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Postprandial Patterns of Plasma Glucose, Insulin and Volatile Fatty Acids in Ruminants Fed Low- and High-Roughage Diets¹

University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1

Abstract

Plasma glucose, insulin and volatile fatty acids were analyzed at hourly intervals for 8 hr beginning at 30 min before feeding from eight sheep and six cows given low-(LR) or high-roughage (HR) diets. Mean daily levels of glucose, insulin, propionate and isobutyrate were higher (P<.05) and acetate lower in both sheep and cows fed LR compared to the HR diets. Plasma butyrate levels were not affected by diet in sheep or cows (P>.05). With both species insulin levels were higher at .5 and 5.5 hr post-feeding (P<.05) than at .5 hr pre-feeding, or at other times after feeding regardless of diet. Plasma glucose increased after feeding for 2.5 hr (P<.05) and remained constant (P<.05) for sheep fed either diet and cows fed the HR diet. For cows receiving the LR diet plasma glucose increased for 4.5 hr (P<.05) and then did not significantly change (P<.05). With both sheep and cows, concentrations of all volatile fatty acids generally increased after feeding so that values obtained between 1.5 to 5.5 hr after feeding were greater than .5 hr pre- and 7.5 hr post-feeding. Time of maximum VFA levels were dependent on the diet. Results are discussed in relation to the insulin release mechanism in ruminants.

¹ Supported by National Research Council, Kraftco Corp., and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Foods. Technical assistance provided by Y. T. Yao.

² Department of Animal and Poultry Science.

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