Neuroendocrine Regulation of the Testis

Neuroendocrine Regulation of the Testis:-

In hypothalamus GnRH secreted in pulses one pulse every 3 hours, if secreted continuously the anterior pituitary not responds to it, anterior pituitary secrete

FSH AND LH (LH follows the pulsatile pattern of GnRH secretion while FSH increase or decrease according to demand.

FSH has specific receptors on steroli cells, after binding to it:

1. They stimulate spermatogenesis.

2. Stimulate sertoli cells secretion estrogen and inhibin which have –ve feedback on anterior pituitary LH effect on leydig cells stimulate it to secrete testosterone which acts locally on sertoli cells that effect spermatogenesis and estrogen secretions also effect target tissues outside the testis (sexual characteristics ).

Testosterone have negative feedback on anterior pituitary that inhibit FSH and LH secretion which causes negative feedback on hypothalamus to decrease GnRH secretions

The mature sperm is capable of movement in a straight line. Its activity is increased with increasing temperature, also increase neutral & alkaline medium & decreased in acidic medium. Average PH of semen is 7.5, the sperm remain in genital tract for 1-2 days.