RUMINAL HYDROGEN SULFIDE CONCENTRATION DETERMINED BY A SIMPLE SULFIDE DETECTOR TUBE METHOD IN BOVINE KEPT UNDER EXTENSIVE SYSTEM

Abstract

The aim of this work was to establish the concentration of ruminal hydrogen sulfide using a detector tube method in health Nelore bovine kept in Brachiaria decumbens pasture (0.15% S dry matter). Four animals were clinically evaluated and laboratorial exams performed with 96 hour interval, during 40 days of experimental period. Clinical and laboratorial results indicated that technique was suitable and ruminal sulfide hydrogen values were inferior to 100 ppm. It was concluded that the technique was simple and healthy Nelore bovine kept in Brachiaria decumbens pasture with sulfur content of 0.15% of dry matter presented minimal concentrations of 25 ppm and maximum of 100 ppm of H₂S.