ALLOXAN DIABETES IN SHEEP UNDER FASTING AND NON-FASTING CONDITIONS

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Abstract
A study of exptl. diabetes in sheep was undertaken to provide information on the role of insulin in the ruminant. Diabetes was produced by intraven. admn. of alloxan monohydrate; the diabetogenic dose was found to be 75 mg. per kg. Severe hyperglycemia, glycosuria, ketonemia, and ketonu-ria developed. Urinary N excretion increased almost 2-fold. The ketosis decreased after the first few weeks of diabetes. Those animals with uncomplicated alloxan diabetes survived for 1-5 months without continued insulin therapy. Fasts of 4-8 days caused a diminution or disappearance of glycosuria. The blood glucose fell to normal in 2 instances; the decrease was less in 6 others. Ketonuria and urinary N excretion were also decreased. Ketonemia continued throughout the fast. Glucose tolerance in the normal sheep was low and similar to the diabetic curve except for the glycemic level; fasting caused a further decrease in tolerance in both. The absorption of large quantities of lower fatty acids produced from cellulose and carbohydrate by rumen bacteria is believed to account for the low glucose tolerance of the normal sheep. Body protein apparently is secondary to volatile fatty acids as a source of carbohydrate in the sheep. Underutilization of glucose is also prominent in diabetic sheep.