A functional, insulin-secreting pancreatic (islet cell) carcinoma was diagnosed in a 17-year-old male Siamese cat. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs (i.e., seizures and stupor) that resolved temporarily after correction of hypoglycemia with feeding or intravenous administration of glucose, the finding of an inappropriately increased serum insulin concentration in the face of hypoglycemia, and prolonged resolution of hypoglycemia after surgical removal of the tumor. Primary islet cell tumor of the pancreas was confirmed by biopsy. The cat died 18 months later, and necropsy revealed metastases to regional lymph nodes and liver. INSULIN-SECRETING pancreatic (islet cell) tumors leading to hypoglycemia are well recognized in human beings,' dogs,*-' and ferrets,6 but they have not been well documented in cats. This report describes the clinical, serum biochemical, and pathologic findings in an elderly cat with an insulin-secreting tumor of the pancreas. Materials and MethodsSerum insulin was measured with a commercial radioimmunoassay kit.* Assay of serial dilutions of a feline serum pool containing increased insulin concentrations (approximately 400 pmol/L) resulted in inhibition curves with slopes parallel with the standard curve. Accuracy was determined by adding various quantities of purified pork regular insulin to a feline serum pool containing an undetectable concentration of insulin; analysis of the resulting data revealed an average recovery of 94%. The sensitivity of the insulin assay was 35 pmol/L. The intra-and interassay coefficients of variation were 8.1% and 1476, respectively. Immunocytochemical staining was done with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunoperoxidase method as previously described,'.* with polyclonal antibodies against guinea pig insulin,t porcine glucagon,? human gastrin,? pancreatic polypeptide,? and somatostatin? and bovine neuron specific enolase,? and chromogranin A.S Case ReportA 17-year-old male castrated Siamese cat was examined because of previously diagnosed hypoglycemic seizures. The seizures were grand mal, unassociated with meals, and responsive to oral corn syrup. The seizures had begun 18 months previously and were increasing in frequency.Three and 1 1 months before examination, the cat had two episodes of severe regenerative anemia (PCV =

A B S T R A C T Biologically active androgens and peripheral androgen metabolites in plasma were measured in 25 women with idiopathic hirsutism (IH). Plasma testosterone was not significantly elevated. Free testosterone however was increased although the elevation was not impressive (10.9±6.6 SD vs. 3.3±1.5 ng/dl) and one-fourth of the cases had normal unbound testosterone. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) values were elevated (23.5±14 vs. 12.5±3.59) but again over half of the values were within the normal range. In our series of mild to moderate cases, 3a-diol was not at all discriminatory. However, plasma 3a-diol glucuronide was markedly increased (604±376 vs. 40±10 ng/dl), and elevated in all but one mild case. Previous studies document that DHT is the important androgen in skin and formation of DHT and 3at-diol is markedly increased in vitro in IH. Since 3a-diol glucuronide is derived largely from extrasplanchnic events, f3-glucuronidase is present in skin, and androgen stimulates formation of the enzyme in extrasplanchnic tissue, we conclude that 3a-diol glucuronide is a marker of peripheral androgen action and markedly elevated in IH.