This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Regulation (androgen production)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

In males, androgen production in the testes is under the control of luteinizing hormone, LH. LH acts on Leydig cells to increase the secondary messenger cAMP; it thus increases the rate of the flux-limiting conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone.

Follicle stimulating hormone, FSH, stimulates the formation of an androgen-binding protein in Sertoli cells.

The production of the anterior pituitary gonandtrophins, LH and FSH, is dependent on release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone, GnRH. GnRH is released from the neurones in the hypothalamus and passes to the anterior pituitary in the hypophysial-portal vessels. GnRH is produced in cyclical bursts approximately every 90 minutes. As might be expected, LH, FSH and the sex steroids show a similar cycle of production. This cycle is modified in two settings:

  • females - androgen production is mildly elevated in accordance with the monthly ovarian cycle
  • puberty - a diurnal cycle is superimposed upon the normal cycle

The adrenal cortex androgens are under the control of ACTH. It controls a similar rate-limiting enzyme to LH.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.