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Male Hormones
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Male Hormones in Transition
Androgens: Male sex hormones.
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The brain regulates almost all aspects of
reproductive life, from the development of the sex organs to their
ultimate aging |
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Puberty is a brain-driven event, initiated
even in the absence of gonads |
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Gonadotropins from brain and hypothalamus
have a critical role in establishing and maintaining normal sexual
activity |
The amount of these estrogens in the body varies over the course of the
menstrual cycle. After menopause, estrone becomes the predominant
endogenous estrogen in women’s bodies even though the ovaries continue to
produce small amounts of estradiol, as do the secondary hormone-production
sites. The adrenal gland continues to produce androstenedione, which is
converted to estrone and estradiol in body fat and in muscle and skin
cells. In addition, the ovaries continue making small amounts of
testosterone, which can be converted to estradiol.
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Hypothalamus passes gonadotropin releasing
hormone to anterior pituitary and triggers secretion of two
gonadotropins
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Lutenizing hormone (LH): manufacture
of testosterone
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Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH):
sperm production
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Gonadotropin releasing hormone levels
decline with aging |
Male Secondary Sexual
Characteristics
Testosterone levels are low for the first decade; The onset of puberty is
brain driven.
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Triggered by surge in testosterone
production; results in onset of sperm production |
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Sexual organs grow and develop |
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Voice changes; muscle and bone growth
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