RESPONSE OF FASTED AND NONFASTED CHICKS TO INSULIN12

Abstract

The % decrease in the blood glucose of 250-300 g. chicks treated with light doses of insulin is a function of the logarithm of the dose. There is an over-compensation with the heavier doses proportional to the dose, and the duration, therefore, bears an inverse relation to the dose. A possible method of insulin assay is outlined using the % decrease of blood glucose 11/2 hrs. after inj. and comparing these values with those obtained from a group of chicks receiving a standard dose of insulin. The error is less than 10% by the method outlined in this paper. Non-fasted chicks receiving moderate daily doses of insulin exhibit an increased blood glucose and liver glycogen 24 hrs. after inj. Fasted chicks receiving heavy doses of insulin, (120 units/kg.), likewise show higher liver glycogen and blood glucose than their controls. The suggestion is made that these increases, particularly in the fasted series, are wholly, or in part, due to an increased adrenal cortical secretion. A total of 599 chicks was used.