Background and objectives: Oil seeds are commonly used in the diet of Ruminant nutrition to meet energy and protein requirements. To eliminate the anti-nutritional substances and increasing bypass protein, soybean seeds are processed, and heat is the most common way used to processing soybeans. So using bypass proteins is important, soybean processing causes rumen un-degradable protein content to be increased, that could increase protein absorption in the small intestine and improve nitrogen utilization efficiency. The main objective of this research were the estimate the effect of dietary replacement of crud, extruded and roasted fullfat soybean with soybean meal on dry matter intake, growth performance, rumen parameters, diet digestibility and feeding behaviors in Afshari male lambs. Materials and methods: Experimental diets were assigned to the 7 groups (n = 6/group) in a completely randomized design for a 74-d period (14 d for adaptation and 60 d for data collection). Experimental diets with equal ME and CP concentrations and a forage toconcentrate ratio of 30 to 70 were formulated: treatment 1: contains 15 percent of soybean meal, treatment 2: replace of 7. 5 percent soybean meal with crud full fat soybean, treatment 3: replace of all soybean meal with crud full fat soybean, treatment 4: replace of 7. 5 percent of soybean meal with extruded full fat soybean, treatment 5: replace of all soybean meal with extruded full fat soybean, treatment 6: replace of 7. 5 percent soybean meal with roasted full fat soybean, treatment 7: replace of all soybean meal with roasted full fat soybean. Results: Dry matter intakes was effected by experimental diets (P <0. 01). Using 15% roasted full fat soybean with the mean of 1. 79 kg per day showed the highest dry matter intake. The use of extruded and roasted full fat soybean significantly increased daily gain in comparison to the crud full fat soybean and soybean meal (P <0. 05). The use of extruded and roasted full fat soybean significantly reduced feed conversion ratio (P <0. 01). In vivo digestibility of crud protein, dry matter and organic matter was not affected by the dietary treatment but neutral detergent fiber was affected by the dietary treatment (P <0. 05). Feeding lambs on diets crud, extruded and roasted instead of soybean meal had no effect on volatile fatty acids and feeding behaviors. Conclusion: The use of extruded and roasted full-fat soybean with improved daily gain, in vivo digestibility and reduce feed conversion ratio, increased the fattening performance of Afshari male lamb.

Introduction: One of the most important sources of the red meat in Iran is the meat produced from sheep. Increasing lamb per ewe considered as a strategy for improving the efficiency for sheep production, although reproduction traits have low heritability. Several genes associated with reproduction were investigated in the recent years. The BMP 15 gene and its paralog GDF 9 and receptor, BMPR-IB, are related to fecundity in sheep and attracted the interest of breeders recently. All these genes that are members of TGFb super family are functionally closely related together and they affect expression and secretion of hormones affecting follicle growth and ovulation rate in mammals. BMP15 plays a key role in regulating many processes in granulosa cells and ovulation rate. Mutations in some candidate genes such as BMP 15 proved to affect the lambing rate. Since 2008, introgression of the BMP Receptor IB mutant (FecB) from Booroola Merino (from New Zealand) into Afshari sheep was initiated. Thereafter, several genes that proved to have an effect on reproductive traits were studied in this breed. This study was conducted to identify possible polymorphism(s) in BMP 15 and to compare its expression in ovaries of pregnant and non-pregnant ewes.Materials and Methods: To study these, blood samples were collected from 35 and 45 Afshari and Afshari × Booroola Merino ewes, respectively. DNA was extracted from all samples using phenol-chloroform procedure and Total RNA was extracted using the RNA extraction kit, CinnaPure RNA Kit (Cinnagen Inc®, Iran), extraction was performed according to the manufacturer’s instruction. To remove any possible residual DNA contamination, RNA samples were treated with 1 unit of DNase (Vivantis Inc®, Malaysia). The specific primers were designed for three areas of BMP 15, namely promotor (581 bp), exon one (325 bp) and exon two (857 bp) and the targets were amplified using PCR. The PCR products were sequenced using forward and reverse primer for all of the samples.Result and discussion: There was no difference among sequences of the promoter and the first exon among samples. But, a nucleotide in position 134 of the second exon, C was replaced by A, was observed in two samples with heterozygote genotypes AC instead of CC. Nonetheless, the codon of amino acid encoding proline is remained unchanged. This mutation occurred in two Afshari × Booroola Merino ewes. This mutation, to our knowledge, was not reported to date. Parents of these ewes were not available and also due to the low frequency of the mutation, detection and identification breed of the origin for the mutation was not possible. To date, such a mutation neither was reported in Afshari nor in Booroola Merino breeds. Obviously, the promoter of the gene is conserved and it shows high similarity amongst related species. Nevertheless, in our study sample size was limited to conclude this well. Considering conservation of the promoter of the gene within the species and closely related species, it appears that the regulatory regions were very protected and required for its sustained action. Given that a number of animals used in the study were twine bearing Afshari × Booroola Merino crosses, but there was no difference between them and Afshari pure breed in terms of BMP15 gene expression and gene sequences. Thereupon, the results of this study indicate that this gene plays no role in litter size of this new genetic component. In order to assess the expression of this gene in ovaries of the ewes, after slaughtering, ovary samples of 22 pregnant ewes and those of 8 none pregnant were collected. Total RNA was extracted from the samples and mRNA converted to cDNA using oligo d (T) primer and reverse transcriptase. Glyceraldehyde 3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was used as the endogenous control for normalization. Results of real time PCR using designed specific primers showed no difference in BMP 15 gene expression between pregnant and non-pregnant ewes.Conclusion: It is possible that this gene plays its role in relation to other genes include their receptors and its expression is needed in different steps of reproduction. This result and reports of other studies suggest that more data on BMP15 gene with a simultaneous expression of other genes in the ovary is needed to clarify the integral role of BMP 15 in reproduction.

Calpastatin is an endogenous inhibitor of calpain (calcium- dependent cysteine protease). Calpastatin activity is highly related to the rate of protein turnover and rate of meat tenderization. In order to characterize the structure of calpastatin in Iranian Afshari breed of sheep, intron 6 and partial exon 7 of the L domain were amplified and sequenced. A fragment of approximately 1.5 kb was identified. In this study, an Afshari calpastatin gene fragment that encoded L Domain amino acids was detected. Hence by detection of such conserved mutations, it is possible to use these polymorphisms in Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS).

Growth hormone is one of the main factors affecting the growth of animals. Dِِifferent alleles of this gene, may lead to different phenotypic effects. The aim of this study was to identify alleles of this gene in exon 5 and part of the 3′ downstream area. For this purpose, 133 lambs from a flock and ultimately at the same age in three groups of Afshari pure breed and F2 and F5 crosses of Afshari-Booroola Merino were used. After taking Blood samples and recording the phenotypic measurements on live animals, 85 lambs were slaughtered. Afterward, carcass weight was measured. After 24 hours storing the carcasses in the cold room the weight of thigh, shoulder, neck, fat tail right side of carcass and waste was measured. Regression coefficient analyses were used to estimate carcass traits of those animals that were not slaughtered. DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform procedures from blood samples. Then, using designed primers, the desired fragment was amplified and directly sequenced. Afterward, by analyzing of sequences, association of genotypes with carcass traits were evaluated. The results showed that in the nucleotide site of 2846 there were two genotypes, TT and TC, affecting the length of the body in Afshari pure breed and F5 crosses. In position 2882 sequence of the gene, a nucleotide was inserted in some animals and this insertion only in F2 crosses was associated with waste (carcass fat). Our results on the observed variations in case be proved by further evaluations, it can be used in marker assisted selection program in sheep breeding.

The Afshari sheep, valued for their adaptability and productivity, are vital to Iran's livestock sector, especially in the Mashhad region. This study examines the effects of age on biochemical and hematological parameters in eighteen clinically healthy non-pregnant Afshari sheep divided into three age-based groups of six each: 1-2 years, 3-4 years, and over 4 years. Following thorough health assessments, blood samples were collected and analyzed for markers including total protein, albumin (Alb), globulin (Glo), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and hematological parameters such as white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Results showed that total protein and albumin levels were significantly higher in the sheep aged between 1-2 years compared to older ones (p < 0.001). ALP concentrations were elevated in younger sheep, while GGT levels increased significantly in sheep older than 4 years (p < 0.001). Hematological analyses indicated that RBC counts, HCT, and Hb concentrations were also greater in the youngest group (p < 0.001). WBC was lower in the oldest group, but differential leukocyte counts for neutrophils (p = 0.910) and lymphocytes (p = 0.720) did not differ significantly across ages. These findings underline the significant impact of age on the hematobiochemical profiles of Afshari sheep, providing critical insights for health management practices. This research enhances understanding of age-related physiological changes, aiding farmers and veterinarians in optimizing strategies for the welfare and productivity of this essential livestock breed.

Nomadic "salt bags" are a group of nomadic textiles which are less known in comparison with other nomadic weavings such as carpets, rugs, kilims, etc. These functional bags are generally found among other nomadic products. They have special features in form, structure, texture, color, pattern, motifs, and decoration which all make their examination significant besides studing other nomadic products. Afshars of Kerman -as an example in here- having a long history in weaving, are among those nomads which have various and noteworthy salt bags. Afshari salt bags are generally woven by women and are expressive of Afshars’ characteristics, though the effects of outer cultures are discernible in them. For this reason, in this article, it is tried to study Afshari tribe, their weaving history, as well as their former geographic realm, and eventually the influences of the other regions on their weavings. Therefore an overall recognition and understanding of their products -especially salt bags- may be built up and the originality of patterns and other properties may be determined. In this connection, the aesthetic and physical aspects of salt bags were studied and analyzed, and the acquired information was compared with weaves of other tribes as well.

Background: Multiple births occur frequently in some Iranian sheep breeds, while infertility scarcely occurs. Mutation detection in major fecundity genes has been explored in most of Iranian sheep flocks over the last decade. However, previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for bone morphogenetic protein receptor- (BMPR) -1B and growth differentiation factor) GDF9 (known to affect fertility have not been detected. This study was conducted to assess whether any significant mutations in GDF9 were extracted from slaughtered ewe ovaries of Iranian Afshari sheep breed.Materials and Methods: Ovaries defined as poor, fair, and excellent quality based on external visual appearance of follicles were used for histology and RNA extraction processes. High quality RNAs underwent reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from GDF9 mRNA, and the products sequenced.Results: No streak ovaries, which are considered indicators of infertility due to homozygocity for some mutations in GDF9 and BMP15, were found. Sequencing results from GDF9 cDNA showed that G2 (C471T), G3 (G477A), and G4 (G721A) mutations were observed from 1, 4, and 1 out of 12 ewes, respectively. Though all 3 mutations were previously reported, this is the first report on their presence in Iranian breeds. The first and second mutations do not alter the amino acids, while G4 is a non-conservative mutation leading to E241K in the prohormone.Conclusion: As the G4 mutation was observed only in ovaries defined superficially as top quality, it could be considered as one of reasons for higher ovulation rate in some sheep. Furthermore since multiple mutations were observed in some cases, it might be possible that combinations of minor mutations in GDF9 and BMP15 interact to affect fecundity in some Iranian sheep breeds.

Selection of live animals with minimum carcass fat in animal breeding programs will lead to increase inmeat production at national level. The ligands of Wnt genes are of the effective factors in adipocyte celldifferentiation. This study was aimed to assess the association between polymorphisms in Wnt10a andWnt10b genes and carcass traits in 96 Afshari – Booroola Merino male lambs. In this study, DNA wasextracted from blood samples using phenol-chloroform extraction method and polymerase chain reactionwas performed for amplification a 663 bp fragment of exon III and a part of the second intron of Wnt10agene and a 512 bp fragment of exon III Wnt10b gene. The results showed a polymorphism and threemonomorphisms (a different allele compared to reference sequence of the gene) in the Wnt10a gene butall the sequences of the Wnt10b fragment were the same in studied region of the gene. Results of thesequencing lead to identification of four single nucleotide changes in Wnt10a gene in the studied areawhen compared to the reference sequence. One of the monomorphisms was in the intron and among otherthree nucleotide changes identified in exon III one was a missense in codon 139. After digestion withrestriction enzymes HpaII at this codon, it was observed that all sampled lambs had mutant homozygousgenotype compared to the reference sequence. This site was also evaluated in a number of Afshari (fattailed)and Zell (with the least fat tail) but again the same results were observed. Therefore, it seems thatin this position the G is the wild type allele in the studied population.

Introduction: Lamb fatteners receive less benefit due to unawareness regarding the suitable methods of fattenering. As it is conventional in broiler breeding, the diet of pre-starter contains high levels of protein and energy, which is specified to freshly hatched chicks and it decreases the number of days between hatching and slaughter day every year. Therefore, the same method can be tested in newborn lambs, meaning that the lamb receives the whole mother's milk and the initial diet, which is referred to creep feeds. The creep feed contains at least 15 percent crude protein and breeding lambs immediately after birth, with receiving a diet either rich in metabolizable protein or low metabolizable protein with a lysine amino acid and a rumen-protected methionine. This may be substituted with the conventional method of feeding lamb via whole mother's milk, alfalfa and Rangeland forage and then, fed in an intensive system under Iranian conditions. The present research was designed and conducted to economically compare the conventional method with creep feeding method in Afshari lambs, and to investigate the possibility of shortening the time from birth to slaughter. Production of meat with high quality and quantity without increasing the number of livestock and gaining an appropriate profit in the short term is one of the main goals of the fattening industry. The cost of livestock feeds supply is about 65-70% of the costs of raising and maintaining. If these costs are reduced in a period of fattening, in addition to producing meat with a good quantity and quality, more income will be also earned by the livestock owner (Farzad 1996; Talebi and Edriss 1999; Mousavi et al. 2005, 2011). Improving human living standards, reducing physical activity and changing food habits have led to a reduction in tail fat consumption and a rise in demand for meat. Also, if low-fat and low-fat sheep are produced, improving the nutritional efficiency will increase the economic efficiency of fattening units (Talebi 1998), so that the livestock fed in the lower ages will have better food efficiency (Hasanpour 1965; Mousavi et al. 2005, 2011). Choosing the appropriate fattening method will reduce the starting age, longevity and cost of rearing lamb and leaving livestock out of the pasture, which will lead to a rapid return of payments and improvement of investment in the sheep industry, reduced overgrazing and preventing soil erosion and flood damage. Due to the advancement of ruminant nutrition science in recent years, it is possible to start fattenning at a young age. Then, the use of creeping rations is associated with a change in the composition of the diet, especially metabolizable protein; as a result, growth, daily weight gain, and feed efficiency are increased and carcass compositions may have more meat. The goal of this study was to select an appropriate Fattening system that would provide greater economic returns through a higher percentage of meat, less feed, and reduced lamb's longevity. Choosing the appropriate procedure of feedlot and deliver the lambs to slaughter weight in the possible shortest time reduces the cost of livestock and There was an additional livestock departure from the pasture. Material and methods: 51 male lambs of Afshari were used in an unbalanced completely randomized design with 4 treatments included: treatment 1: Milk + alfalfa + pasture (conventional control without fattening as semi-intensive farming or CONT-UF ), treatment 2: Milk + alfalfa + pasture then get a fattening diet ( conventional control with fattening as semi-intensive farming or CONT-F ), treatment 3: milk + creep feeding ( included high protein metabolism as intensive farming or HMP), and treatment 4: milk + creep feeding (including low protein metabolism with lysine and methionine rumen protected as intensive farming or LMP +LMRP). Results and discussion: The effect of creep feeding on average daily gain of lambs was significant (p=0. 0001), (Table 2) Which was consistent with the results of others (Karim et al. 2001; Moriel and Arthington 2013; Yiakoulaki et al. 2007; Lardy and Maddock 2007). The reason for the increase in daily weight gain at an early age is due to the higher growth rate of the animal early in life, which is justified by growth curves that are consistent with the goal of experimenting with early onset of slaughter and slaughter at an early age. The low daily gain was due to the non-fattening control treatment, but it was fattened in the control treatment because fattening started at 5 months of age and the daily gain was lower at high ages. Reduced protein intake and amino acids intake and no effect on body weight changes were observed in creep diets, whereas in Abdelrahman and Hunaiti (2007), Purchas et al (1998) and Yousefian et al (2013) studies, weight gain was observed but in the experiment, Heydari et al (2014) reduced yield. Dry matter intake among the treatments was statistically significant and the highest rate was found in the fattening control (p=0. 0001), (Table 2) Which is consistent with the results of other researchers (Eilami 1995; Eilami 2005; Kianzad 1993). The amount of dry matter consumed depends on the body weight of the animal as the age of the animal increases and consequently body weight increases feed intake in this experiment as slaughter age varies so the amount of consumption depends on the life of the animal and in creep treatments due to nutrient availability. As well as increased feed efficiency at an early age, the amount of dry matter consumed was low, whereas this was not the case for the control treatments because the dry matter consumed before the beginning of the feed was used to maintain low weight gain. FCR in the fattening and non-fattening controls increased significantly and recorded the highest amount in the fattened control (p=0. 0001), (Table 2) This is in agreement with the results of other researchers (Eilami 1995; Eilami 2005; Kianzad 1993). The conversion factor is a function of the amount of feed consumed to increase body weight, which is an increase in the feed conversion ratio with increasing age of the animal due to the type of animal body stored so that as the age of the animal increases, the amount of fat stored in the protein increases and the cost of increasing each gram of fat tissue increases. Compared to the cost of increasing every gram of muscle tissue, this increases the conversion factor. Carcass effiency was reduced significantly in the non-fattening control (p=0. 0001), (Table 3) While in the creep treatments, even at a young age, carcass yield had a higher number, indicating greater growth of organs, but no significant difference was observed between creep and fattening treatments. The greatest benefit was observed in LMP + LMRP treatment and loss was observed in CONT-F treatment (P = 0. 0001), (Table 4) Since the fattened control treatment had a life span of 260 days and the other treatments reached the kill weight in the shortest time. Conclusion: Baesd on the economic calculations, LMP+LMRP treatment was determined as a better method for finishing lambs.

BACKGROUND: Abortion is one of the most important factors reducing lambing rate and consequently profitability of sheep farms. In addition to financial losses, it is also important from a zoonotic point of view. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate bacterial abortifacient agents in an outbreak of abortion occurring in Afshari sheep in the northwest of Zanjan province.METHODS: Vaginal swab samples were collected from 217 Afshari ewes (129 samples were taken from aborted ewes, 3 samples from ewes with crippled and deformed lambs, and 85 samples from animals that had given birth to healthy lambs) from reported flocks involved in outbreak. Swabs were examined by PCR assay to detect DNAfrom Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydophila abortus, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter fetus, Brucella ovis and Leptospira interrogans.RESULTS: Based on the results, only DNA of Campylobacter was detected in the samples. A 266 bp fragment specific for Campylobacter was amplified from 51.52% and 34.12% samples belonging to aborted and non-aborted ewes, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Significant presence of the bacterium in aborted ewes (p<0.001) compared to the non-aborted groups with odd ratio of 3, emphasizes that Campylobacter could be involved in the outbreak of the abortion. Considering the importance of the disease, prophylactic measures are needed to reduce the disease. However, further investigations are required to determine the impact of this bacterium in prevalence of abortion in sheep in other areas.