Gonadal function

A central concept and mechanism in reproductive and developmental biology is hormonal communication. Small-molecule hormones 

---

The adrenal cortex produces steroidal hormones that are associated with carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, electrolyte balance, and gonadal functions (58). One of these, cortisone [53-06-5] ( ) demonstrated a remarkable ability to relieve the symptoms of inflammatory conditions... 

It is widely accepted that men with testicular cancer have a higher incidence of abnormalities associated with impaired spermatogenesis, both in the cancerous testis but also in the contralateral testis. Men diagnosed as having testicular cancer often have very poor semen quality, with sperm concentrations of less than 10 million/ml compared to healthy men with > 50 million/ml." It is thought that gonadal function is abnormal even before testicular cancer develops, ... 

Osteoporosis is a consequence of the reduction of skeletal mass caused by an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. The loss of gonadal function and aging are the two main factors that contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Around the fourth or fifth decade of life, men and women lose bone at a rate of 0.3-0.5% per year. After menopause, the rate of bone loss increases to 10% a year (Nordin et al. 1990 Riggs et al. 1986,1998). The bone loss due to estrogen withdrawal is associated with increments in both bone resorption as well as in bone formation, with the former exceeding the latter. This indicates the birth of new BMUs or an increase in the lifespan of cur-... 

Konner, M. and Worthman, C. (1980) Nursing frequency, gonadal function, and birth spacing among Kung hunter-gatherers. Science 207, 788-791. 

Gonadal function (e.g., sperm count, sperm motility)... 

Gonadal dysfunction There is evidence of reduced gonadal function in men who suffer from alcoholism. This manifests itself as impotence, testicular atrophy, gynaeco-... 

Shakespeare Macbeth, Act II, scene III) was clearly aware of the effects of ethanol on gonadal function. 

Follow-up studies have demonstrated that tm-DNB exerts a direct effect on the germinal epithelium and not through alterations in hypothalamic and pituitary control of gonadal function." No reproductive effects have been reported in humans. 

Mectianism of Action Agonist at dopamine Dj receptors suppressing prolactin secretion. Therapeutic Effect Shrinks prolactinomas, restores gonadal function, improves symptoms of Parkinson s disease. 

Danazol has been employed as an inhibitor of gonadal function and has found its major use in the treatment of endometriosis. For this purpose, it can be given in a dosage of 600 mg/d. The dosage is reduced to 400 mg/d after 1 month and to 200 mg/d in 2 months. About 85% of patients show marked improvement in 3-12 months. 

In many target tissues, testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone by 5a-reductase. In these tissues, dihydrotestosterone is the major active androgen. The conversion of testosterone to estradiol by P450 aromatase also occurs in some tissues, including adipose tissue, liver, and the hypothalamus, where it may be of importance in regulating gonadal function. 

Tanaka T, Niimi H, Matsuo N, Fujieda K, Tachibana K, Ohyama K, Satoh M, Kugu K. Results of long-term followup after treatment of central precocious puberty with leuprorelin acetate evaluation of effectiveness of treatment and recovery of gonadal function. The TAP-144-SR Japanese study group on central precocious puberty. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005 90 1371-6. 

Kaczmarek I, Groetzner J, Adamidis I, Landwehr P, Mueller M, Vogeser M, Gerstorfer M, Uberfuhr P, Meiser B, Reichart B. Sirolimus impairs gonadal function in heart transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 2004 4(7) 1084-8. 

The effects of 2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure on gonadal function (production of germ cells and secretion of sex hormones) has not been extensively investigated. A health study in Vietnam veterans involved in Operation Ranch Hand found a significant association between decreased testicular size and serum... 

Oishi S, Hiraga K. 1979. Effect of phthalic acid esters on gonadal function in male rats. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 21 65-67. 

---