Effect of CoCl₂ on the Cells of Endocrine Pancreas in the Snake (Natrix n. natrix)

Abstract

1. Administration of CoCl₂ induces a discontinuous three-phase hyperglycemia in the snake (n. Natrix natrix).
2. Initial hyperglycemia seems to be of adrenalinic origin, a fact demonstrated by treatment with ergotamine and reserpine resulting in no or only a negligible hyperglycemia, respectively.
3. The decrease of hyperglycemia in the interval from 6 to 9 hours is due to a hyperinsulinemia of B-pancreatic origin, a result of the property of Co of crystallizing insulin. This fact is evidenced electron microscopically by the growth of the relationship between crystallized and non-crystallized granules.
4. Finally, compensatory hyperglycemia is of A₂-pancreatic origin, illustrated both by increased secretion indices of A₂ cells, such as partial degranulation of the cells, as well as by increased proteinic synthesis indices, i.e. ergastoplasm development, a multitude of ribosomes, occurrence of granules of small dimensions.

Key words

Endocrine Pancreas - Snake - CoCl₂ Action - Electron Microscopy - Glycemia