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Diabetogenic Effects of Pregnancy in Sows on Plasma Glucose and Insulin Release¹

Oregon State University^,3, Corvallis 97331 and and Shell Development Co.^,4, Modesto, CA 95352

Abstract

Data from glucose tolerance tests of gestating sows were correlated with their subsequent reproductive performance. The regression of the logarithm of plasma glucose concentrations on time was used to calculate tolerance time (the time required for elevated glucose levels to return to fasting levels), the half-life of added glucose, and the glucose clearance rate (percent glucose disappearance per minute). Tolerance time was positively correlated (P<.05) with mean piglet birth weight, while sow body weight was positively correlated (P<.05) with the number born and litter weight. From the tolerance time, a prediction model for mean piglet birth weight was generated which accounted for 51% of the variation. No improvement in the model was made by the inclusion of parity or sow weight.

In a second study, the diabetogenic effects of pregnancy in sows were examined by use of the glucose tolerance test and measured plasma insulin levels following infusion of glucose. Tolerance times increased with the progression of gestation as did the half-life of added glucose. The clearance rate of glucose decreased as pregnancy advanced. Fasting plasma insulin levels did not differ as pregnancy proceeded. The insulin release pattern following intravenous glucose, as described by quadratic equations, did differ as pregnancy advanced, especially in late gestation. The high plasma insulin plateaus were of longer duration with advanced gestation, while the magnitude of the plasma insulin plateau levels decreased.

The area and minima of the quadratic curves describing insulin levels showed that time until the minima of plasma insulin levels was reached was positively correlated with the tolerance time. The minima increased with advanced gestation, thus suggesting a prolonged release of insulin; the area was not significantly correlated with glucose tolerance.

¹ Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Paper No. 4542. Research conducted by the Department of Animal Science in cooperation with Biological Sciences Research Center, Shell Development Co., Modesto, CA 95352. Appreciative acknowledgement is made to Roy Fancher for advice and assistance in animal care and data collection.

² Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Wisconsin-River Falls 54022.

³ Department of Animal Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331.

⁴ Biological Sciences Research Center, Shell Development Co., Modesto, CA 95352.

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