BACKGROUND: No study has been conducted on iron requirements of broiler breeder hens until now. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to determine the iron requirement of broiler breeder hens using nonlinear models. METHODS: Forty eight (Cobb 500) broiler breeder hens were individually placed in galvanized wire cages. In order to depletion of hens iron reserved, hens were offered a semi purified iron deficient diet for 3 weeks. At 62 week of age, Hens  were  randomly  allocated  to  4  dietary  treatments  (37, 52, 67, 82 ppm of diet iron) with 4 replicates. Body weight gain, egg production and egg weight were measured during 6 weeks experimental period. RESULTS: The results showed that the estimated iron requirement for egg production(H.H), egg weight, iron content of the liver, blood serum, bone marrow, spleen and egg yolk were 65, 62, 54, 72, 57, 63, 64 ppm respectively. The logistic model was fitted to iron content of liver, spleen, serum and bone marrow, suggested that iron requirement were equal to 66, 53, 129, 58 ppm respectively. Fitted exponential model estimated iron requirement for egg weight, iron content of liver, spleen, serum and bone marrow were 62, 96, 70, 73, 111 ppm respectively. Also based on the quadratic equation models, estimated iron requirement for egg production(H.H), egg weight, iron content of the liver, blood serum, bone marrow, spleen and egg yolk were 65, 66, 71, 220, 51, 70, 62 ppm respectively. Among the four models used, the broken line model is more accurate in estimating the required iron than other models due to the low variance between estimated requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that value recommended by primary breeder (Cobb 500 management guide, 55 ppm) is lower than values obtained in present study.

BACKGROUND: Faba bean (Vicia faba) is a rich source of protein and carbohydrates that is used as a vegetable ingredient in diet of livestock, poultry and fish, in many countries. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the effects of different levels of faba bean on the serum lipid levels and liver function of farmed beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). Methods: 144 juvenile beluga (82.38 ± 0.83 g) were located into 18 oval tanks (300 L) and triplicate groups were fed by experimental diets inclusion 6 levels of faba bean (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) for 50 days. At the end of the trial, blood samples were taken from the caudal vein of 54 beluga juveniles and some of biochemical parameters (cholesterol and triglycerides) and liver enzymes such as Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were investigated. Then nine fish per treatment were sampled to measure Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and liver composition per each treatment. Results: The results showed that by increasing the levels of faba bean in diets ALP, AST and LDH contents were significantly decreased compared to the control treatment (p<0.05). However, the lowest level of ALT (0.76±0.2 U/l) was measured in fish fed with 10% faba bean meal (p<0.05). The moisture and fat contents of liver showed significant difference by increasing the levels of faba bean in diet (p<0.05). No significant differences were shown in cholesterol, triglyceride, HSI, liver protein and liver ash contents (p>0.05). Highly significant positive correlation were observed between total protein, cholesterol, AST, LDH, ALP and liver fat (p<0.01).  Conclusions:  Use of lower levels of faba bean (up to 25%) had no significant effect on serum lipids and no adverse effect on liver function of juvenile beluga.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin C is one of the important nutrients in fish culture and as a potent anti-oxidant, is of great importance in preserving cells against oxidation and boosting resistance in stress conditions and against pathogens. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to add high level of vitamin C supplementation to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet reared at high density and analysis of growth indices, survival and carcass composition at two different stocking densities. METHODS: Rainbow trout juveniles with initial body weight of 9.6 ± 0.69 g at two densities of 50 and 100 pieces in 50 liters of water were fed two diets containing the same level of protein and fat. Experimental diets were diet 1 without adding vitamin and diet 2 with adding 1500 mg/kg of vitamin C. A total number of 900 rainbow trout juveniles in four treatments each with three replicates as T50 (0) (with the density of 50 and fed with diet 1), T100 (0) (with the density of 100 and fed with diet 1), T50 (C) (with the density of 50 and fed with diet 2) and T100 (C) (with the density of 100 and fed with diet 2) were randomly distributed in incubators. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of feeding, growth indices, feed conversion ratio and viability were significantly different between treatments (p<0.05). T50 (0) and T50(C) treatments had higher weight gain, specific growth rate and viability than T100 (0) and T100(C) (p<0.05). In the case of feed conversion ratio, it was higher in T100 (0) and T100(C) treatments compared to T50 (0) and T50(C) ones (p<0.05). Carcass composition was not significantly different between treatments (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that vitamin C supplementation in the diet of rainbow trout juveniles did not have significant effects on growth indices, feed conversion ratio, survival and carcass composition but density was a key factor in growth, feed conversion ratio and survival in this species.

BACKGROUND: Negative energy balance in cow occurs in transitional period, high-yielding dairy cows immediately after calving and feed restriction. In response to energy demand cow mobilizes fatty acids from adipose tissue causing an increase in the circulation of NEFA. Increased blood NEFA is associated with low glucose, high free fatty acids and ketone bodies as well as lipid and lipoprotein disturbances in the blood. Does buffalo follows the same as cow, is not yet cleared. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of starvation on some lipid parameters in serum and liver of buffalos in Ahwaz. Methods: Five two-year-old male buffalos with average body weight of 200 kg were fattened with a diet containing alpha, barely, wheat, and maze for 8 weeks and then they were fastened for 8 days. During fasting period the animals had free access to barely and water. After fasting period the buffalos were again fattened for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein during the first and second fattening period with 20 days intervals and every day in the fasting period. Plasma samples were obtained, stored, and analyzed for glucose, BHBA and NEFA using standard kits. The liver of each buffalo was sampled at the beginning and end of feed restriction period and sent to the laboratory for the measurement of the liver TG content. Analyses of variance were carried out to compare mean values in fed and fasted periods. Results: The results of present study revealed that there were no significant differences in plasma NEFA ,BHBA and liver TG concentration before and after feed restriction (p>0.05), but there was significant difference in plasma glucose (p|£|0.05). Conclusions: It appears that in the period of food depravation, buffalos are essentially able to cope with these hard conditions probably through control of lipolysis and gluconeogenesis at the aim of preventing metabolic disorders particularly fatty liver. The results of the present research reveal probably for the first time, this inheritance phenomenon with the emphasis of further research.

BACKGROUND: In nature, there are herbal extracts, while capable of reducing aflatoxin B1 in agricultural product by different mechanisms, may also act as growth promoters. OBJECTIVES: In this study, aqueous extract of T. daenensis was evaluated to detoxify contaminated feed with aflatoxin B1 and to determine the effect of growth promoters in Japanese quail. METHODS: To this purpose, at 24 d of age, quails were separated by sex and 80 male quails were randomly divided into experimental units with equal weight and number. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1. basal diet (B), 2. B + AFB1 (500 mg/kg of feed), 3. B + aqueous extract of T. daenensis (2000 mg/kg of feed), 4. B + AFB1 (500 mg/kg of feed) + aqueous extract of T. daenensis (2000 mg/kg of feed). Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and serum total protein were determined at day 45. RESULTS: The results showed that aflatoxin significantly decreased feed intake, body weight gain and total blood protein but increased FCR (p<0.05). The extract significantly increased feed intake and body weight gain, but decreased FCR (p<0.05). The extract did not have any effect on total blood protein. There was an interaction effect between aflatoxin and extract (p<0.05), so that feed intake, body weight gain, FCR and total blood protein were improved in birds offered diet with aflatoxin and extract. CONCLUSIONS: According to the study, the extract has improved the performance in birds and the negative effect of aflatoxin on performance was significantly decreased in birds offered diet with the extract.

BACKGROUND: Medical plants have been recently used to treat diabetes. Osteoporosis is one of diabetes side effects and increases the risk of bone fracture in diabetic patient. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential bone protective effects of O.persica ethanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Forty male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups and treated as follows: group 1 (control); group 2 (STZ group): received STZ 50 mg/kg by a single IP injection; groups 3, 4 and 5 treated with STZ as above+ 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg of O. persica extract per day by oral gavage, respectively. On day 29, serum taken for glucose level measurement and left femoral and tibio-fibular bones were dissected for histomorphometric study, while L4 vertebrate were removed for determination of ash weight. RESULTS: 300mg/kg of extract reduced serum glucose levels. Epiphyseal and metaphyseal Trabecular thickness as well as epiphyseal bone area/tissue area significantly decreased in STZ group. O. persica extract at the dosage of 200 mg/kg reversed all these parameters to the control level. No significant difference observed in osteoid thickness among different groups. Ash weight of L4 vertebrate in rats treated with 300 and 450 mg/kg of extract was significantly lower than other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that ethanolic extract of O. persica has bone protective effects in STZ-treated rats.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial peptides with relative length (2-100 amino acids) and positive charge (pure charge (+9)-(+2)) are amphiphilic that isolated from a wide range of animals. Recently, these peptides have been known as a part of innate immune response. Nowadays, more than 500 antimicrobial peptides from animals have been reported. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Candida effects of cationic peptides derived from Rana ridibunda skin. Methods: In this study, using alcohol-acid technique, peptides of frog’s skin were isolated and purified by Sep-Pack and Sephadex column. Then the anti-Candida activity (Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans, Fluconazole Sensitive C. albicans, and C. glabrata) of the peptides in different concentrations were evaluated. Results: Regarding to statistical analysis, peptides in concentration ranging from 25 to 100 µg/ml had the most anti-Candida activities. In respect to different understudy Candida species, these agents had the less effect on the Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans (p<0.05). Conclusions: The anti-Candida effects of cationic peptide obtained from frog skin are approved in this study.

BACKGROUND: The hazardous nature of aflatoxins to human and animals necessitate the establishment of control measures. ObjectiveS: The effect of two medicinal plants, Satureja khozistanica and Satureja macrosiphon, was studied on inhibiting Aspergillus flavus growth and reducing aflatoxin B1-content in the liquid medium. Methods: Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation method, using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Various extracts of plant materials were macerated with various extraction solvents (ethanol, ethanol70% and water extracts). Essential oils (0, 62/5, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/l) and various extracts (0, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 mg/l) of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphon were examined for reducing A. flavus growth and it’s AFB1-content in the liquid medium. Amount of aflatoxinB1 was evaluated by high performance thin layer chromatographymethod. Results: Essential oil of S. khozistanica at the concentration of 375 mg/l as well as its ethanol and ethanol 70% extracts at 4000 and 6000 mg/l  respectively caused complete inhibition of fungus mycelial growth, whereas essential oil and extracts of S. macrosiphon couldn’t inhibit Aspergillus growth completely even at the maximum concentration. Essential oils of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 250 mg/l reduced AFB1-production 98 and 33.52% respectively. Various Extracts of S. khozistanica exhibited stronger anti-AFB1-biosyntesis activity than those of S. macrosiphon, so that, ethanol, ehanol70% and aqueous extracts of S. khozistanica at 4000 mg/l reduced 100, 96 and 32.37% of AFB1-production, respectively. On the contrary, essential oils, ethanol and ehanol70% extracts of both plants couldn’t significantly degrade AFB1-contamination, whereas aqueous extractsof S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 4000 mg/l resulted in degradation of 25 and 32.16% AFB1-content, respectively. ConclusionS: In general, Essential oil and ethanol extract of S. khozistanica considerably inhibited A. flavus growth as well as AFB1-biosynthesis while aqueous extract of S. macrosiphon showed strong AFB1-degradation activity.

BACKGROUND: Granuloca cells have a key role during estroeidogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of number of culture medium granulosa cells on estradiol concentrations and mRNA codding estrogenic and progestagenic enzyme. METHODS: Briefly, follicles between 2 and 5 mm diameter were dissected from the ovaries of adult cows and were collected by rinsing the follicle walls with Dulbecco Modified Eagle medium/F12 (DMEM/F12). The number of cells was counted with a haemocytometer and the viable cells were assessed by the dye exclusion method using 0.4% Trypan Blue. Treatments were 1) 500,000 cell/500 ml, 2) 250,000 cell/500 ml, 3) 500,000 cell/200 ml 4) 250,000 cell/ 200 ml.  All data were analyzed by JMP (SAS). RESULTS: Low plating density increased E2 secretion and mRNA encoding LHR, FSHR and estrogenic enzymes (17βHSD, CYP19), whereas decreased mRNA encoding GADD45β. There were no differences among treatments for RNA and protein concentration. Low plating density also decreased protein amount but there was no difference among treatments for RNA amount. In conclusion, decreased cell density cause increase in mRNA encoding codding estrogenic enzyme gene expression and decrease in mRNA encoding progestagenic enzyme gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Protein concentrations did not changed with decreased cell density therefore we can save cells against harmful effect of increasing cell density.

BACKGROUND: Essential oils as growth stimulant play an important role in improving intestinal microflora and morphological properties and immune system in broiler chickens. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Artemisia sieberi oil on intestinal morphology, secum microflora and immune system in broiler chickens. METHODS: Two hundred day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) were allocated to 5 treatments, 4 replications with a completely randomized design during 42 days of age. Experimental treatments consisted of control (basal diet) or basal diets containing different levels of Artemisia sieberi oil (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) and 600 mg/kg flavophospholipol antibiotic. On day 42 days of age, intestinal morphology and microflora population and immune system were evaluated by measuring the weight of bursa of fabricious and spleen and antibody production. Results: The results indicated that the highest lactobacillus count and the lowest Escherichia coli count of the caecum was found by inclusion of 300 mg/kg Artemisia sieberi oil in the diet (p<0.0001). The antibiotic and Artemisia sieberi oil treatments showed higher villus height in the duodenum compared with control group (p<0.01). Artemisia sieberi oil and antibiotic supplementations significantly decreased epithelial thickness and goblet cell number of the small intestinal compared with control group (p<0.05). The dietary supplementation did not significantly affect the crypt depth and villus height to crypt depth ratio in small intestine. The level of 300 mg/kg Artemisia sieberi oil significantly increased antibody titration against Newcastle disease virus (p<0.01). Conclusions: Adding Artemisia sieberi oil at levels of 300 mg/kg to broiler chicken diets can improve gut microflora (as measured by changes in populations of Escherichia coli and lactobacillus).