IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of using seasame seed meal on some physiological traits of sharabi calves, on Al-Rasheida station farms, Mosul, from 17/10/2012 to 17/2/2013.Twelvth sharabi local calves were used at age 8-10 months and 135-160 kg.live body weight and divided into three groups according to their live body weight. All groups of calves were fed iso-nitrogen (15.5% CP) and iso-caloric (27.99 Mcal/kg.ME.) rations but different in percentage of seasame seed meal (0, 18 and 23%) for four months. Blood samples were withdrawal from jugular vein from each animal during experiment period to investigate the effect of seasame seed meal percentage on some physiological parameters of blood. The results revealed that using seasame seed meal have un significant effects on all hematological parameters, while red and white cell count ,hemoglobin packed cell volume, Lymph-ocyte percentage were increased significantly (p≤0.05). Acidophil and netrophil cells percentages were decreased significantly (p≤0.05) by animals get older. Concentration of total protein and globulin were increased significantly (p≤0.05), while the concentration of triglycerides and cholesterol were decreased significantly (p≤0.05) by increasing the percentage of sesame seed meal in ration and animal get older. Concentrations of AST, ALT, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, potassium and magnesium were not effect it by Sesame seed meal and animal age. It was concluded that adding of sesame seed meal instead of soybean meal in the rations for local Sharabi calves without any negative effect on the physiological parameters studied.

This study was been conducted in a breeder's field in Babylon governorate on twenty one Awassi ewes aged of 3-2 year during the second season of milking. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of probiotics treatment on some properties of milk komposition of Awassi ewes. Ewes have been split to three groups. Each group contains 7 ewes. The first group was a control treatment. The second treatment treated with 0.5% of probiotic while the third treatment treated with 1% of probiotic those containd three types of bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium, Bacillus subtilis) and one type of Yeast (Saccharomyces Cervisiae). The obtined result showed that the milk compositions were changed after two weeks of treatment except of lactose content. There was haghly significant difference (p<0.01) among milk composition after 4, 6 and 8 weeks. This study concluded that application of 1% probiotic showed best results compared with 0.5% probiotics.

ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to examine the effect of different nitrogenous sources (poultry litters, poultry litter + urea and urea only) with or without Saccharomyces cervicea SC supplementation in manufacturing of feed blocks on daily intake, daily gain and digestibility. Twenty four rams with 42.50kg average weight and 1.2-1.5 years old were randomly divided into 6 equal groups with 3×2 factorial experiment .By using of feed blocks with different nitrogenous sources did not significantly affect daily intake of straw, concentrate and total daily intake, as well as final body weight and total gain, while daily feed blocks and gain were significantly (p<0.05) effect. The effect of SC supplementation on intake lacked significance for all feed stuffs. Feed blocks with different nitrogenous sources did not significantly affect nutrient’s digestibility, except for crude protein and ether extract. The SC supplementation had significant (p<0.05) effect on most nutrient’s digestibility, except for crude protein and ether extract. In conclusion blocks containing urea+ yeast SC represented the best formula in which better performance of rams can be achieved.

The study was conducted in sheep and goat research station, office of agricultural research at may - November 2010 to evaluate the effect of wool shearing, breeding group and lamb sex on growth traits which include: Body weight, Average Daily Gain (ADG) at 6, 9 and 12 months of age in 120 Awassi lambs. The lambs divided to Two shearing treatments: shorn (60 lambs) and non-shorn (60 lambs), two breeding groups: Turkish Awassi (60 lambs) and Local Awassi (60 lambs) and two lams sex: male (60 lambs) and female (60 lambs). The lambs reared under semi-intensive production System, with good feeding, good disease control, and suitable housing were provided.
The results showed that shearing treatment affected significantly (P<0.05) in growth traits at 9 months. Shorn lambs surpassed non-shorn in body weight (40.23 compared with 39.58 kg) and ADG 6-9 months (81.48 compared with 72.77 gm/day). No significant effect was found at 6 and 12 months of age. Breeding groups affected significantly (P<0.01) in body weight, Turkish Awassi surpassed local Awassi at 6, 9 and 12 month (33.33, 40.60 and45.95 compared with 32.67, 39.18 and 44.21 kg respectfully). Turkish Awassi significantly (P<0.01) surpassed local Awassi in ADG at 6- 9 months (80.74 compared 72.41gm/days) and at 6-12 month (70.12 compared with 64.23 gm/day). No significant effect was found in ADG at 9-12months of age. Lamb sex affected significantly (P<0.01) in body weight, male lambs surpassed female lambs 6, 9 and 12 month (33.55, 40.16 and 46.05 compared with 32.45, 39.16 and 44.10 kg respectfully). Turkish Awassi significantly (P<0.05) surpassed local Awassi in ADG at 6- 9 months (78.52 compared with 74.63gm/day), at 9-12 month (59.96 compared with 55.16 gm/day) and at 9-12months (69.54 compared with 64.81gm/day).
It was concluded that shorn lambs in hot season were improve body weight and ADG in both in Awassi lambs at 6-9 months and Turkish Awassi had higher body weight and ADG compared with Local Awassi at 6-12 months.

This study was carried out in the research station for sheep and goast office of agricultural researchs Ministry of agriculture from 11-8-2011 18-11-2011. Fifteen male awassi lamps aged 7-9 month and averaged 34.250 Kg in live body weight were used .lamps were divided randomly in to 3 equal groups (5 lamps for each). The group A Control feed on diet containing standard concentrate ration, group B 5% lin seeds was added to standard concentrate ration, while group C fed on 5% sesame seeds added to standard concentrate ration.All lamps were introduced 2% concentrate ration of live body weight and fed on alfalfa hay adlibtum. The experiment period lasted 100 days, 3 lamps from each group were slaughterd at the end of experiment. The ratio of cuts and Tail fat compostion was studied .Results revealed the group B was significantly superior (p<0.05) in percentage of weight kidneys compared with the control. While the results showed an increase in percentage of weights Shoulder and Leg in group A, and an increased percentage of weights loin in group C compared with control.there was an increase in Refractive Index value in tail fat of lamps in group included addition of Lin seeds as well as reduced Melting point of Tail fat of lamps in group B and C compared with group A. The group B was significantly superior (p<0.05) in peroxide value of tail fat. The free fatty acids were also significantly superior (p< 0.05) in group B and C. The fat tail in group B was superior (p<0.05) in content of Linolenic acid compared with group A, While the group C was superior for linolic acid compared with group A.

The study was conducted to estimate the effect of early lambing on next following lambing sessions of Awassi yearling ewe's reproductive performance under semi-intensive System. Two groups of Awassi ewes (60 ewes) bred for four lambing seasons (2007-2010). Group one: 30 yearling ewes lambed at 12-15 month of age and group two: 30 yearling ewes lambed at 18-21 month of age. Fertility (ewes lambed per ewes joined), twinning percentage (twinning lambing per ewes lambed), lambing percentage (lambs born per ewes lambed), mortality (lambs died per lambs born) and weaning percentage (lambs weaned per ewes lambed) of ewes were estimated together with birth and weaning weights of their lambs. The result showed that early lambing in yearling group decreased fertility, twinning percentage (21.4% vs. 20.5%), lambing percentage (113% vs. 99.5%), lamb mortality (8.6% vs. 18.4%) and weaning percentage (111% vs. 98.3%) in both second and third lambing seasons compared with adult group.
There was no significant effect of early lambing on reproductive performance between Yearling and adult ewes group in the fourth season was observed. It was concluded that early lambing of yearling Awassi ewes showed no significant effect on reproductive performance compared with adult ewes as a total of four sequence lambing seasons.

This study was conducted in Al-Rashidiya animal breeding station. Using 24 Awassi ewes after weaning. (3-5 yrs. old) with average body weight of 56.96± 1.49 kg. The ewes were divided randomly according to their weight and milk production into four groups. The first (T1) and second (T2) treatments were fed on rations consist of 35% barley, contained 10 and 13 g degradable protein/MJ metabolizable energy. While barley grain raised to 62% in the rations of third (T3) and fourth (T4) treatments with preservation the same level of degradable protein 10 and 13 g/ MJ respectively. Ewes in the treatments fed with 1.750 kg / day. Results indicated that milk yield decreased with increased degradable protein levels significantly (p<0.05) in T4 186 g/ day as compared T1 and T3 391 and 408 g/ day. Percentages of milk protein, lactose and solid not fat was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in T4 as compared with other treatments, milk urea was significantly (p<0.05) higher in high barley rations (T3 and T4) 11.08 and 15.23 mg/dl as compared low barley content in (T1 and T2) 8.86 and 8.36 mg/dl respectively, also was decreased (p<0.05) in T4 compared T3. Blood triglyceride concentration was significant (p<0.05) increased in T4 compared other treatments 8.71, 7.06, 11.25 and 8.17 mg/dl. While albumin concentration was significant (p<0.05) increased in T4 3.55 mg/ dl compared T1 3.18 mg/dl.

Forty two ostrich eggs were collected from ostrich Struthio camelus Farm in the Aldawar research station, to investigate the physical characteristics of ostrich eggs and considered. Studied traits were: egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape, pore number/cm2 (shell porosity), shell weight, shell color, shell thickness, shell %, yolk height (mm), yolk diameter (cm), yolk index, albumin height, albumin index, surface area of an egg (cm2) and Hugh unit. Results showed that the averages of egg weight: 1348 g, egg length: 15.27 cm, egg width: 12.45 cm, Index egg: 81.75, shell thickness: 2.04 mm, shell weight: 289.12 g, shell%: 21.71%, the number of pores: 18:55 pores / cm2, shell color: 1.48 (52.38% of the color cream and 47.62% for color dark cream, without significant difference), surface area of an egg: 557.81 cm2, yolk height: 2.09 cm, diameter yolk: 13.40 cm , yolk index: 15.00, albumin height: 0.95 cm, albumin index: 54.96 and Hugh Unit: 2.91. There was no significant difference between the areas of the egg (narrow, middle and wide region) in the thickness of the shell and the number of pores/cm2.

This study was conduct at the Quail Breeding Farms of Agriculture Foundation Research. We used Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica ) of one day old, light brown in color to study effect of Flax seed and Fish oil (rich in Omega–3) and Vitamin E on egg product parameter to Japanese Quails. Depend on supplements, birds distributed randomly into 6 treatment groups (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) with 3 replicates , 25 birds in number for each replicate, considered T0 standard diet, T1(standard diet +0.015% vitamin E), T2 (standard diet + 0.5 %fish oil) ,T3(standard diet + 0.5 %fish oil + % 0.015 vitamin E), T4 (standard diet + 5 %linseed) and T5 (standard diet+ 5 %linseed + % 0.015 vitamin E), The diet corrected according to nutritional requirement of Quails.
Birds breed on pins system during two period, parent generation from13/6/2009 to 22/10/2009 and second period was offspring generation from 11/10/2009 to 20/2/2010, in 450 bird for each generations. Quail birds vaccinated against Newcastle disease according to station vaccine program for two generations the parent and offspring generation. The first vaccine given in 12 days old and the second in 21 days old in drinking water from Intervet cooperation (Holland exporter) for both vaccination.
The results showed effect of fish oil and linseed improved the productive parameters (production percent, egg weight and egg quality parameter) for quail bird , and this effect enhanced in the presence of vitamin E .The results revealed significant increases (P ≤ 0.05) in egg production percent in treatments (T3, T2, T5 , T4 , T1) for parent generation and (T3,T5,T4,T3,T1) for offspring generation compared to control T0 and there was significant increase in egg weight in treatments (T5,T4,T3,T2,T1) compared to the control group T0 for each generations parents & offsprings specially in the presence of vitamin E with linseed T5 and linseed alon . The results of egg quality parameters (egg design and thickness of egg shell) had no significant differences. There was significant increases (P ≤ 0.05) in Haugh Unit and Yolk Index in groups treated with Vitamin E (T1) and control (T0) compared to other treatmented and control group.

This study was conduct at the Quail Breeding Farms of Agriculture Foundation Research.We used Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica ) of one day old , light brown in color T to study the effect of Flax seed, Fish oil and Vitamin E on meat product parameters to Japanese Quail birds . Depend on supplements birds distributed randomly into 6 treatment groups (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) with 3 replicates, 25 birds in number for each replicate , considered T0 standard diet, T1(standard diet + 0.015% vitamin E), T2 (standard diet + 0.5 %fish oil), T3(standard diet + 0.5 %fish oil + % 0.015 vitamin E), T4 (standard diet + 5 %linseed) and T5 (standard diet + 5 %linseed + % 0.015 vitamin E), The diet corrected according to nutritional requirement of Quail birds.
Birds breed on pins system during two period, parent generation from 13/6/2009 to 2/8/2009 and offspring generation from 11/10/2009 to 30/12/2009, in 450 birds for each generations. Quail birds vaccinated against Newcastle disease according to station vaccine program for two generations the parent and offspring generation. The first vaccine given in 12 days old and the second in 21 days old in drinking water from Intervet cooperation (Holland exporter) for both vaccination.
The results showed an improvement of linseed and fish oil and vitamin E in meat product parameters for quail bird and this effect increased in the presence of vitamin E.
The results revealed a significant increase (P≤ 0.05) in body weight body weight gain in all treated groups (T3,T4,T5,T2,T1) for parent generation and (T3,T5,T2,T4,T1) for offspring generation compared to control group T0 specially in the presence of vitamin E with fish oil and linseed (T3,T5) compared to other treated groups , additional to that increase in hatching percent in all treated groups (T3,T5,T4,T1,T2) for offspring generation compared to control group . There is significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in Feed consumption in all treated groups compared to control group for two generation and there was superiority for offspring generation on parent generation and significant improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in Feed conversion ratio in all treated groups )T5,T4,T2,T3,T1) for parent generation and (T3,T2,T5,T4,T1) for offspring generation specially in the presence of vitamin E with linseed and fish oil (T3,T5) compared to control group.

This study was carried out at the poultry farm–Department of Animal Resources- College of Agriculture-University of Baghdad-Iraq from 2/10/2010 to 10/12/2010, to investigate the effect of in ovo inoculation of hatching eggs with different levels of folic acid solution (0.25, 0.30 and0.35 µg /egg) on some of carcasses quality and sensory evaluation of broiler meat. When the folic acid injected eggs were hatched, chicks were raised till 49 days of age. The data obtained revealed the following:. There were a significant decrease (p<0.05) in thawing loss, drips loss, cooking loss for meat. Water holding capacity (WHC) and sensory and phenotypic evaluation of meat was increased significantly(p<0.05). There were no significant differences in carcass PH of meat between treatment.
It can be concluded that injecting eggs hatching chicken meat with 0.35 µg /egg improve quality characteristics and sensory evaluation of meat.

This study was conducted at the poultry farm, College of Agriculture, Babylon University. The experiment Aimed to investigate the effect of early feeding either injection hatching eggs by different levels of ascorbic acids on 17.5 days of embryonic incubation or offering diet to hatched chicks inside Hatcher. Experimental treatment groups were: T1; negative control (without injection), T2; positive control (in ovo injection with sterile distilled water on 17.5 days of incubation), early feeding hatched chicks inside Hatcher , T4, T5 and T6 mean in ovo injection with solution containing 0.2, 0.6 and 1 % of ascorbic acid on 17.5 days of incubation respectively. Results indicated an increase in hatchability, chick’s weight at hatch, weekly live body weight, weight gain and an improvement in feed conversion ratio in treatment groups received ascorbic acids. As well as T5 (0.6%) surpassed other treatment groups in all studied traits.

The study was conducted at poultry farm, Animal Resources Dept. College of agriculture, the University of Kufa to EXAMIE the role of betaine on daily feed intake pattern of broiler chickens reared under high temperature condition during April, 6, 2010- May, 17, 2010. The experiment was included recording feed intake pattern during entire day of 4, 5, and 6 weeks of age for broiler chickens have being got betaine with drinking water. Five hundred and fourty bird, one day old of unsexed Hubbard Classic broiler chickens were reared on litter for two stages: the first was extended 1-21 day old with out treatment, whereas the second stage was extended 22-42 day old. Birds were randomly allocated into 6 treatment groups (3 replicates each, 30 birds per replicate) as follows; T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 which mean 0, 250, 400, 550, 700, and 800 mg betaine / L drinking water respectively. Results revealed no significant differences among treatment groups in feed intake during moderate periods (1and 4) of day. A significant reduction in feed intake during two hot periods of day 1100-1700 hr. (2) and 1700-2300 hr. (3) in comparison with two moderate periods of day 500-2300 hr. (4) and 500-1100hr. (1) in 4, 5, and 6 weeks of age. In general, a significant superiority in feed intake was observed in betaine treatment groups in comparison with T1 (control) during two hot periods of day (2 and 3) in 4, 5, and 6 weeks of age.

This experiment was carried out in the field of poultry of the Department of Animal Resources, Faculty of Agriculture /University of Tikrit, during 6/10/2011 to 11/24/2011. The aim was to determine the impact of growth and development and the optimal age for the slaughter of three hybrids of different broilers included 308Ross, Ross (importer) and Hubbard with the feasibility study. The birds have been slaughtered at the age of 32, 37, 42 and 47 days. 480 day-old chicks and one distributed randomly into three treatments each of which contained replicates and each of them contain 40 chick were select 12 birds from each treatment were randomly assigned to the purpose of slaughter, The results showed the following: a significant increase (p<0.05) with age among strains Ross308 and hybrid Ross (importer) and the hybrid Hubbard for each of the carcass weight and dressing percentage and percentage yields President and ratios yields secondary, increase the proportion of deboning (p<0.05) as a result of aging, as well as increasing the weight of meat, physically separated the hybrid Ross 308 and Ross (imported) and finally the hybrid Hubbard.

This study was carried out at the Poultry Research Station State Board of Agricultural Research (Ministry of Agriculture, Abu-Ghraib). The study lasted for 8 weeks (56 day) carried out from 24/4/2011 to 18/6/2011, the experiment were tested by randomly distributed 240 Lohman brown layer at 57 Week of age in to 6 treatment with two replicate treatment (20 hens/ Repli). The treatments were as follows: T1: basic ration with tap water, hens in T2, T3, T4, and T5 present treated water with hydrogen peroxide at rate of 0.5% and 300 mg/kg of Vit. E and C, and 0.5 g/ kg of grape seed and rosemary leaf respectively, T6 hens group only treated water with hydrogen peroxide at rate of 0.5%. The results obtained showed: H2O2 treatment showed significant deterioration in some productive traits such as decrease in egg production, feed consumption and egg mass, and significant deterioration in feed conversion ratio, H2O2 treatment caused significant decrease in the catalase, glutathione peroxidase activity in blood plasma, and levels of hem- iron, and significant increase in the peroxide value, malondialdehyde concentration and free fatty acids percentage in liver tissue, the above changes indicated the ability of H2O2 (0.5%) in the induction of oxidative stress in laying hens. Antioxidants treatment showed significant improvements, of some performance traits such as increase in egg production, feed intake and egg mass and significant improvement of feed conversion ratio. Antioxidants treatment caused significant increases in catalase, glutathione peroxidase activity in blood plasma, and levels of hem- iron, and significant decrease in the peroxide value, malondialdehyde concentration and free fatty acids percentage in liver tissue, the above changes indicated the capacity of antioxidants treatment in the induction ability in preventing oxidative stress or to reduce the effects of oxidative stress and the ability in improve these traits in laying hens. The results showed significant improvement in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity in blood plasma, malondialdehyde concentration and levels of hem- iron, for the natural antioxidants treatment as compared with the commercial antioxidants treatment, the above assisted the high ability of the natural antioxidants treatment compared with the commercial antioxidants treatment. The results revealed there were higher significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration in yolk egg during cold storage periods (1, 14, 28 and 42 days) for H2O2 treatment compared with the control treatment and other treatments, and The grape seeds, rosemary treatments recorded lower significant and decrease in malondialdehyde concentration in yolk egg during refrigeration storage periods, and followed by vitamin E treatment, and then vitamin C treatment led to significant decrease in malondialdehyde concentration in yolk egg as compared with the control treatment and hydrogen peroxide treatment. It can be concluded that addition of grape seeds, rosemary in the ration of laying hens have h+igh antioxidant activity in inhibition of lipid oxidation in yolk egg fresh and during cold storage.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of increased salinity to 0.1 , 4 , 8 and 12 g/l. on food digestibility and gastric evacuation rate in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), the concentrations 0.1 g/l. (tap water) was considered as control. Results of digestibility trial showed that the total food digestibility were 61.28 , 40.64% and 33.45% in salt concentrations 4,8 and 12 g/ l. respectively , while it was 52.18% in control.The values of apparent digestibility of protein were 75.17 , 63.27% and 55.44% in salt concentrations 4,8 and 12 g/ l. respectively, in comparison with control (72.23%). While, the values of apparent digestibility of fat were 52.62, 38.48 and 32.54% in salt concentrations 4,8 and 12 g/ l. respectively, in comparison with control (50.74%). The increase of salinity as well as raise of the gastric evacuation rate , where the first debut of feces was recorded after 4.25, 5.35 and 6.20 h. after food intake in salt concentrations 12, 8 and 4 g/ l. respectively , while it was 6.25 h. in control. Fish were fed a diet contained 32% protein during this investigation.

A random sample of common carp Cyprinus carpio were detected in Al-Wahda central hatchery / Ministry of Agriculture and was examined on 28/5/2011. The fishes were found to be infected by Bothriocephalus gowkongensis. The examination showed clinical signs on fishes included swelling of abdomen and fishes characterized by heavy movements. The histopathological changes on the site of infection (the intestine) included severe hemorrhagic enteritis, increase in mucosal cells, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of goblet cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, slight fibrosis, hemosiderin deposits and hemorrhage in the liver.

Find draws to monitor the degradation of natural vegetation to assess the condition of pastures through the use of modern technologies such as remote sensing and geographic information system.
The study identified the vegetation in some districts of Al- Anbar (Al-kaim, Ana, Hadetha) to assess the state of pastures, using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NDVII.
The study identified the area of the digital image satellite has been processing and analysis of data for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NDVI.
Adopted the study area as a model for the rest of the districts based on satellite images of the area available and LANDSAT captured in 2002 and in 2012 through the work of the calculated and comparisons between the two study periods of ten years to calculate the density of vegetation.
Areas were calculated for class 2:0.1-03 (herbs and grasses) and extracted donum amounted to 18286 donnem in 2002, while reaching to 24142 donnem for 2012.
Calculated based on the proportion of greenness area of the study area and the amount of 9746400 donnem has reached 0.18% of the area of the region in 2002, while 0.24% recorded for 2012.
The results indicate an increase in NDVI Index which estimated at 0.06% in 2012 compared to that of 2002 and considered this a very slight increase.
This explains that despite efforts to improve the condition of pastures, but it is still below the required level. This is due to the long period of severe drought and a long period of repeated exposure in the country in general and the study area in particular, and not to follow the style of sustainable natural resources. Tilling and dangerous process of random non-scientific process led to the uprooting of shrubs from the root.
Were given the most important recommendations that can be tapped if properly applied to achieve sustainable management of rangelands.

The aims of the study were isolatetion and identification opportunistic gram negative strains from the intestinal micro-flora of 125 healthy Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) range from 400 -1500g in weight from commercial farms in the north of Baghdad, period between September to December 2010 In this study the presence of gram negative bacteria were investigated using API 20E multiple test system and various biochemical tests. The obtained data showed that six strains of Aeromonas (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5 andA6) were the dominated bacteria isolated from intestine, two strains of Serratia rubidaeae (S1 and S2) and one strain of Pseudomonas leutola .The current study is the first report on the isolation of Pseudomonas bacteria from intestine of common carp.