Observations upon Hypophysectomized-Depancreatized Cats

Abstract

Houssay and Biasotti, 1 Barnes and Regan 2 and others have demonstrated the prolongation of life and amelioration of the diabetes that follows total pancreatectomy in the hypophysectomized dog. During the last few months observations have been made upon 2 cats in which total pancreatectomy was performed 2 weeks after hypophysectomy. There was no loss of weight in the period between the 2 operations. One animal died in hypoglycemia on the 35th day after pancreatectomy, the other was killed on the 85th day while still in good health for liver glycogen determination (0.8 g %). Neither of these animals received insulin at any time. Both of the animals lost almost 50% of their body weight during the periods noted. They were somewhat apathetic in their behavior and showed considerable muscular flaccidity although capable of ordinary activity with no apparent distress. Their appetite was capricious but their food intake was usually ample for the caloric requirements of normal animals.

In 9 control animals the average length of life after pancreatectomy or withdrawal of insulin was 4 days (range 2–7 days). The glycosuria averaged 5–10 gm. daily in spite of the fact that the animals usually refused food after the second day.