Diabetes mellitus in the Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

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Abstract
Glucose intolerance was found in 4 adult chimpanzees. The response of glucose, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon to i.v. glucose and tolbutamide stimulations revealed impaired glucose clearance, deficient pancreatic secretion of insulin and C-peptide and elevated glucagon levels. Pancreatic islets in a diabetic chimpanzee were hypercellular, possibly due to .alpha.-cells. Minimal or no insulin was observed in .beta.-cells. Results are consistent with the occurrence of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, which may be more prevalent in chimpanzees than heretofore suspected.