Even zooplankton can not be utilized directly by human being; it is an important food source for numerous economical fishes. Zooplankton¡¦s predator-prey interactions can affect not only global carbon fixation, but also fisheries yields directly. Copepods and ciliates are the targets of the current study, which act as critical links between classical diatom-copepod-fish webs and microbial food webs. Analyzing their predator-prey interactions can help us understand more about marine food production. The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in swimming behavior of copepods and ciliates under two environments, which are disturbances and no disturbances of predator-prey. We use five locomotive indicators (NGDR, turning rate, diffusion coefficient, kinetic energy and fractal dimension) to quantify swimming patterns. The trajectories of copepods in the undisturbed situation show circuitous, larger turning angle, and more diffusive behavior, which associate with a lower kinetic energy. The patterns of copepod movement with the presence of prey (ciliates) are contrary to the previous situation. The patterns of ciliates in the undisturbed situation are similar to those of copepods in undisturbed situation, except smaller turning angles. The trajectories of ciliates in terms of the turning and diffusive movement when predators (copepods) show up are different from those of copepods when preys (ciliates) are present. In addition to indicators, this study develops a new encoding scheme for accommodating the spatial-temporal information embedded in the original data. By analyzing the encoded data through some data mining techniques, the predator-prey interactive behaviors in the spatial scale can be easily perceived.

Ciliates are a class of organisms which undergo a genetic process called gene descrambling after mating. In order to better understand the problem, a literature review of past works has been presented in this thesis. This includes a brief summary of both the relevant biology and bioinformatics literature. Then, a formal definition of scrambling systems is developed which attempts to model the problem of sequence alignment between scrambled and descrambled genes. With this system, sequences can be classified into relevant functional segments. It also provides a framework whereby we can compare various ciliate sequence alignment algorithms. After that, a new method of predicting the various functional segments is studied. This method shows better coverage, and usually a better labelling score with certain parameters. Then we discuss several recent hypotheses as to how ciliates naturally descramble genes. An algorithm suite is developed to test these hypotheses. With the tests, we are able to computationally check which factors are potentially the most important. According to the current results with 247 pointer sequences of 13 micronuclear genes, examining repeats which are the same distance together with either the sequence or the size, as the real pointers, is almost always enough information to guide descrambling. Indeed, the real pointer sequence is the unique repeat 92.7% and 94.3% of the time within the 247 pointers, from the left and right respectively, using only the pointer distance and the pointer sequence information.

Ciliates are a class of organisms which undergo a genetic process called gene descrambling after mating. In order to better understand the problem, a literature review of past works has been presented in this thesis. This includes a brief summary of both the relevant biology and bioinformatics literature. Then, a formal definition of scrambling systems is developed which attempts to model the problem of sequence alignment between scrambled and descrambled genes. With this system, sequences can be classified into relevant functional segments. It also provides a framework whereby we can compare various ciliate sequence alignment algorithms. After that, a new method of predicting the various functional segments is studied. This method shows better coverage, and usually a better labelling score with certain parameters. Then we discuss several recent hypotheses as to how ciliates naturally descramble genes. An algorithm suite is developed to test these hypotheses. With the tests, we are able to computationally check which factors are potentially the most important. According to the current results with 247 pointer sequences of 13 micronuclear genes, examining repeats which are the same distance together with either the sequence or the size, as the real pointers, is almost always enough information to guide descrambling. Indeed, the real pointer sequence is the unique repeat 92.7% and 94.3% of the time within the 247 pointers, from the left and right respectively, using only the pointer distance and the pointer sequence information.

The DNA of all organisms is continuously exposed to exogenous and endogenous genotoxic agents. Fortunately, through the concerted actions of several DNA repair and mutation avoidance pathways, DNA damage can be removed and an organism’s genomic stability maintained. DNA base-base mismatches are generated as a result of the inherent replication errors made by the DNA replication machinery, as well as during the meiotic pairing of homologous but non-identical chromosomes. Through the coordinated actions of the highly conserved DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system, these errors are detected, removed and corrected, thus restoring the integrity of the DNA. In the absence of DNA MMR, genetic instability is unavoidable, resulting in the accumulation of mutations, and in mammals, a susceptibility to cancer. To better understand the roles of the MMR system in mutation avoidance during DNA replication, meiosis, and in nuclear apoptosis, we have utilized the nuclear dimorphic, ciliate protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. We have identified seven putative MMR homologues; two are similar to eukaryotic MLH1 and PMS2, respectively, and five are similar to eukaryotic MutS homologues, one with eukaryotic MSH2 and four with MSH6. Our studies demonstrate that during conjugation, the relative transcript abundance of each MMR homologue is increased compared to vegetatively growing or nutritionally deprived (starved) cells. Also, the expression profile throughout conjugation is bimodal, corresponding to micronuclear (MIC) meiosis and macronuclear (MAC) anlagen development, both periods in which DNA replication occurs. Cells containing macronuclear knockouts of the PMS2, MSH2 and MSH6_1 genes were unable to successfully pair and complete conjugation, but were viable throughout vegetative growth. Cells in which the macronuclear MSH6_2 gene was knocked out had a phenotype that was similar to wild-type cells, during conjugation and vegetative growth. Interestingly, we observed that the MIC of cells containing MAC knockouts of the PMS2 and TML1 genes appear to have decreased copy number of specific “target sequences”, as determined by qPCR using the Random Mutation Capture (RMC) assay. This decrease reflects neither a loss of micronuclei nor a reduction in total micronuclear DNA content. These studies demonstrate that the PMS2, TML1, MSH2, and MSH6_1 homologues are necessary for the maintenance of micronuclear function and stability during conjugal development and vegetative growth, whereas the remaining MSH6 homologues have less pronounced roles in DNA repair and development. Additionally, macronuclear development in Tetrahymena appears less reliant on the DNA mismatch repair system and perhaps uses alternate surveillance mechanisms to maintain genomic stability during asexual and sexual development. / Graduate / 0306 / 0379 / 0307

Coral disease represents one of the many challenges facing coral reefs, and is a contributing factor to the overall decline in coral reef health worldwide. An increase in disease frequency, outbreaks and the emergence of new diseases has fuelled much concern over the impact of coral diseases and subsequently prompted research into their possible causes. Our understanding of putative coral pathogens has lagged behind the emergence of coral disease as a major threat to the health of coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the largest contiguous reef in the world, and is still regarded as one the healthiest and best managed coral reef ecosystems in existence today. Despite this, the frequency of coral disease has begun to increase sharply over the past decade, prompting researchers to focus on the aetiology, causal factors and ecological impact of coral disease within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). This PhD thesis focused on two distinct disease elements: brown band (BrB) and white syndrome (WS). These two diseases affect corals within the GBRMP, yet their microbiology and ecology is largely unknown. The research project investigated the microbiology and ecology of WS and BrB affecting acroporids, using culture-dependent and independent methods to characterise the microbial community associated with healthy and diseased corals and identify putative coral pathogens. The lifecycle and diurnal cycles of BrB ciliates were also explored to gain a greater understanding of the effect of these ciliates on coral health. Ecological surveys were carried out at Heron Island sites commonly used for the collection of corals to ascertain the prevalence and significance of these diseases in the context of laboratory results. Surveys at five sites revealed a mean prevalence of 8.11% of tabular acroporids affected by WS, which is consistent with previous studies. BrB revealed a much lower prevalence of less than 0.04%. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed from Acropora hyacinthus samples derived from a healthy control colony, and a healthy section and lesion border of a WS affected colony. Distinct shifts in the microbial community and partitioning between the lesion border and healthy section of the diseased colony were observed. In addition, the healthy section of the diseased colony displayed a different microbial community to the control colony, supporting previous data that a microbial shift occurs preceding visible signs of infection. A number of bacteria from the healthy section of diseased coral shared close sequence affiliations to a number of Vibrio spp., including potentially pathogenic Vibrio species. Sequences retrieved from the lesion border of WS affected Acropora hyacinthus were dominated by Pseudoalteromonas spp., although these species have not been previously implicated in coral disease. The coral disease BrB is characterised by the presence of a brown ciliate band and these ciliates have been identified as a new species belonging to the class Oligohymenophorea, subclass Scuticociliatia. Within BrB-affected Acropora muricata, numerous filamentous, coccoid and rod bacteria were observed to be closely associated with the ciliate band, but absent in coral tissue adjacent to the typical brown band. It is unknown whether the bacteria associated with the mass of ciliates are the primary pathogens, a food source for the ciliates or simply opportunistic pathogens. Several isolates retrieved from BrB corals were tested for their pathogenicity in controlled infection trials using Acropora muricata. The preliminary results identified at least two isolates of interest (CC1 and HB-8). However, the results of a replicated infection trial failed to conclusively identify the bacteria as the causative agents of this disease. The findings from the cross-infection trials and ecological surveys suggest that BrB is an infectious but not highly contagious coral disease. This study revealed important aspects of both WS and BrB that were previously unknown. The research carried out has built a greater understanding, and a platform for future research directed at understanding key processes involved in these coral diseases. This research has highlighted the need for ongoing infection trials in diseases, even when a pathogen has been identified. The discovery of possible key bacterial species involved in WS and BrB warrants further research aimed at understanding the mechanisms in which bacteria may affect the coral holobiont. In conclusion, this research has further supported the notion that corals are a complex community with bacterial, animal and protistan partners, which when disturbed may see one or several of the previous benign partners becoming pathogenic. In a rapidly changing climate, this conclusion is consistent with the idea that coral diseases are on the rise due to changing environmental circumstances disturbing the balance between these interdependent partners.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-20T12:31:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE JOSIAS.pdf: 13664195 bytes, checksum: 0b731ac38c795407c9c789662d514a7b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-07-01 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / For more then three centuries plants has been used for decontaminating soils and water with quimical products. However, recently this practice is being intensificated, due to low costs and mainly for the facilities that these plants may be used in situ. The phytoremediation technique reached worldwide importance due to the technology which extract and/or immobilize organic and inorganic contaminates. The main objective of this Thesis is to study for the first time the absorption capacity of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu by specie Alocasia macrorhiza arranged in the ciliate diversity rain forest located in the Amazon region and in the Industrial District, which the contamination is considered to be high and test concentrations of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mmol Kg-1 of EDTA on bioavailability of these metals on soils. In this study, were collected plants in six different places in Manaus, capital city of the State of Amazonas-Brazil and after these plants have been collected, they were separated in root, stalk and leaf. The heavy metals concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. For the statistical analysis were used the non-parametric for Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The test demonstrated that all metals were absorpt the same way independently the region were the plant was collected. Pb presented the highest concentration absorbed by the plant following Cr > Cd> Cu> Ni> Zn metals. Are findings also revealed that the absorption metals sequence levels repeated in other parts of the plant. Cr was the only metal that not presented significant variation in parts of the plant, neither in the collected area. EDTA concentrations that had better assimilation of Pb extracted by the in situ plant were between 3 and 15 g Kg-1. / O uso de plantas para descontaminação do solo e água contaminadas por produtos químicos é utilizado há mais de três séculos. A fitorremediação alcançou importância mundial por ser uma tecnologia que extrai e/ou imobiliza contaminantes de origem orgânica e inorgânica. Neste sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar pela primeira vez a capacidade de absorção do metais Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn e Cu pela Alocasia macrorhiza que compõe a flora de algumas matas ciliares da cidade de Manaus, cujo nível de contaminação são elevados e avaliar as concentrações 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 mmol kg−1 de EDTA na biodisponibilidade desses metais nos solos estudados. Para esse estudo as plantas coletadas foram divididas em raiz, caule e folha para extração dos metais. As concentrações dos metais pesados foram determinados pela espectrometria de absorção atômica de chama, e os resultados analisados pelo teste não-paramétrico por Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney e análise do componente principal 1 e 2. Os testes mostraram que todos os metais foram absorvidos da mesma forma independentemente do local. O Pb foi o metal que apresentou maior concentração na planta seguindo por Cr > Cd > Cu> Ni > Zn, seqüência que se repete nas outras partes da planta. O Cr foi o único metal que não apresentou variação significativa nas partes da planta e nem nos locais de coletas. As concentrações de EDTA mostram a mesma distribuição de Pb e Cr em in situcomparando com a raiz da planta.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-09-20T12:26:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 francianecedrolavale.pdf: 8805942 bytes, checksum: 47ea510c699cff3c39f83d726954737a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-09-22T15:11:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 francianecedrolavale.pdf: 8805942 bytes, checksum: 47ea510c699cff3c39f83d726954737a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-22T15:11:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 francianecedrolavale.pdf: 8805942 bytes, checksum: 47ea510c699cff3c39f83d726954737a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-12 / O presente estudo versa sobre taxonomia e morfologia de protozoários ciliados (Litostomatea, Trichostomatia) endossimbiontes de ruminantes domésticos no Brasil. O trabalho encontra-se dividido em quatro seções. A Seção 1 revisa os principais métodos em microscopia e biologia molecular utilizados no estudo taxonômico de protistas ciliados do rúmen. A Seção 2 apresenta um inventário de espécies de protozoários ciliados do rúmen de ovinos no Brasil, no qual foram inventariadas 28 espécies de ciliados, sendo que, Entodinium alces, Metadinium esalqum e Metadinium rotundatum foram observados pela primeira vez em ovinos e outras 12 espécies foram observadas pela primeira vez em ovinos no Brasil. Ainda, a sessão apresenta a redescrição da espécie Entodinium contractum com base na morfologia geral e descrição da infraciliatura oral; a Seção 3 faz a caracterização morfológica de seis morfotipos da espécie Diplodinium anisacanhum e breve revisão taxonômica do gênero Diplodinium. A caracterização morfológica e morfométrica dos morfotipos de D. anisacanthum demonstraram grande similiaridade entre os mesmos sugerindo que tais ciliados constituam uma única espécie dotada de polimorfismos. A breve revisão realizada destaca as incongruências taxonômicas existentes no gênero Diplodinium e aponta a necessidade de estudos recentes com os representantes deste gênero de modo a reformular a taxonomia do grupo. Por fim, a Seção 4 descreve uma nova espécie de ciliado ofrioscolecídeo, Diploplastron dehorityi e redescreve a espécie Diploplastron affine com base em dados morfológicos, morfométricos e detalhes da infraciliatura oral. A nova espécie difere em alguns aspectos da espécie D. affine. As placas esqueléticas em D. dehoryti não são justapostas e possuem formato recurvado. Ainda, a nova espécie possui o corpo em formato oval, diferindo do formato elíptico de D. affine. Além das semelhanças existentes entre a nova espécie e a espécie congênere, D. dehorityi possui grande similaridade morfológica com espécies pertencentes ao gênero Eremoplastron, diferindo apenas no número de placas esqueléticas. / This study is about taxonomy and morphology of endosymbiotic ciliated protozoa (Litostomatea, Trichostomatia) of Brazilian domestic ruminants. The work is divided into four sections. Section 1 reviews the main methods in microscopy and molecular biology used in the taxonomic study of rumen ciliates. Section 2 presents an inventory of species of ciliated protozoa Brazilian sheep, which were inventoried 28 species of ciliates, and, Entodinium alces, Metadinium esalqum and Metadinium rotundatum were first observed in sheep and other 12 species were first observed in Brazilian sheep. Still, the session shows the redescription of Entodinium contractum Kofoid & Christenson (Entodiniomorphida, Ophryosocolecidae) based on general morphology and description of oral infraciliature; Section 3 is the morphological characterization of a polymorphic species of ophryoscolecid ciliate Diplodinium anisacanhum da Cunha and a brief taxonomic revision of the genus Diplodinium Schuberg. The morphological and morphometric characterization of D. anisacanthum showed great similiarities among morphotypes suggesting that such ciliates constitute a single species endowed with polymorphism. A brief review conducted highlights the inconsistencies in the taxonomy of the genus Diplodinium and demonstrates the need for recent studies with representatives of the genus in order to improve the taxonomy of it. Finally, Section 4 describes a new species of ophryoscolecid ciliate Diploplastron dehorityi and redescribe the species Diploplastron affine (Dogiel & Fedorowa) based on morphological and morphometric characterization and details of oral infraciliature. The new species differs in some aspects of the species D. affine. The skeletal plates in D. dehorityi are not juxtaposed and have curved shape. Still, the new species has the oval body, differing from the elliptical body of D. affine. In addition to the similarities between the new species and congener species, D. dehorityi has great morphological similarity to species of the genus Eremoplastron, differing only in the number of skeletal plates.

The nature and extent of microbial biodiversity remain controversial with persistent debates over patterns of distributions (i.e. cosmopolitanism vs. endemism) and the processes that structure these patterns (neutrality vs. selection). We used culture-independent approaches to address these issues focusing on two groups of ciliates, the Oligotrichia (Spirotrichea) and Choreotrichea (Spirotrichea). To assess the diversity of these ciliates, we designed primers specific to SSU rDNA of ciliates within these clades, and investigated (1) geographic and temporal distributions along three coastal sites in the Northwest Atlantic; (2) the relationship between ciliate communities in the benthos and the plankton along the New England coast; and (3) diversity in ciliate communities across an environmental gradient at six stations in Long Island Sound spanning the frontal region that separates the fresher Connecticut River outflow plume from the open Sound. Each collection had its own distinct assemblage of rare and abundant ciliate haplotypes, and genealogical analyses of our samples combined with published sequences from identified morphospecies reveal that haplotype diversity at these sites is greatest within the genus Strombidium, in the Oligotrichia. Clustering of phylogenetic types indicates that benthic assemblages of oligotrichs and choreotrichs appear to be more like those from spatially distinct benthic communities than the ciliate communities sampled in the water above them. Neither ciliate diversity nor species composition showed any clear relationship to measured environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, accessory pigment composition, and chorophyll), although we observed that diversity decreased moving from nearshore to offshore. We find no strong fit of our communities to log series, geometric, or log normal distributions, though one of the 3 clusters is most consistent with a log series distribution. These analyses suggest that Oligotrich and Choreotrich communities in coastal environments may be distributed in a neutral manner. We investigated the effectiveness of molecular approaches in characterizing ciliate diversity in our samples. Estimates of diversity based on molecular markers are similar to estimates from morphological observations for Choreotrich ciliates, but much greater for Oligotrich ciliates. Sediment and plankton subsamples differed in their robustness to repeated subsampling. Sediment gave variable estimates of diversity while plankton subsamples produced consistent results.

Foram utilizados quatro novilhos Nelore, com fistulas ruminais e peso de 502 ± 32 kg em um experimento em delineamento Quadrado Latino 4x4, com o propósito de avaliar o caroço de algodão e o sal de cálcio de ácidos graxos como fontes de gordura, sobre os parâmetros ruminais e protozoários ciliados, assim como o efeito da monensina dietas com caroço de algodão. O experimento foi conduzido no Campus Administrativo de Pirassununga, Estado de São Paulo, na Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo. Os tratamentos experimentais foram: dieta controle (CRTL), dieta com sal de cálcio de ácidos graxos (SC), dieta com caroço de algodão (CA), dieta com caroço de algodão sem monensina (CASM). Os parâmetros avaliados foram degradabilidade ruminal in situ do volumoso e da dieta total, concentração de ácidos graxos voláteis, concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal, pH ruminal, taxa de passagem líquida, turnover e volume ruminal, e identificação e contagem de protozoários ciliados. Cada período experimental foi subdividido em dezesseis dias de adaptação e seis dias de colheita, perfazendo um total de 22 dias por período experimental. Foram mensurados os coeficientes de degradabilidade nos períodos de incubação 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas, o líquido e conteúdo ruminal foram colhidos nos horários 0, 2, 4, 6 e 8 horas; as colheitas de marcador de fase líquida foram realizadas às 0; 1,5; 3; 6; 12 e 24 horas após a alimentação. A degradabilidade da MS da cana-de-açúcar, MS e EE da dieta total não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas (p>0,10). A degradabilidade da FDN e FDA do volumoso, e da PB da dieta total apresentaram interação tempo x tratamento (p<0,07). O volume ruminal, taxa de passagem líquida, pH, concentração de ácidos graxos e de nitrogênio amoniacal não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas (p>0,10), O tratamento CA apresentou maior valor para turnover que os demais (p<0,07). A taxa de acético:propiônico apresentou interação tempo x tratamento (p<0,05). Os tratamentos com caroço de algodão reduziram a quantidade total de protozoários ciliados (p<0,01), em especial de Entodinium (p<0,01). Nas condições desse experimento, a gordura não afetou os parâmetros ruminais avaliados. Mesmo pequenas quantidades de gordura insaturada, como a liberada pelo caroço de algodão, são suficientemente tóxicas para os protozoários ciliados. A monensina não apresentou efeito quando adicionada a dieta com gordura. As fontes de gordura avaliadas são alternativas para alimentação de ruminantes, sem prejudicar a função ruminal. A adição de monensina parece desnecessária quando há suplementação de gordura. Mais trabalhos devem ser realizados para avaliar o efeito de outros aditivos sobre a gordura, na alimentação de ruminantes, assim como as modificações das gorduras no ambiente ruminal. / Four Nellore steers, with rumen cannulas and 502 ± 32 kg were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design experiment to evaluate the effects of diets with whole cottonseed or calcium salt of fatty acid as lipid source, on ruminal parameters and ciliate protozoa, as well as the monensin effect with diets with whole cottonseed. The study was carried out at Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA) of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP). The experimental treatments were: control diet (CRTL), salt calcium diet (SC), cottonseed diet (CA), and cottonseed diet without monensin (CASM). The parameters evaluated were roughage and total diet in situ degradability, volatile fatty acids concentration, amoniacal nitrogen concentration, ruminal pH, liquid passage, turnover and ruminal volume, and number and specie of ciliate protozoa. Each experimental period was consisted of 16 days of adaptation and 6 days of colletion, composing 22 days per experimental period. The degradability coefficients at the follow incubation periods: 0; 6; 12; 24; 48; 72 and 96 hours; were measure the rumen liquid and content was sampled at 0; 2; 4; 6 and 8 hours; the liquid marker collected at 0; 1.5; 3; 6; 12 and 24 after feeding. The sugar cane dry matter, and DM and EE total diet degradability did not show statistical difference (p>0.10). The ADF and NDF roughage degradability, and total diet CP degradability showed interaction time x treatment (p<0.07). The ruminal volume, liquid passage, pH, fatty acid concentration and N-NH3 , did not show statistical differences (p>0.10). The CA treatment showed higher turnover value (p=0.0691). The acetic:propionic proportion had time x treatment interaction (p=0.0228). The treatments with cottonseed decreased the total number of ciliate protozoa (p<0,01), especially for Entodinium (p<0,01). In this study conditions, monensin showed no effect when lipid was present on the diet. Even little unsaturated fat quantities in the rumen rumen, as cottonseed fatty acids were prejudicial to ciliate protozoa. The fat sources evaluated are alternatives to ruminant feeding, without deleterious effect to rumen function. The monensin addition seems to be unnecessary with diets with not protect fat. More works are necessary to study others additives on fat fed to ruminants, as well as the fat transformation on rumen environment.

Foram utilizados quatro novilhos Nelore, com fistulas ruminais e peso de 502 ± 32 kg em um experimento em delineamento Quadrado Latino 4x4, com o propósito de avaliar o caroço de algodão e o sal de cálcio de ácidos graxos como fontes de gordura, sobre os parâmetros ruminais e protozoários ciliados, assim como o efeito da monensina dietas com caroço de algodão. O experimento foi conduzido no Campus Administrativo de Pirassununga, Estado de São Paulo, na Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo. Os tratamentos experimentais foram: dieta controle (CRTL), dieta com sal de cálcio de ácidos graxos (SC), dieta com caroço de algodão (CA), dieta com caroço de algodão sem monensina (CASM). Os parâmetros avaliados foram degradabilidade ruminal in situ do volumoso e da dieta total, concentração de ácidos graxos voláteis, concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal, pH ruminal, taxa de passagem líquida, turnover e volume ruminal, e identificação e contagem de protozoários ciliados. Cada período experimental foi subdividido em dezesseis dias de adaptação e seis dias de colheita, perfazendo um total de 22 dias por período experimental. Foram mensurados os coeficientes de degradabilidade nos períodos de incubação 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas, o líquido e conteúdo ruminal foram colhidos nos horários 0, 2, 4, 6 e 8 horas; as colheitas de marcador de fase líquida foram realizadas às 0; 1,5; 3; 6; 12 e 24 horas após a alimentação. A degradabilidade da MS da cana-de-açúcar, MS e EE da dieta total não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas (p>0,10). A degradabilidade da FDN e FDA do volumoso, e da PB da dieta total apresentaram interação tempo x tratamento (p<0,07). O volume ruminal, taxa de passagem líquida, pH, concentração de ácidos graxos e de nitrogênio amoniacal não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas (p>0,10), O tratamento CA apresentou maior valor para turnover que os demais (p<0,07). A taxa de acético:propiônico apresentou interação tempo x tratamento (p<0,05). Os tratamentos com caroço de algodão reduziram a quantidade total de protozoários ciliados (p<0,01), em especial de Entodinium (p<0,01). Nas condições desse experimento, a gordura não afetou os parâmetros ruminais avaliados. Mesmo pequenas quantidades de gordura insaturada, como a liberada pelo caroço de algodão, são suficientemente tóxicas para os protozoários ciliados. A monensina não apresentou efeito quando adicionada a dieta com gordura. As fontes de gordura avaliadas são alternativas para alimentação de ruminantes, sem prejudicar a função ruminal. A adição de monensina parece desnecessária quando há suplementação de gordura. Mais trabalhos devem ser realizados para avaliar o efeito de outros aditivos sobre a gordura, na alimentação de ruminantes, assim como as modificações das gorduras no ambiente ruminal. / Four Nellore steers, with rumen cannulas and 502 ± 32 kg were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design experiment to evaluate the effects of diets with whole cottonseed or calcium salt of fatty acid as lipid source, on ruminal parameters and ciliate protozoa, as well as the monensin effect with diets with whole cottonseed. The study was carried out at Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA) of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP). The experimental treatments were: control diet (CRTL), salt calcium diet (SC), cottonseed diet (CA), and cottonseed diet without monensin (CASM). The parameters evaluated were roughage and total diet in situ degradability, volatile fatty acids concentration, amoniacal nitrogen concentration, ruminal pH, liquid passage, turnover and ruminal volume, and number and specie of ciliate protozoa. Each experimental period was consisted of 16 days of adaptation and 6 days of colletion, composing 22 days per experimental period. The degradability coefficients at the follow incubation periods: 0; 6; 12; 24; 48; 72 and 96 hours; were measure the rumen liquid and content was sampled at 0; 2; 4; 6 and 8 hours; the liquid marker collected at 0; 1.5; 3; 6; 12 and 24 after feeding. The sugar cane dry matter, and DM and EE total diet degradability did not show statistical difference (p>0.10). The ADF and NDF roughage degradability, and total diet CP degradability showed interaction time x treatment (p<0.07). The ruminal volume, liquid passage, pH, fatty acid concentration and N-NH3 , did not show statistical differences (p>0.10). The CA treatment showed higher turnover value (p=0.0691). The acetic:propionic proportion had time x treatment interaction (p=0.0228). The treatments with cottonseed decreased the total number of ciliate protozoa (p<0,01), especially for Entodinium (p<0,01). In this study conditions, monensin showed no effect when lipid was present on the diet. Even little unsaturated fat quantities in the rumen rumen, as cottonseed fatty acids were prejudicial to ciliate protozoa. The fat sources evaluated are alternatives to ruminant feeding, without deleterious effect to rumen function. The monensin addition seems to be unnecessary with diets with not protect fat. More works are necessary to study others additives on fat fed to ruminants, as well as the fat transformation on rumen environment.