• Project Objectives:
• Determination of helminth species, as well as the extent and intensity of infestation in areas of the West Kazakhstan region where saigas inhabit (or relatively do not inhabit), considering the specifics of sheep farming technologies and differences in natural zones (steppe, semi-desert, and desert).
• Determination of helminth species, as well as the extent and intensity of infestation in saigas inhabiting various natural zones in the West Kazakhstan region.
• Determination of the seasonal dynamics of helminthiasis in areas of the West Kazakhstan region where saigas inhabit (or relatively do not inhabit), considering the specifics of sheep farming technologies and natural zones.
• Determination of the seasonal dynamics of helminthiasis in saigas inhabiting various natural zones in the West Kazakhstan region.
• Determination of the dynamics of helminthiasis spread by age and natural zones in areas of the West Kazakhstan region where saigas inhabit (or relatively do not inhabit), considering the specifics of sheep farming technologies.
• Determination of the contamination levels (eggs and larvae of helminths) in pastures (soil, vegetation, water) of various natural zones in areas inhabited and uninhabited by saigas.
• Determination of the level of infection in dogs, as the definitive host, with larval cestodoses of sheep and imaginal cestodoses in natural zones where saigas inhabit and do not inhabit.
• Determination of the role of saigas in the invasive cycle for the spread of common helminth fauna in sheep in the West Kazakhstan region and their genetic similarity using PCR
• Veterinary and sanitary examination of meat products from sheep with associative helminthiasis and determination of its biological and nutritional value.
• Determination of the effectiveness of drugs against associative helminthiasis in sheep.
• Creation of a database for monitoring helminthiasis in sheep and saigas using a geographic information system (GIS) for effective epizootiological control and analysis of the spread of disease distribution on the regional map.
• Improving the system of veterinary and sanitary measures against parasites in sheep, taking into account the role of saigas in the cycle of invasion and for the prevention of helminthiasis in various natural areas.

• ПExpected Results and Novelty:Taking into account the sheep farming technologies in the districts of the West Kazakhstan region where saiga antelopes are absent (Baiterek, Syrym, Karatobe, Akzhaik), the project will determine the species composition of helminths, their seasonality, age-related dynamics, as well as the extent and intensity of invasion depending on natural zones (steppe, dry steppe, and desert).Subsequently, similar studies will be conducted in the saiga-inhabited areas (Bokeyorda, Zhanakala, Kaztalov, Zhanibek, Taskala).Organoleptic, physicochemical parameters and the level of microbial contamination of meat products obtained from sheep will also be assessed.The project is based on the implementation of automated systems with elements of digitalization for the management and monitoring of sheep helminthiasis and, for the first time in the West Kazakhstan region, includes the development of Geoinformation Systems (GIS) for helminth control.A GIS map will be created to visualize data on helminthiasis cases and the ecological and sanitary status of the region.The results of helminthiasis monitoring in sheep, taking into account the epizootic situation, will make it possible to optimize veterinary measures and improve the quality of meat products.Based on the above, during seasonal monitoring of sheep helminthiasis, the levels of invasion intensity and prevalence will be determined. For the first time, the following will be established:

  In areas with and without saigas, considering sheep farming technologies, the species of helminth infections, as well as the extent and intensity of invasion, will be determined depending on the characteristics of various natural zones (steppe, dry steppe, desert).

  For saiga antelopes, the species composition of helminths, the extent and intensity of invasion will be determined depending on natural zones.

  The seasonal dynamics of saiga helminthiasis will be identified, taking into account natural and climatic conditions.

  In regions with and without saigas, the age-related dynamics of helminth prevalence in sheep will be established, considering local environmental conditions and farming technologies.

  The contamination of pastures (soil, vegetation, water) with helminth eggs and larvae will be determined in different natural zones.

  In regions with and without saigas, the infection level of dogs — the definitive hosts of larval cestodiases of sheep — will be determined.

  Common helminth species parasitizing both sheep and saigas will be identified, and their role in the invasion cycle and genetic similarity will be determined using PCR methods.

  A veterinary and sanitary examination of meat products from sheep affected by associative helminthiasis will be conducted, and their nutritional and biological value will be evaluated.

  The comparative efficacy of antiparasitic drugs against associative helminth infections in sheep will be determined.

  An algorithm for the use of GIS in the epizootiological monitoring of helminthiasis in sheep and saigas will be developed.

  Methodological recommendations will be prepared to improve the system of veterinary and sanitary measures aimed at preventing sheep helminthiasis in various natural zones, considering the role of saigas in the invasion cycle, with a scientific justification for the proposed measures.

Expected Results:

1. Taking into account the implementation of sheep breeding technology in saigas-inhabited (relatively uninhabited) areas of the West Kazakhstan region, the type of helminthiasis and the extensiveness and intensity of infestation are determined according to the characteristics of different natural areas (steppe, desert and desert).
2. The type of helminthiasis and the extensiveness and intensity of infestation in saigas living in the West Kazakhstan region are determined according to the characteristics of different natural regions.
3. Taking into account the implementation of sheep breeding technology in saigas-inhabited (relatively uninhabited) areas of the West Kazakhstan region, the dynamics of helminthiasis is determined according to seasonal and different natural regions.
4. The seasonal dynamics of helminthiasis in saigas living in the West Kazakhstan region is determined by the characteristics of different natural regions.
5. Taking into account the implementation of sheep breeding technology in saigas-inhabited (relatively uninhabited) areas of the West Kazakhstan region, the dynamics of the distribution of helminthiasis according to the age and characteristics of different natural regions is determined.
6. Contamination (contamination) with helminth eggs, larvae (larvae) is determined from various natural areas (soil, vegetation, water) inhabited and not inhabited by saigas.
7. In saigas-inhabited and non-saigas-inhabited areas, the level of damage to the definitive host (dog) of larval cestodes found in sheep is determined.
8. Common types of helminth fauna of sheep and saigas living in West Kazakhstan region, their place in the cycle of invasion and genetic similarity of helminths are determined by PCR.
9. Veterinary-sanitary examination of slaughter products of sheep acutely affected by associative helminthiasis is carried out and nutritional biological value is determined.
10. Relative effectiveness of drugs against associative helminthiasis in sheep is determined.
11. An algorithm for the use of a geographic information system (GIS) will be developed to monitor the epizootic situation of helminthiasis in sheep and saigas in the region..
12. A methodological proposal is prepared for the prevention of sheep helminthiasis in various natural areas and the improvement of the system of veterinary-sanitary measures against parasites in the sheep population in the region, taking into account the place of the saigas in the course of the invasion, through scientific justification.
13. Peer-reviewed scientific articles that include the impact factor quartile 1 (first) and (or) 2 (second) in the Web of Science database, are indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded and (or) have a percentile of not less than 65 (sixty-five) in the Scopus database according to Cite Score at least 2 (two) articles and (or) reviews are published in publications;

- at least 2 (two) articles or reviews are published in a peer-reviewed foreign or domestic publication recommended by the National Institute of Social Sciences;

One of the articles will be in the category of multidisciplinary (multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary practical application) on the tasks of enterprises in a specific sector of the economy of Kazakhstan, and the results of the project will be covered by the design and construction documentation/certificate of compliance with the technical regulations prepared according to ESKD.

For domestic journals from the list 1 of the Committee on the Study of Scientific and Cultural Heritage that do not belong to the multidisciplinary category, journals from lists 1 and 2 of the Committee on the study of Scientific and Cultural Heritage that are indexed in two or more categories are counted.

14. According to the results of the study, kan atlas of helminths found in sheep's shoulders will be compiled.
15. 1 (one) doctor of philosophy (PhD) will be prepared according to the results of the project (in the relevant field of science).

List of Publications Related to the Project:

Abekeshev N.T., Ussenov Zh.T., Abdrakhmanov R.G., Aitpayeva Z.S., Svotina M.A., Valiyeva Zh.M., Ryskaliyeva Zh.K. Helminth Fauna of Sheep in the West Kazakhstan Region. Science and Education, No. 3-2 (80), 2025, P. 251–259.

• List of goods, works, and services planned for procurement in 2025 under Project No. AP26198215 by Abekeshev N.T. for conducting scientific research.
• List of goods, works and services under the AR26198215 project dated 09.23.2025
• Updated list of goods, works and services under the AR26198215 project dated 11.21.2025
• Updated list of goods works and services under the AR26198215 project dated 12.08.2025
• Тhe updated list of goods works and services under the AR26198215 project dated 12.10.2025
• List of goods, works and services under the AR26198215 project dated 05.01.2026