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Anatomy and Physiology of Androgen Regulation in Men

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Clinical Urologic Endocrinology

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Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to provide the reader with an understanding of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis relative to the production of androgens and sperm in the testes. The physiologic action of the androgens will be reviewed as well. A detailed discussion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its effect on the anterior pituitary regarding production and release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with the end result in production of testosterone and spermatozoa will be outlined. The conversion and actions of androgens will be discussed. The two main pathways leading to the initiation of androgen action will be presented, as is a review of hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis. The variation of testicular function as men age will be discussed.

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Abbreviations

3-beta-HSD:

3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

17-beta-HSD3:

17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3

cAMP:

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate

CNS:

Central nervous system

CYP11A1:

Cholesterol side-chain cleavage

CYP17:

17-alpha-hydroxylase

CYP17:

17,20 lyase

CYP19:

Cytochrome P450 family 19

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

FSH:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

GnRH:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

hCG:

Human chorionic gonadotropin

hMG:

Human menopausal gonadotropin

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

SHBG:

Sex hormone-binding globulin

StAR:

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein

TeBG:

Testosterone-binding globulin

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Jerald Marifke M.D.

  2. Department of Urology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Jay Sandlow M.D.

Authors
  1. Jerald Marifke M.D.
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  2. Jay Sandlow M.D.
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Correspondence to Jerald Marifke M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Urology, Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine, JAMES CASEY SUITE B 4303, AUSTIN, 78745, Texas, USA

    Parviz K. Kavoussi

  2. University of Virginia School of Medicin, University Of Virginia Hospital, 1300 Jefferson Parks Avenue, Charlottesville, 22903, Virginia, USA

    Raymond A. Costabile

  3. Department of Urology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, Milan, 20132, Italy

    Andrea Salonia

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Marifke, J., Sandlow, J. (2013). Anatomy and Physiology of Androgen Regulation in Men. In: Kavoussi, P., Costabile, R., Salonia, A. (eds) Clinical Urologic Endocrinology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4405-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4405-2_1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4405-2

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