Alloxan Induced Glycaemic Changes vis-a-vis Clinical Pattern of Acute Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculas)

Alloxan induced diabetic rabbit models are increasingly used for diabetological investigations. However, its acute glycaemic changes and clinical effects in the species have not been described. The purpose of present study was to investigate the acute glycaemic changes and clinical pattern of alloxan induced hypoglycaemia in rabbits. New Zealand White rabbits, 1–1.5 kg body weight, were administered alloxan @100mg/kg b.w., as single intravenous dose. Blood glucose levels were monitored (0h, 20min, 1h, and then hourly up to 5h) and clinical signs noted. Rabbits surviving up to 5 hours were given glucose therapy. Alloxan caused immediate transient hypoglycaemia, followed by hyperglycaemia, and then progressively severe hypoglycaemia. 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, lordosis, and progressing to abdominal recumbency followed by sprawling posture with torticollis, and scoliosis. Severely affected rabbits revealed intermittent convulsions and died in coma. Alloxan induced a characteristic multiphasic immediate response in rabbits similar to one reported in other rodents. The paper also describes in detail the characteristic behavioural changes associated with progression of hypoglycaemia which may serve as a guide for institution of glucose therapy.