Ovarian function in women with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Although insulin has been shown to stimulate ovarian steroidogenesis and hyperinsulinaemia has been implicated in the raised androgen levels found in diseases associated with significant insulin resistance, ovarian function has not been studied so far in women with NIDDM. We have assessed ovarian function in women with NIDDM at the early (hyperinsulinaemic) and late (relative insulinopaenic) stages of evolution of the disease after strong stimulation with buserelin, a long-acting GnRH analogue. Significant differences in ovarian function would be expected, depending on the stage of evolution of NIDDM.

The effect of sequential administration of octreotide alone and octreotide/growth hormone simultaneously on buserelin stimulated ovarian steroid secretion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: GH increases oestradiol secretion and promotes oocyte development in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, there are no data on ovarian androgen production after GH treatment. We have therefore assessed the effect of sequential treatment with a long-acting somatostatin analogue (octreotide) alone and octreotide/GH simultaneously on ovarian steroid levels in PCOS and non-PCOS normal women.

Dysfunction of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Objective: Although a defect in GH regulation has been suggested in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the data are limited and mechanism obscure. We have assessed the function of the GH/IGF-I axis in women with PCOS by measuring basal IGF-I levels and the ability of the pituitary to secrete GH following dopamine and GHRH.

Design: For each woman the complete study lasted 3 days.

The renin-aldosterone axis in patients with diabetes insipidus.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the renin-aldosterone axis in neurogenic diabetes insipidus in man, in view of the fact that profound abnormalities of this axis have been described in experimental animals with congenital neurogenic diabetes insipidus.

Design And Patients: Nine patients with neurogenic diabetes insipidus and 11 healthy subjects (controls) were examined under basal conditions, following the standard 8-hour water deprivation test and 1 hour after a subsequent oral rehydration.

Measurements: Plasma and urine osmolalities were determined by freezing point depression, plasma sodium and potassium by a method using an ion-selective electrode, plasma AVP, cortisol, aldosterone and plasma renin activity by radioimmunoassay.