Amino Acids, Volatile Fatty Acids and Glucose in Plasma of Insulin-Treated Sheep

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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of insulin on the circulatory levels of various metabolites in sheep. In the initial study four sheep were maintained on alfalfa hay offered free choice. Each animal was prepared with jugular catheters 3 hr. before treatment with insulin (0.20 U/kg body weight). Forty-five minutes after treatment, the plasma glucose was strongly depressed; whereas, plasma acetate was depressed in three of four cases. Plasma free amino-nitrogen was slightly lower after insulin injection. The non-essential amino acids were reduced to 83.1% of the initial level and the essential amino acids to 66.3% of the initial level. In the second experiment six ewes and six wethers were paired according to sex, weight, and nutritional history and assigned to a "switch-back" experiment. Either insulin (0.20 U/kg body weight) or saline was injected through jugular catheters. Forty-five minutes after insulin administration there was a significant decline in plasma glucose (P<.01); however plasma acetate levels were not affected (P>.10). Plasma urea and free amino nitrogen were not influenced by either treatment (P>.10). Of the 16 amino acids analyzed, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, lysine, histidine, proline and arginine were depressed (P<.05). Apparent depression of alanine, valine, methionine and phenylalanine by insulin was less conclusive (P<.10). Aspartic acid, threonine, serine and glycine were not influenced by insulin. Copyright © 1972. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1972 by American Society of Animal Science.

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