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

Mariya Todorova; Tanya Ivanova; Ralitsa Balkanska

doi:10.33988/auvfd.1700688

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

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

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Food Hygiene and Technology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mariya Todorova This is me
0009-0001-3297-8084
Bulgaria

Tanya Ivanova This is me
0000-0002-5962-4462
Bulgaria

Ralitsa Balkanska ^*
0000-0003-3486-1514
Bulgaria

Early Pub Date

October 8, 2025

Publication Date

January 1, 2026

Submission Date

May 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 31, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 73 Number: 1

DOI

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

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA22XM38LY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Todorova, M., Ivanova, T., & Balkanska, R. (2026). Effects of bee pollen supplementation in lactating ewes on maternal blood parameters and lamb growth performance. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 73(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1700688

AMA

1.Todorova M, Ivanova T, Balkanska R. Effects of bee pollen supplementation in lactating ewes on maternal blood parameters and lamb growth performance. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73(1):1-6. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1700688

Chicago

Todorova, Mariya, Tanya Ivanova, and Ralitsa Balkanska. 2026. “Effects of Bee Pollen Supplementation in Lactating Ewes on Maternal Blood Parameters and Lamb Growth Performance”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 (1): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1700688.

EndNote

Todorova M, Ivanova T, Balkanska R (January 1, 2026) Effects of bee pollen supplementation in lactating ewes on maternal blood parameters and lamb growth performance. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 1 1–6.

IEEE

[1]M. Todorova, T. Ivanova, and R. Balkanska, “Effects of bee pollen supplementation in lactating ewes on maternal blood parameters and lamb growth performance”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 1–6, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1700688.

ISNAD

Todorova, Mariya - Ivanova, Tanya - Balkanska, Ralitsa. “Effects of Bee Pollen Supplementation in Lactating Ewes on Maternal Blood Parameters and Lamb Growth Performance”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73/1 (January 1, 2026): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1700688.

JAMA

1.Todorova M, Ivanova T, Balkanska R. Effects of bee pollen supplementation in lactating ewes on maternal blood parameters and lamb growth performance. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73:1–6.

MLA

Todorova, Mariya, et al. “Effects of Bee Pollen Supplementation in Lactating Ewes on Maternal Blood Parameters and Lamb Growth Performance”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 73, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 1-6, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1700688.

Vancouver

1.Mariya Todorova, Tanya Ivanova, Ralitsa Balkanska. Effects of bee pollen supplementation in lactating ewes on maternal blood parameters and lamb growth performance. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Jan. 1;73(1):1-6. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1700688