Physiology of the Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal Axis in the Male
March 2016
in “
Urologic Clinics of North America
”
TLDR The document explains how the male reproductive system works, its role in making testosterone, and how conditions like obesity can disrupt it, leading to low testosterone and fertility issues.
The document from May 1, 2016, provides an overview of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in males, its role in testosterone production and male fertility, and the conditions that can disrupt this system leading to hypogonadism. It explains the importance of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion for reproductive function and the changes that occur during sexual development, such as the increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses that trigger puberty. The document also discusses the impact of obesity and type 2 diabetes on hypogonadism, the diagnosis of androgen deficiency, and the treatment options for hypogonadism, including testosterone replacement therapy and alternative treatments like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and GnRH for stimulating testosterone and spermatogenesis. It emphasizes the need for understanding the HPG axis to correctly diagnose and treat hypogonadism, which can significantly affect men's quality of life and lead to other health issues like osteoporosis.
