Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2000; 108(1): 14-20
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1329210
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart - New York

Influence of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and insulin treatment on the pituitarv-testicular axis during sexual maturation in rats

S. Sudha
,
G. Valli
,
P. Mary Julie
,
J. Arunakaran
,
P. Govindarajulu
,
K. Balasubramanian
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 September 2012 (online)

Summary:

Effects of streptozotocin (STZ) — diabetes and insulin treatment on the functioning of pituitary-testicular axis during sexual maturation was studied. Prepubertal (30 days old) and pubertal (50 days old) male Wistar rats were made diabetic by a single injection of STZ. A group of diabetic rats was given insulin (3U/100 g b.wt./day in 2 equally divided doses), 3 days after STZ treatment. Prepubertal and pubertal rats of all groups were killed on postnatal days 51 and 71, respectively. STZ-diabetes caused marked reduction in serum LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone and testicular interstitial fluid testosterone as well as the activities of Leydig cellular steroidogenic enzymes (3β-and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases). Insulin treatment to diabetic rats maintained these changes at control range except FSH and prolactin in prepubertal rats. The results indicate that (i) diabetes-induced steroidogenic lesions in Leydig cells represent a direct consequence of dysfunctioning of pituitary-testicular axis, (ii) the adverse effects of diabetes on pituitary-testicular functions are influenced by age of its induction and (iii) optimum insulin level is essential for the acquisition of Leydig cellular steroidogenic efficacy during sexual development.