Studies on carbohydrates in reptiles

Summary

• 1. The effect of excess adrenaline in the body on blood glucose was worked out at different temperature ranging from 15° to 45° C. A comparatively delayed action of adrenaline preparations was observed in Uromastyx reaching for example 3 hours at 20° C. This delay is shortened to half an hour at 45° C.

• 2. A relation occurs between the dose of adrenaline administered in the body and the magnitude and duration of hyperglycemia produced.

• 3. The rate of disposal of glucose from the blood stream after the injection of either glucose or adrenaline is very comparable. This indicates that the mechanism responsible for removal of excess glucose from the blood is the same irrespective of the factors causing the hyperglycemia.

• 4. After adrenaline administrations, a decrease in glycogen content was observed in liver, skeletal muscles, mucosal part of the stomach, gonads and peritoneal sacs. A comparable increase in glycogen content of the tissues of lung, heart, kidney, plain muscle, brain and in glucose content of blood occurs.

• 5. The time of action of adrenaline varies according to the mode and site of introduction of the hormone into the body. Thus intrathoracic injections have comparatively faster action than intra-abdomenal ones. It was also found that, the longer the period during which adrenaline is introduced into the body, the more effective it is on the glycogen content of the different tissues.