The effects of feed restriction, cold exposure, and the initiation of feeding on blood glucose metabolism, other blood metabolites, hormones, and tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin were measured in sheep. The sheep consumed orchardgrass hay ad libitum (AL) or were restricted to 82% of the ME requirement for maintenance (RE) and were exposed to a thermoneutral (20 degrees C) or a cold environment (2 degrees C). An isotope dilution method and a glucose clamp approach were applied to determine blood glucose metabolism and insulin action, respectively. Plasma NEFA and insulin concentrations were influenced by feed restriction. Concentrations of plasma glucose, NEFA, insulin, and glucagon were influenced by cold exposure. Plasma NEFA concentration for RE decreased after the initiation of feeding and plasma insulin concentration increased transiently for all treatments. [U-13C]Glucose was continuously infused for 8 or 7 h after a priming injection starting 3 h before the initiation of either feeding or insulin infusion, respectively. When responses to feeding were studied, blood glucose turnover rate was less (P < .001) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The rate changed little after the initiation of feeding. For the glucose clamp approach, insulin was infused over four sequential 1-h periods at rates from .64 to 10 mU x kg BW(-1) x min(-1), with concomitant glucose infusion to maintain preinfusion plasma glucose concentrations. The rates of glucose infusion and blood glucose turnover increased (P < .001) dose-dependently with insulin infusion rate. The maximal glucose infusion rate was greater (P < .05) for RE than for AL and was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The plasma insulin concentration at half-maximal glucose infusion rate was lower (P < .1) during cold exposure. Blood glucose turnover rate tended to be greater (P = .10) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The ratio of endogenous production to utilization of glucose was suppressed by insulin infusion. In sheep fed a roughage diet, blood glucose turnover rate seems to be influenced by both intake level and environmental temperature, but not by the act of feeding. Moreover, the action of insulin on glucose metabolism is enhanced during cold exposure, and the effect of feed restriction is somewhat enhanced.

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SUMMARYAn isotope dilution method using [1-13C]leucine (Leu) infusion together with open-circuit calorimetry was applied to determine the effect of metabolizable protein (MP) intake on rates of plasma Leu turnover and whole body protein synthesis (WBPS) in six heifers. WBPS rate was estimated from rate of plasma Leu turnover and Leu oxidation to carbon dioxide. The experiment consisted of three levels of MP intake and was conducted in a two 3×3 Latin square designs of three 21-day periods. The experimental diet consisted of mixed hay, maize and soybean meal. Dietary MP intake of each dietary treatment was 4·3, 4·5 and 4·9 g/kg BW0·75/day by changing maize and soybean meal weights. Metabolizable energy (ME) intake was similar for all dietary treatments. When plasma α-[1-13C]keto-isocaproic acid enrichments were used as markers indicating intracellular Leu enrichments, plasma Leu turnover rate (LeuTR) increased (P=0·012) and WBPS tended to increase (P=0·091) as MP intake increased. In contrast, plasma LeuTR and WBPS were not influenced if plasma [1-13C]Leu was taken to indicate intracellular Leu enrichments. Total and plasma Leu oxidation rates did not change but intracellular Leu oxidation increased (P=0·044) with increasing MP intake. In heifers, it is suggested that rates of plasma Leu turnover and WBPS are influenced by dietary MP intake, independent of ME intake, although the change in MP intake was relatively small.

An 8-year longitudinal study of changes in serum ferritin concentration has been carried out with additional measurements of haemoglobin and serum iron in 39 schoolgirls aged 10 years at entry to the study. This laboratory data was analysed in relation to menarche and stature. The mean serum ferritin concentration declined significantly due to the occurrence of menarch, rather than to a growth spurt and showed the lowest level at the third year after menarche. Thereafter, it increased again. The prevalence of schoolgirls with latent iron deficiency, defined by a low serum ferritin concentration, normal haemoglobin and normal serum iron concentration, also increased after menarche, and reached its highest level (71.8%) at the third year after menarche. Although haemoglobin and iron concentration declined after menarche, these changes were not statistically significant except for haemoglobin at the second year after menarche. These findings show that serum ferritin concentration is a sensitive variable, and indicates that latent iron deficiency follows menarche rather than an increase in height velocity in adolescence.

-An experiment combining a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp procedure of four sequential 2-h periods and an isotope dilution method of [U-13 C]glucose determined the effect of supplemental calcium propionate on blood glucose metabolism during insulin and glucose infusions in adult sheep. They were fed lucerne hay cubes and commercial concentrate with and without supplementary calcium propionate (Prop and Cont diets, respectively) in a crossover design for each 21-day period. At the preinfusion period, blood glucose turnover rate (GTR) was greater (P < 0.05) for the Prop diet than for the Cont diet. Blood GTR, endogenous glucose production rate (EGPR) and the ratio of EGPR to blood GTR were greater (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively) for the Prop diet than for the Cont diet. Blood GTR and glucose infusion rate (GIR) increased (P < 0.001) and the ratio of EGPR to blood GTR was reduced (P < 0.01) with increased insulin infusion rates. The maximal GIR tended to be (P < 0.10) greater for the Prop diet than for the Cont diet but plasma insulin concentration at half maximal GIR did not differ between diets. It is suggested that in adult sheep, dietary propionate supplementation enhances insulin action on glucose metabolism, however, changes in measures of tissue responsiveness and sensitivity were not significant. calcium propionate / glucose clamp technique / glucose metabolism / insulin / isotope dilution method / sheep

1,3-Thiaza- and 1,3-selenaza-1,3-butadienes bearing several substituents at the C-2 and C-4 positions were generated through thermal cycloreversion of 6H-1,3,5-oxathiazines or 6H-1,3,5-oxaselenazines, respectively, and the heterodienes were efficiently trapped by using acetylenic dienophiles. When 6H-1,3,5-oxathiazines or 6H-1,3,5-oxaselenazines were heated in the presence of nucleophiles, such as alcohols or thiols, the corresponding 1,4-adducts of the heterodienes with the nucleophiles were obtained in good yields. On the other hand, heating of 6H-1,3,5-oxathiazines or 6H-1,3,5-oxaselenazines in the absence of trapping agents afforded several products which originated from the in situ generated 1,3-chalcogenaza-1,3-butadienes; also the heterodienes were not isolated or observed directly as the monomeric forms at all.