The present study was conducted to investigate the carcass traits of Karayaka lambs slaughtered at different slaughter weights (SWs) and to find out optimum SWs. Male Karayaka lambs with 20 kg live weight (n=30) constituted the animal material of the study. Lambs were randomly divided into five SW groups; 30 (GI; n=6), 35 (GII; n=6), 40 (GIII; n=6); 45 (GIV; n=6) and 50 (GV; n=6) kg. Lamb fattening feed (concentrate feed, ad libitum) and forage (lentil straw, 100g/lamb/day) were used as the feed material. Lambs were sent to slaughter at target SWs. Following the slaughter, non-carcass components, tailless hot and cold carcass weights were taken. Carcasses were separated into six sections as leg, foreleg, back, loin, neck and others. Physical dissection was performed to investigate carcass composition. Only the differences in carcass dressing and skin percentages of slaughter groups were not found to be significant. Increasing carcass fat percentages and decreasing carcass lean and bone percentages were observed with increasing SWs. Considering the consumer preferences, current findings revealed that Karayaka lambs should be sent to slaughter at weights between 30-35 kg. However, considering the red meat deficit of the country, current market conditions and producer preferences, the optimum SW for Karayaka lambs were recommended to be between 40-45 kg.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thermal manipulations during early and late embryogenesis on asymmetry in terms of sides of shank length, shank width and face length of broilers. Incubation conditions were 37.5°C and 55% relative humidity for control group throughout the incubation period until the 19th days. In the thermally treated eggs during early embryogenesis (8-10 days), incubation temperature was increased to 41°C and relative humidity to 65% for 3 hours (12.00-15.00) on the 8th-10th days of incubation. Also, in the late embryogenesis stage (16-18 days) incubation temperature was increased to 41°C and relative humidity to 65 % for 3 hours (12.00-15.00) on the 16th-18th days of incubation. Total 16 chickens were selected at randomly from all experimental groups to determine the asymmetry. The weekly left and right sides of shank length, shank width and face length of chickens were measured from 7 days of age to 35 days of age, and relative asymmetry values were calculated. There was no significant difference among the groups in point of relative asymmetry. Asymmetry values were reduced due to aging.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of follicle size and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration on nuclear maturation of bovine oocytes in vitro. Follicles on bovine ovary were classified into 3 groups according to the diameter; small (