Glucose metabolism in fat and thin adult sheep

The effect of body fatness on glucose metabolism was studied in 6 adult crossbred wethers, weight 90 kg (fat) or 55 kg (thin). Glucose turnover measurements were made using [6-superscript 3H]glucose by single injection at metabolizable energy (ME) intakes:high, 17 MJ/day; intermediate, 10 MJ/day; low, 6 MJ/day; and fasting for both groups. The greatest group differences occurred at the high feeding level. Body pool size and glucose space were significantly lower for the fat sheep and decreased at fasting for both groups. The mean irreversible loss rate was not affected by body fatness but was significantly affected by feeding level. Glucose recycled as a proportion of total entry rate was significantly affected by body fatness and was dependent on energy balance. When in negative energy balance the sheep maintained blood glucose within the normal range by recycling up to 4 times more glucose than was utilized. It seems that rate of glucose synthesis is related to energy balance and ME intake. A tendency toward insulin insensitivity in the fat sheep could be related to high levels of recycling, and a greater glucose drain or prolonged fast could be more serious with the decreased glucose pool size and space..RE: 24 ref.; RN: 50-99-7; SC: ZA; CA; BE; 0NSource type: Electronic(1) http://upei-resolver.asin-risa.ca?sid=SP:CABI&id=pmid:&id=&issn=0008-3984&isbn=&volume=64&issue=4&spage=825&pages=825-832&date=1984&title=Canadian%20Journal%20of%20Animal%20Science&atitle=Glucose%20metabolism%20in%20fat%20and%20thin%20adult%20sheep.&aulast=McNiven&pid=%3Cauthor%3EMcNiven%2c%20M%20A%3C%2Fauthor%3E%3CAN%3E19851469413%3C%2FAN%3E%3CDT%3EJournal%20article%3C%2FDT%3