Separation of protein and lactose intake over meals dissociates postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations and reduces postprandial insulin responses in heavy veal calves

The present study examined, at identical daily nutrient intakes, the impact of separating protein and lactose intakes across two daily meals on the metabolic and endocrine status in heavy veal calves. Calves were assigned to one of six degrees of separating protein and lactose over the two meals (termed nutrient synchrony, SYN 1–6; 6 calves/treatment). They were fed the protein-rich (P-)meal and the lactose-rich (L-)meal at 06:00 and 18:00 h, respectively, or vice versa. At SYN 1, calves were fed with 50% of the daily protein and 50% of the daily lactose intake in each meal. Protein and lactose were iso-energetically exchanged between the two daily meals from SYN 1 to 6. At SYN 6, 85% of the daily protein and 20% of the daily lactose was fed in the P-meal and the remainder in the L-meal. Blood samples were collected hourly during 24 h. Mean 24 h glucose concentrations increased and insulin concentrations decreased from SYN 1 to 6. Postprandial 5 h areas under concentration curves (AUC0–5 h) of glucose increased with increasing meal lactose content. AUC0–5 h of non-esterified fatty acids increased after P- and L-meals from SYN 1 to 6. Urea concentrations increased after L-meals from SYN 1 to 6, but decreased after P-meals from SYN 1 to 6. Insulin AUC0–5 h decreased after L-meals and after P-meals from SYN 1 to 6. Nutrient asynchrony did not affect insulin-like growth factor-1, glucagon, growth hormone, leptin, 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine and thyroxine. In conclusion, separation of protein and lactose intake over meals inhibited insulin responses to a lactose-rich meal in heavy veal calves despite high plasma glucose concentrations.