ENDOCRINOLOGY OF

THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM,

INTRODUCTION

M. Djauhari Widjajakusumah
Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 Maintaining the continuity of the species

 Asexual reproduction:
 forming new offspring that does not involve the union of
two gametes
 lower animals, microorganisms, plants

 Sexual reproduction:
 involves fundamental processes: gametogenesis &
fertilization
 gametes have half the normal chromosomes
GONADS
 Dual function:
 Gametogenesis
 Sex hormones: androgens and estrogens
 Inhibin: inhibition of FSH secretion

 Testes
 Large amounts of androgens (testosterone)
 Small amounts of estrogens

 Ovaries
 Large amounts of estrogens
 Small amounts of androgens
 Progesterone
 Relaxin (particularly in pregnancy)
 SEX DIFFERENTIATION

 Determined genetically by sex chromosomes (X & Y)

 Y chromosome:
 necessary for the production of testes
 testis-determining gene product: SRY
 testicular differentiation  fetal testis:
 testosterone (Leydig)
 mullerian inhibiting substance / MIS (Sertoli)
 under the influence of hCG
DEVELOPMENT OF THE GONADS

 Primitive gonad --> indifferent gonad (cortex and medulla)

 Genetic males (7th week):
 the medulla of indifferent gonad --> testis
 Leydig and Sertoli cells appear
 Testosterone and MIS secreted
 cortex regresses

 Genetic females
 the cortex of indifferent gonad --> ovary
 embryonic ovary does not secrete hormones
 medulla regresses
Pseudo-hermaphroditism: Hormonal Abnormalities

Pseudohermaphrodite
 individual with the genetic constitution and gonad of one
sex, and the genitalia of the other
Female pseudohermaphroditism
 male genital development in genetic female
 androgens exposure during 8th-13th week of gestation
 congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia
 androgens administered to the mother
Pseudo-hermaphroditism: Hormonal Abnormalities

Male pseudohermaphroditism
The embryonic testes are defective
 development of female external genitalia in genetic
males
 deficient in MIS  female internal genitalia
Androgen resistance
 male hormones can not exert their full effects on the
tissue
 5alpha-reductase deficiency  dihydrotestosterone
decreased  female external genitalia
 mutation in the androgen receptor gene
Thank you