CYSTEAMINE-INDUCED DEPLETION OF SOMATOSTATIN IN SHEEP - TIME-COURSE OF DEPLETION AND CHANGES IN PLASMA METABOLITES, INSULIN, AND GROWTH-HORMONE

Eight crossbred wethers (51 +/- 2 kg BW), surgically fitted with aboma sal cannulas, were used to determine the extent and time course of cys teamine (CSH)-induced depletion of somatostatin (SRIF) in abomasal tis sue and associated changes in plasma metabolites, insulin, and growth hormone (GH). Cysteamine was administered as a single i.v. bolus (50 m g.kg BW-1.10 min(-1)) on d 0. Abomasal biopsies were: obtained on d -7 , -3, 0, 1, 3, and 10. On d 0, additional biopsies were taken at 2, 4, and 8 h after CSH administration. Jugular blood samples were collecte d over 8 h at 15-min intervals on d -2, 0, and 1. Cysteamine administr ation decreased (P < .05) tissue SRIF on d 0 (2, 4, and 8 h), 1, and 3 ; maximal depletion (42 to 55% of Pre-treatment; Pre-trt) occurred dur ing the initial 24 h, returning to Pre-trt by d 10. Gel chromatography of pooled -7 d abomasal tissue extracts showed five peaks of SRIF imm unoreactivity; the predominate peak eluted in the same position as syn thetic SRIF-14. Plasma glucose, lactate, and NEFA concentrations incre ased (P = .001) after CSH administration and reached peak at 2 h after treatment and declined to Pre-trt concentrations by 24 h. Insulin inc reased (P = .001) to a maximum at h 4 and returned to Pre-trt by 24 h. Mean and baseline GH were higher (P < .07) on day of CSH administrati on, and pulse amplitude was lower (P < .10) on d 0 and 1. These data s how that CSR rapidly reduces SRIF in abomasal tissue in a reversible m anner; suggesting that CSH-treated sheep may provide a SRIF-deficient model for studying the physiological role of SRIF in ruminants.