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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

This experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of the in ovo injection of carbohydrates, antioxidants, and their combination into the stored incubating eggs. To conduct this research, 600 hatching eggs were selected for amniotic injection (on 17.5th embryonic day) from the laying hens of Cobb 500 strain after 14 days of storage, and after hatching, they were distributed for a rearing period in 5 treatments and 5 replicates in a completely randomised design(24 eggs per replicate). Experimental treatments include: (1) Negative control (NC) (without injection), (2) Positive control (PC) (injection of 0.5 ml normal saline solution), (3) Injection of 0.5 ml carbohydrates solution (CS), (4) Injection of 0.5 ml antioxidant solution (AS) and (5) Injection of 0.5 ml (CS) + (AS). The hatching percentage, chicken weight, the number of red cells, lymphocytes and tissue glycogen content in CS + AS treatment increased significantly compared to the control (p

Within the realms of human thoughts on nature, Fourier analysis is considered as one of the greatest ideas currently put forwarded. The Fourier transform shows that any periodic function can be rewritten as the sum of sinusoidal functions. Having a Fourier transform view on real-world problems like the DNA sequence of genes, would make things intuitively simple to understand in comparison with their initial formal domain view. In this study we used discrete Fourier transform (DFT) on DNA sequences of a set of genes in the bovine genome known to govern milk production, in order to develop a new gene clustering algorithm. The implementation of this algorithm is very user-friendly and requires only simple routine mathematical operations. By transforming the configuration of gene sequences into frequency domain, we sought to elucidate important features and reveal hidden gene properties. This is biologically appealing since no information is lost via this transformation and we are therefore not reducing the number of degrees of freedom. The results from different clustering methods were integrated using evidence accumulation algorithms to provide in insilico validation of our results. We propose using candidate gene sequences accompanied by other genes of biologically unknown function. These will then be assigned some degree of relevant annotation by using our proposed algorithm. Current knowledge in biological gene clustering investigation is also lacking, and so DFT-based methods will help shine a light on use of these algorithms for biological insight.

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

The current research was conducted to study the effects of different fatty acids sources in the diet on blood metabolites and hormones in finishing lambs experimentally infected with the virus that causes foot and mouth disease. A total of fifteen Sangsari male lambs with an average live weight of 48±2 kg and an average age of 8±1 month were randomly assigned to one of three dietary experimental treatments as follows: 1) Calcium soap of palm oil fatty acids (PO) as a source of palmitic acid (16:0); 2) Calcium soap of sunflower oil fatty acids (SO) as the source of linoleic acid (n-6 18:2); and 3) Calcium soap of linseed oil fatty acids (LO) as the source of α-linolenic acid (n-3 18:3). The lambs were housed in individual pens and offered the iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets for 28 days including 21 days of adaptation period and 7 days of the sampling period. The results illustrated that the lowest and the highest expression of IL-4 mRNA were measured in LO and SO treatments, respectively. Expression of IL-8 mRNA was lower in LO and PO treatments when compared with SO. The highest level of glucose in LO treatment when compared with sunflower oil or palm oil. Lambs on the LO diet showed the highest blood concentration of insulin and the lowest blood concentration of glucagon when compared with lams on SO and PO diets. The highest blood contents of triiodothyronine and thyroxin hormones were measured in lambs on the LO diet when compared with other treatments. However, the concentration of blood glucose, insulin, glucagon, triiodothyronine, and thyroxin were the same between PO and SO groups. In conclusion, the findings of the current experiment confirmed that the inclusion of α-linolenic acid but not linoleic acid in the diet of virus-infected lambs suppressed pro-inflammation with lowering expression of IL-4 and IL-8 mRNA and increased blood glucose, insulin, T3, and T4 which may lead to higher weight gain and feed efficiency of virally infected lambs.

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.

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 conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of L-glutamine and the synergistic effects between glutamic acid of wheat and glutamine on the performance, carcase characteristics and intestinal morphometry in guinea fowl chickens fed with corn–soybean meal–wheat-based diets. A total of 288 one-day-old guinea fowl chicks (Numida meleagris) were used in a completely randomised design with six treatments, six replicates and 8 male chickens per replicate. The treatments were as follows: (1) corn–soybean meal-based diet (control), (2) corn–soybean meal–wheat-based diet, (3) treatment 1 containing 0.5% L-glutamine, (4) treatment 1 containing 1% L-glutamine, (5) treatment 2 containing 0.5% L-glutamine and (6) treatment 2 containing 1% L-glutamine. The results showed that the body weight gain (BWG) was higher in glutamine-supplemented treatments and the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in treatment 2 with 0.5% glutamine supplementation (p

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

Four hundred broiler chicks were allocated to eight treatments and five replicates in a completely randomized design for 7–42 days. Treatments included basal diet (NC), NC + 1 mg/kg aflatoxin (PC), PC + 1 kg/ton Toxeat® (a toxin binder), PC + Lactobacillus strains (L), PC + Bacillus subtilis JQ618 strain (B), PC + Saccharomyces cerevisiae's cell wall (Y), PC + B + L + Y (BLY) and PC + hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HA). At 28 days of age, glucose and total protein serum concentrations in PC group were lower than other treatments (p > .05), but in toxin binder receiving treatments were in the middle of NC and PC groups. At 35 days of age, 48 h after dinitrochlorobenzene injection Y showed more skin swelling (p > .05) and 24 h after injection, the aluminosilicate showed a poor performance with for phytohemagglutinin response. At 35 days, IgG titre and serum cholesterol concentration had a similar process to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) and no significant differences were recorded between aflatoxin inhibitor receiving treatments (p > .05). SRBC, IgG, IgM titres and serum cholesterol concentration at 28 days and IgM titres at 35 days were not affected by treatments (p > .05). It can be concluded that a prebiotics and probiotics mixture such as BLY is suitable for improving immune function and serum biochemical parameters as an effect of feeding aflatoxin-contaminated diet.

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

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cell wall yeast, aluminosilicate and some probiotic strains in diets contaminated with aflatoxin, on the expression of GOT2, CYP450 1A5 genes and serum concentrations of liver enzymes including GGT, ALT, AST and LDH in broilers. 400 seven-days old chicks from strain Cobb 500 were used as a completely randomized design with 8 treatments, 5 replications. Treatments were included: 1- Negative control (NC), 2- NC + 1 mg/kg aflatoxin or positive control (PC), 3- PC + 1 kg/ton Toxeat® (a toxin binder), 4- PC + Lactobacillus strains (L), 5- PC + Bacillus subtilis JQ618 strain (B), 6- PC + Saccharomyces cerevisiaeʼs cell wall (Y), 7- PC + [PC+ BLY ) B+ L+ Y(], 8- PC + Hydrated sodium calcium Aluminosilicate (HA). The serum concentrations of LDH, ALT, GGT and AST were increased in PC group at 42d (P˂0.05). Tox®, L and BLY reduced serum levels of AST (P˂0.05). Increased serum concentration of GGT was observed in PC treatment, decreased by HA, Y, B and L treatments (P˂0.05). The results showed the upregulation of GOT2, CYP450 1A5 in PC group. But Y, B, L and Tox® reduced the expression of GOT2. The groups receiving aflatoxin adsorbent compounds reduced the adverse effects of aflatoxin on increasing the expression of CYP450 1A5.

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 purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of four types of diets containing different forms of selenium on the hematological blood parameters, reproduction and health of dairy cattle during the transition period. Twenty-four close-up dry cows with a mean of 259 ± 1days of pregnancy and expected 21 ± 1days prior to parturition were selected. The cows were fed four diets: 1) basal diet without selenium supplementation (C); 2) basal diet plus 0.5ppm selenium in the form of sodium selenite (Se-S) 3) basal diet plus 0.5ppm selenium in the form of selenium yeast (Se-Y); 4) basal diet plus 0.5ppm selenium in the form of selenomethionine (Se-M). Blood samples for measuring hematological blood parameters (including lymphocyte, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDWc) were taken at 21 and 10 days before delivery, delivery date, 10 and 21 days after delivery. There was no significant difference in hematological parameters before and after delivery in experimental and control groups. However, in the prepartum period, MCH tended to increase significantly in selenium methionine treatment (p

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 dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition. Based on their body condition score (BCS), previous lactation milk yield and expected calving date, 24 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were balanced and randomly assigned to 4 experimental treatments. Experimental treatments were: control (basal diet without Se supplementation with 0.10 and 0.15 mg of Se kg-1 DM in close-up and fresh diets, respectively), 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). Neither Se supplementation nor Se source affected DMI pre- and postpartum. Milk production and composition were not different across Se sources, but concentrations of Se in milk were 14 and 10% greater for cows fed Se-M and Se-Y than for those fed control, respectively. Cows fed Se–M had lower somatic cell count than control (SCC; 173.11 vs. 318.89 cells × 103 Ml-1). The changes of BW and BCS pre- and postpartum were not affected by treatments over experimental period. The results of present study showed that selenomethionine supplementation compared to other sources decreased SCC in transition cows. In addition, milk Se concentrations increased in Se-Y and Se-M groups more significantly compared to the Se-S group. This indicates that organic Se had better replace inorganic Se for transition dairy cows.

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.

Two factorial completely randomized design trials 2×2 and 2×2×2 were conducted to evaluate the effect of a blend of essential oils and organic acids (BiacidTM) in broiler breeder diets at two levels, two dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) levels and in ovo injection of BiacidTM on their progenies performance, respectively. 240 broiler breeders of Ross 308 strain were fed from the age of week 44th for 12 weeks in four groups. 120 produced eggs from each group were divided in two groups of 60 eggs for injecting by 0.5 ml of BiacidTM or distilled water. Injection was done during transferring from setter to hatcher in day 18th of incubation. Twenty-five cockerels from each of 8 treatments were housed into separate pens. Using BiacidTM and high NSPs in broiler breeders’ ration affected hatchability, embryo mortality, weight of day old chicks and progenies’ carcass yield significantly (p

Background Nitric oxide (NO) that plays important role in all sexual activities of animals is made from the amino acid L-arginine by the enzymatic action of NO synthase (NOS). NO makes a band with sulfur-iron complexes, but due to production of steroid sexual hormones related to the enzymes involved in this complex, NO can change the activity of these enzymes. NO affects many cells including vein endothelial cells, macrophages and mast cells. These cells are also found in Leydig cells; therefore, they are important source of NO in testis tissue. Therefore, minimizing damages to sperm at the time of freezing thawing process are really important. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate NO concentration to be added to the freezing extender to improve the quality of thawed sperm. Materials and Methods In this experimental randomized study, sperms of four Holstein bulls with an average age of 4 were collected twice a week for 3 weeks. They received sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in concentrations of 0, 10, 50 and 100 nmol/ml. Data analysis was performed using the special issue and static (SAS) 98 software. Also, mean comparison was done using Duncan’s multiple ranges test (P < 0.05).This research was conducted at the laboratory of Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran at spring and summer of 2013. Results All concentrations of SNP used was found to increase motility and viability of spermatozoa at 1, 2 and 3 hours after thawing, significantly (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference at zero time. Different concentrations of SNP reduced the membrane lipid peroxidation level of sperm and increased acrosome membranes integrity, implying that SNP generally improved samples membranes, especially in 50 and 100 nmol/ml concentrations. Conclusion According to the obtained results, addition of SNP to semen diluents increases motility and viability of spermatozoa. Also, it reduces membrane lipid peroxidation level that leads to improved sperm function.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of α-tocopherol in cryopreservation media on the bull sperm quality after thawing. Semen samples were collected from six Holstein bulls using artificial vagina twice a week. Semen samples were pooled to eliminate individual differences and then divided into four equal parts for freezing with extenders containing different concentrations of α-tocopherol according to experimental groups as follows: 0 (control), 1.2 mM (E1), 2.4 mM (E2) and 4.8 mM (E4). Motion characteristics, viability, plasma membrane functionality, lipid peroxidation and H2O2 status were determined after thawing. Results showed that malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly lower in E4 (6.1±0.6 nmol/mL) than E1 and E2 extenders (8.1±0.6 nmol/mL and 8±0.6 nmol/mL, respectively). Also, the lowest significant concentration of H2O2 was observed in E4 (3.2±0.13 nmol/mL) compared to E1 (4 ±0.1 nmol/mL), E2 (5.3± 0.1 nmol/mL) and control (6.7±0.1 nmol/mL). Moreover, E2 and E4 produced the highest significant motility (74.2±1.6%, 75.9±1.6%), viability (78.2±1.8%, 76.1±1.8%) and membrane functionality (73±1.6%, 70.5±1.6%) compared to other groups. It can be concluded that α-tocopherol at the concentration of 4.8 mM can be an efficient antioxidant additive in Bioxcell extender for cryopreservation of bull semen.

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.

Introduction: With regard to increasing of community associated Clostridium difficile infection in recent years, the probable transmission of Clostridium difficile from food to human was supposed. Most of reports on this issue were allocated to examine the prevalence of Clostridium difficile in red meat. The current study aimed at examination of the prevalence of Clostridium difficile in beef meat. Materials and methods: A total of 100 beef meat samples including 50 chopped and ground for each ones were collected from butcheries in different regions of Isfahan for cultural analysis and biochemical tests. Molecular evaluation of Clostridium difficle was confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction directed on existence of tpi, tcdA and tcdB genes. Chi-square test was performed for descriptive statistics with Pvalue≤ 0.05 in SPSS software. Results: Clostridium difficile was isolated form 12 (12%) of beef meat samples. Among isolated colonies, 2 (4%) and 10 (20%) were belonged to chopped and ground beef meat, respectively. All colonies contained all genes. The significant difference was observed within the type of meat and Clostridium difficile prevalence (Pvalue=0.01). Discussion and conclusion: The results of the present study showed the higher incidence of Clostridium difficile in ground meat than chopped ones. It seems that the formation of biofilm in meat grinder was the reason of higher rate of contamination. Furthermore, the consumption of beef meat as a source for Clostridium difficile might transmit the organism to human.

Selection based on molecular markers is one of the new methods that may improve progress and accuracy of selection in animal breeding programs. The GHRH gene (Growth Hormone-releasing Hormone) is a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection strategies. Polymorphs of GHRH gene are reported to be significantly associated with milk production and constituent traits. In order to study the polymorphism of GHRH gene, blood samples were collected from 112 Sarabi cows. Genomic DNA was extracted and a fragment of 297 bp in size was amplified using polymerase chain reaction. The amplified fragments were subjected to restriction digestion with HaeIII endonuclease enzyme and the resultant digested products were run on 2% Agarose gel. The results revealed the existence of two alleles of GHRH A and GHRH B for the examined locus with frequencies of 0.19 and 0.81 respectively. Three different genotypic variants including GHRH A GHRH A, GHRH A GHRH B and GHRH B GHRH B were identified with genotypic frequencies of 0.0357, 0.3037 and 0.6607 respectively. The χ2 test showed that population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P

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.

The edited data set for the estimation of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations of fertility traits contained up to 23,402 records from 10,894 cows calved between 2001 and 2015. Heritability estimates for success in first service (FS), gestation length (GL), number of inseminations (NI), insemination outcome (IO), calving interval (CI), calving birth weight (CBW) and days open (DO) were low and ranged between 0.016 (DO) and 0.123 (GL). Repeatability of fertility traits was estimated to vary from 0.021 (FS) to 0.411 (IO). The genetic correlations between DO × CI, DO × NI and CI × NI were positive and nearly perfect (0.98, 0.88 and 0.88, respectively), while those between DO × IO and CI × IO were negative (-0.98 and -1, respectively). Further, the phenotypic correlations between DO × CI, DO × NI, CI × NI, CBW × IO and SF × IO were 0.99, 0.83, 0.83, 0.99 and 1, respectively, while those between DO × IO, CI × IO, GL × IO and NI × IO were -0.99, -0.99, -0.99 and -1, respectively. Overall genetic parameters imply a good practical management in heat stress conditions will be essential for improving fertility efficiency.

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.