Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone hypogonadism on insulin action as assessed by hyperglycemic clamp studies in men

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of decreasing androgen levels on insulin action, in view of the relationship between hyperandrogenism and impaired insulin action in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Ten normal healthy men. INTERVENTION(S): Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, 3.75 mg, administered monthly for 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Insulin action (M/I ratio). RESULT(S): The M/I ratio decreased from 0.24 +/- 0.04 to 0.17 +/- 0.04 after GnRH agonist therapy. CONCLUSION(S): In normal men, administration of a GnRH analogue was associated with a decrease in both testosterone levels and insulin action.