IMPROVEMENT IN FERTILITY OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC MALE RATS FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH INSULIN AND HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 14  (10) , 1073-1078
Abstract
Diabetes was produced in male rats with streptozotocin. Some of them were subsequently treated with exogenous insulin, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or both. The rats were tested 6 wk later for fertility, testosterone secretion and spermatogenesis. Diabetes was found to inhibit all 3 parameters of fertility. Accessory gland atrophy was restored following the treatment with insulin and much improved with insulin plus hCG. In a diabetic control group on restricted food intake, insulin alone did not significantly improve fertility, whereas hCG enhanced steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis but not fertility. Treatment with both hCG and insulin gave the best results.