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Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc hydroxide and zinc glycine and their mixtures on performance, blood and immune parameters, liver enzymes and expression of interleukin-6 and interferon gamma genes in broiler chickens.Materials and methodsBirds fed on a Corn-Soybean. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 3×3 factorial arrangement with 9 treatments and 4 replications, each replication containing 15 birds. (540 Ross 308 broiler chickens). The experimental diets included the control diet (without zinc hydroxide and zinc glycine) and the levels of 50 and 100 mg / kg zinc hydroxide and zinc glycine.ResultsThe results showed that the use of mixture of zinc hydroxide and zinc glycine increased feed intake and weight at the end of broiler chickens breeding (P

Background: The nano-particle of zinc oxide (nZn) and selenium (nSe) has recently attracted in animal feeding because of their high absorbability, catalytic efficiency, and low toxicity than organic and non-organic forms. The present study was done to evaluate the effect of nZn and nSe supplementation in the honey bee's diet under heat stress on antioxidant status, aminotransferase activity, and the relative gene expression of vg and sod-1. Materials and methods: Fifty honey bee colonies were randomly divided into five treatments and 10 replicates. Treatments were sugar syrup without or with nanoparticle supplementation, as: i) the control group (no additives); ii) 100 µgL−1 nano-zinc oxide (nZn-1); iii) 200 µg L − 1 of nano-zinc oxide (nZn-2); iv) 100 µg L − 1 nano-selenium (nSe-1); v) 200 µg L − 1 nano-selenium (nSe-2). On days 30 and 60 of experiment, the bee's samples were taken and antioxidant status, aminotransferase activities and relative genes expression of vg and sod-1 were measured. Results: The highest (P

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate spleen meal (SPM) nutritional value and compare its effects and hydrolyzed yeast (HY) in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, nutrient composition and metabolizable energy content of SPM were determined using male broilers. In experiment 2, 600 broiler chicks were assigned to 5 groups. Dietary treatments were control group, HY1: hydrolyzed yeast (1 g/kg), HY2: hydrolyzed yeast (2 g/kg), SPM1: (30 g/kg diet) and SPM2: (60 g/kg diet). Interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression and antibody titre against Newcastle and infectious bursal diseases were evaluated on day 21. apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and AMEn content of SPM were 3496 and 3296 kcal/kg, respectively. Supplementation with SPM improved (P

This study was conducted to assess the effect of different levels of zinc hydroxide and zinc-glycine (Zn-Gly) on the performance, carcass quality, immunity, and morphometric of the small intestine. A total of 540 1-day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 9 treatments each having 4 replicates of 15 birds in a 3 × 3 factorial design. They were fed with different amounts of 0, 50 and 100 mg/kg from zinc hydroxide and Zn-Gly. The results showed the significant effect of different levels of zinc hydroxide on performance, carcass quality, immunity and morphometric of the small intestine (p

This research study addresses the hypothesis that supplementation of vegetable pellet feed (VPF) affects the quantity and quality of performance, blood parameters, and colostrum immunoglobulin concentration in dairy cows during the transition period. A total of 18 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: 1- Control (basal diet; 0 g VPF/cow/day), 2-VPF10 (basal diet+ 10 g VPF/cow/day), and 3-VPF20 (basal diet+ 20 g VPF/cow/day). Cows were treated for 2 weeks before calving until 10 weeks after calving. Results showed that the VPF supplementation tends to increased milk yield (P = .09) and milk protein percentage linearly (P

The effects of stocking density and environmental conditions on performance, economic profit, carcase characteristics, immunity, and blood plasma parameters of Cobb 500 strain of broiler chickens were evaluated. The 4 climate regions (mild and humid, semi-arid, alpine, hot and dry) and 4 densities (10, 15, 17 and 20 chicks/m2) were carried out as a completely randomised design with 4 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. The corn and soybean based diets were formulated according to the nutrition requirements guide of the Cobb 500 for starter and grower periods. The amount and the composition of the diet were the same for all experimental groups. Growth performance and feed intake were measured weekly. After the injection of sheep red blood cell at 15 and 35 days, blood samples were taken at 24 and 42 days, respectively, to study the immunity of broiler chickens. At the end of the experiment, 3 birds were slaughtered from each experimental unit for measuring the weights of carcase, abdominal fat, gastrointestinal organs (the total weight of gastrointestinal tract and caeca, and liver) and blood parameters. The interaction effects of stocking density and climate region on feed conversion ratio (in starter period), survival rate, cost, profit, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoproteins (HDL), HDL/low density lipoproteins (LDL) ratio, and liver enzymes aspartate aminotranferases (AST), also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and alanine aminotranferase (ALT) were significant (p

Objective Herbal essential oils are added to the poultry diet for a variety of reasons, such as improving performance, production and increasing the level of immunity. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fennel and savory essential oils and their mixtures on growth performance, carcass characteristics, antioxidant parameters and hepatic interleukin-6 gene expression in broilers. Materials and methods The study was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with 9 treatments and 4 replications, each replication containing 15 birds. (540 Ross 308 broiler chickens). The experimental diets included the levels of 0 g/kg, 0.15 g/kg and 0.25 g/kg of fennel and savory essential oils and their mixture. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated at starter (1-10 days), grower (11-24 days) and finisher (25-42 days). Each repeated three birds were bled at day 42. Interleukin-6 gene expression was performed on day 42. The ileum contents were sampled at 42 days of age to determine the microbial population. Results The results showed that in the finisher (25-42), the experimental groups that received the essential oil had a lower conversion ratio than the control treatment. Among the experimental groups, the mixture of 0.25 fennel + 0.25 savory essential oils (g/kg feed) had the best production index (p Conclusions Diets containing 0.25 (g/kg)fennel + 0.25 (g/kg) savory essential oils had the highest effect on improvment of the performance and expression of the broiler liver gene.

Objective(s): Zinc is an effective factor in the reproductive system. Insulin resistance (IR) is known as an important disorder in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which controls key cell activities, in particular, is activated in disorders such as PCOS. The present study was conducted to observe the therapeutic effects of organic zinc on IR, mTOR gene expression, and pathogenesis of PCOS in a rat model induced-PCOS. Materials and Methods: Experimental treatments were performed on control and treated groups, consisting of healthy controls (Control, water, and standard feed intake and daily injection of sesame oil alone), Polycystic control (PCO, injection of 4 mg/kg estradiol valerate (EV) for four weeks). Treated groups (PCO-ZM 25, PCO-ZM 75, and PCO-ZM 175) after 4 weeks of receiving EV, were daily given three levels of 25, 75, and 175 mg zinc methionine/kg BW for 15 days, respectively.Results: Injection of EV dramatically increased body and ovarian weights, levels of LH, testosterone, estradiol, triglyceride, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, IGF-1, gene expression of mTOR, and number of cysts (PConclusion: Organic zinc showed beneficial effects in the EV induced PCOS rats via decreased insulin resistance and mTOR expression, restored the hormonal profile, and decreased the number of cysts in the ovaries.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of green tea and rosemary extracts and their mixtures on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical parameters, oxidative stability of meat and expression of interleukin-6 genes and interferon gamma in broiler chickens. Materials and methods Birds fed on a Corn-Soybean. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with 9 treatments and 4 replications, each replication containing 15 birds. (540 Ross 308 broiler chickens). The experimental diets included the control diet (without extracts) and the levels of 0.5 and 1 g / kg extracts of green tea and rosemary. Results The results showed that the use of mixture of rosemary extracts increased feed intake, increased weight and improved feed conversion ratio at the end of broiler chickens breeding (P Conclusions In general, it can be stated that the mixture containing 0.5 rosemary extract (g/kg of feed) has the most effect on performance improvement, oxidative stability of meat and expression of liver genes in broiler chickens.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vegetable oils on the antioxidant capacity, blood lipid components and immune responses in chickens raised in hot climate. In a completely randomized design, 300 chicks were assigned to four treatments and five replicates with 15 chicks per each. The highest concentration of malondialdehyde was found in broilers fed palm oil (p < 0.05). Chickens fed corn oil had the lowest and those fed flaxseed oil had the highest antioxidant enzymes activities (p < 0.05). The highest hepatic Alanine-transferase and Aspartate-transferase was found in chickens fed corn oil and the lowest levels in those received flaxseed and olive oils (p < 0.05). The highest hypersensitivity was in chickens fed palm oil and the lowest was for olive oil. The highest antibody titer against sheep red blood cells was found in chickens fed flaxseed oil and the lowest titer was for those received palm oil (p < 0.05). The highest triglyceride, cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein and the lowest high density lipoprotein was found in chickens fed palm oil and vice versa for flaxseed and olive oils. Olive and flaxseed oils had beneficial effects on antioxidant activity and lipid attributes and palm oil had detrimental effects on these parameters that related to the poultry health.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of stocking density and climate region on performance, immunity, carcass characteristics, blood plasma, and economic parameters of the Ross strain of broiler chickens. The effects of four climates (mild and humid, semi-arid, alpine, and hot and dry) and four densities (10, 15, 17, and 20 chicks/m2) were studied as a completely randomized design with 4×4 factorial arrangement of treatments. The results showed that the density had a significant effect on feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the starter period and on body weight gain in the grower and the whole periods of the experiment. Moreover, both climate and density had a significant impact on economic performance (live weight, survival rate, production index, meat production/m2, and profitability). The mild and humid climate and the density of 17 chicks/m2 had the most economic benefit compared with other treatments. The climate type had a significant effect on the relative weights of the breast, wings, neck, proventriculus, and ileum. The effects of climate and density on glucose, triglyceride, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), LDL/low-density lipoproteins (HDL), total protein and globulin were significant. In addition, the effect of climate on the antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (except for immunoglobulin G on day 28) was significant.

This study was designed to examine the protective effects of nano-selenium and nano-zinc oxide on queen and workers performance under heat stress condition and gene expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) as an index of heat tolerance. Sixty colonies were randomly assigned to five treatments with 12 replicates from June until early September. Sugar syrup (50%) containing no supplement or nano-selenium at levels of 50 and 100 µg L-1 or nano-zinc at levels of 100 and 200 µg L-1 was fed to colonies. Nano-selenium supplementations had no effect, but nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 significantly decreased body malondialdehyde concentration. The highest bee population was seen in nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 and the lowest one in control group. The lowest and the highest body weight, fat and protein deposition was found in group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 and control, respectively. The highest gene expression was for group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 In group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1, an increase in hsp70 gene expression was found. In conclusion, nano-zinc oxide at level of 100 µg L-1 could increase queen and worker performance and heat resistance of bees in the hot climate condition.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of auto-lysed yeast and yeast extract on performance and immune responses of cows in hot climate in the early lactation period. Twenty five lactating dairy cows randomly assigned to 5 groups and 5 replicates. Cows received basal diet with or without auto-lysed yeast (20 or 40 g/d/head) or yeast extract (20 or 40 g/d/head) as on top-dressed. There were no differences for daily dry matter intake, milk production milk fat and the counts of red blood cells and white blood cells among treatments (p > 0.05). There were significant differences among treatments for immunoglobulin G (IgG) level, lymphocyte and neutrophil percentages. Yeast extract had no effect on IgG level, but auto-lysed yeast increased IgG level and neutrophil percentage and decreased lymphocyte percentage (p < 0.05). The highest relative interleukin-2 gene expression was for cows received auto-lysed yeast at the level of 40 g/d/head. Yeast extract had no significant effect on interleukin-2 gene expression as compared to the control group. It was concluded that auto-lysed yeast at the level of 40 g/d/head had no effect on performance, but it could positively influence on immune response of lactating dairy cows in hot climate during early period of lactation.

Objective: One of the main concerns of the market regulators is the prediction of the effects of these new strategies on the market due to the heterogeneity of the agents, rational boundary and behavioral factors in the investors’decision making. The Iranian stock market has always been fluctuating; therefore,awareness of the effects of strategies before they are implementedwill help regulators to market more effectively. The main objective of this research is to create an artificial market according to the Iranian stock market so that different scenarios can be simulated. Methods:One of these emerging areas, which emphasizes the impact of social sciences, cognitive sciences and behavioral sciences on operational research, is "Behavioral Operations Research" that helps us solve real-world problems.In this research, considering modeling based onagent-based capabilities, shareholders’ capabilities, bonds including different types of stocks and risk-free papers, and trading rules. Results:In this artificial market in each trading period, in accordance with the trading strategy and learning procedures, the agents intendto buy and sell. Eventually they worked as the market makers, in accordance with the auction mechanism, and began to execute orders and perform clearing and settlement operations. In order to examine the validity of the model, the statistical output of this market wasadapted to the statistical characteristics of the financial markets and, after validating the model with the scenario, simulation of the research questions were done. In this research, the scenarios for eliminating the range of price fluctuations and elimination of the informed stakeholders and their effects on stock prices were reviewed. Conclusion: According to the simulated scenarios of the Iranian stock market, due to its immature nature, eliminating controlling mechanisms such as the range of price fluctuations, in the short term the Market willbe highly instable, but in the long run the market tends to be more efficient.

To investigate the effect of stocking density on productive traits, blood parameters and immunity, 1305 Ross 308 male broiler chicks (initial weight: 45±1.5 g) were used as a completely randomized design with 2 treatments and 15 replications. Treatments included 1) 12 chicks per pen 2) 18 chicks per pen (1.2x1.2 m2). The results were recorded in three periods of 0-24, 25-42 and 0-42 days. From 0 to 24 d of age, the stocking density had no significant effect on feed intake and body weight gain (P>0.05), but feed conversion ratio significantly decreased in 12 chicks density group (P0.05). Also the relative weights of spleen, bursa of fabricius, abdominal fat, thigh and breast were not affected by experimental treatments (P>0.05). Increasing the number of chicks per m2 caused to increase heterophile count and decrease lymphocyte count and increase heterophile to lymphocyte ratio (P0.05). Given that performance indices were better under low stocking density, but live body weight per m2 was significantly higher in 18 chicks density group (32%), it"s seems economically 18 chicks per m2 is the best stocking density.

The effect of Lactofeed probiotic and different sources of fat on performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology and ghrelin gene expression of broiler chickens was studied in an experiment using a total of 240 one-day-old male chickens from commercial strain (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design via 6 treatments with 4 replicates (10 birds per replicate). The experimental diets included: (1) basal diet (control); (2) diet containing 3% animal fat from tallow (fat); (3) diet containing 3% plant oil from soybean (oil); (4) control + probiotic; (5) probiotic + (fat) and (6) probiotic + (oil). The results showed some improvement in performance in the third group (P

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of physical form of diet and dietary inclusion of enzyme and probiotic on growth performance, mucin2 gene expression, morphology of small intestine and intestinal lactobacillus population of broiler chicks fed with triticale-based diets. Six hundred forty 1-d-old broiler chicks were arranged in 8 treatments with 4 replicates (n=20 chicks). This study was done based on a randomized block completely design in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement with two levels of feed form (pellet and mash), two levels of probiotic (0 and 0.03% diet) and two levels of enzyme (0 and 0.05% diet). Birds fed with pelleted diet had higher weight gain at starter and grower (P0.05) Thus, physical form of diet plays important role in improving performance and gene expression in birds fed with triticale-based diets.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of GAA addition to corn-soybean meal based diets on productive performance, blood biochemical parameters and reproductive hormones of laying hens. Two hundred laying hens were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates (n=10 birds). Birds received basal diets containing 0 (negative control), 0.057, 0.114 and 0.171% GAA/kg of diet. A diet containing 2% meat meal was also considered as positive control. The data for productive performance was recorded during 84 d and blood samples were collected to evaluate the blood biochemical parameters including triglycerides, high and low density lipoproteins, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and nitric oxide and reproductive hormones (LH and FSH) at 42 and 84 d. Results showed that GAA addition to diet had not significant effects on productive performance but 0.171% GAA addition reduced egg weight (P

The objective of the current work was to evaluate the effect of drinking water with various levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and betaine supplementation on the performance and gene expression of betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) in broiler chickens. In a completely randomized design with a 3×2 factorial arrangement, chicks were assigned to six treatments with four replicates and 15 chicks per each. The treatments were included of three levels of total dissolved solids (400, 2.000 and 3.500 ppm) and two levels of betaine supplementation (0 and 0.2% of diet). Weight gain decreased and feed conversion ratio and water intake increased as TDS of water increased. Betaine supplementation had no effect on weight gain and water intake during the grower period, but had a significant effect on gain and feed conversion ratio in the finisher period. Mortality rate and excreta moisture content increased as TDS of water increased. Excreta moisture content decreased with betaine supplementation. Gene expression of BHMT decreased significantly with increases in TDS level and betaine supplementation increased its expression (28 folds) as compared with the non-additive group. It was concluded that consumption of drinking water with higher than 2.000 ppm TDS adversely and betaine supplementation positively affect the performance of broiler chickens. The lowest feed conversion ratio was seen in chicks fed 400 and 2.000 ppm TDS with betaine supplementation.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of L-glutamine and synergistic effects between glutamic acid in wheat and glutamine on productive performance, egg quality characteristics, blood biochemical parameters and fertility traits of guinea fowls fed with corn-soybean meal-wheat based diets. 120 guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) were allocated to a completely randomized design with six treatments consisted of four replicates and 5 birds per replicate. Treatments were included: 1) corn-soybean meal based diet (control1), 2) corn-soybean meal-wheat based diet- (control2), 3) control1 containing 0.5% L-glutamine, 4) control1 containing 1% L-glutamine, 5) control2 containing 0.5% L-glutamine, 6) control2 containing 1% L-glutamine. Results showed that diet supplementing with L-glutamine significantly increased egg mass, egg production, egg weight, shell thickness, haugh unit, levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, hatchability and one-day chick weight and also improved feed conversion ratio compared with control1 and 2 diets (P

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of feed particle size, form and also pellet quality on intestinal pH, population of beneficial bacteria and pathogenic bacteria and performance of broiler chickens during growth period. Chicks were fed the same starter ration, but at day 11 of age, chickens were randomly assigned to eight treatments and four replicates and fed dietary treatments until day 28 of age as grower diet. Dietary treatments were as: pellet diets with (1.8 and 2.2 mm) or without dust, graded diets (0.78 and 1.27 mm) and mash diets (2 and 3 mm diameter), poor quality pellet and high quality pellet with die diameter of 1.8 and 2.2 mm. The lowest pH of duodenal and ileal contents was for pellet 2.2 mm and mash 3 mm, respectively (P0.05) among treatments for bacterial populations, except Escherichia coli population. The highest Escherichia coli population was found in high quality pellet 1.8 mm and poor quality pellet 1.8 mm and lowest one was found in mash 2 and 3 mm (P

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection of nano-selenium (Nano-Se) and nano-zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO) and high eggshell temperature (EST) during late incubation on blood parameters of broiler hatchlings. A total of 750 fertile eggs, were weighed and randomly distributed among 5 treatment groups on each of 5 replicate tray levels. The injection was performed on 17 d of incubation. Treatments included of: 1) Eggs not injected and incubated at normal EST (control); 2) Eggs not injected and incubated at high EST; 3) Eggs injected NaCl solution and incubated at high EST (sham); 4) Eggs injected NaCl solution containing 40 µg Nano-Se and incubated at high EST; 5) Eggs injected NaCl solution containing 500 µg Nano-ZnO and incubated at high EST. EST of 37.8ºC (normal) or 38.9ºC (high) was applied from d 19 to 21 of incubation. In ovo injection of Nano-Se and Nano-ZnO significantly increased activity of GSH-Px and SOD and total protein, but decreased the levels of corticosterone, cortisol, T4 and T3 at high EST. Injection of Nano-Se and Nano-ZnO had a significant role in alleviating the negative effects of high temperature incubation and heat stress by increased antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative stress.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of unsaturated and saturated oils on the performance, hormonal levels and hsp gene expression in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. 300 one-day male broiler chicks were assigned to 4 treatments (Diets containing palm, corn, linseed or olive oils) with 5 replicates. At day 28 of age, 2 chickens were removed from each replicate, then blood samples and liver tissue samples were collected for analyses. Feeding linseed and olive oil reduced feed conversion ratio compared to corn and palm oils. The lowest level of insulin was for chickens fed linseed oil and corn oil. The highest level of corticosterone was found in chickens fed palm oil and the lowest level was for those received linseed oil. Chickens received linseed and corn oils had the highest levels of T3 and T4 and those fed palm and olive oils had the lowest levels. The highest HSP 70 gene expression was for chickens fed diet containing olive and linseed oils and the lowest one was for those fed corn and palm oils. It was concluded that olive oil and linseed oil could improve performance and heat tolerance of chickens under heat stress.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplementing close-up and fresh dairy cows’ diets with sodium selenite or organic sources of selenium (Se) on the serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant indicators and Se status. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein dairy cows were balanced by body condition score (BCS), previous lactation milk yield and expected calving date and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental treatments. Treatments were: control (basal diet without Se supplementation), sodium selenite supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-S), selenium yeast supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-Y) and selenomethionine supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-M). Serum Se concentrations were higher for cows in Se-Y (72.34 µg dL-1) and Se-Met (72.34 µg dL-1) than control (59.93µg/dl) and Se-S (64.79µg/dl). The Se supplementation and sources did not affect serum metabolites or indices of antioxidant pre and postpartum, except serum total protein and albumin concentrations. Cows in Se-M had greater serum total protein and albumin concentrations than those in control. The results of present study showed that serum Se concentrations increased in Se-Y and Se–M more effectively than Se-S, indicating that selenomethionine could replace Se-S as an effective organic Se source for transition dairy cows.

This study was performed to elucidate the association effect on feeding thymolina powder in thecarcass characteristics and morphology of small intestine of Ross 308 broiler chickens. In the presentexperiment, 320 one day old Ross 308 broiler chickens were used by using completely randomized designwith 4 treatments, 4 replicates, in which each replicate contained 20 broiler chickens. Experimentaltreatments groups were: control, 0.5, 1, and 2% of Thymolina powder in chickens’ diet. Thymolina® is ananti-bacterial powder drug which is made by composing 4 medicinal plants. A significant difference observedamong treatments in each parameter of the intestinal morphology (villus height, villus width, crypt depthand epithelial thickness. The number of goblet cells were not affected. Results of this findings indicatedthat using Thymolina® in the diet of broiler chickens causes improvements in carcass characteristics.Therefore, it may improve the performance and creation of the favorable broiler chickens.

Objective: This study was conducted in order to the administration of 50 and 100 mg of bovine somatotropin (bST) at the beginning of the estrus synchronization and natural mating of the sheep to evaluate the improvement of the ovulation rate, embryonic development and pregnancy rate of the transferred embryos. Methods: Forty eight donors were treated with three different types of treatment; Group A: treated with bST-100 (n = 15), received 100 mg of bST at the beginning of the synchronization and natural mating, Group B: treated with 50 mg of bST (n = 15) same as the previous group and control (n = 18) did not receive any type of bST. Each recipient received two embryos, (n = 108): 30 recipients received the embryos from bST-100s, 45 recipients received the embryos from bST-50 and 33 recipients received embryos from the control group. Using SAS related GENMOD method, rate of superovulatory, recovered structure percentage, cleavage rate, transferable embryo percentage, quality of embryos, rates of pregnancy and embryonic development were analyzed. Using GLM procedure, numbers of corpus luteum and blastocyst cells were analyzed. Results: The bST administration had no significant effect on rate of superovulatory, number of CL and recovered structures (P ≥ 0.05). Number of transferable embryos and embryos that had access to the blastocyst in bST-50 (P ≤ 0.01) was more than bST-100 and control group. Conclusions: The treatment 50 mg bovine somatotropins enhance the ratio and growth of the transferable embryos. Embryos of bST-50 treatment indicated an improved embryonic development but bST did not affect the pregnancy rates of transferred embryos.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder in fertile women, which seems to be adversely affected by associated thyroid dysfunction. Zinc methionine (ZM) has positive effects on PCOS, but its concerted effects on PCOS and thyroid function have not been investigated. We evaluated the effects of ZM on reproductive and thyroid hormones and the number of follicles in rats with PCOS. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 45 female rats, using sesame oil as control; PCOS animals administered with 0, 25, 75, and 175 mg/kg BW of ZM. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid function were investigated. Premature follicles (PMF), primary follicles (PF), preantral follicles (PAF), antral follicles (AF), corpus luteum (CL), and cystic follicles (CF) were assessed. Results: PCOS decreased the concentrations of FSH and free T4, but increased the levels of LH, TSH, and LH/FSH ratio (ALL P < 0.05). ZM at a dose of 75 and 175 mg increased the level of FSH, free T4, and decreased LH, TSH, and LH/FSH ratio (ALL P < 0.05). Induction of PCOS decreased PMF, PF, PAF, AF, and CL, but increased CF (P < 0.05). PCOS treated groups (75 and 175 mg/kg) increased these follicle numbers and decreased CF compared to ZM 25 mg/kg and PCOS groups (Both P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although the induction of PCOS had a negative effect on reproductive and thyroid hormones and follicle numbers, ZM treatment (75 and 175 mg/kg) overcame the negative effects. A high dosage of ZM can alleviate the hormonal and cysts disturbances occurring in PCOS.

Highly competitive, dynamic and complex environment of banking industry and increasing growth of customers’ demand has led to lots of changes in this industry. Therefore, e-loyalty has changed to a considerable subject in e-business environment to preserve customers. This study is conducted in order to identify and study the factors affecting e-loyalty of e-banking services’ users. The methodology of this research is applied in terms of the objectives and is descriptive in terms of data gathering method, which is a kind of cross-sectional survey and correlational study. The results of data analysis show that the hypotheses about the effects of website quality on overall perceived satisfaction of users, and trust on customers’ loyalty were not confirmed. On the other hand, positive effect of website quality on perceived services quality and trust, perceived services quality on overall perceived satisfaction and trust, and finally overall perceived satisfaction on e-loyalty were accepted.

In the present experiment, 320 one day old Ross 308 broiler chickens were used completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 4 replicates, and each replicate contained 20 broiler chickens. Experimental treatments include control, 0.5, 1, and 2% of Thymolina powder in chickens’ diet. Thymolina® is an anti-bacterial powder drug which is made by composing 4 medicinal plants. A significant difference observed between treatments in each parameter of the Intestinal morphology (villus height, villus width, crypt depth and epithelial thickness). Goblet cells number was not affected. Our findings indicated that using Thymolina® in the diet of broiler chickens causes improvements in carcass characteristics. Therefore, it may improve the carcass characteristics and morphology of small intestine in broiler chickens.

Facing the issues with structural complexity about which stakeholders have different views, has increasingly led to the use of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) in solving managerial problems. Moreover, the flaws of this methodology in the stages of modeling and feasible, desirable changes, have provided the motivation for applying Cognitive Map (CM) and System dynamics in the SSM modeling. Present study has eliminated the problems of individual usage of each model in modeling stage of the problem, using a combining algorithm of “SD” and “SSM”, and by making a synergy it has helped a better modeling for drug smuggling control system which is a complicated and unstructured system. Present study with multiple methods and by using cognitive map simulation technique and SD has effectively helped in making strategic decision and has estimated different behavior of model variables over time.

The objective of this study was to establish a specific, sensitive and rapid PCR approach for the detection of Clostridium sp. at the genus level. Clostridium sp. in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum of broiler chickens were analyzed by 16S rRNA genes. The PCR detected the presence of Clostridium spp. in naturally contaminated intestinal samples. For the total gastrointestinal segments, 53.125, 65.625 and 59.375% samples were positive for naturally occurring Clostridium spp. at the ages 4, 14 and 30d, respectively. Analysis of the microbial contents indicated that Clostridium sp. was not consistently detected in all intestinal segments. These results can put in evidence the hypothesis that Clostridium spp. may be interfering in health and performance of chickens.Clostridium spp. são organismos patogénicos com distribuição mundial, podendo estar presente nos seres humanos, em animais domésticos e em animais selvagens. Estas bactérias habitam geralmente o trato gastrintestinal. Os métodos bacteriológicos convencionais como a microscopia e a cultura têm limitações. O objetivo deste estudo foi de estabelecer uma metodologia específica, sensível e rápida como a ténica de PCR para a deteção de Clostridium spp. A presença de Clostridium spp. Foi pesquisada no duodeno, o jejunum, o íleo e o cecum de galinhas usando análise molecular de genes do rRNA 16S. A técnica de PCR usada neste trabalho detectou Clostridium spp. em amostras intestinais naturalmente contaminadas. Considerando o trato gastrintestinal total, 53.125, 65.625 e 59.375% das amostras foram positivas para Clostridium nas idades 4, 14 e 30d respectivamente. A análise microbiana indicou que Clostridium spp. não foi detectado consistentemente em todos os segmentos intestinais. Os dados observados alertam para possíveis implicações significativas para a saúde e o desempenho das galinhas.