Testosterone Regulation Flashcards
what is the name of the drug that can chemically castrate sex offenders?
Medroxyprogesterone acetate; depot progesterone
what three things exert a negative feedback influence on testosterone?
estrogen, progesterone, testosterone
when are levels of T highest in males?
in the AM
what are the anabolic changes brought on by androgens?
closure of epiphyses, nitrogen retention (inc. muscle mass)
what are the differences in the functions of T vs. DHT?
T: internal genitalia, fetal sexual development, inhibition of GnRH; spermatogenesis
DHT: hair loss, external genitalia, BPH
at what point does T production begin? when are there spikes in T production, outside of puberty?
around 8 weeks after conception, just prior to and following birth
when does T production begin to decline, and by how much?
at age 40, begins to fall by 1-2%/year
how much circulating T is in there in the body relative to the number of receptors?
the receptors are 100% saturated
what is a potential explanation of the anabolic effects of exogenous steroids, given the saturation levels of normal angrogen receptors?
inhibition of GC catabolic effects
what effects do androgens have on women and young boys who do not have high circulating levels?
dramatic effects
what are the three main pathways of a failure to virilize?
impaired secretion of GnRH (Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism)
inability to take up the T/DHT - androgen insensitivity
primary disease of the testes - mumps orchitis
generally the treatment is what? what is the exception?
the treatment is pharmacologic doses of steroids, with the exception of those who are totally AR insensitive
