Development of gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes from fasting or suckling newborn pigs

The rates of glucose production from various substrates were investigated in isolated hepatocytes from fasting and suckling newborn pigs from birth to 48 hours of life. They were quantitatively compared to the rate of glucose production measured in 15-day-old suckling and fasting piglets. The data indicate that the rates of gluconeogenesis from each gluconeogenic precursor (lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glycerol, dihydroxyacetone and galactose) were two- to threefold higher in suckling than in fasting newborn pigs. The rates of glucose production from various gluconeogenic precursors were similar in suckling newborn pigs and in 15-day-old fasting piglets. The difference in the capacity for gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes from fasting and suckling newborn pigs could explain why hypoglycemia develops during fasting in newborn pigs whereas suckling neonates remain normoglycemic.