EFFECTS OF DIETARY ENERGY-SOURCE ON PLASMA-GLUCOSE AND INSULIN CONCENTRATION IN GILTS

Since it is known that insulin plays a role in reproductive processes, the dietary energy source could be an effective tool to influence the reproductive processes in sows. The effects of dietary energy source on plasma glucose and insulin concentration were studied. Five gilts w ere used in a Latin square design with three diets over three periods. Diets contained either 238 g/kg maize starch (Starch), 178 g/kg maize starch +60 g/kg dextrose (Sugar) or 96 g/kg tallow (Fat) as the main energy sources and were fed isocalorically. All other ingredients were similar for the three diets. Results showed similar pre-prandial gluc ose concentrations for all diets. The plasma glucose concentration at 24 min after feeding was higher (p < 0.05) for the Sugar diet compared with the Fat diet. Sixty minutes after feeding the plasma glucose con centration was lower (p < 0.05) for the Sugar diet compared with the t wo other diets. The postprandial insulin response was greater (p < 0.0 5) in the Sugar-fed gilts than in the Fat-fed gilts and remained at a higher level. Post-prandial insulin concentrations in Starch-fed gilts were intermediate and did not differ from both other diets. The ratio between average and maximum insulin and glucose concentrations was hi gher in the Sugar and Starch diet compared with the Fat diet. The resu lts show that dietary energy source affected the post-prandial plasma insulin levels (both peak level after feeding and long-term level) as well as the ratio between insulin and glucose.