Simulated Diabetes Testing Experiment Using Artificially Manipulated Livestock Blood

Due to the prevalence of diabetes and lack of simple endocrine experiments, a laboratory protocol was developed in order to increase student knowledge of the disease and the diabetic testing process. In this paper, we present the protocol for manipulating the glucose concentration of commercially available bovine blood. The bovine blood was manipulated using Ringer's solution to which glucose was added, and six samples were prepared (pre-prandial and postprandial, normal; pre-prandial and postprandial, pre-diabetic; pre-prandial and postprandial, diabetic). This laboratory exercise provides a physical, hands-on student activity that highlights pancreatic endocrinology and the results of pancreatic malfunction. The laboratory exercise is relatively inexpensive and can be performed in under an hour. Students in Human Anatomy and Physiology II performed the experiment using glucose meters. When tested, the blood samples’ glucose readings were consistently within the desired ranges. The post-laboratory questions were designed to assess student knowledge of diabetes upon completion of the experiment. The students also completed a pre-laboratory and post-laboratory survey, and these results were also recorded and tabulated. Upon completion, the majority of students (164 of 209) reported an increase in knowledge concerning diabetes. An overwhelming majority (190 of 209) of the students enjoyed the laboratory exercise. Bovine blood was used in the experiment to ensure realism, and 194 of the students believed that this experiment was realistic given the constraints (i.e., using simulated blood). Due to student results and survey answers, it was deduced that this laboratory exercise was successful