Chapter 26, Problem 10CYR

Summary Introduction

To review:

The sequence of events in hormonal regulation of the male reproductive system:

a. The luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the interstitial cells to produce testosterone and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) sustentacular cells to secrete inhibin and androgen-binding protein, which keeps some of the testosterone near the spermatogenic cells.

b. Testosterone and inhibin both exert negative feedback controls on the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary.

c. The androgen-binding protein binds testosterone.

d. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH.

e. The hypothalamus releases GnRH.

Introduction:

Testosterone regulates spermatogenesis and other aspects of male reproductive physiology. The secretion by the hypothalamus is under the negative-feedback regulation. In this regulatory mechanism, the hypothalamus, testes, and anterior pituitary are involved.