RESUMO O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da inclusão de semente de linhaça na dieta sobre a qualidade seminal e o perfil metabólico de machos caprinos. Foram utilizados 16 machos da raça Saanen, distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos, recebendo níveis de inclusão de semente de linhaça (0, 4, 8 e 12%) na dieta, durante um período de 60 dias. As coletas e as avaliações seminais foram realizadas duas vezes por semana. Os animais foram submetidos a coletas quinzenais de sangue, durante todo o período experimental. Os dados foram avaliados por ANOVA e pela análise de regressão a 5% de significância. Houve comportamento cúbico para motilidade espermática progressiva, que apresentou o maior valor (82,30%) com a adição de 9,92% de semente de linhaça na dieta (P<0,05). Houve comportamento cúbico para concentração plasmática de triglicerídeos, e o nível de 8% de semente de linhaça na dieta apresentou média de 43,32mg dL-1, acima dos valores normais para a espécie caprina (P<0,05). A inclusão de semente de linhaça na dieta de machos caprinos proporcionou melhora na produção espermática e na qualidade seminal. No entanto, devem-se considerar os possíveis efeitos dos níveis superiores a 4% de semente de linhaça sobre o perfil metabólico dos animais.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of flaxseed inclusion in the diet of male goats through the semen quality and metabolic profile. Randomly allocated 16 Saanen males were placed into four groups receiving flaxseed inclusion levels (0, 4, 8 and 12%) in the diet over a period of 60 days. The collections and seminal evaluations were performed twice a week. The animals were subjected to biweekly blood collections from the beginning to the end of the trial period. The data were evaluated by ANOVA and regression analysis at 5% significance. A cubic behavior for motility, with the highest value (82.30%) with the addition of 9.92% of flaxseed in the diet (P< 0.05) was detected. A cubic behavior for plasma triglyceride concentration and the level of 8% of flaxseed in the diet averaged 43.32mg dL -1 above normal values for goats (P< 0.05) was detected. The inclusion of flaxseed in the diet of male goats improved sperm production and quality. However, one should consider the possible effects of the levels above 4% of flaxseed on the metabolic profile of the animals.

The effect of substitution of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in synchronization protocols of ovulation in dairy goats was evaluated. Twelve goats received intravaginal sponges impregnated with 60mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for 10 days. The sponges were removed and the animals were distributed into two groups (G): G1 (n=6) treated with 0.5mL of a synthetic analogue of PGF2 α and 100 IU of eCG for each 10kg weight, intramuscular injection (IM); and G2 (n=6) treated with 0.5mL of a synthetic analogue of PGF2α and 20mg of FSH (IM). All animals were monitored for estrus detection with aid of a ruffian after sponge removal. The ovarian dynamics were analyzed by ultrasound, since six hours after sponge removed. Each animal was analyzed in time elapsed of six hours until 12 hours after ovulation detection. For data analyses, the Wilcoxon test and variance analyses were used. There was not difference between the analyzed parameters (P>0.05). In this way, eCG can be replaced by FSH in synchronization protocols of ovulation in dairy goats.

The frequency of antibodies to Neospora caninum (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in dog sera was investigated. Blood samples from 100 mongrel dogs, captured in the streets of São Luís, State of Maranhão, were analized using imunofluorescent antibody test. Forty five percent of the dogs were positive, and the titers ranged from 1:50 to 1:800. No sex difference was observed for frequency of N. caninum (60% in males and 40% in females). This is the first report of antibodies to N. caninum in dogs from Maranhão.