Hypogonadism Flashcards
What does it mean when hormones are pulsatile & examples
Released at different frequencies & amplitudes
GnRH, LH & testosterone
What is the circadian rhythm of male endocrine system
Increases in early a.m 4:00-8:00
Decrease in late p.m 16:00-20:00
What is the feedback mechanism of endocrine system
Negative feedback
What is the 2 types of testing in endocrine system
- Standard testing
- Dynamic testing
What is the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonodal axis
Hypothalamus release GnRH that stimulate anterior pituitary to release FSH & LH
FSH act on Sertoli cells in testicles allowing for spermatozoa @ seminiferous tubules & release inhibin to inhibit release of FSH from anterior pituitary
LH act on Leydig cells in testicles that produce testosterone from cholesterol that also stimulate Sertoli cells to produce spermatozoa or go to target tissue
Testosterone also provides negative feedback to anterior pituitary & hypothalamus
What is androgens
Sex hormones with cholesterol as precursor
What is the 2 male androgens
Testosterone
Dihydrotestosterone
What is the 3 functions of androgens
- Masculination of genital tract
- Development & maintenance of male secondary sexual characteristics
- Anabolic effect on muscle mass, bone density & decrease fat mass)
What is the pathway of testosterone biosynthesis
- Cholesterol
- Pregnenolone to progesterone & DHEA
- Progesterone to mineralocorticoids & glucocorticoid
- DHEA & progesterone to androstenedione
- Androstenedione to oestrone & testosterone
- Testosterone to oestrodiol via aroma taste at liver/fat cells & DHT via 5-alpha reductase
What 8 factors affect testosterone production
- Sex difference
- Age
- Pulsatility
- Diurnal rhythm
- SHBG concentration
- Health state (stress, illness, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity)
- Hyperprolactinaemia
- Medication
What is the 2 forms of testosterone
- Free that is active & bioavailable
- Bound to proteins
To what proteins do testosterone bind
- Sex hormone binding globulin that has high affinity & low capacity
- Albumin that has low affinity & high capacity & bioavailable
What is SHBG
Glycoprotein produced at the liver
What 3 things does SHBG bind
Testosterone, DHT, estrogen
What is the function of SHBG
Regulate bioavailability of sex hormones to tissue
What is used to provide an estimate of free testosterone
Free androgen index
3 examples of increased SHBG
Hyperthyroidism
Aging
GH deficiency
3 examples of decreased SHBG
Obesity
Hypothyroidism
GH excess
What is testosterone mechanism of action
Testosterone is synthesized & enter the cells (lipophilic molecule) & can be converted to DHT or directly bind to androgen receptor
If converted to DHT it then binds to androgen receptor in cytoplasm
After binding it gets translocated to nucleus, gene regulation, protein synthesis & target tissue effects