Experimental studies on the blood sugar in reptiles. Effect of fasting, temperature and insulin administration in Psammophis sibilans

Abstract

1. The normal blood sugar of Psammophis Sibilans was determined and it has an almost unconstant value. Its value was between 122 and 132 mg per 100cm3 blood with an average of 127 mg. 2. Starvation up to five months was uneffective on the blood sugar level of Psammophis. 3. The rest reduction determined after different starvation periods was almost constant and its value was 10 mg per 100cm3 blood. 4. The temperature variations have no effect on the blood sugar level. 5. The Psammophis sibilans was resistent to twenty and fourty international units of insulin. 6. The injection of 80 IU. of insulin caused lowering in the blood sugar level 10 hours after the injection. The maximum hypoglycaemia was reached twelve hours after the injection. Fourteen hours after the injection the blood sugar level began to increase reaching the normal level eighteen hours after the insulin administration.