Abstract
Summary
Pigs taken by Caesarean delivery on either 111th or 112th day of gestation were assigned to three treatment groups, each receiving im injections. The control group (C) received saline injections; the cortisol-deficient group (M) received 5 mg/kg body weight of metyrapone, and the ACTH group (A) received 1 U/kg body weight of ACTH. Pigs in group M demonstrated hypoglycemia at ages 22, 30, and 38 hr. The metryapone-treated pigs had the lowest liver glycogen levels at ages 30 and 38 hr. Liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity increased 5-fold by 30 hr of age in groups C and A, and about 3-fold in group M. The development of liver serine dehydratase was dependent on an adequate level of plasma Cortisol. Liver and kidney fructose-1,6-diphosphatose, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were not drastically altered by the cortisol status of the neonatal pig. Gluconeogenesis from pyruvate and glycerol in kidney cortex slices from pigs in group M was consistently lower than both groups A and C pigs. These studies indicate that the rapid development of liver gluconeogenic enzymes in young pigs after birth is not dependent on high levels of cortisol during the period of development. However, maximum development of gluconeogenic capacity was prevented by cortisol deficiency.
The authors wish to acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Patricia Lamprey.
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