Glucose and hormonal profiles of Meishan-derived and Large White gilts in early and late gestation
2003
Farmer, C.
Jugular catheters were inserted non-surgically in eight Large White (LW) and nine Genex-Meishan (GM, with 50% Meishan genes) gilts on days 37 and 106 of gestation to obtain serial blood samples on days 38 and 107. Meal time was 0805. Three preprandial samples (baseline) were obtained at 0740, 0750 and 0800 as well as samples every 20 min thereafter until 1100. Glucose and insulin concentrations were measured in all samples and values for cortisol and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were determined on preprandial samples and hourly samples thereafter. All gilts were weighed and their backfat thickness measured at mating and on days 17, 34 and 109 of gestation. Gilts of the GM line were lighter (P = 0.03) and fatter (P = 0.004) than LW. Postprandial values for cortisol and IGF-I were greater in GM than LW gilts in early gestation only (P < 0.05). The same was true for baseline IGF-I (P < 0.001). Postprandial insulin was not affected by breed or stage of gestation (P > 0.1), yet glucose values were greater in LW than in GM gilts (P < 0.05) and postprandial glucose was greater in late compared to early gestation in both breeds (P < 0.001). In conclusion, both cortisol and IGF-I concentrations varied differently between genotypes depending on the stage of gestation. Furthermore, even though postprandial insulin was not affected by breed, concentrations of glucose were lower in GM gilts. A metabolic adaptation to gestation was observed in both breeds, with glucose values increasing in later gestation.
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