Male Reproductive Endocrinology Flashcards
what causes genotypic sex, gonadal sex and phenotypic sex?
genotypic: y chromosome
gonadal: SRY gene encodes TDF- testis transcription factor
phenotypic: hormones produced by gonads
what is the phenotypic sex?
development of accessory sex organs, external genitalia and secondary sex characteristics
what does SRY cause?
development of gonad and germ cells into testes and spermatogonia
what hormone causes the development of external genitalia?
dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
what causes XX males? what is the impact on gonads?
the SRY gene translocates to the x chromosome in crossing over
normal testis are not produced but it is still male
describe the surroundings of the indifferent gonad
it is associated with the mesonephros, the excretory (wolffian) duct and the paramesonephric (mullerian) ducts
what do the mesonephros, wolffian duct and mullerian ducts form in the male fetus?
mesonephros- epididymis
wolffian- vas deferens, seminal vesicles and ejaculatory duct
mullerian ducts degenerate
what to the mullerian ducts form in the female? what prevents this in the male?
fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix
anti mullerian hormon from sertoli cells causes degeneration
what do androgens produced by the leydig cells promote? which androgen is required for each?
differentiation of the wolffian duct (requires testosterone) and prostate development (requires DHT)
in the absence of testosterone, what happens to the external genetalia?
female structures are formed (homologies between male and female)
what does the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis regulate in males? what is the feedback mechanism?
spermatogenesis and androgen production
testis products inhibi hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
describe the release of GnRH, LH and FSH in males? what happens with constant GnRH release?
pulsatile
constant levels of GnRH prevent LH and FSH release by downregulating receptors
what is another name for kallmann syndrome? what mutations cause it?
hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
KAL-1, FGFR1, PROK2 and PROKR1
what are the two main consequences of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?
anosmia (inability to smell) and lack LH and FSH
link between the developmental origin of olfactory cells and GnRH producing cells
what is the main danger for patients with kallmann syndrome?
osteoperosis- hormone replacement therapy indicated
what causes the proliferation of leydig cells in the prenatal stage of male development?
maternal chorionic gonadotropin (early development) and embryonic leutinizing hormone (late development)
describe the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis prior to puberty
few GnRH pulses with low LH and FSH levels
high negative feedback sensitivity
spermatogonia are diploid and undifferentiated in the testis
what 6 events happen in male puberty?
GnRH pulses increase (frequency and amplitude), negative feedback decrease, gonadotroph sensitivity to GnRH increases, LH and FSH production increase, testosterone increase (with spermatogenesis) and androgen changes of puberty occur
where are the receptors for LH? what does stimulation do?
Leydig cells- transcribe proteins involved in testosterone biosynthesis
where does FSH bind and what are the results?
binds to the basolateral membrane of sertoli cells stimulating transcription and synthesis of aromatase, growth factors, ABP and inhibin
what are the two negative feedback routs of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis?
1) testosterone inhibits GnRH release and LH release
2) inhibin inhibits FSH release
what is the effect of LH binding on Leydig cells?
GPCR produces cAMP and activates PKA
increases enzymes in testosterone synthesis, stimulates rate limiting step and stimulates sterol carrior protein and activating protein
what are the 4 primary actions of FSH?
on sertoli cells
increases androgen binding protein (keeps local testosterone high), P450 aromatase (produces estrogen), growth factors to support sperm productiion and inhibins that supress leydig cell proliferation and FSH secretion
what are the secondary effects of FSH?
acts on Leydig cells and increases sperm motility
how do Leydig cells and Sertoli cells act upon eachother?
L cells make testosterone- acts on S cells
S cells convert T into estradiol (aromatase)- acts on L cells
S cells generate growth factors that act on L cells
what is the precursor for androgen synthesis? where does the first step occur?
cholesterol
mitochondria
what is the rate limiting step of androgen synthesis and what stimulates it?
desmolase producing pregnenolone
up regulated by LH