دانشگاه تبریزپژوهش های علوم دامی (دانش کشاورزی)2008-512535420260220The effect of different feeding levels of ewes during the transition period on the pattern of minerals in the blood of their lambsتأثیر سطوح مختلف تغذیه میشها در دوره انتقال بر الگوی مواد معدنی خون برههای آنها1141998310.22034/as.2025.62246.1745FAحمیدهمحمودی مونهگروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه یاسوج، یاسوجموسیزرینگروه علوم دامی دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه یاسوجمنوچهردهقان خلیلیگروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه یاسوجامیراحمدپورگروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه یاسوج، یاسوجJournal Article20240624Abstract<br />Introduction: The intricate relationship between minerals and the biological functioning of living organisms has long been a subject of scientific inquiry and practical importance. Minerals, present in small yet crucial quantities, play multifarious roles in satisfying the diverse physiological needs of various species. This is particularly evident in tropical regions, where animals reared under extensive systems often face limitations in their feed, leading to a heightened risk of mineral deficiencies. These deficiencies can have far-reaching consequences, disrupting the performance of livestock production, compromising reproductive functions, and ultimately diminishing the overall profitability of farms (Suttle 2010; Parent et al. 2018). The concentration of minerals within living organisms is influenced by numerous factors, including species, sex, genotype, stage of production (such as lactation), geographical region, prevailing climate, tissue characteristics, and the specific animal management practices employed, including rearing and feeding systems (Alturiqi and Albedair 2012; Hernandez-Castellano 2017; Lin et al. 1989; Ozcelik et al. 2017). <br />Reducing the availability of feed will cause a lack of mineral substances received by livestock (Haenlein and Anke 2011), and affect the composition and amount of colostrum and milk produced (Norgaard et al. 2008) which increases mortality in lambs (Hashemi et al. 2008). <br />Therefore, it is necessary to know the amount of minerals in the lambs of animals that are faced with reduced access to feed during the transition period. This study aimed to investigate the effect of feed restriction in ewes during the transition period on the plasma concentration of mineral elements in their lambs.<br />Materials and Methods: Twenty pregnant fat-tailed ewes were allotted to two experimental groups of Control, (n=10) and feed restriction (Restriction; n=10). After adaptation, during the pre-partum period, the control group from five weeks before parturition to parturition (-5 to -1) was fed with 100% of the balanced ratio. Restriction in the same period during the first to fifth weeks of the study were fed with 100, 50, 65, 80, and 100% of the recommended ration, respectively. The same nutritional program was repeated from the first to the fifth week after parturition for both groups (1 to 5). After lambing, blood samples were taken at zero (parturition), 1, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours. During the feed restriction (wk 1-wk 5), lamb blood samples were taken weekly. Blood samples were collected at various time points, including parturition, and at specific intervals throughout the study. The samples were kept on ice and centrifuged to harvest the plasma, which was then analyzed for the concentrations of key minerals, including phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), and chloride (Cl), using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Hitachi - Science & Technology - Z-2300, Japan). The data were statistically analyzed using the Mixed model procedure of SAS to determine the effects of the feed restriction on the mineral status of the lambs.<br />Results and discussion: The feed restriction had no significant impact on the plasma concentrations of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride, and the concentrations of these elements did not differ between the two treatment groups. However, sampling time showed that the blood mineral except sodium, changed during the experiment. Blood phosphorus concentration gradually increased from birth (hour 0) to the end of the experiment, and from the second week, the phosphorus concentration showed a significant increase compared to the first week and the early hours of parturition (P<0.001). The sampling times indicated a difference in the blood magnesium concentration in the lambs (P<0.001), where the concentration of this element was low in the early hours of parturition and reached the highest concentration in the final weeks of the experiment (weeks 4 and 5) compared to the early stages of birth in both experimental groups. The results showed that the potassium concentration in both treatment groups followed a specific pattern from birth to the end of the experiment, being almost identical from the early hours of birth (0) to 24 hours in the restricted group and 36 hours in the control group, but then began a decreasing trend (P<0.05) and reached the lowest value at 72 hours after birth compared to the previous hours. The concentration of this element was at its lowest in the first and second weeks after parturition compared to the early parturition and other sampling weeks. From the third week, the concentration of this element showed an increasing trend and reached a higher concentration in the fourth and fifth weeks compared to the first week after birth. With the increase in the age of the lambs, the chloride concentration changed (P<0.001), such that 12 hours after birth, the concentration of this element increased in both groups, and this increase continued until 72 hours after parturition. Contrary to the increasing trend until 72 hours after parturition, the concentration of this element showed a significant decrease in both treatment groups at the end of the first week after parturition (P<0.05), and from the second week, it resumed an increasing trend. The concentration of this element increased from the third week after parturition to the initial concentration at birth. Due to the effective role of minerals in growth, development of bones, general health and optimal functioning of biological systems, the optimal amount of these elements in lambs is of great importance. Different studies have shown that, probably due to the use of reserves of mineral elements in the body that compensate for their deficiency, the clinical symptoms of the lack of these elements are not visible except in very acute conditions (Ramirez-Perez et al. 2000). As previous studies have shown, one of the characteristics of long-tailed ewes is their ability to retain nutrients and influence the growth and health of their lambs, such as colostrum, milk and immunogenic factors (Zarrin et al. 2021; Nouri et al. 2023). Therefore, according to the role of minerals in the growth and development of body tissues, as well as their very important role in health and maintaining the body's antioxidant capacity (Ataollahi et al. 2018), it is concluded that lambs are able to, even in conditions of food restriction, Maintain appropriate plasma concentrations of these elements. The changing the concentration of some of these elements with the increasing age of lambs, especially in the second and third weeks after birth, indicates the physiological changes of the body and, accordingly, the difference in the need for minerals and other nutrients, which was emphasized by Hernández-Castellano et al. (2017).<br />Conclusion: The study explored the impact of maternal dietary restriction on the mineral levels in the plasma of lambs. The findings revealed that maternal dietary restriction during pregnancy and after birth did not significantly affect the mineral concentrations in the lambs. However, the study highlighted that the mineral concentrations varied with the age of the lambs. This suggests that ewes efficiently utilize their energy and mineral reserves during pregnancy to ensure proper mineral levels in their offspring at birth. Furthermore, the ewes continue to provide minerals to their lambs through colostrum and milk until the lambs become independent. Once the lambs are independent, they acquire the necessary minerals from their feed.چکیده<br />زمینه مطالعاتی: در شرایطی که دامهای دوره انتقال دچار محدودیت خوراکی میشوند ممکن است علاوه بر کاهش تولید و ترشح آغوز و شیر، محتوی مواد معدنی آنها نیز تحت تأثیر قرار گرفته که این امر سبب بروز اختلال در دام و حتی نوزادان آنها میشود. کاهش دسترسی به خوراک در میشهای آبستن به ویژه در اواخر آبستنی سبب بروز مشکلاتی در تأمین منابع مغذی مورد نیاز جنین شده و بسته به شدت محدودیت ممکن است سبب اختلال در رشد بره-های متولد شده و حتی سقط جنین شود. دوره انتقال در دامها با تغییرات گستردهای در فراسنجههای خونی همراه است. آبستنی و شیردهی مراحل بحرانی چرخه تولید مثل میشها هستند. مواد معدنی ضروری در آغوز نقش مهمی در پیشگیری از آسیبهای ناشی از اختلالات تغذیه در میشهای شیرده ایفا میکنند. تأمین کافی این مواد معدنی در دوره انتقال میتواند ترکیب و ارزش بیولوژیکی آغوز را بهبود بخشد و بر سلامت برههای تازه متولد شده تأثیرگذار باشد. هدف: بررسی تأثیر محدودیت خوراکی در میشهای دوره انتقال بر غلظت پلاسمایی عناصر معدنی برههای آنها. روش کار: بهمنظور بررسی غلظت مواد معدنی پرمصرف در خون برههای متولد شده از گوسفندان تحت تأثیر محدودیت خوراکی از تعداد ۲۰ راًس میش آبستن دنبهدار نژاد ترکی- قشقایی و لری- بختیاری در دو گروه شاهد (۱۰n=) و محدودیت خوراکی (۱۰n =) استفاده شد. نمونه خون در زمانهای صفر (تولد)، 1، 12، 24، 36، 48 و 72 ساعت پس از زایمان و همچنین به صورت هفتگی هفتههای اول تا پنجم پس از تولد از سیاهرگ وداج برهها با استفاده از لولههای هپارینه گرفته شده و با استفاده از سانتریفیوژ در دور 3500 به مدت 15 دقیقه پلاسمای جدا شده در دمای منفی 20 درجه سانتیگراد نگهداری شد. غلظت مواد معدنی مورد نظر در پلاسمای خون نمونههای برهها با استفاده از اسپکتروفتومتر جذب اتمی اندازهگیری شد. دادهها با استفاده از رویه Mixed Model نرمافزار SAS ارزیابی شدند. نتایج: نتایج نشان داد که محدودیت خوراکی بر غلظت پلاسمایی عناصر معدنی اندازهگیری شده فسفر، منیزیم، پتاسیم، سدیم و کلر در خون برهها تأثیر معنیداری نداشت ولی غلظت برخی از این عناصر با افزایش سن برهها تغییرات معنیداری نشان داد. نتیجهگیری کلی: بر مبنای نتایج حاضر چنین استنباط میشود که گوسفندان دنبهدار از اندوخته انرژی و مواد معدنی بدن خویش در دوران بارداری باعث حفظ سطوح مناسبی از مواد معدنی در خون برههای خود در ابتدای زایمان و همچنین تأمین آنها از طریق ترشحات پستانی نظیر آغوز و شیر به عملکردهای بهینه آنها تا زمان وابستگی به مادر عمل خواهند کرد. و از زمان مستقل شدن این توانایی به خود برهها انتقال پیدا کرده که با استفاده از تغذیه علوفه و خوراک مایحتاج مواد معدنی خویش را برای رشد فراهم نمایند.https://animalscience.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_19983_91ae771e3c312e24949312283c57498b.pdfدانشگاه تبریزپژوهش های علوم دامی (دانش کشاورزی)2008-512535420260220The effect of starter diet containing different levels of bitter vetch seed on performance and milk consumption and growth characteristics in Mughani suckling lambsاثر سطوح مختلف دانه گاودانه در جیره آغازین بر عملکرد، مصرف شیر، خوراک و خصوصیات رشدی برههای شیرخوار مغانی15312138710.22034/as.2025.64390.1761FAشهروزدستوریگروه علوم دامی دانشکده کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی دانشگاه محقق اردبیلیحسینعبدی بنمارگروه علوم دامی دانشکده کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی دانشگاه محقق اردبیلیجمالسیف دواتیگروه علوم دامی دانشکده کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی دانشگاه محقق اردبیلیفرزادمیرزایی آقچه قشلاقگروه علوم دامی دانشکده کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی دانشگاه محقق اردبیلیمرتضیجعفراوغلیگروه کشاورزی دانشگاه پیام نور تهران، ایرانJournal Article20241106Introduction: Meat, as the most important source of animal protein, plays a significant role in meeting human needs for amino acids (Orman et al. 2008) and is the most important product of sheep (Kianzad 2013). Given that the highest income from sheep farming is through lamb production (Snyman et al. 1997), increasing the reproduction rate by reducing the lambing interval and properly raising the lambs produced is the most important measure to increase the economic efficiency of livestock farming (Emsen et al. 2004). In natural pastures and rangelands (especially in arid and semi-arid regions), the nutritional needs of growing lambs are not met through available feed, so the use of supplementary diets during lactation will be effective in stimulating rumen growth, increasing nutrient absorption, and increasing growth (Santra and Karim 1999). Starter diets are generally given to lambs after the first week of life to develop rumen and provide feed for rapid growth (Haddad 2006). Lambs require high-quality protein source during the first weeks of their life, because their rumen is not completely developed (Herath et al., 2021). Legumes are one of the most important sources of food in human, livestock and poultry nutrition, (Bayourthe et al., 1998). One of the products of the legume family that can be considered as a protein source is bitter vetch seed (Vicia ervilia) (Haddad, 2006). Cultivation of this plant has been common in the West and North-West of Iran for many years (Haddad, 2006). In recent years, attention has been paid to leguminous plants due to their high nutritional value and short growth period, and the need for little care by farmers, livestock breeders and feed factories. Livestock population has increased in most countries of the world (Rotger et al., 2006). Moreover, one of the important features of bitter vetch seed is its high crude protein content, which can be used as a protein supplement (Arabi, 1996). So that the amount of protein is 2 to 3 times that of cereal grains, and they can be included in livestock diets, as a protein supplement especially the starter diets of suckling lambs (Arabi, 1996; Hadjipanayiotou and Economides, 2001). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of starter diets containing different levels of bitter vetch seed on milk consumption feed intake, performance and growth characteristics in Mughani suckling lambs. <br />Materials and methods: Fifty Mughani suckling male lambs (average 5 ± 1 days of age and average initial body weight 4.56 ± 0.77 kg) were grouped based on live weight and randomly assigned to one of 5 experimental groups (one control group and 4 groups receiving the starter diets containing different levels of 0, 9, 18 and 27% bitter vetch seed) in a completely randomized design. Milk consumption, feed intake and growth performance of lambs were recorded until the age of 90 days. Conventional methods (AOAC 2000) were used to determine dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash and the method of Van Suest et al. (1991) to measure neutral detergent insoluble fiber (NDF) and acid detergent insoluble fiber (ADF). On the 90th day of the experiment, blood was collected from the jugular vein three hours after feeding the meal. Glucose, urea, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. Data obtained from each treatment were analyzed using software (SAS, 2003) and the GLM procedure. Comparison of means was done using LSMEANS and 0.05 level was considered as significant level. The initial weight of the animals at the beginning of the experiment was included as a covariate and was removed from the model if it was not significant.<br />Results and discussion: The results showed that the experimental diets had a significant effect on the daily weight gain of the suckling lambs, so that the average daily weight gain was the highest in the lambs fed starter diet containing 18% bitter vetch seed. The starter diets containing protein supplements significantly increased the average daily weight gain of suckling lambs compared to the control group. Haddad (2006) investigated the effect of replacing soybean meal with bitter vetch seed in growing Awasi lambs and concluded that the partial or complete replacement of bitter vetch seed with soybean meal does not affect the feed intake and growth performance of lambs. The effective degradability ratio of crude protein of bitter vetch seed is higher than the effective degradability ratio of crude protein of soybean meal (Haddad 2006). Therefore, if its amount is high in the diet, it is likely that the balance between dietary protein degraded in the rumen and microbial protein produced in the rumen is changed, causing an increase in ammonia concentration in the rumen. A high effective degradability ratio provides the required energy in the form of volatile fatty acids for the livestock and rumen microbes (Yalcin and Enol 1994). Synchronizing the rumen digestion of protein and carbohydrates, in order to create rapid fermentations by means of sources of starch and rapidly degradable protein, stimulates the synthesis of more microbial crude protein or increases the efficiency of its synthesis (National Research Council 2001). The experimental diets had a significant effect on the structural characteristics of suckling lambs (P<0.01) and lambs fed diet containing 18% bitter vetch seed had the highest body length, height growth, hip, pin, and testicular circumference. Whereas lambs fed starter diet containing 9% bitter vetch seed had the highest breast circumference growth. Reisi et al. (2011) reported that replacing 25% of cotton meal with bitter vetch seed improves the growth and carcass characteristics of Lori-Bakhtiari lambs. Average daily milk intake and the total milk intake was higher in the control group (P<0.01). Overall, the study of blood parameters of suckling lambs fed with supplementary diets in reports by other researchers show consistency with the present study, as Toghdari et al. (2022) reported similar results regarding blood parameters.<br />Conclusion: It was concluded that bitter vetch seed inclusion starter diet of suckling lambs improved growth performance and it is recommended up to 18% of the starter diet.زمینه مطالعاتی: در مراتع و چراگاههای طبیعی (بخصوص در مناطق خشک و نیمهخشک)، نیاز غذایی برههای در حال رشد از طریق مواد خوراکی در دسترس تأمین نمیشود، بنابراین برای تحریک رشد شکمبه و افزایش جذب مواد مغذی و افزایش رشد استفاده از جیرههای تکمیلی در دوران شیرخوارگی مؤثر خواهد بود. هدف: بررسی سطوح مختلف دانه گاودانه در جیره آغازین بر عملکرد، مصرف شیر، خوراک و خصوصیات رشدی برههای شیرخوار مغانی بود. مواد و روشها: این پژوهش با استفاده از تعداد 50 رأس بره نر شیرخوار از نژاد مغانی (میانگین سنی 1± 5 روزه و میانگین وزنی اولیه77/0± 56/4 کیلوگرم مغانی) انجام شد. برهها بر اساس وزن زنده گروهبندی شدند و بهطور تصادفی دریکی از 5 گروه آزمایشی (یک گروه شاهد و چهار گروه دریافتکننده جیره آغازین حاوی سطوح صفر، نه، 18 و 27 درصد دانه گاودانه) در قالب یک طرح کاملاً تصادفی تخصیص داده شدند. مصرف شیر، خوراک و عملکرد رشدی برهها تا سن 90 روزگی ثبت گردید. نتایج: اثر افزودن گاودانه به جیره بر میانگین مصرف خوراک برهها در کل دوره معنیدار نبود (05/0>P). در برههای تغذیهشده با جیرههای آغازین دارای سطوح مختلف گاودانه بر خصوصیات رشدی برهها معنیدار بود و بهترین خصوصیات رشدی در جیره دارای 18 درصد گاودانه مشاهده شد و همینطور تفاوت افزایش وزن روزانه آنها معنیدار بود (05/0>P). بهطوریکه بهترین خصوصیات رشدی و بیشترین افزایش وزن روزانه در جیره دارای 18 درصد گاودانه مشاهده شد. همچنین مصرف شیر برههای گروه شاهد بهطور معنیدار بیشتر از برههای دریافتکننده جیره آغازین بود (05/0>P). نتیجهگیری نهایی: طبق نتایج بهدستآمده تغذیه دانه گاودانه بهعنوان یک مکمل پروتئینی در جیره آغازین برههای شیرخوار تا 18 درصد موجب بهبود عملکرد رشدی شده و بر این اساس گنجاندن آن در جیره آغازین برههای شیرخوار توصیه میشود.https://animalscience.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21387_f497faca0b68733e72bf4c1c1d61f2ce.pdfدانشگاه تبریزپژوهش های علوم دامی (دانش کشاورزی)2008-512535420260220Effect of prepartum photoperiod on some hormones concentration, milk production and composition of Lori Bakhtiari ewes and weight gain of their offspringاثر دوره نوری پیش از زایش بر غلظت برخی هورمونها، تولید و ترکیبات شیر میشهای لری بختیاری و افزایش وزن نتاج آنها33462054410.22034/as.2025.67560.1779FAمحسنباقریمرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان چهارمحال و بختیارینجمهاسلامیان فارسونیمرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان چهارمحال و بختیاریگلنازتاسلیمرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان چهارمحال و بختیاریJournal Article20250528Introduction: Milk production in Lori Bakhtiari ewes, especially in the first lambing, is low due to the consumption of energy received for body growth, and the lamb(s), especially if there are twin or multiple, have less growth and will have a lower weaning weight. Long day length during early lactation increase milk production in some livestock as dairy cattle and dairy sheep (Mikolayunas et al., 2008). More recent research in dairy cattle (Velasco et al., 2006) and dairy goats (Bagheri and Karami 2023) suggests that prepartum photoperiod affects mammary development and subsequent milk production, but the positive response is from short day photoperiod. The mechanism of this function is the level and role of circulating prolactin in mammary development. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of light length at the end of the pregnancy period on the milk production of Lori Bakhtiari ewes and the growth of their lambs.<br />Materials and Methods: 40 days before the start of lambing, 40 ewes whose lambing dates were close to each other were selected and randomly allocated in two treatments (n=20 for each treatment). Treatment 1 (control): ewes that were exposed to natural day length during the entire pregnancy period. Treatment 2: Ewes that were exposed to 8 hours of light and 16 hours of darkness during the last 40 days of pregnancy. The ewes of two treatments were reared in two separate places with the same size and environmental and management conditions during the late pregnancy period. The amount of feed and it`s quality was similar for both groups. After parturition, all ewes were exposed to natural day length. Milk production and its compositions, prolactin, melatonin and IGF-1 hormones and growth and weight gain of lambs from birth to weaning were measured. Hand milking was done at one week intervals from one week to one month after parturition. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein at the beginning of the experiment, 20 days before parturition, at the time of parturition, 15 and 30 days after parturition.<br />Results and discussion: The results showed that the average milk production in the second treatment was 13.6% more than the first treatment (control). According to the results of this research, Mikolayunas et al. (2008) reported that, during the first 8 weeks of lactation, ewes exposed to short day prepartum photoperiod tended to produce more milk than ewes exposed to long day prepartum photoperiod. No significant difference was observed between the treatments in terms of the amount of milk composition. The level of prolactin hormone in treatment 1 was higher than in treatment 2 in 20 days before parturition (P<0.05). Long day exposure increases prolactin in blood as compared to short day. IGF-1 has reverse action as compared to prolactin (Rao et al., 2017). At parturition and fifteen and thirty days after that, the level of prolactin hormone was similar in the two treatments. At twenty days before parturition and parturition, the level of melatonin in ewes of treatment 2 was higher than that in treatment 1 (P<0.01), but at fifteen and thirty days after parturition, the level of melatonin in ewes of both treatments was similar. Secretion of melatonin is stimulated by darkness (Rao et al., 2017). At 20 days before parturition, at parturition, and fifteen days after parturition, the level of IGF-1 hormone in ewes of treatment 2 was lower than that in ewes of treatment 1 (P<0.01). At the age of one, two and three months, the highest weight was related to the lambs of treatment 2 (P<0.01). The lambs of treatment 1 experienced less weight gain than the lambs of treatment 2 from birth to three months of age (P<0.01). The results of this study regarding weight and weight gain of lambs are consistent with the results of the study by Aviles et al., (2019). Kids cared for by mothers who produce more milk grow faster (Garcia Y-Gonzalez et al., 2017).<br />Conclusion: In general, in Lori Bakhtiari sheep flocks, applying a short lighting period before lambing can increase the amount of milk produced by ewes in subsequent lactation period and the weaning weight of their lambs.<br />Results and discussion: The results showed that the average milk production in the second treatment was 13.6% more than the first treatment (control). According to the results of this research, Mikolayunas et al. (2008) reported that, during the first 8 weeks of lactation, ewes exposed to short day prepartum photoperiod tended to produce more milk than ewes exposed to long day prepartum photoperiod. No significant difference was observed between the treatments in terms of the amount of milk composition. The level of prolactin hormone in treatment 1 was higher than in treatment 2 in 20 days before parturition (P<0.05). Long day exposure increases prolactin in blood as compared to short day. IGF-1 has reverse action as compared to prolactin (Rao et al., 2017). At parturition and fifteen and thirty days after that, the level of prolactin hormone was similar in the two treatments. At twenty days before parturition and parturition, the level of melatonin in ewes of treatment 2 was higher than that in treatment 1 (P<0.01), but at fifteen and thirty days after parturition, the level of melatonin in ewes of both treatments was similar. Secretion of melatonin is stimulated by darkness (Rao et al., 2017). At 20 days before parturition, at parturition, and fifteen days after parturition, the level of IGF-1 hormone in ewes of treatment 2 was lower than that in ewes of treatment 1 (P<0.01). At the age of one, two and three months, the highest weight was related to the lambs of treatment 2 (P<0.01). The lambs of treatment 1 experienced less weight gain than the lambs of treatment 2 from birth to three months of age (P<0.01). The results of this study regarding weight and weight gain of lambs are consistent with the results of the study by Aviles et al., (2019). Kids cared for by mothers who produce more milk grow faster (Garcia Y-Gonzalez et al., 2017).<br />Conclusion: In general, the results of the present study showed that applying a short light period before lambing in Lori Bakhtiari sheep increased the amount of milk produced by ewes and the weaning weight of their lambs.زمینه مطالعاتی: تولید شیر در میشهای لری بختیاری خصوصاً در زایش اول به دلیل مصرف انرژی دریافتی برای رشد بدن پایین است و بره(ها) به ویژه اگر دو یا چند قلو باشند از رشد کمتری برخوردار بوده و وزن شیرگیری کمتری خواهند داشت. کاهش طول دوره روشنایی در اواخر آبستنی میتواند تولید شیر را در دوره شیردهی افزایش دهد. هدف: این تحقیق با هدف بررسی اثرات طول روشنایی در اواخر دوره آبستنی بر میزان تولید شیر میشهای لری بختیاری، هورمونهای مرتبط با آن و رشد برههای آنها انجام شد. روش کار: 40 روز قبل از شروع زایشها، تعداد 40 رأس میش که تاریخ زایمان آنها نزدیک به یکدیگر بود انتخاب و به طور تصادفی در دو تیمار 20 رأسی قرار گرفتند. تیمار 1 (شاهد): میشهایی که در کل دوره آبستنی در معرض طول روز طبیعی بودند. تیمار 2: میشهایی که در 40 روز آخر دوره آبستنی در معرض 8 ساعت نور و 16 ساعت تاریکی بودند. تولید شیر و ترکیبات آن، هورمونهای پرولاکتین، ملاتونین و IGF-1 و صفات رشد برهها اندازهگیری شد. پس از زایش تمامی میشها در معرض طول روز طبیعی قرار گرفتند. شیردوشی هفتهای یک بار از یک هفته تا یک ماه پس از زایش انجام شد. در آغاز آزمایش، 20 روز قبل از زایش، زمان زایش، 15 و 30 روز پس از زایش میشها، نمونههای خون از سیاهرگ وداج گرفته شد. نتایج: به طور متوسط تولید شیر در تیمار دوم 6/13 درصد بیشتر از تیمار اول (شاهد) بود. بین تیمارها از نظر میزان ترکیبات شیر تفاوت معنیدار مشاهده نشد. میزان هورمون پرولاکتین در تیمار اول در 20 روز قبل از زایش بیشتر از تیمار دوم بود (05/0P<). در زمان زایش، پانزده و سی روز پس از زایش مقدار هورمون پرولاکتین در میشهای دو تیمار مشابه بود. در بیست روز قبل از زایش و در زمان زایش، مقدار ملاتونین در میشهای تیمار دوم بیشتر از تیمار اول بود (01/0P<) اما در پانزده و سی روز پس از زایش مقدار ملاتونین در میشهای هر دو تیمار مشابه بود. در 20 روز مانده به زایش، زمان زایش و پانزده روز پس از زایش مقدار هورمون IGF-1 در میشهای تیمار دوم نسبت به میشهای تیمار اول کمتر بود (01/0P<). در سن یک، دو و سه ماهگی بالاترین وزن زنده در برههای تیمار دوم مشاهده شد (01/0P<) و برههای تیمار اول نسبت به برههای تیمار دوم از تولد تا سه ماهگی افزایش وزن کمتری داشتند (01/0P<). نتیجهگیری نهایی: به طور کلی، نتایج مطالعه حاضر نشان داد که اعمال دوره روشنایی کوتاه پیش از زایش در گوسفند لری بختیاری، مقدار شیر تولیدی میشها و وزن شیرگیری برههای آنها را افزایش داد.https://animalscience.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_20544_d0f48236a7484a03a6de3a2ea95e40e6.pdfدانشگاه تبریزپژوهش های علوم دامی (دانش کشاورزی)2008-512535420260220Effect of sugarcane bagasse processing with alkalin compounds at different times on chemical compositions, digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters in vitroتأثیر عملآوری باگاس نیشکر با ترکیبات قلیایی در زمانهای مختلف بر ترکیبات شیمیایی، قابلیت هضم و فراسنجههای تخمیر شکمبه در شرایط برونتنی47642026210.22034/as.2025.66390.1775FAفاطمهجعفریانگروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایرانفرشیدفتاح نیاگروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایرانسید رضاموسویگروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایرانمحمدشمس الهیدانشگاه ایلام. دانشکده کشاورزی. گروه لوم دامیپریساداراتگروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه ایلام، ایلام، ایرانJournal Article20250316Introduction: Due to reduced rainfall and degradation of rangelands, some portion of ruminant feed is provided by agricultural by-products such as cereal straws and sugarcan bagasse (SB). A key strategy for achieving environmentally sustainable added value and providing animal feed is to convert agricultural by-products into animal feed (Madadi et al 2023). Sugarcane is one of the most important economic crops worldwide and is mostly used as a raw material in the sugar industry and it is produced in more than 100 countries around the world. Its biomass can be used as animal feed in many countries more than any other forage. The SB is one of the fiberous residues that remain after water extraction from the sugarcane stalk and can be used as a source of fodder for ruminants (Pipitpukdee et al 2020). However, it has been reported that these by-products have low protein (less than 3% on DM basis), high cellulose (more than 40% on DM basis), high hemicellulose (more than 35% on DM basis), high lignin (15% on DM basis), and low DM digestibility (20-30%; Ahmed et al., 2013; Costa et al., 2013). Some livestock producers use unprocessed SB in ruminant nutrition, which is not accompanied by desirable results on animal performance (Nogueira et al 2022; Kraiprom et al 2022). Various methods including physical, chemical, and biological processing are used to change the physical and chemical nature of SB to improve its digestibility (Balgees et al 2007; Rezaii et al 2022; Khawar et al 2023). Therfore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility and in vitro ruminal feremrntation parameters of diets containing sugarcan bagasse (SB) treated with urea (U) calcium hydroxide (CaH) at different times. Materials and methods: For each processing method, 6 one-kilogram samples of sugarcane bagasse were considered. One liter of solution was added to each kilogram of sugarcane bagasse and mixed thoroughly. Also, 6 one-kilogram samples of bagasse were considered as controls (without processing), and each was mixed with one liter of water without urea or calcium hydroxide. All samples inside 2-layer nylons were well compressed and sealed. Then, 3 one-kilogram samples of sugarcane bagasse mixed with alkaline solution and 3 control samples were silaged for 30 days and the rest for 45 days at room temperature. After the end of the desired time, the samples were taken out of the nylon and exposed to air for 5 days and stored for chemical analysis after drying. Then, experimental diets were prepared using these processed sugarcane bagasse samples.The SB was treated with solution containing different content of urea (4 or 3%) and calcium hydroxide (1 or 2%) for two times (30 or 45 days). Then, experimental diets were formulated by using treated SB. Experimental diets were 1- diet containing untreated SB stored for 30 days (Control, C-30), 2- diet containing treated SB with 4% U and 1% CaH stored for 30 d (U4CaH1-30), 3- diet containing treated SB with 3% U and 2% CaH solution stored for 30 d (U3CaH2-30), 4- diet containing untreated SB stored for 45 d (C-45), 5- diet containing treated SB with 4% U and 1% CaH stored for 45 d (U4CaH2-30), and 6- diet containing treated SB with 3% U and 2% CaH solution stored for 45 d (U3CaH2-45). Ingredients and chemical composition of experimental diets are shown in Table 1 and 2, respectively. The SB treated with different methods at different times and experimental diets were dried in an oven at 60 ° C for 48 hours, ground through a 1-mm screen using a Wiley mill, and analysed for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) (AOAC 2007), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) (Van Soest et al 1991). For measurement of methane production, the final gas production (end of 24 hours) was recorded after 24 hours of incubation of the sample in ruminal fluid + phosphate buffer. Experiment conducted by gas production technique (Menke and Steingass 1988) based on completely randomized design as 2×3 factorial. Results and discussion: The effect of different processing methods at different times on chemical composition of SB is shown in Table 3. Results showed that the highest DM content was observed in C-45 (P<0.05). Whereas, SB treated with 3% U and 2% CaH and preserved for 35 or 45 d had lower DM content compared to others (P<0.05). The highest and the lowest OM content were observed in SB untreated and preserved for 30 d and SB treated with 3% U and 2% CaH and preserved for 45 d, respectively (P<0.05). Treatment of SB with U and CaH increased crude protein (CP) content compared untreated SB (P<0.05). The SB treated with U and CaH and preserved for 30 or 45 d had lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared to untreated SB (P<0.05). The highest ash content was observed in SB treated with 3% U and 2% CaH and preserved for 45 d (P<0.05). Ruminal fermentation parameters of diets containing SB processed by different methods at different times is shown in Table 4. The lowest 24 h comulative gas production (CGP) and OM digestibility were observed in C-30 and C-45 diets (P<0.05). Methan production, patitioning factor, efficiency of microbial mass production and DM digestibility did not influence by experimental diets (P>0.05). Gas production parameters of diets containing SB processed by different methods at different times are shown in Table 5. The U3CaH2-45 diet had higher 96 h CGP and gas production potential than other diets (P<0.05). The U3CaH2-30 and U3CaH2-45 had the lowest lag time (P<0.05). Diets containing SB processed with 3% urea solution and 2% calcium hydroxide solution and stored for 30 and 45 days had the highest cumulative gas production (P<0.05). Conclusion: In general, treatment of SB with 3% U and 2% CaH solution improved OM digestibility and gas production and can be used as a method for improvement of nutritional value of SB for using in diets of ruminant animals.زمینه مطالعاتی: باگاس نیشکر یکی از محصولات جانبی کارخانجات تولید قند است که حاوی فیبر بالایی میباشد و قیمت آن در مقایسه با کاه گندم پایینتر است. هدف: بنابراین هدف این آزمایش مطالعه قابلیت هضم ماده خشک و ماده آلی و فراسنجههای تخمیر شکمبهای جیرههای حاوی باگاس نیشکر عملآوریشده با ترکیبات قلیایی به روشهای مختلف در شرایط برونتنی بود. روش کار: تیمارهای آزمایش شامل 1- جیره حاوی باگاس عملآورینشده و ذخیرهشده به مدت 30 روز، 2- جیره حاوی باگاس عملآوریشده با محلول اوره 4 درصد و محلول هیدروکسید کلسیم 1 درصد و ذخیرهشده به مدت 30 روز، 3- جیره حاوی باگاس عملآوریشده با محلول اوره 3 درصد و محلول هیدروکسید کلسیم 2 درصد و ذخیرهشده به مدت 30 روز، 4- جیره حاوی باگاس عملآورینشده و ذخیرهشده به مدت 45 روز، 5- جیره حاوی باگاس عملآوریشده با محلول اوره 4 درصد و محلول هیدروکسید کلسیم 1 درصد و ذخیرهشده به مدت 45 روز و 6- جیره حاوی باگاس عملآوریشده با محلول اوره 3 درصد و محلول هیدروکسید کلسیم 2 درصد و ذخیرهشده به مدت 45 روز بودند. دادههای ترکیبات شیمیایی، قابلیتهضم ماده خشک و ماده آلی و آزمایش مؤلفههای تولید گاز بهصورت فاکتوریل 3×2 در قالب طرح کاملا تصادفی، آنالیز آماری شدند. نتایج: بالاترین درصد ماده خشک در تیمار 4 مشاهده شد (05/0P<). بیشترین و کمترین درصد ماده آلی به ترتیب در تیمار 1و 6 مشاهده شد (05/0P<). تیمار 6 در مقایسه با سایر تیمارها تولید گاز تجمعی 96 ساعت و پتانسیل تولید گاز بیشتری داشت (05/0P<). نتیجهگیری نهایی: به طور کلی، عملآوری باگاس با محلول اوره 3 درصد و هیدروکسید کلسیم 2 درصد و ذخیرهشده به مدت 30 روز (تیمار 3) سبب بهبود قابلیتهضم ماده آلی و افزایش تولید گاز شد. بنابراین از این روش میتوان برای بهبود ارزش غذایی باگاس نیشکر در جیره حیوانات نشخوارکننده استفاده کرد.https://animalscience.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_20262_3e86de297a55b65a1675b6fec78cf8fd.pdfدانشگاه تبریزپژوهش های علوم دامی (دانش کشاورزی)2008-512535420260220Effects of ozone exposure time on aflatoxin concentration, diet composition, growth, carcass traits, and intestinal morphology in broilers fed contaminated dietEffects of ozone exposure time on aflatoxin concentration, diet composition, growth, carcass traits, and intestinal morphology in broilers fed contaminated diet65812065210.22034/as.2025.64602.1766FAکریمجهانبخش نقدهگروه علوم دامی دانشگاه ارومیهمحسندانشیارگروه علوم دامی دانشگاه ارومیهسیناپیوستگانگروه علوم دامی دانشگاه ارومیهپرویزفرهومندگروه علوم دامی دانشگاه ارومیهمحمد امیرکریمیگروه علوم دامی دانشگاه تربیت مدرسJournal Article20241203Introduction: Mycotoxins are toxic chemical substances generated as secondary metabolites by specific types of filamentous fungi (Conte et al., 2020). Aflatoxins are a significant group of mycotoxins, predominantly produced by specific fungi species, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus (Caceres et al., 2020). Aflatoxins adversely impact poultry by decreasing growth, feed efficiency, and egg production, while causing liver fat accumulation, reduced serum protein levels, carcass bruising, poor pigmentation, liver damage, impaired digestion, and immune suppression (Murugesan et al., 2015). Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic and biologically active form of aflatoxins, known for its widespread occurrence (Min et al., 2021). One effective detoxification method is treating mycotoxins with oxidizing agents, which alter their molecular structure (Liu et al., 2022). Ozone, approved by the food and drug administration for food use, has advantages over other oxidants, such as its residue-free application in gaseous or aqueous form, abundant precursors, and the ability to be generated on-site (Peivasteh-Roudsari et al., 2022). The study by Demirci et al. (2023) showed that ozonation at 10 mg/L (60 min) or 3.33 mg/L (90 min) effectively reduced aflatoxins in hazelnuts. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ozone treatment time on aflatoxin-contaminated feed by examining detoxification efficiency and changes in feed chemical composition, as well as evaluating its impact on growth performance, carcass traits, and intestinal absorptive capacity in broiler chickens consuming the contaminated diet. Material and method: The first experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 6 replicates. The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) a diet contaminated with aflatoxin (0.1 mg/kg) without ozone gas exposure, (2) an aflatoxin–contaminated diet exposed to ozone gas for 30 min, (3) an aflatoxin–contaminated diet exposed to ozone gas for 60 min, and (4) an aflatoxin–contaminated diet exposed to ozone gas for 90 min. The samples analyzed in this study were starter feed for broiler chickens. The levels of total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 were quantified by HPLC following the Iranian National Standard Method INSO 6782:2003. All feed samples were also analyzed for dry matter, ash, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, gross energy, calcium, and phosphorus content. In the second experiment, a total of 180 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 6 replicates: control diet, diet contaminated with 0.1 mg/kg aflatoxin, and contaminated diet treated with ozone (10 mg/L for 60 minutes). Parameters measured included performance, carcass characteristics, and morphology of different sections of the small intestine. Data from both experiments were analyzed using a completely randomized design with ANOVA in SAS (4 treatments × 6 replicates for experiment 1; 3 treatments × 6 replicates for experiment 2). Tukey’s test identified significant differences at 𝑃<0.05. Polynomial regression was used to evaluate the effect of ozone exposure duration on the parameters. Results and discussion: Ozone treatment significantly reduced total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 in feed, with longer exposure causing greater decreases (P<0.01). Regression analysis also showed a significant linear decrease (P<0.01) in total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 levels as ozone exposure duration increased. Ozone treatment for 30 and 60 min did not affect (P>0.05) nutrient levels, while 90 min significantly reduced dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and gross energy content (GE; P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that DM, CP, ether extract (EE; P < 0.05), phosphorus (P < 0.05), and GE decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as ozone exposure increased from 0 to 90 minutes. Luo et al. (2014) found that ozonation of maize at 90 mg/L for 20 and 40 minutes significantly reduced aflatoxin B1 levels from 83 µg/kg to 12.18 µg/kg and 9.9 µg/kg. Similarly, Torlak et al. (2016) reported 74.3% and 86.4% reductions in AFB1 in poultry feed after 240 minutes of ozone exposure at 2.8 mg/L and 5.3 mg/L. Ozonation breaks down aflatoxin by reacting with the C8-C9 double bond on the furan ring and the lactone ring, destroying the toxin (Salsabila et al., 2025). Asadnejad et al. (2023) similarly found that longer ozone exposure (0 to 48 hours) at 10 g/hr caused a linear decrease in DM and EE in feather meal, due to ozone’s strong oxidative effects. The reduction in GE content may be attributed to the decrease in the percentages of DM, CP, and EE in the feed samples. Feeding aflatoxin-contaminated feed, either with or without ozone treatment, significantly reduced (P<0.01) body weight gain (BWG) and European performance efficiency factor (EPEF), and increased (P<0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR), while feed intake (FI) was not affected (P>0.05). No significant (P>0.05) differences in relative weights of breast, leg, heart, gizzard, or spleen were observed. Carcass yield and bursa weight were higher (P<0.05) in the control diet compared to aflatoxin-contaminated feed but similar to the ozone-treated group. Liver weight increased (P<0.05) with aflatoxin contamination but normalized after ozone treatment. The Villus height: crypt depth ratio was significantly (P<0.01) better in the control and ozone-treated groups compared to the untreated aflatoxin group, indicating that ozone mitigated the negative effects of aflatoxin on intestinal structure. The mitigating effects of processing aflatoxin-contaminated feed on the relative weights of the carcass, liver, and bursa, as well as the improvement of small intestine morphology, can be attributed to the role of ozone in degrading aflatoxin into less toxic or non-toxic compounds. Generally, ozone treatment effectively degraded aflatoxin in contaminated feed and mitigated its adverse effects on carcass traits and intestinal morphology. However, the lack of improvement in overall performance suggests that residual aflatoxin levels or ozone-induced alterations in feed composition may still influence bird growth. Overall, ozone processing can be considered a promising detoxification approach when properly optimized to balance toxin removal and feed quality.زمینه مطالعاتی: هدف از این مطالعه بررسی اثر تیمار ازن بر خوراک آلوده به آفلاتوکسین بر غلظت باقیمانده آفلاتوکسین و ترکیب شیمیایی خوراک بود. همچنین تأثیر فرآوری با ازن بر عملکرد رشد، ویژگیهای لاشه و مورفولوژی روده باریک در جوجههای گوشتی تغذیهشده با جیره آلوده به آفلاتوکسین نیز مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. روش کار: روشها: در آزمایش اول، اثر مدت زمان استفاده از گاز ازن (۰، ۳۰، ۶۰ و ۹۰ دقیقه) با غلظت ۱۰ میلیگرم در لیتر بر سطوح باقیمانده مجموع آفلاتوکسین، آفلاتوکسین ب1 و ترکیب شیمیایی خوراک آغازین جوجهها در یک طرح کاملاً تصادفی با ۴ تیمار و ۶ تکرار بررسی شد. در آزمایش دوم، ۱۸۰ جوجه نر یکروزه به سه تیمار و شش تکرار تقسیم شدند: جیره کنترل، جیره آلوده به 1/0 میلیگرم آفلاتوکسین بر کیلوگرم، و جیره آلوده فرآوریشده با ازن (۱۰ میلیگرم در لیتر به مدت ۶۰ دقیقه). نتایج: مقادیر باقیمانده مجموع آفلاتوکسین و آفلاتوکسین ب1 با افزایش مدت زمان استفاده از ازن بهطور خطی (01/0˂P) کاهش یافت. با این حال، درصد ماده خشک، پروتئین خام و انرژی خام نیز با افزایش زمان استفاده از ازن کاهش خطی (01/0˂P) داشتند. تغذیه با جیره آلوده، با و با بدون فرآوری با ازن، موجب کاهش افزایش وزن، کاهش شاخص کارایی تولید اروپایی و افزایش ضریب تبدیل شد (01/0˂P). وزن لاشه و بورس در گروه کنترل بالاتر بود (05/0˂P) ، اما در گروه تیمار شده با ازن مشابه کنترل بود. نسبت ارتفاع پرز به عمق کریپت روده در گروه کنترل و تیمار شده با ازن به طور معنیداری بهتر از گروه آلوده بدون فرآوری بود (01/0˂P). نتیجهگیری نهایی: تیمار با ازن بهطور مؤثری آفلاتوکسین را تجزیه و اثرات نامطلوب آن بر لاشه و مورفولوژی روده را کاهش داد. با این حال، عدم بهبود کامل عملکرد نشاندهنده باقیماندن اثرات توکسین یا تغییرات شیمیایی ناشی از ازن در ترکیب خوراک است.https://animalscience.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_20652_6d1b64d4ffd138d9fc28381fd86d75f7.pdfدانشگاه تبریزپژوهش های علوم دامی (دانش کشاورزی)2008-512535420260220Evaluating the dietary effects of elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) on production performance, carcass characteristics, biochemical parameters and blood antioxidant status, immune system, and meat sensory and taste traits, and its fatty acid profile in brارزیابی اثرات تغذیه ای آقطی (Sambucus ebulus) بر عملکرد تولیدی، ویژگیهای لاشه، پارامترهای بیوشیمیایی و وضعیت آنتیاکسیدانی خون، سیستم ایمنی، ویژگیهای حسی و چشایی گوشت و پروفیل اسیدهای چرب آن در جوجههای گوشتی831022037610.22034/as.2025.67340.1778FAمحمودساعیگروه علوم دامی، واحد رشت، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، رشت، ایرانعلیرضاصیداویگروه علوم دامی، واحد رشت، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، رشت، ایران (ایمیل: alireza.seidavi@iau.ac.ir)مهردادبویهگروه علوم دامی، واحد رشت، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، رشت، ایرانJournal Article20250516Introduction: Elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) as a valuable antioxidant, immune stimulant, anti-influenza and antibiotic alternative and a strong antiviral supplement, and in parallel reducing a variety of metabolic and non-metabolic diseases, can have a good prospect in poultry nutrition. It has been proven that Sambucus ebulus fruit extract can increase cytokine production by monocytes, and subsequently the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF is revealed, and the immune system in the host body is modulated and improved. Administration of this extract of this plant through drinking water showed positive and promising results in the improvement and treatment of H9N2 avian influenza. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the dietary effects of elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) on production performance, carcass characteristics, biochemical parameters and blood antioxidant status, immune system, and meat sensory and taste traits, and its fatty acid profile in broiler chickens. <br />Material and method: Biological experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design using elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) fruit powder (SE) consisting of three treatments of 0, 1.5 and 2%, each treatment consisting of 5 replications and 10 birds per replication, and a total of 150 Ross 308 broiler chickens. Assay diets based on corn and soybean meal were formulated during three periods: starter (1-11 d), grower (12-21 d) and finisher (22-42 d). During the three rearing periods of starter, grower, finisher and the entire period, feed intake (FI) and body weight (BW) were measured, respectively, and FCR was also calculated. At the end of the period, after four hours of starvation, two birds with the average weight of their experimental unit from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered and, by separating the carcasses, the following were weighed and measured: live weight, defeather body, eviscerated carcass, breast, thigh, gizzard, crop, liver, heart, pancreas, spleen, bursa of Fabricius weight and abdominal fat, respectively, with a scale with an accuracy of 0.001. In addition, at the end of the period, blood samples were taken from the wing vein of three birds from each replicate using sterile 5 cc syringes, and biochemical blood parameters were measured. To evaluate immunological parameters, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were injected at a 5% dilution into the pectoral muscle area of the birds on days 28 and 36 of rearing in a volume of 0.2 cc. Seven days after SRBC injection (days 35 and 42), samples were taken from the wing vein of the same injected birds with sterile syringes with a volume of 3 cc to evaluate the level of antibodies against SRBC using the hemagglutination method for Newcastle disease (NDV) and influenza (AIV) titers. In order to evaluate the fatty acid profile of meat, sampling was performed from the whole breast of the bird and meat health indices including omega 6 to omega 3 ratio, atherogenic index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), hypocholesterolemic index (HI), and hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic ratio were calculated. For the sensory and taste attributes item including the evaluation of aroma, flavor, odor, tenderness, color and overall desirability of breast meat, one sample was taken from each replicate and the samples were cooked without spices. Then, it was evaluated by six panels (food testers) (by scoring from 1 to 10). All data obtained were collected in Excel software and the results were analyzed with statistical software (SAS 9.3). Comparisons of treatment means were reported with Duncan's multiple range test. Quadratic, linear, nonlinear and orthogonal equations were reported and finding the turning point of quadratic equations was achieved with the "Solver" extension of Excel software. For traits related to breast fatty acids, statistical analysis was not performed and only the raw laboratory data report was published and the calculation of indices was presented.<br />Results and discussion: The performance results showed that only in the finisher period (22-42 d), the feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased at the level of 2% (P<0.05) and for other periods and even the entire period, there was no negative effect on performance after SE feeding (P<0.05). Carcass traits for live body weight and defeather body weight in the control treatment were significantly higher in the SE-fed groups (P<0.05). Also, for these two mentioned traits, the contrast effects of the control group compared with the combined effect of the SE-fed groups were significantly different (P<0.05). Eviscerated carcass, heart and pancreas weights in the control treatment were significant compared with the combined effect of the SE-fed groups (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in carcass relative weight between the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Results of blood parameters for glucose, cholesterol, atherogenic index, triglyceride, phosphorus, Fe, calcium, liver enzymes and total antioxidant capacity were significantly different in line with the improvement of chicken health after SE feeding (P<0.01). For immunological traits Antibody Titr (35day-SRBC test), the treatment containing 1.5% SE and the control treatment had significantly higher values than the 2% SE treatment (P<0.05). Meat color was observed to increase in the treatments fed with SE compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Overall, the results indicated that SE feeding in broiler chickens with the least negative effect on performance has a positive role on the biochemical health parameters of blood and immunity of broilers and in parallel affected meat color and the potential of supplementing this antioxidant source in nutrition has a promising perspective for health.<br />For immunological traits Antibody Titr (35day-SRBC test), the treatment containing 1.5% SE and the control treatment had significantly higher values than the 2% SE treatment (P<0.05). Meat color was observed to increase in the treatments fed with SE compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Overall, the results indicated that SE feeding in broiler chickens with the least negative effect on performance has a positive role on the biochemical health parameters of blood and immunity of broilers and in parallel affected meat color and the potential of supplementing this antioxidant source in nutrition has a promising perspective for health.Introduction: Elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) as a valuable antioxidant, immune stimulant, anti-influenza and antibiotic alternative and a strong antiviral supplement, and in parallel reducing a variety of metabolic and non-metabolic diseases, can have a good prospect in poultry nutrition. It has been proven that Sambucus ebulus fruit extract can increase cytokine production by monocytes, and subsequently the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF is revealed, and the immune system in the host body is modulated and improved. Administration of this extract of this plant through drinking water showed positive and promising results in the improvement and treatment of H9N2 avian influenza. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the dietary effects of elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) on production performance, carcass characteristics, biochemical parameters and blood antioxidant status, immune system, and meat sensory and taste traits, and its fatty acid profile in broiler chickens. <br />Material and method: Biological experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design using elderberry (Sambucus ebulus) fruit powder (SE) consisting of three treatments of 0, 1.5 and 2%, each treatment consisting of 5 replications and 10 birds per replication, and a total of 150 Ross 308 broiler chickens. Assay diets based on corn and soybean meal were formulated during three periods: starter (1-11 d), grower (12-21 d) and finisher (22-42 d). During the three rearing periods of starter, grower, finisher and the entire period, feed intake (FI) and body weight (BW) were measured, respectively, and FCR was also calculated. At the end of the period, after four hours of starvation, two birds with the average weight of their experimental unit from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered and, by separating the carcasses, the following were weighed and measured: live weight, defeather body, eviscerated carcass, breast, thigh, gizzard, crop, liver, heart, pancreas, spleen, bursa of Fabricius weight and abdominal fat, respectively, with a scale with an accuracy of 0.001. In addition, at the end of the period, blood samples were taken from the wing vein of three birds from each replicate using sterile 5 cc syringes, and biochemical blood parameters were measured. To evaluate immunological parameters, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were injected at a 5% dilution into the pectoral muscle area of the birds on days 28 and 36 of rearing in a volume of 0.2 cc. Seven days after SRBC injection (days 35 and 42), samples were taken from the wing vein of the same injected birds with sterile syringes with a volume of 3 cc to evaluate the level of antibodies against SRBC using the hemagglutination method for Newcastle disease (NDV) and influenza (AIV) titers. In order to evaluate the fatty acid profile of meat, sampling was performed from the whole breast of the bird and meat health indices including omega 6 to omega 3 ratio, atherogenic index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), hypocholesterolemic index (HI), and hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic ratio were calculated. For the sensory and taste attributes item including the evaluation of aroma, flavor, odor, tenderness, color and overall desirability of breast meat, one sample was taken from each replicate and the samples were cooked without spices. Then, it was evaluated by six panels (food testers) (by scoring from 1 to 10). All data obtained were collected in Excel software and the results were analyzed with statistical software (SAS 9.3). Comparisons of treatment means were reported with Duncan's multiple range test. Quadratic, linear, nonlinear and orthogonal equations were reported and finding the turning point of quadratic equations was achieved with the "Solver" extension of Excel software. For traits related to breast fatty acids, statistical analysis was not performed and only the raw laboratory data report was published and the calculation of indices was presented.<br />Results and discussion: The performance results showed that only in the finisher period (22-42 d), the feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased at the level of 2% (P<0.05) and for other periods and even the entire period, there was no negative effect on performance after SE feeding (P<0.05). Carcass traits for live body weight and defeather body weight in the control treatment were significantly higher in the SE-fed groups (P<0.05). Also, for these two mentioned traits, the contrast effects of the control group compared with the combined effect of the SE-fed groups were significantly different (P<0.05). Eviscerated carcass, heart and pancreas weights in the control treatment were significant compared with the combined effect of the SE-fed groups (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in carcass relative weight between the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Results of blood parameters for glucose, cholesterol, atherogenic index, triglyceride, phosphorus, Fe, calcium, liver enzymes and total antioxidant capacity were significantly different in line with the improvement of chicken health after SE feeding (P<0.01). For immunological traits Antibody Titr (35day-SRBC test), the treatment containing 1.5% SE and the control treatment had significantly higher values than the 2% SE treatment (P<0.05). Meat color was observed to increase in the treatments fed with SE compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Overall, the results indicated that SE feeding in broiler chickens with the least negative effect on performance has a positive role on the biochemical health parameters of blood and immunity of broilers and in parallel affected meat color and the potential of supplementing this antioxidant source in nutrition has a promising perspective for health.https://animalscience.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_20376_6b5a0b19c5ccb9973791bd2df3524e08.pdf