Glucose and lactate absorption and metabolic interrelationships in lambs switched from low to high concentrate diets.

Two experiments were conducted to measure glucose and lactate absorption and metabolic interrelationships in lambs either switched gradually (experiment 1) or abruptly (experiment 2) from hay to a high concentrate diet. In experiment 1, seven lambs were given primed, continuous, 3-hour infusions of 2-0[3H]glucose, U-[14C]L-lactate and para-aminohippuric acid (portal blood flow indicator) before and after switching from a pelleted hay to a pelleted, 85% concentrate diet. Blood samples were collected at 20-minute intervals during infusions. In experiment 2, four lambs were abruptly switched from a pelleted hay to an all-concentrate diet. Portal and arterial blood samples were collected before and up to 1 week after the diet switch. As a result of increased concentrate intake (experiment 1) net portal absorption and turnover of L-lactate and glucose increased. Percentage of glucose derived from L-lactate decreased. Net portal D-lactate absorption, L-lactate absorption as a percentage of turnover and conversion of L-lactate to glucose were not affected by diet. Lambs in experiment 2 did not become acutely acidotic. The insult to acid-base status peaked 12-16 hours after the diet switch, concurrent with maximum arterio-venous differences in plasma L-lactate and glucose. Arterio venous differences in plasma D-lactate were not significantly affected.