Utilization of intravenously administered maltose by growing miniature pigs

The ability of intravenously administered maltose or glucose to supply 12% of the energy requirements of growing miniature pigs was compared. All pigs were fed a stock diet from days 5 to 28 of life, and a central venous catheter was placed at 28 days. For the next 30 days, all pigs were fed orally and intravenously. Positive control pigs were fed the stock diet with infusions of an isotonic balanced electrolyte solution. Negative control and test animals were fed a diet containing cellulose to replace 12% of energy. Negative control animals received the balanced electrolyte solution intravenously, while test animals received either intravenous glucose or maltose at levels providing 12% of energy. Carbohydrate utilization was measured by loss of urinary carbohydrate, as well as by growth and body composition. Chemical analyses of the urine indicated utilization of both maltose and glucose, but maltose was utilized less well (87%) than glucose (greater than 99%). Growth and body composition data also indicate maltose utilization. The data suggest a possible role for maltose infusion as a supplemental energy source.