Metabolic effects of partial pancreatectomy in the Northern pike, Esox Indus L.

Metabolic effects of partial pancreatectomy (70%) after 1 month were studied in the Northern pike, Esox lucius L. Plasma protein and haematocrit levels were significantly reduced in the pancreatectomised fish when compared with sham-operated controls. By contrast, however, blood glucose, plasma amino acid nitrogen and cholesterol levels remained unaltered.
The tolerance to intra-arterial glucose and amino acid loading was compared in pancreatectomised and control fish. Pancreatectomy resulted in a significantly impaired clearance of amino acids from the plasma whereas glucose tolerance was similar in both groups. Neither glucose nor ketones could be detected in the urine of pancreatectomised pike after 1 month. These data indicate that partial pancreatectomy does not cause the development of a diabetic state in this species over a 1 month period.