Gluconeogenesis in the liver of growing and lactating ruminants: the influence of ration composition and stage of lactation

Thirty six: Holstein bull calves were assigned to a 3X3 factorial design with ration physical forms of chopped hay (CH), ground hay (GR) and all concentrate (CONC) and rumen degradable nitrogen (RDN) of 30, 45 and 60%. Metabolic body weight, liver weight and blood glucose were greatest in CONC-fed calves. Neither dry matter nor ash content of liver tissue was affected by either physical form or RDN. Within physical form, protein content was highest and fat lowest in livers of CH-fed caIves. Within RDN, livers of calves feel 30% RDN rations had lowest protein and highest fat content. RDN percent had no effect on carbon dioxide production. Livers from CONC-fed calves produced significantly· (P<.05) more carbon dioxide from [1⁻¹⁴C}propionate and [U⁻¹⁴C}lactate.Glucose production from propionate and lactate was greatest for CONC-fed and 60% RDN-fed calves, although significant only from lactate within physical form. Interaction between ration physical form and RDN makes interpretation of propionate data difficult. In 30% RDN-fed calves both lactate and propionate metabolism was similar for GR- and CONC-fed animals. At 45 and 60% RDN rations, CONC- and CH-fed calves had similar gluconeogenic rates from propionate but glucose from lactate was significantly greater in livers of CONC-fed calves compared to GR- and CH-feet animals.

Ten lactating and five dry Holstein cows were liver biopsied at various stages of lactation (30,60,90,120,180 days postpartum and dry) and when fed two rations, control ( 18% CF) or high concentrate (HI CONC, 10.5% CF). Lactating cows at 30 and 60 days and dry cows were fed the control ration. After 60 days half the cows remained on the control ration and half the lactating cows were changed to the HI CONC ration. Milk fat percent was depressed in cows fed HI CONC ration. Milk fat percent was depressed in cows fed HI COCC ration. HI CONC cows consumed more dry matter and due to the higher energy content reached a positive energy balance before control cows. Rumen fluid volatile fatty acid production was not affected by stage of Lactation or ration fed. Both plasma glucose and plasma insulin nonsignificantly increased as lactation progressed. Liver tissue protein did not change over lactation but increased when HI CONC ration was fed. Stage of lactation affected (P<.0002) propionate metabolism to carbon dioxide with higher production at 120 days compared to 180 days. By ration, HI CONC cows' livers produced more carbon dioxide than control cows’ livers. Feeding the HI CONC ration significantly increased labelled glucose production. Increased production of both labeled carbon dioxide and glucose by liver from cows fed HI CONC ration was nonsignificant when based on liver protein content. Carbon dioxide/glucose ratio was similar for lactating (>60 days) and dry cows. Cows early in lactation (30 days) had significantly lower carbon dioxide/glucose ratios, indicating a higher glucose production.

Ration and stage of lactation are important factors in ruminant metabolism.. Gluconeogenesis, a pathway especially important in ruminants, is affected by both factors. In calves and cows, concentrate rations increased glucose production. Ration RDN, studied in calves, affected lactate metabolism to glucose. The liver of lactating cows showed a greater response (increase in glucose production) to stage of lactation than ration fed demonstrating the importance of energy balance on ruminant metabolism.