Avaliação e concentração de protozoários do líquido ruminal de ovinos das raças merino australiano e corriedale, criados em regime extensivo de pastagem no municipio de Botucatu – SP

Evaluation of protozoa contents from rumen liquor was carried out in Australian Merino and Corriedale sheep fed on pasture, in two seasons of the year (winter and summer), in Botucatu City, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ruminal samples were collected using a standard tube, from 103 sheep during the winter period (50 Corriedale and 53 Australian Merino) and from 107 sheep in the summer (52 Corriedale and 55 Australian Merino). A heavy density of small, medium and large highly motile protozoa was observed. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between breeds and seasons for the test mentioned above. The results obtained for protozoa total count in Australian Merino sheep in winter and summer were, respectively 39,85 ± 22,57 and 183,67 ± 103,81 x 103 /ml. The results observed for Corriedale sheep in winter and summer were, respectively, 39,05 ± 27,61 and 149,55 ± 86,83 x 103 /ml.