Reproductive and Nonreproductive Actions of Testosterone
June 2018
in “
Elsevier eBooks
”
TLDR Testosterone is important for male sexual traits, reproduction, muscle and bone health, blood production, and metabolism, and works both directly and after being changed into other hormones.
Testosterone played a crucial role in male sexual differentiation, reproductive and nonreproductive behaviors, and the development of secondary sex characteristics. It influenced spermatogenesis, muscle and bone mass, erythropoiesis, and metabolism. Testosterone's effects could be direct or through its metabolites, 5α dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol 17β. The conversion to estradiol 17β was necessary for benefits on bone resorption, cholesterol, atherosclerosis, sexual desire, and fat mass. Conversion to DHT was essential for urogenital differentiation and believed to affect hair growth, scalp hair loss, prostate growth, and acne, though its necessity for prostate, skin, and hair follicle effects was unclear. Conversion to DHT was not required for testosterone's impact on muscle, bone, plasma lipids, and erythropoiesis.
