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what are the hormonal activities in male reproductive system?
Men primarily produce three types of hormones: follicle-stimulating hormones, luteinizing hormones and steroid hormones. These chemicals control everything from hair growth to sperm production to muscle development, and decrease in production as men age.
The first hormone in the chain is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), released by the hypothalamus to stimulate the release of pituitary gonadotropins - follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland. In both males and females these two hormones act to promote gametogenesis and androgen/estrogen secretion.
Testosterone made in the testes, testosterone enters systemic circulation in relatively constant concentrations in a healthy, reproductive-age male. This hormone produces and maintains the secondary sexual characteristics of the male---enhanced musculature, facial and body hair, thickened larynx and deepened voice and enlargement of the genitals. It's also responsible for the sex drive and works with FSH to stimulate the production of sperm.
The hormone inhibin is produced by cells in the testes that are responsible for monitoring the health and maturation of sperm. If sperm levels are high, making nutrients for the developing sperm scarce, the testes release inhibin. The inhibin travels through the bloodstream to the brain, where it prevents the secretion of GnRH. In the absence of GnRH, FSH and LH levels fall and sperm production slows. This is one of the major mechanisms whereby male hormones are maintained at relatively constant concentration.


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