Abstract(1) The arterio-venous difference technique, previously used to measure mammary substrate uptake with cows and goats, was used to measure amino acid uptake by the mammary gland of the lactating Merino ewe. Possession of a single large superficial epigastric vein by the Merino ewe makes the Merino breed the most suitable for this type of study.(2) A method was developed enabling hourly measurement of milk yield without causing undue stress. Milk yield was essentially constant over a 7-8-h period. (3) Mammary extraction of most non-essential amino acids was low relative to output in milk protein and showed a greater variability with time than that found for the essential amino acids. There was a significant mammary extraction of ornithine and citrulline, neither amino acid being found in ovine milk protein.(4) Of the essential amino acids valine, isoleucine, leucine and arginine were taken up in excess of their requirement for milk protein synthesis. (5) On the basis of the extent of mammary extraction, methionine, lysine and leucine were first-, second-and third-limiting to the rate of milk protein synthesis. (6) Despite fluctuations in arterial amino acid concentrations the arterio-venous differences of the essential amino acids were relatively constant over a 7-8-h period. (7) The pattern of mammary amino acid uptake in the ewe is contrasted with that found in similar studies carried out with the lactating cow and goat.

Basic studies on the secretion of glucagon and insulin by the ovine pancreatic autotransplant in the neck are described. Of the 17 transplants in the series none failed to secrete glucagon and only three failed to secrete insulin in detectable amounts. The longest surviving transplant actively secreted both hormones 3 years after transplantation and five other transplants were functional and the animals healthy after 16 months. Exocrine secretion disappears shortly after transplantation.Sodium butyrate and alanine each promoted the secretion of both hormones by the transplant. Glucagon failed to promote insulin secretion by the transplant, although it apparently stimulated the ovine in situ pancreas. The immediate (presumably direct) effect of insulin was to inhibit transplant glucagon secretion. Hypoglycaemia induced by peripheral insulin administration failed to stimulate glucagon secretion by the transplant, although it did promote glucagon secretion by the ovine in situ pancreas. Heparin did not markedly suppress basal transplant secretion of either glucagon or insulin.Phasic response patterns occurred with both hormones during long butyrate perfusions, although first-phase responsiveness was not a constant feature. In one trial, first-phase responses fell off with repeated short butyrate infusions. Glucagon and insulin secretory patterns in response to butyrate were remarkably alike, suggesting a common mechanism.Loss of specific functions by the ovine pancreas after transplantation is discussed.