Effects of 1,3-butanediol and 1,2-propanediol on blood ketone bodies and glucose in sheep fed restricted diets.

Twenty Karakul rams were allotted to four groups, subjected first to starvation and then allowed restricted amounts (approximately 1/3 of ad l ib i tum intake) of a high fiber, low energy diet containing no additive (control), 5% 1,3-butanediol (BD), 10% BD, and 5% 1,2-propanediol (PD) for 6 weeks. Starvation elevated (P<.O01) serum ketones (3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) and decreased (P<.05)serum glucose. Five percent BD increased (P<.05) acetoacetate; the effect of BD on ketones was much more pronounced (P<.05) at the 10% level. BD had no effect (P>.05) on serum glucose. PD had no effect (P>.05) on ketones, but tended to increase serum glucose. Results are compared with those from other ruminant and monogastric animals. (