Endocrine part of the testis
What are testosterone levels controlled by?
Testosterone levels are controlled by the luteinizing hormone secreted by the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis) Levels of testosterone tend to drop as men age
What is the function of the testis?
- Production of sperm -Endocrine part interstitial cells of leydig secrete the hormone testosterone.
What can low levels of testosterone or hypogonadism lead to?
- Reduced sex drive - Erectile dysfunction -Low sperm count -Enlarged or swollen breast tissue ^ these symptoms may result in the long run to: - loss of body hair -loss of muscle bulk -loss of strength -increased body fat
Why is testosterone important?
- Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics - Without adequate amounts of testosterone, men become infertile, since the testosterone helps in the development of mature sperm. -Testosterone also contributes to sex drive, bone density, muscle strength in woman
What is the effect of testosterone on woman?
-It can cause woman to experience male pattern baldness and infertility - The ovaries secrete small amount of testosterone in woman, although small quantities are also produced by the adrenal glands in both sexes. It is an androgen, meaning that it stimulates the development of male characteristics
Where are the testes located and what is it covered by?
-It lies obliquely, so that its upper pole is tiled slightly forward and laterally, and lower pole backward and medially. -Left testis is about 1cm below the right testis. -It is covered by the layers of the scrotum. In addition it is covered by capsule of the testis: tunica vaginalis, tunica albuginea and tunica vasculosa from outside to inside.
What are testis? What shape are they and where are they suspended from?
-Testes are the male gonad, homologous with the ovaries in the female -It is oval or ellipsoid in shape (compressed from side to side) - It is suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cord
