阻断辅因子NADPH合成对谷氨酸棒杆菌生长及产物合成的影响

该文通过敲除谷氨酸棒杆菌(C. glutamicum)中参与NADPH合成的葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因(zwf)、苹果酸酶基因(malE),并将自身NADP~+-依赖型异柠檬酸脱氢酶基因(icd_(Cg))替换为变形链球菌(Streptococcus mutans) NAD~+-依赖型异柠檬酸脱氢酶基因(icd_(Sm)),构建重组菌株C. glutamicum LYSΔzwfΔmal EΔicd_(Cg)::icd_(Sm),并研究阻断NADPH合成途径对胞内腺嘌呤核苷酸、吡啶核苷酸、细胞生长、葡萄糖消耗速率、产物合成的影响。与出发菌C. glutamicum LYS相比,重组菌胞内NADH提高38. 58%,NADH/NAD~+提高53. 84%。而NADPH降低89. 51%,明显低于出发菌,NADPH/NADP~+降低93. 13%。摇瓶结果表明,重组菌葡萄糖代谢能力明显减弱,生长也相对缓慢,菌体量降低4. 36%。同时L-赖氨酸产量降低87. 69%,而在胞内积累了大量副产物,如丙酮酸、乳酸等。为进一步研究NADPH调控L-赖氨酸产生菌胞内微环境的生理机制提供了研究基础。     

代谢工程改造Corynebacterium glutamicum生产L-苹果酸

以提高L-苹果酸的产量为目标,采用一次交换两次同源重组的方法,利用反向筛选标记,在敲除了丙酮酸醌氧化还原酶编码基因(pqo),丙酮酸脱氢酶编码基因(pdh)和乳酸脱氢酶编码基因(lldh)的C.glutamicumΔpqoΔpdhΔlldh(C.glutamicumΔPPL)基础上,无痕敲除了L-苹果酸积累支流代谢途径的2个关键酶基因:苹果酸醌氧化还原酶编码基因(mqo)和苹果酸酶编码基因(male),同时敲入了苹果酸分泌转运蛋白基因(transb),获得了产L-苹果酸的工程菌株;采用高效液相色谱法检测了工程菌株C.glutamicumΔPPLΔmqo::transbΔmale的发酵产物。实验结果表明:C.glutamicum ATCC 13032发酵后不积累L-苹果酸,而工程菌C.glutamicumΔPPLΔmqo::transbΔmale发酵48 h,积累了12.8 g/L的L-苹果酸,工程菌的糖酸转化率为33.18%,为利用C.glutamicum ATCC 13032发酵生产L-苹果酸提供了基础遗传资源。     

磷酸转移酶系统关键基因敲除对Klebsiella pneumoniae产1,3-丙二醇的影响

克雷伯氏菌(Klebsiella pneumoniae)在以葡萄糖作辅底物发酵甘油生产1,3-丙二醇(1,3-propanediol,1,3-PDO)过程中,由于细胞存在碳分解代谢抑制现象,葡萄糖优先于甘油被菌体吸收代谢用于细胞生长及副产物的累积,影响1,3-PDO的合成。基于K.pneumoniae葡萄糖转运及碳代谢调控相关的磷酸转移酶系统(phosphotransferase system,PTS),利用Red重组技术对PTS系统中与葡萄糖特异性转运相关的基因ptsG(编码葡萄糖特异性转运膜透性酶EⅡBC~(Glc))、crr(编码胞浆可溶性葡萄糖特异性转运酶EⅡAGlc)分别进行敲除,并考察上述基因缺失对细胞生长、1,3-PDO合成和副产物代谢的影响。结果显示,敲除ptsG、crr基因后,甘油转化率较野生菌分别提高26.2%和42.7%,其中突变株K.pneumoniaeΔcrr的1,3-PDO的产量达到23.1 g/L,提高35.8%。上述结果表明,敲除ptsG、crr基因改造PTS系统能够有效提高底物甘油利用率,强化1,3-PDO合成。     

pH值对运动发酵单胞菌葡萄糖代谢酶活性影响的研究

以运动发酵单胞菌(Zymomonas mobilis)ATCC31821为模式菌株,研究pH值条件对其葡萄糖代谢关键酶活力的影响.结果表明:发酵液pH5.5时,胞内乙醇脱氢酶、丙酮酸脱羧酶、葡萄糖激酶、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的活力较高,而异柠檬酸脱氢酶活性较低,能促进乙醇的生成;pH 5.0时,苹果酸脱氧酶的酶活力较低,使糖酵解反应向另一个方向发生偏移,促进乙醇的形成.pH 4.0～6.5时,丙酮酸激酶和甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶的酶活力水平相差不大,说明pH值对这2种酶的活性影响甚微.因此,pH5.0～5.5,代谢途径(如糖酵解途径、ED途径等)中的胞内代谢酶活性增强,有利于乙醇的产生.     

基于基因转录和代谢物分析的异亮氨酸生产菌谷氨酸棒状杆菌YILW的理性改造（英文）

为获得异亮氨酸生产菌谷氨酸棒状杆菌(Corynebacterium glutamicum)YILW的理性改造策略,考察该菌株与出发菌株C.glutamicum ATCC 13032异亮氨酸合成途径中关键酶及代谢产物的差异。结果表明,C.glutamicum YILW丙酮酸羧化酶编码基因pyc的下调表达使得其胞内草酰乙酸含量降低,过表达该基因显著增加胞内草酰乙酸含量及异亮氨酸产量(分别从1.32μmol/g(细胞干质量,下同)和5.18 g/L提高至3.32μmol/g和5.81 g/L),但副产物赖氨酸及胞内2-酮丁酸积累量提高。针对该问题采用强启动子替换手段过表达ilv BNC操纵子,使得其异亮氨酸产量提高至6.63 g/L。为进一步增加异亮氨酸合成,过表达输出载体编码基因brn E和brn F,其产量提高至7.31 g/L,较出发菌株C.glutamicum YILW提高41.1%,转化率提高40.0%。由此可见,在基因转录及代谢物分析结果指导下理性过表达pyc、ilv BNC操纵子及brn E和brn F能够显著提高异亮氨酸产量并降低副产物浓度。     

温度对Zymomonas mobilis糖代谢关键酶活力和代谢流量的影响

以运动发酵单胞菌(Zynwmonas mobilis)ATCC31821为模式菌株,研究不同温度条件对其葡萄糖代谢关键酶活力的影响.采用全自动发酵罐,在整个发酵过程中通过充入氮气调节发酵液的溶氧量(DO)=0%,添加0.5mol/LNaOH溶液控制pH=5.5,发酵温度分别控制为25、30、35、40℃,发酵24h,测定其糖代谢网络中ED、HMP、TCA等途径的关键酶活力和代谢物成分.结果表明,在发酵温度为30～35℃时,乙醇脱氢酶(ADH)、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G-6-PDH)、丙酮酸脱羧酶(PDC)、葡萄糖激酶(GK)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)和甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(GD-3-PDH)的活力较高,菌体的ED途径代谢活跃,碳素流量增加,乙醇生产量和糖转化率较高,而TCA途径的苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)和异柠檬酸脱氢酶(ICDH)等活力较低,进入TCA途径的碳素流量明显减少;发酵温度为25、40℃时,TCA途径的酶活力升高,ED途径的酶活力减弱,生成乙醇的代谢流量减少,因此温度是z.mobilis发酵过程中调控菌体细胞生长和糖代谢的一个重要因素. 、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G-6-PDH)、丙酮酸脱羧酶(PDC) 葡萄糖激酶(GK)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)和甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(GD-3-PDH)的活力较高,菌体的ED途径代谢活跃,碳素流量增加,乙醇生产量和糖转化率较高,而TCA途径的苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)和异柠檬酸脱氢酶(ICDH)等活力较低,进入TCA途径的碳素流量明显减少;发酵温度为25、40℃时,TCA途径的酶活力升高,ED途径的酶活力减弱,生成乙醇的代谢流量减少,因此温度是z.mobilis发酵过程中调控菌体细胞生长和糖代谢的一个重要因素.葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G-6-PDH)、丙酮酸脱羧酶(PDC) 葡萄糖激酶(GK)、     

ilvBNC操纵子协同cimA基因过表达提高Corynebacterium glutamicum YILW L-异亮氨酸产量的研究

L-异亮氨酸是人和动物八种必需氨基酸之一,在生命活动中具有重要地位。乙酰羟基酸合成酶(acetohydroxyacid synthase,AHAS)是L-异亮氨酸合成途径的关键酶(由ilvBN编码),α-酮基丁酸是L-异亮氨酸合成的重要前体。因此强化ilvBN的表达以及增加α-酮基丁酸的供应理论上可提高L-异亮氨酸的合成。cim A编码的甲基苹果酸合成酶可以催化丙酮酸和乙酰-Co A快速生成L-异亮氨酸前体α-酮基丁酸,从而增强主代谢流通量。本文采用基因重组手段将L-异亮氨酸生产菌株Corynebacterium glutamicum YILW ilvBNC操纵子中的启动子替换为强启动子Ptac获得C.glutamicum YILWPtac。摇瓶发酵结果显示该菌株L-异亮氨酸产量和转化率分别较出发菌株提高了14.8%和18.6%。在此基础上过表达cimA基因,获得C.glutamicum YILWPtacp XMJ19cim A,其L-异亮氨酸酸产量和糖酸转化率分别较出发菌株提高了14.5%和42.4%。本研究可为氨基酸生产菌株的选育提供依据。     

加强表达3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶对谷氨酸棒杆菌产L-丝氨酸的影响

在谷氨酸棒杆菌(Corynebacterium glutamicum)中,由3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase,GAPDH)催化的反应是糖酵解途径的限速步骤,该反应还直接影响了L-丝氨酸的前体3-磷酸甘油酸的合成。研究首先比较了产L-丝氨酸的野生型菌株C.glutamicum SYPS-062与模式菌株C.glutamicum ATCC14067的GAPDH酶活力,发现SYPS-062的GAPDH酶活力比ATCC14067高了55.8%。进一步采用在C.glutamicum33a△SS基因组上增加gap A拷贝数的方法加强表达GAPDH,构建了重组菌C.glutamicum33a△SS-2gap A。重组菌GAPDH转录水平和酶活力分别提高119%和53%,最大比生长速率提高10.6%,总糖耗速率提高4.4%,L-丝氨酸产量提高17.4%,糖酸转化率提高12.2%,生产强度提高17.4%。结果表明,加强表达GAPDH能够提高重组菌的生长和糖耗速率,并能够提高L-丝氨酸的产量、糖酸转化率和生产强度。     

改造非磷酸转移酶葡萄糖转运途径强化解淀粉芽胞杆菌合成L-酪氨酸

L-酪氨酸是一种重要的营养必需氨基酸,广泛应用于食品、医药、化妆品等行业。非磷酸转移酶葡萄糖转运途径是细菌吸收转运葡萄糖的重要途径,对细菌的新陈代谢具有显著的影响。以解淀粉芽胞杆菌HZΔptsH为出发菌株,表达了不同物种来源的葡萄糖转运蛋白编码基因,探究非磷酸转移酶葡萄糖转运途径基因对解淀粉芽胞杆菌合成L-酪氨酸的影响。摇瓶发酵结果表明,HZΔptsH强化表达自身来源葡萄糖转运蛋白编码基因glcP后,L-酪氨酸产量提高了22%,而表达大肠杆菌的galP基因和谷氨酸棒状杆菌的idolT1基因对L-酪氨酸产量没有显著性的影响。研究证实,过表达解淀粉芽胞杆菌自身glcP基因是一种有效的L-酪氨酸强化策略,该研究为后续解淀粉芽胞杆菌合成L-酪氨酸的代谢工程育种提供了借鉴。     

基于代谢途径改造谷氨酸棒杆菌生产L-缬氨酸

L-缬氨酸是一种重要的支链氨基酸，随着市场对其需求量的不断提升，进一步提高L-缬氨酸的产量和糖酸转化率具有重要意义。在该研究中，使用实验室保藏的谷氨酸棒杆菌VHL-1作为出发菌株，通过对L-缬氨酸合成路径进行代谢改造显著提高了L-缬氨酸的产量和丙酮酸前体物的供应。首先，通过敲除ldh(编码乳酸脱氢酶)、poxB(编码丙酮酸氧化酶)、pyc(编码丙酮酸羧化酶)基因以及弱化alaT(编码丙氨酸转氨酶)基因表达来实现丙酮酸的富集。其次，通过强启动子P_tuf替换ilvBNC操纵子原始启动子并增加ilvBN(编码乙酰羟酸合酶)基因拷贝数来增强丙酮酸向L-缬氨酸合成的碳代谢流。最后，通过过表达支链氨基酸转运蛋白编码基因brnFE和调节蛋白编码基因lrp增强L-缬氨酸胞外输出效率。最终构建的重组菌株VHL-9在5 L生物反应器中进行补料分批培养，L-缬氨酸产量可到达(82.5±5.6) g/L,生产强度为1.15 g/(L·h),糖酸转化率为0.302 g/g葡萄糖。     

盐酸精氨酸葡萄糖注射液中葡萄糖含量的测定

目的建立测定盐酸精氨酸葡萄糖注射液中葡萄糖含量的方法。方法选择适宜的pH值,然后通过考察该pH值下溶液旋光度与盐酸精氨酸和葡萄糖浓度的线性关系并测定盐酸精氨酸的比旋度,建立旋光法测定葡萄糖含量的计算公式。结果测定pH值为4.2。在此pH值下,盐酸精氨酸和葡萄糖混合溶液的旋光度与盐酸精氨酸浓度和葡萄糖浓度的复相关系数为0.9999,线性范围分别为2.3～3.0g/100ml和1.8～3.2g/100ml;测得盐酸精氨酸的比旋度为11.54。结论盐酸精氨酸和葡萄糖的旋光度具有加和性,从测得的旋光度中扣除盐酸精氨酸的旋光度,即是葡萄糖的旋光度,葡萄糖的含量可按公式c=2.0852(α-0.1154c1)计算。     

葡萄糖/葡萄糖氧化酶抗菌纸及抗菌性研究

葡萄糖氧化酶是氧化葡萄糖的专一催化酶,具有脱氧、杀菌的功能。通过定性和定量抗菌实验方法研究了葡萄糖/葡萄糖氧化酶体系在以淀粉作为载体和不混合淀粉时施涂于纸张表面的抗菌效果。定性抗菌实验表明,葡萄糖/葡萄糖氧化酶抗菌纸具有良好的抗菌效果。而定量检测结果表明,pH等于5.5时,35℃反应10min,不添加淀粉时,葡萄糖氧化酶最小的抑菌浓度约为70U/m2,葡萄糖足量时,酶用量越高,抗菌率越好;添加0.7g/m2淀粉后,最小抑菌浓度提高到约650U/m2。淀粉对葡萄糖/葡萄糖氧化酶体系的抗菌效果有较大影响,主要原因是淀粉能够促进细菌的繁殖。     

Duodenal glucose increases glucose fluxes and lactose synthesis in grass silage-fed dairy cows

The effect of intestinal glucose supply on whole body rate of glucose appearance (WBGRa) and mammary utilization of glucose was studied in four lactating dairy cows. Glucose (0, 443, 963 and 2398 g/d) was continuously infused in the duodenum over 14-d periods using a Latin square design. A grass silage-based diet was formulated so that treatments were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous and contained 100 and 110% of energy and protein requirements according to INRA (1989). The WBGRa was measured by the [6,6-(2)H2]glucose dilution technique, and mammary glucose balance by arteriovenous differences and blood flow measurements. Duodenal glucose infusion increased arterial glucose concentrations linearly, whereas arterial concentrations of insulin, growth hormone, and glucagon were not changed. The WBGRa increased linearly with increasing glucose loads. The increase represented 42% of the intestinal glucose supplement. Mammary blood flow dramatically increased (up to 45%) and was associated with a significant increase of arterial insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations. Mammary gland rate of glucose disappearance ([6,6-(2)H2]glucose measurement) increased linearly, whereas net mammary balance of glucose, lactose, and milk yields increased quadratically. Net mammary balance of glucose accounted for 60% of WBGRa, except for the greatest dose (47.6%). The decrease in milk yield with 2398 g/d of glucose may be explained by an imbalance in intracellular intermediate concentrations. The milk ratio of glucose-1-phosphate to glucose-6-phosphate decreased significantly at the greatest infusion of glucose. In conclusion, exogenous glucose supply to a grass silage-based diet increased WBGRa, mammary utilization of glucose and milk synthesis.     

葡萄糖氧化酶的生产及应用

葡萄糖氧化酶能够利用氧气将葡萄糖氧化成葡萄糖酸而有效去除氧,因而被广泛用作抗氧化剂、葡萄糖酸、尿糖试纸和生物传感器的生产。综述了葡萄糖氧化酶作为生物去氧剂的作用机理、生产工艺条件以及在食品、医药等行业的广泛应用。     

葡萄糖氧化酶及其应用

葡萄糖氧化酶是需氧脱氢酶,易溶于水,不溶于有机溶剂。工业生产多从黑曲霉中提取,该酶主要与过氧化氢酶共同作用催化葡萄糖产生葡萄糖酸,同时消耗氧。葡萄糖氧化酶广泛应用于食品、医药、饲料等行业中,起到了去除葡萄糖、脱氧、杀菌等作用。     

Effect of abomasal glucose infusion on splanchnic and whole-body glucose metabolism in periparturient dairy cows

Six periparturient Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas and permanent indwelling catheters in the hepatic portal vein, hepatic vein, mesenteric vein, and an artery were used to study the effects of abomasal glucose infusion on splanchnic and whole-body glucose metabolism. The experimental design was a split plot, with cow as the whole plot, treatment as the whole-plot factor, and days in milk (DIM) as the subplot factor. Cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: the control (no infusion) or infusion (1,500 g/d of glucose infused into the abomasum from the day of calving). Cows were sampled at 12 d prepartum and at 4, 15, and 29 DIM. To study portal-drained visceral uptake of arterial glucose, [U-¹³C]glucose was continuously infused into the jugular vein on sampling days. Postpartum, voluntary dry matter intake and milk yield increased at a lower rate with the infusion compared with the control. The net portal flux of glucose increased with the infusion compared with the control, and 67 ± 5% of the infused glucose was recovered as increased portal flux of glucose. The net hepatic flux of glucose was lower with the infusion compared with the control; however, the net hepatic flux of glucose per kilogram of dry matter intake was not affected by treatment. The arterial concentrations of glucose and insulin decreased and concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids increased from prepartum to 4 DIM with the control, but these effects were not observed with the infusion. The arterial concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate decreased more from prepartum to 4 DIM with the infusion, compared with the control. Uptake of arterial [U-¹³C]glucose in the portal-drained viscera was affected neither by the infusion nor by the DIM and averaged 2.5 ± 0.2%. The whole-body glucose supply changed to be less dependent on the recycling of lactate (Cori cycle) with the infusion. It was concluded that small intestinal glucose absorption is an efficient source of glucose to the peripheral tissues of dairy cows in very early lactation. At least 67% of the available glucose was recovered in the portal vein without affecting hepatic gluconeogenesis. Infused cows produced less milk and had a lower feed intake, indicating that an improved glucogenic status in very early lactation impaired metabolic adaptations to lactation.     

Adipose tissue insulin receptor and glucose transporter 4 expression,and blood glucose and insulin responses during glucose tolerance tests in transition Holstein cows with different body condition

Glucose uptake in tissues is mediated by insulin receptor (INSR) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of body condition during the dry period on adipose tissue mRNA and protein expression of INSR and GLUT4, and on the dynamics of glucose and insulin following the i.v. glucose tolerance test in Holstein cows 21 d before (d ?21) and after (d 21) calving. Cows were grouped as body condition score (BCS) ≤3.0 (thin, T; n = 14), BCS = 3.25 to 3.5 (optimal, O; n = 14), and BCS ≥3.75 (overconditioned, OC; n = 14). Blood was analyzed for glucose, insulin, fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Adipose tissue was analyzed for INSR and GLUT4 mRNA and protein concentrations. During the glucose tolerance test 0.15 g/kg of body weight glucose was infused; blood was collected at ?5, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min, and analyzed for glucose and insulin. On d ?21 the area under the curve (AUC) of glucose was smallest in group T (1,512 ± 33.9 mg/dL × min) and largest in group OC (1,783 ± 33.9 mg/dL × min), and different between all groups. Basal insulin on d ?21 was lowest in group T (13.9 ± 2.32 µU/mL), which was different from group OC (24.9 ± 2.32 µU/mL. On d ?21 the smallest AUC 5–60 of insulin in group T (5,308 ± 1,214 µU/mL × min) differed from the largest AUC in group OC (10,867 ± 1,215 µU/mL × min). Time to reach basal concentration of insulin in group OC (113 ± 14.1 min) was longer compared with group T (45 ± 14.1). The INSR mRNA abundance on d 21 was higher compared with d ?21 in groups T (d ?21: 3.3 ± 0.44; d 21: 5.9 ± 0.44) and O (d ?21: 3.7 ± 0.45; d 21: 4.7 ± 0.45). The extent of INSR protein expression on d ?21 was highest in group T (7.3 ± 0.74 ng/mL), differing from group O (4.6 ± 0.73 ng/mL), which had the lowest expression. The amount of GLUT4 protein on d ?21 was lowest in group OC (1.2 ± 0.14 ng/mL), different from group O (1.8 ± 0.14 ng/mL), which had the highest amount, and from group T (1.5 ± 0.14 ng/mL). From d ?21 to 21, a decrease occurred in the GLUT4 protein levels in both groups T (d ?21: 1.5 ± 0.14 ng/mL; d 21: 0.8 ± 0.14 ng/mL) and O (d ?21: 1.8 ± 0.14 ng/mL; d 21: 0.8 ± 0.14 ng/mL). These results demonstrate that in obese cows adipose tissue insulin resistance develops prepartum and is related to reduced GLUT4 protein synthesis. Regarding glucose metabolism, body condition did not affect adipose tissue insulin resistance postpartum.     

利用便携式血糖仪测定酱油中的葡萄糖

目的:建立一种方便、快速检测酱油中葡萄糖的方法。方法:用便携式血糖仪检测市售酱油中的葡萄糖,并进行重复性试验、回收试验、线性试验。结果:5种不同品牌酱油的葡萄糖浓度分别是25.38、8.28、31.86、8.82、12.06g/L,标准差SD为0.129,批内CV为2.9%,回收率99.9%～101%,平均回收率100.4%,线性方程为y=4.2608x+2.5929,相关系数R2=0.9991,在0.5～5g/L范围内线性关系良好。结论:便携式血糖仪能检测酱油中葡萄糖含量,为检测酱油中的葡萄糖提供了一种便捷的方法。     

Electrochemical determination of glucose using polyaniline electrode modified by glucose oxidase

Polyaniline (PANI) enzyme electrode was formed by immobilisation of Glucose oxidase (GOx) via glutaraldehyde into electrochemically polymerised PANI on graphite electrode. Electrochemical polymerisation of PANI on graphite was performed from aqueous solution of 1.0 mol dm⁻³ HCl and 0.25 mol dm⁻³ aniline at constant current density of 2.0 mA cm⁻². Hronopotentiometric curves of the PANI enzyme electrode obtained at current density of 10 μA cm⁻² were recorded in different glucose concentrations. The linearity response range was between 1.0 and 5.0 mmol dm⁻³ of glucose concentration. The estimated apparent Michaelis–Menten constant, was K_m^′ = 0.30 mmol dm⁻³, which is significantly lower than that of free enzyme.     

Effect of season and stage of lactation on plasma insulin and glucose following glucose injection in Holstein cattle

Changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations following glucose injection in dairy cows (six per stage of lactation per season) were characterized during early, middle, and late lactation in winter, spring, and summer. Blood samples were collected 60, 45, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, and 0 min (period 1) before glucose injection (.1 g/kg body weight) and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min (period 2) after injection. Plasma insulin concentrations were affected by season, period, season by period interaction, and time within period. Plasma glucose was affected by period, time within period, and stage of lactation by period interaction. Insulin was lowest in summer. Magnitude of insulin response to glucose was highest in spring. Both plasma glucose and insulin increased significantly 5 min following glucose injection. Peak glucose concentrations increased with advancing lactation. Results indicate alterations in glucose metabolism as well as changes in insulin sensitivity to glucose in various seasons and stages of lactation.