Yucatan Miniature Swine as a Model for the Study of Human Diabetes Mellitus

Two lines of Yucatan miniature swine have been developed by genetic selection for decreased and increased glucose clearance during an i.v. glucose tolerance test. The decreased glucose clearance is due to low peripheral insulin levels usually from a decrease in insulin secretion. In two pigs the decreased peripheral insulin resulted from increased hepatic uptake of insulin. During gestation and lactation, an increased insulin resistance and a diabetic-like state occurs in some animais. When fed a low fiber diet that contains 40% of calories from saturated fat (a typical American diet), Yucatan swine become more glucose intolerant. Seven to ten animals on the diet from the glucose intolerant line showed a glucose tolerance curve that would have been classified as diabetic if they were humans utilizing both intravenous and oral glucose tolerance tests. Miniature swine from this line are available to interested researchers.