[Alloxan induced long term diabetes in the domestic pig. I]

An insulin-deficient diabetes of long duration was induced by intravenous injection of alloxanmonohydrate (200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body mass, respectively) in 23 pigs (Landrace, Duroc) of 20-44 kg body mass. The dose of 200 mg/kg body mass was too high and there were fatal outcomes only. With the dose of 100 mg/kg and an initial body mass of 30-35 kg it is possible to induce a chronic diabetes mellitus in the pig. As complications we observed intoxications caused by alloxan, hypoglycemic situations from the 6th hour after application of alloxan with possible hypoglycemic damages, and septic complications by the intravenous catheter. Five out of 23 animals are still alive, 2 animals for 31 months and the others for 19 months. All the living animals have plasma glucose levels between 11 and 17 mmol/1 with very low values of plasma insulin. The serum triglycerides increased slightly in some cases, but not the serum cholesterol. The weight gain is retarded.