دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Effects of Buffer and Plant Extracts on Degradability, Gas Production Parameters, and Nutrient Digestibility in Zel Sheep اثرات بافر و عصاره‌های گیاهی بر فراسنجه‏های تجزیه‌پذیری، تولید گاز و قابلیت ‏هضم گوسفند زل 1 13 47445 10.22067/ijasr.2025.94142.1252 FA فاطمه رضوانی بادله گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده دام و شیلات، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی ساری، ساری، ایران یداله چاشنی دل گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده دام و شیلات، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی ساری، ساری، ایران 0000-0002-1425-6053 اسداله تیموری یانسری گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده دام و شیلات، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی ساری، ساری، ایران رادمان بختیاری گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده دام و شیلات، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی ساری، ساری، ایران 0009-0003-0589-3557 Journal Article 2025 06 23 Introduction: Buffers are frequently incorporated into high-concentrate diets to mitigate ruminal acidity and stabilize ruminal pH. Their inclusion can augment the acetate-to-propionate ratio and enhance fiber digestibility, thereby promoting dry matter intake. In parallel, plant extracts, owing to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biologically active properties, have emerged as promising feed additives. Among these, thyme (<em>Thymus vulgaris</em> L.) extract has demonstrated antimicrobial activity under <em>in vitro</em> conditions, evidenced by reduced methane production and altered rumen fermentation characteristics. Garlic (<em>Allium sativum</em> L.) extract exhibits prebiotic-like effects and possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-methanogenic, and anti-protozoal properties. Eucalyptus (<em>Eucalyptus globulus</em> Labill.) extract contains a mixture of volatile essential oils such as 1, 8-cineole, limonene, and α-terpineol, along with non-volatile phenolic compounds, which may modulate rumen fermentation and inhibit methanogenesis. Given the potential benefits of both buffers and plant extracts, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing the diet with 2% sodium bicarbonate and plant extracts (thyme, garlic, and eucalyptus) on gas production parameters, ruminal degradability, and the apparent digestibility of nutrients.   Materials and Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 2% sodium bicarbonate supplementation, combined with various plant extracts, on <em>in vitro</em> gas production kinetics and the <em>in sacco</em> ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Additionally, the apparent nutrient digestibility of the experimental diets was assessed. The treatments were structured as follows: 1) 2% sodium bicarbonate (control); 2) Control + thyme extract (400 mg/kg DM of the diet); 3) Control + garlic extract (300 mg/kg DM); 4) Control + eucalyptus extract (150 mg/kg DM). A fattening diet was formulated using the Small Ruminant Nutrition System (SRNS) software and provided as a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 30:70 (DM basis). Three 2-year-old Zel ewes (average body weight: 43±2 kg) were utilized to evaluate ruminal degradability parameters following the approved animal welfare protocols. The animals were housed individually in semi-open, roofed metabolic cages with free access to water. Following an adaptation period, the ewes were fed the experimental diets twice daily at 08:00 and 20:00 h. Rumen fluid was collected from the ruminally cannulated Zel ewes prior to the morning feeding to determine gas production parameters. Apparent nutrient digestibility was determined using the acid-insoluble ash (AIA) method as an internal marker. Twenty male Zel sheep (6–7 months old; 38±2 kg body weight) were assigned to four dietary treatments (five lambs per treatment) and fed the experimental diets for 42 days. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS software, and means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at a significance level of <em>P</em><0.05.   Results and Discussion: The results indicated that gas production potential (<em>P</em> = 0.0003) and gas production at 96 h (<em>P</em> = 0.0002) were significantly higher in the treatment containing eucalyptus extract compared to the other experimental treatments. Gas production at 24 and 48 h was significantly increased by eucalyptus extract supplementation compared to the other treatments (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Organic matter digestibility (<em>P</em> = 0.0352), metabolizable energy (<em>P</em> = 0.0371), and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (<em>P</em> = 0.0482) were significantly higher in the eucalyptus extract and control groups compared to the thyme extract treatment. The rapidly degradable fraction of DM was significantly increased in the eucalyptus extract treatment compared to the thyme and garlic extract treatments (<em>P</em> = 0.0137). The slowly degradable fraction and effective degradability of DM at outflow rates of 0.02, 0.05, and 0.08 tended to be higher in the garlic extract group relative to the control (<em>P</em> = 0.0828). The degradation rate constant of DM was significantly higher in the eucalyptus extract treatment compared to the other experimental groups (<em>P</em> = 0.0218). None of the ruminal degradability parameters for CP were significantly affected by the experimental treatments (<em>P</em> > 0.05). The rapidly degradable fraction of NDF was significantly reduced in all plant extract treatments compared to the control group (<em>P</em> = 0.0009), while no significant differences were observed among treatments for the other ruminal degradability parameters of NDF (<em>P</em> > 0.05). Dietary supplementation with plant extracts significantly enhanced dry matter (<em>P</em> = 0.0155) and organic matter (<em>P</em> = 0.0041) digestibility compared to the control diet. The effect of treatments on crude protein digestibility showed a trend toward significance (<em>P</em> = 0.0874). Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was significantly higher in the thyme extract treatment compared to the other treatments (<em>P</em> = 0.0200). Finally, crude fat digestibility was significantly increased in all plant extract treatments compared to the control group (<em>P</em> = 0.0406).   Conclusion:  Supplementation with plant extracts distinctly modulated ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility in Zel sheep. Eucalyptus extract exhibited the most pronounced positive effects on nutrient digestibility, the rapidly degradable fraction of dry matter, and gas production parameters, whereas thyme and garlic extracts suppressed fermentation due to their strong antimicrobial activity. Despite these differences, all plant extract treatments enhanced apparent nutrient digestibility relative to the control. Overall, eucalyptus extract with sodium bicarbonate proved most effective in enhancing ruminal fermentation efficiency and maintaining pH stability in concentrate-based diets. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی افزودن سدیم بی‌کربنات دو درصد و عصاره‌های گیاهی (آویشن (<em>Thymus vulgaris</em> L.)، سیر (<em>Allium sativum</em> L.) و اکالیپتوس (<em>Eucalyptus globulus</em> Labill.)) بر فراسنجه‌های تجزیه‌پذیری شکمبه‏ای‌، تولید گاز و قابلیت هضم در گوسفندهای زل در قالب طرح کاملاً تصادفی انجام شد. تیمارهای آزمایشی شامل: 1- سدیم بی‌کربنات دو درصد (بدون عصاره)؛ 2- سدیم بی‌کربنات دو درصد به‏علاوه عصاره آویشن (400 ‌میلی‌گرم در کیلوگرم ماده خشک جیره)؛ 3) سدیم بی‌کربنات دو درصد به‏علاوه عصاره سیر (300 میلی‌گرم در کیلوگرم ماده خشک جیره) و 4- سدیم بی‌کربنات دو درصد به‏علاوه عصاره اکالیپتوس (150 میلی‌گرم در کیلوگرم ماده خشک جیره) بودند. ظرفیت تولید گاز با روش آزمایشگاهی و تعیین فراسنجه‏های تجزیه‏پذیری با روش کیسه‏های نایلونی<strong> </strong>انجام شد. برای تعیین قابلیت هضم، از روش نشانگر داخلی خاکستر نامحلول در اسید استفاده گردید. نتایج نشان داد که پتانسیل تولید گاز و گاز تولیدی در 96 ساعت در تیمار حاوی عصاره اکالیپتوس نسبت به سایر تیمارهای آزمایشی به‏طور معنی‏داری بالاتر بود. قابلیت هضم ماده آلی، انرژی قابل متابولیسم و غلظت اسیدهای چرب فرار کوتاه زنجیر در تیمار حاوی عصاره اکالیپتوس و شاهد نسبت به تیمار حاوی عصاره آویشن به‏طور معنی‏داری بیشتر بود. بخش سریع تجزیه ماده خشک در تیمار حاوی عصاره اکالیپتوس نسبت به تیمارهای حاوی عصاره آویشن و سیر به‏طور معنی‏داری افزایش یافت. قابلیت هضم ماده خشک و ماده آلی در تمامی تیمارهای حاوی عصاره گیاهی نسبت به شاهد به‏طور معنی‏داری افرایش یافت. به‏طور کلی، استفاده از عصاره اکالیپتوس به‏علاوه سدیم بی‌کربنات می‌تواند به‌عنوان گزینه‌ای مؤثرتر برای بهبود فرآیند تخمیر شکمبه و افزایش بهره‌وری غذایی مورد استفاده قرار گیرد. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_47445_6a960b6483506b697836bd6a0a6a8e6a.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Estimation of Milk Production Loss Due to Clinical Mastitis in Holstein cows in Isfahan برآورد کاهش تولید شیر ناشی از ورم پستان بالینی در گاوهای هلشتاین استان اصفهان 15 27 48333 10.22067/ijasr.2025.95386.1271 FA علیرضا غفوری گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه صنعتی اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران علی صادقی سفیدمزگی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکدگان کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه تهران، کرج، ایران ربیع رهبر گروه کشاورزی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران 0000-0001-7027-0047 Journal Article 2025 09 12 Introduction:  One of the most important and costly infectious diseases in dairy herds is mastitis, which annually imposes substantial economic losses to dairy farmers and the dairy industry. These losses include a decrease in milk production along with an increase in discarded milk, treatment costs, a decrease in the selling price of milk due to the high somatic cell count (SCC), culling of cows and a decrease in the market value. Due to the high costs caused by mastitis, in recent years, resistance to this condition has been considered as one of the major breeding objectives from economic and animal welfare aspects. Considering the impact of mastitis and the increase in somatic cell count on the decrease in milk production and the economic importance of this issue in the dairy industry, the present study aims to estimate reduction in milk production associated with clinical mastitis in Holstein dairy cows in Isfahan, Iran.<br /> <br />Materials and Methods:  The data used in this research included 233,499 records for daily milk production belonging to 16,570 dairy cows collected from three herds in Isfahan Province, Iran from 2011 to 2014 to estimate milk production loss associated with clinical mastitis. Data editing and preprocessing were performed using FoxPro version 6.0. In this research, all analyses were performed using SAS software and the PROC MIXED, PROC MEANS, and PROC UNIVARIATE. Then, based on the coefficient of determination (R²), the model that described the data variation was selected better.<br /> <br />Results and Discussion: The results of this study were presented in different sections, including the determination of the cut-off point and reduction of milk production due to clinical mastitis in two ways: field data analysis and lactation curve modeling using the incomplete gamma function. The cut-off point was estimated at 10,000 cells per milliliter of milk, which was in the range estimated in previous studies. Milk production loss for 305 days caused by the occurrence of clinical mastitis by using field data analysis first, second and third‑or‑greater parity cows, respectively. These values correspond to 1.8%, 3.4%, and 2.5% reductions in milk production. The results obtained from the incomplete gamma function output for comparing two groups of healthy and diseased cows in the first parity showed that the average milk production per month of lactation in diseased cows was 5.4%, equivalent to 54 kg less than healthy cows (952.4 in compared to 1006.4 kg). Production loss due to clinical mastitis during different months of lactation was estimated to be between 4.3% and 5.9%. The highest amount of production drop was estimated at the peak of lactation, i.e. in the third month and equal to 70.8 kg. The results for the second calving cows showed that each occurrence of clinical mastitis causes a 7.7% decrease in milk production, equivalent to 85 kg of the average month of lactation. The peak of the difference in milk production between the two groups was related to the second to fifth months of lactation. Also, the results of the comparison of two groups of healthy and diseased cows in the third and above calving periods showed that the average decrease in milk production due to the occurrence of clinical mastitis was 10.9%, equivalent to 120 kg of the average lactation month.<br /> <br />Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the amount of milk production loss over a 305‑day lactation due to clinical mastitis was estimated to be between 195 and 406 kg using field data analysis and 539 to 1202 kg per lactation using the incomplete gamma function model. It was also found that with the increase in parity, the decrease in milk production caused by clinical mastitis increases due to damage to the teat canal during life and previous lactation periods. Despite the dependence of the field data analysis method on the data structure, the incomplete gamma function is better described of the milk production curve and provides a more accurate prediction of milk production decline. The findings of this study can be used to calculate the economic loss caused by the decrease in milk production of cows affected by clinical mastitis and the decision to keep or voluntary culling them. هدف این پژوهش، برآورد میزان کاهش تولید شیر ناشی از بیماری ورم پستان بالینی در گاوهای هلشتاین استان اصفهان با تحلیل داده­های میدانی، مدل‌سازی و مقایسه منحنی شیردهی برآورد‌شده با تابع گامای ناقص برای گاوهای سالم و مبتلا بود. اطلاعات مورد استفاده در این تحقیق شامل 233,499 رکورد روز آزمون تولید شیر متعلق به 16570 رأس گاو همراه با وضعیت سلامت آن‌ها از سه گله بزرگ استان اصفهان طی سال‌های 1390 تا 1392 برای برآورد کاهش تولید شیر ناشی از ورم پستان بالینی بود. واکاوی آماری با رویه­های مدل خطی مختلط، میانگین و تک متغیره نرم‌افزار SAS انجام شد. نتایج نشان داد که مقدار کاهش تولید شیر 305 روز ناشی از وقوع ورم پستان بالینی برای گاوهای زایش اول، دوم و سوم به بالا به‌ترتیب 195، 406 و 276 کیلوگرم بود. همچنین میانگین کاهش تولید شیر ناشی از وقوع ورم پستان بالینی با استفاده از تابع گامای ناقص برای گاوهای زایش اول، دوم و سوم به بالا به­ترتیب 539، 849 و 1202 کیلوگرم میانگین کل شیردهی برآورد شد. بنابراین، با افزایش نوبت زایش گاوها، میزان کاهش تولید شیر ناشی از ورم پستان به‌دلیل آسیب‌های فیزیولوژیک مزمن و تغییرات در روند طبیعی شیردهی افزایش می‌یابد. از نتایج این تحقیق می­توان برای محاسبه زیان اقتصادی ناشی از کاهش تولید شیر گاوهای مبتلا به بیماری ورم پستان بالینی و تصمیم برای نگهداری و یا حذف اختیاری آن‌ها استفاده کرد.  https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_48333_ce1225eec668c580d0712889541626fc.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Effects of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) Essential Oil on Ruminal Fermentation Parameters, Nutrient Degradability, and Methane Production in vitro اثر اسانس آبی گیاه زوفا (Hyssopus officinalis L.) بر فراسنجه‌های تخمیری، تجزیه‌پذیری مواد مغذی و تولید متان شکمبه‌ای در شرایط برون‌تنی 29 41 47797 10.22067/ijasr.2026.96772.1282 FA محسن کاظمی گروه علوم دامی، مجتمع آموزش عالی تربت‌جام، تربت‌جام، ایران 0000-0002-7327-5860 Journal Article 2025 11 30 Introduction: The utilization of natural feed additives to modulate rumen fermentation processes and mitigate enteric methane emissions has garnered considerable attention as a sustainable nutritional strategy in ruminant production systems. Plant-derived essential oils (EOs), with their complex bioactive profiles, offer a promising alternative for shifting the rumen microbial ecosystem toward improved fermentation efficiency. Hyssop (<em>Hyssopus officinalis</em> L.), a perennial herb belonging to the <em>Lamiaceae</em> family, is widely recognized for its medicinal and aromatic properties. The essential oil extracted from this plant contains numerous biologically active components, notably pinocamphone, β-pinene, and various sesquiterpenes, which collectively exhibit potent antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. These multifaceted biological properties suggest substantial potential for optimizing rumen fermentation dynamics and improving nutrient utilization. The present study was therefore designed to systematically evaluate the effects of different inclusion levels of whole Hyssop essential oil (HEO) on <em>in vitro</em> gas production kinetics, methane emission patterns, key fermentation parameters, and microbial indices in ruminal fluid. The central hypothesis was that, due to its antimicrobial properties, HEO could establish an optimal balance between suppressing methane production and maintaining or even improving ruminal fermentation efficiency at a specific concentration. Therefore, this investigation aimed to assess the impact of HEO on ruminal methane output, volatile fatty acid profile, nutrient degradability, and microbial protein synthesis efficiency to identify its optimal dietary inclusion level. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates. Treatments included different levels of HEO (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L of culture medium). The essential oil was obtained via hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus from the aerial parts of the plant collected at full flowering. Rumen fluid was collected from three fistulated male sheep (30 ± 3.5 kg body weight) fed a diet consisting of wheat straw and concentrate. The <em>in vitro</em> gas production technique was used, and samples were incubated at 39°C for 96 hours. Gas production was measured at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Methane production was assessed at 24 hours by absorbing carbon dioxide with a 10 M NaOH solution. After 24 hours of incubation, additional fermentation and microbial parameters were evaluated. These post-incubation analyses included measurements of pH, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentration, and total protozoal count using a Neubauer chamber. Additionally, degradability of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were determined. Microbial biomass yield and microbial synthesis efficiency were calculated based on truly degraded organic matter and gas production data. Results and Discussion: The addition of HEO significantly and dose-dependently reduced <em>in vitro</em> methane production. The effect was most pronounced at the highest dose, where methane production decreased by 31% at 200 mg/L compared with the control treatment (P < 0.05). This reduction is likely attributed to the direct inhibitory effect of the HEO bioactive compounds, particularly pinocamphone, on methanogenic archaea and protozoa. Cumulative gas production decreased significantly at all incubation time points compared to the control (P<0.05). Total protozoal population declined linearly with increasing essential oil levels, showing a substantial 33% reduction at 200 mg/L compared to the control (P<0.05), highlighting the strong antiprotozoal activity of the essential oil. TVFA concentration showed a quadratic response (P<0.05), increasing up to the 100 mg/L level and then decreasing at higher doses, indicating a dual stimulatory and inhibitory effect on microbial fermentation. Notably, the 100 mg/L treatment significantly increased microbial biomass yield and microbial synthesis efficiency by 19% and 20%, respectively (P<0.05), indicating a more efficient allocation of digested nutrients to microbial biomass production. Conversely, degradability of DM, OM, and NDF decreased linearly with increasing essential oil levels (P<0.05), reflecting a general inhibitory effect on fibrolytic microbial activity at higher concentrations. Conclusion: At an inclusion level of 100 mg/L, HEO achieved a significant methane reduction (14.3%) while improving microbial protein synthesis efficiency and maintaining acceptable nutrient digestibility. This specific level of HEO may therefore serve as an effective natural strategy for enhancing the efficiency of rumen fermentation and reducing the environmental impact of ruminant production through lower methane emissions. For practical application, further <em>in vivo</em> trials are recommended to validate these promising <em>in vitro</em> findings and to determine the appropriate dietary inclusion rate. استفاده از افزودنی‌های طبیعی برای تعدیل تخمیر شکمبه و کاهش تولید متان به‌عنوان رویکردی پایدار در تغذیه نشخوارکنندگان اهمیت یافته است. اسانس گیاهی زوفا (<em>Hyssopus officinalis</em> L.) با ترکیبات زیست‌فعال خود می‌تواند اکوسیستم میکروبی شکمبه را تحت تأثیر قرار دهد. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی تأثیر سطوح مختلف اسانس گیاه کامل زوفا (۰، ۵۰، ۱۰۰، ۱۵۰ و ۲۰۰ میلی‌گرم در لیتر) بر تولید گاز و متان، فراسنجه‌های تخمیری و شاخص‌های میکروبی شکمبه­ گوسفند در شرایط برون­تنی انجام شد. نتایج نشان داد که افزودن اسانس زوفا موجب کاهش معنی‌دار تولید متان (تا ۳۱ درصد در سطح ۲۰۰ میلی‌گرم در لیتر) و تولید گاز تجمعی (میلی­لیتر) در تمام زمان‌های انکوباسیون گردید (05/0>P). جمعیت پروتوزوآی کل با افزایش سطح اسانس، کاهش خطی نشان داد و در سطح ۲۰۰ میلی‌گرم در لیتر به‌میزان ۳۳ درصد کمتر از شاهد بود (05/0>P). غلظت اسیدهای چرب فرار کل تا سطح ۱۰۰ میلی‌گرم در لیتر افزایش و سپس کاهش یافت (05/0>P). توده میکروبی تولیدی و راندمان سنتز میکروبی در سطح ۱۰۰ میلی‌گرم در لیتر به‌‌ترتیب ۱۹ و ۲۰ درصد بهبود یافت (05/0>P). به­طورکلی، سطح ۱۰۰ میلی‌گرم در لیتر به­عنوان سطح بهینه برای تعدیل فراسنجه­های تخمیر شکمبه­ای شناسایی شد، زیرا ضمن کاهش معنی‌دار تولید متان، کارآیی میکروبی را بهبود بخشیده و در عین حال قابلیت هضم مواد مغذی را حفظ نمود. این سطح می‌تواند به‌عنوان راهکاری مؤثر برای بهبود تخمیر شکمبه و کاهش انتشار متان پیشنهاد شود. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_47797_580c4496c6753715f35135749ec09bb3.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 03 21 Effects of Duration and Different Processing Methods with Urea and Molasses on in vitro Rumen Fermentation of Diets Containing Sugarcane Bagasse اثر مدت زمان و روش‌های مختلف فرآوری با اوره و ملاس بر تخمیر شکمبه‌ای جیره‌های حاوی باگاس نیشکر در شرایط برون‌تنی 43 56 48334 10.22067/ijasr.2025.94011.1250 FA نگین منتی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایران فرشید فتاح نیا گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایران سیدرضا موسوی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایران محمد شمس الهی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایران 0009-0005-5615-6113 پریسا دارات گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایران Journal Article 2025 06 10 Introduction: Ruminants, among domesticated herbivorous animals, play a major role in providing food resources and producing essential nutrients required by humans, thereby contributing to human health. Nutrition is a key factor influencing livestock performance and production efficiency, accounting for almost two-thirds of the total costs of raising domestic animals in various livestock farming units. Currently, due to the increase in livestock population and the decrease in precipitation, we are facing a decrease in the production of common food resources, and the need to provide cheap fodder resources highlights the importance of fodder resources used in livestock nutrition. Sugarcane is a perennial plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions, including Khuzestan Province. Its by‑products, such as bagasse, can be used in animal feed. Due to the presence of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, as well as the strong bonds found in woody materials like bagasse, its digestion in the digestive tract is less affected. A study is needed to investigate the processing of bagasse with urea and molasses and their interaction between the nutritional value of bagasse. One of the factors that may affect the chemical processing of bagasse is the duration of processing, which has not yet been investigated in this field. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing sugarcane bagasse (SB) treated with urea and molasses for 30 or 45 days on ruminal fermentation parameters and the in vitro degradability of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM).<br /> <br />Materials and Methods: Sugarcane bagasse (SB) samples were obtained from a sugarcane factory located in Khuzestan Province. SB samples were oven-dried, ground in a mill, and passed through a 1 mm sieve. The SB samples were mixed with 5% urea and 10% molasses solution and stored under anaerobic conditions for 30 or 45 d. Experimental diets included 1) diet containing untreated SB and stored for 30 d; 2) diet containing SB treated with 10% molasses solution and stored for 30 d; 3) diet containing SB treated with 5% urea solution and stored for 30 d; 4) diet containing SB treated with 10% molasses and 5% urea solution and stored for 30 d; 5) diet containing untreated SB and stored for 45 d; 6) diet containing SB treated with 10% molasses and stored for 45 d; 7) diet containing SB treated with 5% urea solution and stored for 45 d and 8) diet containing SB treated with 10% molasses and 5% urea solution and stored for 45 d. After 30 or 45 d, the samples were removed from the nylon bags, air-dried for 5 d, and stored until further analysis. The experimental diets were formulated using NRC (2007) software according to the nutrient requirements of ewes. Then, the chemical compositions, gas production at 24 and 96 h, DM and OM degradability, and methane gas production of the experimental diets were measured. The experiment was conducted under a 4×2 factorial randomized complete block design using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS.<br /> <br />Results and Discussion: The lowest DM and NDF contents and the highest crude protein content were observed in the diet containing bagasse treated with 10% molasses and 5% urea and ensiled for 30 or 45 d (P<0.05). Among the processing methods, treatment with 10% molasses and 5% urea solution followed by 30 or 45 d of ensiling had the greatest effect on increasing cumulative gas production at 24 and 96 h, gas production potential (A), and DM and OM degradability (<em>P</em><0.05). The lowest cumulative gas production at 96 h was observed in the untreated bagasse ensiled for 30 d (<em>P</em><0.05). The shortest lag time was found in diet containing bagasse treated with 5% urea solution and ensiled for 30 or 45 d, as well as those treated with 10% molasses and 5% urea solution and ensiled for 30 or 45 d, whereas the longest lag time belonged to the control diets (<em>P</em><0.05). Methane production, partitioning factor, and efficiency of microbial mass production were not affected by experimental diets (<em>P</em>>0.05). Urea and molasses solutions, by breaking down the structure of feed fibers, reduce the lignin content of the feed and enhance the access of rumen microorganisms to the lower layers of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose in the feed. As a result, they increase fermentation and gas production, as well as improve the degradability of DM or OM.<br /> <br />Conclusion: Overall, chemical treatments, compared to the control treatments, effectively altered the chemical composition of bagasse, increased the gas production rate, and enhanced DM and OM degradability. Among the different processing methods, treating bagasse with 10% molasses and 5% urea solution followed by 45 d of ensiling resulted in the highest gas production rate (A), and DM and OM degradability. Therefore, the combination of 10% molasses and 5% urea solution is considered a more suitable processing method for bagasse. مطالعه حاضر با هدف بررسی اثر مدت زمان و روش­های مختلف فرآوری بر تخمیر شکمبه‌ای جیره‌های حاوی باگاس نیشکر در شرایط برون‌تنی<strong> </strong>بر فرآیندهای تخمیر شکمبه‌ای و ناپدید شدن ماده خشک و ماده آلی در شرایط برون‌تنی<strong> </strong>انجام شد. نمونه‌های باگاس با محلول ملاس 10 درصد و اوره 5 درصد مخلوط و برای مدت 30 یا 45 روز در شرایط بی‌هوازی نگهداری شدند. تیمارهای آزمایشی شامل 1- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌نشده و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 روز، 2- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌نشده و سیلو‌شده به مدت 45 روز، 3- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌شده با ملاس 10 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 روز، 4- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌شده با ملاس 10 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 45 روز، 5- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌شده با محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 روز، 6- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌شده با محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 45 روز، 7- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌شده با ملاس 10 درصد و محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 روز و 8- جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌شده با ملاس 10 درصد و محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 45 روز بودند. نتایج نشان داد که کمترین درصد ماده خشک و الیاف نامحلول شوینده خنثی (NDF (Neutral detergentfiber)) و بیشترین درصد پروتئین خام مربوط به جیره دارای باگاس فرآوری‌شده با ملاس 10 درصد و محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 یا 45 روز بود. در بین روش‌های فرآوری، روش فرآوری با ملاس 10 درصد و محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 یا 45 روز بیشترین تأثیر را بر افزایش تولید گاز تجمعی 24 و 96 ساعت، پتانسیل تولید گاز (A) و ناپدید شدن ماده‌ خشک و ماده آلی داشت. کمترین نرخ تولید گاز تجمعی 96 ساعت مربوط به جیره حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌نشده و سیلوشده به مدت 30 روز بود. کمترین زمان تأخیر مربوط به جیره‌ حاوی باگاس فرآوری‌شده با محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 یا 45 روز و جیره حاوی ملاس 10 درصد و محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 30 یا 45 روز بود و در مقابل، بیشترین زمان تأخیر مربوط به جیره‌‌های شاهد بود. به‌طور‌کلی، فرآوری‌های شیمیایی در مقایسه با تیمارهای شاهد در تغییر ترکیب شیمیایی باگاس، افزایش نرخ تولید گاز و افزایش ناپدید شدن ماده خشک و ماده آلی تأثیرگذار بودند؛ و در بین روش‌های مختلف فرآوری، فرآوری باگاس با ملاس 10 درصد و محلول اوره 5 درصد و سیلو‌شده به مدت 45 روز، بیشترین تأثیر را بر افزایش نرخ تولید گاز، پتانسیل تولید گاز و ناپدید شدن ماده‌ خشک و ماده آلی باگاس داشت. بنابراین به نظر می‌رسد که ترکیب ملاس 10 درصد و محلول اوره 5 درصد برای باگاس، روش فرآوری مناسب‌تری باشد. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_48334_4a342b9eaf180eaf3c3e068570ae3854.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Effects of Time and Temperature Conditioner on Feed Pellet Quality and Growth Performance, Blood Indices and Jejenal Morphology of Broilers اثرات شرایط فرآوری دما و زمان در کاندیشنر بر کیفیت خوراک پلت، عملکرد رشد، شاخص‌های بیوشیمیایی خون و ریخت‌شناسی ژژنوم جوجه گوشتی 57 73 46887 10.22067/ijasr.2025.90881.1223 FA امیراسدالله مزروعی گروه علوم دامی ، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران سیدجواد حسینی واشان گروه علوم دامی ، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران 0000-0002-9835-7037 محسن مجتهدی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران حسین نعیمی پور یونسی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران 0000-0003-4109-9142 Journal Article 2024 12 14 Introduction: Pelleting is the most common thermal process in the poultry feed industry. Pelleting aims to compact smaller feed particles into larger ones to increase economic benefits through increased feed intake and consequently improved growth performance, safety, and health of broiler chickens. Heat, moisture, and mechanical pressure during pelleting induce chemical and physical changes that may affect feed components, bird growth, and health, from a nutritional point of view, the partial denaturation of proteins during pelleting improves their digestibility and allows easier access to proteases (Dozier, 2001). Gelatinization is the irreversible loss of the crystalline form of starch granules, which makes the surface of the starch molecule accessible to reagents, solvents and enzymes, which can then break down its glycosidic bonds and increase the digestibility of the starch (Moritz <em>et al</em>., 2005). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of feed processing conditions in conditioners on pellet quality and growth performance, immune response, and blood indices of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 480 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design. Treatments were arranged in a 2×4 factorial arrangement with four temperature levels (70, 76, 82, and 88 °C) and two conditioning time levels (45 and 65 seconds). The pellet durability index (PDI) was calculated to determine pellet quality. The diets were fed for 42 days in diets with three periods of starter (1-10 days), grower (11-24 days), and finisher (25-42 days). Growth performance involving body weight gain, and feed intake, were measured at the end of each experimental period and the feed conversion ratio was also calculated at the same. At the end of the experimental period, two birds of each replicate were slaughtered and blood samples were collected from two birds of each replicate. After centrifuging the blood at 2500 rpm, the plasma was stored at -20°C until biochemical indices until analyzing. The plasma protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDLD, and HDL, and the enzyme activity of AST and ALT were determined by the autoanalyzer spectrophotometry. At the end of the experimental period, two birds from each replicate were slaughtered, and carcass weight and other internal organs were measured. Additionally, jejunal tissue samples were also collected for morphological analysis and preserved in formalin. Results and Discussion: The results of this study showed that conditioning time and temperature did not have a significant effect on pellet quality and strength. However, performance indices were affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Pellets produced at the highest temperature had the lowest daily weight gain and higher feed conversion ratio throughout the growth, finisher, and overall rearing periods as compared to the diets pelleted at 76^oc and 65 second (P<0.001). The highest carcass efficiency (72.62) and breast relative weight (25.66) and the blood concentration of total protein (6.44) and albumin (3.7) was observed in broilers consuming diets pelleted at 82°C and 65 seconds (P<0.001) as compared to other treatments. The treatments affected the concentrations of glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (P<0.001). The concentration of blood glucose was higher in broiler fed with diets pelleted at 70^oc and 45 or 65 seconds as compared other treatments. The concentration of blood cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL was higher in broiler fed with diets pelleted at 70^oc and 65 seconds as compared other treatments. Increasing the conditioning temperature reduced the concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL and increased the concentration of AST enzyme (P<0.001). Intestinal morphological indices such as villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and absorptive surface area were also affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Broilers consuming pellets processed at 76°C and 65 seconds had the highest villus length, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and villus surface area compared to other treatments (P<0.05). The broilers fed diets pelleted at 88^oc had the lowest performance indices and higher blood lipid (P<0.05).   Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that a temperature of 76°C and time of 65 seconds improved the growth performance, and intestinal histological indices of broilers, and a temperature of 82°C and time of 65 seconds improved carcass efficiency. The diets pelleted at temperature of 88°C reduced growth performance and histological and biochemical indices of blood. Therefore, for higher growth performance and improving histological indices of the digestive tract of broilers, a temperature of 76°C and time of 65 seconds is recommended, and to improve biochemical indices of blood and carcass efficiency, a temperature of 82°C and a time of 45/65 seconds is recommended for pelleting feed for broilers. فناوری پردازش خوراک طیور شامل مراحل مختلف عملیات حرارتی از جمله اکستروژن، انبساط، کاندیشنینگ و پلت کردن است. عوامل کاندیشنینگ (دما و زمان) می‌تواند کیفیت پلت را بهبود بخشد. هدف این مطالعه، ارزیابی اثر دما و زمان کاندیشنینگ بر کیفیت پلت، عملکرد رشد، اجزاء لاشه، شاخص­های بیوشیمیایی خون و ریخت‌شناسی روده جوجه گوشتی بود. 480 قطعه جوجه گوشتی، درقالب طرح کاملاً تصادفی با آرایش فاکتوریل 2×4 با چهار سطح دما (70، 76، 82 و 88 درجه سلسیوس) دو سطح زمان کاندیشنینگ (45 و 65 ثانیه) استفاده شد. برای تعیین کیفیت پلت، از هر خوراک پلت، سه نمونه انتخاب و شاخص پایداری پلت آن­ها محاسبه شد. صفات عملکرد رشد، شاخص‌های بیوشیمیایی خون و ریخت‌شناسی ژژنوم جوجه گوشتی اندازه­گیری شدند. یافته‌های پژوهش حاضر نشان داد که دمای 76 درجه سلسیوس و زمان 65 ثانیه باعث بهبود عملکرد رشد و شاخص­های بافت‌شناسی روده، جوجه گوشتی شد و دمای 82 درجه سلسیوس و زمان 65 ثانیه، راندمان لاشه و درصد گوشت سینه را افزایش داد. افزایش دما و زمان کاندیشنینگ خوراک باعث کاهش گلوکز و کلسترول و افزایش پروتئین، آلبومین و فعالیت آنزیم آسپارتات آمینوترانسفراز در جوجه‌های گوشتی شد. دمای 88 درجه سلسیوس باعث کاهش عملکرد رشد و شاخص­های بافت‌شناسی و بیوشیمیایی خون گردید. لذا برای بهبود عملکرد رشد و شاخص­های بافت‌شناسی دستگاه گوارش جوجه­های گوشتی، دمای 76 و زمان 65 ثانیه توصیه میشود و برای ارتقای راندمان لاشه و خصوصیات بیوشیمیایی خون، دمای 82 درجه سلسیوس و 45 یا 65 ثانیه پلت نمودن خوراک جوجه­های گوشتی پیشنهاد می­شود. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_46887_bae62bddc68200ea11b5c7bacbcb1682.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Effect of Different Levels of Alfalfa Carotenoids on Yolk Color, Egg Quality, and Indicators of Oxidative Stress in Laying Hens اثر سطوح مختلف کاروتنوئید یونجه بر رنگ زرده، کیفیت تخم‌مرغ و شاخص‌های مرتبط با تنش اکسیداتیو در مرغ‌های تخم‌گذار 75 89 47567 10.22067/ijasr.2025.94640.1263 FA ثریا آیت اللهی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران حسن کرمانشاهی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران 0000-0001-6969-6286 رضا مجیدزاده هروی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران 0000-0003-1948-9734 Journal Article 2025 07 28 Introduction: Carotenoids, particularly lutein and β-carotene, are natural pigments with strong antioxidant properties, widely recognized for their role in improving yolk pigmentation and mitigating oxidative stress in poultry. The growing consumer demand for natural feed additives has prompted the exploration of plant-based sources rich in carotenoids. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a commonly cultivated forage crop, is a particularly promising source due to its high xanthophyll content, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which contribute to both pigmentation and antioxidant defense. While synthetic carotenoid products, such as Lucantin®, are widely utilized in commercial poultry production for yolk pigmentation, there is increasing interest in natural alternatives that can provide comparable efficacy while potentially enhancing consumer acceptance and sustainability. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of different inclusion levels of alfalfa carotenoid extract in comparison with commercial Lucantin® on egg quality parameters and oxidative stress indicators in laying hens.   Materials and Methods: A total of 128 laying hens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using a completely randomized design, with four replicates of eight birds per replicate. The experimental treatments were as follows: C) control diet based on corn-soybean, A20) control diet supplemented with 20 g/ton alfalfa extract, A30) control diet supplemented with 30 g/ton alfalfa extract, and L35) control diet supplemented with 35 g/ton Lucantin®. Carotenoids were extracted from fresh alfalfa through a sequential solvent extraction method using ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane at three different temperatures (25°C, 40°C, and 60°C). The extract was subsequently filtered, subjected to rotary evaporation, and saponified using 40% potassium hydroxide to remove lipids. Total carotenoid content was quantified using UV–Vis spectrophotometry according to standard lutein protocols. Egg quality traits, including shell thickness, specific gravity, yolk color (assessed using DSM YolkFan™), yolk diameter, yolk height, yolk index (ratio of yolk height to diameter), and Haugh unit, were measured at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. Plasma samples collected at week 8 were analyzed for oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation indicator, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Statistical analyses were performed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS 9.4, and differences among treatment means were evaluated by Duncan’s multiple range test. Results and Discussion: Dietary supplementation with both alfalfa carotenoid extract and Lucantin® significantly improved yolk pigmentation compared to the control group (P<0.0001), with the Lucantin®-supplemented group exhibiting the highest color index among all treatments. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, representing the extent of lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage, were significantly lower in A20 and A30 compared to the control (P=0.0233), indicating enhanced systemic antioxidant status. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT) among the treatment groups (P>0.1), upward trends were evident in the carotenoid-supplemented groups, suggesting potential improvements in enzymatic antioxidant defense. The yolk index, an important indicator of internal yolk quality reflecting the ratio of yolk height to diameter, did not differ significantly among treatments during the first two weeks of supplementation (P>0.2). However, by week six, both A30 and L35 treatments exhibited significantly higher yolk index values compared to the control and A20 groups (P=0.016), with A30 achieving the highest yolk index overall. These findings indicate that both natural alfalfa-derived carotenoids and synthetic Lucantin® can improve yolk structural integrity, likely due to the antioxidant properties of lutein and zeaxanthin, which stabilize yolk microstructure and reduce lipid oxidation. Shell thickness remained unaffected across all treatments during the experimental period (P>0.3), and specific gravity, an indicator of internal egg quality and water-to-dry matter ratio, also showed no significant differences among dietary groups (P>0.25). Similarly, yolk diameter was not significantly altered by dietary supplementation (P>0.05), indicating that carotenoid addition primarily influenced yolk pigmentation and consistency rather than gross yolk size.   Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that dietary supplementation with alfalfa-derived carotenoids at a level of 30 g/ton effectively enhances egg yolk pigmentation and supports systemic antioxidant defense in laying hens. These effects were comparable to, and in some parameters even superior to, those observed with synthetic Lucantin®. The results highlight the potential of alfalfa as a sustainable, natural alternative to synthetic carotenoids in poultry diets, providing both functional benefits in oxidative stress mitigation and improvements in egg quality traits. Incorporating alfalfa carotenoid extract into layer diets represents a promising strategy for producing high-quality eggs with enhanced consumer acceptance, supporting both health-promoting and economically viable poultry production practices. کاروتنوئیدها علاوه‌بر نقش در رنگ‌دهی فرآورده‌های دامی، به‌دلیل خواص آنتی‌اکسیدانی، جایگاه ویژه‌ای در تغذیه طیور یافته‌اند. این پژوهش با هدف مقایسه کارآیی سه حلال (اتانول، اتیل‌استات و هگزان) در استخراج کاروتنوئیدها از یونجه و ارزیابی اثر استفاده تغذیه‌ای از عصاره کاروتنوئیدی یونجه بر کیفیت تخم‌مرغ و شاخص‌های اکسیداتیو خون انجام شد. عصاره‌گیری طی ۱۲ ساعت و در دمای ۲۵، ۴۰ و ۶۰ درجه سانتی گراد انجام گرفت. ۱۲۸ قطعه مرغ تخم‌گذار ۵۹ هفتگی در قالب طرح کاملاً تصادفی با 4 تیمار، 4 تکرار و 8 پرنده در هر قفس با جیره‌های آزمایشی تغذیه شدند. تیمارها شامل جیره پایه، جیره پایه + ۲۰ گرم عصاره کاروتنوئیدی یونجه، جیره پایه + ۳۰ گرم عصاره کاروتنوئیدی یونجه و جیره پایه + ۳۵ گرم رنگدانه تجاری لوکانتین در تن خوراک بودند. نمونه‌گیری تخم‌مرغ‌ها هر دو هفته برای ارزیابی شاخص‌های کیفی و خون‌گیری در هفته هشتم جهت سنجش فراسنجه‌های تنش اکسیداتیو انجام شد. بیشترین بازده با حلال هگزان در دمای 60 درجه به ‌دست آمد. براساس روند تغییرات صفات کیفی تخم‌مرغ، جیره‌های غنی از کاروتنوئید به‌ویژه سطح 30 گرم در تن، سبب افزایش تدریجی ارتفاع و بهبود شاخص زرده گردید؛ همچنین در سطح معنی‌داری موجب افزایش شدت رنگ زرده و کاهش غلظت مالون‌دی‌آلدئید خون نسبت به گروه شاهد شد. نتایج این پژوهش نشان می‌دهد که افزودن این منبع طبیعی رنگدانه در سطح 30 گرم در تن خوراک می‌تواند به‌عنوان جایگزینی برای بخشی از رنگدانه‌های سنتتیک تجاری به‌کار گرفته شود و به‌ویژه در دوره‌های تنش گرمایی یا کاهش کیفیت رنگ زرده توصیه می‌شود. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_47567_d20dd5c593b1f4579b49ce894416989f.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Effects of Corn Grain Replacement with Triticale on Performance, Qualitative Traits of Eggs, and Some Biochemical Parameters of Blood Serum in Breeder Japanese Quail اثرات جایگزینی دانه ذرت با تریتیکاله بر عملکرد، صفات کیفی تخم و برخی فراسنجه‏های بیوشیمیایی سرم خون بلدرچین‏ ژاپنی مولد 91 104 47612 10.22067/ijasr.2025.94923.1267 FA محمد جواد آگاه بخـش تحقیقـات علـوم دامـی، مرکـز تحقیقـات و آمـوزش کشـاورزی و منابـع طبیعـی اسـتان فـارس، سـازمان تحقیقـات، آمـوزش و ترویـج کشـاورزی، شـیراز، ایـران 0000-0002-6824-0532 الناز کمی بخـش تحقیقـات علـوم دامـی، مرکـز تحقیقـات و آمـوزش کشـاورزی و منابـع طبیعـی اسـتان فـارس، سـازمان تحقیقـات، آمـوزش و ترویـج کشـاورزی، شـیراز، ایـران سید محمد رضا هاشمی بخـش تحقیقـات علـوم دامـی، مرکـز تحقیقـات و آمـوزش کشـاورزی و منابـع طبیعـی اسـتان فـارس، سـازمان تحقیقـات، آمـوزش و ترویـج کشـاورزی، شـیراز، ایـران عبدالحمید کریمی بخـش تحقیقـات علـوم دامـی، مرکـز تحقیقـات و آمـوزش کشـاورزی و منابـع طبیعـی اسـتان فـارس، سـازمان تحقیقـات، آمـوزش و ترویـج کشـاورزی، شـیراز، ایـران محمد جواد ابرقوئی بخـش تحقیقـات علـوم دامـی، مرکـز تحقیقـات و آمـوزش کشـاورزی و منابـع طبیعـی اسـتان فـارس، سـازمان تحقیقـات، آمـوزش و ترویـج کشـاورزی، شـیراز، ایـران حسین نوراللهی بخـش تحقیقـات علـوم دامـی، مرکـز تحقیقـات و آمـوزش کشـاورزی و منابـع طبیعـی اسـتان فـارس، سـازمان تحقیقـات، آمـوزش و ترویـج کشـاورزی، شـیراز، ایـران Journal Article 2025 08 14 Introduction: Cereal grains are the primary source of energy in poultry diets. Energy from cereal grains is primarily derived from highly digestible carbohydrates, with a small contribution from the fat they contain. Therefore, depending on dietary energy requirements, cereal grains constitute a substantial proportion of poultry rations and play a major role in overall feed costs. On the other hand, among cereal grains, corn is more widely used in poultry nutrition than other cereal grains due to its high energy content and digestibility. Due to human consumption and the limitations of corn cultivation in Iran, such as water supply, climatic conditions, and soil type, it seems necessary to replace corn with other feedstuffs in order to provide energy in poultry diets. One of these grains is triticale, which can be used as an alternative cereal in poultry diets. Triticale is a hybrid of wheat and rye. The combination of wheat‑like nutritional attributes and the robustness of rye make triticale adaptable to poor soils and highly tolerant to drought and cold stress. Furthermore, triticale is a suitable source of energy (3200 Kcal of metabolizable energy) and has a higher protein percentage than corn (14% compared to 9%). This makes it a suitable alternative for a major portion of corn and soybean meal in poultry diet composition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing corn grain with triticale in the diet on the performance, egg quality traits, and some biochemical parameters of blood serum in breeder Japanese quail.   Materials and Methods: A total of 288 mature breeder Japanese quails (<em>Coturnix coturnix japonica</em>) were obtained at 6 weeks of age and transferred to the research farm. The breeder quails with the same average weight (240 birds) were placed in 12 groups (3 males and 9 females) in each experimental unit (cages measuring 35×70 cm). The experimental period was 7 weeks, with the first 2 weeks dedicated to habituation and the remaining 5 weeks focused on collecting experimental data. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 12 birds in each experimental unit (3 males and 9 females). The treatments were as follows: 1) control group based on corn and soybean meal (without triticale grains), 2) replacing 25% of corn grains with triticale, 3) replacing 50% of corn grains with triticale, 4) replacing 75% of corn grains with triticale, and 5) replacing 100% of corn grains with triticale. Performance parameters, egg quality traits, hatchability, and fertility of eggs were evaluated throughout the experimental period. At the end of the experimental period (13 weeks) blood samples were taken from two birds from each experimental unit and serum lipid concentrations were measured. Results and Discussion: The results indicated that replacing corn with triticale up to 50% had no significant effects on egg production, feed conversion ratio, egg mass, or the production cost per kilogram of eggs. However, higher levels of replacement significantly reduced egg production and egg mass while increasing the cost of egg production (P < 0.01). Previous studies have reported a clear relationship between albumen content and overall egg weight. Triticale has also been reported to contain a relatively high protein level (ranging from10.5 to 14.6%). Therefore, the increase in egg weight with the progressive inclusion of triticale might be attributed to the high protein levels of triticale compared to other cereal grains. In the present study, the control group and the group with 100% replacement of corn grain by triticale showed the highest and lowest yolk color index, respectively (P < 0.01).Given the role of pigments in corn grain and the decrease in their levels in diets containing high levels of triticale, the decrease in yolk color index is expected. Replacing corn grain with triticale up to 75% did not have a significant effect on total hatchability. In the current study, replacing corn grain with different levels of triticale did not have a significant effect on serum lipid parameters of breeder quails at 13 weeks of age.   Conclusion: In the present study, replacing corn grain with triticale up to 50% did not significantly affect egg production, feed intake, egg mass, the production cost per kilogram of quail eggs, fertility, hatchability, or most egg quality parameters. Therefore, replacing triticale grain up to 50% in balanced diets of breeder quails, even without the inclusion of exogenous enzymes, is feasible and recommended. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی تأثیر جایگزینی دانه ذرت با تریتیکاله در جیره بر عملکرد، صفات کیفی تخم و برخی فراسنجه‏های بیوشیمیایی سرم خون بلدرچین‏ ژاپنی (<em>Coturnix coturnix </em>japonica) مولد از سن 7 تا 13 هفتگی انجام شد. تعداد 240 قطعه بلدرچین مولد در قالب طرح کاملاً تصادفی با پنج تیمار، چهار تکرار و 12 قطعه بلدرچین در هر تکرار (به‌ترتیب نٌه و سه قطعه پرنده ماده و نر) توزیع شدند. تیمارهای آزمایشی شامل 1- جیره شاهد برپایه دانه ذرت و کنجاله سویا ،2- جایگزینی 25 درصد دانه ذرت با دانه تریتیکاله، 3- جایگزینی 50 درصد دانه ذرت با دانه تریتیکاله، 4- جایگزینی 75 درصد دانه ذرت با دانه تریتیکاله و 5- جایگزینی 100 درصد دانه ذرت با دانه تریتیکاله (جیره برپایه دانه تریتیکاله و کنجاله سویا) بودند. نتایج نشان داد که جایگزینی دانه تریتیکاله تا 50 درصد ذرت جیره، تأثیر معنی­داری بر درصد تخم­گذاری، ضریب تبدیل غذایی، توده تخم تولیدی و هزینه یک کیلوگرم تخم بلدرچین تولیدی نداشت، امّا سطوح بالاتر جایگزینی، میزان تخم­گذاری و توده تخم تولیدی را کاهش داده و هزینه تولید تخم را افزایش داد (01/0>P). شاهد و جایگزینی 100 درصد دانه ذرت با دانه تریتیکاله به­ترتیب بیشترین و کمترین شاخص رنگ زرده را داشتند (01/0>P). جایگزینی دانه تریتیکاله تا 75 درصد ذرت جیره تأثیر معنی­داری بر درصد جوجه­درآوری کل نداشت. بنابراین جایگزینی دانه تریتیکاله تا سطح 50 درصد دانه ذرت در جیره بلدرچین­های مولد، به­دلیل نداشتن اثرات منفی بر شاخص­های کمَی و کیفی تولید تخم پیشنهاد می­شود. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_47612_1160b456c2b0d88893e20daf51f80f39.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Study of the Extra-Beneficial Effects of using Mealworm Powder in the Diet on Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Egg Production, Blood Indices and Immune Response of Laying Hens بررسی اثرات فراسودمند کاربرد پودر میلورم در جیره، بر صفات کمّی و کیفی تولید تخم‌مرغ، شاخص‌های خونی و پاسخ ایمنی مرغ‏های تخم‌گذار 105 119 47699 10.22067/ijasr.2025.94169.1254 FA منا سلامت گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده علوم دامی و صنایع غذایی، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خوزستان، ملاثانی، ایران 0000-0003-2934-0431 علی آقائی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده علوم دامی و صنایع غذایی، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خوزستان، ملاثانی، ایران 0000-0003-2934-0431 سمیه سالاری گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده علوم دامی و صنایع غذایی، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خوزستان، ملاثانی، ایران 0000-0003-2202-2633 Journal Article 2025 06 30 Introduction: The most important and widely used plant‑based protein sources in poultry nutrition are soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and canola meal. However, due to limited production and competition between humans and animals for the consumption of common protein sources, the prices of these items are increasing. Therefore, finding an alternative protein source is important (Tacon & Metian, 2008). Typically, animal‑derived protein sources contain all the essential amino acids required by poultry. Insects grow and reproduce rapidly and have a good feed conversion ratio because they are cold-blooded. They are also able to convert agricultural waste into valuable biomass with high levels of energy and protein (Collavo et al., 2005). Insects are also highly efficient protein sources, with nearly their entire biomass being edible. Mealworms are the larvae of a species of nocturnal beetle, <em>Tenebrio molitor</em>, from the family Tenebrionidae, found worldwide and are known as Mealworms because they are a pest of grains, flour, and stored food (Ramos et al., 2002). This larva is commercially reared worldwide and is available in live, canned, dried, and powdered forms as feed for pets, birds, and fish. The crude protein content of the dried powder of this larva is reported to be between 31 and 50 percent, crude fiber is 10 to 15 percent, ash is 3 to 5 percent, ether extract is 31 to 43 percent, and its gross energy is between 5890 and 6520 kcal/kg (Makkar et al., 2014). It has also been reported that the presence of chitin in these larvae, due to its prebiotic properties, can have beneficial effects on the consumer's immune system (Bovera et al., 2015). The nutritional composition of mealworms depends strongly on their developmental stage, diet, and environmental conditions (Siemianowaska et al., 2013). In general, considering the price of common protein sources and the possibility of less access to them in the future, the use of animal protein, including insects and their larvae, could be one of the proposed solutions (Huis et al., 2013). Materials and Methods: An experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different dietary levels of mealworm powder on the performance and immune response of laying hens. This experiment was conducted at the Department of Animal Husbandry of Agricultural and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks (two weeks of adaptation and 6 weeks of data collection) using 120 Leghorn laying hens of the Hy‑Line W‑80 strain, in a completely randomized design with four levels of mealworm powder (0, 1, 2, and 3%) with 4 treatments, 5 replications, and 6 chickens per replication with corn-soybean based diets. Propagation, rearing, and preparation of mealworm larvae for use in diets were carried out at Sarzamin Salamat Company. Records were taken throughout the experiment. At the end of the experiment, blood and egg samples were collected for hematological, immunological, and egg quality analyses. Results and Discussion: Chemical analysis of mealworm powder revealed 97% dry matter, 40% crude protein and 28% extract. The results showed that dietary inclusion of mealworm powder significantly improved the overall performance of laying hens compared with the control group during the experimental period. During weeks 1–2 of the experiment, performance was not affected by the experimental treatments. During weeks 3–4, feed conversion ratio decreased under the influence of mealworm consumption. During weeks 5–6, percentage production and egg mass increased under the influence of 1 and 2% mealworm consumption, and feed conversion ratio decreased with 1% mealworm consumption. Throughout the entire experimental period, chickens fed diets containing mealworm powder produced more egg mass and had better feed conversion ratios compared to the control group. The egg production efficiency index increased significantly with the inclusion of mealworm powder in the diet. Chickens fed with 1% of mealworm powder significantly reduced LDL levels compared to other groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity increased significantly with increasing mealworm powder levels. Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and aminotransferase enzyme were not affected by the experimental treatments. The highest secondary antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was observed in the groups fed diets containing mealworm powder. Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate that dietary supplementation with 1% mealworm powder effectively improves feed conversion ratio, enhances the egg production efficiency index (EPEI), and positively influences egg quality, hematological parameters, and immune response in laying hens. پژوهش حاضر به‏منظور بررسی سطوح مختلف پودر میلورم بر عملکرد و پاسخ ایمنی مرغ‌های تخم‌گذار انجام شد. این آزمایش به مدت هشت هفته با استفاده از 120 قطعه مرغ تخم‌گذار لگهورن سویه‌‌‌های-­لاین (W-80)، در قالب طرح کاملاً تصادفی با چهار سطح پودر میلورم (صفر، یک، دو و سه درصد) با چهار تیمار، پنج تکرار و شش قطعه مرغ در هر تکرار اجرا گردید. جیره­ها برپایه ذرت-کنجاله سویا و با انرژی و پروتئین مشابه تهیه شد. نتایج نشان داد که استفاده از سطوح مختلف پودر میلورم باعث بهبود عملکرد مرغ‌های تخم‌گذار نسبت به شاهد شد. به‌طوری‌که مرغ‌های تغذیه‌شده با تیمار حاوی پودر میلورم نسبت به شاهد میزان توده تخم‏مرغ را افزایش داده و ضریب تبدیل غذایی را بهبود بخشید. شاخص­ کیفی زرده تخم‏مرغ به‏طور معنی‏داری تحت تأثیر تیمارهای آزمایشی قرار گرفت، گروه‏های تغذیه‌شده با یک و سه درصد پودر میلورم نسبت به سایر تیمارها دارای بیشترین درصد زرده بودند. در سرم خون مرغ‌های تغذیه‌شده با سطح یک درصد پودر میلورم نسبت به سایر گروه‏ها، میزان LDL به‏طور معنی‏داری کاهش یافت. سطح آلانین آمینو ترانسفراز با افزایش سطح پودر میلورم به‏طور معنی‏داری افزایش یافت. بالاترین عیار پادتن ثانویه علیه گلبول‏های قرمز گوسفندی در گروه‏های تغذیه‌شده با پودر میلورم مشاهده شد. به­طورکلی نتایج مطالعه حاضر نشان داد که استفاده از سطح یک درصد پودر میلورم علاوه‌بر بهبود ضریب تبدیل خوراک و شاخص بهره­وری تولید تخم­مرغ، صفات کیفی تخم‏مرغ، صفات خونی و پاسخ ایمنی را بهبود بخشید. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_47699_a83ba92c936f454cd9f11ef686461365.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Phylogeny Analysis and Determination of Haplogroups of Different Sheep Breeds Based on the Complete Mitochondrial Genome تجزیه فیلوژنی و تعیین هاپلوگروه نژادهای مختلف گوسفند براساس ژنوم کامل میتوکندریایی 121 135 47732 10.22067/ijasr.2025.95040.1268 FA فرشته احسانی فر گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه زابل، زابل، ایران 0009-0008-9227-221X غلامرضا داشاب گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه زابل، زابل، ایران 0000-0003-2227-542X حسین بزی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه زابل، زابل، ایران 0000-0001-6993-183X Journal Article 2025 08 21 Introduction: Domestic sheep (Ovis aries), one of the earliest domesticated animal species, have played a major role in human nutrition and clothing and have expanded to nearly all regions of the world through human migrations. The genetic diversity of domestic sheep is crucial for understanding their domestication history and evolutionary relationships. This study was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic structure, with particular emphasis on indigenous Iranian breeds.   Materials and Methods: In the present study, a total of 933 mitochondrial genome nucleotide sequences of domestic sheep, representing 202 breeds from 49 countries, were retrieved from the NCBI Genome Database. The dataset was classified into 14 geographical regions. The sequences were aligned using MAFFT v7.526 on the Galaxy v25.0.2 platform with the FFT-NS-2 algorithm. Nucleotide composition, genetic distance, and the number of transition and transversion mutations were calculated using MEGA12 software. Genetic diversity parameters, including nucleotide diversity (π), mean number of nucleotide differences (k), number of haplotypes, polymorphic sites, and total number of mutations, were estimated using DnaSP 6. A phylogenetic tree for the entire dataset was constructed in MEGA12 using the Neighbor-Joining algorithm, the resulting tree was visualized using iTOL v7.Molecular variance analysis was performed using Arlequin 3.5.Neutrality tests to assess nucleotide diversity deviations from the neutral evolution hypothesis and to detect signatures of natural selection (Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs) were conducted in DnaSP 6. The obtained haplotypes were matched against the reference genome in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) using BLAST. Haplotype networks for Iranian breeds were constructed using PopART1.7, while NETWORK 4.1was used for the entire dataset.   Results and Discussion: The results revealed significant haplotype diversity across different regions and Iranian breeds, highlighting patterns of genetic differentiation within and between populations. The mean nucleotide composition indicated an AT-rich sequence. The level of conserved sequences across all samples was 0.861. A total of 686 haplotypes were identified globally, including 57 haplotypes in Iran. The haplotype network, with over 500 unique haplotypes and the predominance of haplogroup B in Europe and Africa, haplogroup A in Asia, confirmed the Fertile Crescent origin and global dispersal. Haplogroup B, with a frequency of 528, was the most prevalent across geographical regions, while haplogroup D, with only 3 occurrences, was the least frequent. The highest haplogroup diversity was observed in geographical regions 2, 3, and 5 (West Asia, Central Asia and East Asia). Haplogroup E was detected in Georgia, China, Afghanistan, and Palestine, while haplogroup D was observed in Turkey and Georgia. Haplogroups A and B were present in all geographical regions. In Iran, the frequencies of haplogroups were 52% for A, 30% for B, and 18% for C. Out of 72 samples, 57 haplotypes were identified, of which 80% were unique. Mitochondrial genome sequences from Iranian local breeds exhibited haplogroups A, B, and C. Haplogroups A and B were observed in Moghani and Maku breeds, A and C in Baluchi and Shirazi Gray breeds, A in Shal breed, and A, B, and C in Afshari and Qaregol breeds. Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs statistics were negative in 13 geographical regions, indicating population expansion, particularly in regions with ancient domestication histories. The phylogenetic tree revealed evolutionary relationships between Iranian breeds and global populations. Most studied breeds clustered in closely related branches, suggesting gene flow between different geographical regions and historical admixture. Asian populations exhibited higher haplotype diversity compared to European populations. Molecular variance analysis revealed that the majority of genetic variance (71.53%) occurred within populations, indicating high genetic diversity at the local level. However, 23.68% of the variation was observed among four continental groups, reflecting significant genetic differentiation across continents (Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America). The high statistical significance of these indices confirms the presence of a robust genetic structure and significant differentiation between continents and populations, likely reflecting the influence of geographical, historical, or ecological factors on genetic dispersal.   Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the mitochondrial genetic diversity of domestic sheep has been shaped by the intertwined processes of domestication, human migrations, and subsequent gene flow. A significant genetic structure was observed among geographical regions, with high local diversity primarily attributed to within-population differences. Haplogroup patterns, particularly the predominance of haplogroup B and the geographical distribution of haplogroups A and C, indicate rapid expansion following domestication and the influence of ancient trade routes. These findings underscore the importance of conserving high genetic diversity, particularly in regions like Iran with unexplored genetic potential, and highlight the need for more advanced genomic studies. To preserve the genetic diversity of domestic sheep and sustainably utilize their genetic potential, conservation strategies focused on local populations with high diversity, especially in regions like Iran, should be designed and implemented. تنوع ژنتیکی گوسفندان اهلی (<em>Ovis aries</em>) نقش مهمی در درک تاریخچه اهلی­سازی و روابط تکاملی آن‌ها دارد. هدف این مطالعه، بررسی تنوع ژنتیکی و ساختار فیلوژنی، توالی‌های کامل میتوکندریایی ۹۳۳ نمونه از 49 کشور جهان، با تأکید ویژه بر نژادهای بومی ایران بود. هم‌ترازی و رسم درخت فیلوژنی به‌روش اتصال-همسایگی به‌وسیله نرم‌افزار MEGA12 انجام شد. تنوع نوکلئوتیدی، هاپلوئیدی و جایگاه­های چند­شکلی و انواع جهش­ها توسط نرم­افزار DNAsp نسخه 6 و تجزیه واریانس مولکولی به‌وسیله  ARLIQUIN3.5محاسبه گردید. برای رسم شبکه هاپلوگروهی از popART1.7 وNETWORK4.163  استفاده شد. داده‌ها از طریق شناسایی هاپلوتیپ‌ها، ترسیم شبکه‌های هاپلوتیپی، تحلیل‌های آماری (تاجیما D،Fu’s F و AMOVA) و ساخت درخت فیلوژنی بررسی گردید. میزان توالی حفاظت‌شده در کل 861/0 بود. تعداد 686 هاپلوتیپ در کل (بیش از 500 هاپلوتیپ منحصربه‌فرد) و 57 هاپلوتیپ در ایران شناسایی شدند. غلبۀ هاپلوگروه A در آسیا و B در اروپا منشأ هلال حاصلخیز و پراکندگی جهانی را تأیید کرد. تجزیه واریانس مولکولی 68/23 درصد از تنوع بین قاره‌ها، 79/4 درصد بین جمعیت‌ها در قاره‌ها و 53/71 درصد درون جمیت‌ها را نشان داد. نژادهای ایرانی در هاپلوگروه­های A، B و C گروه‌بندی شدند. آماره‌های تاجیما D و Fu’s F در 13منطقه جغرافیایی منفی به دست آمد که گسترش جمعیتی را به‌ویژه در مناطق با تاریخچه اهلی‌سازی باستانی نشان داد. جمعیت‌های آسیایی تنوع هاپلوتیپی بالاتری نسبت به جمعیت‌های اروپایی داشتند. این یافته‌ها نقش اهلی‌سازی، مهاجرت و انتخاب را در شکل‌دهی تنوع ژنتیکی گوسفندان روشن کرده و بر اهمیت حفاظت از تنوع و مطالعات ژنومی تکمیلی تأکید دارد. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_47732_59c9d333e920861c96299a5d6ecb3ecb.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Transcriptomic Analysis of Broiler Chicken Liver in Response to LPS with Emphasis on Endogenous Anti-inflammatory Peptides تحلیل ترنسکریپتومی کبد مرغ گوشتی در پاسخ به LPS با تأکید بر پپتیدهای ضدالتهابی درون‌تنی 137 149 48335 10.22067/ijasr.2025.94631.1264 FA مریم مشیری گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران 0009-0007-6138-1539 مجتبی طهمورث پور گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران 0000-0002-5443-7529 محمدهادی سخاوتی گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران 0000-0001-8091-3798 Journal Article 2025 08 18 Introduction: The growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the poultry industry has created a critical demand for safe, effective, and natural alternatives to conventional antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of the innate immune system, functioning as the first line of defense against invading pathogens. These molecules possess broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while also modulating immune responses. Consequently, they are considered promising alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production. Understanding the transcriptional regulation of AMPs in response to immune challenges is essential for evaluating their potential application. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls, is widely used as an immune stimulant because it activates inflammatory pathways via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Studying LPS-induced immune responses provides valuable insights into host defense mechanisms even in the absence of active infection. This study aimed to investigate the transcriptomic response of the liver of broiler chickens (<em>Gallus gallus</em>) to LPS stimulation, with a particular focus on the expression of AMP-related genes. By identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enriched pathways, and regulatory factors, we sought to provide a comprehensive overview of how AMPs are transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally modulated under inflammatory stress.   Materials and Methods: RNA-seq data were obtained from an experiment in which broiler chickens were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg/kg of LPS derived from <em>Escherichia coli</em>. Control animals received no treatment. Liver samples were collected 24 h post-injection to capture acute immune responses. Total RNA was extracted and sequenced using Illumina sequencing platform, producing high-quality paired-end reads. The raw reads underwent quality control (QC) steps to remove low-quality bases and adapters. Clean reads were then aligned to the <em>Gallus gallus</em> reference genome (version Galgal7) to ensure accurate transcript alignment. Gene expression levels were quantified, and differential expression analysis was performed between LPS-treated and control groups. DEGs were identified using adjusted p-values and |log2 fold change| thresholds. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted using Gene Ontology (GO) categories and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Additionally, transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) predicted to regulate DEGs were analyzed to reveal upstream and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.     Results and Discussion: Transcriptomic profiling revealed a total of 2,949 DEGs in broiler chicken liver following LPS stimulation, including 1,552 upregulated and 1,397 downregulated genes. This extensive transcriptional reprogramming highlights the strong impact of LPS on the hepatic immune landscape. Among the most notable findings was the upregulation of AMP‑related genes such as <em>AvBD13</em>, <em>AvBD9</em>, <em>AvBD8</em>, and <em>CATH3</em>. These peptides, belonging to the avian β-defensin and cathelicidin families, are crucial for direct antimicrobial defense and immune modulation. Their induction demonstrates that LPS alone, without the presence of live pathogens, is sufficient to trigger innate host defense responses. Enrichment analyses identified several innate immune signaling pathways as significantly enriched, including the Toll-like receptor (TLR), NOD-like receptor (NLR), and MAPK signaling cascades. These pathways are central to pathogen recognition and cytokine-mediated immune responses. Activation of the TLR4 pathway reflects canonical LPS sensing by hepatocytes and immune cells in the liver. Further investigation revealed that transcription factors such as <em>IRF1</em>, <em>NF-κB</em>, and <em>ICSBP</em> play central roles in orchestrating this immune response. These TFs regulate downstream AMP expression and cytokine production, thereby bridging pathogen recognition with effector functions. In parallel, miRNAs, including <em>gga-miR-130a-3p</em> and <em>gga-miR-16-5p</em>, were predicted to modulate post-transcriptional regulation of immune-related genes. This highlights the layered regulatory mechanisms by which chickens fine-tune their immune responses. The observed transcriptomic signature of LPS-stimulated livers closely resembles the immune activation patterns associated with necrotic enteritis, a major poultry disease caused by <em>Clostridium perfringens</em>. This suggests that the LPS model is a valuable experimental system to study inflammatory responses relevant to disease conditions, even in the absence of infection. Importantly, the activation of AMPs under these conditions reinforces their potential as natural alternatives to antibiotics for maintaining poultry health and reducing reliance on conventional antimicrobials.   Conclusion: This study demonstrates that intraperitoneal LPS challenge induces extensive transcriptional reprogramming in the liver of broiler chickens. AMP‑related genes, including <em>AvBD13</em>, <em>AvBD9</em>, <em>AvBD8</em>, and <em>CATH3</em>, were significantly upregulated, reflecting their role in innate immune defense. Key signaling pathways such as TLR, NLR, and MAPK were activated, with transcription factors IRF1, NF-κB, and ICSBP identified as master regulators. Moreover, miRNAs such as <em>gga-miR-130a-3p</em> <em>and gga-miR-16-5p</em> were implicated in fine-tuning these immune responses. Together, these results underscore the importance of AMPs in poultry immunity and highlight LPS stimulation as an effective experimental model for studying host defense mechanisms. The findings provide valuable insights for the development of AMP‑based strategies as sustainable alternatives to antibiotics in the poultry industry. با توجه به گسترش مقاومت آنتی‌بیوتیکی در صنعت طیور، شناسایی راهکارهای ایمن، مؤثر و طبیعی برای مقابله با بیماری‌های عفونی ضروری است. پپتیدهای ضدمیکروبی (AMPs) از مهم‌ترین اجزای ایمنی ذاتی محسوب می‌شوند که می‌توانند جایگزین بالقوه‌ای برای آنتی‌بیوتیک‌ها باشند. درک نحوه تنظیم بیان این پپتیدها در مواجهه با عوامل التهابی در سطح ترنسکریپتومی اهمیت بالایی دارد. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی تأثیر تحریک ایمنی القاشده توسط لیپوپلی‌ساکارید (LPS) بر بیان ژن‌های مرتبط با پپتیدهای دفاعی درون‌تنی در بافت کبد مرغ گوشتی انجام شد. داده‌های RNA-seq از مطالعه‌ای استخراج شد که در آن جوجه‌ها با دوز یک میلی‌گرم در کیلوگرم LPS گرفته‌شده از  <em>E. coli</em>به‌صورت درون‌صفاقی تیمار و 24 ساعت بعد نمونه‌گیری شدند. پس از توالی‌یابی با پلتفرم Illumina و نگاشت به ژنوم مرجع <em>Gallus gallus</em><em> </em>نسخه (Galgal6)، ۲۹۴۹ ژن با بیان متمایز (۱۵۵۲ افزایش و ۱۳۹۷ کاهش) شناسایی گردید. ژن‌های کلیدی مانند <em>AvBD13</em>، <em>AvBD9</em>،<em> AvBd8 </em><em>و</em>  <em>CATH3</em>افزایش بیان داشتند. مسیرهای ایمنی ذاتی شامل TLR، NOD-like و MAPK فعال شدند. فاکتورهای رونویسی <em>IRF1</em>، <em>NF-κB</em> و <em>ICSBP</em> تنظیم‌کننده‌های اصلی این پاسخ بودند. همچنین miRNAهای<em>gga-miR-130a-3p</em>  و <em>gga-miR-16-5p</em> در تنظیم پسارونویسی این ژن‌ها نقش داشتند. نتایج نشان می‌دهند که LPS بدون حضور بیمارگر خاص موجب فعال‌سازی پاسخ ایمنی مشابه نکروتیک انتریت شده و مدلی کاربردی برای غربالگری راهکارهای جایگزین آنتی‌بیوتیکی در صنعت طیور فراهم می‌سازد. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_48335_44895ba66f4c02432a9ea77523364819.pdf

دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد پژوهشهای علوم دامی ایران 2008-3106 18 1 2026 04 04 Comparison of Colonies Performance of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Housed in Open-Bottom and Closed-Bottom Langstroth Wooden Hives مقایسه عملکرد کلنی‌های زنبورعسل (Apis mellifera L.) نگهداری‌شده در کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف باز و کف بسته 151 168 48336 10.22067/ijasr.2026.96981.1285 FA عطااله رحیمی بخش تحقیقات علوم دامی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی کردستان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، سنندج، ایران 0000-0002-4298-7304 بابک رخزاد بخش تحقیقات علوم دامی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی کردستان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، سنندج، ایران حمیدرضا بهمنی بخش تحقیقات علوم دامی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی کردستان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، سنندج، ایران صالح صالحی بخش تحقیقات علوم دامی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی کردستان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، سنندج، ایران بهارک محمدیان بخش تحقیقات علوم دامی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی کردستان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، سنندج، ایران Journal Article 2025 12 14 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Many flowering plants rely on honey bees (<em>Apis mellifera</em> L.) for pollination. Any human or natural factor that threatens the survival of a honey bee colony can have a major impact on plant production. Various threats and factors affect honey bee colonies and beekeeping success, including genotype, internal hive factors (such as the queen, bee pests and diseases), and external hive factors (such as hive type, weather conditions, temperature, humidity, etc.). One of the factors that has a great impact on the success of beekeeping and increasing the performance of honey bee colonies is the type of hive. Open-bottom hives have been used in European countries including Germany for decades, but the use of open-bottom hives in Iran is new. There is not much information available to beekeepers about the use of open-bottom hives in Iran. For this reason, beekeepers do not routinely use these hives. The limited number of beekeepers who use these hives are always concerned about hive losses, especially during the cold seasons. Few studies have been conducted in Iran on the type of hive, especially open-bottom and closed-bottom wooden Langstroth hives, hives made of different materials, and the effect of hive type on the performance of honeybee colonies. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the performance of honey bee colonies (<em>Apis mellifera</em> L.) housed in open-bottom and closed-bottom Langstroth wooden hives in the climatic conditions of Kurdistan province, Iran during 2019-2021.   <strong>Material and Methods:</strong> The present study was conducted in a completely randomized design with two treatments (the first treatment was open-bottomed Langstroth wooden hives, and the second treatment was closed-bottomed Langstroth wooden hives) and seven replications. In May 2019, a colony with a modified Iranian honey bee (<em>Apis mellifera</em> <em>meda</em>) queen was purchased from the Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, and 20 sister queens were raised from this hive in the climatic conditions of Sanandaj county, Kurdistan province. At the same time, seven open-bottomed Langstroth wooden colonies and seven closed-bottomed Langstroth wooden colonies were prepared for the introduction of reared queens. Four frames of bees (preferably frames containing larvae and pupae) were transferred from the supporting colonies into open and closed-bottom hives for the implementation of the project four days before the birth of virgin queens. Then, the hives were placed one meter apart inside the Gerizeh Research Station of the Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. One day before the queens were born, queen cells were removed from the studied hives, and then virgin queens were simultaneously introduced into open-bottom and closed-bottom hives. After 10 days and observing egg laying to ensure successful mating of the queens, the hives were simultaneously homogenized in terms of population (adults and brood) according to the instructions of Delaplane et al. (2013). The colonies were maintained in the pastures of the Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center until the following year, and then the studied traits were measured. In the present study, honey production, pollen collection, brood population, adult population, overwintering ability, and Varroa mite infestation traits were investigated in the studied colonies. In the present study, temperature and humidity inside the colonies were also measured during the project implementation.   <strong>Results and Discussion: </strong>The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of treatment on the studied traits was significant (<em>p</em><0.01) in the present study. The results of comparing the means based on Tukey's method at a probability level of 1% showed that the highest mean of honey production, pollen collection, overwintering performance, brood population, and adult population were related to open-bottomed Langstroth wooden hives, and the lowest of these traits were related to closed-bottomed Langstroth wooden hives. Also, the highest average Varroa mite infestation with an average of 165 mites was associated with closed-bottom Langstroth wooden hives, and the lowest with an average of 105 mites was associated with open-bottom Langstroth wooden hives.   <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings show that the open-bottomed Langstroth wooden hives performed better than closed-bottomed Langstroth wooden colonies in terms of the traits studied in the present study. Therefore, considering the significant superiority of all studied traits in open-bottom Langstroth wooden hives, the use of open-bottom Langstroth wooden hives can be recommended to improve the functional traits of colonies and increase the productivity of apiaries in the climatic conditions of Kurdistan province and other neighboring provinces with similar climatic conditions. پژوهش حاضر در قالب طرح کاملاً تصادفی با دو تیمار و هفت تکرار با هدف مقایسه عملکرد کلنی­های­ زنبورعسل (<em>Apis mellifera</em> L.)<strong> </strong>نگهداری‌شده در کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف باز و کف بسته طی سال­های 1398 تا 1400 انجام شد. تیمارها شامل کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف باز و کف بسته بودند. در سال اول مطالعه (1398)، کلنی­های آزمایشی از لحاظ سن ملکه و جمعیت (نوزادان و زنبورهای بالغ) مورد همسان­سازی قرار گرفتند. در مطالعه حاضر، صفاتی از قبیل تولید عسل، جمع‌آوری گرده، جمعیت نوزادان، جمعیت زنبورهای بالغ، آلودگی به کنه واروآ و توان زمستان‌گذرانی کلنی­های زنبورعسل مورد اندازه­گیری قرار گرفت. نتایج تجزیه واریانس نشان داد که اثر تیمار بر صفات مورد مطالعه معنی­دار بود (01/0< <em>p</em>). نتایج مقایسه میانگین­ها نشان داد که بیشترین میانگین صفات تولید عسل (3/18 کیلوگرم)، جمع‌آوری گرده (68/175 گرم)، جمعیت نوزادان (5/12 قاب)، جمعیت زنبورهای بالغ (5/8 قاب) و توان زمستان‌گذرانی (68/0) مربوط به کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف باز و کمترین میانگین این صفات مربوط به کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف بسته بود. همچنین، بیشترین میانگین آلودگی به کنه واروآ با میانگین 165 کنه مربوط به کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف بسته و کمترین آن با میانگین 105 کنه مربوط به کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف باز بود. با عنایت به برتری معنی­دار همه صفات مورد مطالعه در کندوهای چوبی لانگستروت کف باز در مطالعه حاضر می­توان استفاده از این کندوها را برای بهبود صفات عملکردی کلنی­های زنبورعسل و افزایش بازده اقتصادی زنبورستان­ها­ در شرایط اقلیمی استان کردستان و سایر استان­های همجوار با شرایط آب و هوایی مشابه توصیه کرد. https://ijasr.um.ac.ir/article_48336_e4cf79ce27758bc7dd4090fa734e2a35.pdf