Seasonal variations in glucose metabolism of reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus L.) estimated with [U- 14 C]glucose and [3- 3 H]glucose

Abstract

1. The pool size, space and rate of irreversible loss of glucose were estimated with primed infusions of [U- 14 C]glucose in reindeer cows within 6 h of being taken from outdoor pens or from free grazing in the field. 2. In conjunction with primed infusions of [U- 14 C]glucose, single injections of [3- 3 H]glucose were also used to estimate pool size, space, transfer rate, and turnover time of glucose. 3. Except in a period of severe undernutrition, the concentration of glucose in plasma was higher (range 0·76–1·40 mg/ml) than that recorded for other ruminants.4. The size of the glucose pool (range 8–35 g) varied in parallel with plasma glucose concentration and was generally distributed in a space in excess of the extracellular fluid volume. 5. The lowest rates of irreversible loss of glucose (approximately 1·7 mg/min per kg 0·75 ) were measured when cows were in mid pregnancy and when available food was scarce; the highest rate (5·5 mg/min per kg 0·75 ) was found in cows during mid summer. 6. Changes in irreversible loss and transfer rate of glucose are interpreted in relation to changes in body composition (estimated in a parallel study), subjective assessment of available food and factors known to control glucose metabolism in other ruminants. 7. The difference between glucose transfer rate and rate of irreversible loss of glucose was used as an index of the rate of resynthesis of glucose from products of glucose catabolism. The rates of glucose resynthesis were highest during a period of rapid growth (4·52 mg/min per kg 0·75 or 45% of the glucose transfer rate) and in mid and late pregnancy (respectively 4·14 and 4·28 mg/min per kg 0·75 or 71 and 59% of the transfer rate).