Partitioning of Nutrients in Merino Ewes. 11 Glucose Utilization by Skeletal Muscle, the Pregnant Uterus and the Lactating Mammary Gland in Relation to Whole Body Glucose Utilization

Abstract

The net uptake and oxidation of glucose by leg muscle, pregnant uterus, and lactating mammary gland, together with the rate of irreversible loss and oxidation of glucose in the whole body of Merino ewes are reported. The ewes were fed on either chaffed oaten hay (OR), chaffed lucerne hay (L), or a mixture of chaffed oaten and lucerne hays (OHL). Measurements were made during five different physiological states: dry (nonpregnant), at 94 and 125 days of pregnancy, and at 20 and 50 days after lambing.