The ovine melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) and aromatase (CYP19) genes were structurally characterized and the association between their variants and reproductive and growth traits was studied in Kurdi sheep at Kurdi sheep breeding station located in Shirvan, Iran. The genomic DNA was extracted by guanidine thiocyanate-silica gel method. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out to amplify 824 bp fragment of exon 2 of MTNR1A and 140 bp fragment of the exon 3 of the ovine CYP19 genes. The PCR products were digested with restriction endonucleases RsaI for MTNR1A and BstMBI for CYP19 genes and checked by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the presence of restriction sites. Two alleles were found for all the loci investigated, which were named as A and B for CYP19, and R and r for MTRN1A. Allelic frequencies for MTRN1A were 0.49 and 0.51 for R and r alleles, while in the case of CYP19 gene, frequencies were 0.475 and 0.525for A and B alleles, respectively. Association analysis did not show any significant relations between MTNR1A gene polymorphisms and litter size (LS), age at first lambing (AFL) and lambing interval (LI). Moreover, CYP19 gene polymorphism did not affect birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6, 9 and 12 months (YW) body weights, age at first lambing (AFL) and lambing interval (LI). Manuscript profile

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of artichoke powder on performance and immune function of Japanese quails poisoned with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). One hundred meat type (1-d-old) quails were assigned randomly to 4 treatment groups (n=25). Treatment groups included with the study were: 1) control group (without artichoke supplementation or CCl4 administration, 2) group with artichoke supplementation and without CCl4 administration, 3) group without artichoke supplementation and with CCl4 administration (1 ml/kg of BW) and 4) group with artichoke supplementation and with CCl4 administration (1 mL/kg of BW). CCl4 was administered intraperitoneally on each 3 day for days 29 to 42. During the rearing period (0-42 days of age), quails had free access to feed and water. Performance parameters of daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion were determined on weekly basis. At the end of experimental period (day 42), blood samples were collected and then heterophils and lymphocytes were counted and their ratio (H/L ratio) was calculated.Results did not show any significant effect for artichoke powder and CCl4 on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Adding Artichoke to the diets at 2% level significantly increased the count of lymphocytes and decreased H/L ratio. Artichoke and CCl4, each alone or both together, did not affect the relative weight of spleen, bursa of fabricius and liver. Manuscript profile

To study the effect of different levels of peppermint (Mentha piperita) plant powder, on immune system of broilers under heat stress condition, 192 one-day old chickens (Ross, 308) were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicates of 12 chicks each, using a completely randomized design. The four groups were characterized by a basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 1 and 2 percent peppermint powder and basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg vitamin E. Heat stress was created by setting room temperature at 34 ˚C for 8 hour/day from the 35th to the 42nd day of experiment. Results showed differences (P<0.05) for feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 21 days and body weight (BW) at 42 days of the experiment. Birds treated by 2 percent peppermint powder and 1 percent peppermint powder showed higher and lower body weight gain, respectively, at 21 days of age, when compared with birds fed basal diet and vitamin E. A significantly higher level of total Ig, IgM and IgG was found for peppermint powder than other treatment groups at 35 days and 42 days of age. Significant interactions were observed between diet and sex on IgG at 35 days of the experiment (P<0.05). There were significant (P<0.05) differences among the treatments for total white blood cells, lymphocytes, heterophils, heterophils to lymphocytes ratio at 42 days of experiment and 2 percent peppermint powder increased total white blood cells values compared to basal diet and vitamin E. The peppermint powder significantly made a difference for serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC) and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDLC)at 21days and 42 days of age (P<0.05). Blood serum concentration of HDLC increased by peppermint powder treatment, whereas they were lower for basal diet and vitamin E at 42 days of age. Liver weight was higher and lower in 1 percent peppermint powder and basal diet treated groups, respectively (P<0.05). In general, results indicated that supplementation of peppermint powder in the diet did not improve bursa of fabricius and spleen weight of broiler chicken, but ha an antioxidative potential to improve oxidative stability and immune response. Manuscript profile

This experiment was carried out to evaluate different levels of peppermint (Mentha piperita) plant powder usage on feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), body temperature, carcass parts (breast and thigh) and internal organs (liver, heart, gizzard) weights in broiler chicken. A total of 192 broiler chicken were randomly divided into 4 experimental treatments with 4 replicates (12 birds per replicate) arranged in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets consisted of: (1) basal diet (control); (2) basal diet + 1% peppermint powder; (3) basal diet + 2% peppermint powder and (4) basal diet + 300 mg of vitamin E per kilogram. Heat stress performed by setting room temperature on 34 ˚C for 8 hours/day from 35 to 42 days of age. Results showed peppermint powder supplement in all levels significantly affected the FCR at 21 days of age and BW at 42 days of age (P<0.05). Birds treated by basal diet plus vitamin E and control diet showed the highest and lowest FCR values, respectively, at 21days of age. Body weight and feed consumption were significantly reduced in birds in the heat stress group. Peppermint powder supplementation at the level of 1% reduced body temperature compared with the control group during heat stress period (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed between dietary treatments for the relative weights of carcass, breast and thigh at 35 days of age and breast, gizzard and liver relative weights at 42 days of age (P<0.05). Birds fed basal diet plus vitamin E had higher carcass weight than the control groups on 35 days. In general, the results of this study revealed that peppermint powder as a natural antioxidant has beneficial effects on chicken growth performance, body temperature regulation and carcass and internal organ weights. Manuscript profile