Um inquérito soroepidemiológico foi conduzido para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Chlamydophila abortus, anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-Neospora caninum e anti-Brucella abortus em caprinos leiteiros do semiárido da Paraíba. A amostragem foi delineada para a determinação da prevalência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de animais soropositivos. Foi realizada uma seleção aleatória de propriedades (unidades primárias) e, dentro dessas, foi escolhido, de forma aleatória, um número pré-estabelecido de fêmeas caprinas (unidades secundárias). Ao todo foi colhido sangue de 974 fêmeas caprinas provenientes de 110 propriedades. Na ocasião da colheita, foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico por propriedade e as coordenadas geográficas foram obtidas com um aparelho de GPS. Para o diagnóstico sorológico das infecções por C. abortus e B. abortus, foram utilizados os testes de Fixação de Complemento e do Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado (AAT), respectivamente. Para o diagnóstico das infecções por T. gondii e N. caninum foram utilizadas reações de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Uma propriedade foi considerada foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. As análises realizadas foram: determinação das prevalências de focos e de animais soropositivos e identificação de fatores de risco. As prevalências de focos de C. abortus, T. gondii, N. caninum e B. abortus foram de 50,0% [40,3% - 59,7%], 70,0% [60,5% - 78,4%], 16,4% [10,0% - 24,6%] e 0,0% [0,0% - 3,3%], respectivamente. As prevalências de animais soropositivos para C. abortus, T. gondii, N. caninum e B. abortus foram de 11,9% [8,3% - 16,8%], 18,1% [14,3% - 22,6%], 1,9% [1,0% - 3,4%] e 0,0% [0,0% - 3,8%], respectivamente. Os fatores de risco para a infecção por C. abortus foram: compartilhar reprodutores e/ou sêmen (odds ratio = 2,35) e histórico de abortamentos (odds ratio = 3,06). Presença de plantas tóxicas na propriedade (odds ratio = 5,11) e a caprinocultura não ser a principal atividade (odds ratio = 3,34) foram apontadas como fatores de risco para a ocorrência de focos de infecção por T. gondii. Para a infecção por N. caninum, os fatores de risco associados à ocorrência de focos foram: alugar pastos (odds ratio = 10,34), não usar seringas descartáveis (odds ratio = 3,78) e possuir 25 ou mais caprinos (odds ratio = 6,51). Sugere-se que esforços sejam concentrados na condução de medidas de prevenção e controle das infecções por C. abortus, T. gondii e N. caninum em caprinos leiteiros do semiárido da Paraíba, especialmente aquelas relacionadas à correção de fatores de risco, visando a redução da prevalência e da disseminação desses agentes nesses animais e a possível exposição de seres humanos. / A seroepidemiological study for anti-Chlamydophila abortus, anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Brucella abortus antibody research was carried out in dairy goats from the semiarid of Paraíba state. Sampling was delineated for the determination of positive flocks (foci) and seropositive animals prevalences. A random selection of flocks (primary units) was performed and a pre-established number of female goats (secundary units) were sampled in each of these flocks. A total of 975 serum samples from 110 flocks were collected. On the occasion of the blood collection, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied in each flock and the geographical coordinates were obtained with a GPS. For the serological diagnosis of C. abortus and B. abortus infections complement fixation test and Rose Bengal test (RBT) were used, respectively. Indirect fluorescent antibody tests (IFAT) were carried out for detecting anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies. A flock was considered focus when presented at least one seropositive animal. The following analyses were performed: determination of foci and seropositive animals prevalences and identification of risk factors. Foci prevalences of C. abortus, T. gondii, N. caninum and B. abortus were 50.0% [40.3% - 59.7%], 70.0% [60.5% - 78.4%], 16.4% [10.0% - 24.6%] and 0.0% [0.0% - 3.3%], respectively. Seropositive animals prevalences to C. abortus, T. gondii, N. caninum and B. abortus were 11.9% [8.3% - 16.8%], 18.1% [14.3% - 22.6%], 1.9% [1.0% - 3.4%] and 0.0% [0.0% - 3.8%], respectively. Risk factors associated with C. abortus infection were: lend buck and/or semen (odds ratio = 2.35) and history of abortions (odds ratio = 3.06). Presence of toxic plants in the property (odds ratio = 5.11) and goat production do not be the main activity in the property (odds ratio = 3.34) were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of foci of T. gondii infection. For the N. caninum infection risk factors associated with occurrence of foci were: share pasture (odds ratio = 10.34), do not use disposable syringes (odds ratio = 3.78) and flock size 25 goats (odds ratio = 6.51). It was suggested that efforts be concentrated on the application of control and prevention measures for C. abortus, T. gondii and N. caninum infections in dairy goats from the semiarid of the Paraíba state, especially those related to the correction of risk factors, aiming to reduce the prevalence and spread of these agents and possible exposure of humans.

Submitted by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2016-02-22T14:57:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3702710 bytes, checksum: 9dee0e28c3be22319d303a2bc4134ddf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-22T14:57:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3702710 bytes, checksum: 9dee0e28c3be22319d303a2bc4134ddf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Products such as cheeses, yoghurts and milk drinks can be obtained from goat's milk are an alternative to the increase in consumption and value of goatderived products. This study aimed to produce ricotta cheese from goat whey and evaluate the effects of incorporating probiotic strains Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 on technological parameters, physicochemical and sensory cheese during storage refrigerated for seven days, and the protective effect of goat ricotta on the survival of probiotics tested for exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. A Ricotta goat was prepared based on goat cheese whey (main ingredient) with addition of whole goat milk (20%). The incorporation of probiotics did not influence the income and syneresis of goat ricotta. During the rated cold storage period, the strains L. acidophilus LA-5, and B. lactis BB-12 had scores of about 6 log CFU / g. Samples ricotta containing the probiotic strains showed the lowest values for lactose and the highest values for lactic acid, besides having greater hardness and lower brightness during storage when compared to samples without probiotics. There were no differences in the fatty acid profile of goat ricotta with or without probiotics. All samples of ricotta were sensorially described as "soft cheese" with "homogeneous texture", however, the samples added L. acidophilus LA-5 or B. lactis BB-12 were described as "more acidic". At the end of exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the tested probiotic strains showed scores of approximately 6 log CFU / g, when incorporated in goat ricotta. These results show the possibility of using L. acidophilus LA-5, and B. lactis BB-12 in the preparation of goat ricotta, considering that such strains showed no negative impact on the general quality characteristics of the product. Further, goats show the ricotta as a satisfactory matrix for the continued viability of probiotics tested during storage as well as when exposed to the harsh conditions found throughout the human gastrointestinal tract. / Produtos como queijos, iogurtes e bebidas lácteas podem ser obtidos a partir do leite de cabra sendo uma alternativa para o aumento no consumo e agregação de valor de produtos de origem caprina. O presente estudo teve como objetivo produzir queijos ricota a partir de soro de leite caprino e avaliar os efeitos da incorporação de cepas probióticas Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 e Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 sobre os parâmetros tecnológicos, físicoquímicos e sensoriais do queijo durante armazenamento refrigerado de sete dias, bem como o efeito protetor da ricota caprina sobre a sobrevivência dos probióticos testados durante exposição a condições gastrointestinais simuladas. A ricota caprina foi elaborada tendo como base soro de queijo caprino (ingrediente principal) com adição de leite integral de cabra (20%). A incorporação dos probióticos não influenciou no rendimento e sinérese da ricota caprina. Durante o período de armazenamento refrigerado avaliado, as cepas de L. acidophilus LA-5 e B. lactis BB-12 apresentaram contagens em torno de 6 log UFC/g. As amostras de ricota contendo as cepas probióticas apresentaram os menores valores para lactose e os maiores valores para ácido láctico, além de apresentarem maior dureza e menor brilho durante a armazenagem, quando comparados com amostras sem probióticos. Não foram observadas diferenças no perfil de ácidos graxos da ricota caprina com ou sem probióticos. Todas as amostras de ricota foram sensorialmente descritas como sendo “queijo macio” com “textura homogênea”, porém, as amostras adicionadas de L. acidophilus LA-5 ou B. lactis BB-12 foram descritas como sendo “mais ácidas”. Ao final da exposição às condições gastrointestinais simuladas, as cepas probióticas testadas apresentaram contagens de aproximadamente 6 log UFC/g, quando incorporadas na ricota caprina. Estes resultados mostram a possibilidade do uso de L. acidophilus LA-5 e B. lactis BB-12 na elaboração de ricota caprina, tendo em vista que tais cepas não apresentaram impacto negativo sobre as características gerais de qualidade do produto. Ainda, evidenciam a ricota caprina como uma matriz satisfatória para a manutenção da viabilidade dos probióticos ensaiados durante o armazenamento, bem como quando expostos às condições adversas encontradas ao longo do trato gastrointestinal humano.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:55:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1554500 bytes, checksum: d9400566acf11c9dff69fd60fcda665e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Considering the importance of raising buffaloes to the national dairy farming, the objective of this study was to model variations in test-day milk yield (TDMY) during the first lactation of Murrah buffaloes by random regression models (RRM), using orthogonal Legendre polynomials (POL) and linear B-splines (BSP). A total of 15,161 test-day records from 1,158 first lactations of Murrah buffaloes breed from herds belonging to São Paulo state, Brazil, with calving recorded from 1988 to 2005, were analyzed. For TDMY, 38 weekly classes of lactation days were considered and analyzed using a single-trait RRM, including the additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual random effects. In addition, contemporary group, linear and quadratic effects of the covariate age of the buffalo at birth, number of milkings and mean lactation curve of the population, modeled using a fourth-order orthogonal Legendre polynomials, were included as fixed effects. Covariance functions of additive genetic and permanent environmental regression coefficients were equally modeled by POL (3th to 6th order) or linear BPL (4 to 6 knots). Residual variances were modeled considering 9 classes uniformly spaced. The (co)variance components of parameters were estimated by Bayesian inference, using the GIBBS3F90 software. The convergence of Gibbs chains was verified by graphic inspection and using BOA package from the R program. The post-gibbs analyses were performed using the POSTGIBBS1F90 software. The selection of the models was based on deviance information criterion (DIC). The average TDMY was 6.31±2.13 kg. The sixth order POL and six-knot BSP (knots at 8, 29, 57, 120, 239 and 267 days), with highest degree of complexity (51 parameters) were considered as the most suitable to describe the TDMY variation. The genetic parameters presented similar tendencies for both models, excepted for genetic variances and heritability, which showed low estimates at first lactation weeks for model BSP6. It was possible realize that, despite the low correlation between the predicted breeding value for 270-day milk yield and lactation persistency, the best models classified the bulls similarly. The results indicate that linear B-spline function with six knots was the most appropriate RRM to genetic evaluation of TDMY of Murrah buffaloes, given that parcimonious models with higher computational advantages to model variations of TDMY are most sought, and given the better control of heritability estimates of the edges of the lactation curve. / Ao considerar a crescente importância da bubalinocultura na pecuária leiteira nacional, objetivou-se com o presente estudo modelar as variações da produção de leite no dia de controle (PLDC) de búfalas da raça Murrah por meio de modelos de regressão aleatória (polinômios ortogonais de Legendre POL e B-splines BSP lineares). Para tanto, foram analisados 15161 registros semanais de PLDC provenientes da primeira lactação de 1158 búfalas da raça Murrah, com partos registrados entre os anos de 1988 a 2005 e pertencentes a rebanhos do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As PLDC foram divididas em 38 classes semanais e analisadas considerando modelo animal de regressão aleatória - que incluiu efeitos aleatórios genético-aditivo, de ambiente permanente e residual. Adicionalmente, incluíram-se efeitos fixos de grupo de contemporâneo, a covariável idade da búfala ao parto (efeito linear e quadrático), número de ordenhas e as médias dos coeficientes da curva de lactação representativa da população (sendo esta ajustada por meio de POL de 4ª ordem). As funções de covariâncias relativas aos coeficientes de regressão aleatória dos efeitos genético-aditivo e de ambiente permanente foram igualmente modeladas por meio de POL (3ª à 6ª ordem) ou BSP lineares (4 a 6 nós). A estrutura residual foi considerada heterogênea, contendo nove classes de variâncias. Os componentes de (co)variância dos parâmetros foram estimados via inferência bayesiana, utilizando o programa GIBBS3F90. A convergência das cadeias de Gibbs foi verificada por meio de inspeção gráfica e o pacote BOA, do programa R. As análises pós-gibbs foram feitas utilizando o POSTGIBBS1F90. A seleção dos melhores modelos se deu pela utilização do critério de informação da deviance (DIC). A média de PLDC foi igual a 6,31±2,13 kg. Os modelos POL de sexta ordem POL6, e BSP com seis nós BSP6 (8, 29, 57, 120, 239, 267 dias), com maior número de parâmetros (51) foram considerados os melhores para descrever a variação da PLDC ao longo da lactação. De modo geral, os parâmetros genéticos apresentaram tendências semelhantes para estes modelos, à exceção das estimativas de variância genética aditiva e herdabilidade, menores nas primeiras semanas de lactação para o modelo BSP6. Verificou-se que, apesar de pouco correlacionados, os valores genéticos preditos para produção de leite aos 270 dias e persistência da lactação para os melhores modelos classificam os reprodutores de forma similar. O MRA mais recomendável para avaliação genética da PLDC de búfalos da raça Murrah é uma função B-spline (com seis nós), haja vista a procura por modelos mais parcimoniosos e com maiores vantagens computacionais para modelar variações da PLDC de búfalas da raça Murrah; e dado maior controle das estimativas de herdabilidade referentes aos extremos na curva de lactação.

L'élevage de la chèvre « Baladi » au Liban souffre d'un problème de disponibilité alimentaire responsable des faibles performances établies de la race, du fait de sa dépendance majoritaire des zones de pâturage naturel et de la rareté des terrains fourragers ou de l'adoption du système intensif. Dans ce contexte agroclimatique particulier, cette étude se propose d'identifier la conduite optimale, à mi-chemin entre système extensif compromettant la production et la durabilité de l'élevage et système hors-sol qui ne saurait valoriser les aptitudes de la race et les parcours de la région. En effet, les conditions climatiques difficiles de la région d'étude impliquent l'insertion d'une dimension temporelle dans la conceptualisation de la conduite optimale, prenant en considération les fluctuations saisonnières non négligeables des ressources alimentaires naturelles. Comparée à la conduite extensive traditionnelle et à la complémentation largement moins adoptée, une conduite où les chèvres laitières seraient mises au pâturage durant les mois de printemps caractérisé par la prolifération des espèces végétales en vert et enfermées durant la sécheresse estivale paraît a priori adaptée aux conditions du milieu et aux objectifs zootechniques et socioéconomiques. Le cas échéant, le système intensif étant rarement prisé par les éleveurs de la région, l'efficacité des parcours à résidus agricoles ou fourragers aura également été évaluée afin de trouver un optimum zootechnique et économique. Par la suite, il a fallu mettre en place un outil d'évaluation des caractéristiques nutritives des parcours de la région d'étude, des quantités ingérées par les animaux lors du pâturage ou à l'auge et finalement de leur impact direct sur la production laitière et la satisfaction des besoins. L'évaluation des différentes conduites se reflétant dans un nombre de réponses en cours de lactation, un suivi d'analyse continu a été instauré permettant d'apprécier l'état corporel des animaux (poids, note d'état corporel, métabolites énergétiques), la production laitière (rendement, durée de lactation et composition du lait) et les performances reproductives (prolificité et croissance des chevreaux). Les capacités d'adaptation des animaux aux restrictions alimentaires dans les différentes conduites ont ainsi été testées. Ces expérimentations réalisées sur deux ans de suite ont montré que ces chèvres manifestent de réelles capacités adaptatives aux aléas alimentaires. En particulier, à chaque fois que l'alimentation le permet, l'énergie disponible est orientée préférentiellement vers la production laitière avec des rebonds relativement importants. Ces rebonds se produisent quel que soit le niveau de production laitière et pendant pratiquement toute la lactation. Parallèlement, on observe une reconstitution lente et régulière des réserves adipeuses qui s'accélère en fin de lactation à un moment où les femelles sont généralement mises à la reproduction, alors que les productions laitières baissent inexorablement. Cette thèse a donc abouti à l'acquisition de connaissances originales sur un modèle animal peu étudié caractérisé par des capacités adaptatives remarquables qui ne se manifestent pas de façon aussi marquée chez les chèvres sélectionnées des zones tempérées / Adaptives capacities of Baladi goats fed on semi-arid rangelands of Bekaa valley (Lebanon)ABSTRACTThe Lebanese Baladi goat dairy production sector suffers from a problem of food availability which is responsible of the animal's poor performances, due to its dependence towards natural rangelands and the scarcity of crop residues and forage pastures as well as of the adoption of intensive systems.In this particular agroclimatic context, this study aims to identify the optimal conduct for this goat, half-way between an extensive system where production and durability are compromised and an intense one where the aptitudes of the breed and the variety of the region's pastures are not valorized. In fact, the region's difficult climatic conditions require the insertion of a temporal dimension in the conceptualization of the optimal conduct, considering the important seasonal fluctuations of the natural feed resources. Compared to the traditional extensive conduct and to the much less adopted supplementation, a conduct where the goats were pasture driven during the spring characterized by the proliferation of green plants and kept indoors during the summer season seems a priori adapted to the local conditions and to the technical and economic objectives. However, the intensive system being rarely considered by the local farmers, the efficiency of agricultural pastures such as crop residues and forages would also have been tested in order to find an optimum between production and feasibility. Thus, an evaluation tool of the pastures' nutrition values, the quantities ingested by the animals during grazing and indoors and finally of their impact on the milk production and satisfaction of feed requirements was implemented. The evaluation of the different tested conducts were reflected on a number of physiological responses during lactation such as the animals' body reserves (body weight, body condition score, NEFA), milk production (quantities, duration and milk composition: milk fat and milk protein contents) and reproductive performances (kids' number, birth weights and growth). The animals' adaptive capacities to different food restrictions situations are hence here tested.These trials realized on two subsequent years showed that this breed demonstrates clear adaptive capacities facing feed fluctuations. A particular adaptation is the orientation of the available extra energy towards milk production with relatively important rebounds whenever allowed by refeeding. These rebounds occurred whatever the initial milk production level and during practically the whole lactation period. In parallel, we observed a slow and regular reconstitution of the body reserves which accelerates at the end of lactation, when the females are getting ready for reproduction, while the milk production suddenly breaks down. In consequent, this study has collaborated in acquiring new original information about an original animal breed characterized by special adaptive capacities which don't generally show in selected high production breeds.Kewords : Baladi goat, feeding conduct, pasture, indoors, adaptive capacities, feeding behaviour, body reserves, milk production, reproductive performances

Dans un contexte de fluctuation des prix des intrants et d’une demande croissante en produits à base de lait de chèvre issus de pratiques respectueuses de l’environnement et des animaux, le pâturage peut retrouver une place plus importante dans l’alimentation des chèvres laitières. D’après la synthèse bibliographique, les facteurs de variation de l’ingestion et des performances au pâturage ont été très peu étudiés chez les chèvres laitières en conditions tempérées. L’objectif de la thèse a été de comprendre quelle est l’influence des pratiques de gestion du pâturage (disponibilité en herbe et en temps pour pâturer) sur la régulation de l’ingestion et les performances des chèvres laitières, dans le but d’affiner les recommandations aux éleveurs et d’élaborer les bases d’un modèle de prévision de l’ingestion. D’après les 6 essais réalisés : (1) les chèvres recevant entre 0,6 et 1,0 kg/j de compléments s’adaptent à des restrictions de temps d’accès de 11 à 6 h/j, en augmentant leur vitesse d’ingestion et surtout le pourcentage du temps passé à pâturer jusqu’à 95 % du temps d’accès, (2) les chèvres recevant 0,6 kg de concentrés et un temps d’accès d’au moins 11 h/j peuvent s’adapter à une restriction de quantité d’herbe offerte jusqu’à 2,3-2,6 kg MS/chèvre/j, (3), le poids vif et la production laitière sont des paramètres déterminant de la quantité d’herbe ingérée alors que la parité et le stade de lactation n’ont pas montré d’effet significatif. Ce travail a permis d’établir les premières lois de réponse d’ingestion, de production laitière et d’adaptation comportementale des chèvres laitières à des variations de temps d’accès et de quantité d’herbe offerte au pâturage. / In the context of prices volatility and growing demand for goat's milk products from respectful practices of the environment and animals, grazing can become more important in the diet of dairy goats. According to the literature review, the factors of variation of intake and performance of grazing dairy goats have been poorly studied under temperate conditions. The aim of this thesis was to understand the influence of grazing management practices (availability of pasture and access time to grazing) on the regulation of intake and performance of dairy goats, with the aim of refining recommendations for farmers and to elaborate a model of intake prediction. Based on the six trials conducted: (1) goats receiving between 0.6 and 1.0 kg/day of supplements adapt themselves to access time restrictions from 11 to 6 h/d, by increasing their intake rate and especially the percentage of time spent grazing up to 95% of access time, (2) goats receiving 0.6 kg of concentrates and an access time of at least 11 h/day can adapt to a restriction of pasture allowance up to 2.3-2.6 kg DM/goat/day, (3) live weight and milk production are the main variables affecting intake while parity and stage of lactation had no significant effect. This work provides the first response laws of intake, milk production and behavioural adaptation of grazing dairy goats to variations of access time to pasture and to pasture allowance.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-09-06T17:16:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SEVERINO SILVANO DOS SANTOS HIGINO - TESE PPGMV 2012..pdf: 912889 bytes, checksum: ecd83ccda461de3cefab79cf44f95ab7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-06T17:16:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SEVERINO SILVANO DOS SANTOS HIGINO - TESE PPGMV 2012..pdf: 912889 bytes, checksum: ecd83ccda461de3cefab79cf44f95ab7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / CNPq / Capes / A leptospirose em pequenos ruminantes é uma doença que pode causar perdas econômicas devido a ocorrência de abortamentos, natimortalidade e diminuição da produção de leite. Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar a prevalência de propriedades de caprinos leiteiros positivas e de animais soropositivos para leptospirose no semiárido paraibano, bem como identificar fatores de risco associados à prevalência de propriedades positivas. A amostragem foi delineada para a determinação da prevalência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de animais soropositivos para a infecção por Leptospira spp. No total, foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 975 animais procedentes de 110 propriedades leiteiras localizadas no Munícipio de Monteiro, microrregião do Cariri Ocidental, Estado da Paraíba. Para o diagnóstico da infecção por Leptospira spp., foi utilizado o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando como antígenos 24 sorovares. Uma propriedade foi considerada foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. As prevalências de propriedades positivas e de animais soropositivos foram de 43,6% (IC 95% = 34,2% - 53,4%) e de 8,7% (IC 95% = 5,7% - 12,9%), respectivamente. Nos animais, os sorovares mais frequentes foram Autumnalis (1,74%; IC 95% = 0,97% – 3,09%), Sentot (1,71%; IC 95% = 0,82% – 3,52%) e Whitcomb (1,39%; IC 95% = 0,65% – 2,93%), e nas propriedades, os sorovares Autumnalis (10,9%; IC 95% = 5,8% – 18,3%), Whitcomb (8,2%; IC 95% = 3,8% – 15,0%) e Sentot e Patoc (7,3%; IC 95% = 3,2% – 13,8%) foram os mais frequentes. Presença de roedores (OR = 2,78, P = 0,015) foi identificada como fator de risco. Também houve associação entre o histórico de infertilidade (OR = 14,74, P = 0,015) e a prevalência de rebanhos positivos. Sugere-se que a infecção está distribuída em caprinos da região, e um programa de controle de roedores deve ser incluído nas práticas de manejo dos rebanhos com o intuito de reduzir a transmissão do agente e, consequentemente, reduzir a prevalência de rebanhos positivos e ocorrência de problemas reprodutivos, tais como infertilidade. / Leptospirosis in small ruminants is a disease that can causes economic losses due to occurrence of abortions, stillbirths and decreased milk production. This work aimed to determine the prevalence of positive dairy goat herds and seropositive animals for leptospirosis in semiarid region of Paraíba State. Sampling was designed to determine the prevalence of positive herds (foci) and seropositive animals for leptospirosis. A total of 975 serum samples were collected from goats from 110 dairy herds in the Monteiro, Cariri Ocidental microregion of the Paraiba State. For the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was carried out usind 24 Leptospiraspp. serovars as antigens. A herd was considered positive when presented at least one seropositive animal. The prevalence of positive herds and seropositive animals were 43.6% (95% CI = 34.2% - 53.4%) and 8.7% (95% CI = 58.7% - 12.9%), respectively. The most frequent serovars in animals were Autumnalis (1.74%; 95% CI = 0.97% – 3.09%), Sentot (1.71%; 95% CI = 0.82% - 3.52%) and Whitcomb (1.39%; 95% CI = 0.65% – 2.93%), and by herd, serovars Autumnalis (10.9%; 95% CI = 5.8% – 18.3%), Whitcomb (8.2%; 95% CI = 3.8% – 15.0%) and Sentot and Patoc (7.3%; 95% CI = 3.2% – 13.8%) were the most frequent. Presence of rodents (OR = 2.78; P = 0.015) was identified as a risk factor. There was also association between history of infertility (OR = 14.74; P = 0.015) and prevalence of positive flocks. It is suggested that leptospirosis is spread in goats in the region, and that a program of rodent control should be included in the flock management practices aiming to reduce transmission of the agent and then to reduce prevalence of positive flocks and occurrence of reproductive disorders such as impaired fertility.