Abstract
The lifespan and fertility of albino sand rats were found to be severely reduced in comparison with a laboratory colony of brown sand rats. The albinos were also much more susceptible to diabetes, as judged by their glucose tolerance. In fact, untreated albinos had a higher incidence of diabetic response than coloured sand rats fed a diabetogenic diet. The albino sand rats reproduced poorly because of a reduction in male fertility. Circulating testosterone levels and seminal vesicle weights were reduced in the albinos. It is speculated that the reduction in reproductive capacity is related to diabetes.