Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes dysfunction of the endocrine glands and reproductive disorders. Due to the antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties of curcumin, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of curcumin on serum levels of estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH in diabetic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 32 female Wistar rats were allocated into four equal groups. Control, non-treated diabetic and diabetic treated with curcumin (100 and 200 mg/kg, ip). The diabetes in non-treated diabetic and treated diabetic groups was induced using an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan. Estrous cycles were identical using sex hormones. Curcumin was intraperitoneally injected to treated diabetic groups for 25 days. DMSO was injected to the animals of control and non-treated diabetic groups as a vehicle. At the end of treatment, the serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone were measured by ELISA. Statistical analysis carried out using one way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test.

Results: Administration of curcumin with concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly increased serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone, compared to non-treated diabetic group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicate significant effect of curcumin on serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone in diabetic rats. Therefore, curcumin could be effective in improving hormonal disorders in patients with diabetes.