Endocrinology Overview: Male Reproductive Endocrinology and HPT Axis

January 2018 in “ Elsevier eBooks ”

Fiona Yuen, Christina Wang, Ronald S. Swerdloff

testosterone dihydrotestosterone DHT androgenic alopecia hypogonadism GnRH gonadotropin-releasing hormone luteinizing hormone LH follicle-stimulating hormone FSH androgen receptor gene polymorphisms

TLDR The document explains how male reproductive hormones work and affect the body.

The document from 2018 provides a detailed overview of the male reproductive endocrinology, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis, testosterone production, and the effects of testosterone on the body. It discusses the regulation of the HPT axis by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the influence of kisspeptin and other neurotransmitters on GnRH release. The roles of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in spermatogenesis, as well as the synthesis and effects of testosterone and its metabolites, are explained. The document also covers the free hormone hypothesis, stating that biological activity is primarily dependent on the concentration of free testosterone. It notes that androgen receptor gene polymorphisms can affect gene expression and are linked to conditions like androgenic alopecia. The importance of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in male development and sexual function is highlighted, along with a discussion on hypogonadism and its effects. The document concludes with insights into the control of GnRH secretion and the mechanism of GnRH pulse generation.

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