Abstract
Acute toxicity of Streptozotocin (SZ) was examined in 3-month-old APA hamsters at dose levels of 0 (C). 20 (T1), 40 (T2), and 60mg/kg b.w. (T3-group). In T3-group, depression of body weight gain was recorded and a death occurred to one male 3 days after administration. Changes in blood chemical and urinary parameters suggestive of the existence of functional disorders in the liver and kidney were observed in male of T2-and T3-groups and in females of T3-group. In these groups, prominent elevation of blood glucose level was also recorded. Histopathological changes were mainly observed in the liver (fatty change and decrease of glycogen granules in hepatocytes). pancreas (atrophy and degeneration of beta cells with decrease of insulin granules). lymphoid organs (depression of lymphocytes), and kidney (fatty change in proximal tubule epithelium and necrosis in distal tubule epithelium). Most of these changes were detected in males of T2-and T3-groups and in females of T3group, but renal lesions were found only in T3-group. On the other hand, similar but far less severe changes were noticed in males of T3-group of Std: golden hamsters employed as a control strain.
