Intestinal Glucose Absorption but Not Endogenous Glucose Production Differs between Colostrum- and Formula-Fed Neonatal Calves

Abstract

Glucose supply markedly changes during the transition to extrauterine life. In this study, we investigated diet effects on glucose metabolism in neonatal calves. Calves were fed colostrum (C; n = 7) or milk-based formula (F; n = 7) with similar nutrient content up to d 4 of life. Blood plasma samples were taken daily before feeding and 2 h after feeding on d 4 to measure glucose, lactate, nonesterified fatty acids, protein, urea, insulin, glucagon, and cortisol concentrations. On d 2, additional blood samples were taken to measure glucose first-pass uptake (FPU) and turnover by oral [U-(13)C]-glucose and i.v. [6,6-(2)H(2)]-glucose infusion. On d 3, endogenous glucose production and gluconeogenesis were determined by i.v. [U-(13)C]-glucose and oral deuterated water administration after overnight feed deprivation. Liver tissue was obtained 2 h after feeding on d 4 and glycogen concentration and activities and mRNA abundance of gluconeogenic enzymes were measured. Plasma glucose and protein concentrations and hepatic glycogen concentration were higher (P < 0.05), whereas plasma urea, glucagon, and cortisol (d 2) concentrations as well as hepatic pyruvate carboxylase mRNA level and activity were lower (P < 0.05) in group C than in group F. Orally administered [U-(13)C]-glucose in blood was higher (P < 0.05) but FPU tended to be lower (P < 0.1) in group C than in group F. The improved glucose status in group C resulted from enhanced oral glucose absorption. Metabolic and endocrine changes pointed to elevated amino acid degradation in group F, presumably to provide substrates to meet energy requirements and to compensate for impaired oral glucose uptake.

Effects of colostrum versus formula feeding on hepatic glucocorticoid and α1- and β2-adrenergic receptors in neonatal calves and their effect on glucose and lipid metabolism

“…The composition of colostrum milkings and respective formulas is given in Supplemental Table S1 (http://dx.doi. org/10.3168/jds.2014-8359), as recently published in Steinhoff-Wagner et al (2011a). To improve their immune status, all calves were fed egg-derived immunoglobulins (6 to 10 g/d; Globigen; EW Nutrition GmbH, Visbek, Germany).…”

“…The design of the study was described previously (Steinhoff-Wagner et al, 2011a). Briefly, calves were spontaneously born and either fed colostrum (CF) or formula (FF) by bottle twice daily on d 1 and 2 of life and once daily on d 3 and 4 of life.…”

“…Plasma samples were taken for measurement of metabolites and hormones related to energy metabolism. Data on eGP and glucose oxidation as well as parameters with respect to systemic and hepatic glucose metabolism were previously published in a companion paper (Steinhoff-Wagner et al, 2011a).…”

Supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid in dairy cows reduces endogenous glucose production during early lactation

“…13 C]-glucose was determined by GC-MS (QP2010, coupled with GC 2010; Shimadzu, Duisburg, Germany) as recently described (Hammon et al, 2008;Steinhoff-Wagner et al, 2011). Whole blood in potassium-EDTA tubes collected before and at regular intervals between 10 to 240 min after start of tracer infusion was used to isolate CO 2 , to measure its 13 C/ 12 C Concentrate Universal 18/3 (Vollkraft Mischfutterwerke GmbH) consisted of (g/kg of DM) 200-400 g of cereals (triticale, rye, wheat, barley), <250 g of rapeseed expeller, malt germs, wheat gluten, wheat bran, peeled oat-bran, beet pulp chips, molasses, glycerin, calcium (0.19 mol; 7.5 g), phosphorus (0.18 mol; 5.5 g), sodium (0.09 mol; 2 g), retinol (9.66 μmol; 2.4 mg), β-carotene (8.95 μmol; 4.8 mg), 25-OHvitamin D 3 (0.05 μmol; 22.5 μg).…”

“…Three days after GTT at wk 3 and 9 of lactation, respectively, eGP and GOx were determined after overnight food withdrawal using a primed continuous intravenous infusion of [U-13 C]-glucose [99 atom% 13 C, Eurisotop, Staint Aubin, Cedex, France; prime: 5.4 μmol/kg; infusion: 7.5 μmol/(kg × h)] for 4 h (Hammon et al, 2008;Steinhoff-Wagner et al, 2011). Cows were fitted with 2 jugular catheters (Cavafix Certo 338) for tracer infusion and blood sampling.…”