Effect of Carbohydrate Source and Addition Canola Seed on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Lambs

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of partial replacement of starch with neutral detergent soluble fiber with or without roasted canola seed as a fat source, and possible interactions on apparent digestibility and growth performance of growing lambs. For this purpose, 24 male lambs were used in a completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Dietary treatments were 1- starch from barley, 2- starch from barley with roasted canola seed, 3- soluble fiber from beet pulp, and 4- soluble fiber from beet pulp with roasted canola seed. The experimental period was 84 days and forage:concentrate ratio was 10:90 for all diets. Treatments had no significant effect on the dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, apparent digestibility of protein and organic matter (p>0.05). High starch diets compared with high soluble fiber diets caused a significant decrease in the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ADF and NDF (p<0.01). Canola seed addition to the diets significantly decreased ADF and NDF digestibility (p<0.01). The carbohydrate source by canola seed interaction was significant for weight gain and rumen pH (p<0.01) indicating that addition of canola seed to high starch diet increased weight gain and rumen pH more dramatically in comparison with soluble fiber diet (p<0.01). It is concluded that addition of canola seed to high starch diet had favorable effects on growth performance and rumen pH but because of its negative effect on fiber digestibility and its different response depend on carbohydrate source, more research is needed for conclusion

Seasonal Variations in Semen Characteristics in Arabic Rams

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal variations in semen characteristics in Arabic rams. 8 adult Arabic rams at the age of 2-3 years were used for this research. Semen was collected with electro ejaculator every 15 days for a period of 6 months (3 months of in breeding season and 3 months of non breeding season). Semen samples of these rams were subjected to the parameters including semen volume, sperm motility, sperm concentration, abnormal and live sperm percentage. Semen quality difference between breeding and non breeding seasons was significant. Semen volume, sperm motility, percent of live sperm, the percentage of abnormal sperm and sperm concentration determined in breeding and non breeding seasons had significant differences. Therefore, better progressive motility of sperm, sperm concentration, percent of live sperm and low percentage of abnormal sperm clearly explained high fertility potential of male in breeding season when compared with non breeding season. In conclusion, this study indicated that sexual performance of Arabic rams completely dependent on season