Glucokinase, hexokinase, gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis and glycolysis in camel ( Camelus dromedarius) and sheep ( Ovis aries)

Abstract

1. 1. Activities of glucokinase and hexokinase were measured in the liver of camel, sheep, chicken and mouse; gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis and glycolysis were studied in liver and kidney slices of camel and sheep. 2. 2. The camel despite having a 2-fold higher blood glucose concentrations than sheep, showed similar pattern of glucokinase and hexokinase activities; glucokinase activity in both species was very low. Glucokinase activity was higher than hexokinase in mouse; the reverse case was true for chicken. 3. 3. Camel liver incorporated more glucose into glycogen than sheep liver. Conversion rates of glucogenic compounds (propionate, pyruvate, l-lactate and l-glutamate were higher in both organs of camel. 4. 4. Little glucose was converted to CO 2 and lactate in these organs in both species; no measurable pyruvate was produced from glucose.