Oxygen consumption by the gastrointestinal tract and liver in conscious newborn lambs

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Abstract
Blood flow to and O2 consumption (.ovrhdot.VO2) by the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and liver were determined in 9 chronically catheterized unanesthetized lambs (7-16 days of age). Cardiac output and whole body .ovrhdot.VO2 were also measured. Blood flows were calculated with the radionuclide-labeled microsphere technique and blood O2 contents were measured with an O2 content analyzer. Neonatal GI .ovrhdot.VO2 was linearly related to GI blood flow and O2 delivery (DO2). GI O2 extraction averaged 28% and did not vary with blood flow or DO2. Hepatic O2 extraction varied from 18-81%. .ovrhdot.VO2 by the neonatal liver did not correlate with liver blood flow or DO2. Hepatic O2 extraction was inversely related to liver DO2. The gastrointestinal tract and liver of the unanesthetized newborn animal apparently exhibits O2 demands 1.5-3 times those reported in the adult. The neonatal gastrointestinal tract meets its O2 demands with a comparatively large blood flow and O2 delivery, whereas the neonatal liver provides for its O2 requirements by varying its O2 extraction.

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