The influence of central nervous system lesions as well as species difference upon the response to a 0.5 gm./kg. intravenous glucose load has been evaluated in two primate species. The glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFA) and growth hormone response of four control M. mulatta did not differ significantly from that of three monkeys sustaining lesions of the amygdaloid nuclei or four animals with cortical lesions. However, glucose levels were lower and FFA levels higher in eight studies in six M. speciosa following cortical lesions compared to six control M. speciosa. The glucose disappearance rate (Kt) was significantly higher in the operated M. speciosa.
After intravenous glucose administration, the M. speciosa group had a significantly lower glucose response and a higher insulin response than did the M. mulatta. Free fatty acid levels were lower in control M. speciosa compared to M. mulatta, but higher in operated M. speciosa. Reserpinization or acclimatization to a primate chair did not alter the glucose and insulin response of M. mulatta.
