EFFECTS OF THE LONG-ACTING SOMATOSTATIN ANALOG OCTREOTIDE ON ABOMASALFUNCTION AND PLASMA-LEVEL OF INSULIN AND GLUCAGON IN SHEEP

The effects of the long-acting somatostatin analogue octreotide were s tudied in sheep. Octreotide was given subcutaneously at a dose of 0.75 mu g/kg body weight and, as a control, 0.9% saline solution was injec ted in a change-over design. Octreotide inhibited abomasal acid secret ion and retarded the turnover time of digesta through the abomasum. Th e plasma levels of insulin and glucagon decreased due to the octreotid e injection, while the plasma glucose level was not affected. The effe cts of octreotide lasted for 3-4h. There were no significant effects o f the saline injection. The effects of octreotide showed similarities with results from previous studies on monogastric species.