Insulin sensitivity decreases with obesity, and lean cats with low insulin sensitivity are at greatest risk of glucose intolerance with weight gain

This study quantifies the effects of marked weight gain on glucose and insulin metabolism in 16 cats which increased their weight by an average of 44.2% over 10 months. Significantly, the development of feline obesity was accompanied by a 52% decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin and diminished glucose effectiveness. In addition, glucose intolerance and abnormal insulin response occurred in some cats. An important finding was that normal weight cats with low insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness were at increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance with obesity. High basal insulin concentrations or low acute insulin response to glucose also independently increased the risk for developing impaired glucose tolerance. Male cats gained more weight relative to females and this, combined with their tendency to lower insulin sensitivity and higher insulin concentrations, may explain why male cats are at greater risk for diabetes. Results suggest an underlying predisposition for glucose intolerance in some cats, which is exacerbated by obesity. These cats may be more at risk of progressing to overt type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copyright 2001 European Society of Feline Medicine

Evaluation of wheat middlings-based supplements at different crude protein concentrations for cattle consuming winter range forage

Influence of increasing crude protein concentration in a wheat middlings-based supplement was evaluated in an intake/digestion trial. Protein-supplemented steers demonstrated increased (P<.01) intake of dormant, bluestem-range forage when compared with unsupplemented steers. Although increasing concentration of supplemental crude protein from 15 to 20% substantially increased (P<.01) forage and total dry matter intake. only slight increases in forage and total dry matter intake occurred when the concentration exceeded 20%. Protein supplementation increased (P<.01) fiber and dry matter digestibilities. Additionally. fiber digestibility tended (P=.087) to increase with increasing crude protein concentration of the supplement. Results suggest that when feeding a wheat middlings-based supplement. the crude protein concentration should be 20% or higher to optimize use of poor-quality forage

Evaluation of wheat middlings as a supplement for cattle consuming winter range forage

Intake of dormant, bluestem-range forage was increased by feeding steers supplements based on wheat middlings or soybean meal + sorghum grain, although the degree of influence on forage intake depended on type and level of supplementation. All supplements increased (P<.10) total diet digestibility. However, fiber digestibility tended to be slightly lower for steers receiving the high level of wheat middlings and the soybean meal + sorghum grain supplement