Sheep’s milk is an important source of bioactive substances that have health-promoting functions for the body. The valuable composition of sheep’s milk is due to the high content of fatty acids, immunoglobulins, proteins, hormones, vitamins and minerals. Many biopeptides found in milk have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The bioactive substances of sheep’s milk also show anticancer properties. Sheep’s milk, thanks to its content of CLA and orotic acid, prevents the occurrence of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Sheep’s milk, as a product rich in bioactive substances, can be used as a medical aid to support the body in the fight against neurological and cancer diseases.
<b>Composite materials, which can have a wide range of properties, can have an important role in protecting the natural environment. Until now, the most popular fibres used in composites have been those obtained by chemical processes. Natural fibres are much less commonly used, but interest in them is growing due to the principles of eco-development, care for the environment, and their important fact that they are biodegradable. Sheep wool, due to its unique physicochemical properties, such as thermal and sound insulation and the ability to absorb and release moisture, can be used as a fibre in biodegradable composites. Biodegradable polymers are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to plastics, which have a negative impact on the environment. Although the use of biodegradable polymers is limited by their poor mechanical and thermal properties, a filler in the form of sheep wool fibres increases the mechanical properties of the composite and reduces production costs, while maintaining its biodegradability. Mixed wool is treated as a waste product which is difficult to utilize in the textile industry, but innovative applications in agriculture and medicine provide the opportunity to make use of it. As a fibre with unique physicochemical properties, wool can be used as an element of biocomposites in line with the strategies of bioeconomy and sustainable development.
Aging is a major risk factor for cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sheep’s milk may play a role in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases because of its high content of functional peptides, such as lactoferrin. Lactoferrin can be used in AD both as an active therapeutic compound and as a drug nanocarrier. Compared to cow’s and goat’s milks, sheep’s milk contains the highest content of isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The c-9, t-11-CLA isomers reduce the pathological changes occurring in AD mainly by reducing the amount of amyloid-β aggregates in brain tissues. Sheep’s milk also contains higher concentrations of vitamin D and B-group vitamins, which have neuroprotective effects. This review summarizes the current knowledge on sheep’s milk and its products, with a special focus on its role in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
<b>The aim of the research was to determine the changes in the concentrations of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in sheep during lactation. The experiment was conducted on 20 Polish Longwool ewes. Milking was begun after the lambs were weaned, on the 57th day of lactation. Sheep were milked twice a day (8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.) until dry. The milk yield of each ewe was checked every 10 days. For determination of thyroid hormones, blood was collected every 28 days beginning at sunset, every 20 minutes for 6 hours. The average milk yield of the sheep was determined based on the individual yields on test days. The highest (P ≤ 0,01) milk yield was obtained in the first month of milking, i.e. April (0,48 ± 0,018 l). Milk yield decreased as lactation progressed. The concentration of hormone T3 was significantly higher (P ≤ 0,01) in the first and third months of lactation (0,72 ± 0,02 ng/ml in April and 0,74 ± 0,02 ng/ml in June) than in September (0,55 ± 0,01 ng/ml). The T3 concentration decreased in successive months of lactation. In contrast, the concentration of the T4 hormone increased with the progression of lactation. Significantly (P ≤ 0,01) the lowest concentration of T4 was found in the first and second month of milking (51,7 ± 9,8 ng/ml, 48,8 ± 7,4 ng/ml). The highest T4 concentration in lactating sheep was noted in August (60,55 ± 10 ng/ml). The research showed that the secretion of T3 decreases with milk yield, while secretion of T4 shows an upward trend as lactation progresses. Therefore thyroid hormones modulate secretion of milk in sheep. </b>
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