Effects of partial replacement of fish meal with Spirulina platensis meal in practical diets on growth,survival, body composition,and reproductive performance of three-spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) (Pallas, 1770)

This study investigated the effects of fish meal replacement by Spirulina platensis meal on growth, survival, body biochemical composition, and reproductive performance of Trichopodus trichopterus until the first spawning for 16 weeks. The fish fed dietary algal meal at levels of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 % against those received fish meal only as control. The results showed that indicators such as belly diameter, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and viscerosomatic index were significantly different between treatments with 5 and 10 % algal replacements (P < 0.05). The growth factors including final weight, weight gain, total length, fork length, and body height of fish did not show significant differences (P > 0.05) between the treatments. Feed intake increased up to 10 % replacement level and then decreased, though the best FCR values (0.77–0.79) were obtained with 2.5 and 5 % substitutions. The body lipid content showed a statistically marked decrease (P < 0.05) as a result of the algal replacements, but the amounts of protein and moisture were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between treatments. All fish fed S. platensis meal had greater gonadosomatic indices (19.4–21.85 %) than that of the control in spite of insignificant differences (P > 0.05) in their ovary weights (2.07–2.21 g). Absolute fecundity ranged between 7300 and 12,700 eggs/female with the highest amount in fish fed with replaced S. platensis levels of 2.5–10 %. The second-order polynomial regression analysis between absolute fecundity and substitution levels of algal meal was y = ?0.5319x ² + 106.87x + 7812.9 (R ² = 0.9642), and the optimal substitution level was determined to be 8.13 % for maximum absolute fecundity. Hatching percentages in the control and 20 % replacement were much lower (P < 0.05) than those in the other treatments (78–86 %). Given the relative enhancement of growth parameters and significant improvement in reproductive performance of broodstock three-spot gourami, 8.1–9.6 % S. platensis meal instead of fish meal is recommended in the diets.     

Effects of in ovo injection of chrysin,quercetin and ascorbic acid on hatchability,somatic attributes,hepatic oxidative status and early post‐hatch performance of broiler chicks

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection of chrysin, quercetin and ascorbic acid on hatchability, somatic attributes, hepatic antioxidant status and early post‐hatch growth performance of broiler chicks. Four hundred and eighty embryonated broiler breeder eggs containing live 18‐day‐old embryos were divided into six groups of 80 eggs each. One group remained intact and served as a control group (i), whereas the other five groups were injected with the prepared injection solutions as follows: (ii) 0.05 ml distilled water; (iii) 0.05 ml distilled water containing 6 mg ascorbic acid; (iv) 0.05 ml dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); (v) 0.05 ml DMSO containing 4.5 mg quercetin; and (vi) 0.05 ml DMSO containing 4.5 mg chrysin. The hatchability rate, hatching weight, residual yolk sac weight, yolk sac‐free body weight, liver weight, hepatic glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities, as well as malondialdehyde concentrations, were not affected by the injected solutions. There were no differences between chicks hatched from the control and in ovo injected eggs in weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio from 0 to 11 days of age. However, the specific contrast performed between the in ovo injected groups and intact eggs revealed that in ovo injection significantly increased hatchability rate (p = .0493). This finding also implies that our injection procedure was harmless. In conclusion, the intra‐egg injection of chrysin, quercetin or ascorbic acid at the injection rates used in this study did not have a significant effect on hatchability, somatic characteristics, early growth performance and hepatic antioxidant status of broiler chicks. However, the overall hatchability was higher in the in ovo injected eggs as compared to non‐injected ones. These findings also confirmed the harmlessness of the procedure developed for in ovo injection in this study.     

Effects of dietary supplemental methionine source and betaine replacement on the growth performance and activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes in normal and heat‐stressed broiler chickens

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplemental methionine (Met) source and betaine (Bet) replacement for Met on performance and activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes (MRCEs) in normal and heat‐stressed broiler chickens. Total of 1,200‐day‐old Ross 308 chicks were allocated to two houses, each consisted of 12 treatments, five replicates of 10 birds each with 2 × 2×3 × 2 (temperature × Met source × Met level × Bet, respectively) split‐plot factorial arrangement. Met level in the basal diets was 70% requirements (Req) that was increased to the requirement or 130% by supplemental dl ‐ or l ‐Met. Bet was or was not substituted at the rate of 30% supplemental dl ‐ or l ‐Met. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in chicks fed 70% l ‐Met was lower than those fed 70% dl ‐Met diet during 1–10 days (p = 0.04). Broilers fed diets containing requirement or 130% Met, regardless of its source, showed higher weight gain (WG) than those received 70% Met diet during 11–42 days (p < 0.001). Feed intake (FI) of broilers fed 130% Met diet was decreased compared to other two groups during 11–42 days (p < 0.05). One hundred thirty percent Met requirement diet resulted in lower FCR comparing to other two groups during 11–42 days (p < 0.001). Heat‐stressed birds grew less than those under normal condition (p < 0.05). Broilers fed Req Met diet under normal temperature exhibited higher activities of complexes (Cox) I and III (p < 0.05). Cox I activity in heat‐stressed birds fed Bet + diet was similar to those fed Bet‐diet under normal temperature (p = 0.046). It is concluded that performance and the activities of Cox I and III were increased as the level of Met increased. Bet replacement for 30% supplemental Met resulted in similar consequences comparing to non‐Bet replacement diets on performance, but increased the activity of Cox III. l ‐Met was effective than dl ‐Met at the cellular level. High ambient temperature depressed performance and MRCE activity.     

The effects of dietary 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera root on bone mineralisation,strength and histological characteristics in broiler chickens

1. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1, 25 (OH)₂ D₃) and a hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) root on performance, mineral retention, bone mineralisation, bone mechanical and bone histological characteristics of broiler chicks.

2. A 2 × 3 × 2 factorial experiment consisted of a positive control diet with adequate Ca and a negative control diet (Ca concentration reduced by 30%), three concentrations of WS (0, 75 and 150 mg/kg diet), and two concentrations of 1, 25 (OH)₂ D₃ (0 and 0.5 μg/kg diet).

3. A total of 600 male one-d-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 60 floor pens, with 10 birds each. Each treatment was replicated 5 times (50 birds). Diets were given ad libitum from one to 42 d of age. On d 21 and 42, one bird per replicate was killed and tibiae were removed.

4. Dietary treatments did not affect feed intake and feed conversion. The maximum body weight gain (2475 g) was noted in birds fed on a diet adequate in Ca and supplemented with 75 mg/kg WS.

5. The Ca and P retentions were significantly higher in birds that were given a diet with 30% less Ca. Supplementation of 150 mg/kg WS significantly improved Ca retention in birds receiving a negative control compared to those given a positive control diet (83.0% vs. 66.3%). Ca retention was significantly improved with the addition of 0.5 μg/kg 1, 25 (OH)₂ D₃ to the diet containing 75 mg/kg WS, regardless of dietary Ca concentration (79.5 vs. 73.3 and 77.9 vs. 68.9).

6. On d 21, birds that received WS had significantly higher tibia Ca compared to those of controls. No significant effects on tibia Ca were noted at 42 d. Birds given a negative control diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg WS and 0.5 μg/kg 1, 25 (OH)₂ D₃ displayed a similar tibia Ca compared to those given only 150 mg/kg WS. Dietary supplementation of 1, 25 (OH)₂ D₃ significantly increased tibia Ca and tibial mineralised zone width in birds at 42 d of age.

7. Tibia shear force and stiffness were significantly increased by supplementation of WS. Administration of 1, 25 (OH)₂ D₃ resulted in a significantly lower width of the proliferative zone at 21 d of age. Reduction of the Ca supply significantly reduced the mineralised zone and cortical thickness at this age.

8. The present study showed that WS supplementation improved Ca retention, bone calcification and mechanical properties with no adverse effects on performance. Also, synergistic effects of WS and 1, 25 (OH)₂ D₃ were observed on Ca retention and bone calcification.     

Effect of morphological traits of plant, head and seed of sunflower hybrids on house sparrow damage rate

Birds are important key pests of sunflower crops in many countries. In this study, 615 heads and 5429 seeds of 31 sunflower hybrids (single cross, three-way cross and introduced hybrids) were randomly selected and rates of bird damage were estimated at the Plant Breeding Research Institute of Karaj during the summer of 2004-2005. The Spearman correlation test showed a significant relationship between bird damage rate and some plant characteristics such as height of plant head above the ground (r = 0.100), inter-head distance or distance of heads from stems (r = −0.195), distance of petiole (nearest leaf) from head (cm) (r = −0.113), head diameter (r = −0.213), head angle to the horizon (r = 0.217) and seed density in sunflower heads (r = 0.320) (p < 0.01), but there was no significant correlation between bract length (r = 0.047), the sterile area to head surface ratio (r = −0.020), achene length (r = 0.267) and hull thickness (r = −0.002) and the rate of bird damage (p > 0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test showed significant differences of bird damage rate to hybrid plants, for head shapes, bract orientation in relation to the head surface and achene colors (p < 0.01) but no significant for stem hanging forms and degree of striping on the achene (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the sunflower heads suffering lower bird damage rates had traits such as greater diameter, flat and convex shape (edges curled outside), fewer angles to the horizon, more down-faced heads, open and longer bracts, longer distances between adjacent stems or heads, longer distance of petiole from head, and lower seed density. In considering the results of the present and previous studies, there was a degree of inconsistency of findings across all studies, but not for each sunflower trait. Future studies are still necessary for height of head above the ground surface, stem hanging form, head shape, bract length and orientation, sterile area ratio, seed density, achene length, color and striping, and hull thickness. Nevertheless, plant breeding trials should bear in mind these results to pursue the understanding of relevant characteristics in morpho-genetic studies in relation to bird damage.     

Assessment of genetic diversity and relationships among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum urartu</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum boeoticum</Emphasis> populations from Iran using IRAP and REMAP markers

Einkorn wheat is known as the donor of ‘A’ genome to cultivated wheat and source of many important genes. Therefore, genetic erosion in cultivated wheat provides a good reason to investigate genetic diversity in these species. In the present study, genetic diversity of 14 populations of Triticum urartu and Triticum boeoticum collected from west and north-west of Iran was examined by IRAP and REMAP markers. In total, 26 out of 36 IRAP and 41 out of 88 REMAP combinations amplified polymorphic and scorable banding patterns. IRAP and REMAP combinations produced 6.53 and 5.21 polymorphic bands per assay, respectively. Mean of polymorphism information content for IRAPs and REMAPs were 0.38 and 0.40 and marker index values for them were 2.60 and 2.09, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance based on IRAP and REMAP data revealed significant within and among population variances, although within population variance was higher than that of among population. Primer combinations based on Sukkula and Nikita retrotransposons produced the highest number of markers in the whole population. Cluster and principal coordinate analyses using REMAP data grouped the populations based on the species and geographical origin, but grouping based on IRAP could not separate the two species. However, based on both marker systems considerable diversity was observed among and within the studied populations.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for body weight and egg production traits in Mazandaran native chicken

Native chicken breeding station of Mazandaran was established in 1988 with two main objectives: genetic improvement through selection programs and dissemination of indigenous Mazandarani birds. (Co)variance components and genetic parameters for economically important traits were estimated using (bi) univariate animal models with ASREML procedure in Mazandarani native chicken. The data were from 18 generations of selection (1988?C2009). Heritability estimates for body weight at different ages [at hatch (bw1), 8 (bw8), 12 (bw12) weeks of ages and sex maturation (wsm)] ranged from 0.24?±?0.00 to 0.47?±?0.01. Heritability for reproductive traits including age at sex maturation (asm); egg number (en); weight of first egg (ew1); average egg weight at 28 (ew28), 30 (ew30), and 32 (ew32) weeks of age; their averages (av); average egg weight for the first 12?weeks of production (ew12); egg mass (em); and egg intensity (eint) varied from 0.16?±?0.01 to 0.43?±?0.01. Generally, the magnitudes of heritability for the investigated traits were moderate. However, egg production traits showed smaller heritability compared with growth traits. Genetic correlations among egg weight at different ages were mostly higher than 0.8. On the one hand, body weight at different ages showed positive and relatively moderate genetic correlations with egg weight traits (ew1, ew28, ew30, ew32, ew12, and av) and varied from 0.30?±?0.03 to 0.59?±?0.02. On the other hand, low negative genetic correlations were obtained between body weight traits (bw1, bw8, bw12, and wsm) and egg number (en). Also, there is low negative genetic correlation (?24?±?0.04 to ?29?±?0.05) between egg number and egg weight. Therefore, during simultaneous selection process for both growth and egg production traits, probable reduction in egg production due to low reduction in egg number may be compensated by increases in egg weight.