EFFECTS OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS ON LIVER-FUNCT ION IN FASTING EWES

During a five-day fasting period prednisolone (30 mg/d) reduced strong ly as a result of induced hyperglyaemia and hyperinsulinaemia the rise of FFA and bilirubin in six nonpregnant ewes in contrast to six contr ol animals. The liver fat content remaind in treated ewes within the p hysiological range, but in control animals the fat concentration incre ased to 300 g/kg. beta-OH-butyrate was only a little influenced. Harmf ul effects on the liver function in prednisolon treated ewes could not be observed. Plasma cortisol concentration contradicted a depression of endogenuos cortisol secretion.