Age-dependent changes in the sensitivity of the rat to a diabetogenic agent (streptozotocin)

Changes of plasma glucose levels have been investigated in rats of 50, 70, 90, 110 and 150 g BW after the intravenous injection of 0, 40, 60, 80 or 100 mg/kg BW of streptozotocin. The effect of streptozotocin was dependent on the dose used and on the size of the animals. With all animal sizes studied, a transient acute hyperglycemic response to streptozotocin was observed at doses lower than those required to produce persistent hyperglycemia. Smaller animals required higher doses of streptozotocin in order to produce changes comparable to those observed in larger animals.