Improvement in the immune system of farm animals in a contaminated (including radiation) environment

Since Ukraine is characterized by a high level of the environmental industrial pollution and the internal and external radiation and accumulation of pesticides, nitrates and toxicants in the forages is a constantly acting factor, the present situation can actually be defined as an ecologically dangerous one. This results in reduced resistance of animals, and an increased number of illness cases already at the early stages of the ontogenesis (after that their genetic potential can not be realized till the end of their life even if properly treated). This is the reason that the development and wide implementation of accessible methods of immunity correction and stabilization of the animal resistance that will promote the realization of their genetic potential and increasing the amount of cattle-breeding product appear to be highly important. The most efficient and technological method of correcting the resistance in the present-day conditions of environmental pollution is implementing adaptogens as a fodder supplement. The authors have investigated the effect of preparations of the Echinacea purpurea on the productivity of different species of animals. It was determined that using the Echinacea purpurea enhances the sperm productivity of bulls by 28-44%, the egg-laying qualities of the hens by 15%, fertilization and hatching of chickens by 19%, number of young animals by 27%