Glycosylated haemoglobin levels in a colony of spontaneously diabetic rabbits

Elevated glycosylated haemoglobin values have been observed in overtly diabetic animals from a colony of spontaneously diabetic rabbits. Chemically diabetic and normal animals did not show elevated levels. Overtly diabetic animals averaged 12.2% glycosylated haemoglobin versus 4.3% for chemically diabetic and 3.9% for normal animals. Increased levels did not correlate with plasma glucose concentration. Some chemically diabetic and normal animals progressed with time to a more severe diabetic classification. Glycosylated haemoglobin levels at the high end of the range of values for normal animals are predictive of this progression especially in certain litters.