Fig. 3

Decreased blood testosterone levels exacerbated fatty liver in db/db mice, and exogenous testosterone replacement mildly reduced this exacerbation. a Microscopic views of the liver [upper (× 40 magnification) and middle (× 200 magnification)] and soleus muscle [bottom (× 200 magnification)] from 7-week-old db/db mice in each group [sham operated, sham operated + testosterone (T) supplemented, castrated, or castrated + T supplemented mice; n = 9–12/group]. Hepatic steatosis was most exacerbated in castrated mice and reduced with T supplementation as shown by Oil Red O staining. b Oil Red O-positive area. c Hepatic TG (upper) and glycogen (bottom) content in fasted and ad libitum-fed (n = 11–13/group). d Histological analyses of the pancreas (n = 10–12/group). Representative sections stained with anti-insulin antibodies [left (× 100 magnification)]. The proportion of β cells was calculated relative to islets (right). Results are expressed as means ± s.e.m. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 between the indicated groups, 2-way ANOVA. n.s., no significant