Experimental diabetes in lactating sheep: effects of alloxan on plasma insulin, glucose, glucose kinetics and milk characteristics

After intravenous administration of alloxan (50 mg kg-1 liveweight) to lactating ewes, there were triphasic changes in plasma glucose and insulin. Almost immediately, plasma insulin decreased and hyperglycaemia occurred, then, between c. 5-12 h, insulin increased and ewes became hypoglycaemic. Thereafter, insulin decreased and glucose increased from c. 20 h after alloxan and the diabetic state was established. Changes in glucose production and utilization correlated with changes in plasma glucose. Exogenous insulin was administered from 30 h after alloxan, and it took some 2 weeks to stabilize ewes. During this period, when mild hyperglycaemia persisted, milk yields and feed intakes were decreased but milk fat content was elevated. Once ewes were stabilized, plasma glucose, milk yield, feed intake and milk fat content returned to levels prior to alloxan. These observations are consistent with insulin playing a role in the aetiology of the 'low milk fat syndrome' in the ruminant. It appears that the alloxan-treated, insulin-stabilized ewe would be a useful model for studying the role of insulin during lactation, but it is necessary to allow time for animals to overcome effects of administration of alloxan.