GONADAL FUNCTION

GONADS

Are

the organs that produce

gametessperm in males and
oocytes in females. In addition to
their reproductive function, the
gonads secrete hormones.
The male and female gonads
produce steroid sex hormones

Female Gonads: The Ovaries

Paired oval bodies located in the female

pelvic cavity, produce several steroid
hormones including estrogens &
progesterone

These female sex hormones, along with

FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary,
regulate the menstrual cycle, maintain
pregnancy, and prepare the mammary
glands for lactation.

They also promote enlargement of the

breasts and widening of the hips at

Female Gonads: The Ovaries

The ovaries also produce inhibin, a

protein hormone that inhibits secretion of
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

During pregnancy, the ovaries and

placenta produce a peptide hormone
called relaxin, which increases the
flexibility of the pubic symphysis during
pregnancy and helps dilate the uterine
cervix during labor and delivery. These
actions help ease the babys passage by

Male Gonads: The Testes

Are

oval glands that lie in the scrotum.

The main hormone produced and
secreted by the testes is testosterone,
an androgen or male sex hormone.
Testosterone stimulates descent of the
testes before birth, regulates production
of sperm, and stimulates the
development and maintenance of male
secondary sex characteristics, such as
beard growth and deepening of the voice.
The testes also produce inhibin, which
inhibits secretion of FSH.

ANDROGENS
Major
androgens in
order of
potency
Testosterone
Androstenedio
ne
Dehydroepiand
rosterone
(DHEA)

Produced in the
following
organs:
Adrenal
Ovaries
Testes
Liver

Testes
1.
2.

Production of sperm
Production of reproductive steroid
hormones

Testes

In the embryonic stage, the dominant male

sex hormone, the Testosterone ids in the
development and differentiation of the
primordial glands
After puberty, throughout adulthood, and until
late in old age, testosterone then helps with
sperm production and maintains secondary
sexual characteristics

Anatomy of the Reproductive

System
Located

outside the body, encased

by a muscular sac
Blood flow is governed by an
intricate plexus of arterial and
venous blood, with contraction of the
dartos muscle

Anatomy of the Reproductive

System
Spermatic

cord
- it has the ability to retract the testicles
into the inguinal canal in instances of
threatened injury

a.

Seminiferous tubules
- contain germ cells and Sertoli cells and
are responsible for sperm production

Physiology
Spermatogenesis
spermatogonia are sperm formed from

stem cells
Spermatogonia undergo mitosis and
meiosis
Haploid cells then transform to form
mature sperm.
Sertoli cells are polyfunctional cells that
aid in the development and maturation
of sperm

Physiology

Hormogenesis
- testosterone, the predominant hormone
secreted by the testes

Controlled by the two pituitary hormones:

a. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- acts primarily on germinal stem cells
b. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- acts primarily on the Leydig cells
located at the testicular interstitium
which synthesizes testosterone.

Cellular mechanism of
testosterone action
Testosterone

enters the cell and

converts to
dihydrotestorone(DHT).DHT
complexes with an inrtracellular
receptor protein and this complex
binds to the nuclear receptor
effecting proteinsynthesis cell
growth.

Postnatal development
Testicular

function

Development of secondary sex hair(face,

chest,axilla and pubis.

Enhanced linear skeletal growth.
Development of external and internal
genetalia
Increased upper body musculature.etc.

Effects of
spermatogenesis
Stimulation

of leydig cells induces

production of testosterone.
Exogenous overuse or abuse of
testosterone.
Occurs with some athlete
Reduce the high intratesticular conc.of

testosterone,leading to the reduction of

sperm production.

Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism
( low testosterone, elevated FSH or LH levels and impaired production of sperm)

Klinefelters syndrome
caused by an extra chromosome; men with
this syndrome have small (<2.5cm), firm
testicles, Gynecomastia (enlargement of the
male breast).
2. Testicular Feminization Syndrome
most severe form of androgen-resistant
syndrome; no response to administration of
exogenous testosterone.
3. 5a-Reductase deficiency
the genotype is XY. A reduction of this enyme
results in reduction of testosterone level.

1.

Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism
( low testosterone, elevated FSH or LH levels and impaired production of sperm)

4. Myotonic Dystrophy
autosomal dominantly inherited condition that
presents with hypogonadism, muscle weakness,
frontal balding, diabetes and muscle dystonia.
5. Testicular injury and infection
mumps orchitis (swelling of the testes due to
mumps),
HIV infection, radiation and chemotherapy can also
damage the testes.
6. Sertoli-cell-only-syndrome
characterized by lack of germ cells.

Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
(low testosterone, low or inappropriately normal FSH and LH)

1. Kallmans syndrome
inherited, x-linked recessive trait that
manifests
as hypogonadism during puberty. Associated
defects are anosmia (inability to smell) and
midline
defects (cleft palate and lip), red-green color
blindness and congenital deafness.
2. Hyperprolactinemia
3. Pituitary Disease.

PROGESTERONE
Produced

in the ovaries
Induces secretory activity of the
endometrial glands that have been
primed by estrogen which readies
the endometrium for embryo
implantation.
Dominant hormone responsible for
the luteal phase of cycle.

PROGESTERONE

Progesterone

works with estrogen to

establish and then help regulate the
uterine cycle and promotes changes in
cervical mucus.
Its other effects are exhibited largely
during pregnancy, when it inhibits
uterine motility and takes up where
estrogen leaves off in preparing the
breasts for lactation.

PROGESTERONE
Progesterone

is named for these

important roles (pro = for,
gestation= pregnancy).

However,

the source of
progesterone and estrogen
during most of pregnancy is the
placenta, not the ovaries.

ESTROGENS (C18 Steroid)

With

a name meaning generators of

sexual activity, estrogens are
analogous to testosterone, the male
steroid.

As

estrogen levels rise during

puberty, they (1) promote oogenesis
and follicle growth in the ovary and
(2) exert anabolic effects on the
female reproductive tract.

ESTROGENS (C18 Steroid)

Estrogens

also support the growth

spurt at puberty
Promote development of secondary
sexual characteristics in the female

CLINICALLY IMPORTANT ESTROGENS:

ESTRIONE (E1)

Most

abundant

Clinically Important Estrogens:

Estradiol (E2)

principal

and most potent estrogen; exist

in a reversible state with E1
secreted almost entirely by the ovaries.
assist in the regulation of FSH and LH, has
a role in the development of endometrium
in conjunction with progesterone.
plasma levels are valuable for the
investigation of women with menstrual
difficulties because E2 is an indicator of
ovarian function.

Clinically Important Estrogens: ESTRIOL (E3)

No

hormonal activity. Large

quantities are produced during the
last trimester of pregnancy
Major estrogen produced during
pregnancy.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
1. Hyperestrenism- causes exceptionally
early puberty in female child, feminization
of male, irregular menses in female adult.
Pregnancy estrogen very high without
monthly fluctuation.
Polycystic ovary disease increase estrogen
stimulates LH but does not suppress FSH.
Oral Contraceptives with increased estrogen
prevent release of FSH and LH, prevent LH
surge, preventing ovulation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
2. Hypoestronism

Menopause estrogen levels are very

low

Turners syndrome- gonadal

dysgenesis, short stature, sexual
underdevelopment, premature
menopause.