Influencing the sperm count
David J Cahill in Practical Patient Management in Reproductive Medicine, 2019
Spermatogenesis is the result of a delicate interplay between pituitary hormones, endocrine activity in the testis and induction of receptors in the cells of the testis. In an endocrinologically competent man, two hormones, FSH and LH, work together to stimulate the production of testosterone and sperm (Figure 4.2). (LH in men was previously called interstitial cell stimulating hormone). The endocrine control of spermatogenesis is illustrated in Figure 4.3a. GnRH signals the anterior pituitary gonadotroph cells to produce FSH and LH. LH binds to receptors on the surface of the Leydig cells (previously called interstitial cells) to induce production of testosterone. Testosterone moves by diffusion into capillaries, and thence into the circulation to have endocrine effects elsewhere (muscle, bone, etc.). Locally, it moves across the basement membrane into adjacent Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules to have a paracrine effect. This is a key step and must be mimicked if exogenous gonadotrophin treatment is used therapeutically. Sertoli cells possess receptors for testosterone and FSH. Testosterone induces the receptors which respond to FSH (46). The basement membrane, illustrated in Figure 4.2 as a thick line separating the Leydig cells and vasculature from the Sertoli cells is clinically and immunologically important. It serves as a barrier, the ‘blood-testis’ barrier, keeping the immunologically different spermatozoa separate from the rest of the body. Full details of intracellular changes and signalling can be found elsewhere (47).
The Reproductive System and Its Disorders
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss in Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
Numerous other structures and cells exist within the testicles; for example, Sertoli cells may nourish developing sperm cells, and Leydig cells (interstitial cells) produce the male hormone androgen. Yet much of the medical terminology related to testicular function, disease, and treatment is derived from a few basic sources. The Greek word for testis is orchis, and the prefixes orchi-, orchio-, and orchido- refer to testes in such terms as orchidotomy (incision into the testis, usually for biopsy), orchidectomy (removal of the testis), orchitis (inflammation of the testis), orchidalgia (pain in the testicle), and cryptorchidism (failure of the testicle to descend into the scrotum; also called cryptorchism).
Reproductive System and Mammary Gland
Pritam S. Sahota, James A. Popp, Jerry F. Hardisty, Chirukandath Gopinath, Page R. Bouchard in Toxicologic Pathology, 2018
Sertoli cells are large, post-proliferative cells that make up approximately 10% of cells within the mature seminiferous epithelium and play an essential role in spermatogenesis. They are responsive to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and androgens, and serve multiple complex functions, including maintenance of the spermatogonial stem cell niche, simultaneous support of synchronous differentiation among four generations of germ cells, maintenance of the BTB, secretion of seminiferous tubular fluid, production of secretory compounds (including anti-Müllerian hormone, androgen binding protein, inhibin, growth factors, and endothelin), release of matured spermatids, and phagocytosis of residual bodies and apoptotic germ cell remnants (Gondos and Berndtson 1993). Maintenance of the BTB prevents penetration of xenobiotics as well as protecting against immunologic exposure of antigens unique to adluminal germ cells.
Sodium arsenite-induced detriment of cell function in Leydig and Sertoli cells: the potential relation of oxidative damage and antioxidant defense system
Published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2020
Banu Orta Yilmaz, Nebahat Yildizbayrak, Melike Erkan
In the male reproductive system, Leydig cells, also known as main source of androgens, are the testosterone-producing cells located in the interstitial area between seminiferous tubules of testes. The Sertoli cells, located in the seminiferous epithelium of the tubular compartment, are essential for supporting and promoting the spermatogenesis, and forming the blood-testis barrier (França and Russell 1998). Furthermore, these cells are the principal target cells of reproductive toxicants. Although there are many studies regarding the toxic effects of arsenic suppressing male reproductive functions, there is a restrict data demonstrating how arsenic acts directly on testicular cell types. Leydig and Sertoli cells are used as an in vitro model in this study. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the toxicity and oxidative stress caused by sodium arsenite on in vitro Leydig and Sertoli cells, focusing on the changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels.
Effects of Treatment with Nauclea latifolia Root Decoction on Sexual Behavior and Reproductive Functions in Male Rabbits
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2018
Quadri Kunle Alabi, Olaoluwa Sesan Olukiran, Modinat Adebukola Adefisayo, Benson Akinloye Fadeyi
In a similar vein, the significant increase in the concentration of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone observed in this study following treatment with N. latifolia could result in stimulation of the synthesis and secretion of testosterone. Both FSH and LH are essential for testicular function and spermatogenesis. LH stimulates testosterone production from the interstitial cells of the testes (Leydig cells), without which androgen production is not possible (Huthaniemi and Toppari, 1995). FSH stimulates testicular growth and enhances the production of an androgen-binding protein by the Sertoli cells, which are a component of the testicular tubule necessary for sustaining the maturing sperm cell (Walker, 2011; Walker and Cheng, 2005). FSH and LH were significantly higher in the groups treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg compared to the 100 mg/kg treatment group and to untreated controls. Sexual maturation in male rabbits is related to an increase in FSH secretion since FSH binds within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate spermatogenesis (Ojeda and Skinner, 2006; Walker and Cheng, 2005). Thus, a combination of increased testosterone and FSH seen in this study favors spermatogenesis.
Hyperprolactinaemia in male infertility: Clinical case scenarios
Published in Arab Journal of Urology, 2018
Zeinab Dabbous, Stephen L Atkin
An understanding of the HPG axis is important for understanding the pathophysiology of pituitary dysfunction in male infertility. Testicular function is regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (Fig. 2). The hypothalamus secretes GnRH, which reaches the anterior pituitary via the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal circulation to stimulate production of the glycoprotein hormones LH and FSH. FSH and LH are consequently secreted into the circulation for their stimulatory actions on the testes. FSH acts on Sertoli cells triggering spermatogenesis and hormone synthesis, primarily inhibin. LH binds to the LH receptors on Leydig cells stimulating steroidogenesis and testosterone production. There is evidence suggesting that FSH may stimulate testosterone production by Leydig cells secondary to the release of activating hormones from Sertoli cells [18].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Anterior Pituitary
- Seminiferous Tubule
- Sperm
- Spermatogenesis
- Sustentacular Cell
- Cell
- Testicle
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor
- Germinal Epithelium