Testes in the Endocrine System

[Beau Geste (imported)]

From what I have read, my impression is that all the various endocrine glands affect each other. The pituitary gland, for example, apparently stimulates the testes to cause the onset of puberty, and my understanding is that "hot flashes" are brought about by the response of other endocrine glands to the reduction in testosterone which is normally produced by the testes. Has anybody researched the influences which hormones produced by the testes have on other ductless glands in the body?

[Eunuchist (imported)]

From what I have read, my impression is that all the various endocrine glands affect each other. The pituitary gland, for example, apparently stimulates the testes to cause the onset of puberty, and my understanding is that "hot flashes" are brought about by the response of other endocrine glands to the reduction in testosterone which is normally produced by the testes. Has anybody researched the influences which hormones produced by the testes have on other ductless glands in the body?

It is my understanding that hot flashes occur because of increases in gonadotropins and GNRH in the pituitary and hypothalamus. They are most prominent in the first few years following castration, usually subsiding significantly over time (probably because both LH and GNRH output tend to decrease over time in eunuchs; at least the decreasing trend was confirmed in castrated mice). As hypothalamus is the main thermostat center regulating the body temperature, most researchers suspect that hot flashes are a result of the hypothalamus actively trying to increase it's secretion of GNRH in an attempt to stimulate the gonads, an activity wich in turn temporary confuses it's temperature settings. In several studies examining the effects of menopause, a close synchrony between the occurrence of hot flushes and LH pulse was observed (though there were a few exceptions). It seems that those who have the strongest pituitary response and the highest sex hormone levels at the time of withdrawal, are also those who are most troubled by the hot flashes, and vice versa, suggesting a dose-dependet effect.

As to other endocrine glands and their relationship with testosterone, it seems that androgens have a stimulatory effect on the thyroid gland (http://www.springerlink.com/content/l031g567k3p76x8j/), a shrinking effect on the thymus, an inhibitory effect on adrenal androgens and pressure-natriuresis in the kidneys, wich in turn increases arterial blood pressure at puberty and into adulthood (http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/31/1/435).

[WunGawn (imported)]

hotflashes are a symptom of estrogen withdrawal, when testosterone goes down, so does estrogen and taking estrogen injections or patches should help

[twaddler (imported)]

when testosterone goes down, so does estrogen

Why would estrogen levels go down when testosterone levels drop? Just curious, I hadn't heard of that.

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Estrogen is produced as a by-product of the breakdown of testosterone. Hot flashes are a sign of both androgen deficency and estrogen deficency so, adding either hormone may provide relief from hot flashes in the others absence. --FLO--

[WunGawn (imported)]

Estrogen is produced as a by-product of the breakdown of testosterone. Hot flashes are a sign of both androgen deficency and estrogen deficency so, adding either hormone may provide relief from hot flashes in the others absence. --FLO--

i know testosterone and estrogen are simular chemicly, estrogen can be given to a castrated male for sex drive. so your right, testosterone would stop hot flashes in a menopausal female.

[A-1 (imported)]

...All I know is the difference between an enzyme and a hormone...

...the difference is that you cannot hear an enzyme...