In vitro fertilization (IVF) technologies have great potential in the preservation of endangered species. In the current study, an IVF experiment was carried out to evaluate whether reproductive technologies are suitable for Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle, aimed at preserving this breed whose population has reduced drastically over the last thirty years. The reproduction characteristics of Kazakh Whiteheaded cows were compared to Aberdeen Angus cows. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pick up sessions were carried out followed by in vitro embryo production and embryo transfer and pregnancy diagnosis. The total and viable oocytes per OPU procedure were 12.8 ± 1.18 and 8.7 ± 0.85 for the Aberdeen Angus breed, and 8.8 ± 1.04 and 6.2 ± 0.83 for the Kazakh Whiteheaded breed. Similarly, the mean number of cleaved oocytes and morula/blastocyst stage embryos produced by OPU/IVF were 4.8 ± 0.49 and 1.4 ± 0.15 for the Aberdeen Angus breed, and 2.4 ± 0.46 and 0.18 ± 0.05 for the Kazakh Whiteheaded breed (p ≤ 0.02). From fifty Kazakh Whiteheaded donor animals, 2585 oocytes were aspirated following six ovum pick up sessions. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six (72.5%) oocytes were chosen for maturation and were further fertilized. The number of embryos cleaved was 720 (38.3% out of oocytes fertilized) on day four post-fertilization. Of these cleaved embryos, 56 (7.5%) developed into the late morula/blastocyst stage on day seven post-fertilization, averaging 1.12 embryos per donor animal. Pregnancy was detected in 12 recipients; 4 healthy calves have been born to date. The outcomes of our study have demonstrated that reproductive technologies can be applicable in preserving the endangered Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle. The findings in this report will enhance knowledge of the reproductive characteristics of endangered domestic animals and help develop sophisticated reproductive protocols for animals with unique reproductive mechanisms.

Brucellosis continues to pose a substantial zoonotic risk in Kazakhstan; however, evidence describing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of cattle farmers and veterinary personnel remains limited. A cross-sectional study was undertaken between May and October 2024 across twelve administrative locations nationwide. Structured questionnaires were administered to 506 cattle farmers and 33 veterinary professionals, and the data were evaluated using descriptive analyses and univariable logistic regression. Awareness of brucellosis in cattle was relatively high among farmers, yet understanding of its implications for human health was markedly lower. In contrast, animal health workers demonstrated consistently higher levels of knowledge (OR: 12.6; 95% CI: 9.88–16.34; p < 0.001). Several practices associated with zoonotic transmission were commonly reported by farmers, including handling aborted materials without protective gloves, consumption of unpasteurised milk, and leaving reproductive tissues in grazing areas. Nevertheless, most farmers expressed readiness to adopt preventive measures, particularly cattle vaccination and the use of basic protective practices. These findings reveal important gaps between awareness and behavior that may contribute to continued transmission of brucellosis. Strengthening farmer education through locally tailored, One Health-based interventions offers a practical pathway to improving brucellosis control and enhancing cattle productivity in Kazakhstan.

The article presents the results of a study on the biochemical blood profile of Holstein cows from the breeding herd of “Saryagash” LLP, Kostanay region. The research was conducted on clinically healthy animals (n = 19), divided into six age groups depending on the number of calvings (from the 1st to the 8th). The biochemical analysis included indicators of protein, mineral, and energy metabolism, as well as enzymatic activity and pigment exchange. The average values of protein metabolism were within the normal range (total protein – 77.14±2.89 g/l, albumin – 3.19±0.09 g/dl, urea – 12.5±0.75 mg/dl). Mineral metabolism was characterized by physiological concentrations of calcium (2.25±0.09 mmol/l), phosphorus (1.48±0.06 mmol/l), and magnesium (1.02±0.04 mmol/l), while in older groups a tendency towards a decrease in Ca and P levels was observed. In energy metabolism, glucose (2.77±0.31 mmol/l), cholesterol (86.7±7.4 mmol/l), and creatinine (1.23±0.05 mg/dl) remained within physiological limits. Alkaline phosphatase activity (84.0±8.6 U/L) and total bilirubin level (8.6±2.5 µmol/l) were also within normal ranges. Thus, the biochemical blood profile of Holstein cows across all six age groups generally corresponds to physiological standards; however, in animals with 6–8 calvings, signs of age-related metabolic changes were detected.