Effect of feed additives of Serratula coronatal L. leaves on metabolism and bioproduction process of ewes with lambs at foot in northern environments

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The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Serratula coronata L. on protein metabolic and bioproduction processes of ewes with lambs at foot on the basis of experimental data on the body weight gain of the suckled lambs and the biochemical composition of blood serum of ewes. On the background of a diet with insufficient energy value, a long-lasting lactogenic effect (25%) was observed after feeding lactating ewes with dry mass of leaves of Serratula coronata L. with the calculated content of phytoecdysteroids. A significant increase of total protein and albumin in serum was found, while urea was reduced. Furthermore, the level of gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was higher than in controls, indicating greater involvement of body proteins in metabolism. The glucose content in the blood serum of experimental animals is lower than in the controls. However, activation of gluconeogenesis through transamination of amino acids did not happen. Based on the data of the diverse metabolic effects of phytoecdysteroids contained in the leaves of Serratula coronata, the prospect of creating new feed additives for increasing the milk productivity of lactating ewes and getting healthy lambs was discussed.