Annotation. The study was performed on clinically healthy cows of Holstein breed during the period of milking in the CJSC "Gatchina" of the Leningrad region (Russia). Animals (n = 60) were divided into groups depending on the severity of "loaded metabolism" estimated by lead concentration in wool: up to the 25th centile, within the 25th to 75th centile, above the 75th centile. The concentration of lead in wool was determined by atomic emission and mass spectrometry (AES-ICP and MS-ICP). It was found that about the increase in lead content from the minimum to the maximum in centile intervals from 25-75 to> 75, the level of malondialdehyde (Total-MDA) in the blood increased, which was recorded against the background of a decrease in milk productivity. A significant negative correlation was observed between the concentration of lead in wool and the yield of milk fat, protein, dry matter, and corrected for 1% milk fat.

Plant-based feed additives, also known as phytobiotics, show great promise to compensate deficiencies of important biologically active substances in the diet. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of Germivit on the feed supplement of cattle of different ages. In the first experiment, four groups of 9-month-old Simmental calves (10 animals in each group) were fed with Germivit at 0.0, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 g kg-1 live body weight, respectively. In the second experiment, three groups of pregnant cows (10 animals in each group) received Germivit at 0.0, 0.25, and 0.50 kg-1 live body weight, respectively. The morphological composition of the collected blood was studied using a PCE-90vet automatic hematology analyzer. The blood biochemical composition was studied using a Stat Fax 1904 biochemical analyzer, and the immunological status of the animals was evaluated using generally accepted methods in veterinary medicine: immunocompetent cells by spontaneous rosette formation; immunoglobulins by the radial  immunodiffusion method; phagocytosis by using S. aureus culture; serum lysozyme activity by the photoelectrocolorimetric method; and bactericidal activity of serum by determining the degree of growth inhibition of the mixture of daily  culture of E. coli in a nutritive culture broth. Germivit contributed to the improvement of the biochemical and immunological parameters in the calves. In the cows, an increase in the morphological parameters of blood was observed, their immune status improved, and their calves were born with high rates of natural resistance and health. Germivit had a positive effect on the functional state of cattle.

Currently, enrichment of dairy products with products of plant origin is becoming increasingly relevant. This technique allows us to improve the composition and ensure the functionality of the products. In this regard, we explored the use of flax in soft cheeses. For this, flax was used in the form of flour and seeds. The expediency of cheese enrichment with flax seeds has been established, since during grinding, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids that imparts product functionality is reduced. At the next stage, the rationale for the use of flaxseeds was carried out, the method of processing them in the application phase, the organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters of the finished product were determined, the technology of soft cheese with flax seeds was developed. The innovative component of the new product was the use of bifidobacteria in the yeast, which give probiotic properties to soft cheese. Technological features of the production allowed to reduce the consumption of raw materials, increase product yield and reduce production time. In addition, the calculation of economic indicators shows the profitability of the production of this product. In the future, it is planned to expand the range of soft functional cheeses without ripening using fenugreek.

The authors conducted research on the effect of the olin probiotic on biochemical and indicators of the natural resistance of the quail of the Pharaoh breed. Changes in the morphological parameters of quail blood were noted (an increase in the number of red blood cells by 5.12-5.76% was observed in the blood, an increase in the amount of hemoglobin was also noted). No changes in the numbers of leukocytes and platelets were detected. The strengthening of humoral factors of natural resistance was facilitated by the introduction of a probiotic in the quail diet (lysozyme activity of blood serum was higher than the control values by 12.72%, bactericidal activity - by 7.27%). When analyzing the results of the studies, it was noted that the indicators of cellular immunity increased, a significant number of indicators significantly increased in the blood serum of quail from the experimental groups. Indicators such as poultry safety increased by 4.00-5.05%. The conducted studies convincingly proved the pronounced positive effect of olin on the functional state of the quail organism.