Whole body glucose turnover in growing and non-productive adult ruminants: meta-analysis and review.

The objectives of the present paper were to review and quantitatively determine the influence of the nutritional factors on whole body glucose turnover in growing and adult non-productive ruminants. A meta-analysis approach was used. The dietary grain: forage ratio significantly increased the slope of the relationship between glucose turnover and metabolisable energy intake. This effect was probably associated with the inclusion of maize rather than any other grain source in the diet. The analysis pointed out the possible differences in response between growing and adult non-productive animals, and suggested that the performance level of the animals (and their glucose requirements) could contribute to regulating whole body glucose turnover. This aspect would warrant further investigation.