Novel drug sampling technique: portal vein catheterization in steers.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of catheterizing the portal vein to obtain serial portal vein blood samples in steers. We hypothesized that the portal vein catheterization would be a successful continuous sampling technique with minimal adverse effects in steers.

Methods: 2 groups of steers were used: a pilot group (n = 2) and experimental group (n = 6).