OBSERVATIONS ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM AND ALLOXAN DIABETES IN A MARSUPIAL (TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA)

Abstract

Bolliger and Whitten (1938) noticed that the urine of the common brushtail phalanger {Trichosurus vulpecula) usually contains reducing substances and gives a positive Bial reaction for pentose. These observations suggested an unusual carbohydrate metabolism in this marsupial and further studies of the urine and blood sugar of normal phalangers were, therefore, undertaken. In addition, alloxan was injected into a number of phalangers and the response to this diabetogenic compound compared with that obtained in higher mammals (Eutheria). METHODS.Blood was obtaineii from the marginal ear veins of fasting and non-fasting animals. After the injection of alloxan by the intravenous or intracardiac route blood specimens were obtained usually at 15, 30, 45, 60 or at 15, 37* and 60 minute intervals. Following these samples, hourly specimens were taken up to eight hours. The course of the ensuing diabetes was followed by daily and later by weekly readings of the blood sugar level. The sugar content of the blood was determined by the method of Somogyi (1945). Urine <;an easily be obtained by presaure on the bladder through the abdominal wall, but when handled the phalanger frequently urinates and spoiitaneonsly voided specimens can be collected. For the detection of reducing .substances Benedict's solution was employed and the urines were tested for pentOHe by Tauber's reaction (1937). The method of McRary and flattery (1945) was used for quantitative determination of substances reacting with orcinol usually assumed to be pentoses.A pure preparation of alloxan monahydrate (Kodak) was made up as an approximately

The Effects of Cortisone on Nitrogen Balance and Glucose Metabolism in Diabetic and Normal Kangaroos, Sheep and Rabbits

“…Adams & Bolliger (1954) found that hypoglycaemia failed to appear after the injection of alloxan into the marsupial Trichosurus vulpécula and concluded that this represented a unique response to alloxan in mammals. However, in rabbits the presence or absence of the hyperglycaemic phase is a function of the length of the period of fasting before injection of alloxan (Griffiths, 1947).…”

Source of seminal N-acetylglucosamine in Australian marsupials and further studies of free sugars of the marsupial prostate gland

“…By 60 days after hypophysectomy, N-acetylglucosamine concentrations had fallen to only slightly below the 4-day figures and were of the same order as those found in the other segments of the prostate of normal breeding animals ( (Griffiths, McIntosh & Leckie 1969 ;Renfree 1970). In contrast, the possum, a non-ruminant herbivore which has high blood glucose levels around 120 mg/100 g (Adams & Bolliger, 1954), has a similar prostatic glucose pattern to the tammar wallaby. Species differences in blood glucose levels cannot apparently be used to explain these differences in seminal and prostatic glucose.…”

Quantitative estimation of islet tissue of pancreas in possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)

“…. 459 .. 461 Non-ruminant herbivorous marsupials, like the Brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula resemble their eutherian counterparts (Adams & Bolliger, 1954) in metabolic functions. They have, however, higher levels of glucose and lower levels of volatile fatty acids in their blood than ruminant species (Barker, 1961 ).…”

“…Evidence supporting this comes not only from studies of volatile fatty acid uptake but also from observations on the effects of pancreatic hormones such as insulin on blood sugar levels (White & Harrop, 1975). Diabetes induced by the injection of alloxan is tolerated better by non-ruminant than ruminant species (Adams & Bolliger, 1954;Grifflths, Mclntosh & Leckie, 1969). It seems likely that the hyperglycemia after the injection of alloxan depends on the level of glycogen in liver and that Trichosurus has a high liver glycogen content (Grifflths et al, 1969).…”