A 16-year-old male presents with delayed pubertal signs and social immaturity. His lab values show low testosterone. He was administered GnRH, and no LH was produced. HCG was administered, which restored testosterone to normal levels. Secondary Male Hypogonadism Due to Pituitary Dysfunction- Assessment of Hormonal Response Secondary Male Hypogonadism Due to Pituitary Dysfunction- Assessment of Hormonal Response Discuss male hypogonadism. Explain hormone administration. Is there a problem with the hypothalamus? Why or why not? Length: A minimum of 250 words, not including
Male Hypogonadism
This is a condition where the body fails to produce enough male hormones that play an important role in development during puberty and masculine growth. It can be congenital, obtained later in life, or from an injury or infection (Sargis & Davis, 2018). The signs and symptoms depend on the time at which the condition develops. If the body does not produce enough testosterone during fetal development, there may be impaired development of sex hormones. The child may present with underdeveloped male genitals or female genitals (Sargis & Davis, 2018). Male hypogonadism can delay puberty or cause incomplete development. It can affect voice deepening, penile growth, growth of pubic hair, and muscle development (Sargis & Davis, 2018).
Hormone Administration
hCG hormone is used to treat male hypogonadism. It stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (Minhas et al., 2019). hCG doses should be adjusted until normal serum testosterone levels are restored. hCG is important since it is required in spermatogenesis and the replacement of LH (Minhas et al., 2019). It is a safe alternative to testosterone replacement therapy.
Hypothalamus Problem
Yes, there is a problem with the hypothalamus. Problems in the hypothalamus result in secondary hypogonadism. This condition is known as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The hypothalamus signals the testes to produce testosterone. The role of the hypothalamus is to secrete the gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which signals the pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (Sagi et al., 2020). The role of LH is to signal the testes to produce testosterone. Problems in the hypothalamus will thus result in a lack of or inadequate secretion of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This will result in problems with testosterone production.
References
Minhas, S., Tharakan, T., & Miah, S. (2019). Faculty opinions recommendation of indications for the use of human chorionic gonadotropic hormone for the management of infertility in hypogonadal men. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature. https://doi.org/10.3410/f.735091493.793556544
Sagi, S. V., Joshi, H., Whiles, E., Hikmat, M., Puthi, V. R., MacDougall, J., Spiden, S. L., Fuller, G., Park, S., & Oyibo, S. O. (2020). Normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to a novel GNRH1 variant in two siblings. Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Case Reports, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1530/edm-19-0145
Sargis, R. M., & Davis, A. M. (2018). Evaluation and treatment of male Hypogonadism. JAMA, 319(13), 1375. https://doi.org/10.1001/