Summary: The laboratory experiment described in this article evaluated the death rate of larvae of Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) nematodes of the Strongylida order and Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) of the Rhabditida order under the impact of different concentrations of 8 flavouring acids and source materials approved for use in and on foods and in medicine (formic, wine, benzoic, salicylic, stearic, kojic, aminoacetic, succinic acids). Minimum LD₅₀ for third stage larvae of (L₃) S. papillosus was observed with salicylic and wine acids, for L₃ H. contortus larvae – with formic acid. Minimum impact on all studied stages of development of nematodes was caused by stearic, kojic, aminoacetic and succinic acids: larvae did not die in the course of one day even at 1 % concentration of these substances. The best parameters of LD₅₀ were observed for benzoic and formic acid. Further experiments on flavouring acids and source materials approved for use in and on foods and in medicines, and also their compounds, will contribute to developing preparations with a stronger impact on nematode larvae – parasites of the digestive tract of vertebrate animals and humans.

In natural ecosystems of animals, introduction of larvae of parasitic nematodes into the litter layer from excrement facilitates their migration and search of new host vertebrate animals. In such conditions they are constantly affected by biologically active substances of the abundant species of plants which grow in pastures. Currently, the influence of substances present in the above-ground part of plants on the vitality of larvae of helminths in the environment remains unstudied. In this article, we present the results of our research on the nematocidial activity in vitro in the aqueous solutions of 21 species of plants distributed in the territory of Steppe Ukraine: Sanguisorba officinalis L., Rosa canina L., Crataegus sanguinea Pall., Crataegus pentagyna Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd., Armeniaca vulgaris Lam., Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg., Iva xanthiifolia Nutt., Artemisia campestris L., Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh., Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Cannabis sativa L., Humulus lupulus L., Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Vicia cracca L., Lotus ucrainicus Klok., Onobrychis arenaria (Kit.) DC., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Eryngium planum L., Conium maculatum L., Juniperus communis L., Thuja occidentalis L. The level of vitality of nematode larvae of the Strongylida (Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803)) and Rhabditida (Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856)) orders varied depending on the species of plant, and also five experimental concentrations in aqueous solutions tested in seven replications. The most notable nematocidial effect was exerted by Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg. – we observed death of larvae of third stage development L3 H. contortus and larvae of first-third stages L1–3 S. papillosus at 24 h exposure to 3% aqueous solution. Three percent aqueous solutions of S. officinalis and A. artemisiifolia displayed nematocidial properties only against S. papillosus: death of L1–3 S. papillosus was observed. Aqueous solutions of R. canina, A. vulgaris, A. minus, H. lupulus, V. cracca, L. ucrainicus, O. arenaria, E. planum, C. maculatum, J. communis, Th. occidentalis had lethal effect only on non-invasive larvae (larvae of the first and second stage L1–2) of S. papillosus. They displayed no nematocidial properties towards invasive larvae of H. contortus and S. papillosus. At exposure to aqueous solutions of the rest of the studied species of plants, over 50% of L3 H. contortus and L1–3 S. papillosus larvae remained alive. The determined patterns allow us to state that while living in the litter and soil in the root zone of plants nematode larvae undergoa negative influence caused by some plant species.

We have studied the chemical composition and antibacterial profile of ethanolic extract of Punica granatum L. (Lythraceae) on strains of microorganisms in vitro. Analysis using GC-MS showed 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (36.6%), D-sucrose (23.2%), sorbitol (6.7%), palmitic acid β-monoglyceride (5.6%), 2-furancarboxaldehyde (3.5%) and β-D-glucopyranose (3.3%) as the major components of the title extract. The experiment revealed a positive antibacterial effect of extracts obtained from P. granatum on 14 strains specifically Enterobacteriaceae microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aegorenеs, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumonia), Listeriaceae (Listeria ivanovi, L. іnnocua, L. monocytogenes) and yeasts from the family Saccharomycetaceae (Candida albicans). Our study showed that in many cases these extracts more intensively affect multi-resistant strains of microorganisms than macrolide antibiotic azithromycin and is therefore a source of molecules to be exploited in medicine or by the pharmaceutical industry. The investigated extracts of P. granatum can be recommended for further in-depth research against poly-resistant strains of the above-mentioned microorganisms. Effective drugs perform a leading role in providing stable veterinary well-being of livestock and healthcare of the population. The present study showed that the studied plant species more intensively affects multi-resistant strains of microorganisms than sodium salt of azithromycin. Lethal concentration (LC50) of ethanol extract from pomegranate for Paramecium caudatum Ehr. equaled 0.3%. Death of 100% of nematode larvae of Strongyloides papillosus (Ihle) was recorded during 24 h exposition in 20% extract of P. granatum peel.

Among the following breeds of sheep, Merino, Bleu du Maine, Bluefaced Leicester, Dorper, Clan Forest, Suffolk, Texel and Beltex, helminths of two classes (Nematoda and Cestoda) have been registered in Ukraine (Dnipropetrovsk oblast). Among the nematodes there were: parasites of the digestive system Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803), Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856), Nematodirus sp., Trichuris sp. and parasites of the respiratory system Muellerius capillaris (Muller, 1889). In the excrements of small ruminants, eggs of Moniezia expansa (Rudolphi, 1805) (Cestoda) – helminths of the small intestine, were found. Among all studied animals we found S. papillosus. 58.2% of sheep were infested with H. contortus. The lowest indicators of invasion extensivity were registered for parasitism of Trichuris sp. and M. capillaries. Extensivity of Nematodirus invasion did not exceed 16.3%. This indicator for cestodiasis, specifically monieziasis, among sheep was 25,5%. The range of fluctuation in intensivity of nematode invasion was within 7 to 860 eggs/g of excrement. This indicator for Cestoda invasion did not exceed 350 eggs/g. The highest indicators of average invasion were registered for parasitism by S. papillosus and H. contortus. The lowest average indicators of intensity were found for Trichuris. For Nematoda and Muellerius they were 25.0 and 88.9 individuals/g of feces correspondingly. The greatest influence on changes of body weight in sheep was caused by nematodes of the digestive tract Trichuris sp. and of the respiratory organs M. capillaris. The indicators of Trichuris infection level are the lowest in comparison with other registered helminthiases.

The study focuses on in vitro effect of aqueous tinctures of 48 species of herbaceous, shrub and tree plants on the first-third stage larvae of Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) and third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) Cobb, 1898. The highest level of the effect was exerted by 3% aqueous tinctures of Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Laburnum anagyroides Medik., Quercus petraea subsp. iberica (Steven ex M. Bieb.) Krassiln., Ginkgo biloba L., Colchicum autumnale L., Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom., Celastrus scandens L., Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Magnolia kobus DC. Over 90% of the first and second non-invasive stage larvae of S. papillosus died at contact with these tinctures. The lowest parameters of LD50 were seen for L. anagyroides, Juniperus sabina L., C. scandens, M. kobus, A. manshuriensis, Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. and Securigera varia (L.) Lassen. Invasive larvae of S. papillosus and H. contortus were resistant to the effect of all the 48 surveyed species of plants. Third-stage larvae of H. contortus remained vital when exposed for 24 h to all the studied concentrations up to 3% aqueous tincture of plants. The results of the experiments and also the analysis of the literature indicate the necessity to continue the survey on nematocidial activity of aqueous tinctures and alcveshol extracts of plants.

The relationship between the quality of milk of different breeds of goat and their diets was assessed. Anglo-Nubian, German White and Alpine goats were used in the experiment, with 7 goats representing each breed. The influence of two diets viz., a routine diet (hay and concentrates) and a diet improved by introduction of granulated alfalfa hay, cabbage and carrots, as well as mixed feed on productivity and characteristics of goat milk were investigated. Goats were machine milked twice daily and the quantity as well as quality of milk were assessed. Results indicated that the milk yield of the Alpine goats increased 3 times; and that of the German White goats increased more than 2.5 times when fed improved diet. Feeding improved diet resulted in significant increase in fat content of milk irrespective of the goat breed. A significant increase in the protein, lactose, and consequentially the, dry non-fat milk solids was observed in Anglo-Nubian and German White goats when fed the improved diet. However, when compared to German White and Alpine goats, highest fat, protein and lactose contents were recorded in milk of Anglo-Nubian goats both on routine and improved diet. The maximum difference in biochemical parameters of milk upon changing the diet was also found in Anglo-Nubian goats. Further, the freezing point and electrical conductivity of the milk decreased irrespective of the breed when goats were fed improved diet. An inverse relationship was found between the protein content in the goats’ milk and the freezing point: with increase in the protein content, the freezing point was reduced.