Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Response of laying hens to diet inclusion of canola meal as influenced by dietary nonphytate phosphorus level and microbial phytase supplementation112105210.22103/jlst.2015.1052ENM.TorkiDepartment of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.M.HabibianDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.M.DavoodifarDepartment of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.Journal Article20150613An experiment employing a factorial arrangement of three levels (0, 8 and 16%) of canola meal (CM), two levels (0.15 and 0.25%) of nonphytate phosphorus (NPP), and two levels (0 and 450 unit/kg; as fed basis) of microbial phytase was conducted using 216 Hy-Line W36 laying hens from 39 to 47 weeks of age. The birds receiving CM consumed more (<em>P</em> < 0.05) feed than birds receiving corn-soybean meal (SBM) diets. During the second 4 weeks of the experiment (44 to 47th weeks of age), egg production and egg mass were lower (<em>P</em> < 0.05) for birds receiving corn-SBM diet containing reduced NPP level; however, the adverse effects of reduced NPP were overcome by phytase supplementation (<em>P</em> < 0.05). During the second 4-week (44 to 47th weeks of age) and over the whole experiment (39 to 47th weeks of age), production of abnormal eggs was increased (<em>P</em> < 0.05) by feeding reduced NPP level; phytase supplementation decreased (<em>P</em> < 0.05) egg abnormality only when added to this diet. At the first egg sampling (43rd week of age), egg shape index and eggshell thickness were increased (<em>P</em> < 0.05) by phytase supplementation. Reduced NPP level caused a lower eggshell thickness in hens fed corn-SBM diet (<em>P</em> < 0.05). At the second egg sampling (47th week of age), birds fed corn-SBM diets or reduced NPP level produced eggs with lower (<em>P</em> < 0.05) shell thickness, whereas dietary phytase supplementation reversed these adverse effects (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Reduced NPP level increased serum thyroxine concentration in birds fed corn-SBM-CM diets (<em>P</em> < 0.05). The results showed that CM can be included in laying hen diets up to 16% during 39 to 47 weeks of age without any adverse effect on their health and productivity. Moreover, the results indicated that reduction of NPP level in corn-SBM-CM diets had little effect on performance and eggshell quality. The adverse effects of lowering NPP level in corn-SBM diets could be substantially reduced by phytase supplementation.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Effects of turmeric rhizome powder and source of oil in diet on blood metabolites, immune system and antioxidant status in heat stressed broiler chickens1320105310.22103/jlst.2015.1053ENS. J.Hosseini-VashanAnimal Science Department, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.A.GolianAnimal Science Department, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.A.YaghobfarAnimal Nutrition Department, Animal Science Research Institute, Karaj, Iran.Journal Article20150206This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) as a natural antioxidant, and soybean oil, canola oil and tallow on lipid metabolism, blood metabolites, immune system, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens before (BHS, 28 d) and after exposure to heat stress (AHS, 42 d). Seven hundred and ninety two d-old male Arian broilers were randomly allotted to a 3×3 factorial arrangement with three levels of TRP (0, 0.4 and 0.8 g/kg) and three oil sources (canola, soybean and tallow). Each diet was fed to four replicates of 22 birds each. Heat stress (33<sup>o</sup>C±1) was applied from 28-42 d of age. Canola oil diet decreased blood cholesterol in BHS and AHS birds. Birds fed 8 g/kg TRP diet had lower blood cholesterol in BHS and lower cholesterol and LDL in AHS. Serum concentration of HDL increased when the birds were fed TRP diets. Lower enzyme activity of creatine kinase (CK) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in BHS and CK, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and ALP in AHS were observed in birds fed 8 g/kg TRP diets. The enzymatic activity was not affected by the type of oil, with the exception of heat stressed birds on canola oil diet having lower AST and ALP activities. Diets containing either of the oil sources and TRP did not affect the activity of LDH, and lipase, or the antibody titer against the Newcastle disease. The diets containing TRP increased the enzyme activity of GPx and SOD, and decreased blood TBARS index. Type of oil did not affect the antioxidant parameters in BHS. The canola diet caused a higher GPx activity in AHS, and tallow resulted in lower TBARS concentration. It was concluded that supplementation of canola oil and TRP might decrease blood cholesterol and LDH activity, and that TRP might improve the antioxidant status in broilers.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Effect of treatment of wheat straw with Pleurotus florida on feed intake, digestibility and body condition score in ewes2126105410.22103/jlst.2015.1054ENM. M.Sharifi HosseiniDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.O.DayaniDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.R.TahmasbiDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.0000-0002-5211-657XJournal Article20150609This experiment was carried out to compare the effects of treated and untreated wheat straw with <em>Pleurotus florida</em> on ewe feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and ewe body condition score (BCS) after parturition. Thirty Kermani ewes with an average weight of 48 ± 3.05 kg and about four years old were used in this experiment. Synchronization of estrus in sheep has been achieved with the use of intravaginal sponges containing synthetic progestagens. Sixty days before parturition, ewes were randomly assigned to three diets: 1) control (50% untreated wheat straw), 2) 50% treated wheat straw before harvesting the fungi, 3) 50% treated wheat straw after harvesting the fungi. The energy and CP content of the experimental diets were 2.1 Mcal and 11.0%, respectively, and Ca:P ratio was 1.8. Dry matter intake (DMI) and organic matter intake (OMI) were affected by the experimental diets (<em>P</em> < 0.05). These values were higher for diets containing treated wheat straw before and after harvesting fungi than the control diet. Coefficients of DM and OM digestibility were higher (<em>P</em> < 0.05) in diets containing treated wheat straw before and after harvesting fungi. However, CP, NDF and ADF digestibility were not affected by the diet (<em>P</em> > 0.05). The ewe body weight and body condition score (BCS) postpartum were not affected by experimental diets. At the beginning of experiment, there was a negative correlation between lamb birth weight and ewe body weight and BCS > 4 had lighter lambs (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In this experiment it is showed that moderate BCS of ewe had positive effect on lamb body weight (BW) which indicated that there was a positive effect of moderate BCS on lambs BW. Treated wheat straw with <em>Pleurotus florida</em> increased digestibility coefficients of DM and OM; however, the increase in digestibility was not large enough to affect the ewe BW and BCS, and the birth weight of lambs.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Comparison of the nutritive value of Madder, Rubia tinctorum L. and Alfalfa, Medicago sativa. using in vitro and in situ measurements2732105510.22103/jlst.2015.1055ENE.AmirteymouriDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.A.KhezriDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.R.TahmasbiDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.0000-0002-5211-657XO.DayaniDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.M. R.MohammadabadiDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.Journal Article20150628This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, digestibility, degradability and nutritive value of madder, <em>Rubia tinctorum </em>L. and alfalfa <em>Medicago sativa.</em> using <em>in vitro </em>and <em>in situ</em> measurements. The mean values for OM, CP, NDF, ADF and EE were 892.5, 172.0, 306.5, 219.4 and 16.0 g/kg DM for madder hay, and 921.3, 141.4, 482.0, 361.1 and 6.50 g/kg DM for alfalfa hay, respectively (P<0.05). The mean digestibility coefficients for DM and OM, DOMD and ME in madder hay (664.6, 556.4, 490.7 g/kg and 7.81 MJ/kg DM) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those for alfalfa hay (510.9, 441.7, 403.6 g/kg and 6.47 MJ/kg DM, respectively). The effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM) of madder hay (63.25 %) was also significantly higher (P<0.05) than alfalfa hay (48.32 %). The average nutritive value indexes (NVI) of DM and CP for madder hay (50.59 and 70.82 %) was higher than alfalfa hay (40.60 and 65.21%, respectively). In conclusion, considering chemical composition, kinetic digestion and degradation data, madder hay has the potential to be used as a suitable forage source for small farmers during critical periods of year when feed resources are limited, especially in semiarid areas.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Influence of age and cervical grade on anatomy, morphology and depth of cervical penetration in Sanjabi ewes3338105610.22103/jlst.2015.1056ENJ.HabibizadDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.H.Karami-ShabankarehDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.M.Muhaghegh-DolatabadyDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.Journal Article20150126The structure of the sheep cervix limits the application of reproductive biotechnologies such as embryo transfer and artificial insemination. The aim of this study was to determine differences in cervical anatomy and morphology between Sanjabi lambs and ewes, and the relationship between cervical anatomy and cervical penetration in ewes. Four hundred and sixty eight postmortum cervices belonging to six different age groups were used. The cervical external os was classified as slit, papilla, duckbill, flap or rose. Cervical folds were counted and the degree of completeness and interdigitations of the folds recorded as one of three grades 1, 2, and 3 cervices. There were significant differences (P <<em> </em>0<em>.</em>05) in cervical length and number of folds amongst ewes of various ages. The cervix of the ewes at ages < 6 months and 6 -12 months, and grade 3 cervices were shorter and narrower, with more cervical folds. Cervical penetration differed according to the cervical grade, being deeper in grade 1 (simpler cervix) than in grade 3 cervices (more complex cervices). Cervical penetration was correlated positively with the length and width of the cervix, (<em>r </em>= 0.93 and<em> r </em>= 0.88; P < 0.01 respectively) and negatively with the number of cervical folds (<em>r </em>= - 0.61; P < 0.01). At ages < 6 and 6 - 12 months the distance between cervical folds was (P < 0.05) shorter than at another ages. At ages < 6 and 6 - 12 months the flap os, at ages 1 - 2 and 2 - 3 years the papilla os, at ages 3 - 4 years the duckbill os and at ages > 4 years the rose os were observed more frequently. These results showed that with advancing ewe age, the cervix tended to be larger and less complex, with a smaller number of cervical folds and this noticeably improved cervical penetration. Thus a practical point of view would favor the application of reproductive biotechnologies at ages > 4 years, even in 3-4 age years, because the cervix is more penetrable to catheter after 3 - 4 years of age.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Bayesian threshold-linear model for genetic evaluation of direct and maternal calving traits in Iranian primiparous Holstein cattle3949105710.22103/jlst.2015.1057ENM. S.MokhtariDepartment of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
University of Tehran, Karaj, 31587-11167, Iran.M.Moradi ShahrbabakDepartment of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
University of Tehran, Karaj, 31587-11167, Iran.A.Nejati JavaremiDepartment of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
University of Tehran, Karaj, 31587-11167, Iran.G. J. M.RosaDepartment of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA.Journal Article20150510The main objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for multi-trait evaluation of birth weight (BW), gestation length (GL) and calving difficulty (CD) in first-parity Iranian Holstein dairy cattle. The data included 29,950 calving records collected during 1995 to 2014 by the Animal Breeding and Improvement Center of Iran. A threshold-linear sire-maternal grandsire model was fitted. The model included the effect of sex of calf born, age at first calving and calving month (for GL and BW) as fixed effects and sire, maternal grandsire, herd-year-season of calving and residual effects as random effects. Posterior means (posterior standard deviations) of direct heritabilities were 0.12 (0.01) for BW, 0.40 (0.03) for GL and 0.07 (0.01) for CD. The maternal heritability estimates for BW, GL and CD were 0.04 (0.01), 0.07 (0.01) and 0.04 (0.01), respectively. Direct-maternal genetic correlations were -0.15 (0.04) for BW, -0.36 (0.08) for GL and -0.53 (0.14) for CD (P<0.01). Direct additive genetic correlations for BW-GL and BW-CD were 0.39 (0.06) and 0.43 (0.09), and the corresponding maternal additive genetic correlations were 0.58 (0.08) and 0.47 (0.13), respectively. Direct and maternal additive genetic correlations for GL-CD were non-significant. The estimated posterior means for phenotypic and environmental correlations were positive and low to medium. Non-linear phenotypic relationships were found for GL-CD and BW-CD. The existence of corresponding non-linear and also cause-and-effect (which is usually ignored in traditional genetic evaluation programs) relationships between CD-GL and CD-BW may influence the genetic evaluation of these traits under standard mixed models.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Genetic polymorphism and expression analysis of cMBL gene in Iranian native and commercial chickens5055105810.22103/jlst.2015.1058ENA.MaghsoudiDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.A. A.MasoudiDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.R.Vaez TorshiziDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.M. A.Karimi TorshiziDepartment of Poultry Rearing and Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.Z.Mohammad HassanDepartment of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20150421The aims of this study were to compare the promoter sequence of the mannose-binding lectin (<em>cMBL</em>) gene in Iranian native and commercial chicken strains; as well as to compare the <em>cMBL</em> gene expression in crossbred and inbred chickens. In total 79 native (Western Azerbaijan native fowls, WANF) and 49 commercial (Arian Commercial Strain, ACS) birds were reared as parents under same management practices. Then, four genotypes of F<sub>1</sub> offspring (purebreds: ACS and WANF, and crossbreds: ACS roosters × WANF hens and WANF roosters × ACS hens) were produced using artificial insemination. Sequence analysis of the promoter and exon 1 of the <em>cMBL</em> gene on the WANF and ACS parents was carried out; then, gene expression was analyzed in 4 genotypes of offspring. A valuable SNP (T>C) was found in −185 position of the <em>cMBL</em> promoter in the native birds. The mutation resulted in the modification of the promoter pattern to attachment of the <em>c-Jun</em> transcription factor. Due to the similarity of the <em>c-Jun</em> with the product of Avian Sarcoma Virus, it seems that the native birds are immunologically more resistant. Gene expression analysis revealed no significant differences between <em>cMBL</em> transcripts of 4 different genotypes; however, gene expression in crossbreds was slightly higher than in purebreds. The results showed that the promoter sequence of the <em>cMBL</em> gene in Iranian native and commercial birds is variable and is necessary to be investigated in further studies.Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Society of Animal ScienceJournal of Livestock Science and Technologies2322-35533220151206Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in the mesenteric lymph nodes of goats by PCR and culture5660105910.22103/jlst.2015.1059ENM.NematiPara Veterinary Faculty, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.Journal Article20150606The efficacy of bacterial cultures and IS<em>900</em>-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared for the detection of <em>Mycobacterium avium </em>subsp. <em>paratuberculosis</em> (<em>MAP</em>) from the mesenteric lymph nodes of goats. Samples were collected from 75 goats slaughtered in Ilam, in southwest of Iran. Tissue homogenates were inoculated onto four media. The genomic DNA was extracted directly from mesenteric lymph nodes and also from grown bacteria. The purified DNA was utilized as template DNA in the PCR targeting IS<em>900</em> marker of <em>MAP</em>. IS<em>900</em> PCR was compared with conventional culture methods. PCR allowed amplification of IS<em>900</em> element in 27 (36%) of the mesenteric lymph nodes. In comparison, 13 (17.3%) <em>MAP</em> isolates were cultured on Löwenstein–Jensen + mycobactin J. Moreover, the DNA of all 13 <em>MAP</em> isolates was amplified by PCR, confirming the results of cultures. The number of recovered <em>MAP</em> on HEY+ mycobactin J was six isolates (8%). The study found that LJ + mycobactin J was a more appropriate medium for primary isolation of <em>Map</em> from goat tissues. This is the first report of presence of cultivable <em>Map </em>bacilli in mesenteric lymph nodes as well as the first documentation of molecular detection of <em>Map</em> directly from naturally infected goat tissues in southwest of Iran.