Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 June 2009
Acetate uptake by isolated perfused guinea-pig mammary glands was approximately l·0 mg g−1 h−1 when perfusate acetate concentrations were in the physiological range (5–11 mg/100 ml plasma). At perfusate concentrations below this range (mean 3·62 mg/100 ml plasma) the uptake was not significantly different, but in one experiment in which the mean acetate concentration was 14·5 mg/100 ml plasma the uptake was markedly elevated. Radioactivity from Na [1-14C]acetate was incorporated into CO2 and milk and tissue fat, being largely present in C16 and C18 fatty acids. The guinea-pig is atypical of non-ruminants and similar to ruminants in respect of the blood concentration and mammary utilization of acetate.