The effects of sampling methods of the rumen fluid through esophageal probe or rumen cannula, and sampling time, before and after meal on concentration and proportion of the VFA, ammonia nitrogen and minerals concentration and rumen pH were evaluated. Four Nelore steers fitted with rumen cannula, averaging 237kg live weight were used. Regardless sampling time, higher VFA concentration was observed for rumen fluid collected through cannula. Rumen fluid collect through esophageal probe showed higher acetic acid concentration and pH, however it showed lower propionic and butyric acids, ammonia nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and potassium concentrations. It was suggested that rumen sampling through rumen cannula after meal, is more important in experiments where the objectives are to evaluate the effects of treatments on ruminal metabolism. If the treatment effect is already known and a strong control treatment is set up, the esophageal probe can be used only for experiments where the ruminal parameters are not the main objective.
volatic fat acids; minerals; ammonia nitrogen; pH
