Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Many hormones are involved in regulation of the testis. Some of these act directly on the testis itself, while others act indirectly by influencing secretion or clearance of those that may act on the testis. Methods are not yet available for easily quantifying some of the hormones that affect testicular function, such as growth factors. Most hormones are secreted as pulses rather than in a constant, continuous manner. This necessitates appropriate sampling regimens to define the amplitude and frequency of the pulses. Factors such a stress, changes in environmental conditions, level of nutrition, and disease may alter the pattern and rate of secretion of hormones that regulate testicular function. All of these factors must be considered when designing experiments to determine how drugs affect the function of the testis.

References

1. Zipf, W. B. , Payne, A. H. , and Kelch, R. P. (1978). Prolactin, growth hormone, and luteinizing hormone in the maintenance of testicular luteinizing hormone receptors. Endocrinology 103, 595–600.

2. Lin, T. , Haskell, J. , Vinson, N. , and Terratio, L. (1986). Characterization of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors of purified Leydig cells and their role in steroidogenesis in primary culture: A comparative study. Endocrinology 119, 1641–1647.

3. Tres, L. L. , Smith, E. , Vanwyck, J. J. , and Kierazenbaum, A. L. (1986). Immunoreactive sites and accumulation of somatomedin-C in rat Sertoli spermatogenic cells cocultured. Exp. Cell. Res. 162, 33–50.

4. Sharpe, T. M. (1984). Intratesticular factors controlling testicular function. Biol. Reprod. 30, 29.

5. Forage, R. G. , Ring, J. M. , Brown, R. W. , Mcinerney, B. V. , Cobon, G. S. , Gregson, R. P. , Robertson, D. M. , Morgan, F. J. , Hearn, M. T. W. , Findlay, J. K. , Wettenhall, R. E. H. , Burger, H. G. , and Dekretser, D. M. (1986). Cloning and sequence analysis of cDna species coding for the two subunits of inhibin from bovine follicular fluid. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 83, 3091–3095.

6. McNeilly, A. S. , Swanston, I. A. , Tsonis, C. G. , and Baird, D. T. (1987). Changes in the plasma concentration of inhibin during the oestrous cycle of the ewe. Programme of the Winter Meeting Soc. Study Fertil., p. 20.

7. Bhasin, S. , Heber, D. , Peterson, M. , and Swerdloff, T. (1983). Partial isolation and characterization of testicular GnRh-like factors. Endocrinology 112, 1144–1146.

8. Saez, J. M. , Tabone, E. , Perrard-Sapori, M. H. , and Rivarola, M. A. (1985). Paracrine role of Sertoli cells. Med. Biol. 63, 225–236.

9. Depalatis, L. , Moore, J. , and Falvo, F. E. , (1978). Plasma concentrations of testosterone and Lh in the male dog. J. Reprod. Fertil. 52, 201–207.

10.

10. Kahler, L. W. , Gleissman, P. , Hess, D. L. , and Hill, J. (1986). The androgen status of aging male rhesus macaques. Endocrinology 119, 566–571.

11.

11. Desjardins, C. N. (1981). Endocrine signalling and male reproduction. Biol. Reprod. 24, 1–21.

12.

12. Ellis, G. B. , and Desjardins, C. (1982). Male rats secrete luteinizing hormone and testosterone episodically. Endocrinology 110, 1618–1627.

13.

13. Mock, E. J. , Norton, H. W. , and Frankel, A. I. (1978). Daily rhythmicity of serum testosterone concentration in the male laboratory rat. Endocrinology 103, 1111–1121.

14.

14. Goodman, R. L. , and Karsch, F. J. (1980). Pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone: Differential suppression by ovarian steriods. Endocrinology 107, 1286–1290.

15.

15. Gindoff, P. R. , and Ferin, M. (1987). Endogenous opioid peptide modulate the effect of corticotrop-in-releasing factor on gonadotropin release in the primate. Endocrinology 1212, 837–842.

16.

16. Rippel, R. H. , Moyer, R. H. , Johnson, E. S. , and Mauer, R. E. , (1974). Response of the ewe to synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone. J. Anim. Sci. 38, 605–612.

17.

17. Duello, T. M. , and Nett, T. M. (1980). Uptake, localization and retention of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs in rat gonadotrophs. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 19, 101–112.

Hormonal Evaluation of Testicular Function: Species Variation

Abstract

References