RESUMEN
To investigate endocrinological changes associated with diabetes mellitus, serum total and free testosterone [T], estradiol [E [2]], lutenizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and prolactin [Prl] were determined in 39 male diabetic subjects [7 with type I and 32 with type II diabetes]. In addition to 14 healthy males of comparable age. Serum total and free T were significantly reduced but serum E [2], LH and Prl were significantly increased while FSH exhibited non-significant increase in diabetic subjects compared with healthy males. Neither did the type of diabetes nor its duration affect the hormonal levels. Similarly, no significant differences could be observed in the hormonal profiles between complicated and non-complicated diabetics. However, serum total and free T were significantly decreased in impotent compared to non-impotent diabetics. Serum total T levels exhibited a significant inverse correlation with blood glucose levels, but were not correlated with the age of the patients or with the duration of disease. The results of the present work demonstrated the presence of changes in sex hormone levels in male diabetics that could contribute to sexual dysfunction. Hyperglycaemia seems to be one of the causative factors for such changes and the use. of oral antidiabetic agents may be an added factor