The sugar and total ketone content of the blood of ewes and of their new-born lambs

Abstract

Both normal and hypoglycaemic ewes show a marked rise in the blood sugar levels at parturition. The blood of the new-born lamb contains a higher % of sugar than that of its dam bled at the same time. Hypo-glycaemia in the pregnant ewe results in a low blood sugar level at parturition and a relatively low blood sugar level in the new-born lamb. The blood of new-born, lambs from ewes showing marked ketonaemia was quite free from ketone bodies.