Replacing the forage portion of the ration with triticale hay improves the performance of Holstein dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of replacing the forage portion (alfalfa, corn silage, and barley straw) in the diet of lactating Holstein cows with triticale hay (TH, × Triticosecale L.) on DMI, digestibility, ruminal fermentation variables, estimated microbial-N synthesis (EMNS), and milk production and composition. Eight Holstein cows were used in a replicated Latin square design (two 4 × 4 squares) with four 28-d periods and 4 treatments, including a TH-free diet (control), and diets replacing 33%, 66%, and 100% of the forage portion with TH.

A strategic framework for sustainable and renewable energy development: small-scale building solar power plants in Iran.

In Iran, the comprehensive environmental analysis for the strategic planning of small-scale building solar power plant (SBSPP) development is a necessary activity to achieve more renewable energy. This study performed a strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT factor-based) analysis: (i) the identification and validation of factors by the fuzzy Delphi technique; (ii) the priority assessment using the fuzzy best-worst method; and (iii) the proposal of development strategies for SBSPPs. The results identified the factors of nine strengths, eight weaknesses, nine opportunities, and eight threats.

The effect of progesterone injection combined with prostaglandineF2α, GnRH and hCG administrations on the pregnancy and lambing rate of lactating and non-lactating fat-tailed ewes during the breeding season.

The objective was to compare the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on the pregnancy and lambing rate of treated ewes with a short-term progesterone (P4) injection during the breeding season. In Exp 1, non-lactating ewes (n = 158) were used and received P , three times every 48 h and received PGF along with the last dose of P4. Ewe received hCG (n = 79, 3PHCG, IM) or GnRH (n = 79, 3PGnRH, IM) 24 h after the last dose of P4 treatment.

Reproductive efficiency of treated Karakul ewes with short-term progesterone and hCG injections during the non-breeding and breeding seasons.

The aim of this study was to evaluate reproductive efficiency of ewes following a short-term treatment with progesterone (P4) plus human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections. In Exp 1, ewes (n = 65) were used during the non-breeding season and received P4, three times every other day (n = 22, 3PHCG, IM) or a single dose of P4 (n = 21, PHCG). We injected hCG in all ewes 24 h after the P4 treatment, and distilled water in control group (n = 22).

Growth performance and carcass traits of purebred and crossbred fattening lambs from Ghezel ram with Grey Shirazi ewe.

In this investigation, performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of 48 weaned crossbred Grey Shirazi × Ghezel and purbred Grey Shirazi fattening lambs (mean live weight (LW), 28.5 ± 0.5 kg and age, 115 ± 5 days) were evaluated.

The effect of prostaglandin and gonadotrophins (GnRH and hCG) injection combined with the ram effect on progesterone concentrations and reproductive performance of Karakul ewes during the non-breeding season.

The effect of prostaglandin and gonadotrophins (GnRH and hCG) combined with the ram effect on the progesterone (P4) concentrations and reproductive performance of Karakul ewes was investigated during non-breeding season. Ewes (n = 93) received a male effect and were divided into two treatment groups including GnRH - hCG (hCG, n = 32), GnRH - GnRH (GnRH, n = 30) and a control (n = 31) group. This study was carried out from April (hormonal injection) to October (lambing).

Progesterone concentration and lambing rate of Karakul ewes treated with prostaglandin and GnRH combined with the ram effect during breeding and non-breeding seasons.

The combination of ram effect with two injections of PGF 10-days apart and the same protocol plus an additional injection of GnRH prior to the first injection of PGF were examined in Karakul ewes during breeding and non-breeding seasons, respectively. Plasma progesterone (P) concentrations (to detect the presence of active corpus luteum), twin lambing, litter size and synchronization of lambing were evaluated. In each study 70 ewes (2-4 years old) were divided to a treatment (n = 40) and a control (n = 30) group.

Effect of dietary fish meal on production performance and cholesterol content of laying hens.

The effect of dietary fish meal (FM) on production and egg yolk cholesterol of commercial Hyline White Leghorn hens (24-week old) was studied for four weeks. Eighty birds were given a corn-wheat-soyabean meal diet that contained either 0% (control diet, C) or 3% fish meal (DM basis). Hens were randomly divided into two experimental treatments with four replicates (10 hens per replicate).