Sperm autoimmunity and abnormal semen parameters in insulin-dependent diabetic men

To evaluate sperm autoimmunity in IDDM, 20 men with IDDM [mean age 30 +/- 7.1 years] and ten healthy fertile men of comparable age, were studied. Fasting blood glucose, serum fructosamine, LH, FSH, testosterone and insulin were measured. Complete semen analysis was performed. Insulin was also measured in seminal plasma. The presence of antisperm antibodies was detected in both blood serum and seminal plasma using the slide agglutination method. Antisperm antibodies were detected in serum and seminal plasma in 60% and 50% of men with IDDM, respectively, and in none of healthy men. The presence of these antibodies did not correlate with the degree of metabolic control. In diabetic men, the volume of the ejaculate and the sperm motility were reduced, while the abnormal forms of sperms were more common in comparison to healthy subjects. None of these abnormalities correlated with the presence of sperm antibodies, with the degree of metabolic control, or with the level of seminal plasma insulin which was lower than normal in diabetics. Serum LH, FSH and testosterone were normal in diabetic men, thus sperm autoimmunity is in association with IDDM

Role of hormonal changes in the pathogenesis of primary female infertility

Eighteen female patients with primary infertility [after exclusion of any significant gynecological, cause of infertility] had been studied. Their age ranged from 17 to 40 years with regular periods except 3 patients with 2-3 months amenorrhea. All of them had normal healthy potent husbands with normal semen analysis. All patients were selected to be free endocrine, hepatic as well as metabolic disorders which may interfere with their fertility. They were subjected to estimation [using radioinmunoassay i.e. RIA] of all hormones concerned with fertility. According to the results of their hormonal profile they were classified into 5 groups including 4 patients with hyperprolactinaemia, 2 patients with hypoprolactinaemia and hypogonadotrophinaemia, 4 patients with isolated hypogonadotrophinaemia [2 of them with low progesterone and estradiol serum level], 3 patients with LH hypergonadotrophinaemia and 5 patients with normal hormonal profile. The possible role hormonal changes in the pathogenesis of infertility in these patients has been discussed

Effects of calcium channel blocking agents on hypertensive diabetic patients

Twenty non-insulin-dependent hypertensive diabetic patients were treated for four weeks with Ca++ channel blocking agents for the hypertension. They were divided into two groups, each included ten patients of matched age and sex. The first group received verapamil in oral dose of 240 mg in three divided doses and the second group received nifedipine in oral dose of 80 mg divided also into three doses. The results showed that oral verapamil and nifedipine produced significant reduction in both supine and upright heart rate and blood pressure. Serum creatinine was reduced after treatment in both groups. Abnormal fasting and postprandial blood glucose level were significantly reduced after treatment with oral hypoglycemics in association with Ca++ channel blocking agents. Serum lipoproteins and total serum cholesterol did not show any statistical difference after treatment with both drugs

Effect of beta-adrenoreceptor blockade on intravenous glucose tolerance test and insulin secretion in maturity onset non obese diabetic patients

Twenty non obese non insulin dependant diabetic patients were studied to evaluate the effect of beta adrenoreceptors blockade on glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. The result showed that propranolol [non selective Beta-blocker] induced decrease in blood glucose levels at all times during IVGTT, with decrease in basal insulin level. On the other hand, administration of atenolol [cardioselective Beta-blocker] was followed by insignificant changes in both glucose and insulin levels. The correlation coefficient between glucose and insulin before and after administration of both drugs was calculated and found to be negative