Metabolic effects of cortisol, ACTH, adrenalin and insulin in the marsupial sugar glider, Petaurus breviceps

The effects of cortisol, ACTH, adrenalin and insulin on indices of carbohydrate, fat and protein metab-olism were investigated in the conscious marsupial sugar glider Petaurus breviceps. Short-term i.v. infusion of cortisol at dose rates of 0\m=.\02,0\m=.\2and 1\m=.\0mg/kg per h caused the plasma glucose concentration to rise sharply from the normal range of 3\m=.\3\p=n-\4\m=.\4to 8\m=.\1\p=n-\8\m=.\7 mmol/l at the end of the infusion period without significant alteration in plasma free fatty acid (FFA), amino acid or urea con-centrations. Infusions of ACTH at dose rates of 0\m=.\02, 0\m=.\06and 0\m=.\45 IU/kg per h caused a similar rise in plasma glucose concentration; however, this was now accompanied by an elevation in plasma FFA concen