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Hormonal Regulation of Testicular Function

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Regulation of Male Fertility

Part of the book series: Clinics in Andrology ((CLAN,volume 5))

Abstract

The testis has two functions: spermatogenesis and androgen production, mainly testosterone. These two functions are localized in different compartments in the testis: the first in the seminiferous tubules, the second in the Leydig cells situated in the interstitial tissue. Spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion depend upon the pituitary, specifically, on the gonadotrophins. Through feedback mechanisms, these two functions in turn control the secretion of hypothalamic LH-RH and of the gonadotrophins upon which they depend. These interrelationships result in a hypothalamo- hypophysotesticular secretory axis which undergoes self-regulation. We shall examine the control of androgen secretion and of spermatogenesis in turn and then the feedback mechanisms which affect hypothalamopituitary secretion.

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© 1980 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers bv. The Hague/Boston/London

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Franchimont, P. (1980). Hormonal Regulation of Testicular Function. In: Cunningham, G.R., Schill, WB., Hafez, E.S.E. (eds) Regulation of Male Fertility. Clinics in Andrology, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8875-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8875-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-8877-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-8875-0

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