Summary
Spontaneous diabetes in the domestic pig, an animal suitable for metabolic and endocrine
studies and for experimental surgery, is extremely rare. In this study we have compared
the diabetogenic response of various doses of Streptozotocin in comparison to surgically
induced diabetes.
Streptozotocin in a low dose, 35 mg/kg body weight did not influence glucose metabolism
while an intermediate dose, 85 mg/kg, resulted in a transient diabetic reaction. Streptozotocin,
100-150 mg/kg body weight, caused a complete and permanent diabetes. Animals made
diabetic by means of pancreatectomy did not survive more than 10 days due to their
poor general condition and diabetes. Streptozotocin induced diabetic animals survived
with insulin treatment up to seven months.
The results show that juvenile pigs made diabetic with 100-150 mg/kg body weight of
Streptozotocin may be useful in experimental work on glucose-, insulin- and C-peptide-metabolism
in a large animal. Therefore it is potentially useful in pancreatic transplantation
research.
Key-Words:
Experimental Diabetes
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Streptozotocin
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Glucose Tolerance
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Insulin
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C-Peptide
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Juvenile Pigs
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Growth Rate
