PHYSIOLOGIC ANATOMY OF THE MALE

SEXUAL ORGANS

Dr. Jihan AL- Maisari

 INTRODUCTION
Reproductive system ensures the continuation of species. Gonads are the primary
reproductive organs which produce the gametes (egg or ovum); a pair of testes
(singular = testis) produces sperms in males and a pair of ovaries produces ovum in
females

■■ Genetic sex is defined by the sex chromosomes, XY in males and XX in females.

■■ Gonadal sex is defined by the presence of testes in males and ovaries in females.

■■ Phenotypic sex is defined by the characteristics of the internal genital tract and the
external genitalia..
A. Male phenotype :-

■■ The testes of gonadal males secrete anti-müllerian hormone and testosterone.

■■ Testosterone stimulates the growth and differentiation of the wolffian ducts, which
develop into the male internal genital tract.
■■ Anti-müllerian hormone causes atrophy of the müllerian ducts (which would have
become the female internal genital tract).

B. Female phenotype :-

■■ The ovaries of gonadal females secrete estrogen, but not anti-müllerian hormone or
testosterone.
■■ Without testosterone, the wolffian ducts do not differentiate.
■■ Without anti-müllerian hormone, the müllerian ducts are not suppressed and therefore
develop into the female internal genital tract.
 Male
Female
XY
Xx

Testes Ovaries

Sertoli Leydig
cells cells

Anti-müllerian Testosterone No anti-müllerian hormone

Hormone No testosterone

Male phenotype Female phenotype

 CLASSIFICATION
Reproductive male organs include:
Primary and accessory sex organs:-
-:Primary Sex Organs
Testes are the primary sex organs or gonads in males.
-:Accessory Sex Organs
Accessory sex organs in males are:-
1. Seminal vesicles
2. Prostate gland
3 urethra
4 penis

External and Internal Genitalia:-

Reproductive organs are generally classified into two groups namely:-

External genital organs in males are scrotum, penis and urethra
Internal genitalia Remaining sex organs
 ACCESSORY SEX ORGANS IN MALES :-

Seminal Vesicles (paired) :-

secrete viscous liquid rich in fructose
fructose serves as energy source for sperm
.
Prostate gland (single) :-
Prostate gland is. surrounds ejaculatory duct at junction with urethra secretes an alkaline
liquid that constitutes major portion of semen akalinity protects sperm for acidity of male
urethra and female vagina

Urethra :-
Urethra in male has both reproductive and urinary functions.. Urethra contains mucus
glands throughout its length, which are called glands of Littre. The bilateral bulbourethral
glands or Cowper glands also open into the urethra

Penis :-
Penis is the male genital organ. Urethra passes through penis and opens to the exterior
Penis is formed by three erectile tissue masses, i.e. a paired corpora cavernosa
and an unpaired corpus spongiosum. Corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra and
terminates distally to form glans penis.
PHYSIOLOGY OF MALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 The male genital system

Two
Different Accessory
gonads
tubules glands

Testes - Rete testes

-Vas efferens
-Seminal vesicles
-Epididymis
-Prostate
-vas deferens
-Bulbo – urethral
-Seminiferous -Ejaculatory glands(cowper`s)
Tubules duct
-Interstitial cells
of Leydig
 TESTES
Has dual function :-

a. hormone secretion: interstitial cells testosterone

1. development and maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics

2. stimulates protein synthesis

3. promotes growth of skeletal muscles

b. spermatogenesis: seminiferous tubules formation and maturation of sperm cells

Structure of testis
 FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF TESTES
Testes are the primary sex organs or gonads in males consist of :-

COVERINGS OF TESTIS :-

Each testis is enclosed by three coverings.

1. Tunica Vasculosa:-

Tunica vasculosa is the innermost covering. It is made up of connective tissue and it is

rich in blood vessels

2. Tunica Albuginea :-

Tunica albuginea is the middle covering. It is a dense fibrous capsule

3. Tunica Vaginalis :-

Tunica vaginalis is the outermost closed cleft like covering, formed by mesothelial cells.
 PARENCHYMA OF TESTIS :-

Lobules of Testis :-

Tunica albuginea on the posterior surface of testis is thickened to form the mediastinum
testis. From this the connective tissue septa called septula testis radiate into testis and
bind with tunica albuginea at various points. Because of this, testis is divided into a
number of pyramidal lobules . Each testis has about 200 to 300 lobules.

Seminiferous Tubules :-

Each lobule contains 1 to 4 coiled tubules known as the seminiferous tubules, which are
surrounded and supported by interlobular connective tissue.

Rete Testis :-

Rete testis is a network of thin-walled channels present in mediastinum.

All the seminiferous tubules open into the rete testis
Vas Efferens :-

From rete testis, 8 to 15 tubules called vas efferens arise. Vas efferens join together and
form the head of epididymis and then converge to form the duct of epididymis

Epididymis :-

Duct of epididymis is an enormously convoluted tubule, with a length of about 4 meter. It

begins at head, where it receives vas efferens.

Vas Deferens :-

At the caudal pole of testis, epididymis turns sharply upon itself and continues as vas
deferens, without any definite demarcation

Interstitial Cells of Leydig :-

Interstitial cells of Leydig are the hormone secreting cells of testis, lying in between the
seminiferous tubules.
SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES :-

Seminiferous tubules are thread-like convoluted tubular structures which produce the
spermatozoa or sperms. Each tubule is 30 to 70 cm long with a diameter of 150 to 300μ.
There are about 400 to 600 seminiferous tubules in each testis.
Wall of the seminiferous tubule is formed by three layers:-
1. Outer capsule or tunica propria, formed by fibroelastic connective tissue

2. Thin homogeneous basement membrane

3. Complex stratified epithelium, which consists of two types of cells:-

i. Spermatogenic cells or germ cells

ii. Sertoli cells or supporting cells.

Spermatogenic Cells :-

Spermatogenic cells or germ cells present in seminiferous tubules are precursor cells of
spermatozoa. These cells lie in between Sertoli cells and are arranged in an orderly
manner in 4 to 8 layers.

In children, the testis is not fully developed. Therefore, the spermatogenic cells are in
primitive stage called spermatogonia. With the onset of puberty, spermatogonia develop
into sperms through different stages. Stages of spermatogenic cells Different stages of
spermatogenic cells seen fromperiphery to the lumen of seminiferous tubules are:-

1. Spermatogonium

2. Primary spermatocyte

3. Secondary spermatocyte

4. Spermatid.
Sertoli Cells :-

Sertoli cells are the supporting cells for spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubules. These
cells are also called sustentacular cells or nurse cells.

Functions of Sertoli cells Sertoli cells provide support, protection and nourishment for the
spermatogenic cells present in seminiferous tubules. Sertoli cells:-

1. Support and nourish the spermatogenic cells till the spermatozoa are released from
them

2. Secrete the enzyme aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogen

3. Secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP), which is essential for testosterone activity,
especially during spermatogenesis

4. Secrete estrogen-binding protein (EBP)

5. Secrete inhibin, which inhibits FSH release from anterior pituitary

6. Secrete activin, which has opposite action of inhibin (increases FSH release)

7. Secrete müllerian regression factor (MRF) in fetal testes. MRF is also called müllerian
inhibiting substance (MIS). MRF is responsible for the regression of müllerian duct during sex
differentiation in fetus.
Pathway for the passage of sperms
Blood-testes Barrier :-
Blood-testes barrier is a mechanical barrier that separates blood from seminiferous
tubules of the testes.

Functions of blood-testes barrier :-

1. Protection of seminiferous tubules:-

Substances prevented by blood-testes barrier:-
i. Large molecules including proteins, polysaccharides and cytotoxic substances
ii. Medium-sized molecules like galactose.

Substances permitted by blood-testes barrier:-

i. Nutritive substances essential for spermatogenic cells
ii. Hormones necessary for spermatogenesis
iii. Water

2. Prevention of autoimmune disorders:-

Blood-testes barrier also prevents the development of autoimmune disorders by

inhibiting the movement of antigenic products of spermatogenesis, from testis into
blood.
Damage of blood-testes barrier :-

Blood-testes barrier is commonly damaged by trauma or viral infection like mumps.

Whenever , the blood testes barrier is damaged the sperms enter the blood.

The immune system of the body is activated, resulting in the production of autoantibodies
against sperms.

The antibodies destroy the germ cells, leading to consequent sterility

FUNCTIONS OF TESTES

Testes performs two functions:-

1. Gametogenic function: Spermatogenesis
2. Endocrine function: Secretion of hormones
 -
1 GAMETOGENIC FUNCTIONSOF TESTES –

SPERMATOGENESIS
SPERMATOGENESIS

Definition:-

Spermatogenesis is the process by which the male gametes called spermatozoa

(sperms) are formed from the primitive spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia) in
the testis It takes 74 days for the formation of sperm from a primitive germ cell.

STAGES OF SPERMATOGENESIS :-

Spermatogenesis occurs in four stages:

1. Stage of proliferation(FSH + growth hormone)
2. Stage of growth(testosterone + growth hormone)
3. Stage of maturation(testosterone +growth hormone)
4. Stage of transformation(testosterone + estrogen).
Spermatogenesis. Number in parenthesis indicate chromosomal number
1. Stage of Proliferation :-

Each spermatogonium contains diploid number (23 pairs) of chromosomes. One member of
each pair is from maternal origin and the other one from paternal origin. The 23 pairs
include 22 pairs of autosomal chromo Somes and one pair of sex chromosomes.
Sex chromosomes are one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
During the proliferative stage, spermatogonia divide by mitosis, without any change in
chromosomal number. In man, there are usually seven generations of spermatogonia.
The last generation enters the stage of growth as primary spermatocyte. During this
stage, the spermatogonia migrate along with Sertoli cells towards the lumen of
seminiferous tubule.

2. Stage of Growth :-

In this stage, the primary spermatocyte grows into a large cell. Apart from growth, there
is no other change in spermatocyte during this stage.
3. Stage of Maturation :-

After reaching the full size, each primary spermatocyte quickly undergoes meiotic or
maturation division, which occurs in two phases:-

First phase :-

In the first phase, each primary spermatocyte divides into two secondary spermatocytes.
The significance of the first meiotic division is that each secondary
spermatocyte receives only the haploid or half thenumber of chromosomes.
23 chromosomes include 22 autosomes and a X or a Y chromosome.

Second phase :-

During this phase, each secondary spermatocyte undergoes second meiotic division,
resulting in two smaller cells called spermatids.
Each spermatid has haploid number of chromosomes.

4. Stage of Transformation :-

There is no further division. Spermatids are transformed into matured spermatozoa

(sperms), by means of spermeogenesis and released by spermination.
- :Spermeogenesis

Spermeogenesis is the process by which spermatids

become matured spermatozoa.
Changes taking place during spermeogenesis:
i. Condensation of nuclear material
ii. Formation of acrosome, mitochondrial spiral
filament and tail structures
iii. Removal of extraneous (extra volume of
nonessential) cytoplasm.

-:Spermination

Spermination is the process by which the matured

sperms are released from Sertoli cells into the lumen of
seminiferous tubules.

Human sperm
-: FACTORS AFFECTING SPERMATOGENESIS

Spermatogenesis is influenced by:-

1. Sertoli cells
2. Hormones
3. Other factors.

1. Role of Sertoli Cell in Spermatogenesis :-

Sertoli cells influence spermatogenesis by:-

i. Supporting and nourishing the germ cells

ii. Providing hormonal substances necessary for spermatogenesis
iii. Secreting androgen-binding protein (ABP), which is essential for testosterone
activity, particularly on spermatogenesis
iv. Releasing sperms into the lumen of seminiferous tubules (spermination).
2. Role of Hormones in Spermatogenesis :-

Spermatogenesis is influenced by many hormones, which act either directly or indirectly

Hormones necessary for spermatogenesis are:-

i. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

ii. Testosterone
iii. Estrogen
iv. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
v. Growth hormone (GH)
vi. Inhibin
vii. Activin.

i. Follicule-stimulating hormone :-

Follicule-stimulating hormone is responsible for the initiation of spermatogenesis. It

binds with Sertoli cells and spermatogonia and induces the proliferation of
spermatogonia. It also stimulates the formation of estrogen and androgen-binding .
protein from Sertoli cells
ii. Testosterone :-

Testosterone is responsible for the sequence of remaining stages in spermatogenesis.

It is also responsible for the maintenance of spermatogenesis.
Testosterone activity is largely influenced by androgen-binding protein.

iii. Estrogen :-

Estrogen is formed from testosterone in Sertoli cells. It is necessary for spermeogenesis.

iv. Luteinizing Hormone :-

In males, this hormone is called interstitial cell stimulating hormone. It is essential for the
secretion of testosterone from Leydig cells.

v. Growth Hormone :-

Growth hormone is essential for the general metabolic processes in testis. It is also necessary
for the proliferation of spermatogonia. In pituitary dwarfs, the spermatogenesis is severely
affected.
vi. Inhibin :-

Inhibin is a peptide hormone and serves as a transforming growth factor. It is secreted

by Sertoli cells. In females, it is secreted by granulosa cells of ovarian follicles. Its
secretion is stimulated by FSH.
Inhibin plays an important role in the regulation of spermatogenesis by inhibiting FSH secretion
through feedback mechanism. FSH secreted from anterior pituitary induces spermatogenesis by
stimulating Sertoli cells. It also stimulates the secretion of inhibin from
Sertoli cells. So, when the rate of spermatogenesis increases, there is a simultaneous increase in
inhibin secretion also. Inhibin in turn, acts on anterior pituitary and inhibits the secretion of FSH,
leading to decrease in the pace of spermatogenesis It is believed that inhibin also inhibits FSH
secretion indirectly by inhibiting GnRH secretion from hypothalamus.

.
vii. Activin :-

Activin is also a peptide hormone secreted in gonads along with inhibin. The exact
location of its secretion in testis is not known. It is suggested that activin is secreted
by Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. Activin has opposite actions of inhibin. It increases the
secretion of FSH and accelerates spermatogenesis.

3. Role of Other Factors in Spermatogenesis :-

i. Increase in body temperature :-

Increase in body temperature prevents sperma togenesis. Normally, the temperature in

scrotum is about 2°C less than the body temperature. This low temperature is essential
for spermatogenesis. When the temperature increases, the spermatogenesis stops. It is
very common in cryptorchidism (undescended testes).

High temperature in the abdomen causes

degeneration of seminiferous tubules and stoppage of
spermatogenesis.

ii. Diseases :-

Infectious diseases such as mumps cause degeneration of seminiferous tubules and

stoppage of spermatogenesis.
Role of hormones in spermatogenesis. Blue
arrow = Stimulation, Red dotted arrow = inhibition, GnRH =
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, FSH = Follicle-stimulating
hormone, LH = Lutinizing hormone, GH = Growth hormone.
2-ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONSOF TESTES

MALE SEX HORMONES

HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-GONADAL (HPG) AXIS IN MALES:

The factors involved in the overall control of adult male hormone secretion can
be seen below.

LH/Leydig Cells
Leydig cells express receptors for luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is a
peptide
hormone that activates Gs--cAMP, which in turn initiates testosterone
production
by activating steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR).
• Testosterone diffuses into Sertoli cells (high concentration) and into
the blood.
• Circulating testosterone provides negative feedback to regulate LH
secretion at the level of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.
• Leydig cells aromatize some of this testosterone into estradiol.
5α-reductase
Some target tissue express the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts
testosterone
into the more potent dihydrotestosterone. Some important physiologic
effects primarily mediated by dihydrotestosterone are as follows:
• Sexual differentiation: differentiation to form male external genitalia
• Growth of the prostate
• Male-pattern baldness
• Increased activity of sebaceous glands
• Synthesis of NO synthase in penile tissue

FSH/Sertoli Cells
FSH binds to Sertoli cells and activates a Gs--cAMP pathway. Sertoli cells
release
inhibin B, which has negative feedback on FSH secretion.
Control of Testes
 MALE SEX HORMONES
Testes secrete male sex hormones, which are collectively called the androgens.
Androgens secreted by testes are:-

1. Testosterone
2. Dihydrotestosterone
3. Androstenedione

Among these three androgens, testosterone is secreted in large quantities. However,

dihydrotestosterone is more active.
Female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone are also found in testes.
Two more hormones activin and inhibin are also secreted in testes.
However, these two hormones do not have androgenic actions.
TESTOSTERONE

Synthesis of testosterone :-

■■ Testosterone is the major androgen synthesized and secreted by the Leydig cells.
■■ Leydig cells do not contain 21β-hydroxylase or 11β-hydroxylase (in contrast to the
adrenal cortex) and, therefore, do not synthesize glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids.
■■ LH (in a parallel action to ACTH in the adrenal cortex) increases testosterone
synthesis by stimulating cholesterol desmolase, the first step in the pathway.
■■ Accessory sex organs (e.g., prostate) contain 5a-reductase, which converts
testosterone to its active form, dihydrotestosterone.
■■ 5a-reductase inhibitors (finasteride) may be used to treat benign prostatic
hyperplasia because they block the activation of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
in the prostate.
Source of Secretion of Androgens :-

Androgens are secreted in large quantities by testes and in small quantity by adrenal
cortex.

Testes:-

In testes, androgens are secreted by the interstitial cells of Leydig, which form 20% of
mass of adult testis. Leydig cells are numerous in newborn male baby and in
adult male. But in childhood, these cells are scanty or nonexisting. So, the secretion of
androgens occurs in newborn babies and after puberty.

Adrenal cortex:-

Androgens secreted by zona reticularis of adrenal cortex are testosterone,

androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. Adrenal androgens do not
have any significant physiological actions because of their small quantity. In abnormal
conditions, the hypersecretion of adrenal androgens results in sexual disorders
Chemistry :-

Testosterone is a C19 steroid.

Synthesis :-

Androgens are steroid hormones synthesized from cholesterol.

Androgens are also synthesized directly from acetate.

Metabolism :-
In many target tissues, testosterone is converted into dehydrotestosterone, which is the mos
active androgen. In some of the tissues such as adipose tissue, hypothalamus and liver,
testosterone is converted into estradiol. Major portion of testosterone is degraded in
liver. It is converted into inactive forms of androsterone and dehydroepiandrosterone.
These two substances are later conjugated and excreted through urine.
 Cholesterol LH

Synthesis of Pregnenolone
testosterone. LH 
luteinizing
hormone. 17-Hydroxypregnenolone

Dehydroepiandrosterone

Androstenedione

17-OH-steroid dehydrogenase

Testosterone Dihydrotestosterone
5-reductase
( target tissues)
 TESTOSTERONE SECRETION IN DIFFERENT PERIODS OF LIFE :-

Testosterone secretion starts at 7th week of fetal life by fetal genital ridge. Fetal
testes begin to secrete testosterone at about 2nd to 4th month of fetal life. In fetal
life, testosterone secretion from testes is stimulated by human chorionic
gonadotropins, secreted by placenta.
But in childhood, practically no testosterone is secreted approximately until 10 to 12
years of age. Afterwards, the testosterone secretion starts and it increases rapidly at
the onset of puberty and lasts through most of the remaining part of life. The
secretion starts decreasing after 40 years and becomes almost zero by the age of 90
years

1: Fetal life:-

The development of male and female internal and external structures depends
on the fetal hormonal environment. The Wolffian and Müllerian ducts are initially
present in both male and female fetuses. If there is no hormonal input (the
situation in the normal female fetus), female internal and female external structures
develop (Müllerian ducts develop, Wolffian ducts regress).
Normal male development requires the presence of 3 hormones: testosterone,
dihydrotestosterone, and the Müllerian inhibiting factor (MIF).
• (hCG) + LH → Leydig cells → testosterone → Wolffian ducts
5-α-reductase
• testosterone → dihydrotestosterone → urogenital sinus & genital organs
• Sertoli cells → MIF → absence of female internal structures
MIF prevents the development of the Müllerian ducts, which would otherwise
differentiate
into female internal structures. In the absence of MIF, the Müllerian ducts
develop. Thus, in addition to normal male structures, a uterus will be present.
• Wolffian ducts differentiate into the majority of male internal structures;
namely, epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles.
–– In the absence of testosterone, the Wolffian ducts regress.
• Dihydrotestosterone induces the urogenital sinus and genital tubercle
to differentiate into the external scrotum, penis, and prostate gland.
–– In the absence of dihydrotestosterone, female external structures
develop.
2: Childhood :-
Within a few months after birth, LH and testosterone drop to low levels and
remain low until puberty. The cause of this prolonged quiescence of reproductive
hormone secretion during childhood is not known. Interestingly, LH secretion
remains low in spite of low testosterone.
3: Puberty :-
Near the onset of puberty, the amplitude of the LH pulses becomes greater, driving
the mean level of LH higher. Early in puberty, this potentiation of the LH
pulses is especially pronounced during sleep. This increased LH stimulates the
Leydig cells to again secrete testosterone.
4: Adult :-
During adulthood, LH secretion drives testosterone secretion. Thus, it is not
surprising that the relative levels of the two hormones parallel one another.
5: Aging adult :-
Testosterone and inhibin secretions decrease with age. Men in their seventies
generally secrete only 60–70% as much testosterone as do men in their twenties.
Nevertheless, there is no abrupt decrease in testosterone secretion in men that
parallels the relatively abrupt decrease in estrogen secretion that women
experience
at menopause. The loss of feedback will cause an increase in LH and FSH
secretion.
 FUNCTIONS OF TESTOSTERONE :-

In general, testosterone is responsible for the distinguishing characters of masculine

body. It also plays an important role in fetal life.

Functions of Testosterone in Fetal Life :-

Testosterone performs three functions in fetus:-

1. Sex differentiation in fetus

2. Development of accessory sex organs

3. Descent of the testes.

1. Sex differentiation in fetus :-

Sex chromosomes are responsible for the determination of sex of the fetus,
whereas testosterone is responsible for the sex differentiation of fetus.

Fetus has two genital ducts:-

i. Müllerian duct, which gives rise to female accessory sex organs such as vagina,
uterus and fallopian tube

ii. Wolffian duct, which gives rise to male accessory sex organs such as epididymis,
vas deferens and seminal vesicles. If testosterone is secreted from the genital ridge
of the fetus at about 7th week of intrauterine life, the müllerian duct system
disappears and male sex organs develop from Wolffian duct.

In addition to testosterone, müllerian regression factor (MRF) secreted by Sertoli cells is

also responsible for regression of müllerian duct. In the absence of testosterone, Wolffian
duct regresses and female sex organs develop from müllerian duct.
2. Development of accessory sex organs and external genitalia :-

Testosterone is also essential for the growth of the external genitalia, viz. penis and
scrotum and other accessory sex organs, namely genital ducts, seminal vesicles
and prostate.

3. Descent of testes :-

Descent of testes is the process by which testes enter scrotum from abdominal
cavity.Testosterone is necessary for descent of testes.
Functions of Testosterone in Adult Life :-

Testosterone has two important functions in adult:-

1. Effect on sex organs

2. Effect on secondary sexual characters.

1. Actions of testosterone :-

■■ Differentiation of epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles

■■ Pubertal growth spurt
■■ Cessation of pubertal growth spurt (epiphyseal closure)
■■ Libido
■■ Spermatogenesis in Sertoli cells (paracrine effect)
■■ Deepening of voice
■■ Increased muscle mass
■■ Growth of penis and seminal vesicles
■■ Negative feedback on anterior pituitary
2. Actions of dihydrotestosterone :-

■■ Differentiation of penis, scrotum, and prostate

■■ Male hair pattern
■■ Male pattern baldness
■■ Sebaceous gland activity
■■ Growth of prostate

REGULATION OF TESTOSTERONE SECRETION :-

In Fetus :-

During fetal life, the testosterone secretion from testes is stimulated by human
chorionic gonadotropin, which has the properties similar to those of luteinizing
hormone. Human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates the development of Leydig
cells in the fetal testes and promotes testosterone secretion.

In Adults :-

Luteinizing hormone (LH) or interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) stimulates the
Leydig cells and the quantity of testosterone secreted is directly proportional to the amount
of LH available. Secretion of LH from anterior pituitary gland is stimulated by luteinizing
hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) from hypothalamus.
Feedback Control :-

Testosterone regulates its own secretion by negative feedback mechanism. It acts on

hypothalamus and inhibits the secretion of LHRH. When LHRH secretion is inhibited, LH is
not released from anterior pituitary, resulting in stoppage of testosterone secretion from
testes. On the other hand, when testosterone production is low, lack of inhibition of
hypothalamus leads to secretion of testosterone through LHRH and LH
THANK YOU