Research On Animal Production

     The goal of this study was to assess the effect of Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) during in vitro culture on developmental competence of bovine embryos produced from heat-stressed oocytes. In this experiment, immatured oocytes were randomly assigned into two groups and matured at 38.5 or 41 ^°C for the first 12 hours of maturation followed by 12 hours at 38.5 ^°C. After in vitro maturation and fertilization, putative zygotes in each group were randomly allocated and cultured in the presence or absence of 100 ng/ml human recombinant (hr)-IGF-1. The results showed that cleavage rate was not affected by IGF-1 and heat stress, whereas blastocyst formation rate was significantly increased by IGF-1 in the presence and/or absence of heat stress. In addition, heat stress decreased blastocyst formation rate compared to the control
(38.5 ^°C without IGF-1) group. The number of trophectoderm cells, inner cell mass and total cell number were significantly increased by IGF-1 in the presence and/or absence of heat stress. In addition, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive nuclei were significantly decreased by IGF-1 in the presence and/or absence of heat stress. Results of this experiment demonstrated that IGF-1 can improve developmental competence of bovine embryos produced from heat-stressed oocytes. It seems that IGF-1 improve bovine embryo developmental competence via increasing of total cell number and decreasing of apoptosis.
 

A total of 36 breeder roosters were divided to 4 dietary treatments which were consisting of 3 pens with 3 birds per pen. Treatments were as follow: 1) Control diet without vitamins C and vitamin E, 2) C-diet containing 1000 mg/kg vitamin C, 3) E-diet containing 1000 mg/kg vitamin E and 4) E+C diet containing vitamins C and E (1000mg/kg of each vitamin). Diets were fed to the roosters for a 28 d experimental period. Sperm collection was done by rubbing the belly method, and semen was diluted by of solution tris buffer and kept at 5°C temperature. Evaluated parameters were as follow: semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, progressive sperm, live sperm, at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, hours after sperm collection. Data analyzed by CRD and mean compared with Duncan multiple range test at the 5% level (P<0.05). Results indicated that Vitamin E resulted in  increasing of semen volume and concentration, motility, live sperm, progressive sperm, at all evaluated times. Results of vitamin E+C diet were similar to vitamin E diets but despite of vitamin E this diet (C+E) is same as vitamin C diets, too. It seems that, in this study, dietary vitamin E can improve Varaminian rooster sperm characteristic rather than the other experimental groups in dirds. Therefore addition of vitamin E in the rooster diets in order to improve sperm characteristics, can be recommended.
 

   The effect of liquid protein feed (corn steep liquor; CSL contain 42% CP, DM basis) and its comparison with conventional protein sources (i.e. soybean meal; SBM and cottonseed meal; CSM) were evaluated in fistulated sheep fed with high wheat straw level included in diet (400 g/kg, DM basis). The study was carried out on three ruminal fistulated sheep in 3 × 3 Latin square design with 21-d periods (the first 14-d for adaptation period and the last 7-d for sample collection). The treatments were; (1) CSL; (2) SBM and (3) CSM included in basal diet. Microbial protein synthesis, ruminal fermentation, nutrients digestibility, hematology and blood metabolites were evaluated in the current study. Results show that intake was not differed among treatments (P > 0.05). However, NDF digestibility was increased in SBM fed sheep (P = 0.02). Total short chain fatty acid production was 73.68, 82.55, and 65.93 mmol for CSL, SBM and CSM, respectively (P = 0.03). Purine derivate as well as microbial protein synthesis were increased in sheep fed SBM (P = 0.02). The hematology of sheep was similar among treatments. Among blood metabolites only blood urea nitrogen was tended to be lower in SBM diet. In conclusion, results show that CSL as liquid protein feed could include in sheep fed high wheat straw diet with no negative effect and further works need to improve its nitrogen efficiency in animal nutrition.
 

    Estrus synchronization is an important technique in management of reproductive function in ewes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using combination of PMSG and GnRH hormones on estrus synchronization during the breeding season in Farahani ewes. Forty mature Farahani ewes, weighting 48.97±0.55 kg, BCS 3.04±0.3, were used in this study. The experimental ewes were synchronized using CIDR for a period of 10 days and injected 2 ml PGF2α at day 0 and these ewes randomly assigned to four groups. The control group (group 1; n=10) did not receive any treatment. Ewes in group 2 were injected with 150 IU PMSG and 1 ml Buserellin acetate after CIDR removal. The group 3 ewes injected with 100 IU PMSG and 2 ml Buserellin acetate after CIDR removal. The group 4 of ewes were injected with 300 IU PMSG and 0.5 ml Buserellin acetate after CIDR removal. Estrus detected after CIDR removal, then, the ewes were mated with Farahani rams. After parturition, the reproductive parameters of ewes were recorded. The estrus rate was constant in all groups. The lamb weight in group 4 was significantly different (P>0.05) compared with other groups. Pregnancy rate was not significantly meaningful among treatments. The lowest glucose and progesteron concentration was achieved in group 4 that was significantly different (P > 0.05) compared to other groups. The data of birth weight also didn’t show significant differences (P>0.05) between the treatment groups. There was no significant difference in abortion and stillbirths between treatments (P˃0.05). The results showed that the combination of two PMSG and GnRH hormones in the estrus synchronization program could increase the lambing rate up to 0.7.

    This study was performed to investigate the effects of frankincense on growth performance, hematology, intestinal morphology, and testicular and ovarian histology in Japanese quails. The experiment was conducted with 450 Japanese quail chicks in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 5 replicates (15 chicks per replicate). The experimental treatments were as follows: basal diet with no additives (control treatment), and basal diet supplemented with bacitracin antibiotic (treatment 2), 1g/kg of frankincense powder (treatments 3), 2g/kg frankincense powder (treatments 4), 20 mg/kg frankincense essential oils (treatment 5), or 40 mg/kg frankincense essential oils (treatment 6). The results showed that the number of white blood cells in treatment 5 was significantly greater than those in   treatments 2 and 4 (P<0.05). The internal connective tissue layer of the testes was thicker in treatment 6 than that in the treatment 4 (P<0.05). In contrast, no significant effect of frankincense powder or essential oils on growth performance, hematology, and morphological features of the intestine, ovarian, and testes was observed as compared with the control group (P>0.05). In conclusion, the use of frankincense powder or essential oils increased the number of white blood cells but it did not change the other parameters.

 To compare the effect of different levels of monkey flower (MF) (Scrophularia Striata) powder on performance, blood parameter and jejunum histology in growing Japanese quail, the experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 400 3d quails was assigned with five treatment and four  replicates  with 20 quail in each replicate. Experimental groups included: 1) basal diet. 2) basal diet with 0.04 g/kg flavophospholipol 3) basal diet with %1 MF powder, 4) basal diet with %2  MF powder, 5) basal diet with %3 MF powder. The use of MF powder had no any significant effect on avergage daily gain and feed conversion ratio, but the feed intake were increased by experimental treatments. Use of different levels of MF powder had a significant effect on jejunum crypt depth. Also, different levels of MF did not significantly affect sexual hormones, but this levels had significant effect on some intestinal histology and feeed intake in both sexes. Although MF powder especially 2 % level, improved live weight and feed intake in mal birds at different periods, but it can could not improved performance in female birds.

Extended Abstract
Introduction and Objective: Because enzymes enhance the digestibility of feeds by increasing the availability of minerals and the digestibility of protein and amino acids, the utilization of enzymes is known as an effective method for increasing profitability in the poultry industry. In addition, certain enzymes are able to hydrolyze non-starch carbohydrates, resulting in an increase in feed energy utilization and the release of additional phosphorus through the degradation of phytic acid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a blended supplement consisting of probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes (containing protease, phytase, lipase, and different carbohydrase) on productive performance, blood metabolites, hormone profile, and antioxidant status of laying hens.
Materials and Methods: For an 8-week trial, 120 laying hens (52 weeks of age) were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments, eight replications, and five hens per replication. The experimental treatments included the control treatment (no additives) and treatments with complex enzyme supplements at 250 and 500 mg per kg of feed. Egg production, egg weight and feed intake were recorded daily. Egg quality traits and blood biochemical parameters were evaluated at the end of experiment.
Results: The results showed that the treatment receiving 500 mg/kg of blended supplement had a greater egg production, greater egg mass, and while feed conversion ratio compared with the non-supplemented treatment (control treatment). The percentage of abnormal eggs was lower in all of the treatments that received the blended supplement compared to the control. A linear increase was observed in the blood levels of cholesterol, albumin, triiodothyronine, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase activity after the inclusion of the supplement in the diet. In contrast, the concentrations of glucose, phosphorus, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, TSH and T4 hormones, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide, as well as the activity of blood glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes, were not affected by the experimental treatments (p>0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, including the blended supplement in the diet of laying hens, particularly at the level of 500 mg/kg, during the second phase of the laying cycle has a positive effect on both production performance and health status, which may be attributed to an increase in antioxidant status and a decrease in stress levels.