Hepatic metabolite concentration in lactic acidotic sheep.

The concentration of hepatic metabolites associated with energy-producing pathways and hepatic oxygen consumption were measured in clinically normal and lactic acidotic sheep. Significantly (P less than 0.005) lower pyruvate concentrations in livers of acidotic sheep produced significantly larger L-lactate to pyruvate concentration ratios. Glycogen concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.005) lower in liver from acidotic sheep. Oxygen consumption by liver from acidotic sheep was depressed when compared with oxygen consumption by normal sheep liver. Seemingly, limited available carbohydrate substrate and not tissue oxygenation may be limiting aerobic glycolysis in liver of lactic acidotic sheep.