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This Article Accepted manuscript (PDF) All Versions of this Article: JOE-07-0627v1 198/1/135    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Scrimgeour, K. Articles by Wynn, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Scrimgeour, K. Articles by Wynn, P.

K Scrimgeour, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
R Newman, Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, 2570, Australia
L Giles, Dept Primary Industries, Camden, Australia
M Gresham, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
P Thomson, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
P Wynn, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia

Correspondence: Ronald Newman, Email: ronaldn{at}camden.usyd.edu.au

Abstract

Secretory characteristics of the ghrelin profile for the pig are still unknown. Our objective was to clarify the mechanisms that influence ghrelin secretion during differing feeding patterns. Pigs were initially fed a commercial pelleted diet offered ad libitum and blood samples collected for 24h at intervals of 1h. The pigs were then entrained for 17 days to a twice daily interval feeding regimen (0900h–1000h and 1600h–1700h) and blood samples were collected for 12h (0800h–1800h). This was followed by a similar interval feeding and blood sampling regimen with the 0900h–1000h feeding period being replaced by a sham feed where pigs were shown their usual feed but none offered. During the ad libitum feeding regimen there was no pre-prandial rise or post-prandial fall in circulating plasma total ghrelin concentration, which remained constant throughout the sampling period. In addition, no pre-prandial rise or post-prandial fall in ghrelin concentrations was observed when pigs were fed either twice or once daily; however plasma ghrelin concentration rose gradually over the 12h sampling period during the twice daily feeding regimen and increased further when pigs were fed once per day. This increase in ghrelin levels coincided with an increase in plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations and was not associated with either plasma glucose or insulin concentrations. These results suggest that circulating total plasma ghrelin concentrations in the pig appear to be influenced by chronic changes in energy balance rather than the feeding pattern per se.