IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

At the Nasr Dairy Cattle Station, (50 km south of Baghdad) and over period from 1998 to 2003, 9896 records by Holstein cows were analyzed statistically. The study was conducted to some factors effected on incidence of retained placenta . fifty Holstein cows were randomly picked out from the herd (from May to September month, 2004). The aim of this study was to investigate the blood and reproductive changes associated with incidence of retained placenta The General Linear Model (GLM) with in the SAS program was used to study the effects of parity, season and year of parturition and birth weight on incidence of retained placenta in herd, and analysis the effect of constant (healthy or infected) and fixed factors (parity), season of parturition and age at first calving in some reproductive and productive traits days open, services per conception, total milk production and lactation period and blood traits (level of Calcium and Magnesium in blood serum).Results obtained can be summarized as follows: The overall mean for the incidence of the retained placenta in herd was 6%. Highly significant effects (P<0.01) of fixed factors incidence of retained placenta, the highest incidence of cows after the sixth parturition (12%) in summer (8.9%). Cow state had highly significant (P<0.01) effect on days open, services per conception and total milk production and significant effect (P<0.05) in lactation period. Parity had significant effect (P<0.05) effect on days open and total milk production, whereas, its effect on services per conception lacked significant. Parturition month had significant (P<0.05) on days open and services per conception. Regression coefficient of days open, services per conception, total milk production and lactation period on the age at first calving 0.24 day / month (P<0.01), 0.0045 services / month, - 0.22 kg / month and 0.33 day / month (P<0.05) respectively. Significant decreased (P<0.01) in level of Calcium and Magnesium in blood serum at incidence of retained placenta. Parity had significant (P<0.05) in level of Magnesium in blood serum, whereas, its effect on level of Calcium lacked significant. Regression coefficient of level of Calcium and Magnesium in blood serum on age at first calving were 0.0029 mg /100 ml blood/ month (P<0.01) and 0.0009 mg /100 ml blood / month respectively.

Fourteen native sharabi bull calves were divided due to initial age in to three groups: group 1 (3-5) month of initial age while group 2 (8-10) group 3 (12-14) month. All groups received .The same standard ration contained 15%c.p and 2.34 mega kal/kg diet The ration feed adlibtum throw six month of the period of experiment .At the end of experiment all calves were slaughtered. The result showed that: daily gain ware 920, 810 and 760 g/day, dressing percentage (55.6, 56.6 and 58.8) while the percent of fat dissected from rack were (20.1, 18.8 and 18.1) lean percent were 55.2, 57.9 and 57.1.The differences were not significant among the all number above due the group. Feed conversion rate were 7.8, 8.6 and11.7 kg feed/kg grow. The carcass weight were 165.1, 155.3 and 206 kg the third group differ significantly.

The purpose of the present study was to test mutagenic potential of Cypermethrin, which has been used widely for the treatment of parasitic infection of rams at different intervals from dipping. Blood samples were collected from 7 rams aged 3 years (control group) then the rams were dipped using Cypermethrin solution of a 0.75 ml ∕ L concentration. After dipping, blood sample were collected at 24 and 48 hours and 7 and 14 days.
Results show that Cypermethrin caused an increase in SCE and decrease in R.I. was noticed after 24 and 47 hrs after dipping. However, values of SCE while R.I. increased at 7 days, the obtained result were almost similar to normal values at 14 days, also a non – significant effect of treatment was noticed on M.I.

Sponges were used for synchronization of estrous cycle in sheep and goats in most countries in the world. A mechanical system for manufacturing sponges was produced for commercial purpose, it was simple, rigid and economical design, it consists of sponge's cutter instrument with capacity of 100 sponges/hr.and hormone saturation sponge's instrument with capacity of 120 sponges/hr.
Two experiments were conducted to test sponge's production which produced locally. First one was carried out at Alwardia sheep farm, Iraqi atomic energy commission during summer ,2001.Twenty Awassi ewes (2-3 yrs.of age) were randomly divided into two equal groups ,first group (n=10) was left without treatment (C) , local intravaginal sponges impregnated with 40mg progesterone acetate(MAP) were inserted in ewes of group two (T) for 12 days. All ewes were separated from rams before and within treatment, after sponges withdrawal ewes of two groups were exposed to rams for matting for three days period.
Results obtained indicated that ewes in group two were exhibited the highest (p<0.05) rate of estrous namely 2,5 and 3 ewes after 24,48 and 72 hrs.respectively,in the comparison with 0,0 and 2 ewes respectively in the control groups.
Second experiment was conducted in State Board of Agricultural Research/Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), eighteen ewes (3-4 yrs.of age) out of breeding season (22/1/2002) were divided into two groups, first group(N=9) were left without treatment (C), second group were treated with local intavaginal sponges impregnated with 40 mg medroxy progesterone acetate(MAP) by inserted in ewes(T) for 12 days, all ewes were separated from rams before and within treatment, ewes of two groups were injected with 500 I.U. pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) at the time of sponges removal and exposed to rams for matting for three days.
Results obtained revealed that ewes in the second group (T ) were exhibited the highest (p<0.05) rate of estrous namely 3 and 3 ewes after 48 and 72 hrs.respectively versus 1 and zero ewes in the control group,wheares control group showed highest rate of estrous (2 ewes) after 24 hrs. In the comparison with one ewes in treatment group, but differences were not significant.
We conclude that local sponges were induced estrous cycle successfully in the breeding season and out of it.

This experiment was conducted at the Poultry Farm, College of Agriculture- University of Baghdad to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of the rooster’s ration with different levels of licorice extract on reproductive performance of roosters reared during different months of the year. A total of 28 Lohmann cocks, 24 weeks old were allocated at random into 4 treatment groups of 7 cocks each. Licorice extract was added to the cocks diet from the first day of experiment until the end of experiment which lasted 8 months (July to March) at the levels of 0 (control group; C), 250 mg/kg of diet (T1), 500 mg/kg of diet (T2), and 750 mg/kg of diet (T3). Semen was collected from all cocks twice a month for evaluate semen traits which included semen volume, spermatozoa concentration, mass motility, individual motility, percentage of dead spermatozoa , percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, spermatocrit and acrosomal abnormalities. Seminal plasma traits were also evaluated as regards concentrations of glucose, protein, cholesterol and activities of alkaline phosphatase, GOT and GPT.
Results revealed that the addition of licorice extract to the cocks diet especially treatments T2 and T3 resulted in significant increase (p0.05) in semen volume, spermatozoa concentration , mass and individual motility, spermatocrit and alkaline phosphatase activity and significant decrease (p0.05) in percentages of dead and abnormal spermatozoa and acrosomal abnormalities and concentrations of glucose , protein , cholesterol and activities of GOT and GPT enzymes in seminal plasma as compared with C and T1 groups. However, there were no significant differences between C and T1 groups concerning all traits included in this experiment in spite of that there was clear trend for the improvement in these traits in T1 group as compared with C group.
In conclusion, feeding diet containing different levels of licorice extract especially at levels of 500 and 750 mg/kg of diet resulted in significant improvement in reproductive performance of roosters reared during different months of year. Thus, licorice extract can be used as efficient tool for reinforce the reproductive efficiency of roosters reared during different periods of the year.

This experiment was conducted at the Poultry farm, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad to determine the effect of feeding diets containing different levels of anise seeds or oil on reproductive performance of Lohmann roosters. A total of 30 Lohmann cocks, 24 weeks old were allocated at random into 5 treatment groups of 6 cocks each. Anise seeds and oil were added to the diet from the first day of experiment until the end of this experiment which lasted 8 months (July to March). Experimental treatments were as follows: Treatment 1 (C): control group, Treatment 2 (T1): supplementation of cocks ration with 2 kg anise seeds / Ton, Treatment 3 (T2): supplementation of cocks ration with 4 kg anise seeds / Ton, Treatment 4 (T3): supplementation of cocks ration wit 250 ml anise oil / Ton, and Treatment 5 (T4) : supplementation of cocks ration with 500 ml anise oil / Ton. Semen was collected from all cocks twice a month for evaluate semen traits which included semen volume, spermatozoa concentration, mass motility, individual motility, spermatocrit and percentages of dead, abnormal spermatozoa and acrosomal abnormalities. Semen Plasma traits were also evaluated in relation to concentrations of glucose, protein, cholesterol, and activities of alkaline phosphatase, GOT and GPT.
Results indicated that treated the cocks with anise seeds (T1 and T2) and anise oil (T3 and T4) resulted in significant increase (P<0.05) in semen volume, spermatozoa concentration, spermatozoa motility, spermatocrit and alkaline phosphatase activity in seminal plasma and significant decrease (P<0.05) in percentages of dead, abnormal spermatozoa and acrosomal abnormalities and concentrations of glucose, protein, cholesterol and activities of GOT and GPT enzymes in seminal plasma as compared with control group (C). However, T4 (500 ml anise oil / ton of diet) recorded the best results concerning all traits included in this experiment followed by the results of T3 (250 ml anise oil / ton of feed), whereas there were no significant differences between T1 (2 kg anise seeds / ton of diet) and T2 (4 kg anise seeds / ton of diet) with respect to all traits included in this study. On the other hand, results revealed that cocks recorded at general the best means for semen and seminal plasma traits during mild and cold months of the year (November, December, January and February) as compared with the hot months of the year included in this experiment (July, August, September and October). Furthermore, anise treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) surpass control group (C) as regards all characters included in this experiment during the hot period of year. In conclusion adding different levels of anise seeds and oil to the cocks' diet resulted in significant improvement in reproductive performance of the cocks reared during different months of the year. Furthermore anis oil treatments surpass anise seeds treatments as regards all semen and seminal plasma traits included in this experiment. Therefore, reproductive efficiency of roosters could be enhancing by supplementing diet of roosters with anise oil especially at the level of 500 ml / ton of diet.

Three hundred and sixty unsexed broiler chicks of one-day old were equally divided into four groups, 3 replicates per group (30 chicks/replicate). Chicks were allocated on standard ration supplemented with 0(control), 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 % of Nigella sativa seed meal which supported with 0, 0.06, 0.12 and 0.18% soybean oil during the whole experimental period (56 days) which represented treatments 1 (control group), 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
Average live body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in birds fed diets contained with Nigella sativa seed meal supported with soybean oil as compared with control group. Bursa of Fabrcius of treated groups exhibited higher (p<0.05) relative weighs than control group, whereas the difference belongs to the Bursa index lacked significance. Moreover, supplementation of Nigella sativa seed meal had increased significantly the follicular diameter of Bursa of Fabrcius and the antibody titer against both of Newcastle and Gomboro diseases. On the other hand, the intestinal total count of bacteria and coliforms were inhibited significantly (p<0.01) in the treated groups as compared with the control group.
It could be concluded that supplementation of Nigella sativa seed meal which supported with soybean oil to diet had a profound effect to enhance productive and immunological aspects and to inhibit the intestinal bacterial count of Fawbro broiler.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of adding the Robenidine (Rop), as an anticoccidian and Tetracyclines (Tcs), as an antibiotic on certain blood traits and liver tissue of broiler chickens. A total of 180 chicks (Rose strain) were included in the study, chicks were divided into:-
1- Control group, the chickens are given water and fodders free from additional.
2- (Rop) group, the chickens were given water free from antibiotic and fodders containing on anti coccidian.
3- (Tcs+Rob) group, the chickens were given water containing antibiotic and fodders containing of anti coccidian.
The chickens were given antibiotic Tetracyclines in a drug of 500 mg/0.5kg from the body weight. While, the anticoccidian Robenidine was added at the level of 0.5 kg for each Ton of fodder. The samples of the chickens were taken during four age periods 20, 35, 41, 48 days after hatching.
The result showed a significant increase ( p≤ 0.05) in the (Tcs+Rob) group as regards weight of the chickens at 48 days, while it recorded a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) in the second treated (Rop) group in the weight of the chickens in comparing with the control group. From the results of blood pictures, there was a significant increase in the percentage of Heterophils in both groups associated with significant decrease in the percentage of lymphocyte in both groups of 35, 41, 48 days when compared to the control groups. Other types of white blood cells did not exhibited any significant differences between the treated groups. The results of biochemical tests for the blood serum reveled no significant differences in activity of AST and ALT enzyme, while there appeared a significant increase (p≤ 0.05) in the total cholesterol level at the age of 48 days. From the tissue exam for the samples of the liver, Histopathological changes were noticed in the liver about the blood congestion and appearing inflammable tissue congestion was severe in (Tcs+Rob) group at the age of 41 days, while the inflammable tissue appeared in bigger size in (Rop0.) group at the same age.
It could be concluded from the present study, the side effects of Robenidine and Tetracyclines in liver and blood tissues.

One hundred and twenty, one day old unsexed Lohmann broiler were used to study the effect of supplementing aqueous extract and powder of oat seeds to diet and drinking water on some productive characters of broiler exposed to high environmental temperature 28-35-28◦ C to alleviate heat stress.
Five treatments were carried out treatment T0 without supplementing oats to drinking water and diet, treatments T1, T2 supplementing 0.1,0.25% of aqueous extract to drinking water, treatments T3, T4 supplementing 0.25,0.50% of oat to diet. This supplementation of oat to drinking water and diet given to birds daily for 6 hours from (1200-1800) and during the highest environmental temperature and during the experiment period 4-8 weeks.
The result revealed that body weight increased significantly in T2,T3,T4 compared with T0,T1 at 6, 8 weeks of age, and weight gain reduced significantly in T1,T2 compared with other treatments meanwhile feed consumption increased significantly at 8 week of age in T2,T3 compared with other treatments, feed consumption pattern reduced mostly significant as temperature periods increased at 1200-1800 h for all treatments compared with T0 while water consumption pattern revealed opposite results, also body temperature reduced significantly at 1200-1800 h for all treatments compared with T0.
The result pointed that there were improvement in productive character by giving oat seeds aqueous extract and powder to broiler exposed to heat stress.

An experiment was conducted at Poultry Station for Agricultural Research in Ministry of Iraq Agriculture, where 180 female and 90 male quail birds, aged 80 days were allocated to three treatment groups and received 0.2, 0.4 % thyme/ kg feed in their diets to find out the effect of thyme on their performance and egg quality until 105 days.
Results revealed an increase in egg production, accumulative egg number and egg mass in two treatment recieved Thyme vulgaris L. in their diets, so egg weight increased at the last level of Thyme vulgaris L.
A significant increase in feed consumption, feed conversion and improve egg quality characteristics increase and improvement of egg shell for quail birds feeding Thyme vulgaris L. in our ration compared with control group of both treatment using Thyme vulgaris L. in our diets were observed.
Significant decrease in mortality rate were observed when Thyme vulgaris L. level.
In conclusion, supplemented Thyme vulgaris L. in quail bird diets at any level using in this experiment can improve reproductive performance and egg quality for Japanese quails.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of male to female's sex ratios on percentage of egg production (EP), fertility and hatchability of Japanese quail. A total of 240 female hens and 64 males at 9 weeks of age were used. All hens were assigned on 20 pens with 12 hens per pen (4 replicates per treatment). Males were mated at five different ratios as follows: treatment one, 1 male to 12 females, treatment two, 1 male to 6 females, treatment three, 1 male to 4 females, treatment four, 1 male to 3 females and treatment five, 1 male to 2 females.
Results showed a significant increasing in EP for treatment that contained 1 male to 12 females. The EP was ranged from 80.9% for period 9-12 week of age to 82.9% for period 25-28 week of age, with average 82.8%. Whereas, it was lowest in treatment five (1 male to 2 females) and ranged from 75.2% for period 9-12 week of age to 69.8% for period 25-28 week of age, with average 75.2%. The other treatments were in middle with two treatments mentioned above. A significant reduction in fertility was observed for ratio 1 male to 2 females only at 26 week of age. While highest fertility was obtained with a ratio of 1 male mated to 4 females or 6 females. Hatchability of fertile eggs or total set egg was not affected by sex ratios.
It is concluded to use 1 male to mated 12 females without negative adversely effect on fertility and hatchability and had an increasing in EP. That’s mean it is not only preferable with respect to animal welfare but also more economical than conventional multi-male groups with a sex ratio of 1 male to 2 or 3 females because of reduction in culling and died birds and reduction in costs for food per EP.

The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in dairy products and minced beef meat in few Baghdad markets. One hundred and fifty six samples (139 samples of dairy products and 17 samples of minced beef meat) were collected for this purpose. Four isolates of Listeria monocytogenes were identified by using biochemical tests and API Listeria test. The percentage of dairy products contamination was 2.15% and 5.83 % of minced beef meat. These results indicate the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in food products of animals sources in Baghdad markets.

This study was conducted in college of dsricuiture Agricultue, University of Baghdad during season 2006-2007. The study aimed to evaluate the fungns Onnia tomentosa growing in Iraqi environment to analysis Agricultural wastes (chopped cobs, rice hulls and wheat straw) by increasing the protein content to be used it in animal feed. The result showed significant increased in protein content in the treatments of chopped cobs and wheat straw (inoculated with the fungus) that treated and untreated with hydrogen peroxide compared with uninoculated treatments. Prote content was 4.73, 5.10 and 3.28, 4.73 and 4.93, 3.40% respectively. The rice hull that untreated with hydrogen peroxide shown significant increased in protein content compared with the treatment that treated with hydrogen peroxide and uninoculated treatments, it was 2.99, 2.03 and 1.97% respectively. The best treatments to increase the protein content in agriculture wastes chopped cobs, rice hulls and wheat straw was the treatments that untreated with hydrogen peroxide, it was 1.82, 1.02 and 1.53% respectively.

The exchangeable relationship between Zebra Mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) (foreign species) with some native fish species were studied to test the predation activity of some adult fishes: gold fish, Carassius auratus (11.5-15) gm, common carp, Cyprinus carpio (9-11) gm and kattan, Barbus xanthopterus (5.2-7.6) gm. These fishes might be used as a biological control for zebra mussels.
The results revealed that gold fish was the most efficacious species in predating the mussels (4-18.2) mm, with short time and large number compared with other species, followed by common carp. While kattan performed poorly, as far as, in predation activity, is concerned.
As conclusion, using of these fishes may affect the growth and survival of the mussels and thus can be used as a biological control.

A Group of Liza abu were exposed to mixture of different concentrations of mercury and cadmium as followed 0.0083, 0.275 and 0.0165, 0.55 and 0.033, 1.1 and 0.048, 1.65 and 0.065, 2.2 ppm, respectively in addition to a non exposed control group. It was found that the median lethal concentration (Lc50) was 0.048, 1.65 ppm of mercury and cadmium, respectively for 48 hrs at 22c and pH 7.0 ±0.5.
The micronuclei in red blood cells of exposed fishes were investigated as indirect measure for possible chromosomal abnormalities. Moreover, blood pictures including white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volumes, of exposed group of fishes were examined. A follow-up study for two groups of fishes exposed to 0.0083, 0.275 and 0.0165, 0.55 and 0.0033, 1.1 ppm of mercury and cadmium, respectively. The tests were carried out days, on the 10th, 20th, 30th and 60th of exposure.
The numbers of white blood cells of fishes exposed to 0.33 and 1.100ppm of Hg and Ca was elevated within 30 days of exposure. It was returned to the normal value within 60 days of exposure. Meanwhile exposing fishes to 0.0165, 0.55 or 0.0033, 1.1 of Hg and Ca, respectively led to increase the frequency of micronuclei in red blood cells communing from the 10th days of exposure and was lasted for at least for 60 days in comparison with the control group. It seemed that an exposure of Liza abu to 0.0083, 0.275 ppm of Hg and Ca respectively did not induce micronuclei in red blood cells of exposed fishes.

A feeding experiment was condueted for 12 weeks in a close water recirculation system; to study the possibility of using local Rapeseed/Canola (Brassica napus) meal in the diet of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. Groups of twelve fish (24.1 ± 1.89g/fish) A 12 different diets were formulated containing different of rapeseed meal, that subected seperatly to boiling or washing with Hexane. Four different diets were formulated being a control diel (T1) (0% repeseed), contariol 20% boiled meal (T2) 20% untreated meal (T3) and 25% Haxane washed meal (T4), they were as partial replacement for soya med in fish diets. The Statistical analysis showed no significant differences (p>0.05) between the T1 (control) and the T2 diets in the final weight of fish, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate of fishes. However, the T1 and T2 diets significantly (p> 0.05)gave better results than the T3 and T4 diets, which, showed in siginficant differences. The results also showed no significant differences in protien efficiency ratio for T1, T2 and T3 (1.06, 1.05 and 0.94). The specific growth rate showed a significant differences (p>0.05) between the 1st diets (0.43%) and other. Whereas, the T2 diet was significantly higher than other experimental diets in gained protein (4.65%) and the protein productive value (26.0). This results suggest to preboil the meal for 10 min before formulatiy fish diet. More work is needed to improve the local rapeseed meal quality.

When Cyprinus carpio was exposed to different concentrations of glyphosate 2.5, 5.0, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10 ppm for 72 hrs at 25 – 27 C. The Lc50 was 8.5 ppm on acute exposure.
We used serological test that included Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT), Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT), Alkaline Phosphatase and total protein estimation to determine the biochemical effect of herbicide in the serum of Cyprinus carpio.
The test have performed after 7, 14, 21, 30 and 60 days of the acute and chronic exposure to 5.0 and 0.25 ppm in addition to control group .The results showed an increase in GPT, GOT and Alkaline Phosphatase enzyme values after one week and still after two mouths of exposure to glyphosate .The chronic exposure was more effective than acute exposure, while there were a decrease in total protein concentrations after two weeks of glyphosate exposure.

Four different concentration (W/V) of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of leaves of henna Lawsonia inermis were used to treat the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. which was externally infected with a crustacean parasite known as the anchor worm Lernaea cyprinacea by dip method in water each for five minutes. The results of the treatment showed an increase in percentage of killed parasites with the increase in the concentration of the extract until a total killing was achieved by using 40% of both extracts. In connection with the effect of different concentrations of these extracts on the behavior of treated fishes, the behavior was normal in all treated cases. The general chemical composition of leaves of L. inermis indicated that they contained glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, resins and coumarins. However, these leaves did not contain both alkaloids and saponins and the pH was 4.0.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the coexistence of plantation of different weights of common carp fish Cyprinus carpio (W1=200, W2=50,W3=15,W4=5gm) in the earthen ponds on the productively of ponds and natural food in productive ponds.
This project was carried out in AL-Shark AL-Awsat fish farm for production and the marking of the fish (stock company) during the period from first of March 2004 to the first of November 2004.
Carp Fish was planted with different weights (5،15، 50و200g) in 16 earthen ponds. The area of each pond was 40 dounnm. The fish were distributed randomly on 8 treatments and in duplicate. Fish were fed on diet (1) contain 14.5% crude protein during the period from first of April till the end of September, and used the diet (1) for feeding the fish planted in the first group (W1، W2، W3، W4) during the period from first of March till 15 of July and was fed diet (2) contained 18.16%crude protein during the period from 16 of July till the end of September.
Data were analyzed by a complete randomized design and the mean value was compared by Duncan's multiples range tests.
The ecological study showed no changes among the ponds during the same month, the results showed slight difference during culture period for water temperature of earthen ponds that ranged from 14.c-28.5cº, 6.55- 9.75mg/ L, pH ranged from 0.26 – 1.00 ppt and the transparency ranged from 22-40 cm.،the whole changes in the physical and chemical characters of the water of earthen ponds were within the range tolerable by the common carp, grass carp and silver carp
The result showed increased zooplankton population or density in earthen ponds through April and May and decreased in June and July for and after that slight increased through August, September and October for the fish in the treatments fed on diet (1), while the fish for the treatments fed on diet (1) and diet (2) the zooplankton in the earthen ponds through April and May were highly increase and after that the zooplankton in earthen ponds was slightly decreased in the June and July, after the earthen pond fertilized the zooplankton was increased.
Thus it is appeared that fertilization of ponds flourished the natural food available for fish during rearing period

A total of 105 specimens of Bunni Barbus sharpeyi (Gunther, 1874), 95 fish of Khishni Liza abu (Heckel,1843) and 74 of Common carp Cyprinus carpio L.) were collected from the south part of Diyala River, a polluted section. The results showed that the diet of Bunni didn’t differ from that of non-polluted water. Aquatic plants and their seeds ranked first (31.4, 39.7%), detritus second (30.4%, 32.0%) and algae third according to volumetric (V%) method and ranking index (R%) respectively. Aquatic plants was the most occurred (O%) diet (28.1%) followed by detritus in fish stomach. This made Bunni to be herbivorous fish (84.2%). Khishni was found in fish feed mainly on detritus (17.7, 25.0%), aquatic plant (17.9, 19.7%) and zooplankton. Detritus was also, the most occurred diet (22.1%). Khishni was an omnivorous fish with 51.3% plant origin. However, Common carp, was feeding mainly on aquatic plants (22.1, 35.2%), detritus (17.5, 20.8%) and algae. They ranked in the first three places of fish diets according to volumetric method and ranking index respectively. Whereas, aquatic plants were the most occurred diet (26.5%) in the stomachs. Neither mollusca nor insects and its larvae took an important role in the diet of carp. Carp was also an omnivorous fish with plant in origin and formed 57.1% of diet volume. This proved the effect of plant materials exceeding in the river, on fishes diet. The relationship between the total length and total weight of studied fish (Bunni, Khishni and Common carp) were represented by the following equation respectively:

log W= -2.12 + 2.04 log L (r = 0.886, n = 105, P<0.001) log W= -3.11+ 2.66 log L (r = 0.873, n = 95, P<0.001)
log W= -1.30 + 2.74 log L (r = 0.762, n = 74, P<0.001)

The present study included a series of experiments to treat the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) infected with ciliated protozoan Trichodina domerguei by using four different chemicals: Table salt (sodium chloride), formalin, malachite green and potassium permanganate. The dip method was applied to treat the fishes with various concentrations of the above mentioned chemicals. Table salt was effective against this parasite in a concentration of 20000 mg / l for five minutes exposure. Formalin was also effective at a concentration of 500 ml/l for five minutes exposure. Malachite green was effective to kill all the parasites when used at the concentration of 10 mg / l. Potassium permanganate was effective at the concentration of 475 mg / l for five minutes exposure.

During the period from October 2007 to April 2008, a total of 114 specimens of five cyprinid fish species were collected from Tigris river passing through Tikreet city, Salah Al-Deen province. These fishes were examined for monogenean parasites belonging to the family Diplozoidae. The following parasites were recorded with their percentage incidence of infection: Diplozoon barbi from both Cyprinion macrostomum (4.2%) and Cyprinus carpio (18.2%), Diplozoon paradoxum from C. macrostomum (2.1%), Paradiplozoon bliccae from both C. macrostomum (13.7%) and C. carpio (18.2%) and Paradiplozoon pavlovskii from Chondrostoma regium (25%), C. macrostomum (12.6%) and C. carpio (9.1%). Both Barbus barbulus and Capoeta trutta were negative for parasites.
The occurrence of Paradiplozoon bliccae in the present study is considered as a new record in fishes of Iraq. Full description with measurements of this parasite were demonstrated. Also, two hosts were recorded for two parasites in Iraq.

In this study we present the efforts of propagation of Bunnei in the Marine Science Center freshwater fish hatchery during of spring of 2006. The brooders weights ranged between 1.5-2.5 kg for females, and about 1 kg for male. The total dosage of pituitary gland was 4 mg/kg presented in two injections. The first was 10% of total dosage. The rest and second injection had given after 12 hours. Eggs 1350g in total weights were obtained after 12 hours from second injection. The males were injected with the first injection of 2mg/kg of PG extract. The fertilization rate reached 85%. The washing process was modified, it was for 20 min. only. The fertilized eggs were incubated in Zoug jars with a rate of 75-100 g/jar. High hatching percent (95%) were obtained with water temperatures of 24-25◦C. The hatching occurred after 72-76 hours. We obtained 750,000 larvae, incubated in the primary rearing incubators(tanks) over four days. They were fed with mixed eggs yolk. Then they were distributed to a closed system, an open system and outdoor ponds. The pesticide Actelic was used (1ppm) for the elimination of big zooplankton in the outdoor ponds before the release of the larvae. The feeding and growth were measured. It was found that Bunnei grow faster in outdoor earthen ponds

The effect of three levels of rumen degradable nitrogen (1.0 , 1.3 and 1.6 g RDN / MJ of ME) and two levels of Nigella Sativa (0 and 7.5 g NS / kg DM) upon live-weight gain ,feed conversion ratio and some blood parameters were investigated in a 2x3 factorial experiment. Twenty four individual Karadi male lambs were used. They were weighing approximately 30 kg live weight and 6-7 months old at the start of the experiment. Two lambs were randomly allocated from each diet in order to determine some blood parameters. The diets were formulated to be given a 40 parts NaoH-treated barley straw DM to 60 parts concentrate DM.
There were no differences in daily feed Intake of DM, OM, ME and UDN across treatments. The live weight gain differences for overall period and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected by increasing level of RDN, ; However, live weight gain and FCR were significantly (P<0.05) improved with those lambs fed diets supplemented with NS as compared with those fed diets with out NS. Interaction between level of RDN and NS was not statistically significant.
There was no significant effect of RDN and NS additives on growth hormone (GH) and blood sugar (BS), However, GH and BS of lambs fed 1.3 g RDN/MJ of ME either with or with out NS was slightly higher (p>0.05) than those fed other treatments. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) was significantly (p<0.01) affected by the levels of RDN and NS supplementation .Lamb fed increasing levels of RDN was significantly (p<0.01) increase BUN, while NS additives significantly (p<0.01) reduced BUN.