Some physiological and biochemical features of starvation and refeeding in small wild rodents (Microtinae)

Blood glucose and leucocytes and liver glycogen and lipids were investigated in Cl. rutilus and Cl. rufocanus fasted for 0, 6, 12, 18 and 22 hr. It was observed: 1. In both species blood glucose content drops (1.3-1.5 times) by 6 hr, slowly rises by 12 hr and then progressively and strongly declines up to the end of starvation (36% and 27% of control for Cl. rutilus and Cl. rufocanus respectively). 2. Liver glycogen was depleted by 6 hr of fasting while lipids accumulate in liver during starvation in a large quantity (3.4-3.6 times at the end). 3. White blood cells content in fasted animals decreases. At one end of starvation it equals 23% and 16% of control for Cl. rutilus and Cl. rufocanus, respectively. 4. Hypoglycemia in Microtinae during starvation is pronounced compared with that in Muridae. Leucopenia and accumulation of lot of lipids in liver are new phenomena for fasting. 5. After refeeding hyperglycemia develops, the liver accumulates large quantities of glycogen. Recovery of all indexes slow. Complete normalization does not occur by 16 hr of refeeding.