In this study, the milk quality characteristics of Simmental (SIM) and Red-Holstein (RH) breeds raised in a private farm in Aydın were determined. As milk quality properties, the percentages of protein (MPC), lactose (MLC), non-fat dry matter (NFDMC), total dry matter (TDMC), casein (MCC) contents and also milk urea nitrogen (MUN), oleic acid (OA), beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and somatic cell count (SCC) were determined. The averages of MPC, MLC, NFDMC, TDMC, MCC, MUN, OA, BHBA and Log10SCC belonging to RH and SIM breeds are 3.38 ± 0.021% and 3.40 ± 0.015%, 4.86 ± 0.028% and 4.81 ± 0.019%, 9.09 ± 0.037 and 9.09 ± 0.025, 11.18 ± 0.069 and 11.23 ± 0.048, 2.50 ± 0.020 and 2.44 ± 0.014, 12.07 ± 0.200 mg / dl and 12.28 ± 0.138 mg / dl, 0.258 ± 0.0095 g / 100 g and 0.255 ± 0.0065 g / 100 g, 0.284 ± 0.138 mmol / L and 0.269 ± 0.0093 mmol / L, and 5.417 ± 0.0173 (261216 cells / ml) and 5.401 ± 0.0118 (251768 cells / ml) were found, respectively. The breed did not differ significantly in milk quality characteristics, except for MCC. The lower SCC level in milk and the suitable level of MUN for both breeds shows that the factors such as maintenance-feeding-housing-herd management in the farm were optimal in this herd.

The present research was conducted to determine the effect of season, lactation number and type score factors on the somatic cell count (SCC) in Black and White cattle raised in the Mediterranean climate zone. 1368 milk samples obtained from 128 cattle were analysed for SCC determination. Significant effects of season, lactation number and type scores on SCC were observed. The results indicate that the necessity to comply with the care and barn cleaning of the cows in the summer and the importance of the type characteristics in the selection programs may be effective in reducing the of SCC.

In this study, we aimed to prepare new calixaren embedded mercapto groups supported liquid membranes and to use them in the transport of heavy metals. For this purpose 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(3-thiol-1-oxypropane)-26,28-dihydroxylcalix[4]arene was synthesized. The synthesized calixarene compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic and the other techniques. The prepared compounds were supported polyamide liquid membranes and obtained calix[4]aren embedded supported liquid membranes (C@PSMs). The characterization of C@PSM was carried out by FTIR, TGA and elemental analysis techniques. Transport experiments were carried out with Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) as trace metals, to transport from donor phase to accept phase. From the results, it was calculated flux (J) and recovery (RF) values. The affinity (the percentage of metal ion transferred from the source solution) of a PIM towards a range of divalent cations was found to follow the order Zn(II)> Cd(II)> Pb(II).

This research was carried out in Haymana Research Farm of Ankara University. Three different varieties of wheat were used in the study. These varieties were; Kırgız-95, Kırkpınar-79, and Svevo. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between soil electrical conductivity values and vegetation index. In the study, EM38, electrical conductivity sensor, and GreenSeeker, vegetation index sensor were used. The obtained values were evaluated statistically, and the relationships between the two parameters were determined. As a result of the research, the relationships between the electrical conductivity of the soil and plant growth index values were found to be negative (R2) as 0.7718 for Kyrgyz-95, 0.7675 for Kırkpınar-79 and 0.7807 for Svevo.

In this study, the relationship between temperature and humidity levels and live weight losses of day-old chicks in broiler pure lines with different feathering rates were investigated. The research material consisted of 3 female pure-lines (A1: slow feathering, A2: fast feathering, A3: slow feathering) and 2 male pure-lines (B1: fast feathering, B2: fast feathering) used in broiler breeding. The hatching chicks were individually numbered, sex-seperated, live weight determined and vaccinations were performed at 26-28°C temperature and 60-65% humidity levels in hatchery. The chickens from different genotypes were placed in cardboard boxes of 68×49×16 cm size with 3 unit and 150 chicks were used in the male-female mixed in 10 chicks in each unit. The chicks were transported in an air-conditioned vehicle for 9 hours between Eskişehir and Samsun, with an average temperature of 28.8°C and a humidity of 40.8%. When the chicks arrived to barn, weight losses are determined individually during transport. The effect of genotypes and feathering rates on live weight loss was found significant. The highest weight loss was determined 1.6 g and 3.8% in B1 and B2 genotypes equally without gender effect. Also, A2 and A3 genotypes were similar too; genotypes with the lowest weight loss of 0,7 g and 0.8 g and 1.6% respectively. Besides, the live weight loss in genotypes with fast feathering was found 1.3 g and 3.1%, which was significantly higher than the slow-feathering (0.9 g and 2.1%). The weight loss fast-feathering male pure-lines is higher than fast-feathering female pure-lines; it is thought that the increase in the metabolic rate due to the selection for live weight increase and faster depletion of the body reserves may be effective in these lines.

Main goals of the present study were (1) to initially investigate the nutrient contents and bioactive compounds in the bulb and cloves of garlic, and (2) to study the growth parameter after planting. Garlic bulbs were firstly separated into three categories as pickled, big and small, while the big garlic cloves were also classified into three categories as big, small and central. Secondly, the garlic samples were analyzed before planting for their element profile, proline, soluble protein, free amino acid, β-carotene, lycopene, total phenolic, soluble sugars, SOD and α-amylase activities. Finally, the growth parameters were measured using the cultivated cloves and the pickled bulbs. According to the result, the highest soluble protein, N, phenolic, lycopene and α amylase activity (97.06 mg, 2.58%, 971 mg, 0.368 mg and 38.13 EU, respectively) were recorded in the biggest cloves. The highest proline, amino acid, glucose content (93.84 µmol, 23.54 mg, 230.89 mg, respectively) and K, P, S, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn (21940 ppm, 7577 ppm, 12200 ppm, 504 ppm, 38.1ppm, 377,7ppm and 44.5 ppm, respectively) were found in the pickled bulb. The maximum level of β-carotene (0.282 mg), Ca, Cl and Sr (11260ppm, 818.7ppm and 47.9 ppm) were determined in the small bulbs. Based on the growth parameters of seedlings, the highest value of shoot and root length (39.12 cm and 24.11 cm respectively), the fresh weight of shoot and root (5.29 g and 4.54 g respectively) and dry weight of shoot and root (1.70 g and 1.24 g respectively) were noted with the big cloves. The results of the current study have indicated that the pickled cloves have higher macro and micro nutrients, proline, amino acid and glucose, while the big cloves of garlic have higher proline, phenolic, N%, lycopene and amylase activity. It can be said that the big cloves showed good value for the five bioactive compounds, but the pickled exhibited good value for the macro and micro element and glucose.

Powdery mildew is a serious disease of economically important hazelnut crop in Turkey. Hazelnut production has been extremely affected by the disease in terms of quality and quantity. The disease is caused by two different fungi, namely Erysiphe corylacearum and Phyllactinia guttata. E. corylacearum has been shown to be the responsible one predominantly for the recent economic damage. The fungi produce a mycelium network on hazelnut plants before they sporulate and visually detected. Early detection of these pathogens is important for management as well as understanding their spread and epidemics. In this study, a PCR assay was developed for the detection of both pathogens from hazelnut plant leaves by targeting their ribosomal DNA genes in their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Two sets of specific primers were designed for the detection of E. corylacearum and P. guttata at an early stage of infection. As a result of PCR, a specific band of 578 bp was observed. The amplicon sequencing confirmed the presence of only E. corylacearum, but not P. guttata. Therefore, this PCR-based test can identify plants that are infected with powdery mildew before they show any visual signs. From there, the infected plants can be treated or removed before the fungus has a chance to produce spores that infect neighboring plants. These results would help tackle the eradication of powdery mildew.

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in semen characteristics, hormonal profile and testicular morphometry of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks treated with danazol. For this purpose, eighteen matured WAD bucks average of about two years were randomly divided into groups A, B and C comprising of six bucks per group. Group A was the control while B and C bucks were given danazol at a dose rate of 20mg/kg body weight orally daily for four weeks. The group B bucks’ testes were harvested thereafter for gross and histo-morphometric studies while those of group C were left intact but danazol treatment was withdrawn for four more weeks. The bucks’ semen samples (collected by electro-ejaculation) and hormonal samples (taken via the jugular vein) were analyzed. The semen characteristics studied included color, volume, mass activity, motility, percentage normal live-dead ratio, morphology and concentration; while the hormones studied included testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Results show that there were significant decreases in semen characteristics of group B and C bucks compared with those of group A in the first four weeks. The semen characteristics of the group C bucks were reversed to normal range (similar to those of group A bucks) two weeks after danazol treatment was withdrawn. Similar results were observed with the hormonal studies. In conclusion, danazol caused a reversed reduction in sperm cells characteristics suggesting its possible use as a contraceptive in WAD goat bucks.

Pleurotus tuber-regium has been used as fodder and traditionally used as medicinal supplement. The aim of this study was to screen in vitro proximate biochemical composition and nutritional potentiality of P. tuber-regium extract for further in vivo analysis of impact of the extract on serum lipid and testosterone profile of rats. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol were measured photometrically. Testosterone was measured by chemiluminescence immune assay. P. tuber-regium extract contains different biochemicals such as proteins, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenols etc. and showed highly quantified calorific value (297.89±1.92 calori/100g). Acute toxicity test showed no mortality and toxic behavioural symptoms. Significant decrease in total cholesterol (75.52±0.39mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (34.58±1.69mg/dL) and triglyceride (81.31±1.25) were observed in rat group treated with 200mg/kg dose of extract. 400mg/kg dose of extract showed higher efficacy than 200mg/kg dose of extract and significantly decreased total cholesterol (72.25±1.11mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (26.37±1.21mg/dL) and triglyceride (69.42±0.72). The extract showed testosterone enhance efficacy. 400mg/kg dose of extract showed high level testosterone (178.96±0.68 ng/dL) enhance efficacy than 200mg/kg dose (174.64±0.64ng/dL). Due to hypocholesterolaemia and testosterone elevating properties of P. tuber-regium extract, it can be said that, mushroom P. tuber-regium can be consumed as healthy diet supplement to maintain cholesterol level and to maintain good male reproductive health.

Eggs were coated with propolis in order to determine its effect on egg quality and total bacterial count. Effect of storage time prior to propolis coating was also studied. Eggs were obtained from a local farm, coated with 0, 3, 6 or 9% of propolis and stored at 4 ºC with a humidity of 75% for 30 days. A total of 18 eggs were used for egg quality traits and 6 eggs were chosen for microbial activity for each group. Bacteria were recovered with sterile cotton swabs from egg surfaces. Colonies with different morphology and color were detected. 11 bacterial species were determined following the characterization of 14 isolates. Elevated levels of bacterial counts were detected for daily eggs, which were significantly higher than those stored for 30 days. The quality traits of the daily eggs have also been found higher compared with the other groups. It was observed that coating the eggs with varying concentrations of propolis lead to significant differences in the total bacterial counts of the eggshells. Moreover, the egg quality traits which decreased with the increase in storage time have not been further affected with propolis coating.