Glucose biokinetics in sheep

Abstract

The transfer rate of the glucose pool in sheep was estimated by methods using labeled glucose. Transfer rates ranged from 0.28 to 0.39 g/hr/kg 3/4 when estimated 1 or 16 hr after feeding, but were only 0.18 and 0.20 g/hr/kg 3/4 when estimated 96 hr after feeding. Comparable values calculated from data in the literature for rats, dogs, and man range from 0.25 to 0.40 g/hr/kg 3/4 at 16 hr after feeding, although they are higher for rats only 4 hr after feeding (0.89 g/hr/kg 3/4 ). Comparison of postabsorptive values (4 hr in rats, 16 hr in sheep) or fasting values (16 hr in rats, dogs, and man, 96 hr in sheep) suggests that the over-all rate of glucose metabolism is lower in sheep.