METABOLIC EFFECTS OF INSULIN, GLUCAGON AN D ADRENERGIC AGONISTS IN LAYING HENS

Insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine and fenoterol were admi nistered to hens br a continuous infusion for 30 minutes sia indwellin g catheters after an overnight fast. A saline infusion served as contr ol experiment. The infusion of glucagon brought about a significant ri se in plasma level of glucose, lactate and glycerol and a significant decrease in plasma level of potassium. On the other hand, a significan t drop in plasma level of glucose, potassium and inorganic phosphorus mas registrated during the insulin infusion. No evidence for an antili polytic effect of insulin was obtained. The infusion of epinephrine an d norepinephrine triggered a significant rise in plasma level of gluco se, lactate and glycerol. However, the infusion of fenoterol brought a bout only a significant hyperglycaemic effect. The infusion of norepin ephrine caused a short increase in plasma concentration of potassium d uring the first 5 minutes, followed by a sharp decrease. An infusion o f epinephrine and fenoterol resulted in a significant drop in plasma l evel of potassium. Beyond it, the infusion of epinephine and fenoterol brought about a significant decrease in plasma level of inorganic pho sphorus.