Mechanisms of negative feedback regulation of GnRH by testosterone in males

这个项目将提高我们对男性生殖激素控制的认识。睾丸产生的睾丸激素作用于大脑，控制一种叫做促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）的物质的分泌。GnRH作用于大脑底部的一个小腺体，产生一种叫做促性腺激素的激素，这种激素对生殖至关重要。这些促性腺激素作用于睾丸，以确保精子和其他激素（包括睾酮）的产生。我们计划确定睾丸激素如何作用于大脑以控制GnRH分泌。为了做到这一点，我们将使用雄性绵羊进行一系列实验，旨在展示大脑中睾丸激素的作用最终影响产生GnRH的神经细胞。睾酮和类似的化合物越来越多地被用于治疗不孕症，作为男性避孕药，并被误用为合成代谢类固醇。全面了解睾丸激素在大脑中的作用，对于改善生殖疾病的治疗并最终改善男性的生殖健康是必要的。

This project will improve our knowledge of the hormonal control of reproduction in males. The hormone testosterone, produced by the testes, acts on the brain to control the secretion of a substance called gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH acts on a small gland at the base of the brain to cause the production of hormones called gonadotrophins, that are essential for reproduction. These gonadotrophins act on the testes to ensure the production of sperm and other hormones, including testosterone. We plan to determine how testosterone acts on the brain to control GnRH secretion. To do this we will use male sheep and conduct a series of experiments designed to show where in the brain testosterone acts to ultimately affect the nerve cells that produce GnRH. Testosterone and similar compounds are increasingly being used as treatments for infertility, as a male contraception and misused as anabolic steroids. A thorough knowledge of how testosterone acts in the brain is necessary to improve treatments for reproductive disorders and ultimately to improve reproductive health in men.