The objective of this study was to determine normal standards to ruminal fluid characteristics of Santa Inês sheep under pasture conditions in the State of Pernambuco. Fifty samples were collected, using an esophageal tube, during winter (rainy season) and summer (dry season). The predominant colors were an olive green in the rainy season and a nut-brown in the dry season. The smell was aromatic, but was stronger in winter. A slight viscous consistence was found in most of the samples, with a greater proportion in winter. The sedimentation and flotation time was 6.73min (±1.63) in the rainy period and 3.15min (±0.72) in the dry period. In the biochemical tests, the average values found in winter and summer were, respectively: pH 6.76±0.21 and 6,59±0.14; methylene blue reduction, 3.20min (±0.76) and 7.76min (±3.00); chloride, 28.14±4,16mEq/L and 24.97±5.65mEq/L; acidity, 21.90±4.38UC and 13.68±2.97UC. Ruminal microbiotic analyses revealed abundant and moderate density of protozoa in winter and summer, respectively. The motility was very active and there were almost 90% of live protozoa in both seasons. Protozoa numbers were 425.373±217.258/mL in winter and 155.375±83.113/mL in summer. There was a mixed population of bacteria with prevalence of Gram-negative forms in both seasons.
Ruminal fluid; sheep; bacteria; protozoa
