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The Physiology of the Testis

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Principles of Endocrinology and Hormone Action

Part of the book series: Endocrinology ((ENDOCR))

Summary

The testis is the most important organ for reproductive and sexual function. Male fetal sexual differentiation of the genitalia is driven by Leydig cell-secreted androgens and Sertoli cell (SC)-secreted anti-Müllerian hormone. The hormone insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is produced by testicular Leydig cells (LCs) depending on the state of LC differentiation and is stimulated by the long-term trophic effects of luteinizing hormone (see testicular descent). INSL3 is, along with the other major Leydig cell hormone testosterone (Te), essential for testicular descent, which in humans should be completed before birth. The absence of androgen receptor expression in SCs underlies a physiological stage of androgen insensitivity within the male gonad in the fetal and early postnatal periods. From fetal life to adulthood, the testis evolves through maturational phases showing specific morphologic and functional features in its different compartments. The seminiferous cords contain Sertoli and germ cells, surrounded by peritubular cells, and the interstitial tissue contains LCs and connective tissue. During infancy and childhood, LCs regress and Te secretion declines dramatically. SCs remain immature and spermatogenesis is arrested at the premeiotic stage. At puberty, LCs differentiate again, and Te concentration increases and provokes SC maturation and germ cells undergo meiosis, the hallmark of adult spermatogenesis driving to sperm production (see Interstitial compartment). During adulthood androgen receptors became expressed and spermatogenesis occurs, while in aging, despite that sperm cell production remains partially affected, the secretion rate of Te declines depending on the presence of comorbidities and drugs affecting its production by LC (see aging).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Free Lance, Rome, Italy

    Alessandro Ilacqua

  2. Department Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regine Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Davide Francomano

  3. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy

    Antonio Aversa

Authors
  1. Alessandro Ilacqua
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  2. Davide Francomano
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  3. Antonio Aversa
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Correspondence to Antonio Aversa .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy

    Antonino Belfiore

  2. Diabetes and Metabolism Clinical Researc, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam (C, Haifa, Israel

    Derek LeRoith

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Ilacqua, A., Francomano, D., Aversa, A. (2016). The Physiology of the Testis. In: Belfiore, A., LeRoith, D. (eds) Principles of Endocrinology and Hormone Action. Endocrinology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27318-1_17-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27318-1_17-1

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