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Cited by 194Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesHormonal and reproductive studiesSperm and Testicular Function

Neuroendocrine-gonadal axis in men: frequent sampling of LH, FSH, and testosterone

Spratt, D. I., O'Dea, L. S., Schoenfeld, D., Butler, J., Rao, P. N., Crowley, W. F.·1988·American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
DOI 10.1152/ajpendo.1988.254.5.e658
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Abstract

Previous studies of episodic hormone secretion of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in normal men have produced conflicting results due to examinations of small cohorts of subjects or to limited sampling techniques. We evaluated gonadotropin and testosterone (T) secretory patterns in 20 normal men by sampling blood at 10-min intervals for luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). T concentrations were also analyzed at 20-min intervals in 10 subjects. A previously unappreciated spectrum of gonadotropin and T secretory patterns was observed in normal men. Both mean LH concentrations and mean LH pulse amplitudes varied fourfold between individuals. LH interpulse intervals varied from 30 to 480 min (mean 119 +/- 32). Results also suggested a relative refractory period at the level of the hypothalamus or pituitary. In three subjects, a striking nighttime accentuation of LH pulsations was noted. Through use of Fourier analysis, a diurnal variation in LH was observed in the population (P less than 0.02). Mean FSH levels showed marked variation between individual subjects, with discrete pulses rarely observed. No diurnal variation in FSH secretion was noted. Serum T concentrations determined at 6-h intervals ranged from 105 to 1,316 ng/dl between subjects. When T was measured at 20-min intervals, marked intermittent declines in the T concentrations to levels well below the normal range were observed in 3 of 10 subjects. T secretion was found to lag behind LH secretion by approximately 40 min (P less than 0.02).

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Crossref · 10.1152/ajpendo.1988.254.5.e658

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  • Frequent sampling studies have demonstrated that even healthy men may have frankly hypogonadal T levels over the course of a 24-hour period without experiencing hypogonadal symptoms.

    “Notably, frequent sampling studies have demonstrated that even healthy men may have frankly hypogonadal T levels over the course of a 24-hour period without experiencing hypogonadal symptoms (i.e., decreased libido and sexual dysfunction) (24).”

    From Functional Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Men: Underlying Neuroendocrine Mechanisms and Natural History (2019) · cites this paper as [24]

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Authors
Spratt, D. I., O'Dea, L. S., Schoenfeld, D., Butler, J., Rao, P. N., & Crowley, W. F.
Affiliations
Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
1988-05-01
Volume
254
Issue
5
Pages
E658-E666
ISSN
  • 0193-1849 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1555
DOI
10.1152/ajpendo.1988.254.5.e658
OpenAlex
W1882996427
Cited by
194
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 9
FWCI
4.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Center for Research Resources (RR-1066)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD15788, R01HD015788, T32HD007396, HD 18169, P30HD028138, U54HD028138)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
Keywords
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, luteinizing hormone secretion, follicle-stimulating hormone secretion, testosterone secretion, pulsatile hormone secretion, LH pulse amplitude, diurnal variation, relative refractory period, normal men
MeSH terms
Adult, Blood Specimen Collection, Chronobiology Phenomena, Circadian Rhythm, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Luteinizing Hormone, Male, Reference Values, Testis, Testosterone

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