Testosterone effect on experimental diabetes mellitus in encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus infected mice

Diabetologia. 1980 Mar;18(3):247-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00251924.

Abstract

A diabetes mellitus-like disease occurs in male DBA/2 mice infected with the M variant of the encephalomyocarditis virus. Female mice of this strain sustain systemic infection, but rarely exhibit hyperglycaemia. The diabetogenic effects of the virus were studied in 3 groups of adult DBA/2 males-castrates, castrates treated with testosterone, and sham-operated controls. After infection, pancreatic insulin concentrations decreased precipitously to approximately 10% of control values in intact males and castrates treated with testosterone; hyperglycaemia occurred concomitantly in both groups. In contrast, untreated castrates failed to develop hyperglycaemia and the effect on the insulin content of the pancreas was less striking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Castration
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / microbiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / physiopathology*
  • Encephalomyocarditis virus*
  • Insulin / analysis
  • Islets of Langerhans / analysis
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Testosterone