Experimental diabetes mellitus induced by diet in the sand rat

¹ Departments of Zoology and Pathology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

The sand rat (Psammomys obesus), a rodent from the Near East and North Africa, becomes diabetic when raised on standard laboratory feeds. Animals collected in their natural habitat, on the other hand, show no signs of diabetes mellitus. Twelve animals were raised in the laboratory on Purina laboratory chow supplemented with fresh vegetables. Most of these animals developed severe diabetes mellitus as indicated by hyperglycemia, glucosuria, and pathological lesions including cataracts, obesity, and ß-cell degranulation and vacuolization of the pancreatic islet tissue. Ten animals raised entirely on fresh vegetables remained healthy with no signs of diabetes. Plasma and urine glucose concentrations, body weights, and the occurrence of cataracts are reported.

Key Words: sand rat, Psammomys obesus • hyperglycemia • glucosuria

Submitted on June 15, 1964