Metabolic patterns in several tissues of newborn rabbits during ischemia

The metabolic states of various tissues of newborn rabbits were studied before and after periods of ischemia of 5-40 min. The contents of substances of the energy distributing adenylic acid-creatine phosphate system as well as glycogen, glucose and lactate were determined and the results are discussed in comparison with the well-known values from ischemic tissues of adult rabbits. The preservation of high energy phosphates as well as the rate of glycolytic energy production during the course of ischemia was quite identical in the myocardium of newborns and adults in contrast to the different ability of newborn and adult rabbits to maintain circulation in anaerobic conditions. In the central nervous system the ATP contents decreased to very low levels within a few minutes in both groups although the glycolytic energy production was rather different. But the larger amounts of adenine nucleotides present in the newborns at any time of ischemia indicate a better chance of postischemic recovery. In the livers and the kidneys of the newborns higher rates of glycolytic energy production led to better preservation of the energy-rich substances while in skeletal muscle and the lung only slight differences occurred between newborns and adults.