مجله علوم دامی ایران
سال چهل و سوم شماره 1 (بهار 1391)

Five species of dominant halophyte plants including: Salsola griffithii, Chenopodium album, Aeluropus logopoidies, Alopecurus textillis and Cardaria draba were sampled from Sistan region at their late vegetative stage. The collected samples were dried at room temperature and ground, and their chemical components including: dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein, crude fat, as well as cell wall and no hemicellulose containing cell wall evaluated in the laboratory. Dry matter digestibility (by in situ nylon bag technique) and organic matter digestibility as well as metabolisable energy (through in vitro gas production method) were determined. Results revealed that among the species studied, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in terms of chemical composition. Crude protein, cell wall and no hemicellulose containing cell wall ranged from 5.93 to 14.73, NDF from 34.30 to 66.82 while ADF from 13.64 to 41.46 % (DM basis) respectively. The ash content was recorded the highest (46.87%) for Salsola griffithii but ranged from 12.63 to 16.18% as regards the other species. OM digestibility ranged from 66.13 to 76.24%. It was significantly the highest in Salsola griffithii while the lowest in Cadaria draba. The organic matter digestability rate in dry matter in salt grass (due to the high ash content), was the lowest (40.51%), and metabolisable energy also significantly (p<0.05) lower than in the other species (6.95 vs 9.47 to 10.37 Mj/ kg). Regarding the degradability parameters and effective degradability there were also significant differences observed among species (p<0.05).

Two trials were carried out to compare the effect of different levels of vitamin premix, in two raising systems of floor and cage, on performance and meat quality of broiler chicks. The chicks were fed with adjusted diets as based on wheat and barley for duration of 29 to 42 days. Trial 1 was carried out through an employment of 288 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) in 4 treatments and 4 replicates in a completely randomized design in floor system. Trial 2 was carried out simultaneously with the trial 1 by using 64 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) with 4 treatments and 4 replicates in a system of raising cages. The treatments were comprised of 0, 33.33, 66.66 and 100 percent of vitamin premix. Feed intake and body weight gain in each replicate were calculated within 35 and 42 days, while carcass weight, abdominal fat percentage, the level of Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) enzymes being assessed. Also, after the birds being slaughtered, in order to assess the level of lipid oxidation, thighs of birds were frozen at -20˚C for 6 months. According to the results of trial 1 the level of lipid oxidation and AST enzyme were affected by the no vitamin premix containing diet at 36-42 days of age, (P< 0.05). In trial 2, according to the recorded performances, carcass weight and the level of AST enzyme, in birds which were fed with no vitamin premix containing diet (zero level) in comparison with the other treatments and at 36-42 days of age were of significant differences (P < 0.05). Also according to the lipid oxidation and ALP enzyme the birds which were fed with the diet of treatments 1 and 2 in comparison with the other treatments and at 42 days of age were of significant differences (P < 0.05). Considering the results in this study, it seems that there is the possibility of decreasing the level of vitamin premix in finisher diet of broiler chickens in floor raising system up to 33% and up to 66% in cage system common now, without any negative effect on performance and on their frozen meat quality.

A couple of experiments were conducted to study the effects of different levels of dietary cobalt (Co) on performance, concentration of plasma vitamin ¬B¬12 and microbial protein synthesis in Mehraban male lambs. In the first experiment 28 lambs were randomly divided into four groups and fed by a basal diet containing 0.088 mg Co/kg of Dry Matter (DM) supplemented with 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, or 1.00 mg Co/kg DM for a duration of 70 days. Lambs were weighted in days 0, 35 and 70 of the experiment with daily feed intake recorded to determine gain efficiency. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma vitamin¬ B¬12 on day 1 and 68. As for the second experiment, four lambs from each treatment of the first experiment were randomly allotted to the individual metabolic crates to assess the effects of dietary Co on microbial protein synthesis. This trial lasted for 12 days of a 6-day adaptation period and subsequent 6-day collection period for recording urine excretion vs. feed intake. Average daily gain, average daily feed intake and gain efficiency were improved by Co supplementation. The average daily gain and gain efficiency was recorded as the highest in treatment 3 (P < 0.05). Plasma vitamin¬ B¬12 on day 68 was significantly lower in treatment 1 (P < 0.05). Excretion of purine derivatives, purine absorption, microbial nitrogen entering the duodenum, microbial nitrogen per kilogram of Digestible Organic Matter Intake (DOMI) and microbial nitrogen per kilogram of Digested Organic Matter in the rumen (DOMR) were increased (P < 0.05) through Co supplementation. It was finally concluded that Co supplementation at a level of 0.5 mg of Co/Kg of DM in a basal diet containing. 088 mg of Co/kg DM is the optimum level for enhancing performance, vitamin B12 production and microbial protein synthesis in Mehraban male lambs.

Honey bees as other animal creatures require water and nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water for their maintenance, growth and reproduction. They normally obtain their nutritional requirements from flowers, but at times when there aren,t sufficient flowers available(fall, late winter and early spring) they need supplemental feeding to prevent their being weakened. In this study, four different PRO BEE diets in a completely randomized design of four treatments and five replications was performed in caged worker honeybees (Apis mellifera). Effects of nutritional treatments on carcass fat and protein levels (at different ages of 7, 14 and 21 days), the amount of feed intake (up to the end of test period), time and mortality rate were assessed. Statistical results showed that the amount of feed intake and losses in different treatments are significantly different (P <0.05).The most feed consumption occured in diet 2 and the lowest for diet 4. Protein, fat and dry matter in worker bee carcasses did not show significant differences. Results of the study finally showed the overall beneficial effects of PRO BEE feeding diets to the bees and provision of the needed growth and health to the colonies.

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of organic acid mixture as well as two methionine supplements on performance, carcass characteristics and weight of gastrointestinal tract in broiler chickens. Six hundred unsexed day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were utilized in a factorial arrangement of treatments (3×2) based on Completely Randomized Design (CRD) of 4 replicates of 25 chicks each. a Chicks were placed in floor pens (1.2 ×2 m2). Experimental diets consisted of three levels of organic acid mixture consisting of formic, lactic, malic, citric, tartaric and ortho-phosphoric acid (under the trademark Orgacid) (0, 0.5, and 1%) and two sources of methionine supplement (DL-methionine and liquid methionine hydroxy analogue (Alimet). The experiment was carried out in two periods. Levels of 0.5 and 1% of organic acids mixtures increased body weight and improved feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) during all the periods. During the grower period Alimet increased carcass weight as compared with DL-methionine. Levels of 1% of organic acid mixtures increase carcass weight as compared with other levels in starter (P<0.05). Also in this period breast weight was significantly increased by 0.5 and 1 % of organic acids mixture compared with that at 0% level (P<0.05). Abdominal fat was significantly increased by 1% organic acid mixture compared with that of 0.5% at 21 days of age. The use of organic acid at 1% level resulted in decreased in cecum weight at 21 days of age compared with that at the level of 0% (P<0.05). Intestinal length (by 0.5 and 1 % of organic acid mixture) significantly increased as compared with those at 0% level (P<0.05). Application of organic acid in general, increased carcass weight, breast weight, intestine length while decreasing weight of cecum at 21 days of age. Alimet increased carcass weight as compared with DL-methionine.

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of β-Agonist Zilpaterol hydrochloride on growth performance and carcass quality in Ross broiler chicken. Zilpaterol hydrochloride was daily fed at levels 0, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 mg/kg of Live Body Weight (LBW) from d 25 to 45 of age. Eighty 308 Ross female broiler chickens were employed in a 20 d feeding trial of four replicates, five birds per treatment, in a completely randomized design. Birds were individually weighed on d 25 and 48 of the experiment. Blood samples were collected on d 25 and 45. Zilpaterol was withdrawn on d 45 and the birds weighted and slaughtered on d 48. Zilpaterol hydrochloride supplementation significantly decreased the feed intake and improved the Feed Conversation Ratio (FCR) in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). Treatment with 0.25 Zilpaterol hydrochloride led to the most appropriate FCR value (P<0.05). The effect of Zilpaterol hydrochloride on weight and carcass yield was not significant (P>0.05). Zilpaterol hydrochloride significantly affected plasma glucose and cholesterol concentration (P<0.05), and induced an increase in tissue protein along with a decrease in tissue fat of leg samples (P<0.05). It is finally concluded that Zilpaterol hydrochloride can improved boiler performance as well as its meat quality.

To Compare the nutritional value of rapeseed meal and cottonseed meal in Holstein cows, feeding 20 lactating Holstein cows each with an average weight of 580± 34 kg and 100± 10 days in milk were studied in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets consisted of 4 levels of 0, 8, 14 and 25 percent rapeseed meal replaced with cottonseed meal and barley grain in the diets. Diets were similar as regards net energy lactation and crude protein. Cows were fed with Total Mixed Ration (TMR) for a duration of 60 days. Diets with the highest level of substitution, had 4 and 3.2% FCM higher yields than the control diet. However even through the amount and percentage of milk composition varied numerically, but no significant difference was observed between the diets. (P>0.05). Also Rumen pH and fecal pH did not exhibit significant difference as regarded the diets. Diets apparent digestibility also did not differ significantly. Among the blood metabolites; concentration of calcium, phosphorus, glucose, total protein, albumin and plasma urea nitrogen did not show significant differences as regards the diets, but the blood cholesterol level varied significantly among the experimental diets (P< 0.05), so that the highest cholesterol concentration proved to be related to diet 4 (271/2 mg/dl). Triiodothyronine (T3) hormone concentration did not significantly differ as regarded the experimental diets, but thyroxine (T4) decreased significantly with a increase in rapeseed meal levels, so that the lowest level (3.08 ng/dl) was related to the experimental diet no 4 (P= 0.001).

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the feeding value of waste fig along with its effect on broilers, performance. In the first experiment, the AMEn content of fig was determined through total collection method using 10 adult Leghorn cockerels. In the second experiment, 240 day-old male Ross broiler chicks were randomly alloted to 6 experimental groups of 4 replicates of 10 chicks each. The treatments consisted of diets of different levels of fig (0, 5 and 10%) along with two enzyme levels (0 and 0.04%). According to the first experiment, the AMEn content of the waste fig was 2640 kcal/kg. The results of the second experiment indicated that the use of fig wastage did not have any adverse effect on such performance traits as body weight, daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Adding enzyme to the diets significantly increased feed intake in a 0-21 day period (p< 0.05), but it did not have exhibit any other significant effect on performance traits. There was no significant interaction between dietary fig and enzyme levels. Also, the results indicated significant effects of fig on a few blood parameters at 42 days of age. Chicks fed diets containing different levels of fig showed significantly lower blood glucose (p<0.01) and triglyceride (p<0.05). With increasing the level of fig in the diet, the levels of cholesterol and LDL decreased (p< 0.01) while the level of HDL being linearly increased (p<0.01). Also, enzyme supplementation of the diets didnt reveal any significant effect on blood parameters at 42 days of age. There was no significant effect of interaction between dietary fig and enzyme levels on blood parameters. This experiment revealed that waste fig can be added to the broiler diets, at least up to 10 percent, without display of any adverse effects on broiler performance.

This research was conducted to compare fiber and follicle characteristics of Chios, ArkhaMerino×Moghani, and Suffolk×Moghani sheep. forty non-lactating ewes (16 heads of Chios, 12 head ArkhaMerino×Moghani, and 12 heads of Suffolk×Moghani) at the age of 22 months were randomly selected and kept for a period of 50 days. At the end of the experimental period, 50 grams of wool was collected from left midside of a sheep to assess the fiber characteristics. A skin sample from right midside of all the sheep was taken to evaluate the follicle characteristics. Results indicated that efficiency, staple length and percentage of medullated fibers in Suffolk×Moghani sheep were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in Chios and ArkhaMerino×Moghani. Fiber diameter in ArkhaMerino×Moghani sheep was significantly (P<0.01) less than that in Chios and Suffolk×Moghani. Diameter coefficient variation in Chios sheep was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that in Suffolk×Moghani and ArkhaMerino×Moghani. Percentage of true wool fibers in ArkhaMerino×Moghani sheep was significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in Chios and Suffolk×Moghani. Percentage of kemp fibers in Chios sheep was significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in Suffolk×Moghani and ArkhaMerino×Moghani. There were no significant differences observed in primary follicle density, secondary to primary follicles ratio and percent of inactive follicles among the sheep. Total and secondary follicle densities in ArkhaMerino×Moghani sheep were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in Chios and Suffolk×Moghani.

Four hundred and ninety five smallholder dairy farms in 52 villages of different cities in Chaharmohal and Bakhtiari province including 1321 lactating cows and totalling 2811 total mature cows (lactating and dry)were employed during winter 2009 to summer 2010 to estimate the economic opportunities as per cow in smallholder dairy farms. A questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from the previous years information, already recorded information, direct recordings during visiting of the farm as well as interview with the small holder farmer. A number of 5 economic opportunities were evaluated using revenue and expense for each farm. An economic opportunity is considered as the level the amount of additional revenue that could be obtained if farmers could improve various productivity indexes to meet the reasonable targets. The overall means of indexes were: 6.99% for average calf mortality, 30.07 months for average age at first calving, 15.77 months for average calf production interval, 335.93 days for average lactation period and 13.30 kg for average daily milk produce per cow the reasonable targets for which were 3.85%, 29 months, 15 months, 376 days and 18 kg, respectively. The sum of economic opportunities per cow per year were estimated as 10523 thousand Rails comprised of 5769 thousand Rails (57.22% total) for average daily milk produce per cow, 1630 thousand Rails (23.06% total) for average lactation length, 1586 thousand Rails (12.68% total) for average age at first calving, 169 thousand Rails (5.46% total) for average calf production interval and 180 thousand Rails (1.58% total) for average calf mortality, respectively. Considerable variations were observed for quintuplet economic opportunities, percent of total and sum of economic opportunities in different cities, seasons and for different breeds. Thus, increasing the average daily milk produce per cow and average lactation duration as well as decreasing average age at first calving along with average calf production interval could considerably affect profit and productivity.

The relationship between live body weight, body length, girth circumference, animal hight, upper, middle as well as lower width of fat-tail, fat-tail length, fat-tail gap length, fat-tail depth and fat-tail circumference along with fat-tail weight were determined using records of 731 Loribakhtiari sheep. Principal Component and Least Square Analyses were applied to solve the collinearity instability. Collinearity problems as portrayed by variance inflation factors above 5 or 10 were evident in some of independent variables. Results showed that the problem of collinearity in relation with fat-tail weight of 11 independent variables could be solved by using Principal Component Analysis method. Fat-tail gap length, fat-tail depth, and fat-tail circumference vs. girth circumference, and fat-tail length respectively represented the highest and the lowest coefficients regarding the estimation of fat-tail weight.

In this study, the effect of maternal additive genetic and environment on body weight at 6 weeks (BWT6W), breast width (HBRS), carcass weight (CARCWT), breast weight (BRSWT), blood hematocrit value (HEM), residual feed intake (RFI), daily feed intake (DFI) and average daily gain (ADG) were investigated in a commercial broiler dam line. With and without maternal effects, six different animal models were taken into account, and the most appropriate model chosen as based on likelihood ratio test. Data were analysed through animal model, DMU software. As for BWT6W, HBRS, RFI, DFI and ADG, direct and maternal additive genetic effects with direct-maternal additive genetic covariance and maternal environmental effects (model 8) were significant (P<0.01). Based on this model, direct and maternal heritabilities along with maternal environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance were 0.328, 0.026, and 0.029 for BWT6W, 0.366, 0.039 and 0.029 for HBRS, 0.309, 0.018 and 0.023 for RFI, 0.319, 0.017 and 0.026 for DFI and 0.257, 0.026 and 0,025, for ADG, respectively. As for CARCWT and BRSWT, the important effects were direct additive genetic, maternal additive genetic and covariance between direct and maternal additive effects (model 4). Under this model, estimates of direct and maternal heritabilities were 0.326 and 0.073 for CARCWT vs. 0.485 and 0.036 for BRSWT, respectively. For HCT, none of the maternal effects were significant (P>0.05).The results indicated that ignoring maternal effects in the analysis tended to overestimate direct additive genetic variances as well as their corresponding heritabilities for all the traits.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of principal components (PC) of the regression coefficients (co)variance matrix on the lactation curve, and on the formation of selection index to modify the curve, based on these PC’s, and as well to estimate additive genetic and phenotypic variances and heritability of the constructed selection index. Lactation period of 301 d (5-305) was partitioned into 10 equal stages, such that the values of weighted coefficients (unrestricted selection index) were considered the same value as of the lactation stage. In contrast, the value of weighted coefficients (restricted selection index) which were calculated based on the genetic gain in each stage of lactation. The results showed that the first PC had an impact on milk production and the second PC was associated with persistency. The third PC increased (decreased) milk production in early and late (middle) lactation and the fourth PC decreased (increased) milk production in early (late) as well as middle of second (first) part of lactation curve. Because of more emphasis on persistency and decreasing genetic gain in early lactation in compared with, the value of weighted coefficients first (third) and second (fourth) PC were decreased (increased). Because of decreasing the variance of additive genetic in due to negative genetic covariance between the stages of lactation, the heritability of (0.08) decreased in comparison with (0.33) which lead to decline genetic gain.

Data on 300 Kermani sheep from Kermani Breeding Center of Shahrbabak were utilized in the present research. Horizontal polyacryle amide electrophoresis was employed to detect polymorphism of Transferrin and Albumin, while Acetate cellulose being utilized for Hemoglobin. Three genotypes of Hemoglobin were observed(AA, AB and BB with respective frequencies of 4.6, 43.8 and 51.6). Frequency of A allele of Hemoglobin in Kermani sheep was superior to those investigated in other Iranian sheep. Eight allels were determined for tranferrin, (B, C, A, D, E, G, Q and L in frequencies of 46.7, 27.11, 12.82, 9.16, 2.01, 1.28, 0.55 and 0.37 respectively). These alleles made up 19 genotypes from among which BC genotype possessed the most frequency while AL & LD genotypes the least ones. Albumin Electrophoresis results showed two genotypes SS and SW with frequency of 98% and 2% respectively. Following genotype determination of the sheep for the proteins, effect of proteins on body weight, daily weight gain and wool production was investigated. Trensferrin and Hemoglobin effects were singnificant on 12 month weight (P<0.05), from which the sheep with BB Hemoglobin and CE Transferrin types weighted the highest. Effect of proteins on other traits was not significant although some genotypic groups of hemoglobin and transferrin exhibited significant differences.

To determine the protein polymorphism of ovine transferrin association with carcass economic traits in Makoei, blood samples of 576 (male and female) lambs with two types of Venoject (EDTA anticoagulant containing and non-anticoagulant containing). plasma and serum were then separated and kept in the Central Laboratory of Animal Science Depaartment in Karaj at -20°C. The research was conducted in Maysam Slaughter House located in Robat Karim. Transferrin polymorphism was determined through horizontal electrophoresis gel polyacrylamid. In total 24 genotypes with 10 respective alleles of C, B, D, A, E, G, L, K, M, Q, frequency were determined. The C allele with 0.29 frequency was the frequent allele and the M one with the 0.004 frequency was the rare allele. Association of polymorphic variations of ovine transferrin with live weight, hot carcass weight, hot carcass weight with and fat-tail weight was significant (P<0.01), but the genotypes of different proteins of transferrin with abdominal fat were not recorded as significant (P>0.05).