DECREASED GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION DOES NOT INCREASE FOOD-INTAKE IN THE MARSUPIAL SMINTHOPSIS-CRASSICAUDATA

The marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata increases food intake followin g a fast. However, the role of metabolic fuel availability, in particu lar glucose, in the regulation of food intake in this animal is unknow n. In this study, we have demonstrated that neither insulin-induced hy poglycaemia nor metabolic blockade of glucose utilisation with 2-deoxy -D-glucose effects food intake compared to saline-treated controls, su ggesting that mechanisms other than glucose availability are important in the regulation of food intake in this marsupial. These data are di scussed in the context of the role of glucoprivation in feeding in oth er mammals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.