Hepatic Blood Flow Rate, Plasma Triglycerides and Free Fatty Acids Flow In Pregnant Sheep during Fasted and Feeding State

Abstract

Hepatic blood flow rates were measured in both pregnant and non-pregnant sheep using the marker dilution technique with creatinine as the marker substance. Hepatic blood flow rates were slightly higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant sheep at all times. The effect of fasting/feeding on the flow rates was the same in both pregnant and non-pregnant sheep. Plasma triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA) were measured. The concentrations were used to calculate their flow rates from the portal drained tissues and liver uptake. Fasting increased the plasma FFA levels more so in pregnant sheep, while feeding decreased the levels. Similarly TG levels were higher in pregnant sheep than in non-pregnant sheep (as seen in Table 3). It was concluded that fasting is a stress which reduces the energy supply for the animal. The physiological status of the animal such as pregnancy exaggerates the effects thereby the energy demand increases.