This work was conducted to compare the effects of whole soybean and cotton seeds and soybean oil on the ruminal pattern and in vitro disappearance, in fistulated Holstein calves. Two calves fitted with rumen cannula were fed a basal diet with 2.5% of ether extract (EE), which was compared with 5.0% EE, where whole soybean, whole cotton seeds or soybean oil were the source of additional EE. The addition of whole soybean and cottonseed resulted in decrease on in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance, however there was no alteration in the in vitro acid detergent fiber disappearance in relation to the control diet. The addition of whole cottonseed decreased the crude protein in vitro disappearance compared to control diet. The propionic acid concentration in the diets with addition of soybean oil was 16% higher than that proportionated by the other diets. The use of soybean oil seems to be the most adequate in relation to dry matter, in vitro NDF, ADF disappearance and pH maintenance, when compared to the others types of lipid addition, however less efficiently than the soybean seed in relation to in vitro protein crude disappearance. The protozoa number presented great changes among diets, but no effect with oil addition was reported. The higher N-NH3 ruminal concentration was reported in the diet with soybean oil when compared with the other diets.
calves; digestibility; pH; protozoa
