Evolution of oxidative metabolism of submandibular gland and testes in pancreatectomized rats

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of prolonged mild diabetes on the submandibular salivary glands and testes of male rats over a 22-month period. Diabetes was induced by means of a subtotal pancreatectomy in a group of male rats. Body weight was registered monthly as well as the blood glucose values after fasting the animals. These values were compared with those obtained in sham-operated animals. The weight of pancreatectomized animals was always slightly higher than that of the controls although the differences were not significant, whereas blood glucose values were slightly higher in experimental animals. Testis O2 uptake in pancreatectomized animals was significantly lower than in controls 8 months after the operation. From this time on, the values of experimental animals rose, reaching a maximum value 20 months after the operation. Submandibular glands in pancreatectomized animals showed an O2 uptake that was always higher in experimental animals and reached a maximum value at 20 months.