Insulin and growth hormone responses to glucose infusion in mature and first-lactation dairy cows

McClary, D.G.; Sartin, J.L.; Kemppainen, R.J.; Williams, J.C.

Insulin and growth hormone responses to glucose infusion in mature and first-lactation dairy cows

1988

McClary, D.G. | Sartin, J.L. | Kemppainen, R.J. | Williams, J.C.

Five mature Holstein cows and 6 first-lactation Holstein cows were administered 100 mg of glucose/kg of body weight, IV, over a 20-minute period on postpartum day 30. A series (preinfusion, glucose infusion, and postinfusion) of blood samples was collected at -15, -10, -5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 minutes from the start of the infusion. Serum was obtained and was assayed for glucose, immunoreactive insulin (IRI) growth hormone (GH), and free fatty acid concentrations. Baseline glucose and free fatty acid concentrations were similar in cattle of both groups throughout the sample collection period. Both groups of cattle disposed of the infused glucose in a similar manner. The first-lactation cows secreted significantly (P < 0.0001) more IRI to utilize the glucose load than did the mature cows, 71 +/- 13 microU/ml vs 38 +/- 7 microU/ml, respectively (mean +/- SEM). Preinfusion and glucose infusion GH concentrations were similar in cattle of both groups. In the postinfusion period, GH values were significantly (P < 0.0002) higher in the first-lactation cows (8.7 +/- 1.8 ng/ml) than in the mature cows (5.8 +/- 1.6 ng/ml). Compared with that in the mature cows, the higher IRI concentration required by the first-lactation cows to utilize approximately the same glucose load suggested that first-lactation cows were insulin resistant. The increased insulin response to increased glucose concentration may be one reason first-lactation cows produce less milk than do mature cows. Other factors, such as variation in the ability of the mammary gland to synthesize milk cannot be excluded.

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