Influence of propylene glycol and succinic acid on metabolism processes in pregnant ewes and their offspring

Sheep farming is an important branch of the world’s livestock industry producing valuable food products and raw materials for industry. In terms of the variety of products produced, it has no equal among productive livestock farming sectors. Sheep farming produces valuable types of raw materials for light industry (wool, lamb pelt, fur, fur coats and leather sheepskins) and food products (meat, dairy products, etc.). The purpose of the research was to study the characteristics of metabolic processes in Romanov breed ewes during pregnancy and their off spring using succinic acid and propylene glycol, both separately and in its combination. In order to carry out the experiment, 3 groups of ewes analogues at the age of fi rst pregnancy per 10 heads in each were formed. Pregnant ewes of the 1st experimental group received the basic diet + succinic acid, and those of the 2nd experimental group received the basic diet + succinic acid + propylene glycol. The control group received only the basic diet. By 5 months of age the live weight of lambs obtained from ewes of the 1st experimental group was 1,1 % more than in the control group. The live weight of young animals from ewes of the 2nd experimental group exceeded the control by 9,5 % (p ≤ 0,05) and the 1st experimental group by 8,3 % (p ≤ 0,05), respectively. Thus, the study of the characteristics of metabolic processes in Romanov breed ewes during pregnancy and their off spring using succinic acid and propylene glycol, both separately and in its combination showed the positive effect of the tested additives. The best effect was exerted by the combined use of succinic acid and propylene glycol, which was confirmed by the results of a production test.