[Age-dependent biokinetic parameters of glucose turnover following intravenous glucose load in piglets]

Single glucose doses of 0.5 g/kg body weight or 1.0 g/kg were intravenously applied at ambient temperatures between 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C pigs aged between zero and 20 hours two and three, five and seven, ten and 14, 20 and 30 days, and eight weeks. With reference to excess glucose curves in the blood and plasma, the half-life of glucose elimination was graphically determined in a semi-logarithmic system. The result obtained was used to calculate the coefficients of assimilation and distribution, as well as the readily exchangeable pool and the transfer rate of glucose. On the average the half-life of glucose elimination in the five groups of the piglets was identical (0.47 hour); in contrast it was faster in weaners (0.17 hour) than in piglets. With reference to the plasma values, the volume of the glucose distribution decreased continuously with growing age. Average glucose transfer amounted to 1.02 mg/g. hr in weaners and thus was twice as much as that recorded for the five groups of the piglets. Reduction of ambient temperatures between 15 degrees C and 18 degrees C had no bearing on the parameters of 30-day piglets. These findings are likely to suggest that there is no increased glucose turnover within the thermal neutral zone in piglets over the first days of age and, consequently, cannot contribute to the development of hypoglycaemia.