Increases in serum growth hormone which characterize acute starvation in non-obese individuals were usually absent in anorexia nervosa. Serum LH was decreased with serum FSH apparently normal in the majority. Increased adrenocortical activity as indicated by high basal 11 (OH)-corticosteroids and their incomplete suppression by dexamethasone and hyperresponsiveness to exogenous ACTH was recorded in about one-half of the patients tested. Urinary steroid responses to intravenous metyrapone were normal in all but one patient who had hypothalamic-pituitary hypofunction. Thyroid function was normal but TSH shortage has been reported. Resistance to insulin and a waning of insulin responses to hyperglycemia were noted in these individuals with anorexia nervosa.

Fluoxetine (Flx) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that alters the male reproductive system when administered at the adult stage or after maternal exposure. In the present study we evaluated the effects of Flx administration on reproductive parameters during juvenile-peripubertal development when treated male rats reached adulthood. Groups of rats were treated daily with Flx (5mgkg-1, i.p.) or saline (0.9% NaCl), or were left untreated. Rats were treated between 30 and 53 days of age and were killed at 65 days of age. Serotonin concentrations were determined in the hypothalamus, hypophysis and testis. Gonadotrophins, sex steroids and sperm quality (membrane integrity, sperm with functional mitochondria, sperm density, sperm motility and morphological abnormalities) were also evaluated. Flx did not affect bodyweight, but significantly diminished LH, FSH, progesterone and testosterone serum concentrations. After graphical analysis, a subgroup of rats was identified whose sperm quality parameters were greatly affected by Flx. In the present study we show that Flx administered to juvenile rats disrupts the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-testicular axis and its effects on sperm quality are not homogeneous in adults. In contrast, Flx altered concentrations of gonadotrophins and sexual steroids in all treated rats. These results suggest caution should be exercised in the prescription of Flx to prepubertal males.

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