Effects of manipulations of glucoregulation on feeding in the ground squirrel

Insulin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) stimulate feeding in rats, while glucagon inhibits feeding. We report here their effects on food intake in the 13-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecumlinectus). These hibernating animals are an interesting model for studying appetite regulation because of the marked seasonal variations in food consumption. Food intake reached a peak of 286±7 g/kg/day in mid July, decreasing to 16.1±3 g/kg/day in September. Studies during the hyperphagic period showed that glucagon (0.5 to 1 mg/kg) decreased feeding 30 minutes post injection (p<0.01) whereas at 4 hours glucagon produced a 37% increase in feeding (p<0.05). During the hypophagic period, glucagon failed to alter food consumption. Insulin (5-100 Units/kg) produced no effect on feeding in hyperphagic animals despite a decrease in glucose from 193±10 mg/dl to 55±4 mg/dl after 100 Units/kg. However, insulin (50 and 100 Units/kg) resulted in significant increases in food consumption at 2 and 4 hours (p<0.01 and 0.05, respectively) when administered while the animals were hypophagic. 2-DG (250-750 mg/kg) increased food consumption (hyperphagic phase) by 76% at 20 hours (p<0.01) with significant increases being present as early as 4 hours, although when 2-DG was given to hypophagic animals it resulted in decreased food intake at 4 hours (p<0.05). We conclude that the effects of glucoregulatory manipulations on food consumption are markedly influenced by the circannual rhythm of feeding in the 13-lined ground squirrel.