Effect of Lithium Ascorbate on the Biochemical Parameters of Sows

Abstract

The aim of this work is to develop an effective way of dealing with the manifestations of stress in sows are able to increase their productivity. The study was conducted on 5 groups of pregnant sows of the Irish Landrace breed (4 experimental and 1 control) with 5 heads each. 30 days after successful insemination, the sows of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th experimental groups began receiving daily lithium ascorbate in powder form in a dose of 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, and 0.5 mg/kg of live weight, respectively. Studies have revealed that as a result of the introduction of lithium ascorbate with food to sows at a dose of 10, 5 and 2 mg/kg of body weight, a pronounced adaptogenic and stress-protective effect develops, which contributes to maintaining cortisol and progesterone at the physiological level throughout pregnancy. At the same time, lithium ascorbate can increase the nonspecific resistance of sows, the intensity of their growth during pregnancy, and provide protection against technological and spontaneous stressors. The use of lithium ascorbate in animals has a positive effect on lipid-cholesterol metabolism, the glutathione reduction system, which increases the safety, increases the build-up of live weight and stimulates the reproductive function of sows. The conducted test, based on the use of lithium ascorbate in pregnant sows, opens up a new scientific direction for economically beneficial regulation of biochemical and physiological parameters in animals in conditions of their industrial maintenance with the increase of non-specific resistance and productivity of animals.