Blood Sugar Changes in Avian Polyneuritis.

Abstract

One of the most striking symptoms found at autopsy of a polyneuritic pigeon, is the remarkable condition of the alimentary canal. The entire gastro-intestinal tract is gorged with food, yet the pigeons appear to be starving. The small intestine in the region of the pancreas atrophys to such an extent that the wall is almost transparent. The pancreas also atrophys. The typical coral pink color of health changes to a dead white or gray and small hemorrhages are generally visible. When examined histologically, the pancreas shows marked changes. McCanison 1 regards pancreatic insufficiency as one of the most important of the effects of food deficiency.

There is also in polyneuritic pigeons a marked decrease in efficiency of the digestive enzymes. This investigation was undertaken in order to determine what effect, if any, the above changes would have on blood sugar. Funk and von Shonborn 2 reported hyperglycemia in pigeons when placed on a diet deficient in vitamin B for 14 days. Funk 3 later repeated the work in an attempt to determine what effect extracts of the ductless glands would have on polyneuritis. He says, “each of the substances to be tested was administered to pigeons on normal food (serving as controls), and to pigeons fed on polished rice for several days, after which the animals were bled from the heart by means of a canulae under A. C. E. anesthesia.” The effect of ether anesthesia on blood sugar is well known. The pigeons in the last investigation were fed polished rice but twelve days. In neither group was the stage of convulsive attack reached.

Eggleton and Gross, studying the effects of polyneuritis on rats, contradicted Funk's findings. They furnish a graph showing a lowering of the blood sugar after 50 days on Vitamin B deficient diet.