Chapter 21, Problem 2A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Primary male sex hormone is testosterone. This hormone plays an important role in the development of male reproductive organs and also promotes the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Testosterone is produced primarily in interstitial cells or Leydig cells. The amount of testosterone production by the interstitial cells is controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH).

In a proper way, it can be said that the synthesis of testosterone is controlled by the complex process termed as hypothalamic − pituitary − testicular axis. Low levels of testosterone stimulate the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. These hormones stimulate the production of testosterone in testes. In males, luteinizing hormone is generally known as an interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH).