Pancreatic hormones in the nonhibernating and hibernating golden mantled ground squirrel.

The effects of hibernation on pancreatic insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide was investigated in the golden mantled ground squirrel (Citellus lateralis). During hibernation, pancreatic organ weight decreased to 57% of the nonhibernating weight. The content of all four pancreatic hormones during hibernation was significantly reduced. The concentrations of insulin, pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin, but not of glucagon, were significantly reduced during hibernation. The maintenance of the pancreatic glucagon concentration during hibernation may be related to its role in counter-regulation and carbohydrate homeostasis during fasting.