Metabolism and glucose kinetics in sheep fed plantain and orchard grass and exposed to cold

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

To investigate the characteristics of plantain (PL), a forage herb, as a feed for ruminants, chemical components, energy digestibility, rumen constituents, concentrations of blood metabolites (glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, lactate, acetate, and propionate), and insulin were measured in four sheep fed PL and orchard grass (OR), a forage. Net blood glucose turnover rate in response to cold exposure (0–4°C on Day 5) was also determined using an isotope dilution method of [U‐13C]glucose. Dry matter intake was numerically lower for the PL diet than for the OR diet (942 versus 1154 g day–1), and was lower (P = 0.03) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment (1009 versus 1087 g day–1). Energy digestibility was similar between the PL and OR diets. No significant differences in blood metabolite and insulin concentrations in plasma were detected between the PL and OR diets. Net blood glucose turnover rate was also similar between the diets. The rate increased (P = 0.002) during cold exposure, with no significant diet and environment interaction. The forage herb PL seems to be comparable to OR as regards digestive and metabolic characteristics and blood glucose metabolism of sheep.