OVINE PREGNANCY TOXAEMIA

Effects of dipyrone on endotoxin-induced fever, central nervous depression and hypoglycaemia in sheep

Sixteen sheep were divided into four groups and were given saline, Escherichia coli endotoxin at 35 micrograms/kg0.75, dipyrone at 88 mg/kg0.75, or endotoxin and dipyrone intravenously. Plasma glucose concentrations, rectal temperature and depression of central nervous function were assessed at hourly intervals for 10 h and again at 24 h. Dipyrone had no effect on normal sheep but in sheep given endotoxin, it blocked the febrile response and partially blocked the depression effect upon the central nervous system without affecting the hypoglycaemic response.

Nutritional disorders of ruminants

Metabolic fuels of the ruminant consist mainly of volatile fatty acids produced in the rumen by microbial digestion of dietary polysaccharides and amino acids derived from dietary protein. As almost no glucose is obtained directly from its food, any specific requirements for this sugar are met by synthesizing it from non-carbohydrate sources: principally propionate and the glucogenic amino acids.

Metabolic and hormonal aspects of bovine ketosis and pregnancy toxaemia in the ewe

Metabolic fuels of the ruminant consist mainly of volatile fatty acids produced in the rumen by microbial digestion of dietary polysaccharides and amino acids derived from dietary protein. As almost no glucose is obtained directly from its food, any specific requirements for this sugar are met by synthesizing it from non-carbohydrate sources: principally propionate and the glucogenic amino acids.

ACETATE METABOLISM IN EXPERIMENTAL KETOSIS OF GUINEA PIGS

Non-diabetic ketosis was produced experimentally in fasted pregnant guinea pigs. Total CO2output of ketotic animals was less than that of appropriate controls but there was no impairment in the conversion of acetate-1-C14to C14O2. Sterol synthesis increased in ketotic animals while fatty acid synthesis, particularly in carcass, showed the expected decrease. Ketosis was accompanied by an increase in plasma total fatty acids and in the fatty acid concentration of liver. The experimental findings support the hypothesis that ketosis is a manifestation of increased ketogenesis rather than impaired utilization of ketone bodies.