Testosterone Secretion in Males:
GnRH neurons secrete GnRH into the median eminence:
- GnRH stimulates release of LH and FSH from anterior pituitary
In interstitial space (testis):
- LH acts at the Leydig cells to secrete the testosterone (“steroidogenesis”)
- LH-->increase levels of cAMP
In seminiferous tubules:
- at puberty, FSH and testosterone act at Sertoli cells to initiate the production of sperm (“spermatogenesis”)
- FSH -->increase levels of cAMP
- FSH also stimulates the production of inhibin from Sertoli cells which inhibits release of FSH from anterior pituitary
GnRH: gonadotropin-releasing hormone
FSH: follicle stimulating hormone