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This monograph brings together our work concerning the relationships be tween the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis. The studies span approximate ly a decade of collaborative work. Over this period our contributions and those of many others have advanced greatly our understanding of many aspects of male reproductive biology. This monograph attempts to survey these developments and to highlight many unresolved issues. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate the value of investigations which relate bio chemical to structural parameters and to illustrate the importance of animal studies in elucidating biological principles with clinical applications. The reverse is also important since the pathophysiology of human disorders of ten provides insight into hitherto unsuspected basic mechanisms. In any rapidly expanding field it is difficult to stop revising and extending a manuscript. It is equally difficult to quote every reference in the field but we trust that those of significance have not been omitted. Some of our former students have collaborated with us as co-authors in producing this monograph. It is equally important to recognise the contributions of our other former students and colleagues who have physically participated in the studies and without whose intellectual contributions a number of concepts would not have been elucidated. Their work is acknowledged in the text of the monograph and the extensive list of references.
Sommario
1 Patterns of Secretion and Metabolism of the Gonadotrophic Hormones.- 1.1 Assay Methods.- 1.2 Patterns of LH and FSH Secretion in Normal Men.- 1.3 Metabolic Clearance and Gonadotrophin Secretion Rates in Normal Men.- 1.4 Summary.- 2 Control of FSH and LH Secretion.- 2.1 Sites of Production of FSH and LH.- 2.2 Hypothalamic Influences on FSH and LH Secretion.- 2.3 Influence of Testicular Feedback.- 2.4 Assays for Inhibin.- 2.5 Assay Specificity.- 2.6 Sources of Inhibin.- 2.7 Evidence for Inhibin from Immunisation Studies.- 2.8 Characteristics and Mode of Action of Inhibin.- 2.9 Physiological Implications of Inhibin.- 2.10 Summary.- 3 Pituitary Testicular Axis During Pubertal Development.- 3.1 Studies in Men.- 3.2 Studies in Rats.- 3.3 Studies in Rams.- 3.4 Overall Comments.- 4 Changes in the Pituitary-Testicular Axis with Age.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Methods.- 4.3 Summary of Results.- 4.4 Significance of Senescent Testicular Degeneration.- 4.5 Clinical Relevance.- 4.6 Summary.- 5 Spermatogenesis and the Sertoli Cell.- 5.1 Spermatogenesis.- 5.2 The Sertoli Cell.- 6 Leydig Cell Function.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Morphology of the Leydig Cell.- 6.3 Steroid Biosynthesis and Secretion.- 6.4 Regulation of Leydig Cell Function.- 6.5 Hormonal Regulation of LH Receptors.- 6.6 Leydig Cells and Spermatogenesis.- 6.7 Androgens in Blood.- 6.8 Abnormalities of Leydig Cell Function.- 7 The Effect of Testicular Damage on Sertoli and Leydig Cell Function.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Spermatogenic Damage and the Control of FSH Secretion.- 7.3 Sertoli Cell Function and Testicular Damage.- 7.4 Luteinising Hormone, Testosterone and Spermatogenic Damage.- 7.5 Leydig Cell Structure and Spermatogenic Damage.- 7.6 Leydig Cell Function and Testicular Damage.- References.
