The Importance of Glucose Supply at the Initiation of Artificial Lactation in the Ewe

Abstract

Ewes induced to lactate artificially were given continuous intravenous infusions of either saline or glucose in saline during the first 5 days of lactation. Glucose-infused ewes secreted significantly greater (P < 0·05) amounts of milk than control ewes during the first 10 days of lactation. On the tenth day of lactation glucose-infused ewes secreted approximately twice as much milk as control ewes (c. 320 v. 160 g/day). Plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin were significantly higher (P < O· 05) on the first 2 days of lactation for glucose-infused than control ewes.