Plasma insulin and glucose in suckling and ruminating lambs after peroral administration of glucose and propionate.

An identical volume of water solutions: 1) glucose 5.56 mmol/kg b.w., or 2) sodium propionate 5.56 mmol/kg b.w., was given perorally to sucklings (6 weeks) and weaned lambs (10 weeks). The maximum increase of glycemia and the highest insulin concentrations were observed 60-90 min after glucose administration in both groups of lambs. Plasma insulin of suckling and weaned lambs was increased within 60 min after propionate infusion. It can be concluded that propionate is a potent insulin secretagogue in sucklings as well as in ruminating ones. However, glucose is probably the most effective stimulus for insulin release in both groups of lambs.