Vol 63, Supp. I (2012)
Reviews — Postgraduate Education
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2012-12-31
Abstract
Stress is generally a natural phenomenon that affects behaviour, physiological processes, and neuroendocrine, neurochemical, neurological
and immune responses. Many somatic and mental disorders are thought to result from chronic stress. Stress-induced gonadal dysfunction
is not restricted to humans, but is observed in all higher animals. Stress-induced gonadal dysfunction comprises disturbances of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and of spermatogenesis. Various stressors induce changes in the secretion of neurotransmitters and
hormones, such as CRH, ADH, beta-endorphins, somatostatin, VIP, PRL, GH, TSH, dopamine, serotonin, neuropeptide Y, melatonin, ACTH,
glucocorticosteroids, catecholamines and androgens. In acute stress, testicular function is principally modified by cytokines and fluctuating
concentrations of gonadotropins, while in chronic stress, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and disruption of spermatogenesis of varying
severity, including spermatogenetic arrest, are observed. In spite of the decades-long interest in the relationships between psychological stress
and the function of male gonads, many questions in this area remain unanswered. (Pol J Endocrinol 2012; 63 (zeszyt edukacyjny I) 1–6)
Abstract
Stress is generally a natural phenomenon that affects behaviour, physiological processes, and neuroendocrine, neurochemical, neurological
and immune responses. Many somatic and mental disorders are thought to result from chronic stress. Stress-induced gonadal dysfunction
is not restricted to humans, but is observed in all higher animals. Stress-induced gonadal dysfunction comprises disturbances of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and of spermatogenesis. Various stressors induce changes in the secretion of neurotransmitters and
hormones, such as CRH, ADH, beta-endorphins, somatostatin, VIP, PRL, GH, TSH, dopamine, serotonin, neuropeptide Y, melatonin, ACTH,
glucocorticosteroids, catecholamines and androgens. In acute stress, testicular function is principally modified by cytokines and fluctuating
concentrations of gonadotropins, while in chronic stress, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and disruption of spermatogenesis of varying
severity, including spermatogenetic arrest, are observed. In spite of the decades-long interest in the relationships between psychological stress
and the function of male gonads, many questions in this area remain unanswered. (Pol J Endocrinol 2012; 63 (zeszyt edukacyjny I) 1–6)
Keywords
psychological stress; testis; gonadotropins; androgens; semen
Title
Psychological stress and the function of male gonads
Journal
Endokrynologia Polska
Issue
Vol 63, Supp. I (2012)
Article type
Review paper
Pages
1-6
Published online
2012-12-31
Page views
569
Article views/downloads
3471
Keywords
psychological stress
testis
gonadotropins
androgens
semen
Authors
Paweł Jóźków
Marek Mędraś