Control of Glucose Homeostasis in Lactating Ewes: Use of the Alloxandiabetic/ Insulin-stabilized Ewe to Study Effects of Insulin and Growth Hormone

Abstract

Two separate experiments were conducted with alloxan-induced, diabetic ewes. In one study it was found that the diabetes induced by alloxan could be stabilized with exogenous insulin (1 . 2-1' 3 U h -1). Feed intake and milk yield were maintained at normal levels even though a mild hyperglycaemia persisted. Despite this, milk fat content tended to increase, an observation that is consistent with insulin being a key factor in the aetiology of the low-milk-fat syndrome in the ruminant.