Monitoring blood glucose levels in female mink during the reproductive cycle: 2. Effects of short-term fish oil, chromium picolinate, and acetylsalicylic acid supplementation during late lactation.

Mink nursing sickness is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia that is similar to the metabolic syndrome associated with type 2, or non-insulin-dependent, diabetes mellitus. This research studied the effects of short-term administration of antidiabetic supplements on the blood glucose concentration in female mink during late lactation. Female mink that had blood glucose levels < 5.5 mmol/L (normoglycemic [NG]) or > or = 5.5 mmol/L (hyperglycemic [HG]) early in lactation were given daily supplements of various combinations of herring oil (HerO, 3% in diet), chromium picolinate (CrPic, 200 microg), and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 100 mg) for 1 wk starting at day 21 post partum. In the NG mink, most of the treatments did not significantly change the blood glucose concentration from day 28 to 42 post partum. However, treatment with ASA alone and treatment with the combination HerO-CrPic-ASA elevated the blood glucose levels when compared with those of the control group, which had received just the basal diet. In the HG mink, all treatment combinations except CrPic alone and ASA alone, reduced the blood glucose concentration. Thus, in lactating mink with hyperglycemia, the blood glucose concentration may be effectively lowered by dietary antidiabetic supplementation; however, because hyperglycemia also occurs before nursing, preventive measures are recommended throughout the year.

Monitoring blood glucose levels in female mink during the reproductive cycle: 1. Prevention of hyperglycemia during the nursing period.

Nursing sickness, the largest cause of death in female adult mink, is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The impacts of body condition, dietary supplements, and reproductive status on the blood glucose concentration in female mink during the reproductive cycle were investigated. Mink dams on 3 farms were assigned to receive either herring oil (HerO) or chromium picolinate (CrPic) or to be in a control group, receiving only the basal diet, for 6 wk at the onset of lactation. Hyperglycemia was observed throughout the reproductive cycle. Significant differences in blood glucose levels were observed between farms, emphasizing the importance of herd genetics and of animal management and feeding practices in glycemic regulation. Female mink exhibiting hyperglycemia early in the reproductive cycle tended to remain hyperglycemic and to have poorer health and fewer kits. Glucose levels > 7 mmol/L can be considered critical in this regard. Supplementing the diet with CrPic reduced the blood glucose concentration. Results from this study suggest that a diet containing high-quality n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, high levels of carbohydrate, and CrPic supplementation may help the nursing mink dam maintain a normal blood glucose concentration during lactation.