Hormonal factors

IV: HORMONAL FACTORS AFFECTING SPERMATOGENESIS

Exogenous steroids

  • Exogenous steroids affect testicular function by altering the secretion of gonadotropins.

Small doses of testosterone may impair spermatogenesis to a greater degree than larger doses due to ability of the larger dose to maintain the seminiferous epithelium.

  • In some species steroid suppression of testis has been followed by a rebound phenomenon after steroid withdrawal.

Pituitary factors

  • Reduced spermatogenesis with testicular atrophy may be caused by failure of FSH and LH.
  • Many stress factors affect LH and FSH release, the most important being inanition due to low plane of nutrition.
  • Tumors of the pituitary gland also cause atrophy of the pituitary gland and failure of gonadotropic production.
Last modified: Tuesday, 12 June 2012, 4:29 AM