STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF DRONE HOMOGENATE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BULLS OF DIFFERENT CATTLE BREEDS

The article presents the main research findings on the effect of drone brood homogenate on the sperm productivity and semen quality of stud bulls of dairy and beef cattle breeds. The reproduction of pedigree livestock with enhanced genetic potential for productivity depends on the targeted use of genetically evaluated stud bulls that consistently transmit hereditary traits. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of incorporating a biologically active supplement based on drone brood homogenate into the diets of Simmental and Kazakh White-headed stud bulls. The results demonstrated that the use of drone brood homogenate exerted a statistically significant positive effect on the reproductive performance of stud bulls, regardless of breed origin. Daily ejaculate volume increased by 26.9% in Simmental bulls compared to the pre-treatment period, and by 24.4% in Kazakh White-headed bulls. By the end of the experiment, the daily ejaculate volume of Kazakh White-headed bulls exceeded that of Simmental bulls by 22.2%. At the same time, sperm concentration in both groups after the second collection was nearly identical: 0.902 and 0.900 billion/ml, respectively. The number of semen doses suitable for cryopreservation was 19% higher in Kazakh White-headed bulls than in Simmental bulls.In total, 1206 semen doses from Kazakh White-headed bulls were cryopreserved, which was 29.85% higher than in the Simmental group. The tested bulls of both breeds showed a positive response to the inclusion of drone brood homogenate as a biologically active feed additive, though with varying efficiency. Kazakh White-headed bulls proved more responsive than Simmental bulls, as reflected in higher average daily ejaculate volume, total semen output, and number of cryopreserved doses. Drone brood homogenate can be recommended for widespread use as an animal-derived adaptogen to stimulate sperm productivity and improve semen quality in stud bulls of dairy and beef cattle in Kazakhstan.