Environmental Impact On The Health Of Mongolian Pastoral Livestock

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate key indicators of innate resistance in livestock by species (ruminants and small ruminants) and age groups (juvenile and mature animals) during the spring and autumn seasons in Mongolia. Blood samples were collected from animals grazing in mining regions of the country. Parameters such as total white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil phagocytic activity (via the Nitroblue Tetrazolium [NBT] test), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined using both manual and automated methods.

The study revealed the following findings:

• Juvenile animals exhibited relatively lower innate resistance compared to mature animals, indicating reduced immune activity, which may adversely affect productivity and hinder normal growth and development.
• Small ruminants demonstrated lower resistance compared to large ruminants, possibly due to species-specific physiological differences, feed availability, and metabolic characteristics.
• Seasonal comparison showed that innate resistance declined significantly in spring across all livestock types, likely due to feed scarcity, exposure to cold stress, and adverse environmental factors. In contrast, resistance improved during autumn, correlating with better pasture quality and improved body condition. However, some animals still showed lower-than-normal biochemical and immune parameters, indicating individual variability in adaptive capacity.

In conclusion, the innate resistance of livestock is strongly influenced by age, species, and seasonal conditions. These factors play a vital role in overall animal health, productivity, and immune competence. The results suggest that age-specific and seasonally adapted feeding and management strategies should be implemented to maintain and enhance animal resilience.