Effects of Potato Beetle Hemolymph Injections on Physiological Responses in the Albino Rat

Abstract

The hemolymph of both the potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and the false potato beetle, Leptinotarsa juncta, injected intraperitoneally into white rats produced deviant physiological responses. Monitoring showed a decrease in injected rats' temperatures. Injected rats showed an increase in serum glucose and serum urea. An increase in the serum-enzyme activity of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminace, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase also occurred. Fluctuations in serum ions showed a decrease in sodium concentration, but an increase in levels of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Beetle-hemolymph injections appeared to cause a change in the rats' hemic tissue intergrity. Perturbation of the hemic integrity resulted in a state of shock which resembled anaphylactic shock.