EFFECTS OF KETAMINE SEDATION ON GLUCOSE CLEARANCE, INSULIN-SECRETION AND COUNTERREGULATORY HORMONE PRODUCTION IN BABOONS (PAPIO-HAMADRYAS)

Since the effects of ketamine sedation seem to differ between subspeci es of baboons, we assessed the endocrine response to an intravenous gl ucose tolerance test (IVGTT) in 12 hamadryas baboons. The first phase insulin secretion, basal insulin, and glucose levels, as well as the g lucose clearance, were significantly lower in sedated baboons as compa red to fully awake animals. Glucagon and cortisol were significantly h igher, while growth hormone was lower during ketamine sedation. Papio hamadryas appears to be a promising pre-clinical model for the study o f endocrine replacement therapy in insulin-dependent diabetes. However , the data obtained must be interpreted with the knowledge that the an esthetic employed to allow for testing of the animals does have an eff ect on the parameters described in this report.