Streptozotocin Induced Acute Clinical Effects in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Streptozotocin (STZ) is used for induction of Type-1 diabetes mellitus in animal models. Its beta-cytotoxic action results in sudden release of insulin leading to severe hypoglycaemia and even mortality. However, its sensitivity varies with species. Present investigation was aimed at studying STZ induced acute clinical effects in rabbits.

Streptozotocin @ 65 mg/kg b.w. was administered to thirteen New Zealand White rabbits, 1-1.5 kg body weight, as single intravenous dose in 1mL citrate buffer, pH 4.6. Blood glucose levels were recorded before drug administration and then at 20 min, 1h, and hourly up to 9 hours post-treatment followed by intravenous and oral glucose therapy. Clinical signs were noted.

STZ caused immediate hyperglycaemia up to 4 hours, and then progressively severe hypoglycaemia up to 9 hours. Hypoglycaemia caused characteristic behavioural alterations including lethargy, dullness, sitting quietly but appearing alert, followed by aesthesia and then muscular weakness with characteristic postural changes starting from drooping of head and torticollis, Rabbits recovered following glucose therapy. Marked individual variations in response vis-a-vis onset and severity of glycaemic changes were observed.

STZ induced a characteristic multiphasic immediate response in rabbits similar to one reported in other rodents. Behavioural changes were characteristic of hypoglycaemia warranting early management in order to avoid fatalities.