Streptozotocin diabetes in rats is associated with reduced function of the pituitary- gonadal axis. Leydig cells and pituitary gland in streptozotocin- diabetic rats werestudied on the morphologic methods. on histologic examination in diabetic rats

some ofLeydig cells and the nuclei were few and reduced in size

This shows signs of atrophyand degeneration of Legdig cells and the nuclei.By electron microscopy

C-shaped mi-tochondria and ring-shaped mitochondria were seen in Leydig cells of diabetic rats。Thisalso shows signs of degeneration of the mitochondria

In pituitary of diabetic rats

therough endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria were the same as the control in themorphology

But numerical density of the secretory granules in the gonadotrophs wassignificantly reduced.It shows that FSH secretion of the gonadotrophs is impaired.Thesestudies indicate that the pathological changes in Leydig cells of.diabetic rats appear tobe responsible for the impared function of the testes. Moreover

reduced FSH secretion inthe pituiary gland is also associated with the impaired function of the testes.