In experimental animal models, gonadal axis lesions are probably responsible for reproductive disorders associated with diabetes mellitus. The pathogenesis of these disorders is not yet known, but it is assumed that insulin deficiency plays an important role. To check this hypothesis, we have investigated the hypothalamopituitary-gonadal axis of insulin-treated streptozocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats and compared it with that of untreated diabetic and control animals. Insulin was delivered by subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps. Furthermore, to determine whether possible beneficial insulin effects are selectively limited to the gonadal axis or act generally, we also studied retinal microangiopathy. The hypothalamopituitary-gonadal axis of insulin-treated diabetic animals was almost unchanged. On the contrary, retinal microangiopathy was only slightly influenced by subtherapeutic insulin doses. In conclusion, continuous administration of insulin at subtherapeutic doses can successfully counteract most of the effects of diabetes on the gonadal axis. Thus, the gonadal-axis impairment in STZ-D animals appears to be related to the fall of plasma insulin below a critical level. Furthermore, the various organ systems may respond to different plasma insulin threshold levels.
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Original Contributions|
November 01 1987
Continuous Subtherapeutic Insulin Counteracts Hypothalamopituitary-Gonadal Alterations in Diabetic Rats
Gilberto E Bestetti;
Gilberto E Bestetti
Division ot Experimental Pathology, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Berne
Basel, Switzerland
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Ursula Junker;
Ursula Junker
Ciba-Geigy AG
Basel, Switzerland
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Vittorio Locatelli;
Vittorio Locatelli
Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Toxicology, University of Milan
Italy
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Giovanni L Rossi
Giovanni L Rossi
Division ot Experimental Pathology, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Berne
Basel, Switzerland
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Address correspondence and reprint requests to Prof. G. L. Rossi, MD, Division of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Animal Pathology, P.O. Box 2735, CH-3001 Berne, Switzerland.
Diabetes 1987;36(11):1315–1319
Article history
Received:
December 03 1986
Revision Received:
May 01 1987
Accepted:
May 01 1987
Citation
Gilberto E Bestetti, Ursula Junker, Vittorio Locatelli, Giovanni L Rossi; Continuous Subtherapeutic Insulin Counteracts Hypothalamopituitary-Gonadal Alterations in Diabetic Rats. Diabetes 1 November 1987; 36 (11): 1315–1319. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.36.11.1315
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