Hormones are key regulators of the reproductive system. These signaling
molecules are transported in the blood stream to reach target organs in order to regulate
physiologic processes and their function. The most relevant hormones for male
reproductive system are those involved in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis.
Through several stimuli, anterior pituitary produces luteinizing hormone and folliclestimulating
hormone that act on testicular cells modulating both steroidogenesis and
spermatogenesis. In fact, steroidogenesis, namely the production of testosterone, is
crucial for the normal occurrence of spermatogenesis and for feedback actions to the
pituitary and hypothalamus. However, spermatogenesis and Sertoli cells are also
important to the regulation of this axis through the production of activin and inhibin B
that, along with testosterone, also transmit feedback to the brain. Interestingly, in the
last years, new intervenient have appeared in the regulation of male reproductive
function with the discovery that adipose tissue is an endocrine organ and thus also
produces hormones that may be important for this process. Along with the latter, gut
hormones, which are related with the nutrient homeostasis, also modulate the function
of testicular cells. In some cases, this interaction was only found due to metabolic
disorders, like hyper- or hypothyroidism, obesity or diabetes mellitus. Herein, we
propose to discuss the action and function of these hormones that interact with male
reproductive system.
Keywords: Adipokines, Androgens, Estrogens, Follicle stimulating hormone,
Ghrelin, Glucagon like peptide-1, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, Hormonal
control, Hormones, Luteinizing hormone, Obestatin, Resistin, Testosterone,
Thyroid hormones, 5α-dihydrotestosterone.
