Changes in Blood Values of Glucose, Insulin and Inorganic Phosphorus in Healthy and Ketotic Dairy Cows after Intravenous Infusion of Propionate Solution

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of blood glucose utilization by peripheral tissue on the basis of changes in blood concentrations of glucose, insulin and inorganic phosphorus in healthy (n = 10) and ketotic cows (n = 10) after intravenous infusion of propionate solution.Blood samples were taken in both groups of examined cows at the following time intervals: just before (time 0) and 8, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 480 min after the intravenous infusion of 1.84 mol·l -1 solution of propionate in the amount of 1ml·kg -1 of body weight. Glucose and insulin blood serum values in both groups of cows increased significantly within 120 min of the experiment (p < 0.05). Significantly lower values (p < 0.05) of glucose in blood of ketotic cows, compared to the blood value of glucose in healthy cows were established within 30, 60, 120 and 240 min of the experiment, as a consequence of the decreased gluconeogenic ability of the liver in the ketotic cows. Significantly lower values (p < 0.05) of insulin in blood of ketotic cows in comparison with healthy ones were established within 240 and 480 min of the test. That indicates that the ability of beta cells of the endocrine pancreas to release insulin is reduced in cows suffering from ketosis. After intravenous administration of propionate, it was established that values of inorganic phosphorus were reduced in blood in both groups of cows after 8, 30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 min. Within 480 min of the test there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in blood value of inorganic phosphorus in ketotic cows in comparison with healthy ones. This is linked with the active entry of glucose into glucolytic pathway of peripheral tissues. It can thus be concluded that there is a higher degree of blood glucose utilization by peripheral tissues in ketotic cows.

Blood Glucose, Insulin and Inorganic Phosphorus in Healthy and Ketotic Dairy Cows after Intravenous Infusion of Glucose Solution

“…These results are in accordance with the findings of Djoković et al (2007). It can thus be concluded that there is a higher degree of blood glucose utilisation by peripheral tissues in ketotic cows.…”

“…al. 1996;Djoković et al 2007), after intravenous infusion of propionate solution, because propionic acid directly stimulates pancreatic secretion of insulin in ruminants.…”

“…At the same time, an estimation of the concentration of inorganic phosphorus in blood can be helpful. Namely, the decrease of its concentration in blood after intravenous infusion of glucose is linked with the active utilization of glucose into the glycolytic pathway of peripheral tissue, while a considerably smaller amount of glucose is used for glycogenesis in the liver (Sakai et al 1993;Gründberg et al 2006;Djoković et al 2007). …”

Effects of propylene glycol supplementation on blood indicators of hepatic function, body condition score, milk fat-protein concentration and reproductive performance of dairy cows

“…Propylene glycol (PG) is frequently used as an oral drench in order to increase the molar percentage of ruminal propionate in the treatment of ketosis in postparturient dairy cattle, probably because of its ability to lower non-esterified fatty acid concentrations in blood (Grummer et al 1994). Djoković et al (2007) reported a significant increase of the concentration of glucose in blood after propionate infusion in healthy and ketotic cows.…”

Inorganic phosphorus decrease after intravenous glucose tolerance test is associated with insulin resistance in dairy cows

“…Phosphate depletion is associated with insulin resistance in the peripheral tissue and with glucose intolerance (ZHOU et al, 1991). Some results show that cows in ketosis have lower levels of phosphorus, glucose and insulin (DJOKOVIĆ et al, 2007).…”