How Concentrate Feeding Affects Glucoregulatory Hormones in Ruminants: Implications in Bovine Ketosis

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Abstract
Feedlot steers (24) and 4 sheep were fed roughage or grain rations while 3 other sheep received intraduodenal infusions of amino acids, glucose, volatile fatty acids and proteins to determine whether the release of plasma glucagon-like immunoreactivity is influenced by dietary factors and the composition of duodenal chyme. Plasma glucagon-like immunoreactivity rose in cattle and sheep as the proportion of grain in their rations was increased. In response to intraduodenal infusions only glucose stimulated glucagon-like immunoreactivity release. Plasma glucagon-like immunoreactivity concentrations change in cattle and sheep in response to the amount of grain consumed and glucagon-like immunoreactivity release is triggered by glucose in intestinal chyme.