This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by FRANCHIMONT, P. Articles by DEMOULIN, A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by FRANCHIMONT, P. Articles by DEMOULIN, A.

HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY-TESTIS INTERACTION

Institute of Medicine, Radioimmunoassay Laboratory, University of Liege, Belgium

The recent observation by Schally & co-authors (1971) that the release of both LH and FSH is dependent upon the one `releasing' hormone (LH-RH) has made the study of the hypothalamus—pituitary—testis axis much more complex. Furthermore, the normal maintenance of both spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion depends upon LH and FSH acting synergistically. It may, therefore, be surmised that there is no absolute specificity of gonadal steroids or other substances in the regulation of secretion of gonadotrophins.

Nevertheless, FSH and LH secretion appear to be dissociated in certain pathological conditions. When the Leydig cells are normal but the germinal epithelium has been damaged or destroyed, as after irradiation, certain viral infections, the administration of anti-fertility agents or in idiopathic infertility, the LH levels stay within the normal range whilst those for FSH are elevated (Franchimont, 1966, 1971, 1972; Paulsen et al., 1968;

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. D. Zwart, A. Iranmanesh, and J. D. Veldhuis Disparate Serum Free Testosterone Concentrations and Degrees of Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Luteinizing Hormone Suppression Are Achieved by Continuous Versus Pulsatile Intravenous Androgen Replacement in Men: A Clinical Experimental Model of Ketoconazole-Induced Reversible Hypoandrogenemia with Controlled Testosterone Add-Back J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 1997; 82(7): 2062 - 2069. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]