Hormonal regulation of Testis:

• GnRH from hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary to release LH and FSH.

• LH (leutinizing hormone) ñ stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone and other androgens.

• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) ñ maintains spermatogenesis by stimulating Sertoli cells to produce androgen-binding protein and inhibin.

• Testosterone stimulates spermatogenesis.

• Testosterone and inhibin negatively feed back to hypothalamus and inhibits GnRH secretion.

Testicular function is continuous, not cyclical.

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OVERHEAD: flowchart of male reproductive hormones.