Testosterone

2 Androgens

These two androgensMale sex hormones, including testosterone and DHEA. have various effects on the body. They encourage cell division to stimulate the production of sperm in the seminiferous tubules. They also stimulate the accessory glands to create the accompanying semen. Testosterone has anabolic effects on somatic tissues, causing growthAn increase in size and number of cells. of muscle. This is why testosterone is sometimes used as a performance enhancing drug by athletes. Testosterone also stimulates growth of sex organs and increases the sex drive or libido. DHT, often prescribed for transition from female to male gender identity, works on the body. It causes hair growth, sex organ growth, and apocrine developmentThe process of growth and differentiation.. DHT is often included in unregulated anabolic steroid mixtures, leading to the acne that can oftentimes accompany steroid use.

Feedback Mechanism

Sperm production depends heavily on hormonal signals, especially testosterone. Testosterone supports both spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. It’s also responsible for building muscle, bone, and connective tissues. It maintains the glands and ducts that make up the male reproductive systemThe organ system responsible for producing gametes and offspring..

The whole system starts in the hypothalamusA small but vital brain region controlling hormones, temperature, and autonomic functions., which releases gonadotropin-releasing hormoneGnRH   A hormone from the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of FSH and LH., or GnRH. This hormone tells the anteriorThe front of the body or toward the front when standing in the anatomical position. pituitary to release luteinizing hormone(LH): Triggers ovulation and testosterone production. (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH targets the Nurse cellsThe basic structural and functional units of life.. It helps promote spermatogenesis. LH targets the interstitial cells — also called Leydig cells. It causes them to release testosterone.

The nurse cells also produce inhibinA hormone that inhibits FSH secretion to regulate follicle development., a hormone that slows down the release of FSH when sperm production is adequate. Meanwhile, testosterone itself affects the hypothalamus and pituitary. It helps regulate the levels of GnRH, LH, and FSH to maintain balance. Nurse cells also respond to testosterone by making androgen-binding protein or ABP. This protein helps keep testosterone levels high right inside the seminiferous tubules. This is where sperm are developing. Inhibin allows the reduction of sperm production without reducing testosterone.

Male Climacteric

Male climacteric is due to the reduction of testosterone. Male climacteric is the death of those interstitial cells that made the testosterone. Testosterone is no longer made. Thus, GnRH is no longer inhibited and rises. This rise causes the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary glandEndocrine gland at the brain’s base controlling many hormones..  But, without those interstitial cells functioning, there will be no resulting rise in testosterone.  GnRH, FSH, and LH remain high and cause moodiness, obesity, and some of the symptomsSubjective experiences reported by the patient (e.g., nausea, fatigue). associated with Male Climacteric