To study the relationship between diabetic impotence and sex hormones as well as sex hormone receptors. 32 diabetic impotent patients

32 diabetic patients with normal sex function

32 impotent patients without diabetes

and 40 healthy men were enrolled. The plasma sex hormone levels were examined by radioimmunoassay

and sex hormone receptors in white blood cells by radioreceptor assay. Compared with healthy men and impotent patients without diabetes

PRL levels in both diabetic impotent patients and diabetic patients with normal sex function increased markedly

T and AR levels decreased

and the ratio of E 2/T and ER/AR increased. Compared with diabetic patients with normal sex function

while there was no significant difference in PRL

T and E 2/T ratio

the AR level of diabetic impotent patients further decreased

and the ER/AR ratio further increased. Negative correlation was found between age and AR as well as T. The decline of AR and the increase of ER/AR ratio might be one main cause of diabetic impotence. And the decline of T and AR might be an important cause of the increase of diabetic impotence incidence with age.