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.