IRANIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL SCIENCE
Year:2018 | Volume:8 | Issue:2|Papers Count:20

The process called biohydrogenation occurs mainly in ruminant animals and during it, unsaturated fatty acids, and particularly poly-unsaturated ones (linoleic and linolenic) coverts to a saturated form of stearic acid. For many years, the beneficial effects of biohydrogenation intermediate fatty acids like cis-9 trans-11 linoleic acid, the main natural isomer of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), and the isomer of trans-9 trans-11 CLA, especially in preventing cancer, has been proved. Many researches tried to use different components to interference biohydrogenation and increase the mediator substrates of CLA (e. g. vaccenic acid (VA)). Recently, due to the effects on rumen microorganism population, so do on biohydrogenation, tannin, a poly phenolic compound, is in the center of considerations. It is well known that tannins, specially condensed tannins, affect the bacteria population involved in biohydrogenation. Consequently, reduction in biohydro-genation via dietary inclusion of tannin is a useful tool to change the milk fatty acid profile toward health promoting fatty acids.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two different levels of starter protein and amounts of milk fed on animal health, fecal score, immune responses and microbial population in the rumen of Holstein male calves. Two levels of starter crude protein (17 and 20% of starter dry matter (DM) and two levels of milk fed (7 and 10% of body weight) were combined in a 2 × 2 factorial experimental design. Forty new-born male Holstein calves (initial body weight 40± 2 kg) were used for 75 days. Feeding the colostrum was performed immediately after birth for 3 days. Every calf consumed the probiotic mixture of protexin and Saccharomyces cerevisiae via milk (2 g/day). Water and calf starter were offered free choice. Individual fecal score was measured daily. Results showed that starter intake and weight gain were affected by days of age (P<0. 05). But, there were no interactions between starter protein levels and amounts of milk fed on starter intake and weight gain (P>0. 05). Starter protein levels, amounts of milk fed and their interactions had no effect on protozoa population, fecal consistency, general health score (GHS) and number of days with diarrhea (P>0. 05). There were significant interactions between amounts of milk fed and starter protein levels on bacteria population (P<0. 05). Also, amounts of milk fed and starter protein levels did not affect fecal fluidity, but interaction between them was significant (P=0. 046). By increasing starter protein levels, the numbers of bacteria and protozoa decreased and increased, respectively. The effects of starter protein levels, amounts of milk fed and their interactions on immune response of calves were not statistically sig-nificant.

A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out to investigate the productive and reproductive per-formances of different genetic groups of crossbred cows at three different farming conditions in Bangla-desh. Crossbred cows (n=90) those already completed third lactations, were selected randomly from three different dairy farms (e. g. Jarip, Mullah and Nahar) located in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The numbers of animals of each of the genetic groups were 30 for 50% Holstein Friesian (HF) × 50% Sahiwal (SL) cross, 30 for 62. 5% HF × 37. 5% SL cross and 30 for 75% HF × 25% SL cross. Different productive and reproduc-tive traits of crossbred cows such as age at first heat, calving interval, gestation length, service per concep-tion, days open, lactation length and milk yield, etc., were measured in this study. Results demonstrated that gestation length of 50% HF × 50% SL, lactation length of 62. 5% HF × 37. 5% SL, gestation and lactation length of 75% HF × 25% SL crossbred cows between the farms were significantly influenced (P<0. 05). Other parameters of crossbred cows such as age at first heat, age at first calving, service per conception, average daily milk yield, days open and calving interval of different genotypes were not influenced (P>0. 05) by different farms. The highest (282. 00± 0. 00 days) and lowest (276. 43± 0. 92 days) gestation length were found in crossbred cows of the Jarip and Nahar dairy farm, respectively. The highest (297. 50± 3. 50 days) and lowest (282. 00± 0. 00 days) gestation length were found in crossbred cows of Mul-lah and the Jarip dairy farm, respectively. The overall productive and reproductive performance of different crossbred cows of the Nahar and Mulla dairy farm were superior to that of the Jarip dairy farm.

Stud bull plays an important role in the development of animal husbandry. Detailed knowledge about main-tenance behavior of stud bulls is essential for practicing better management conditions in the farm to sup-port the artificial insemination (AI) industry demand. Therefore, a comparative study was conducted on stud bulls to evaluate the effect of genetic group, season, genetic group × season interaction, temperature, humidity and temperature humidity index (THI) on maintenance behavior. Twenty five stud bulls (five bulls each from five different genetic groups) in two seasons (i. e. winter and summer) maintained at the Frozen Semen Bull Station, Nadia, Haringhata (West Bengal), India were selected for the study. There was a significant effect of genetic group on eating (P<0. 05), sitting (P<0. 01), lying (P<0. 01) and sleeping time (P<0. 01), season on rumination (P<0. 05) and sitting time (P<0. 01), genetic group × season interaction on lying (P<0. 01) and sleeping time (P<0. 01), air temperature on drinking (P<0. 05) and sleeping time (P<0. 05), humidity on eating (P<0. 01), rumination (P<0. 01), sitting (P<0. 01) and lying time (P<0. 01) and THI on eating (P<0. 05) and drinking time (P<0. 05). There was no effect of genetic group, season, genetic group × season interaction, temperature, humidity and temperature humidity index on standing time. Dif-ferent genetic groups responded differently in expression of different subcomponents of maintenance be-havior in two seasons.

The association of birth type (single vs. double) and pregnancy type (single vs. double) with lactation per-formance and lactation curve was investigated in Holstein cows in Iran. Data of 243298 lactations on 138021 cows in 261 herds collected during January 2000 to December 2012 were used. The average twin-ning rate was 3. 64% and ranged from 1. 44% (primiparous) to 5. 41% (multiparous). Factors associated with twining were calving season, calving year, herd, and parity. The rate of twinning increased from 2. 49% in 2000 to 3. 42% in 2012. The probability of twinning was higher in multiparous cows than that in primiparous [Odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI))= 3. 64 (3. 44-3. 84) for multiparous vs. primiparous cows]. The probability of twin pregnancy was higher in cows previously delivering twins than that in those delivering singles [OR (95% CI)= 3. 17 (3. 02-3. 34) for cows delivering twins vs. cows delivering singles]. The lacta-tion curve for cows delivering singles in previous gestation and pregnant with twins in subsequent gestation tended to be lower and flatter. The incidence of twin pregnancy was increased as the cow reached its peak yield earlier, and produced more milk at peak lactation. Primiparous cows delivering singletons in their previous gestation and having twins in their subsequent gestation produced more 100-d, 200-d and 305-d milk than those pregnant with singletons. Multiparous cows that delivered singleton in previous gestation and were pregnant with twin in the subsequent gestation, produced more milk during the first 100-d and 200-d of lactation than those pregnant with singles.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance, some carcass characteristics from feedlot lambs receiving sunflower crushed (SC) in the diet on partial replacement of soybean meal. The experimental design was randomized block with four levels of SC in the diet (0, 10, 20 and 30% of dry matter (DM)). There was a linear reduction of 0. 02; 0. 003; 0. 003 and 0. 17% for each percentage unit of added SC in the diet, respec-tively, for the intake of dry matter, crude protein, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. There was a significant linear decrease of 0. 15; 0. 11 and 0. 12% in slaughter weight, hot carcass and cold carcass, re-spectively, when increased 1% in the inclusion of SC in the diet. The use of SC did not influence the bio-logical yield and characteristics of marbling, texture and color of the meat. The use of SC can be used in supplements for lambs in intensive production systems in partial replacement of soybean meal by up to 20%.

This research was conducted to investigate in situ degradation characteristics of maize, sorghum and sor-ghum-Sudan grass hybrids. whole plant of maize (TTM-815, DK-711), sorghum (SS-506, FS-5) and sor-ghum × Sudan grass hybrids (P-988, Grazer N2) were grown under semi-arid conditions and harvested at different maturity stages (mid-flowering (MF), milk-line (ML) and hard-dough (HD)) and ensiled. Three replicate silage samples were incubated at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. in three rumen fistulated Holstein heifers. Effects of species had a large impact on rumen degradation characteristics values (a, b, (a+b), c), effective dry matter degradability (EDMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) MJ/kg for maize (M), sorghum (S) and sorghum × Sudan grass hybrids (SSH) silages. Effective dry matter degradability (EDMD2) of dry matter was found as 286. 65, 259. 37, 265. 0 g/kg for species silages, respectively (P<0. 0001). Acid detergent fiber (ADF) was found to be the best single predictor of effective dry matter degradability of sorghum × Sudan grass hybrids silages (P<0. 05, R=0. 448).

Copper (Cu) plays an essential role in the human and animal body system. One of the most important sources of Cu is milk. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of injection of inorganic Cu and organic Cu as Cu-arginine and Cu-lysine on Cu concentrations of milk in the lactating Zandi’ s ewes. This experimental research involved 54 lactating Zandi’ s ewes collected from the department of State Organization Agriculture of Tehran province, Iran. They were allocated into three main groups included: group 1) which received inorganic form of Cu as copper chloride, groups 2 and 3) which received organic Cu as Cu-arginine or Cu-lysine (25, 50 and 100 mg kg-1 of body weight (BW)) in the chelate form, respectively. The milk samples were taken 30 min before and 6 hours after intravenous injection of Cu preparations. The Cu concentration in milk was measured using the flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. There was no significant difference among the groups in milk’ s Cu concentration before admini-stration of either inorganic or organic Cu. Data analysis showed that the administration of inorganic Cu caused a significant increase (P<0. 01) of Cu concentration in the milk in a dose dependent manner. Fur-thermore, the administration of Cu-arginine or Cu-lysine in chelate form caused a significant increase (P<0. 01) in milk Cu concentration compared to the inorganic Cu. In conclusion, administration of different forms of Cu influenced the Cu concentration in the milk. The organic forms of Cu led to a significant in-crease in milk Cu concentration in a dose dependent manner compared to the inorganic form of Cu.

The nutritive value of Ceratonia siliqua and Gleditsia triacanthos pods was determined on the basis of their chemical composition, in vitro gas production and rumen fermentation end-products. Medicago sativa was used as a reference feed material. The studied samples showed differences in chemical composition and phenolic compounds. Crude protein (CP) content was particulary low (80 g/kg DM) in carob and higher in Medicago sativa and G. triacanthos pods with (159. 79 and 121. 56 g/kg DM, respectively). Inclusion of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) in fermentation medium results in a significant increase (P<0. 05) of gas produc-tion in Ceratonia siliqua and Gleditsia triacanthos and no effect was observed with M. sativa. The highest values of gas production were observed for C. siliqua and G. triacanthos, whereas Medicago sativa had significantly low values. The highest asymptotic gas production was observed in Ceratonia siliqua and Gleditsia triacanthos (296. 80 and 289. 55 mL g-1 DM, respectively), whereas Medicago sativa recorded the lowest value (243. 64 mL g-1 DM). The concentration of acetate differentiated two groups: Medicago sativa and Gleditsia triacanthos (86. 58 and 66. 32% respectively), while the fermentation of Ceratonia siliqua resulted in a lower acetate concentration (59. 84%). Although there were noticeable differences among the three studied samples, Ceratonia siliqua and Gleditsia triacanthos pods showed better nutritional quality, indicating that they could be considered promising and interesting sources of feed for sheep during the dry season or as supplement to low quality diets.

The objective of this study was to specify the effects of centrifugation and different surface of soybean leci-thin-based extender on post-thaw Sperm quality of Ghezel ram semen. Semen samples were gathered from 5 mature Ghezel ram two/week for 3 weeks. After initial evaluation, the approved semen samples were pooled together and split into equal parts in Falcon tubs. Three samples were combined with Tris buffer at 30 ° C and then centrifuged to remove the seminal plama. After centrifugation and removal of the super-natant, samples were diluted with Tris-citrate-fructose extender + different concentrations of soybean leci-esthin (1%, 1. 5% and 2% weight/volume) with 7% glycerol; and residual one samples, which were not centri-fuged, were diluted with the (1. 5% weight/volume) soybean lecithin. Samples then cooled to 5 ° C and fro-zen in 0. 25 mL French straws and straws were thawed in a 37 ° C water bath. The results of different con-centrations of soybean lecithin showed that total motility (TM) and motion parameters of average path ve-locity (VAP), straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and lateral head displacement (ALH) and and the percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes were significantly higher in soybean lecithin (SL) 1. 5% compared to other semen extenders (P<0. 05). Total motility and sperm-motion parameters (VAP, VSL, VCL and ALH), in SL1. 5% without centrifugation were higher than the groups with 1%, 1. 5% or 2% and with centrifugation (P<0. 05). Generally, the results suggest that SL1. 5% extender was better (with or without centrifugation) than other extenders in most in vitro evaluated sperm parameters.

Oxidative stress during freezing-thawing reduces sperm motility, viability, membrane functions and anti-oxidant capacity. Thymus vulgaris has antioxidant properties due to phenolic compounds. The purpose of current study was to evaluate the effect of Thymus vulgaris extract as a natural antioxidant on post-thawed Moghani ram sperm quality. Semen samples were collected twice a week from four rams. Samples were then pooled and diluted with Tris based extender supplemented with different concentrations of Thymus vulgaris (0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 mL per dL diluent solutions). Following the cooling and equilibration stages for semen samples, the samples were frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen until evaluation. Following this freezing procedure, samples were thawed, and the sperm motility and velocity parameters, viability and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated. Our results showed that the addition of 2 and 4 mL/dL extracts at the extender stage increased the total motility percentages (P<0. 05). Addition of 4 mL/dL extract im-proved progressive motility and percentages of viability compared to the control group and high levels of extract groups (P<0. 05). Plasma membrane integrity of sperm in 4 and 8 mL/dL extract groups were greater (P<0. 05) than the control and 12 and 16 mL/dL extract groups. Also, addition, 16 mL/dL extract had a sig-nificantly negative effect on all evaluated traits (P<0. 05). In conclusion, supplementation of extender with intermediate amounts of Thymus vulgaris extract improves the quality of ram sperm after freezing and thawing in a dose-dependent manner.

Swiss Saanen goat is a widespread breed frequently found in commercial herds across the world. The pre-sent study aimed to identify the rumen microbial community of exotic Saanen goats adapted to a fibrous diet using barcoded pyrosequencing. Rumen content samples were collected from the four animals via a stomach tube after the morning graze and freeze-dried for DNA extraction. Bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA and protozoal 18S rRNA genes were sequenced by 454 titanium pyrosequencing and analyzed using the quantitative insights into microbial ecology (QIIME) software package. Obtained results indicated that at the genus level, Prevotella (Bacteroidetes phylum) dominated the assigned sequence, with the relative abundance accounting for 29. 41 ± 4. 27% of the total bacteria. The second most abundant bacteria in the rumen of Saanen goats was an unclassified Bacteroidales (Bacteroidetes phylum) (11. 01± 0. 94%). In addi-tion, Firmicutes phylum was recorded as the second most frequent phylum and three unclassified genera, which belonged to the order Clostridiales, constituted 21. 42% of the total bacteria. Entodinium was the most abundant protozoal genus, comprising 46. 78 ± 9. 13% of the protozoal community, followed by Epid-inium and Ophryoscolex (12. 37± 0. 06 and 11. 92± 7. 7, respectively). Almost half the archaeal community (43. 71± 1. 57%) was composed of Methanoplasmatales-related sequences and Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii clade (35. 79± 4. 84%) and Methanobrevibacter ruminantium clade (13. 36± 6. 34%) were the second and third most dominant archaea, respectively. Overall, further efforts should be made to apply cul-ture-based methods for the identification of remarkable number of unclassified bacteria in the rumen of goats.

The weighing records of 18 crossbred females with average live weight of 14. 7 ± 3. 14 kg were analyzed to study the relationship of the growth of crossbred hair sheep with some zoometric measures. The weight was established and took the measures thoracic perimeter, cannon perimeter, body length, neck length, hip am-plitude, ischial amplitude, withers height and croup height. All parameters were stated as cm. Within 60 days of the initial weighing and taken the zoometric measures, animals were weighed again and the average daily gain was estimated. The correlation coefficients of initial body weight with zoometric measures were high (r>0. 7) and the highest of average daily gain were with thoracic perimeter (r=0. 41) and body length (r=0. 34), to the remaining variables the coefficients were below 0. 3. According to Akaike information crite-rion the best fit model to describe the growth was, average daily gain (ADG) (g/d)= 3. 3 × thoracic perimeter (PT)-44. 4 × perimeter cane (PC) + 5. 4 × body length (LCO) + 5. 6 × amplitude hip (AC)-3. 3 × height at the croup (ALG) (R2=0. 92, Akaike information criterion (AIC)=96. 8; P<0. 05). The zoometric measures relate to the growth, proving to be a tool for information about the growth potential of crossbred lambs.

This study was conducted to determine the genetic relationships among and population history of four Ni-gerian indigenous goat populations. A total of 200 goats from three breeds namely Sahel (60), Red Sokoto (60), West-African dwarf (60) and Kano Brown, a strain (20), were used for the study. Tissue samples were collected from the ear of animals using an Allflex® ear punch tissue sample collector, and aliquoted into plastic tubes containing the Allflex® tissue preservative. DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing were carried out at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya. Genetic analysis of the DNA was carried out using 25 microsatellite markers proposed by Food and Agricultural Organiza-tion and International Society for Animal Genetics (FAO-ISAG). From the results of the study, the highest heterozygosity was observed in Kano Brown goats (0. 68± 0. 04), which was followed by that of Red Sokoto goats (0. 64± 0. 04) and that of West African dwarf goat (0. 58± 0. 05) as the least. In the entire goat popula-tions, low inbreeding was observed; mean Fis was 0. 105 and Fit was 0. 129. As expected, populations of Red Sokoto and Kano Brown showed higher genetic similarity as was seen in the genetic distance (0. 022), con-firming the notion that the Kano Brown is a strain from the Red Sokoto breed. Gene flow (Nm) played an important role in the genetic uniformity in populations of narrow geographical vicinity (14. 868). The den-dogram displayed a remarkable degree of consistency with the geographical origin of goats in this country. The information obtained in this study will aid in rational development, utilization and conservation of Ni-gerian indigenous goats.

The effects of dietary supplemental vitamin E (VE) and chromium (Cr) on egg production (EP), egg qual-ity, serum concentrations of Cr and insulin and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were evaluated in Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens reared under thermoneutral or heat stress (HS) conditions. A total of 144 laying hens were distributed in 24 cages and assigned to feed four diets including two levels (0 and 200 mg/kg) of VE and two levels (0 and 1200 μ g/kg) of Cr in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with six replicates. The daily temperature in the house was maintained at 17 ° C for 10 weeks (30-40 wks of age) and afterward (41-45 wks of age) increased instantly to 32 ° C to simulate HS. Decreased feed intake was observed in hens fed the Cr-supplemented diet during HS (P<0. 05). Supplemental VE and Cr had no significant effect on egg weight, egg mass, albumen weight, specific gravity, egg shape index, yolk color and index (P>0. 05). In-creased feed conversion ratio (FCR) and decreased yolk weight and shell thickness were detected in hens fed the VE-supplemental diet before HS (P<0. 05). A combination of VE and Cr increased Haugh unit, be-fore and during HS, and also increased EP, yolk and shell weight during HS (P<0. 05). No dietary effects (P>0. 05) were observed on serum concentrations of Cr and the activity of GSH-Px at 45 wk of age (after exposure to heat stress), however, supplemental VE and Cr increased serum concentration of insulin (P<0. 05). In conclusion, dietary supplemental VE in combined with Cr partly alleviated the detrimental effects of HS in laying hens, via improving EP and egg quality.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different betaine (BET) (0. 0, 0. 5 or 1. 0 g/kg) and folic acid (FA) (0. 0, 4. 0 or 8. 0 mg/kg) levels on performance, egg FA concentration and egg production of laying quails using 288 forty-two day-old Japanese quail in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatment based on randomized complete design. The results showed that none of the performance traits, except feed intake, was affected by dietary treatments. No effect of FA and BET supplementation was observed for egg spe-cific gravity but egg shape index was affected throughout the experiment. No significant differences were observed for egg white, pH, weight and ratio, but Haugh unit (HU) was affected significantly by FA sup-plementation (P<0. 01). High levels of FA supplementation (8 mg/kg) decreased the HU (P<0. 01). More-over there was a significant interaction between the FA and BET for HU (P<0. 05) and increasing the BET level did not changed the HU at the low and medium levels of betaine, while decreased the HU at the high-est level of FA (8 mg/kg). No effects of FA or BET were observed for egg yolk pH, egg yolk index and egg yolk percentage, but egg yolk FA content (EYFC) and egg yolk color was affected significantly by FA sup-plementation (P<0. 01). EYFC increased from a low of 843. 87 μ g/kg for birds consuming the basal diet with no added FA, up to a high of 1456. 25 μ g/kg for birds consuming diets with 8 mg/kg of FA.

Single cell protein (SCP) is the definition for dried cells originated from single-celled organisms intended to be used as a protein source in human foods or animal feeds. An experiment has been conducted to evaluate the various levels of single cell protein on fecal microflora and productive traits of broiler chickens. A total of 192 day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments. Each treatment consists of 48 birds and 4 replicates of 12 birds each. From day one, birds were fed either a corn-soybean meal basal diet with different levels of SCP (0, 5, 10 and 15 percent of as fed basis diet). Four birds from each treat-ment were randomly selected for slaughter and microbial study at day 47. Total counts of aerobic bacteria, Lactobacillus and Coliforms in the gut were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. The SCP at the levels of 10 and 15% caused to severe mortality. Also, SCP had adverse impacts on body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. In conclusion, although SCP reduced feed cost, but it had some adverse effects on birds’ performance.

Betaine is donor of methyl groups and can partially replace methionine in diets for this purpose. The objec-tive of this study was to evaluate three sources of betaine in partial substitution of methionine supplement in broiler diets. The Cobb-500 broiler chickens were allocated in a completely randomized experimental de-sign with 5 treatments and 7 replicates of 49 birds each. The positive control treatment consisted of standard level of digestible methionine, the negative control was the digestible methionine reduced by 17% and the other three treatments consisted of the negative control diet supplemented with natural betaine (95%) or hydrochloride betaine (72%), HCl 1 and HCl 2 that had the same composition, and were obtained from two different manufacturers. The performance was evaluated from 7 to 21 days, 7 to 35 days and 7 to 43 days. At 43 days, the carcass and carcass parts (breast, thigh+drumstick, liver and abdominal fat) were deter-mined and an economic analysis of each diet was performed. The performance results of the negative con-trol were similar to the other treatments; however, there was a reduction in breast meat yield of birds fed the negative control compared to positive control and betaine HCl 2. The birds from the negative control had the lowest breast meat yield and the highest thigh + drumstick yield. The chickens fed betaine HCl 2 had greater amount of breast in the carcass (42. 85 vs. 41. 17%) and the cost of production of breast was reduced (US$1. 941 vs. US$ 2. 042) compared to the negative control. There was not difference between treatments in carcass yield, percentage of liver and abdominal fat. There was a tendency to higher abdominal fat depo-sition in carcass in animals fed with the negative control. As a conclusion, the inclusion of betaine in the diets of chickens containing restricted levels of methionine is economically feasible, reducing the cost of breast meat production.

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of liquid metabolite (LM) produced by Lactobacillus plan-tarum and dietary putrescine (PUT) on growth, blood lipids, villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD) and poly-amines (PAs) content of intestinal tissue and ileal digesta in chickens. Six treatments, replicated six time each, were factorial arrangements of two levels of LM (0 and 0. 3%) and three levels of dietary putrescine (0, 0. 03 and 0. 05%). Growth performance and PAs content of digesta and excreta (at 21 d) were measured, as well as small intestine VH and CD. Blood cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose were measured at 24, 33 and 40th d. Putrescine (0. 05%) negatively affected body weight, feed conversion ratio and protein and en-ergy efficiency ratio while increased duodenal VH significantly (P<0. 05) as compared to the 0. 03% putre-scine. Aging was effective on blood cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose. Blood triglyceride decreased by 0. 03% putrescine (P<0. 05). Faecal spermidine was increased significantly (P<0. 05) by 0. 05% putrescine. Duodenal PAs declined in the chickens fed LM, whereas dietary putrescine had no effects on intestinal tis-sue polyamine. In conclusion, luminal PAs content was not affected by treatments. LM influenced intestinal tissue PAs but had no effects on growth and ileal digesta polyamine content. However, putrescine (0. 05%) was harmful to the growth but increased duodenal VH.

For their normal living, honey bees (Apis mellifera) require proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals. It is well known that Co and vitamin B12 are two nutrients that have been reported in pollen and plants that have had positive results in bees feeding. In this respect, the aim of the study is to determine the influence of feeding of the bee families with CoSO4 as a supplement on the chemical composition of non-flying worker bees' bodies and some bee products components. The study was conducted during May-August 2015 in the experimental apiary of the Institute of Animal Science, Kostinbrod. A total of 6 bee families were observed-3 experimental (fed with sugar syrup, sugar: water 1: 1 and 4 mg/L CoSO4 as a sup-plement) and 3 control (fed only with sugar syrup). The results show that the addition of 4 mg/L CoSO4 in the sugar syrup of the bee families do not have influence on the average weight and chemical composition of non-flying worker bees. Statistically significant differences (P<0. 05) in the diastase activity of the honey in the experimental group bee families were found.