The study nevertheless shows that an energy sensor such as insulin can have a direct effect on reproduction and may give new insights into how infertility may be treated in the future, Lawson says.

Mild degrees of hyperglycemia can be treated by decreasing the dextrose content or by adding regular insulin to the parenteral-nutrition mixture to maintain blood glucose within the desired range.

This group was matched with 13 randomly selected youngsters of similar age and diabetes duration who had been intensively treated with insulin and served as a control group.