Effects of bee pollen supplementation in lactating ewes on maternal blood parameters and lamb growth performance

Year 2026, Accepted Papers, 1 - 6

Mariya Todorova Tanya Ivanova Ralitsa Balkanska

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1700688

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of pollen supplementation on lactating ewes and their lambs. An experiment was carried out for a period of 4 weeks with 22 lactating ewes and their offspring of the breed Ile de France (28 lambs), matched for lambing date and live weight of the lambs. The sheep were divided into two groups: control and experimental. Feeding was the same for both groups. The experimental group was supplemented with bee pollen at a dose of 6 g/twice per week at regular intervals of 3 days. The live weight of the lambs was determined at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, and the average daily gain was calculated. Blood samples were taken from the ewes, and some biochemical parameters were examined. The live weights and growth of lambs at the beginning and end of the experiment showed a slight trend towards higher values in the experimental group, which were not significant. In the biochemical profile, the values of the parameters studied during both periods were within the reference range for the animals, with the exception of glucose, which was lower. Significant differences (P<0.001; P<0.01) in glucose, triglyceride, and AST levels were found within groups between the initial and final measurements. Bee pollen supplementation demonstrated no adverse effects on the health of ewes or their offspring. Furthermore, it may exert beneficial effects on productivity parameters. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate optimal application strategies.

Keywords

Bee pollen , Biochemical profiles , Lactating ewes , Lambs

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