The role of ovarian hormones in the long-term control of B-cell function of in the mouse has been examined. Ovariectomised adult female mice were treated with daily subcutaneous replacement doses of oestradiol (5 microgram/kg), progesterone (1 mg/kg), both hormones combined, or vehicle only for 15 weeks. Ovariectomy caused a 40% increase in plasma glucose concentrations during glucose tolerance tests, a 26% decrease in the plasma insulin response to glucose (2 g/kg IP) and a 32% decrease in the plasma insulin response to arginine (2 g/kg IP) compared with control mice. When islets from ovariectomised mice were incubated for 30 minutes in media containing 28 mmol/l glucose or 2.8 mmol/l glucose with 5 mmol/l arginine, insulin release was reduced by 23% and 31% respectively. Total pancreatic and islet insulin content were each decreased by 36%, and the number of B-cells was decreased by 39% in the ovarietomised mice. These detrimental effects of ovariectomy were partially or totally prevented by the oestradiol and progesterone treatments. The results indicate that ovarian oestrogens and progestogens may play an important role in the long-term maintenance of B-cell competence in the female mouse.

This study examines the effects of ovarian hormones on the glycaemic actions of insulin, glucagon and epinephrine. Ovariectomized adult female mice were treated with replacement doses of oestradiol, progesterone, both hormones combined or vehicle only for 15 weeks. Compared with intact control mice, ovariectomy did not significantly alter insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. However, treatment with oestradiol or progesterone alone, but not in combination, increased the hypoglycaemic action of insulin. The hyperglycaemic effect of glucagon and epinephrine was increased by ovariectomy and reduced by the ovarian hormone treatments. The results indicate that oestradiol and progesterone individually synergize the hypoglycaemic action of insulin, but mutually antagonize each other in this respect. Oestradiol and progesterone, individually and in combination, appear to suppress the glycogenolytic action of glucagon and epinephrine.

The effect of ovarian hormones on in vivo gluconeogenesis and glycogen deposition in liver, uterus, skeletal and cardiac muscle was studied. Ovariectomized adult female mice were treated with replacement doses of estradiol, progesterone, both hormones combined, or vehicle only for 15 weeks. Compared with intact control mice, ovariectomy increased gluconeogenesis and reduced the glycogen content of all tissues examined. Treatment with estradiol and progesterone, individually and in combination, increased tissue glycogen deposition. Estradiol alone consistently produced the greatest effect, except on hepatic glycogen, which was maximally increased by the combined estradiol-progesterone regimen. Estradiol markedly reduced gluconeogenesis, and this effect was antagonized by progesterone. The results indicate that the lower plasma glucose concentrations produced by ovarian steroids result in part from reduced glucose neoformation and greater storage of glycogen in liver and muscle tissues.

Introduction: Postmenopausal obesity sounds an alarm for women's health, since it serves as a predominant risk factor for many chronic diseases leading to reduced life expectancy and increased health problems.The relation between menopausal status and diabetes mellitus remains controversial. Reproductive tract dysfunction is a recognized consequence of diabetes obesity syndrome (DOS). Therefore, a possible association between obesity, diabetes mellitus and abnormalities of female reproductive function in several respects may occur.Nowadays traditional medicinal plants and spices are commonly used for their possible effects as hypoglycaemic, antidiabetic and folliculogenic agents instead of using synthetic drugs. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic implication of fennel ingestion in ovarian changes in diabetically induced senile rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 senile female albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups: control group, fennel oil receiving group, diabetic group and diabetic/fennel oil ingested group. Treatments were continued for 8 weeks, then ovarian samples were collected from all rats for histological, immunohistochemical and ultra-structural studies. Blood glucose levels were measured to confirm hyperglycemia and to follow the disease progression. Serum analyses for hormonal assay were also estimated Results: STZ injection caused typical ovarian follicular cysts of variable sizes together with elevation of blood glucose level. Fennel oil administration to diabetes-induced group showed some amelioration in the ovarian structure and blood glucose level. Conclusion: Fennel essential oil could ameliorate diabetes with its use as a fertility enhancing agent. Fennel has folliculogenesis effect consistent with its use in folk medicine as a fertility enhancing agent.