio was expressed in kilograms of feed consumed per kilogram of the egg mass. The effects of organic chromium supplementation of laying hens on egg quality traits were evaluated every 2 weeks at 75, 77, and 79 weeks of age. The egg shape index was calculated by dividing egg length to egg width. At the end of the experiment, to measure certain blood parameters, one bird from each replicate was selected, and blood was drawn from the wing vein. After preparing the serum, the concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, glucose, and malondialdehyde were measured using Pars Azmoon kits according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Supplementing the diet with chromium-methionine had a significant effect on laying performance (including feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and egg production) and egg quality traits (such as eggshell weight, yolk color, yolk weight, albumen height, and Haugh unit). The results showed that birds fed 2000 µg/kg chromium-methionine had the lowest feed intake and the best feed conversion ratio and egg production percentage were observed with the addition of 1600 and 2000 g/kg organic chromium. By suppressing stress factors, chromium can increase the ovulation rate and increase the percentage of egg production. Addition of organic chromium except 2000 μg/kg improved albumen height and Haugh unit compared to the control group. The interaction effect between egg storage time and storage temperature on the yolk height and yolk percentage, albumen and yolk pH were significant. Carotenoids are responsible for the color of the yolk and they are a part of the fat-soluble compounds, so any factor that can improve the digestion and absorption of fats will probably lead to an increase in the color of the egg yolk. Haugh unit is a measure to determine the quality of egg white, which determines the quality of the egg. The higher HU means better egg quality (fresher, higher quality eggs have thicker whites). Blood serum cholesterol of chickens fed with 800 µg/kg of chromium-methionine decreased compared to the control group. The lowest serum concentration of malondialdehyde was observed using 1600 and 2000 µg/kg organic chromium. Addition of 1600 µg/kg of chromium-methionine increased total immunoglobulin production against sheep red blood cells. The effects of dietary chromium supplementation on improving immune responses can be attributed to its antioxidant activity. By enhancing antioxidant activity, chromium reduces the production of corticosterone, a potent suppressor of immune system function. This reduction in corticosterone levels prevents the decrease in lymphocyte production and proliferation, ultimately supporting the continued production of antibodies.

In total, dietary supplementation of 1600 μg/kg chromium-methionine can improve egg laying performance including feed conversion ratio, egg production, and egg mass, as well as egg quality traits such as egg shell weight and albumen height of laying hens at the late-phase of laying cycle. Supplementation of layer diets with 1600 μg/kg organic chromium improved the humoral immune response at the late-phase of egg production cycle by increasing the production of total immunoglobulin against sheep red blood cells.

The aim of this research was to study the effect of β-alanine levels on performance, quality characteristics of eggs and blood parameters of laying hens. In this research, 180 laying hens of "Hy-Line -W36" at the age of 78 to 86 weeks were used in five treatments and six replication (six hen in each replication). Experimental treatments included 5 level of 0, 400, 800, 1200 and 1600 mg of β-alanine per kg of diet. The results of this experiment showed that the addition of β-alanine at any level of the diet caused an increase in feed consumption in the whole period (P˂0.05). The addition of 400 mg of β-alanine per kg of the diet had more shell weight per surface area in the whole period (P˂0.05). The β-alanine treatments at any level of the diet caused an increase in VLDL concentration at the age of 84-86 week compared to the control treatment. The concentration of cholesterol in the yolk at the age of 82-84 week was higher in hens feed with a diet containing 800 mg per kg β-alanine than control birds (P˂0.05). In general, the results of this research showed that 800 mg of β-alanine per kg of diet can increase feed consumption, VLDL concentrations and egg yolk cholesterol.

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of replacing soybean meal with poultry slaughterhouse residue powder on performance, milk composition, digestibility of nutrients, and blood parameters of lactating ewes. To perform this experiment, 24 dairy ewes of the Dalaq breed with an average weight of 36±3.7 kg were used in 4 treatments and 6 repetitions in a completely randomized design. The treatments were included: control treatment (diet without poultry slaughterhouse residue powder), second treatment (diet containing 33% replacement), third treatment (diet containing 66% replacement) and fourth treatment (diet containing 100% replacement of poultry slaughterhouse residue powder instead of soybean meal). Results showed that there was no significant difference between the experimental treatments in the final weight of sheep, daily weight gain, dry matter consumption, feed conversion ratio, milk production and feed consumption behavior. By increasing the replacement levels of poultry slaughterhouse residue powder with soybean meal, the percentage of non-fat solids, density and lactose of ewes' milk also increased (P<0.05). Among the different treatments, no significant difference was observed in terms of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin-globulin ratio, but blood urea nitrogen concentration increased with the replacement of poultry slaughterhouse residue powder with soybean meal increased (P<0.05). In general, it is possible to completely replace the powder of poultry slaughterhouse remains, which is a source of animal protein, with soybean meal, which is one of the imported items of animal feed, without causing any disturbance in the health and production of animals.

During the last stages of incubation, avian mortality commonly happens due to the lack of enough nutrients and amino acids (Fardoost et al. 2019). However, in ovo injection or in ovo feeding is considered a new technique for improving growth of chickens (Ebrahimi et al. 2017). Most studies indicated improving effect of in ovo feeding of nutrients (especially amino acids) on small intestine growth and histology as well as higher absorptive capacity of digestive system (Ebrahimi et al. 2017, 2018a,b; Elwan et al. 2019; Fardoost et al. 2019). Previous studies indicated an improving effect of excess feeding of arginine on growth performance, carcass traits, blood metabolites, and intestinal histology of broilers (Ebrahimi et al. 2013, 2014, 2016b). However, there are few records regarding the impact of in ovo injection of arginine on intestine histology of chickens. Accordingly, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of in ovo injection of different levels of arginine on carcass traits, blood metabolites, and small intestine histology of broiler chickens.

For this reason, 300 fertile broiler breeder eggs were divided into three treatment groups: 1- 0.5% L-arginine in ovo injection group (100 eggs), 2- 1% L-arginine in ovo injection group (100 eggs), 3- control group included distilled water injected (sham-control subgroup, 50 eggs) and non-injected (control subgroup, 50 eggs). Eggs were then set into the incubator for the first 18 days with the temperature of 37.8°C and six rotations per day. At d 14 of incubation, eggs were injected into the amniotic fluid (Ebrahimi et al. 2017) as follows: 1- in ovo injection of 5 mg L-arginine/ ml distilled water, 2- in ovo injection of 10 mg of L-arginine/ml distilled water, 3- control group included sham-control (in ovo injection of 1 ml distilled water) and control (received no injection). For in ovo injection, solution pH was set at 7.0. At d 18 of incubation, eggs were moved into hatchery boxes. After hatching, chicks were reared for 24 days. During the experiment, chicks received standard commercial diets based on Ross recommendations as starter (0-10 days) and grower (11-24 days), (Table 1). At d 24, blood samples of three chickens per each replicate were collected, centrifuged (3000 rpm for 20 minutes), and serum was separated to evaluate cholesterol, glucose, triglyceride, uric acid, and total protein by the Enzymatic Colorimetric method (Ebrahimi et al. 2017). Then, all birds were weighed, slaughtered, some carcass traits (scalped carcass, eviscerated carcass, breast, thigh, gizzard, proventriculus, pancreas liver without gall bladder, heart, duodenum , jejunum, and ileum were weighed, and their relative weight to chicken body weight were calculated. Also, length of duodenum , jejunum, and ileum was evaluated and their samples were stored in 10% formalin for fixation to evaluate histological parameters (crypt depth, villus height, villus thickness, mucosal thickness, and crypt diameter) using Hematoxylin - Eosin staining method (Ebrahimi et al. 2017). Then, villus height to crypt depth ratios were calculated. Afterwards, data were analyzed based on a completely randomized design by the Proc GLM of SAS software (Ver 9.2). Also, Tukey-Kramer test was used for comparing treatments and results presented as least square means ± standard error.

Based on the results, in ovo injection of different levels of L-arginine did not affect hatchability, day-old chick weight, chick weight to egg weight ratio, 24-day-old chicken weight, feed conversion ratio, relative weight of all carcass traits, cholesterol, glucose, total protein and blood urea nitrogen (P> 0.05), (Table 2). However, serum triglyceride was significantly affected by experimental treatments (P <0.01) and the highest amount was observed in 0.5% L-arginine in ovo injection group (Table 2). In a similar study, Gao et al. (2017) indicated that L- arginine in ovo injection increased weight gain of broiler chickens. Furthermore, Abdolalizadeh Alvanegh et al. (2017) reported the improving effect of in ovo injection of different ratios of L- arginine to L- lysine on chick weight and their carcass traits. Also, they reported higher serum total protein level, while lower blood urea nitrogen of broiler chicks with in ovo injection of different ratios of L- arginine to L- lysine (Abdolalizadeh Alvanegh et al., 2017).Present results indicated no significant effect of in ovo injection of L-arginine on most weight and length parameters of small intestine length (P>0.05); however, relative weight of jejunum was significantly affected by in ovo injection of L-arginine (P<0.05) and the highest amount was observed in 0.5% L-arginine in ovo injection group (Table 3). Present results indicated no significant effect of in ovo injection of L-arginine on duodenal crypt diameter; jejunal villus height, crypt depth and diameter, and mucosal thickness; and ileum villus height, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and mucosal thickness (P>0.05), (Table 3). However, significant effect of in ovo injection of L-arginine was observed on duodenal villus height, villus thickness, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and mucosal thickness; jejunal villus thickness and villus height/crypt depth ratio; and ilium villus thickness and crypt diameter (P<0.05), (Table 3). Also, the highest amount in most histological parameters was observed in 1% arginine treatment (Table 3). In a similar study, it was reported that in ovo injection of L- methionine had a positive impact on small intestine length and weight with improvement in villus height, crypt diameter, crypt depth, and villus height/crypt depth ratio of duodenum and jejunum (Fardoost et al. 2019). Also, in ovo injections of L- lysine improved histological parameters of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (Ebrahimi et al. 2017). Ebrahimi et al. (2018b) with in ovo injection of different DL- methionine to L- lysine ratios reported higher small intestinal weight and length along with higher Villus height and Villus height to crypt depth ratio.

Based on the overall results of the study, injection of 0.5% arginine showed a positive effect on the growth and small intestine morphology of broiler chickens.

The domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus from the Leporidae family is a herbivorous mammal and their usual diet is plant sources. Rabbits can tolerate temperatures between 4 and 27 degrees; Of course, the recommended average temperature for them is between 16 and 22 degrees. The average pregnancy period for rabbits is 28 to 31 days. Different forages in rabbit diets affect its optimal growth performance. Rabbits need energy, fiber and protein in their diet. It is recommended to use fodder plants as well as tropical plants to feed rabbits, currently dry fodder such as alfalfa constitutes 40 to 80% of the rabbit's diet. Corn, wheat, barley, and alfalfa are plants with high energy levels, and therefore, the consumption of these plants in diets is very high. Due to the high price of alfalfa and barley, the cost of preparing feed increases, as a result of which the economic efficiency decreases. Tropical plants have a significant amount of protein, fat, minerals and carbohydrates that can affect growth and production. Among the tropical plants are Conocarpus erectus and myrtle. Cenocarpus erectus is a common ornamental plant in tropical and semi-tropical regions, which usually has a height of 1.5 to 4 meters. This plant contains bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, saponin, tannin, phenolic compounds, resin, terpenes, glycosides and antibacterial activity. Myrtle plant is a small shrub with evergreen leaves. Among the effective substances found in the plant, we can mention phenolic acids such as gallic acid, vanillic acid and ferulic acid, tannins, catechin and quercetin. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was the effect of the use of myrtle and conocarpus plants in the diet of first-generation rabbits on digestibility, antioxidant capacity, blood parameters and microbial population of the digestive tract.

In this project, 12 breeding rabbits of New Zealand breed (10 females and 2 males) were tested, for this purpose, after 28 days of rabbit pregnancy period and 30 days of lactation period of born rabbits, the considered treatments were applied to the born rabbits (each treatment consisted of five repetitions). The treatments include: 1 control treatment, 2 treatments receiving 25% of myrtle plant and 3 treatments receiving 25% of conocarpus plant in the form of completely randomized design. The experiment was conducted on born rabbits for 30 days, and the average weight of the tested rabbits was 250 grams. At the end of the experiment, the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, insoluble fibers in neutral detergent, insoluble fibers in acidic and organic detergents, antioxidant activity of meat during storage in the refrigerator and in the freezer, microbial population of the digestive tract (population of Lactobacillus, E. coli and coliform bacteria) ) and blood parameters including cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were measured.

The effect of the use of myrtle and conocarpus on the digestibility of tested rabbits, the test results showed that Myrtle and conocarpus plants result in decreasing of the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (P<0.05). he results of the treatments on the microbial population showed that the populations of Lactobacillus, E. coli and coliforms in the cecum of rabbits were placed on Mord and Cenocarpus treatments (p > 0.05). The effect of myrtle and conocarpus plant on the antioxidant level of meat during storage in the refrigerator showed that the meat of rabbits fed with myrtle plant had a lower concentration of malondialdehyde and more antioxidant properties than the meat of rabbits fed with conocarpus plant (p< 0.05). The results of the experiment on the effect of treatments on blood parameters showed that the concentration of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and glucose in the treatment using myrtle leaves and the treatment using conocarpus plant were significantly higher than the control treatment. decreased (p<0.05), but regarding the effect of treatments on liver enzymes, the test results showed that there was no significant difference in the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase between the treatments using myrtle and conocarpus compared to the control treatment (p> 0/05).

The results of the experiment showed that using myrtle plant and conocarpus plant as a substitute for part of alfalfa in the diet of newborn rabbits had an effect on digestibility, malondialdehyde concentration and blood parameters, and according to the positive effects of mord plant and conocarpus plant on the antioxidant concentration of rabbit meat. Whether during storage in the refrigerator or during the storage of rabbit meat in the freezer and blood biochemical parameters, and also considering the cheapness and availability of these plants in some areas, especially in Khuzestan, it can be concluded that the use of 25% of Sometimes myrtle and conocarpus have a positive effect as an effective antioxidant and a herbal supplement in the diet.