The Effects of Type 1 Diabetes on Anti-Müllerian Hormone Gene Expression in Mouse Gonads

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), a disorder that destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas, manifests in youth and negatively effects metabolism. Reproductive health of individuals with T1D is of growing concern, specifically in relation to Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH). In males, AMH is secreted by the Sertoli cells in postnatal testes and is known to be valuable in assessing testicular development and function. In females, AMH is secreted by granulosa cells of the preantral and small antral follicles. AMH production decreases as antral follicles grow, allowing the follicles to mature for ovulation. This research aims to study the effects of T1D on AMH expression in mouse testes and ovaries. Streptozotocin was used to induce T1D (4 male, 4 female), and citrate buffer was used for the control group (4 male, 4 female) in C57BL6/J mice. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by gel electrophoresis and densitometry were used to analyze ovarian AMH expression, and Real-Time PCR was used to quantify the AMH expression in the testes. The AMH relative expression in the testes of the T1D group was significantly lower (0.304, SEM 0.115) compared to controls (1.43, SEM 0.334) with a p value of 0.019. The AMH relative expression in the ovary showed a trend of increase in the T1D group (0.360, SEM 0.017) compared to controls (0.248, SEM 0.076), with a p value of 0.198. The relation of T1D and follicle maturation in females and Sertoli cell function in males is a key area for future research. High AMH in females with T1D may be correlated with increased numbers of small antral follicles. T1D may negatively affect Sertoli cell health in males, shown by the lower levels of AMH.