Glucose tolerance in the toad <i>Bufo gutturalis</i> (Power)

Abstract

Some aspects of glucose homeostasis were investigated in the toad Bufo gutturalis. Normal blood glucose and liver glycogen levels were determined and glucose tolerance tests were performed on laboratory acclimatized toads. The mean blood glucose concentration in such animals fasted for 48 h was 2,94 ± 0,65 mmol/l and 8,8 ± 2,62% of the wet mass of the liver consisted of glycogen. The rate of removal of glucose from the blood was directly dependent on the dose of glucose administered; the greater the dose the faster the removal rate. The renal threshold for glucose is between 3,22 and 5,64 mmol/l blood glucose.