[Hypophyseal-Leydig function in the diabetic]

Experimental diabetes in animals induces marked alterations of gonadal androgenic functions: reduction in testis weight, morphological alterations of Leydig cells, decrease of plasma testosterone levels and reduction of the ability of the Leydig cells to secrete testosterone in vitro. hCG treatment restores the testicular endocrine function; in addition several morphological and functional changes are observed in the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis which are probably responsible for the testicular lesions found in untreated experimental diabetes mellitus. In diabetic men, the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis seems to be normal (with exception of individual cases); Mean plasma levels of testosterone, LH, FSH and the responses of the gonadal axis to hCG and LHRH are normal.