The effect of long-term feeding with transition milk and transition milk enriched with probiotic on improving growth performance and reducing susceptibility to diarrhea in newborn Holstein calves

   Objective:  This study aimed to fabricate a multi-polymeric hydrogel scaffold containing carboxymethyl cellulose, alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, and inulin (CMC/Alg/PVA/Inulin) and investigate its role in the differentiation of sheep fetal bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into oocyte-like cells, in combination with follicular fluid, granulosa cells, and retinoic acid. Methods:  The hydrogel scaffold was synthesized using freeze-drying and cross-linking with calcium chloride and characterized by FE-SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, tensile strength, swelling behavior, and enzymatic degradation assays. MSCs were isolated from sheep fetal bone marrow and confirmed at passage 3 by their differentiation potential into adipocytes and osteoblasts using Oil Red O and Alizarin Red S staining, respectively. Cells were then cultured for 21 days in three independent experiments under control conditions (2D), on the scaffold (3D), and on the scaffold with 10 µM retinoic acid. Differentiation media included follicular fluid, granulosa cells, or their combination. Viability and apoptosis were assessed by Alamar Blue and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, respectively. The expression of germ cell-specific markers (DDX4, DAZL, and ZP3) was evaluated by real-time PCR. Results:  FE-SEM images revealed a porous structure, and FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the successful formation of the hydrogel. The scaffold was biocompatible (maximum swelling at 72 hours and 63% degradation by day 21), and retinoic acid showed no significant cytotoxicity at lower concentrations. In all experiments, 3D culture on the scaffold with retinoic acid significantly increased the expression of DDX4, DAZL, and ZP3 compared to 2D and 3D cultures without retinoic acid (p<0.05). The highest expression levels were observed in the co-culture of MSCs with granulosa cells in the combined presence of follicular fluid and retinoic acid on the scaffold. Conclusion:  The CMC/Alg/PVA/Inulin hydrogel scaffold provides a biocompatible and effective 3D substrate for differentiating sheep fetal bone marrow MSCs into oocyte-like cells. The combination of this scaffold with retinoic acid and follicular factors, particularly co-culture with granulosa cells and follicular fluid, significantly enhances differentiation efficiency. This approach offers a novel perspective in reproductive biotechnology and the treatment of infertility in valuable livestock and endangered species.

   This study investigated the effects of pretreatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of Tribulus terrestris seeds on the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-1? and TNF-?) and the activity of hepatic enzymes (AST and ALT) in hepatocytes isolated from chicken liver under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Hepatocytes were isolated from the livers of 2–3-week-old Leghorn chicks and cultured in DMEM medium. Oxidative stress was induced using 200 ?M hydrogen peroxide for 6 hours, and cells were subsequently treated with T. terrestris extract at a concentration of 80 ?g/mL for 24 hours.The activities of AST and ALT in the culture supernatant were determined spectrophotometrically, while the expression levels of IL-1? and TNF-? genes were measured using Real-Time PCR. The results showed that hydrogen peroxide significantly increased AST activity from 73 ± 1.3 to 147 ± 2.9 U/L and ALT activity from 38 ± 1.5 to 54 ± 1.8 U/L. Pretreatment with T. terrestris extract significantly reduced AST and ALT activities to 79 ± 3.5 and 41 ± 2 U/L, respectively. Moreover, the expression levels of IL-1? and TNF-? returned to 1.2- and 2-fold of the basal level, respectively. These findings indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of Tribulus terrestris exerts strong protective effects against oxidative damage in avian hepatocytes by inhibiting inflammatory pathways and reducing hepatic enzyme leakage.

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during freezing and thawing negatively impacts sperm quality and subsequent fertilization capacity. The properties of nanoparticles (with antioxidant properties) have recently gained considerable attention in livestock due to their ability to enhance sperm longevity and improve male fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding quercetin, combination of copper chloride and zinc chloride, copper oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles, and quercetin-loaded nanoparticles on doped nanoparticles, on ram sperm quality under post-thaw conditions. Doped nanoparticles were purchased and quercetin was loaded onto them in the laboratory. The characteristics of the nanoparticles were determined using EDX, FE-SEM, UV-visible, FT-IR, and zeta potential. Mixed ejaculates from four Sanjabi rams were diluted with a cryo-preservation extender. Different concentrations of treatments (1, 5, 25, and 125 µg/mL) were added to the ram sperm freezing extender. The control group was considered as the group without any treatment. The semen, diluted and enriched with the above treatments, was gradually cooled to 4°C over 4 hours, then drawn into 0.25 mL straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen for storage. Sperm parameters, such as viability, total motility, membrane and DNA integrity, total abnormalities, and malondialdehyde levels, were assessed in the different groups. The results showed that adding 5 µg/mL copper oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with quercetin significantly increased sperm viability, total motility, membrane and DNA integrity, and decreased malondialdehyde production compared to the control and other treatment groups (p < 0.05). The addition of 5 µg/mL copper oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with quercetin also significantly reduced abnormalities compared to the control and other treatment groups, except for the 25 µg/mL quercetin group (p < 0.05). Therefore, adding 5 µg/mL copper oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with quercetin as an antioxidant to the ram semen extender can improve sperm tolerance to freezing and enhance sperm stability after thawing. Keywords: Sperm, ram, Antioxidant, Quercetin, Copper oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles.   

  

The study aimed to explore how various levels of protected vitamin AD3E supplementation impact the performance, blood parameters, ruminal fermentation, carcass characteristics, and diet digestibility of fattening lamb. Twenty-four male lambs with an average weight of 34.11±3.64 kg and an age range of three to four months were divided into three groups eight in each, using a completely randomized design and kept in individual pen for 70 days. In the experiment, there were three groups of treatments. The first group served as the control and received a base diet without vitamin supplements. The second group received one kilogram per ton of protected vitamin AD3E mixed in the feed. The third group received two kilograms per ton of the same vitamin mixed in the feed. During the experiment, growth performance parameters were evaluated weekly and rumen fermentation and blood parameters were assessed at the end of the study. The results showed that supplementing the diet with protected AD3E improved daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of male lambs, and was significant in the second treatment compared to the control (P<0.05). The final weight of lambs receiving the protected vitamin supplement was higher than the control group (P<0.05). Adding two kilograms per ton of the AD3E supplement to the diet increased volatile fatty acids, gas production, and degraded organic matter in the rumen compared to the control (P<0.05). The concentration of ammonia nitrogen in lambs receiving the AD3E supplement was higher than that of control (P<0.05). Digestibility of the diet and quantitative carcass traits were not affected by the experimental treatments. The total protozoa population and entodiniomorphs in the second group of lambs were higher than the others (P<0.05). The third group of lambs had higher total protein and lower cholesterol and LDL concentrations compared to the other experimental groups (P<0.05). Overall, the results of this study showed that the use of protected AD3E vitamin supplement in the diet of lambs improved the performance of fattening lambs through positive effects on rumen fermentation and blood parameters, although it had no effect on diet digestibility.   

   Abstract: The use of natural antioxidants of plant origin in semen extenders is taken into researchers consideration as an alternative to industrial antioxidants due to having phenolic compounds and high antioxidant capacity and not having problems related to safety and toxic compounds in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 ?g/ml) of hydroalcoholic extract of mountain tea and artemisia as a sperm extender on the quality of frozen and thawed sheep semen. This experiment was conducted in completly randomized design with 4 Sanjabi rams and six replications. Semen collection was done using artificial vagina once every two weeks. The content of phenol, total flavonoid, antioxidant activity, functional groups determination and the toxicity level of different concentrations of the extracts was performed respectively using Folin-Ciocaltue colorimetric method, aluminum chloride colorimetric method, DPPH solution, FTIR spectrum and MTT test. total motility were determined with phase contrast microscope and sperm viability was done with eosin-nigrosin staining. HOS test analysis was used to determine the stability and integrity of sperm membrane. Hancock's solution was used to determine sperm abnormalities and acridine staining was used to determine sperm apoptosis rate. The amount of lipid peroxidation was determined using the amount of malondialdehyde production. Data analysis was done using    software and mean comparisons were done at the 5% level with Duncan's test. The results of GC-MS chromatogram analysis of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Artemisia and mountain tea showed 9 and 8 peaks of the compounds of the extracts of these plants, respectively. The peaks observed in the hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia and mountain tea confirmed the presence of C-H, C-C, O-H, C=O, O=C=O and O-H functional groups. The findings showed that there was no significant difference between the treatments in the amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds (p<0.05). The results showed that there was a significant difference between the treatments on scavenging of free radicals, sperm viability, percentage of sperm viability, total motility, integrity of membrane and DNA, and the amount of malondialdehyde production (p<0.05). The highest sperm viability and percentage of sperm viability were observed with the addition of 80 ?g/ml hydroalcoholic extract of mountain tea compared to other treatments, and the viability decreased with the increase in the concentration of the extracts (p<0.05). ). The total sperms motility was higher with the addition of 80 ?g/ml of hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia and mountain tea compared to other treatments after freezing and thawing, and with increasing the concentration of the extracts, the total motility decreased (p<0.05). Addition of 80 ?g/ml of hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia and mountain tea improved the integrity of the sperm membrane compared to other treatments and the control, and increasing the concentration of the extract caused the destruction of the integrity of the membrane (p<0.05). DNA integrity was higher in the presence of 80 ?g/ml hydroalcoholic extract of mountain tea than other treatments, and increasing the concentration of the extract caused more damage to DNA integrity (p<0.05). The addition of 80 ?g/ml of hydroalcoholic extract decreased the production of malondialdehyde compared to other treatments after freezing and thawing, and with increasing concentration, the production of malondialdehyde also increased (p<0.05). According to the obtained results, the level of 80 ?g/ml of the hydroalcoholic extract of these two plants in to extender is suitable for influencing the investigated characteristics and reducing the production of malondialdehyde. Key words:

  This study aimed to compare the effects of intrauterine injection of electrolyzed water with ceftiofur sodium on the pregnancy rate in dairy cows with postpartum sub clinical endometritis. Uterine diseases such as endometritis, metritis, pyometra, and retained placenta in dairy cows are crucial because of the low fertility and infertility consequences. Postpartum uterine infections result in a delay in the time of artificial insemination, a decrease in the pregnancy rate and an increase in the culling rate. The treatment of endometritis is performed using different methods including parenteral or intrauterine rout of injection of antibiotics, intrauterine application of antiseptics and hormonal treatments .However using antibiotics for the treatment of endometritis has several disadvantages. The disadvantages include the cost, milk disposal, bacterial resistance, and suppressing the leukocytes’ phagocytic activity of the uterine immune system. In addition to electrolyzed water, have an antibacterial effects. Using electrolyzed water as an alternative treatment method against various diseases was investigated. A total of 316 Holstein cows diagnosed with endometritis during the clean test (35-42 days after calving) were used in the present study. Sub-clinical endometritis diagnosed using transrectal palpation and ultrasonography of the uterus and ovaries. After trans-rectal palpation and ultrasonography, cows with signs of endometritis (i.e., cervical diameters > 5 cm, asymmetry of the uterine horn, thickened uterine wall, and small amounts of fluids in the uterine cavity) were suspected to have sub-clinical endometritis. The cows were randomly assigned to six treatment groups: control group, intrauterine infusion of ceftiofur sodium (group b, 1 gram), infusion of 200ppm electrolyzed water (group c), infusion of 300ppm electrolyzed water (group d), infusion of 200 (group e) and 300ppm(group f) electrolyzed water twice with an interval of 3 days . After completing the voluntary waiting period (55 days after calving), all six groups of cows were subjected to an ovulation synchronization program (Ovsynch). Pregnancy rates after first AI was. The cumulative pregnancy rate after second .The results showed that treatment with 300 ppm electrolyzed water alone or twice with an interval of 3 days could improve the pregnancy rate in cows with subclinical endometritis.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE FA

    Thepurpose of this research is to investigate the use of progesterone-containingsponges for synchronizing and using different types of antibiotics(doxycycline, neomycin, trisol, oxy tetracycline) as local and systemictreatment in order to investigate the control of infections caused by the useof sponges or population reduction. Unwanted germs were Ile du France ewes. Forthis purpose, 200 Gilde France ewes were selected and randomly placed among 5experimental groups. The experimental groups were: 1) control treatment,sponges impregnated with doxycycline powder (in the amount of 200 mg) for 14days in the vagina 2) control treatment + oxytetracycline 500 mg oblet for 14days in the vagina 3 ) control treatment + neomycin 480 mg oblet for 14 days inthe vagina 4) control treatment + trisol 500 mg oblet for 14 days in the vagina5) sheep of this group received doxycycline-free sponges and an intramuscularinjection They had oxytetracycline LA in the amount of 500 mg.   Ewes in all groups received 400 internationalunits of eCG hormone at the time of sponge harvesting. Adhesion rate and rateof vaginal infections were recorded at the time of sponge removal. On the 40thday after ramming, ultrasound technique was used to check the state ofpregnancy. Reproduction indices were also calculated. There was no significantdifference in the adhesion percentage of the mattress in all groups (P <0.05). Vaginal infections at grade 0 in groups 1 and 2 showed a significantdifference compared to other groups (P<0.05). So that the lowest number ofewes without infection was related to these two groups. In grade 1, group 2,the lowest number of ewes with low infection and bad smell was in group 2. Ingrades 2 and 3, the lowest number of ewes with severe infection with bleedingand foul smell was related to groups 4, 3 and 5. Fertility percentage, twinbirth, stillbirth and abortion were not significant in any of the experimentaltreatments (p<0.05). Based on the findings of this research, it is concludedthat the use of antibiotics significantly reduced the rate of infections causedby using sponges or reducing the population of unwanted microbes.  Keywords:synchronization of estrus, antibiotics, vaginal infection, fertility  

  AbstractProductionof high amounts of reactive oxygen species during the freezing-thawing processis the main factor of disorder in sperm performance. Antioxidants causeimproving mobility and preserve the quality of sperm by reducing the formationand scavenging the free radicals. Glutathione peroxidase, as an essentialprotein, is involved in sperm motility. Selenium is known as a fundamentaltrace element for spermatogenesis, and most of the selenium in the testicle isassociated with glutathione peroxidase. Selenium nanoparticles are less toxicthan selenite. Cysteine is a thiol-containing amino acid with antioxidantactivity, and thiol groups prevent hydrogen peroxide formation in sperm. Also,a thiol is the precursor of biosynthesis of the intracellular glutathione andincreases its surface. In this study, selenium nanoparticles were producedusing the streptococcus bacteria. Then, the synthesized selenium nanoparticleswere coated with cysteamine. Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles by bacteriaand coated nanoparticles by cysteamine was confirmed by UV-visiblespectroscopy. The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles were determinedusing X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, andField Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) imaging. In the presentstudy, semen was prepared twice a week from four mature rams of the Sanjabibreed with an artificial vagina. After diluting the semen in an alkalinediluent, different concentrations (1, 5, 25, and 125 mg/mL) of cysteamine, nanoselenium synthesized by bacteria, nano selenium coated by cysteamine, andsodium selenite salt were added. The additive-free group was considered acontrol group. The study treatments were pulled in 0.25 mL straws and wereplaced in the refrigerator for balancing for 4 hours at 4 oC. Then,straws were put at the height of 4 cm from nitrogen vapor for 12 minutes, andat the end, they were floated in nitrogen and transferred to the nitrogen tank.After thawing (30 seconds at the temperature of 37o

Since there is an increasing interest amongst sheep farmers to use artificial insemination, finding solutions to preserve the fertility of sheep’s semen can have usage and importance. The aim of this study is to investigate the addition of laminarin, as an antioxidant supplement, to the diluter of sheep’s semen after freezing-defrosting. Semen samples from four mature sheep of the Sanjabi breed with a mean age of 3 – 4 years and confirmed fertility were collected using an artificial vagina, two times per week. The samples were transferred immediately to the lab in a diluted tris basic buffer, and laminarin with concentrations of 100, 200, 400, and 800 micrograms per milliliter was added to them. Sperm viability and motility, sperm membrane integrity, sperm abnormality, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity of the samples were assessed. Results showed that laminarin with a concentration of 800 micrograms per milliliter compared to the other treatment groups made an improvement in motility percentage, membrane integrity, and sperm viability. In addition, laminarin with a concentration of 800 micrograms per milliliter compared to the other treatment groups decreased abnormality percentage and apoptosis. Laminarin concentrations of 800 and 400 micrograms per milliliter decreased lipid peroxidation levels. Laminarin with a concentration of 800 micrograms per milliliter increased the activity of semen’s dismutase enzyme. Overall, it was shown that using laminarin with a concentration of 800 micrograms per milliliter will improve qualitative and quantitative parameters of Sanjabi sheep’s sperm after the process of freezing-defrosting.

   Detecting and representing spatial distribution of soil properties is a prerequisite of modern sustainable land management. Advancing problem solving algorithms along with GIS systems in the recent decades have strengthened our ability in processing spatial data. In this work, efficiency of artificial neural networks (ANN) in classification of some physico-chemical soil properties into predefined fuzzy soil classes evaluated and compared with the results of geostatistical analysis. Whole area of agricultural college selected as the study area with 120 surface (0-20 cm) soil samples which were taken at nodes of a number-coverage optimized equilateral systematic grid. Routine physico-chemical soil properties of all samples were determined and analyzed geostatistically. Most variables showed a clear spatial dependence. Silt and P data divided into two separate subsets for variography, more likely because sampling pattern was not dense enough to detect their variability. Ordinary kriging maps revealed various patterns of distribution over the study area according to either natural or management processes. For fuzzy classification, whole dataset along with its two subsets including textural and chemical features (all mentioned ‘datasets’ afterwards) were classified into 2-10 fuzzy classes using “fuzzy c-means with extragrades” (FCMEx) algorithm through minimization of the objective function for classification error. Chemical dataset showed most fuzziness with a fuzziness exponent of 1.95, while the whole and texture datasets took the second and third places of fuzziness with 1.45 and 1.3, respectively. Optimal number of classes for each dataset determined using two related functions, resulted in 9, 8 and 8 regular fuzzy classes at the above-mentioned fuzzy exponents, which considering the extragrade class, final number of fuzzy classes were 10, 9 and 9 in the same order. ANN analyses were conducted through adopting multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and radial-based function (RBF) algorithms on three datasets, separately. MLP resulted in perfect performance (zero error) at education step for all datasets. It is discovered that capabilities of ANN was far beyond the size and magnitude of variability inhered in the soil features measured in this study. It was furthermore, a consequence of similar measuring scales of most features. Results for the whole dataset were the same as two other at education stage. However, since there was less similarity of scale and uniformity in the whole data, though not much, prediction accuracy of both algorithms reduced at the test stage for the dataset. But by comparison, MLP performed better than RBF, since the former just misclassified some individuals of whole dataset, while the latter showed errors in allocation of new individuals into texture and chemical classes as well. Though results confirmed vast potentials of ANN in spatial prediction of soil properties or classes, geostatistical procedure showed that can keep its role in doing same jobs at local scale in a computationally cheaper and more feasible price. To consider pragmatic aspects, feeding ANN, other proper machine learning algorithms and geostatistical methods with data from denser sampling patterns and also soil profile data to construct maps of farm-scale application value, proposed.

  Abstract Breeding programs basically target economic efficiency of production systems. It is not possible to set optimum method without considering relative significance of traits economically. Using economic coefficients of respective traits to determine contribution of genetic growth to the improvement of production system efficiency helps to specify relative importance of each trait to the breeding programs. Present research set the following items as major objectives of breeding programs and production systems for Sanjabi sheep: improved growth and optimal production of milk, meat, wool, manure and blood. Based on stockbreeders' views, this study attempted to evaluate milk and meat production as breeding targets in addition to economic coefficients of such morphological traits as body weight (BW), body length (BL), head length and breadth, bone focal length, length of ears, length and breadth of rump, etc. in three age groups. Results showed that body weight of the third age group (>3yr) with negative economic efficiency was given the first rank followed by those of both the first and second age groups (<1yr; 1  age 3) with positive economic efficiencies.

  چكيدهبيماري هاي عصبي از جمله تومورمغزي از علل شايع مرگ و مير هستند. داروهاي توليد شده در اين زمينه رو به افزايشاست ، اما به دليل ساختار ويژه سد خوني- مغزي، انتقال دارو به مغز با مشكل مواجهاست و يكي از مهم ترين چالش هاي پيش روي درمان بيماري هاي سيستم عصبي مركزي است.علي رغم تحقيقات مختلفي كه در زمينه انتقال دارو به مغز صورت گرفته ولي هنوز روشيكه به طور مطلوب و بدون عوارض جانبي و با هزينه كمتر بر اين مشكل غلبه كند ،شناخته نشده است ، در اين ميان شناسايي تركيبي كه بتواند بدون تخريب سدخوني مغزيو   با مهار موقت و برگشت پذير ABCtra  oter   هاي سدخوني مغزي موجبافزايش تجمع درون سلولي دارو در بافت هاي مغزي شود و يا تركيبي كه بتواند با سست كردنجزئي   پروتئين هاي دخيل در اتصالات محكم به صورت موقت به انتشارپاراسلولي دارو به مغز كمك كند مي تواند باعث تسهيل انتقال دارو به مغز شود. دراين راستا مطالعات درون رايانه اي با توجه به اينكه مي تواند مسير رسيدن به هدف راهموار سازد و از بين تركيبات مختلف بهترين تركيب را جهت مطالعات تجربي معرفي كردهو ميزان آزمون و خطاهاي آزمايشات تجربي را به حداقل برساند ، بسيار سودمند است. در اين مطالعه اتصالفيتوكانابينوئيدها و شبكه پروتئيني سدخوني- مغزي كه انتقال دارو به مغز را بامحدوديت مواجه مي كنند با استفاده از روش داكينگ مولكولي مورد بررسي قرار خواهدگرفت.

  Cryopreservation of mouse oocyte can provide important data applicable to human oocyte cryopreservation and infertility treatment. In this manner vitrification has proven to be more effective than slow freezing methods to cryopreserve mammalian oocytes. The present study was aimed to investigate the viability and subsequent developmental ability of mouse oocytes at GV and MII stages vitrified in cryotop by single step and stepwise vitrification methods. Oocytes were collected from superovulated NMRI mice ovaries.Those oocytes with compact cumulus cells were cultured in TCM199 medium in incubator under humidified condition of 37°C and 5% CO2 for 3h. After achieving in Germinal Vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII), the GVs and MIIs with convenient morphology were vitrified by step-wise and single step methods. Afterwards, oocytes were loaded into 0.25 ml French straws and stored in liquid nitrogen. Then oocytes were thawed by rapid method and descending sucrose solutions, and then they were subjected to in vitro maturation and fertilization. Oocyte survival, development of 2-cell to blastocyst and in vitro maturation and fertilization rates of GV and MII oocytes in both step-wise and single step methods were assessed.   Collected data were analyzed by    statistical software. Viability rate of vitrified GV and MII oocytes in single-step group was significantly lower than that of the step-wise and control groups (P<0.05).Also, the maturation and fertilization rate and evolution to blastocyst in the step-wise group was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to single-step. But there wasn’t any significant difference between MII and GV oocytes for viability, fertility and evolution rates in both single step and stepwise methods.Conclusion: In comparison with unvitrified control oocytes, vitrification impaired viability, fertility and developmental competence of oocytes. The study also demonstrated that step wise vitrification was superior to single step vitrification.  Key words: GV, MII, NMRI mice, Oocyte, Viability, Vitrification.  Cryopreservation of mouse oocyte can provide important data applicable to human oocyte cryopreservation and infertility treatment. In this manner vitrification has proven to be more effective than slow freezing methods to cryopreserve mammalian oocytes. The present study was aimed to investigate the viability and subsequent developmental ability of mouse oocytes at GV and MII stages vitrified in cryotop by single step and stepwise vitrification methods. Oocytes were collected from superovulated NMRI mice ovaries.Those oocytes with compact cumulus cells were cultured in TCM199 medium in incubator under humidified condition of 37°C and 5% CO2 for 3h. After achieving in Germinal Vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII), the GVs and MIIs with convenient morphology were vitrified by step-wise and single step methods. Afterwards, oocytes were loaded into 0.25 ml French straws and stored in liquid nitrogen. Then oocytes were thawed by rapid method and descending sucrose solutions, and then they were subjected to in vitro maturation and fertilization. Oocyte survival, development of 2-cell to blastocyst and in vitro

  The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG )   to improve Ovsynch protocol in dairy cows . Forty eight dairy cows with body condition scored ( BCS ) between 2.75 and 3.5 were divided into 6 groups in a completely randomized design: GPG group ( n = 8 ; GnRH - 7d   -   PGF2?   -   2d - GnRH - 16-20 h - TAI);   EPG group (n = 8    eCG - 7d - PGF2?   - 2d   - GnRH - 16-20 h - TAI);   GPH group (n = 8; GnRH - 7d -   PGF2? - 2d   -   hCG   - 16-20 h   - TAI)   EPH group (n = 8; eCG   - 7d   -   PGF2?   -   2d   -   hCG - 16-20 h   - TAI);   GPEG group (n = 8; GnRH - 7d   - PGF2? + eCG -   2d   -   GnRH   -   16-20 h   - TAI)   GPEH group (n = 8; GnRH   - 7d   -   PGF2? + eCG -   2d   -   hCG -   16-20 h   - TAI).   lood samples were taken on 13 day   after insemination and analysed for serum progesterone (P4) concentrations. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 50 days post-insemination by means of rectal palpation . Our study clearly demonstrates that parity has a significant effect on pregnancy rate ( P < 0.1). Markedly   lower   pregnancy rate   was observed in animals of higher parity. Pregnancy rate at 50 days after insemination did not differ   (P > 0.05 ) between GPG, EPG, GPH, EPH, GPEG and GPEH groups. However, pregnancy rate was higher in the cows that received EPG, EPH and GPEG protocols ( 37%; 3/8)   than the cows that received   GPG, GPH and GPEH protocols (12%;1/8). Serum progesterone concentration 13 days after insemination for pregnant cows did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. Whereas, the serum progesterone concentratio   for pregnant cows were higher in the EPG and EPH groups tha   GPG, GPH, GPEG and GPEH groups. Serum progesterone concentration 13 days after insemination for non-pregnant cow   was found to be different (P < 0.05) between the GPG, EPG, GPH, EPH, GPEG, and GPEH groups. Furthermore, the serum progesterone concentratio   for non-pregnant cows were   higher (P < 0.05) in the EPH and EPG groups than the   GPG, GPH, GPEG and GPEH groups. Our results do show that the use of eCG   to induce ovulation in a timed artifical insemination protocol (Ovsynch ) may increase serum progesterone levels and improve fertility in dairy cows.     

  In this study, semen samples were collected from 96 Sanjabi rams in order to investigate the exon3 leptin, 5` flanking of IGF-1 and exon 3 IGF-1 gene polymorphisms and their relationship with the characteristics of sperm quality and testicular size. Simultaneously, the dimensions of length, width and scrotal circumference were measured over two years and during autumn and spring seasons. Blood samples were taken from a sheep jugular vein to extract DNA. PCR was performed using specific primers to amplify intended fragment. PCR products were digested by restriction enzymes. Leptin gene polymorphism in G170A locus had a significant effect on individual motility trait, water test and scrotal circumference (P<0.05) and animals with the AA genotype had significantly the highest the individual motility compared with GG and GA genotypes (P<0.05). Also, animals with AG genotype had significantly the highest water test compared with GG and AA genotypes (P<0.05). Animals with GG genotype had significantly the highest scrotal circumference compared with GA and AA genotypes (P<0.05). The G286T in leptin gene polymorphism had significant effect on individual motility as animals with GG genotype had significantly the highest individual motility compared other genotypes (P<0.05). Leptin gene polymorphisms in the G332A had a significant effect on viability trait, water test and scrotal circumference as animals with GA genotype had significantly the highest viability, and water test and scrotal circumference compared with GG genotype (P<0.05). The exon 3 of IGF-1 gene had significant effect on individual motility, concentration, percent morphology and water test traits. As animals with CT genotype had significantly the highest, concentration (P<0.1) and water test (P<0.05) compared to CC and TT genotypes. And CC genotype had significantly the highest individual motility(P<0.05). Also, animals with TT genotype had significantly the highest percent morphology compared other genotypes (P<0.05). The 5` regulatory region of IGF-1 gene polymorphism in the studied population had significant effect on gross motility, individual motility and% morphology traits as animals with AB genotype had significantly higher individual motility (P<0.05) and gross motility compared with AA genotype (P<0.1). Also, animals with AA genotype had significantly the highest% morphology compared with AB genotype (P<0.1). The different reproduction traits can be associated with leptin and IGF-1 genotypes in future and polymorphisms in these genes may be used to develop useful markers for selection of better animals under maskers assisted selection program.

infuence of quantitative feed restriction in pellet and mash diets on performance, metaboli disorders occearance and blood parameters in broiler chichins.

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of cathepsin B inhibitor (E-64) on in vitro maturation and developmental competence of in vitro matured ovine oocytes that were exposed to heat stress. In this experiment, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of control group were placed in incubator for 22-24h at 38.5°C and treatment groups (0, 0.2, 0.5 and 1 µm of E-64 in maturation medium) were first exposed to temperature 38.5°C for 5h and then for 17-19h at 41°C in an incubator with 5% CO2 and 95% humidity. After maturation oocytes were co-incubated with fresh sperm from ram with proven fertility for 5h and then cultured for 7 days. Full cumulus cell (CC) expansion of oocytes exposed to heat shock, at all levels of E-64 enzyme was significantly lower than control (62.05%, P<0.05), however, concentration of 1 ?M E-64 enzyme caused a significant increase in poorly expanded CC (64.44%) than control (16.96). E-64 had a positive effect on developmental competence of heat shocked oocytes where 0.5 ?M of E-64 significantly improved cleavage and blastocyst rates compared with other treatment groups (P<0.05). Meanwhile, high concentration of E-64 (1 ?M) showed adverse effect (no effects) on developmental competence of heat shocked oocytes. These results indicated that cathepsin B inhibitor in low level (0.5 ?M) may have a promising role under heat shock condition in improving embryo development of ovine species.  Key words: Cathepsin B inhibitor, Oocyte, Cleavage rate, Heat shock, Ovine

    Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of organic zinc (Availa®Zn 100) and selenium (Availa®Se 1000) supplementation on semen characteristics, testes measures and some blood parameters. A total of 20 Sanjabi rams (50/01 ± 5/6 kg, 20 months of   age) were   randomly divided   into four equal groups, given the basal diet either un supplemented (control (C) only received 0.11 mg/kg Se and 20/52 mg/kg Zn background) or supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se (S), 40 mg/kg Zn (Z) or 0.3 mg/kg Se plus 40 mg/kg Zn (ZS) for a 120 days experiment (from July 23, 2013 to November 21, 2013). The semen and blood samples were collected every 3 weeks and testes measurements (length, breadth, volume and scrotal circumference (SC) were measured every 15 days. The concentration of testosterone, Fe, Cu, Zn, insulin, total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and GSH-Px in serum and seminal plasma Zn, total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and GSH-Px were measured. Testes measurements were not significantly improved by experimental groups. There was no significant difference between experimental groups on the serum testosterone concentration although there was higher efficiency of ZS than other groups. Semen characteristics were significantly affected by treatments: the sperm density, and total sperm output increased (p < 0.05) in ZS group in comparison with C ones. As well as sperm forward motility were higher in ZS (P < 0.05) than those of S and C, and progressive motility were increased in ZS than those of C, S and Z groups (p< 0.05).Testosterone concentration(P < 0.05) and testicular circumference (P < 0.001) were higher   during October than early (July) and end of the experiment (November). Ejaculate volume (P < 0.01), total sperm output (P < 0.001) and viability (P < 0.001) on the other hand were higher during September than other months of experiment. Serum Zn were higher in ZS and Z (P < 0.05) than those of S and C, and higher in seminal plasma in ZS than all of other groups (p < 0.05). Se supplementation, increased serum GSH-Px activity (P < 0.01) than other groups, and increased seminal plasma GSH-Px activity (P < 0.05) in S and ZS than Z and C groups. In all of the experimental groups the serum TAS increased (P < 0.01) compaired with C group. The results of this experiment confirm that zn and se supplementation and their combination improved semen characteristics and the overall reproductive performance of Sanjabi rams during the breeding season.