EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON THE INSULIN REQUIREMENT AND RESPONSE TO FASTING OF “TOTALLY” PANCREATECTOMIZED RATS

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Abstract
Hypophysectomy reduced but did not abolish the need for insulin in "totally" pancreatectomized rats when tube-fed. The reduction in insulin requirement occurred within 24 hours after the removal of the pituitary gland. When insulin was withheld and tube-feeding continued, the doubly operated rats died within 2 days with blood glucose levels of 1370 mg/100 ml. Hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and increased nitrogen excretion did not occur in the hypophysectomized-pancreatectomized rats when fasted. Hypophysectomy prevented the development of ketonuria, fatty kidneys, and fatty livers in pancreatectomized rats, fasted or fed, when deprived of insulin.