Introduction: Biosynthesis and storage of gonadotropins in farm animals begin at the same embryonic stage. The hypothalamus-pituitary-testicle axis controls animal reproductive activity through complex neurological and endocrine pathways. Disturbance in any of these pathways results in the inadequacy of the reproductive system and as a result, lower reproductive performance. Puberty is the end point of a series of events affecting the development of the ‘ hypothalamo– pituitary– gonadal’ axis leading to reproductive competence. The changes in GnRH pattern release during puberty are under steroid-dependent and steroid-independent control mechanisms (reference? ). Steroid-dependent mechanisms involve changes in sensitivity to gonadal steroid negative-feedback regulation of GnRH neurons (reference? ). Although the ability to release high frequency GnRH pulses is inherent from an early age in sexually immature sheep, because of the presence of gonadal steroids and the greater sensitivity of the GnRH system to these steroids. As the time of puberty approaches, sensitivity to gonadal steroids decreases, which allows GnRH pulse frequency to increase. This remarkable change in the ‘ gonadostat’ clearly underlies with pubertal increasing in GnRH/LH pulse frequency, which appears to be the key determinant of reproductive function. However, there are sexual differences in the responsiveness of GnRH system to inhibit by steroids, which underlie the different timing of puberty onset in male and female animals. Before puberty, a functional negative feedback system exists between testosterone and LH, estradiol and LH, and between inhibin and FSH in male sheep. Male LAMBs have a similar degree of responsiveness to estradiol and testosterone with regard to the regulation of LH pulse frequency. In view of these observations we have tested the hypothesis that the differences in the patterns of gonadotrophin secretions might be related to the influence of the testosterone on changes in the castrated males and accumulation of LH and FSH during the postnatal transition to puberty in male LAMBs. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of changes in sex hormones in intact and castrated Ghezel LAMBs during pre-puberty at different ages. Material and methods: In this study, 20 Ghezel LAMBs were considered in four age groups included: group 1 (one-month-old castrated LAMBs, n = 4), group 2 (two-months-old castrated LAMBs n = 4), group 3 (three-months-old castrated LAMBs n = 4), group 4 (four-months-old castrated LAMBs n = 4), group 5: (one-month-old non-castrated LAMBs as the control group, n = 4). LAMBs of the five groups were fed with the same diet according to the NRC 2007 until the age of nine months. Blood samples from LAMBs were taken monthly until the age of nine months. After serum isolation, serum levels of testosterone, LH, and FSH were measured by ELISA. Results and discussion: In intact LAMBs, testosterone concentrations increased at the age of four months (0. 65 ng/ml) and peaked at nine months of age (2. 33 ng/ml). In intact male LAMBs, FSH concentrations were the highest levels after weaning and early puberty periods (P <0. 05). The LH concentration increased significantly in intact males at three months of age, while the testosterone concentration in the one-month group showed a significant difference there were no other months (P> 0. 05). In this study, two phases of surging for LH were observed. The first phase of the LH peak was observed at 1-4 months of age (2. 4 ng/ml) and the second phase was observed at 7-8 months of age (1. 576 ng/ml). Reducing LH secretion between the first and second phases had a high correlation with increasing in testosterone concentration (r =-0. 96, p <0. 05) Testosterone concentrations were not significantly different in the one-month-old, two-months-old, and three-months-old castrated groups (P> 0. 05). Conclusion: Puberty related hormonal changes in the Ghezel breed begins at 2-4 months with a change in the secretion of LH and FSH at the end of weaning and then, puberty achieved at 8-9 months of age. According to the effect of testosterone on aggressive behaviors, castration is recommended in the early stages of birth (1-3 months), when the testosterone level is lower and the animal is under a little stress. The outstanding point of the present study is observing the increase in gonadotropins at the age of 2-4 months, which indicates the beginning of puberty related hormonal changes in the Ghezel breed.

Raisin waste (RW) is produced during grapevine processing after harvest for raisin production. The aim of current study was to substitute the barley grain with RW in diet containing cereal straw as the only forage source in growing RAM LAMBs feeding. Ground barley was substituted with RW at the rate of 9and 18% of diet (dry matter (DM) basis) in iso-nitrogesnous and iso-energetic diets. Twelve growing RAM lames (first body weight of 26±, 2 kg) used in 3 × 3 replicated Latin square with three experimental periods. At each period of experiment, 6 pens of LAMBs (each 2 LAMBs placed in each pen) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments (2 pens for each treatment). Raisin waste contained (% DM) 78. 4 DM, 5. 4 ash, 3. 7 crude protein (CP), 10. 6 ether extract, 18. 5 acid detergent fiber (ADF), 1. 4 total tannin, 2. 2 total phenol and 0. 8 nontannin phenolic. Dietary substitution of ground barley with RW did not influence LAMB final body weight (32. 9, 32. 2 and 32. 1 kg respectively for three treatments), average daily gain, feed intake (1060. 1, 960. 2 and 920. 3 g respectively) and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility including DM, organic matter, CP and ADF (P>0. 05). Blood glucose, red blood cells and white blood cells count were similar among treatments (P>0. 05). Blood urea decreased in LAMBs fed with diets contained RW (P<0. 05). Blood total protein and triglycerides increased mostly at the level of 9% of substitution in LAMBs (P<0. 05) compared with other level of substitution. In conclusion, in diets contained cereal straw as the only forage source, up to 18% of ground barley could be replaced by RW without detrimental effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood measures in growing RAM LAMBs.

The safe movement of the rail rolling stock is not possible without train control systems. Train control systems ensure safety somehow and they play a vital role in increasing the speed and the capacity of the transport; So that, the failure of the whole or part of it can cause safety disruption, reduce productivity and increase line blockage. Due to the fact that all train control telecommunication services are based on optical transmission networks, the interruption of these networks will cause the interruption of all train control services and as a result, the line will be blocked. Therefore, evaluating and improving the sustainability of the optical transmission infrastructure is essential. In this research, in order to predict the number of the blockages due to the disruption of the transmission infrastructure, the rail transmission network is evaluated in two stages. In the first stage, the paRAMeters of Availability, Reliability and Maintenance (RAM) of the railway transmission network are evaluated, and are simulated using the Monte Carlo method. In the second phase, the RAM mechanism is simulated again by implementing a network failure repair reduction model. In both stages, the probability of the shutdown of the railway telecommunication network, the numbers of blocked lines have been obtained. Predicting the number of network outages and rail line blockages due to the interruption of train control services has been conducted for the first time in research. The results of this study showed that a 10% reduction in network repair time led to a three-and-a-half-fold increase in RAM levels and a 70% reduction in line blockage. These results will be of great value in increasing system efficiency as well as the satisfaction of the users.

In this trial the effects of four levels of oak kernel (0, 10, 20 and 30%) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and daily dry matter intake in 48 Kurdish male LAMBs with 180-210 days old and 23.236 ±1.311 kg initial weight was studied. A completely randomized design with 4 diets, 4 replications and 3 observations in each replication was used. The LAMBs were fed for a period of 100 days and daily weight gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio in 20 days intervals were calculated. At the end of this trial the LAMBs to determine carcass efficiency, carcass cuts and chemical composition of boneless meat of ribs (No: 10,11 and 12) were slaughtered. The results showed that average daily gain and daily dry matter intake of the LAMBs fed with diets containing 0,10,20 and 30% oak kernel were 235,245.5, 262 and 272.75(gr/day) and 1.498, 1.520, 1.507 and 1.612 (kg/day) respectively. There was no significant difference between treatments (p>0.05). The average feed conversion ratio of the LAMBs which were fed by different rations was 6.430, 6.220, 5.765 and 5.927, respectively. There were no significant differences between warm carcass weights 22.330, 22.813, 23.802 and 26.133 (Kg) and dressing percentage that were 47.770, 47.755, 47.677 and 52.162 on different diets, respectively(p>0.05).

Information on animal requirements for rangeland grazing capacity is essential. Therefore, animal unit equivalent (AUE) of each breed should be determined independently. In this research, live weight of Gharagol sheep based on average live weight of 3 and 4 years old ewes was determined. Then, two herds of Gharagol breed were selected. Within each herd, 15 three year old ewes, 15 four year old ewes, 5 three years old RAMs, 5 four year old RAMs, 10 three month old LAMBs and 10 six month old LAMBs have been selected. They were weighed two times including; at the time of end of grazing season in lowland and in winter. For determination of dry matter requirement, forage quality was taken in to consideration. According to the results; weight of Gharagol sheep (three and four years old ewe) was 53.53 ± 0.88 kg and weight of RAM and LAMB was 89.53±0.96 and 30.70±1.17 kg. Therefore, animal unit equivalent (AUE) for ewe, RAM and LAMB were 1.05, 1.55 and 0.69 respectively. According to MAFF equation (1984); daily metabolism energy requirement for maintenance condition of ewe, RAM and LAMB Gharagol sheep by considering condition of rangelands and distances from watering points and plant density was calculated 10.71, 15.81 and 9.15 Mj (including that multiplied by 1.5). Dry matter requirement based on forage quality for ewe, RAM and LAMB Gharagol sheep were calculated 1.50, 2.26 and 1.02 kg, respectively.

A four- year-old Moghanian breed ewe was admitted to the large animal veterinary clinic, University of Tabriz due to dystocia. During obstetrical examination, it was revealed that the cervix has been closed firmly and vagina protruded about 5 cm through the vulva (vaginal prolaps). Based on clinical findings and for saving the dam and LAMB(s), the cesarean section was done. A normal alive female LAMB twin to a monster dead male was delivered. According to the facial deformity, the monster twin was diagnosed as Cyclops LAMB. This is the first report of a Cyclops LAMB’s giving birth twine to a normal LAMB from Iran.

Background and Objective: Metallic green sheen and lactose fermentation has been used for identification and differentiation of E. coli from other Enterobacteriaceae in laboratories for many years.However, these methods defect to accurate diagnosis of E. coli. This study employed LAMB gene PCR amplification to distinguish E. coli and Shigella from other Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical samples and surface waters, collected in Babol, Iran.Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 clinical samples from patients attending health centers and 30 surface water samples were gathered in Babol. All samples were grown on blood agar and Eosin methylene blue. After first biochemical identification, DNA of the samples were extracted and LAMB gene was amplified using the PCR reaction.Results: After cultivation of the samples on blood agar and eosin methylene blue media and biochemical identification of the strains, it has been shown that all 40 isolated E. coli and 30 Shigella carry the LAMB gene. However, none of the Salmonella and Klebsiella strains showed the related band.Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, investigation of LAMB gene is an appropriate method for initial isolation of E. coli and Shigella from other Enterobacteriaceae.

1-One of the objective aspects of the royal Glory in the Kā rnā mag ī Ardaš ē r ī Bā bakā n (Book of the Deeds of Ardaš ī r, the Son of Bā bak) is the appearance of a material manifestation in the shape of a corpulent animal, probably a RAM. The word signifying this concept has been written in the Pahlavi text of Kā rnamag as جی. Scholars agree on the meaning of the word and generally refer to it as RAM, but they disagree on the reading of the word. Most researchers following Antia, corrected it as+اجی and read it warrag. However, the latter has been used neither in Pahlavi nor in Persian texts meaning "RAM". In Shahnameh, Ferdowsi renders it into غرم (γ orm) “ a mountain RAM” , so it is possible that Pahlavi spelling is also a contamination of+جای (the deletion of ا is very common in Pahlavi writing). The given form could be easily read as "rang", Persian رنگ which means "mountain goat". 2-Pahlavi غجاغ defines the manifestation of the Ā dur Farrobā y in the shape of a bird, in the Kā rnā mag (chapter 9, Frag. 11). This spelling has been read as xrō s and interpreted as "cock" by editors. Although this interpretation is possible, but it is not suitable for the context. It is better to transliterate this word as ʾ lwh and read it as ā luh (Persian آله) "eagle" which comes from Old Iranian *ardifya-(Av. ə rə zifiia-Skt. ṛ jipyá-) literary "moving or flying straight, upwards".

Lipoma is a benign tumor of well-differentiated adipocytes that has been reported in some domestic animals. Omental lipomas in human and domestic animals are rare and reported as a case report. This study aimed to report an omental lipoma in a slaughtered sheep. In the observational examination of a sheep in a slaughterhouse in Tehran Province, Iran, and during the inspection of the abdominal area, a mass was seen on the greater omentum. The mass was sampled and placed in 10% formalin for histopathology. The mass was single, soft, dense, capsuled, oval, weighing 150 g, and 4.5×3.5 cm in size. Microscopic examination showed omental mass composed of uniform and mature lipocytes encased within a thick layer of immature connective tissue. The final diagnosis was primary benign lipoma. Lipoma can occur anywhere in the body where there are fat cells, and probably obesity and trauma are important risk factors for its occurrence. The size of the lipoma mass may help predict the age of the mass.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using portulaca oleracea as a source of plant antioxidants for feeding fattening male LAMBs, on carcass traits, meat quality, and oxidative stability. Twenty-one male LAMBs with an average weight of 24±1.5 kg and 150±15 days old were fed with one of the experimental rations included a diet without portulaca oleracea as control, a diet containing 7.5%, and a diet containing 15% portulaca oleracea, for 84 days. The muscle (Longissimus dorsi) samplewas used to determine pH, chemical composition, colorimetric properties, and oxidative stability of meat. Meat lipid oxidation was determined after 1, 7, and 30 days of refrigerated storage using thiobarbituric acid (TBARS). The use of portulaca oleracea in diets improved meat color characteristics such as L, chroma, and Hue. The highest ash concentration and the lowest meat moisture were observed in the treatment of 15% portulaca oleracea (P<0.05). Meat pH was the lowest in the first hour after slaughter but did not differ at 24 h. Compared to the control, in both treatment groups feeding the LAMBs with portulaca significantly reduced the concentration of Malondialdehyde in the meat of the LAMBs and increased the meat oxidative stability (P<0.05). The results of this experiment showed that feeding portulaca oleracea by improving properties such as color and increasing the meat oxidative stability improves meat quality, which may have lead to an increase in its nutritional value in terms of human health.