Studies on the carbohydrate metabolism of sheep. XII. Further studies on the diabetic nature of the metabolic abnormalities in ovine pregnancy toxaemia

Abstract

Metabolic changes following lambing or death of foetuses in utero and after intravenous insulin injection have been studied in ewes with pregnancy toxaemia induced primarily by severe undernutrition. After lambing or death of foetuses in utero, blood glucose increased to hyperglycaemic levels which were maintained until the death of the ewe; ketones declined to levels approaching normal. In those cases examined, abnormally high plasma cortisol levels were also maintained until the death of the ewe. Blood glucose declined after intravenous insulin, particularly if the pre-injection glucose level was in the normal range or above, but there was definite resistance to the hypoglycaemic effect of insulin. Ketones also declined markedly in most cases. These data are discussed in relation to recovery from pregnancy toxaemia after lambing or after glycerol therapy. It is concluded that the metabolic changes observed are consistent with the hypothesis of a diabetic-like syndrome, characterized by excessive adrenal hyperactivity, possibly in the presence of insulin insufficiency.