Pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction in methimazole-induced hypothyroidism in rats

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid hormones play a major role in the regulation of testicular maturation and growth and in the control of Sertoli and Leydig cell functions in adulthood. When naturally occurring, hypothyroidism causes male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Sertoli cell function disorders, but when iatrogenic and methimazole-induced its influence on the pituitary-testicular axis function with respect to Sertoli cells is poorly known.

Keywords

• rats
• hypogonadism
• inhibins
• sex hormones
• thionamines
• thyroid gland