The development of metabolic acidosis during neonatal sepsis with group B streptococci (GBS) has been attributed to progressive tissue ischemia resulting from reduced oxygen delivery (QO2). Using an animal model of GBS disease, we attempted to test this hypothesis by comparing the development of metabolic acidosis in two groups of piglets with comparably diminished systemic QO2, one septic and one not. Eighteen anaesthetized piglets were instrumented to observe aortic pressure, cardiac output, arterial and mixed venous blood gases, oxygen content, and hemoglobin concentration. QO2, oxygen consumption, and oxygen extraction ratio were calculated. Six piglets (group 1) received continuous infusion of live GBS organisms; six piglets (group 2) received continuous infusion of phenylephrine (PE), beginning with 10-micrograms/kg/min and increasing as required to match the PE-induced reduction in QO2 to the fall observed in the group 1 (GBS) piglets at each 30-min interval. Group 3 piglets (n = 6) received 0.9% saline and served as controls. No differences in either cardiac output or QO2 were noted comparing GBS and PE piglets at any time interval from 0-180 minutes. At 120, 150, and 180 minutes, both QO2 and cardiac output were lower in GBS and PE piglets compared to controls. Despite equivalent reductions in cardiac output and QO2, only GBS piglets developed significant metabolic acidosis, while pH and base deficit for PE piglets did not differ from controls. Oxygen consumption did not differ significantly among the three experimental groups at any observation time. Oxygen extraction ratio did not differ comparing PE and GBS piglets at any observation time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)