مجله پژوهش در نشخوار کنندگان
سال دوازدهم شماره 3 (پاییز 1403)

Pregnancy loss can occur in different stages of pregnancy for various reasons; however, the increase in embryonic mortality in the early stages of pregnancy is currently a concern in the dairy cow industry. Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) is a hematopoietic cytokine that is mainly produced by monocytes and macrophages and causes the proliferation and differentiation of myeloid hematopoietic cells. Interferon-Stimulated Gene-15 (ISG-15) functions as an intracellular ubiquitin homologue and extracellular cytokine that may serve as a surrogate marker for early pregnancy in ruminants. It is assumed that these cytokines increase in the peripheral blood simultaneously with the production of interferons in the uterus. The present study was an attempt to shorten the number of open days in dairy cows by detecting pregnancy in the early stages of pregnancy using cytokines such as G-CSF and ISG-15. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the gene expression changes between pregnant and non-pregnant dairy cows with early or late embryonic death, so that open days can be reduced in dairy cows. Blood samples from 30 animals with embryonic death (10 cows for each time group) and 30 cows with normal pregnancy (30 cows for each time group) were collected in vacuum tubes containing EDTA anticoagulant on days 15–24, 25–34, and 35–44 after inoculation. Cows were divided into pregnant and non-pregnant groups based on progesterone concentration on day 21, and non-pregnant cows were classified into those with early embryonic death (day 1-26) and late embryonic death (day 26-45). Neutrophils were then extracted from the blood samples, and G-CSF and ISG-15 gene expression was measured using Real-Time PCR. The results showed that the concentration of progesterone in the blood plasma of pregnant cows was significantly higher than that of non-pregnant cows in the time interval of 15 to 24, 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 days after artificial insemination. The concentration of glucose in the blood plasma of pregnant cows between 15 and 24 h (P<0.001) was significantly higher in the time intervals of 25 to 34 days and 35 to 44 days, compared to the concentration of glucose in the blood plasma of non-pregnant cows. Cholesterol concentration in the plasma of pregnant cows between 25 and 34 days after artificial insemination (AI) showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) from the cholesterol concentration in the blood plasma of non-pregnant cows. Examination of the concentration of triglycerides in the blood plasma of pregnant cows at 15–24, 25–34, and 35–44 days after inoculation showed no statistically significant difference from the concentration of triglycerides in the blood plasma of non-pregnant cows on the same days. The highest level of G-CSF gene expression was observed between days 15 and 24 in the blood neutrophils of pregnant cows. In addition, the highest ISG-15 expression was observed between 35 and 44 days after inoculation. The results of the present study showed that these genes can be used clinically to diagnose early and late embryonic death.

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AbstractBackground and Object: Milk is the first and most important source of natural human food, which is rich in nutrients needed for human consumption, and its consumption is not a problem at any age. Milk can be obtained from different sources, such as goat,sheep, cow, buffalo and camel; however, cow's milk is the most popular sweet among all milk. On the other hand, milk is only an agricultural product whose production is not dependent on a specific season of the year. Also, the dairy industry has a special place for women in terms of employment. The objective of this research is to investigate the status of dairy cattle breeding, production of milk and dairy products, marketing of milk and dairy products, and challenges in the production and sale of dairy products in Logar province of Afghanistan. This research was conducted in 2023 in districts of Pol Alam, Mohammad Agheh, and Barki Barak, and a total of 55 villages and 255 animal handlers were covered using the targeted population method. Primary data of this research has been collected and analyzed with the help of Excel and SAS softwares. Results showed that more than 40% of Holstein and Brown Swiss foreign cattle breeds were nurturing in the research area, and the average number of dairy cattle in farms was 2 heads. The range of daily milk production in dairy farms was between 20.00 - 12.80 kg per day, and after the Holstein breed (13.02 kg/day), cross breed cattle (Holstein * Kandahari) with a production of 11.00 kg/ day had the best productivity.In addition, animal handlers sold 56.26% of produced milk as fresh milk, and the average income of dairy farm owners from selling milk and dairy products in one lactation period was 1700 dollars($$). Also, results showed that the majority of buyers of milk and dairy products in the region under research were cooperatives and private companies. According to the results of this research, the most important challenge in terms of ranking in milk production is the lack of banking facilities (lending) and the least challenge is the lack of vaccines and animal medicines. The most important challenge in marketing milk and dairy products is the lack of modern tools and machines for transportation milk and dairy products and the least challenge in this part is the effect of seasonal fluctuations in milk production. The general conclusion of the research showed that in Logar province, Holstein breed produced more milk and cross breed performed better compared to indigenous breeds, and farmers sold a large amount of their produced milk in the form of fresh milk, as well as the most important buyers of produced milk. There were cooperatives and private companies in Logar province. In order to improve the current situation, it is suggested to ranchers and farm owners to form livestock associations.

As a result of the water scarcity, the use of unconventional water in the country, especially municipal wastewater, is inevitable. However, worries have always been existing about the possible contamination of these sources and the entry of these contaminants into the human food chain. Corn silage is regarded as one of the candidate products for irrigation with wastewater due to the possible reduction of microbial contamination resulting from various processing steps. The objective of this study was to investigate the quality and hygienic characteristics of corn silage irrigated by well water and treated wastewater.

For this purpose, information of 11 industrial dairy herds that provided their corn forage from lands located around of northern Isfahan water treatment plant were compared with 11 other dairy herds whit source of purchased corn forage from lands irrigated with well water. The chemical composition of the silage samples, including dry matter, ash, crude protein, and ether extract, were measured using the approximate degradation. Also, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were measured based on the Van Soest method. Furthermore, the net energy for lactation and non-fiber carbohydrates were calculated using Adams’ equation and the subtraction method, respectively. Volatile fatty acids were measured using gas chromatography, while microbial population were measured according to the instructions of microbiological tests. The comparison of the mean values of the two groups of corn silage irrigated with the well water and treated wastewater was performed using SAS statistical software and the T-test procedure.

There was no significant difference between the two groups of corn silage in dry matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, net energy for lactation and ash. However, the percentage of crude protein and the amount of acetic acid in the corn silage irrigated with treated wastewater were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.01). In contrast, samples irrigated with treated wastewater had higher levels of non-fiber carbohydrates, along with propionic and butyric volatile fatty acids, which ultimately decreased the pH of silage (P<0.01). In terms of hygienic indicators, despite no significant difference in the amount of E. coli and Salmonella colonies between the two groups, the number of gram-negative bacteria, lactobacilli and the total bacterial count in the silage irrigated with treated wastewater were higher (P<0.05).

When treated sewage wastewater is utilized for irrigating corn forage, it alters the type of fermentation that takes place in the corn silage, leading to an increase in the levels of propionic and butyric acids, while decreasing the levels of acetic acid. As a result, the pH of the corn silage decreases further. According to this research, using treated sewage wastewater can negatively impact the quality of corn silage fermentation. This can result in a reduction of crude protein levels and an increase in certain microbial components. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the urban wastewater treatment process by reducing the concentration of ammonium nitrogen.

Background and objective Dried distillers grain is a feedstuff that can be used as a source of energy and or protein. The Protein of dried distillers grain has high quality Providing source of amino acids that can be absorbed in the lower gut and utilized by the developing ruminant. The Purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of feeding starter diet containing distillers dried grains and soybean meal on growth characteristics, skeletal indices and blood plasma metabolites of Holstein dairy calves. in This experiment was 50 Holstein female calves (40.2 ± 0.51 kg;BW ± SE) were randomly assigned in different treatments with to replicant each. Dietary treatments (with 20% crude Protein) were offered for 8 weeks: 1- Starter contained 30% DDGs. 2- Starter containing 15% DDGs + 10% xylose Protected soybean meal (Yasmio max soy). 3- Starter containing 15% DDGs + 10% soybean meal. 4-Starter containing 20% xylose Protected soybean meal (Yasmio max soy). 5- starter containing 20% soybean meal. Calves were raised in individual Pens with a mean ambient temperature of 10°C during the experiment. Calves were fed whole milk replacer three times daily at 0800,1700 and 24 h. During the experiment, the amount of feed intake was weighed daily. Weighing using a digital calf scale, and measuring skeletal growth indices including withers height, hip height, hip to Pin distance, hip to hip distance, pin to Pin distance, heart girth, and body length using meter and caliper, were done every two weeks before the morning feeding, blood samples were taken to measure the Plasma concentration of urea, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol (Pars Azmoon kit, auto-analyzer),. the Average daily weight gain of calves fed with Starter containing 15% DDGs + 10% xylose Protected soybean meal (Yasmio max soy) was 573.6 g/day and the average daily intake of Starter contained 30% DDGs was 641.2 g/day that showed sihnificant greater value in comparison (P˂0.05). Calves fed starter containing 20% soybean meal had the greatest increases in hip height, body length (P˂0.05). Calves fed starter containing 30% DDGs had the greatest increases in wither height (P˂0.05). Calves fed starter containing 15% DDGs + 10% xylose Protected soybean meal (Yasmio max soy) had the greatest increases in Glucose and cholesterol are 79.5 and 150.2 mg/dl respectively (P˂0.05). Calves fed starter containing 20% soybean meal had the greatest increases in blood urea nitrogen was 19.2 mg/dl (P˂0.05). Calves fed starter containing 30% DDGs had the greatest increases in triglyceride 28.3mg/dl (P˂0.05). the results of our experiment showed that feeding less than 20% DDGs 200g/kg DM and replacing 50% soybean meal or xylose protected soybean meal in starter diet without exerting can be an negative effect on calves growth.

Cow's milk is known as one of the primary food sources for humans, offering a broad spectrum of nutritional compounds. Fatty acids are considered as a key component of milk, recognized as essential constituents of the fat present in milk. These components contribute to the creation of a unique fatty acid profile in milk. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), with high statistical accuracy, play a crucial role in identifying potential causative loci. Numerous GWAS in cattle, particularly in Holstein cows, provide favorable conditions for integrating multiple independent studies. Using advanced techniques such as meta-analysis, the possibility of more precise identification of loci associated with quantitative traits of milk fatty acids in Holstein cows has been facilitated. The main objective of this research is the precise identification of loci associated with quantitative traits of milk fatty acids in Holstein cows. To achieve this goal, techniques such as meta-analysis was employed. This study may improve the accuracy of genetic selections and optimizing fatty acids in Holstein cow milk, through identification of genetic structure of fatty acids. Searching for GWAS studies in Holstein cows, was conducted on Google Scholar using relevant keywords such as Holstein cows, GWAS and milk fatty acids. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from Holstein cows (Chinese, Danish, and Dutch) from various countries was available in four independent studies published during 2012 to 2019. A total of 1524 SNPs related to milk fatty acids was avialble from previous GWAS studies. Meta-analysis using a summary statistics approach (i.e., P-values, sample size, allelic effects, etc.) was performed among Holstein cows. In the present study, the METAL software was employed for meta-analysis, utilizing a weighted Z-score model. This method combined and assessed significant SNPs with a P-value less than 0.05. The most significant SNPs associated with milk fatty acids were identified. For instance, the most meaningful SNPs for the C16:0 trait were rs109421300 and rs137372738, with P-values of 1.05e-102 and 6.62e-23, respectively. These SNPs play a crucial and key role in producing C16:0 fatty acid and may influence the quality of milk production. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that based on SNPs with higher significant levels through meta-analysis compared to individual GWAS studies, it is possible to identify SNPs associated with quantitative traits with higher accuracy. Such studies contribute to a better understanding of genomic regions related to quantitative traits for milk fatty acids. Therefore, the identification of SNPs and key genes with high accuracy can play a significant role in genomic assessment and the design of breeding programs for improving fatty acids and the quality of milk production.

Currently, sheep breeding in Iran aims to produce meat; therefore increasing production in this part requires measures such as breeding and short-term solutions such as improving health and nutritional conditions. Understanding the growth and development of skeletal muscle is one of the most important goals in the animal breeding and meat production industry, which can be related to special aspects of human medicine. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the effect of glutamine feeding as a nutritional strategy on myogenic gene expression in the muscle of Zell sheep under heat stress conditions.

Zell sheep cows (n = 12) with an average weight of 25.0±1 Kg randomly assigned fed with different glutamine levels (0 and 0.2 g/kg body weight. Diets were fed for 60 days under heat stress conditions. Sampling of the thigh muscle was taken at two different times (in the middle of the experiment and at the end of the experimental period) with a special biopsy gun with a 14-diameter needle from three sheep in each treatment. Then the samples were washed in physiological serum and kept at -96°C until total RNA extraction. RNA extraction was done with trizol and based on manufacture instructions (Invitrogen). The RNA was reversely transcribed in the presence of 1 mmol/L oligo (dT) primer and 4 U Omniscript RTase (Omniscript RT Kit; Qiagen, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To ensure the amplification, they were tested using a cDNA and Real-time PCR (model CORBETT 3000, Australia). Data were normalized to a calibrator sample using the 2ΔΔCt method with correction for amplification efficiency. Samples were expressed relative to YWHAZ as a housekeeping gene, which was stable under the culture conditions used. Data was analyzed using t-test (SAS 9/1).

The results of the present study showed that glutamine feeding increased the expression of Myf5 (2.75 times), MyoD (3.89 times), MRF4 (2.16 times), Myogenin (4.76 times), and the expression of Myostatin gene (54 4 times) on the 21st day of the experiment. On the 42nd day of the experiment, glutamine feeding increased the expression of Myf5 (2.10 times), MyoD (2.56 times), MRF4 (2.78 times), and Myogenin (5.25 times) genes, like the 21st day of glutamine feeding. And it decreased the expression of the Myostatin gene (3.03 times) on the contrary.

The results of the present study showed, in general, that considering the effect of glutamine nutrition on the expression of myogenic genes in heat conditions, its use can be a solution to increase growth performance in heat stress conditions if the results are reproducible.Keywords: Gene expression, Glutamine, Sheep, Real-time- PCR

Several studies have been conducted regarding the importance of the availability of various minerals and vitamins for the growth and performance of livestock. Selenium and vitamin E are among the substances that have attracted the attention of researchers. Different dosses, appropriate time of consumption, and method of use are the aria that have been researched. Although the reports presented are not aligned and, in some cases, contradictions are observed. Therefore, in this study, the effect of oral and injectable supplementation of selenium and vitamin E on growth performance and some blood parameters of growing lambs was investigated.

Eighteen three-month-old lambs with an average weight of 18.6 ± 2.7 were kept randomly in three groups with six repetitions in individual cages for eight weeks. Experimental treatments included: control group (base diet without supplements), oral group (base diet plus 0.3 mg of selenium in the form of selenomethionine and 50 mg/kg of vitamin E in the form of alpha-tocopherol), injectable group (4 ml injectable supplement; each ml contains 0.5 mg of selenium in the form of sodium selenite and 50 mg of vitamin E in the form of alpha-tocopherol). The lambs were weighed every 15 days and, on the 1st, 30th, and 60th days of the experiment, blood was drawn from the Juglar vein

There was no statistically significant difference between experimental groups in terms of daily feed consumption, final weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Blood concentrations of zinc, copper and iron were not affected by supplementation. Cholesterol, triglyceride, high, low and very low-density lipoprotein concentrations were not affected by the method of supplementation. The number of red blood cells was not affected, but the number of white blood cells in the injection group increased significantly compared to the control group on the 60th day of the experiment (P<0.05). In terms of the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and superoxide dismutase, no significant difference was observed between the experimental groups, but the activity of glutathione peroxidase on the 30th and 60th days of the experiment and the total antioxidant capacity on the 60h of the experiment in the group receiving oral supplements were more than other experimental groups (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde index decreased in the groups receiving selenium and vitamin E supplements compared to the control group (P<0.05).

The results of this experiment showed that the use of oral supplements of selenium and vitamin E improved the antioxidant capacity of lambs by both oral and injectable methods, and no significant difference was observed between the two methods. However, due to the convenience of the oral method and the reduction of stress caused by the injection and its non-invasive nature, it is recommended to prescribe an oral supplement. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Bufferman as a biological regulator on the disappearance of nutrients by bacterial and fungi in anaerobic culture in diets containing different ratios of concentrate to Forage. The experimental diets consisted of different forage to concentrate ratios (respectively 20-80, 30-70, 40-60, 60-40) with treatments included control (zero percent), Bufferman 1% and 2%, and sodium bicarbonate 1 %. This research was conducted in vitro, using a completely randomized design. The experiment results indicated that the disappearance rates of DM , NDF , ADF and rumen pH were influenced by the test diets (P<0.05). Different forage to concentrate ratios (20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 60:40 F:C) were influenced by buffering, resulting in the highest disappearance of DM, disappearance of NDF, and disappearance of ADF in treatments with 1% Bufferman inclusion (P<0.05). According to the present experiment, it can be inclusion of 1% Bufferman led to a significant increase in nutrient disappearance and rumen pH by creating favorable conditions for bacterial and fungal activity throughout the evaluation period.The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Bufferman as a biological regulator on the disappearance of nutrients by bacterial and fungi in anaerobic culture in diets containing different ratios of concentrate to Forage. The experimental diets consisted of different forage to concentrate ratios (respectively 20-80, 30-70, 40-60, 60-40) with treatments included control (zero percent), Bufferman 1% and 2%, and sodium bicarbonate 1 %. This research was conducted in vitro, using a completely randomized design. The experiment results indicated that the disappearance rates of DM , NDF , ADF and rumen pH were influenced by the test diets (P<0.05). Different forage to concentrate ratios (20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 60:40 F:C) were influenced by buffering, resulting in the highest disappearance of DM, disappearance of NDF, and disappearance of ADF in treatments with 1% Bufferman inclusion (P<0.05). According to the present experiment, it can be inclusion of 1% Bufferman led to a significant increase in nutrient disappearance and rumen pH by creating favorable conditions for bacterial and fungal activity throughout the evaluation period.The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Bufferman as a biological regulator on the disappearance of nutrients by bacterial and fungi in anaerobic culture in diets containing different ratios of concentrate to Forage. The experimental diets consisted of different forage to concentrate ratios (respectively 20-80, 30-70, 40-60, 60-40) with treatments included control (zero percent), Bufferman 1% and 2%, and sodium bicarbonate 1 %. This research was conducted in vitro, using a completely randomized design. The experiment results indicated that the disappearance rates of DM , NDF , ADF and rumen pH were influenced by the test diets (P<0.05). Different forage to concentrate ratios (20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 60:40 F:C) were influenced by buffering, resulting in the highest disappearance of DM, disappearance of NDF, and disappearance of ADF in treatments with 1% Bufferman inclusion (P<0.05). According to the present experiment, it can be inclusion of 1% Bufferman led to a significant increase in nutrient disappearance and rumen pH by creating favorable conditions for bacterial and fungal activity throughout the evaluation period.