Sixteen pregnant heifers (8 per group) were fed diets containing soybean meal or whole raw soybeans (WSB) to evaluate effects of the supplemental dietary fat provided by WSB during the last trimester of gestation (90 d) on performance in the first 5 wk of the subsequent lactation, during which both groups were fed the same diet. Despite similar DMI by both groups, heifers fed WSB had greater ether extract (EE) intake and tended to weigh more after calving. By 35 DIM, heifers previously fed WSB had greater milk yield with a tendency for greater milk fat yield, although DMI was similar for both groups. Blood obtained by jugular venipuncture four times per day during gestation (-90 d, -69 d, -48 d, and -27 d), on day of calving (0 d), and during lactation (+35 d) was used to evaluate glucose and NEFA response to diet. Glucose concentration in blood plasma at -69 d and 0 d was lower in heifers fed WSB; whereas, plasma NEFA concentration was greater at -69 d, -48 d, and +35 d, but lower at 0d. Basal concentrations of glucose and NEFA in plasma and their response to insulin challenge (.26 IU per kg BW) were similar for both dietary groups at -30 d and +35 d. Plasma NEFA concentrations in response to insulin challenge, however, were greater at -30 d than at +35 d. Basal plasma triacylglycerol concentration was greater at -30 d and lower +35 d, due to feeding WSB during gestation. In addition, plasma 16:0 and 18:1 (%, wt per wt) concentrations were lower and 18:2 higher at -30 d in heifers fed WSB. At 35 DIM, heifers previously fed WSB again had lower 16:0 and higher 18:2 in plasma. Dietary treatment during gestation had no influence on long chain fatty acid concentrations in adipose tissue. Supplemental dietary fat provided by WSB for 90 d prior to parturition apparently altered the supply and metabolism of lipids in a manner that improved milk production during early lactation. / Master of Science

Three experiments were conducted to determine the relationship of milk fat secretion to concentration and ratio of rumen fermentation products, blood metabolic parameters, ration characteristics, and certain enzymic activity involved in fatty acid synthesis. In Experiment I, 21 cows in mid-lactation were randomized according to milk production to (1) roughage ration (~22% CF) restricted to NRC; (2) concentrate ration (~12% CF) ad libitum; or (3) concentrate ration (~12% CF) restricted to NRC and fed for 30 days. Ad libitum concentrate showed higher dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), milk production than restricted concentrate. The opposite was true for fat test. Concentrate rations (ad libitum and restricted) when compared to roughage showed higher values for DMI, BW, milk production, serum glucose, molar proportion propionate and valerate and lower values for fat test and molar proportion acetate. In Experiment II, 24 cows 180 d. post parturition, were assigned to four rations based on anticipated parturition. Rations were: (1) roughage ad libitum (~20% CF); (2) concentrate ad libitum (~10% CF); (3) concentrate restricted (~10% CF) to NRC; and (4) normal ration (~14% CF) ad libitum. Cows on ad libitum and restricted concentrate consumed less dry matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and crude protein than control cows (roughage and normal). Cows fed control rations gained more weight than concentrate fed cows. No difference was found for milk production. Milk protein was higher for control cows. Concentrate cows had lower fat test than control cows. Cows on all rations decreased fat test up to week three or four but by week eight or nine, concentrate fed cows had decreased to their lowest fat test. Energy restriction improved milk fat secretion compared to ad libitum intake after the eighth week. Molar proportion VFA favored propionate for concentrate cows and was similar for restricted and ad libitum concentrate. Total ruminal VFA concentration was higher for ad libitum concentrate cows and those cows showed slightly higher glucose and smaller blood acetate compared to control. Twelve cows in mid-lactation were fed the rations of Experiment II to determine the effect of available energy intake on activity of key enzymes of fatty acid synthesis. Activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was not different among rations. Mammary tissue showed from five to six times higher activity than adipose tissue. Fat tissue activity tended to be higher for concentrate rations compared to roughage. No differences among rations were found for glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase nor isocitrate dehydrogenase. Mammary tissue was 21 to 28 times more active than adipose tissue for latter enzyme. Fatty acid synthetase showed no difference in activity due to rations, but mammary tissue was seven to ten times more active than adipose tissue. / Ph. D.

A dairy cow body condition scoring system was devised by the author as a practical means of determining the body condition, or fitness pertaining to the degree of body fat of dairy cows at any point during the lactation cycle. The factors considered were the thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column (chine, loin and rump), spinous processes (loin), anterior coccygeal vertebrae (tailhead), tuber sacrale (hooks), and tuber ishii (pin bones). All factors in the body condition scoring system must be considered while appraising each cow. Each cow was scored on a 1 to 5 scale with 1 indicating severe undercondition and 5 indicating severe overcondition. During an 18-month period, 28 cows in each of 29 Virginia dairy herds were used for obtaining body condition scores, body weight, frame size measurements and blood samples. Herds were chosen according to rolling herd milk production average and cows were chosen at random from within five Estimated Relative Producing Ability groupings to insure a representative sample of herds across and levels of production in Virginia and of cows within each herd. Herds were sampled at 3-month intervals and complete Dairy Herd Improvement Association records were obtained for each cow in each herd. The relationships of dairy cow body weight, frame size measurements, milk production and related parameters, and blood profiles to the body condition scoring system were determined. Body condition using this method was found to be independent of frame size and only moderately correlated with body weight, the number of intercostal spaces and the ratio of body weight to wither height. Body condition was found to be relatively low during early lactation and to increase through late lactation and remain constant during the dry period. Dairy cows of greatest milk production efficiency did not increase significantly in body condition throughout lactation, had fewer days open, but had less persistency of lactation. Dairy cows that increase significantly in body condition throughout lactation were less efficient milk producers, had a greater number of days open, had relatively high body condition scores in late lactation, but had greater persistency of lactation. Blood parameters, although statistically significant in many cases, were found to be of little or no practical value when compared between body condition, stage of lactation, and dairy merit groupings. The dairy cow body condition scoring system is a practical means of quantitating body condition of dairy cows. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of the ration of the cow upon the vitamin C content of milk. The determinations were made by the biological assay method and by the chemical titration method. The cows were given four kinds of rations. Similar determinations have been made by other workers. A brief resume of their technique and conclusions follows: From the results of this investigation, it is concluded: 1. That the ascorbic acid content of milk decreases as the stage of lactation increases. 2. That the ascorbic acid of the milk of individual cows varies within the breed. 3. That the age of the cow does not influence the vitamin C content of the milk. 4. That the rate of gain of the assay animals over a period of 74 days was independent of the ascorbic acid content. 5. That the vitamin C content seems to be independent of the ration of the cow. 6. That the “spring milk” carried some factor which influenced a greater gain of weight than other “winter” milk rations. / Master of Science

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary fat supplementation and level of undegradable intake protein (UIP) could affect daily milk output and composition by influencing nutrient supply to the mammary gland. Three lactating Holstein cows (60, 68, and 74 d postpartum) were used in an incomplete 4 x 4 Latin square design (2 x 2 factorial) and fed diets (15.9% CP and 19.5% ADF) with 0% or 2.5% partially hydrogenated tallow and 33% or 41% UIP. A 5:2.5:1 mixture of dried brewer's grains, corn gluten meal, and blood meal was substituted for soybean meal to raise dietary UIP from 33% to 41% UIP. Despite similar DM intake across treatments, cows produced 9% more milk per day when fed 2.5% supplemental fat, 41% UIP, or the combination of 2.5% fat and 41% UIP when compared to the control diet. Fat supplementation depressed milk protein percentage but not daily milk protein output. Mammary blood flow was estimated using the Fick principle at 6-hr intervals for 24 h. Concentration of individual nutrients in arterial (carotid) and venous (abdominal vein) blood and corresponding blood flows were used to calculate nutrient uptakes by the mammary gland. Calculated carbon uptake was 95 to 101% of output when using estimated carbon content of nutrients, and 100 to 106% when using an elemental analyzer to determine actual carbon output in milk. Uptake of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, pyruvate, acetate, and O₂ were not affected by dietary treatment. Triacylglycerol concentration in arterial blood and uptake of long-chain fatty acids were elevated by fat supplementation, resulting in milk fat with a higher percentage of 18-carbon fatty acids and a lower ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids. Arterial essential and total amino acid (AA) concentrations in plasma and whole blood were elevated when cows were fed 41% versus 33% UIP. However, mammary arteriovenous differences, extraction percentages, and uptakes of most AA were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Across treatments, peptide AA accounted for ~10% of AA in arterial whole blood but no net uptake of peptide AA by the lactating gland was detected. Results indicated that dietary fat supplementation at two levels of UIP can increase milk production by altering mammary lipid metabolism, thereby improving the efficiency of milk synthesis. However, depression of milk protein percentage in response to dietary fat supplementation was not alleviated by elevating arterial essential and total AA through higher dietary UIP. / Ph. D.

Two meta-analysis of effects of yeast culture and monensin in lactating dairy cows were first performed. Secondly, two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of live yeast (LY) or monensin (M) or both (LY+M) on gas production and fermentation by rumen micro-organisms in vitro in low (40 %) and high (60 %) concentrate diets of dairy cows. Rumen contents were collected from one cannulated lactating Holstein cow. Gas production was measured from 0 to 48 h of incubation. Volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were measured after 48 h. Meta-analysis of monensin indicated decrease dry matter intake (DMI) and increasing milk yield, consequently improving feed efficiency. Meta-analysis of yeast culture did not show improved performance. These results highlighted the importance of the meta-analysis as a useful tool that can be employed to both summarize effects across studies and to investigate factors explaining potential heterogeneity of response. The batch fermentation showed that in high concentrate diet, M significantly increased ammonia nitrogen, decreased acetate, but tended to increase propionate concentration (7.9, 63.2, 18.6 vs. 6.3, 66.8, 14.2 mmol/l; respectively). Addition of LY increased acetate concentration (64.2 vs 66.8 mmol/l). Supplementation with M, LY and LY+M reduced total gas production by 37.1, 22.5 and 26.9 %, respectively, compared to control at 48 h. In low concentrate diet, M and LY+M decreased and increased acetate (60.1 and 69.7 vs. 7.1 mmol/l; respectively). Adding LY and LY+M produced 8.6 % less gas, and M treatment 3.4 % more gas than the control. Overall, at 48 h, high concentrate resulted in less gas than low concentrate diets. High concentrate diets showed increased ammonia (7.9 and 6.4 vs. 5.21 and 4.7 mmol/l) decreased acetate (63.0 and 63.2 vs. 67.0 and 69.7 mmol/l) with a tendency to increased propionate (18.6 and 18.9 vs. 14.6 and 14.1 mmol/l) compared to low concentrate in M and LY+M treated diets. These results indicate that the effects of M and LY on rumen fermentation are substrate dependent, the high-concentrate diet showing the greatest response / Agriculture / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Thesis (PhD (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Milk production records of all grade and registered Saanen dairy goats from the Milk Recording and Performance Testing Scheme of the Animal Improvement Institute of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa and pedigree information of these animals from SA Studbook were analyzed to obtain specific genetic parameters. Records of goats with lactations exceeding 60 days in milk were used. A sufficient number of records only became available from 1985 onwards. Reproduction records were determined from milk recording data. The number of milk production records for the British Alpine and Toggenburg breeds was too small to warrant a genetic evaluation. In total, 3190 lactation records of 1413 Saanen does were available for the initial analysis. First and second parity records, 1190 and 775 records, respectively, were subjected to a separate genetic analysis. Milk production records (2319) of one commercial herd providing more than 70% of all the records in the national herd, were also subjected to a separate genetic analysis. The fixed effects identified as having a significant (P<0.05) effect on all traits studied were production year, age of dam, lactation length, parity number, herds (owners) and year of birth. Although some significant interactions were found, they were ignored as their effects were very small. Additive genetic variances and heritability estimates were obtained by ASREML procedures fitting three models. Estimates were generally in accordance with values found in the literature although estimates for fat and protein percentage were lower than expected when compared to dairy cow data. This could be explained by pedigree information lacking in the data set. The h2 estimate for milk yield using all records, first parity records, second parity records and records from a commercial herd were 0.21±0.05, 0.32±0.08, 0.20±0.10 and 0.31±0.06, respectively. Heritability estimates for fat percentage showed a large variation and were 0.19±0.05, 0.67±0.08, 0.34±0.12 and 0.12±0.05, respectively for similar data sets as previously mentioned. In contrast to this protein percentage varied little between data sets and were 0.30±0.06, 0.32±0.00, 0.24±0.11 and 0.28±0.07, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among production traits were positive and high for all data sets. As for dairy cows, milk fat and protein percentages were negatively related to milk yield. Genetic correlations between milk fat and protein percentages were positive and moderate to high. Increasing milk volume would have a negative effect on fat and protein percentages although it would increase fat and protein yields. Reproduction parameters, i.e. age at first kidding (AFK), age at last kidding (ALK), productive life (PL) and number of lactations (NL) were derived from milk recording data. Mean values for these parameters were 457±171 days, 1046±718 days, 19.3±13.9 months and 2.24±1.37 kiddings, respectively. Kidding interval had no genetic basis and is controlled by management. Heritability estimates were in accordance with literature values and were 0.25±0.04, 0.28±0.04, 0.08±0.04 and 0.05±0.03 for AFK, ALK, PL and NL, respectively. The genetic correlation between AFK and ALK was as expected positive and high, i.e. 0.61±0.10, although the correlation between AFK and PL was negative indicating similar to dairy cows that PL is shortened by a later AFK. The genetic trend for milk, fat and protein yield were positive, although it did not differ from zero. Large variations were observed between years (R2 <0.13). Genetic trends for fat and protein percentages were positive and negative (P<0.05), respectively. These trends are in contrast to trends observed in other countries such as France, The Netherlands and the USA where positive trends were generally observed. This may indicate a higher selection emphasis on milk yield parameters or more complete data sets in terms of pedigree information. The dairy goat industry in South Africa should address some of the problems that were encountered in the analysis of the data. These include factors such as a large number of small herds, many short lactations, a large number of animals lacking production data linked to pedigree information, incomplete pedigrees, few does that have completed three or more lactations, little genetic ties between herds and a small number of progeny for bucks. Some organizational and logistic issues concerning pedigree and milk recording need to be addressed by the South African Milch Goat Society to enable the accurate estimation of the genetic merit of animals in the national herd.

Objetivou-se avaliar a inclusão de grão de soja cru e integral ou caroço de algodão na dieta de vacas em lactação e seus efeitos sobre o consumo e digestibilidade total da matéria seca e nutrientes, fermentação e síntese de proteína microbiana ruminal, produção e composição do leite, metabólitos sanguíneos, balanço de energia e de nitrogênio. Foram utilizadas 18 vacas da raça Holandesa, multíparas, com produção de leite média de 32,22 Kg/dia, com peso médio de 585,2 ± 54,2 kg e média de 133,0 ± 53,1 dias em lactação, sendo três vacas canuladas no rúmen e utilizadas para mensuração das variáveis ruminais. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em seis quadrados latinos 3x3, balanceados e contemporâneos, de acordo com as seguintes dietas: 1) Controle, sem a inclusão de sementes oleaginosas; 2) Grão de soja, com a inclusão de 12% na MS da dieta 3) Caroço de algodão, com a inclusão de 12% na MS da dieta. Foi observado redução no consumo de matéria seca e carboidratos não fibrosos nos animais suplementados com sementes oleaginosas em relação aos que consumiram dieta controle e maior consumo de matéria seca, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e carboidratos não fibrosos nos animais alimentados com grão de soja em relação aos que se alimentaram com caroço de algodão. Observou-se maior consumo e digestibilidade do extrato etéreo nas vacas que consumiram sementes oleaginosas. As dietas utilizadas não influenciaram a produção e composição do leite e a síntese de proteína microbiana ruminal. Os animais alimentados com caroço de algodão apresentaram maiores valores de pH ruminal que os que se alimentaram com inclusão de grão de soja e dieta controle, que não diferiram entre si. A concentração de N-NH3 ruminal foi menor para as vacas que consumiram grão de soja em relação às vacas alimentadas com a dieta controle e com inclusão de caroço de algodão, que não diferiram entre si. As concentrações de colesterol total e HDL foram maiores para as vacas alimentadas com dietas contendo suplementação com sementes oleaginosas em relação as controle. Foi observado maior consumo e excreção fecal de nitrogênio dos animais alimentados com grão de soja do que com caroço de algodão. Também houve maior consumo de energia líquida de lactação e balanço de energia para as vacas que alimentadas com grão de soja em relação ao caroço de algodão. A inclusão de 12% de grão de soja ou caroço de algodão na MS das dietas de vacas em lactação altera o consumo e o metabolismo, sem afetar o desempenho produtivo. / The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding whole raw soybeans or whole cottonseed on nutrient intake and total tract digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis, milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and nutrient balance. Eighteen Holstein multiparous cows, three of which were ruminally cannulated, with average milk yield of 32.22 kg d-1, average body weight of 585.2 ± 54.2 kg and average DIM of 133.0 ± 53.1. The animals were used in 3x3 Latin square design experiment with 21-d periods, and assigned in each square according DIM and milk yield. Cows were randomly distributed to the following treatments: 1) control, without addition of oilseeds; 2) Soybean, with inclusion of 12% of whole raw soybeans in DM basis of total diet; 3) Cottonseed, with inclusion of 12% of whole cottonseed in DM basis of total diet. Cows fed with cottonseed presented higher ruminal pH than cows fed with whole raw soybeans or control. The ruminal N-NH3 concentration was decreased when cows were fed whole raw soybeans and control. Total cholesterol and HDL were higher for cows fed diets containing oilseeds when compared with cows fed control. Higher nitrogen intake and fecal excretion were observed when cows received whole raw soybeans than fed whole cottonseed. Moreover, higher NEL intake and energy balance were observed for cows fed whole raw soybeans when compared with cows fed whole cottonseed. The inclusion of 12% (DM basis of diet) of whole raw soybeans or whole cottonseed alters nutrient intake and metabolism, without affect the productive performance.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito de dois teores de proteína bruta (PB) e duas fontes nitrogenadas principais na dieta de vacas leiteiras, utilizando cana-de-açúcar como volumoso, sobre o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente, produção e a composição do leite. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas Holandesas em estágio intermediário de lactação, agrupadas em três quadrados latinos 4x4 contemporâneos, com período experimental de 21 dias, sendo 14 para adaptação às dietas e os sete últimos para coletas. As vacas foram alojadas em baias individuais e alimentadas \"ad libitum\" com 4 dietas com duas fontes nitrogenadas principais (farelo de algodão 38 e grão de soja cru integral) e dois teores de PB (130g e 148g/Kg de MS) na dieta. As amostras de leite para análise da composição foram coletadas do 14º ao 17º dia de cada período. A digestibilidade foi determinada por meio de indicador interno FDAi. O consumo de FDN e EE foi maior para vacas alimentadas com grão de soja que para as vacas alimentadas com farelo e algodão. O consumo de extrato etéreo (EE) foi maior para vacas alimentadas com dietas com 148g PB/Kg de MS. Por outro lado, vacas alimentadas com dietas contendo farelo de algodão, apresentaram maior consumo de matéria orgânica do que para vacas alimentadas com grão de soja. Houve interação entre fonte nitrogenada e teor de PB da dieta sobre CMS, que foi maior para vacas alimentadas com grão de soja e menor quantidade de nitrogênio na dieta, em contrapartida, o consumo de MS foi maior para vacas alimentadas com farelo de algodão e maior concentração de nitrogênio na dieta. A digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO e PB não diferiram entre os tratamentos. Vacas alimentadas com dietas contendo farelo de algodão apresentaram menor digestibilidade de FDN, EE e NDT que as vacas alimentadas com grão de soja. Vacas alimentadas com dietas contendo farelo de algodão apresentam maiores concentrações de PB e caseína no leite que as vacas alimentadas com grão de soja. Houve interação da fonte nitrogenada com o teor de PB da dieta sobre a produção de nitrogênio ureico de leite, sendo que, a produção foi maior para vacas alimentadas com farelo de algodão em dietas com alta concentração de PB. Conclui-se que a utilização de concentrações de proteína de 130g/Kg na MS não altera o desempenho produtivo e de composição do leite de vacas leiteiras em comparação com teores de 148g/Kg de PB na MS, além da menor excreção de nitrogênio no ambiente. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two crude protein (CP) levels and two nitrogen sources in the diets of dairy cows with sugar cane as forage on feed intake, total apparent digestibility, and milk yield and composition. Twelve Holstein cows in intermediate stage of lactation (160 days) were distributed into three contemporary 4x4 Latin squares, with experimental period of 21 days, 14 days for diet adaptation and the remaining seven for sampling. The cows were housed in individual pens and fed \"ad libitum\" with 4 diets containing two nitrogen sources (cottonseed meal 38% and whole soybean seed) and two levels of CP (130 and 148 g/Kg DM). Milk samples for compositional analysis were collected on the 14th to 17th day of each period. Apparent digestibility was determined by means of an internal indicator (ADFi). Cows fed diets with whole soybean seed had higher intake of NDF and EE and differed from the cows fed diets with cottonseed meal, where greater consumption of OM were observed. The EE intake was higher for the cows fed diets with 148 g CP/Kg DM. Interaction between nitrogen source and diet crude protein content were observed on the DMI. The intake and apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP did not differ between treatments. Cows fed diets containing cottonseed meal had lower digestibility of NDF, EE and TDN than cows fed diets with whole soybeans seed. Cows fed diets with cottonseed meal have higher concentrations of crude protein and casein in the milk. Interaction between the nitrogen source and the diet CP content on the milk urea nitrogen excretion was observed, however, the milk urea nitrogen excretion was higher for cows fed diets with cottonseed meal and higher concentrations of PB. In conclusion the use of low concentrations of protein (130g/Kg in MS) does not affect the performance of dairy cows and provides lower excretion of nitrogen in the environment.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a utilização de diferentes fontes de gordura em rações de vacas em lactação sobre o consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, fermentação ruminal, produção e composição do leite, composição da fração protéica do leite, balanço de energia e de nitrogênio. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas da raça Holandesa, agrupadas em três quadrados latinos balanceados 4x4, alimentadas com as seguintes rações: 1) Controle; 2) Óleo de soja refinado; 3) Grão de soja in natura; e 4) sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos insaturados (Megalac-E). A produção de leite e o consumo de matéria seca foram mensurados diariamente durante todo o período experimental. As amostras utilizadas para análise da composição do leite foram coletadas de dois dias alternados, sendo provenientes das duas ordenhas diárias. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas em tubos vacuolizados por punção da veia e/ou artéria coccígea. As amostras de líquido ruminal foram coletadas com a utilização de sonda esofágica em dois tempos, antes (tempo zero) e três horas (tempo três) após a alimentação matinal. A digestibilidade foi determinada por meio de indicador interno FDAi. Houve redução no consumo de matéria seca e de nutrientes nas vacas suplementadas com a ração contendo sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos em relação à ração controle. Não houve diferença na digetibilidade aparente total dos nutrientes entre as rações experimentais. De forma semelhante, não houve efeito das rações utilizadas nos valores de pH ruminal nos tempos avaliados. No tempo zero a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal ruminal foi maior (P<0,05) para as vacas que receberam grão de soja nas rações. No entanto, três horas após alimentação não houve diferença na concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal ruminal entre as rações utilizadas. Entre as rações contendo fontes de gordura, a ração com grão de soja resultou em redução da produção de leite, no teor de gordura do leite, sem alterar, no entanto, os teores de EST e ESD. Os teores no leite de proteína bruta, nitrogênio não-protéico, nitrogênio-não caseinoso, proteína verdadeira, caseína, relação caseína/proteína verdadeira, e proteína do soro não foram alterados pelas fontes de gordura adicionadas nas rações. As concentrações de colesterol total e colesterol-LDL foram maiores para as vacas alimentadas com rações contendo fontes de gordura em relação à ração controle. As concentrações de uréia e nitrogênio ureico, no soro e no leite, foram semelhantes entre as rações utilizadas, senão para a ração contendo sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos, que foram menores do que a ração controle. A ração com sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos apresentou maior eficiência energética entre as rações experimentais, especialmente sobre a ração com grão de soja. Não houve efeito das rações experimentais sobre o balanço de nitrogênio, porém a ração com sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos resultou em menor consumo e excreção de nitrogênio total. A utilização de diferentes fontes de gordura nas rações altera o consumo, desempenho produtivo e metabolismo de vacas em lactação, sendo o resultado dependente da fonte utilizada. / This study was carried out to evaluate the use of different fat sources in dairy cows rations on intake and nutrients digestibility, ruminal fermentation, milk yield and composition, milk protein fraction composition, and balance of energy and nitrogen. Twelve Holstein cows were allocated in three balanced latin square 4x4, and fed with the following rations: 1) Control; 2) Refined soybean oil; 3) Whole soybean; and 4), Calcium salts of fatty acids (Megalac-E). Was evaluated daily the dry matter intake and the milk yield during though the experimental period. The samples used for milk composition analysis were collected from two alternated days, and from the two daily milkings. The samples of blood were collected with vacuolized tubes per puncture of coccygeal vein and/or artery. The samples of ruminal fluid were collected with use of esophageal probe into two times, before (zero time) and three hours after morning fed (three time). The digestibility was determined by use of ADFi as internal indicator. There was observed an decrease in dry matter and nutrients intake from cows supplemented with the ration containing calcium salts of fatty acids regarding control. Not was observe difference in apparent total digestibility of nutrients between experimental rations. Also, not were observed effects of rations used in ruminal pH in the evaluated times. The ruminal ammonia nitrogen was greater for cows receiving whole soybeans in rations on the time zero. However, after three hours after morning fed, no difference were observed in the concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen between rations. Among the diets containing fat sources, the ration with whole soybeans resulted in decrease of milk yield and fat content, without changing, however, contend of total dry and fat-free extract. Fat sources added in the rations had no effects on milk crude protein, non protein and non casein nitrogen, true protein, casein, relationship casein/true protein and whey protein. The concentrations of total cholesterol and cholesterol-LDL were higher for cows that received rations with fat sources in relation to control ration. The concentrations of urea and urea nitrogen, in serum and in milk were similar between the rations, except for the diet containing calcium salts of fatty acids, that concentration decreased in relation of control ration. The ration containing calcium salts of fatty acids showed great energy efficiency between the experimental rations, especially on the ration with whole soybeans. There were not effects of the experimental rations on the nitrogen balance, but the ration containing calcium salts of fatty acids resulted in small intake and total nitrogen excretion. The utilization of fat sources in dairy cows rations influence the intake, productive performance, and metabolism, depending of the fat source used.