Counteractive effects of propionate or 1,2-propanediol against hypoglycemia and ketonemia of tributyrin-treated cows.

We administered tributyrin (500 ml), tributyrin (500 ml) plus magnesium propionate (400 g), tributyrin (500 ml) plus sodium propionate (400 g), or tributyrin (500 ml) plus 1,2-propanediol (400 ml) as a single dose into rumens of lactating cows and then measured in blood the plasma concentrations of glucose, acetoacetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, free fatty acids, and insulin as a function of time. Tributyrin administration caused hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia similar to the ketotic condition in less than 3 h and was a negative correlation of --.88 between glucose and ketone concentrations in blood plasma. Administration of either magnesium propionate, sodium propionate, or 1,2-propanediol could counteract the hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia induced by tributyrin administration without significantly changing the insulin response. Of the two propionate compounds, magnesium propionate was more effective than sodium propionate for alleviating hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia.