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ALTERATION IN THE PLASMA TESTOSTERONE: ESTRADIOL RATIO: AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE INHIBIN HYPOTHESIS
Author(s) -
Sherins Richard J.,
Patterson Amy Pate,
Brightwell David,
Udelsman Robert,
Sartor Jean
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1982.tb23174.x
Subject(s) - testosterone (patch) , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , biology
The data suggest that in the absence of the testis: (1) testosterone can maintain both FSH and LH concentrations chronically within the physiological range; (2) that estradiol preferentially suppresses plasma LH concentration, indicating that the androgenic component of testosterone modulates FSH secretion; and (3) that subphysiological testosterone concentrations accompanied by physiological estradiol levels permit FSH to escape to midcastrate levels while maintaining LH concentration at intact levels. An alteration in the testosterone: estradiol ratio can account for a selective FSH elevation when testosterone production is low. The data provide an alternative explanation for the inhibin phenomenon.