ANSC 320 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Theca Interna, Sertoli Cell, Leydig Cell
Document Summary
Female has basal level and a preovulatory surge. Endocrine requirements: adequate gnrh, fsh and lh from the anterior pituitary, steroid hormones from the testes. Male has tonic/pulse secretion that is constantly occurring: almost instantly stimulate lh release, can happen 4 to 8 per 24 hours, constant inhibin production helps with the longer half-life of fsh. Leydig comparable to the theca interna: produce progesterone which is converted to testosterone, occurs less than 30 min post lh secretion. Pulsatile lh is vital: high levels of testosterone is needed for spermatogenesis, must be restricted to the testes, blood is 500 times lower, avoid negative feedback on gnrh/lh and fsh. Leydig cells become refractory from constant exposure: results in reduced testosterone. Process is called spermatogenesis: goals, continual supply of gametes, genetic diversity, maximize reproduction efficiency, provide an immunologically protected site for this process, occurs in the seminiferous epithelium or tubules.
