<b>Apparent digestibility, follicular growth and concentration of blood metabolites of mares receiving concentrate with whole linseed (<em>Linum usitatissimum</em> L.)</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v31i2.598

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of whole linseed in the diet of mares through the evaluation of the apparent digestibility coefficients of the nutrients and their effect in the follicular growth and concentration of blood metabolites. Sixteen mares were used, fed with two concentrates – one without whole linseed and the other with 10% whole linseed, using a randomized experimental design. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were measured for DM, MM, CP, CF, NDF, ADF and EE. In order to determine the reproductive parameters (duration of the estrus, interval between application of the prostaglandin F₂ alpha and the estrus, and size of the ovulatory follicle) and blood parameters (glucose, triglycerides, progesterone, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and VLDL), the animals received prostaglandin F₂ alpha in the dose of 1 mL animal^-1 intramuscular^-1 and in the 10^th day after ovulation the collection of blood was conducted. The inclusion of whole linseed increased (p < 0.05) the ADC of DM, MM, CF, NDF and ADF; however, difference was not observed (p > 0.05) between both treatments for the ADC of CP and EE. The inclusion of whole linseed in the diet of equines improved the apparent digestibiliy of the nutrients, especially of the fibrous fraction of the diet, and it did result in alterations in reproductive and blood parameters