Functional state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetic patients present with a wide variety of reproductive disorders supposed to be underlain by changes in the functional activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) and sensitivity of the reproductive system tissues to the regulatory hormonal action. The objective of the present review is to analyse the literature data and the results of original studies pertinent to the biosynthesis and secretion of hypothalamic LH releasing factor, pituitary gonadotropic hormones, steroid hormones, and susceptibility of their target tissues in patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. It is concluded that the improvement of control over blood glucose levels constitutes a most efficacious approach to the correction and normalization of reproductive function in diabetic patients.