One of the most common nematodes of ruminants is Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856). Disease caused by these parasites brings economic losses to livestock operations. Therefore it is necessary to control their numbers. The eggs and three larval stages of S. papillosus live in the environment, while the fourth, fifth and mature individuals live in host organisms. Control of these parasites is necessary at all stages of development, including the free-living stage. An experiment on changes in the number strongiloids under the influence of environmental factors was carried out using aqueous extracts of medicinal plants. In the laboratory experiment we researched the effect on the survival of invasive and noninvasive types of S. papillosus larvae of 24 hours exposure at different doses to Artemisia absinthium Linnaeus, 1753, Artemisia annua Linnaeus, 1753, Echinacea purpurea (Linnaeus, 1753) Moench, 1794, Matricaria chamomilla Linnaeus, 1753, Tanacetum vulgare Linnaeus, 1753, Salvia sclarea Linnaeus, 1753, Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch, 1824, Petroselinum crispum (Miller, 1768) Nyman ex A.W. Hill, 1925. The death of 50% of S. papillosus invasive larvae was registered at 464 ± 192 mg/l concentration of aqueous extract of S. sclarea inflorescences. The greatest effect up-on the non-invasive larvae was caused by aqueous extracts of inflorescences of S. sclarea, M. chamomilla and seeds of P. crispum: at concentrations of 327 ± 186, 384 ± 155 and 935 ± 218 mg/l, respectively, 50% of non-invasive larvae died. According to the results of the research, we suggest further study of the nematocidal activity of combinations, contained in the aboveground parts, of clary sage (S. sclarea), camomile (M. chamomilla) and seeds of parsley (P. crispum), and also experimental usage of these species in the fodder compound for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs on experimental farms.

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.

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.

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.

One of the most common parasitic diseases of pigs globally is ascariasis. It is caused by the nematode Ascaris suum Goeze, 1782 (Nematoda, Ascaridata), which parasitises the small intestine of pigs in its mature form and the respiratory system at the larval stage. This helminthiasis causes immense damage to swine-rearing. Control of the ascariasis pathogen in the host's organism and in the environment is essential for the health of the animals and successful swinerearing. The results of studying the effect of flavourings and source materials approved for use in and on foodscinnamaldehyde (0656 Codex Alimentarius), benzoic acid (Е 210 Codex Alimentarius) and methylparaben (Е 218 Codex Alimentarius) on the viability of invasive eggs of A. suum are useful for determining the minimum concentration of solution of these substances for use against eggs of A. suum (10 g/l). The lowest efficiency against invasive eggs of A. suum was obtained for methylparaben (LD 50 = 3850 ± 2130 mg/l), the highest was obtained with cinnamaldehyde (LD 50 = 2437 ± 864 mg/l), and benzoic acid (LD 50 = 1240 ± 680 mg/l).