Abstract
The effects of short term food deprivation on circadian plasma insulin, growth hormone,
corticosterone and glucose patterns were studied in male rats. Insulin in the fed
controls increased significantly during the latter part of the light phase as previously
reported. Insulin in fasted rats also increased significantly during the latter part
of the light phase but levels were below fed animals. The late afternoon increase
of insulin in fed and fasted animals was not being driven by the glucose rhythms but
plasma glucose appeared responsive to insulin changes. Growth hormone and prolactin
were significantly elevated in fasting animals during part of the day as compared
to fed animals. Corticosterone patterns were similar in fed and fasted animals.
Key words
Rat - Fasting - Insulin - Growth Hormone - Prolactin - Corticosterone - Glucose
1 Present address: Department of Animal Physiology, University of California, Davis,
California 95616.
