Lecture 11: Male Endocrine Control

What type of hormone is GnRH

Peptide

What does GnRH target and trigger

Targets the Anterior Pituitary, causes release of LH and FSH

What do the gonadotropins target and trigger

* LH: Leydig cells → testosterone production
* FSH: Sertoli cells → Aromatase (estradiol), DHT, Inhibin, and Androgen Binding protein production

What happens to the testosterone after being produced by the Leydig cells

It moves into the Sertoli cells

What is the function of ABP

It binds to testosterone and DHT inside the Sertoli cells, preventing them from leaving, serving to concentrate those hormones inside the Sertoli cells.

What separates the compartments of the seminiferous tubule

Blood testes barrier

What is the membrane close to the outside of the seminiferous tubules

Basement membrane

Describe the compartments of the seminiferous tubule

* Basal compartment: region between the basement membrane and the blood testes barrier, any circulation happens here
* Adluminal compartment: from BTB (tight junction) to lumen, not in contact with circulatory system at all

How does the sperm connect and communicate with the Sertoli cell

Desmosome junction

What type of junction is the desmosome junction and how is it described

Cadherin junction, velcro

What relevant hormones negatively feedback to the pituitary

Inhibin, suppresses FSH production

What relevant hormones negatively feedback to the hypothalamus

Testosterone, DHT, Estradiol