This paper reports an investigation into metabolic and endocrine maturity in the neonate lamb and the relationships between litter size, birth weight, and maternal metabolic and endocrine variables on behavior at birth and survival over the first 72 h of life. Data were from multiparous, fine-wool Merino ewes (n = 150; equal numbers of single-lamb and twin-lamb bearing status) lambed on pasture after late gestational glucocorticoid treatments. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to investigate relationships between lamb survival, behavior, endocrinology, and physiology. Improved lamb viability at 72 h after birth was related to decreased chill indices at birth, singleton litter status, greater presuckling rectal temperature, increased ewe prelambing plasma ghrelin concentration, female sex, heavier birth weight, and decreased lamb presuckling plasma glucose concentration. Greater rectal temperatures were associated with heavier birth weight and gestation lengths shorter than 146 d, but no relationship with neonatal behavioral progression was evident. Presuckling glucose concentrations were greater in singletons and lambs born to ewes of greater BCS at d 95 of gestation, and lambs of heavier birth weight, but were also associated with decreased rectal temperatures. This might reflect a delay in glucose utilization during the adjustment from a fetal metabolic rate to a rate appropriate for cold external environments. Singleton lambs exhibited decreased presuckling plasma NEFA concentrations and were almost 8 times more likely to survive to 72 h than a twin-born lamb. Birth weight was lesser in lambs born to ewes with elevated plasma glucose and leptin concentrations before lambing and was positively related to ewe BW at d 95 of gestation and to length of gestation. Greater presuckling plasma ghrelin and leptin concentrations were measured for shorter gestation lengths. Neonate presuckling ghrelin concentrations above 650 pg/mL tended (P = 0.077) to be associated with improved lamb survival to 72 h. This was consistent with a curvilinear decline in neonate survival rates to 72 h after birth as time of latency to suckle increased. No relationship was observed between lamb plasma glucose concentrations and behavioral expression after lambing. Lambs exhibiting greater metabolic and endocrine maturity at birth had improved survival in a cold environment to 72 h after birth. The role of ghrelin in ovine fetal development warrants further investigation.

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The purpose of this communication is to describe our experiences in the clinical management of sixty diabetic patients who have been treated with chlorpropamide for periods varying from a few weeks to six months. In addition, the results of some comparative experiments on the action of tolbutamide and chlorpropamide ilz vitro are given. These suggest that the mode of action of the two drugs upon hepatic enzyme systems is similar, but there seems to be a quantitative difference between them.Clinical observations have been made on sixty adult diabetic patients: twenty-one males and thirty-nine females. In view of earlier experiences with tolbutamide and carbutamide, no attempt has been made to treat any juvenile patient; with few exceptions, the persons included in this series have been middle-aged or elderly. Within these limits a random selection has heen made from patients attending the routine practice of the diabetic service of this hospital.In contrast with earlier clinical trials conducted in the Diabetic and Metabolic Unit of the Alfred Hospital,', many of the patients in this series were not admitted to hospital for continuous observation. I t was felt that experience gained during the past three years was sufficient to enable us to assess the efficacy of chlorpropamide without the need for hospitalization. In consequence, a number of patients were instructed to present the results of urine tests taken a t regular times each day, and spot blood sugar estimations were made at frequent intervals. Subsequent interrogation enabled us to detect the incidence of side effects and the degree of control achieved. A significant number of patients were closely observed, and laboratory investigations were undertaken for evidence of hepatic, renal, and hematological abnormalities. Patients transferred from maintenance doses of insulin were instructed to report daily either in person or by telephone and to present the results of urinalyses performed four times each day.Almost without exception the loading dosage prescribed was 1.0 gm. per day and the maintenance dose 0.5 gm. per day, given in divided doses of 0.25 gm. morning and evening. I n any case that failed to respond, the dosage was raised gradually to 0.75 gm. per day and, in a few instances, to 1.5 gm. per day. Dosage for 1 case was raised to 3 gm. per day for a short time. FIGURE 1 shows the duration of treatment of the patients considered in this series and indicates the number responding to treatment and the number failing to do so. The relatively large number not responding within the first 4 weeks of treatment can be related to several such factors as inappropriate selection of patients, and attempts to transfer cases from insulin therapy. TABLE 1 shows the distribution of the patients by age and sex 810