The effect of birth weight on glucose tolerance in pigs at 3 and 12 months of age

Aims/hypothesis. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of birth weight on glucose tolerance in juvenile and adult pigs. Methods. Low (<1.47 kg) and high (>1.53 kg) birth weight piglets from 15 litters were studied at 3 (n=47) and 12 (n=17) months of age. At each age, selected pigs were tranquilised and catheters were inserted into the dorsal aorta and caudal vena cava under general anaesthesia. After recovery, glucose (0.5 g/kg; i.v.) was administered and regular arterial blood samples were taken for 2 h for plasma glucose and insulin measurements. Hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme activities were measured at post mortem. Results. At 12, but not at 3 months of age, the area under the glucose and insulin curves after glucose administration were greater (p<0.05) in low rather than in high birth weight pigs. The glucose area at 12 months was negatively correlated with body weight and BMI at birth. Disproportionate shape at birth was associated with reduced hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme concentrations and low birth weight pigs had reduced basal glucose concentrations at 12 months of age. Conclusion/interpretation. This study has shown an association between low birth weight and thinness at birth and glucose intolerance at 12 months of postnatal age, but not at 3 months. This effect was not due to insulin deficiency or increased hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme activity.