Ghezel Sheep Research Articles

Effect of processing with ozone on in vitro and in situ ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of feather meal protein

This study aimed to investigate the effect of processing feather meal (FM) with ozone (O3) gas on nutrient content, ruminal degradability, and intestinal digestion of crude protein (CP) using in vitro and in situ techniques. Experimental treatments were designed as control (not-processed), O3-processed FM for 12 h (h; treat 1), O3-processed FM for 24 h (treat 2), and O3-processed FM for 48 h (treat 3). Five Ghezel sheep equipped with ruminal cannulas were used to measure the nutrient degradability and to obtain ruminal fluid for in vitro gas production. Processing with O3 gas significantly decreased dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), and Ash content of the FM compared to the control (P < 0.05). Processing FM by O3 increased the volume of in vitro gas production (P < 0.05). The soluble and potentially degradable fractions of the DM and CP showed a significant increase with increasing processing time (P < 0.05). Processing with O3 gas increased quickly degradable protein (QDP), rumen degradable protein (RDP), effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP), and digestible undegradable protein (DUP) content as a proportion of feather meal CP. Still, undegradable dietary protein (UDP) decreased significantly. Intestinal digestibility of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and Metabolize Protein (MP) content of the FM was also significantly increased with increased processing time and the highest values were achieved after 48 h of processing (P˂0.05). According to the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that processing FM using O3 for 48 h increases its nutritional value in ruminant nutrition.

Effects of medetomidine and dexmedetomidine on intraocular pressure, pupil size, and tear secretion in clinically normal Ghezel sheep

The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine and medetomidine on intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size (PS), and tear secretion (TS) in sheep. A total of sixteen female Ghezel sheep aged 24 ± 6 months (mean + standard deviation) and weighing 54.3 ± 8.9 kg (mean ± standard deviation) were randomly selected for the experimental study. Sheep were randomly divided into two groups consisting of Dex (5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, intravenously), and group Med (10 μg/kg medetomidine, intravenously) with eight animals in each group. The IOP, PS, and TS were measured before drug administration (T0), and after the drug administration at 15-minute intervals for 45 min (T15, T30, and T45). The mean IOP, PS, and TS values at T0 between the right and left eyes showed no significant differences (P = 0.83, P = 0.23 and P = 0.45, respectively). The IOP and TS were significantly decreased in both groups compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Although PS decreased in both groups, the reduction was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). For IOP, PS, and TS at any time point, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). In sheep, dexmedetomidine and medetomidine administration decreased the IOP and TS, whereas no significant alterations were observed in PS.

MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF FECGH GENE IN HAMDANI SHEEP BREED IN IRAQI KURDISTAN REGION

The objective of this study was to investigate association between FecGH-GDF-9 gene polymorphism and litter size in Hamdani fat-tailed sheep. The genomic DNA was extracted from eighty-seven blood samples of Hamdani ewes. The FecGH-GDF-9 locus was detected by PCRs, and identified DNA genotyped by DNA sequencing. The evaluate several parameters included fertility (%), conception (%), letter size at birth, twining rate (%), triple rate (%), barrenness (%) and productivity (%) were measured and arrived 91.95, 95.40, 1.825, 150, 11.25, 8.05 and 159.77, respectively. The blast tree view results in NCBI blast show Hamdani sheep is more closely to Norway white face sheep, Han sheep and Pelibuey Sheep breeds which have high litter sizes than the Iranian Ghezel sheep. Hamdani ewe’s genome have three changed nucleotides point at 1273 bp (C to G) changed Alanine to Arginine, 1281 bp (A to T) changed lysine to Isoleucine and 1344 bp (C to A) changed Proline to Glutamine. Also three nucleotides deletion were detected at 1279 bp (C), 1283 (T) and 1376 bp (G) position with two inserted nucleotides at 1319 bp (T) and 1357 bp (G) position. The 5'….C/TNAG…3' sequence cite of mutated FecGH locus was detected by Ddel restriction enzyme which have significant effect on litter size in sheep breeds.

Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic parameters in Ghezel sheep.

Echocardiography is a non-invasive method of cardiac evaluation in most species. Echocardiographic reference parameters are poorly documented in sheep and not documented in Ghezel sheep. The purpose of this study was to determine reference ranges of normal echocardiographic parameters using two-dimensional and M-mode techniques in Ghezel sheep. In 15 healthy female Ghezel sheep aged between 15 and 18 months, echocardiography was performed in standing position from left and right parasternal approach focused at 3rd - 5th intercostal spaces using a 2.50 - 5.00 MHz phased array transducer. The following parameters were measured in two-dimensional echocardiography: left atrial diameter (LAD), mitral valve annulus (MVA), aortic sinus (AoS), aortic valve (AoV), pulmonary sinus (PuS), and pulmonary valve (PuV); and in M-mode echocardiography: interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular internal diameter (LVID), left ventricular free wall (LVFW), right ventricle free wall (RVFW), right ventricle internal diameter (RVID). Calculated variables included the ratios LAD/Ao and Pu/AoS, and the fractional shortening (FS), end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) of the left ventricle. In conclusion, echocardiographic parameters could be reliably assessed in Ghezel sheep and our study provided some normal echocardiographic reference ranges that might be useful in proper identification, visualization, and measurements of cardiac structures. Such findings could be useful to assess and to diagnose the specific heart diseases in sheep practice and also for experimental studies in sheep as an animal model used for research purposes in cardiovascular studies of human.

Association of Exon 4 Region of Gpr54 Gene Polymorphisms with Litter Size Trait in Iranian Sanjabi and Ghezel Sheep Breeds by PCR –SSCP

Association of Exon 4 Region of Gpr54 Gene Polymorphisms with Litter Size Trait in Iranian Sanjabi and Ghezel Sheep Breeds by PCR –SSCP

Transcriptome signature of two lactation stages in Ghezel sheep identifies using RNA-Sequencing

The expression of genes and their regulation during lactation in Ghezel sheep breed remains less understood. To explore the underlying molecular mechanism of the lactation process in the mammary gland, transcriptome profiles of Iranian fat-tailed Ghezel sheep breed milk at two stages, before (BF) and after peak (AF) stages of lactation were investigated. Functional impacts of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BF and AF stages were surveyed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis. Totally, 75 DEGs were identified between BF and AF stages of lactation. The RNA-Seq results were validated by Q-RT-PCR. Gene ontology of DEGs mainly enriched in metabolic process and oxidative phosphorylation. PPI network analysis also highlighted the contribution of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling, oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic pathways in the lactation process. Intriguingly, the genes involved in fat metabolism dominantly down-regulated at AF stage. Our results provide new insight into transcriptional changes and add to growing body of knowledge on the lactation process in fat-tailed sheep breeds.

Association of allelic polymorphisms of IGFALS gene with growth traits in Makouei and Ghezel sheep breeds.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein acid-labile subunit (IGFALS) encodes a protein which binds to IGF1 and IGFBP-3 to regulate the growth, differentiation, and other physiological processes. The aim of this study was the identification of allelic polymorphisms of the IGFALS gene using the PCR-RFLP technique and evaluation of their association with growth traits. For this end, 120 blood samples were randomly collected from each breed. Following amplification of an 1113-bp fragment of exon 1 and a part of intron 1 of the IGFLAS gene, genotyping was conducted by three restriction enzymes including HinfI, MscI, and PvuII. The results showed that only one allele was observed in IGFALS-PvuII site, while in IGFLAS-MscI site, three AA, AB, and BB genotypes with the frequencies of 17.5%, 32%, and 50.5% and 11%, 37.5%, and 51.5% were observed in Makouei and Ghezel sheep breeds, respectively. Additionally, in the IGFLAS-HinfI site, two AB and BB genotypes with the frequency of 34.2% and 65.8% were observed in Makouei sheep and AA, AB, and BB genotypes with the frequency of 9%, 21%, and 70% were observed in Ghezel sheep. So that, Makouei sheep with AB genotype had more chest girth (CG) compared with other genotypes. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the genotypes of IGFLAS-HinfI with birth weight (BW) in Ghezel and BW, weaning weight (BW3), and CG in Makouei sheep. Haplotype analysis revealed an association between paternal haplotypes and BW in both Ghezel and Makouei breeds. So that, AAB and ABB haplotypes showed more BW than others in Makouei and Ghezel sheep, respectively.

Genetic appraisal of growth traits in Iranian native Ghezel sheep using random regression models

This research was carried out to estimate the genetic parameters of the body weight traits of the Ghezel sheep using three different random regression models. The used data were 39,288 test-day records collected from 13,378 animals at Ghezel Sheep Breeding Station in Miandoab, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran from 1994 to 2012. Fixed effects in models included type of birth (single, twin) and year of birth (1994-2012). The weight as a function of age in the days of weighting was considered as the fixed regression of orthogonal polynomial. The random effects of the basic model were direct genetic and direct permanent environment. Maternal genetic and maternal permanent environment effects were added to it respectively. In the basic model, increasing the order of fit for the fixed regression, direct genetic and direct permanent environment effects, increased the accuracy of the model. Adding the maternal permanent environmental effect to the model and increasing the order of fit increased the accuracy of the model. However, adding the maternal additive genetic effect to the model and increasing the order of fit for this effect, decreased the model accuracy. Direct heritability for birth weight and weight at 90, 180, 270, and 360 days of age were: 0.30, 0.22, 0.39, 0.38, and 0.55, respectively. These heritability estimates reduced after birth and reached the lowest amount for body weight at 20 days of age; however, after that, they increased as the age increased (this increase was not uniform and had some fluctuations). The direct additive genetic correlations between the traits of weight at 90 days of age and the weight at 180 days of age was the highest (0.955) and between the birth weight and 180 days of age was the lowest (0.072). These correlations between adjacent age groups were closer than the remote age groups. The value of the direct genetic, direct permanent environment, maternal permanent environment, and the phenotypic variances for birth weight was the lowest and increased by increasing of the age (maximum was for weight of 360th day of age).

Influence of laterality on testis anatomy and histology in Ghezel rams.

Whether paired organs are equivalent has to be analyzed by assessing both structural and functional aspects. The present study compared the paired left and right testis from Ghezel sheep originating from Northwestern Iran (Azerbaijan) and Northeastern Turkey. Twenty‐five pairs of testes were collected from mature Ghezel rams from Tabriz slaughterhouse. The two glands were compared for their size, weight and activity rate. Weight, length, width and thickness were measured. Then, paraffinized blocks were prepared by routine histological techniques and sections were stained by the haematoxylin‐eosin method. Five 6 μm sections were prepared from each paraffinized block and 50 seminiferous tubules (STs) were analysed in each section for tubular differential index (TDI) and spermiogenesis index (SPI). TDI and SPI were compared between the paired left and right testes. Weight, length and thickness of left testes were significantly higher than in right testes (P < 0.05). Moreover, TDI and SPI were found to be higher in left testes than the right (P < 0.05).

Genetic evaluation of body weight traits in Iranian native Ghezel sheep

The aim of the current study was to estimate genetic parameters and trends for body weight traits at different ages in Ghezel lambs. Traits included were birth weight (BW), 3-month weight (3MW), 6-month weight (6MW), 9-month weight (9MW), and yearling weight (YW). Data and pedigree information used in the present study were collected at the Breeding Station of Ghezel sheep during 1986-2009. (Co) variance components were estimated using REML procedure and breeding values of animals were predicted with Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) methodology under univariate analysis. Three different animal models were fitted. The models consisted of the direct additive genetic effect but differed in combinations of maternal additive genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. Genetic trends for each trait were obtained by regressing the means of predicted breeding values on year of birth. The estimates of direct heritability were 0.285, 0.371, 0.388, 0.450 and 0.179, respectively. Also, the maternal heritability was estimated 0.113, 0.031, 0.021 and 0.030 for BW, WW, 6MW and 9MW, respectively. Direct genetic trends were positive and significant for BW, WW, 6MW (p&lt;0.01), 9MW and YW (p&lt;0.05) and were obtained 2.34, 46.20, 55.11, 33.40 and 24.01 (g/year), respectively. Also, maternal trends for BW, WW, 6MW and YW were positive and highly significant (p&lt;0.01) and were 3.37, 17.05, 12.56 and 16.30 (g/year), respectively. The results indicated that considering maternal effects in the statistical model make accurate estimates of genetic parameters. Also, improvement of growth traits in Ghezel sheep seems to be likely in selection programs.

Fatty acid profile and cholesterol content of Ghezel sheep milk during lactation period

The chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol content of milk fat were analysed during the lactation period of thirty Iranian Ghezel sheep. They were fed dry hay for the first three months and then grazed on fresh grass to the end of lactation, along with barley and wheat middling during the whole period. Fatty acid profile analysis showed palmitic acid to be the dominant fatty acid (45.24±1.88%). During lactation C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, and C14:0 contents decreased, while C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, and CLA increased significantly, which can be associated with the change of nutrition from hay to fresh grazing. The cholesterol content of the sheep milk reached 14.88 mg/100 ml milk or 283.43 mg/100 g fat as an average for the whole period of milking. Regression analysis showed a significant increase in cholesterol from 5.42 to 32.87 mg/100 g milk during the lactation period.

Investigation of Relationship between DRB2 Gene Polymorphism and egg number of Marshallagia Marshalli Parasites in Gastrointestinal of Ghezel Sheep Breed

Investigation of Relationship between DRB2 Gene Polymorphism and egg number of Marshallagia Marshalli Parasites in Gastrointestinal of Ghezel Sheep Breed

Editorial: Advances in Farm Animal Genomic Resources.

Editorial: Advances in Farm Animal Genomic Resources.

Fecal egg counts for gastrointestinal nematodes are associated with a polymorphism in the MHC-DRB1 gene in the Iranian Ghezel sheep breed.

Genetic variation among sheep breeds in resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) has been demonstrated in several production environments. Relationships between the ovine major histocompatibility complex and resistance to GIN have been studied, but few studies have systematically examined this issue in less-developed and semi-arid regions. The aim of the current study was to explore associations between fecal worm egg counts (FEC) for several GIN and polymorphisms in the DRB1 gene. One hundred male lambs were selected at 4–6 months of age from weaned animals in five flocks (n = 20 per flock). Body weights were determined, FAMACHA scores based on color of the ocular mucous membranes were assigned as an indicator of anemia, and blood and fecal samples were collected twice to evaluate FEC and blood packed cell volume (PCV) and for DNA isolation. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test effects of genotype on FEC. The model included fixed effects of flock, genotype, time of measurement (1 or 2), and flock × time and genoype × time interactions, and a random (repeated) effect of lamb. Two genotypes (A1A1 and A1A2) were observed following digestion of Region 1 of Ovar-DRB1 with PstI. Genotypic frequencies were 0.73 for A1A1 and 0.27 for A1A2. FEC differed between Ovar_DRB1 genotypes A1A1 and A1A2 for Marshallagia marshalli, Strongyle, and total nematode FEC. Observed FEC were 30–41% lower for genotype A1A1. Differences among genotypes were consistent across measurement times, with no effect of genotype × measurement time interaction for any parasite class (P ≥ 0.34). A significant association was observed between FAMACHA scores and lamb PCV, and the residual correlation between these two variables was -0.51 (P < 0.001). FAMACHA scores can thus be used to detect differences among lambs in PCV, and polymorphic markers of Ovar-DRB1 have potential value as an indicator of parasite resistance in applied animal breeding programs on sheep farms in this region.

Genetic study of reproductive traits in Iranian native Ghezel sheep using Bayesian approach

The genetic parameters of reproductive traits in Iranian native Ghezel sheep were estimated using different univariate and bivariate animal models. For this research 4173 records of 2420 ewes, collected during 1992 to 2010 in breeding center of Ghezel sheep (Miandoab), were used. Significant effects were determined using Logistic and GLM procedure of SAS software for discrete and continuous traits, respectively. Genetic parameters were estimated for four basic and four composite traits using Gibbs sampling methodology of Bayesian inference. Basic traits were conception rate (CR), number of lambs born (NLB), number of lambs born alive (NLBA), number of lambs alive at weaning (NLAW) and composite traits were number of lambs born per ewe exposed (NLBEE), number of lambs at weaning per ewe exposed (NLWEE) total litter weight at birth per ewe lambing (TLBW), total litter weight at weaning per ewe lambing (TLWW). Based on Derivative Information Criteria (DIC), for each trait the most appropriate model was determined. Heritability estimates for direct genetic effect ranged from 0.032±0.01 for NLWEE to 0.196±0.01 for TLBW and for maternal genetic effect ranged from 0.023±0.01 for NLWEE to 0.074±0.02 for TLWW. Growth rate traits (TLBW and TLWW) had higher heritability than reproductive traits that may probably be due to non-normal distributions of reproductive traits and as well as little genetic variability for these traits. Genetic correlation estimates ranged from −0.39 for CR and NLBA to 0.91 for NLBA and NLBEE. Genetic correlations were usually more than phenotypic ones. Negative correlations may depend on distributions of the data in which CR is binary and others are not. Results of this study showed that the model with genetic correlation between direct and maternal effects seem to be reliable for genetic evaluation of reproductive traits in Ghezel sheep.

The effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil on digestibility, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites of Ghezel sheep fed barley-based diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of rosemary essential oil (REO) on feed digestibility, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites of Ghezel sheep. Four male sheep with average body weight 46 ± 2.0 kg were used in a 4×4 Latin square design. Treatments were control (no REO added), 100 mg d-1 of REO (low), 200 mg d-1 of REO (medium) and 400 mg d-1 of REO (high). Sheep were fed the 4 diets for 4 periods of 21 days (14 days as adaptation and 7 days for sample collection). The results showed that digestibility of dry matter, neutral-detergent fiber, acid-detergent fiber and crude protein were not affected by REO feeding (p&gt;0.05). The concentration of ammonia-N across sampling times was lower (p&lt;0.05) at low REO dosage compared with control. The molar proportion of acetate and butyrate across sampling times were lower at low REO dosage compared with control (p&lt;0.05). Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations at 4 h after morning feeding were reduced (p&lt;0.05) by adding 100 mg of REO d-1 to diet compared with the control, whereas medium REO dosage increased (p&lt;0.05) total VFA concentrations at 4 h post feeding compared with the control. The addition of REO had no effect on total protozoa counts across sampling times (p&gt;0.05). Supplementation with REO had no effect on plasma concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein and albumin (p&gt;0.05). The results of this study indicate that, although a medium dose of REO may have positive effect on rumen fermentation, a low dose of REO may have adverse effects on ruminal fermentation.

Renoprotective effect of silymarin on gentamicin-induced nephropathy

Gentamicin (GM) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic which is used in clinical practice to treat severe gram-negative infections. Silybum marianum, also known as milk thistle, is a member of Asteraceae family and is well recognized as a hepatoprotective herbal medicine. The main objective of this present study was to evaluate the renoprotective effect of silymarin on GM-induced nephropathy. Eighteen healthy Ghezel sheep were randomly divided into three groups of control and treatments. All sheep of two groups received 20 mg/kg/body weight of GM every 8 h by intramuscular injection for 10 days. Treatment group also receive silymarin at the dose of 80 mg/case three-times a day for 20 days intramuscular injection for 14 days. This study showed that the GM-induced renal toxicity, as measured by multiple functional, structural and enzymatic factors is significantly reduced by co-supplementation of silymarin. The results of this study suggest the potential of silymarin to protect against GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Key words: Renoprotection, silymarin, gentamicin, nephropathy.

Parentage verification and identity test of Ghezel sheep using microsatillate markers

The Ghezel sheep is a fat tail high weight Iranian breed which is raised in the North-west of Iran. To design an efficient improvement program and genetic evaluation system for this indigenous breed, accurate estimates of the population genetic parameters is per-required and all pedigrees and relationships should be correctly recorded. Otherwise, it can produce biased evaluations when pedigrees contain errors and procedures utilize information from relatives. The pedigree and genotype data of Ghezel sheep were examined for errors. Parentage control has been performed by amplification of microsatellites. Mean heterozygosities, mean polymorphism index content (PIC) and mean number of alleles per loci were 0.50, 0.43 and 3.71, respectively. Mendelian errors were found following the pedigree corrections. Alleles at the following seven microsatellite loci were identified: BM4307, CSSM004, BM415, RM029, INRA49, BM3205 and OarFCB5. The pedigree was considered incorrect in 6 (12%) out of all the evaluated progeny, as their genotype did not match their parents. The present findings attest to the usefulness of the investigated microsatellites for parentage control in Ghezel sheep. Key words : Ghezel sheep, microsatellites, genotyping errors, progeny test.

The first case of mastitis in sheep caused by Actinobacillus ureae from Iran

Actinobacillus ureae, previously known as Pasteurella urea, is a commensal bacterium, which rarely causes disease in humans and has not been reported from any animal case in the veterinary literature. In this report, the occurrence of acute mastitis caused by A. ureae in an Iranian Ghezel sheep is described.

The Effect of Bilateral Crossbreeding between Arkhamerino and Ghezel Sheep on the Quality of Wool of Their F1 Crosses

The Effect of Bilateral Crossbreeding between Arkhamerino and Ghezel Sheep on the Quality of Wool of Their F1 Crosses