Question

Explain how testosterone in young boys (prepuberty) is released and remains at low
circulating levels. Discuss the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary and the testes.

Answer 1

The testosterone is a major hormone in men which helps in development of secondary sexual characteristics in men. Boys start making detectable and high amount of testosterone only after puberty and before puberty they produce low level of testosterone. It is found that only 10% of level of testosterone is detectable before puberty as compared to post puberty. The hormone is produced by the testes and as it is released it helps in inducing many changes. The reason why testosterone level is undetectable in blood before puberty is because the body produces very low level of testosterone.

The production of the testosterone in high amount after the brain development. The process of testosterone production is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. During the puberty, the brain develops and hence it starts producing high level of testosterone. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain which sends a signal to the pituitary gland which is located below it. The pituitary gland the releases the gonadotrophic hormones which are follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. After this the luteinizing hormone stimulates the testes and it leads to the production of the testosterone. When there is excess production of the testosterone, the body signals the hypothalamus and it signals the anterior pituitary to stop secreting LH which alerts testes to stop testosterone production.