Reproductive Disorders: Male

Question 1

When you have acquired hypogonadism, the testes become _______________.

Answer 1

small and soft (“like your cheek”)

Question 2

What metabolic liver disorder can cause testicular atrophy?

Answer 2

Hemachromatosis, because iron deposits selectively in gonadotrophs –presents with low FSH/LH and low T

Question 3

It’s thought that ______________ may account for the decrease in total testosterone in older men.

Answer 3

decreased sex-hormone-binding globulin

Note: this would result in the same level of free (physiologically active) testosterone. This is why some people think the total testosterone test is inaccurate.

Question 4

Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism usually presents with elevated ________________.

Answer 4

FSH and LH, with FSH usually being higher than LH

Question 5

True or false: high levels of FSH and LH indicate testicular causes of hypogonadism.

Answer 5

True, but there can be cases in which pituitary tumors secrete high levels of LH and FSH and the testicles get exhausted.

Question 6

One study showed that _____________ could increase levels of SHBG and total testosterone.

Answer 6

weight loss

Question 7

Testosterone therapy has been shown to increase risk of _______________.

Answer 7

cardiac events, including death; the risk correlated with higher initial testosterone

Question 8

If __________ happens in a man being treated with testosterone, then he must see a urologist.

Answer 8

PSA increases by more than 1.5 ng/ml in 12 months

Question 9

There are two forms of inhibin. Which is the influential one?

Answer 9

Inhibin B

Question 10

What happens to Leydig cells and Sertoli cells in Klinefelter’s?

Answer 10

There are no Sertoli cells. Leydig cells remain, but they are dysfunctional.

Question 11

Which gonadotrophic hormone will be higher in those with Klinefelter’s?

Answer 11

FSH because they have no Sertoli cells and thus cannot make inhibin B