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Clinical Evaluation of Leydig Cell Function

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Book cover The Leydig Cell in Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Disorders of Leydig Cell function can be primary or secondary to abnormal secretion of LH and FSH. These disorders can be congenital or acquired. The clinical manifestations depend on: (1) location of the defect; (2) age at onset of the disorder; and (3) the nature of associated nonreproductive problems. Because of the critical role of intratesticular testosterone in germ cell maturation, Leydig cell dysfunction often leads to infertility. Testosterone replacement therapy is required for androgen deficient males with primary Leydig cell under-function. Males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may be treated with testosterone to normalize serum testosterone levels, but reversal of infertility requires gonadotropin treatment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

    Ronald S. Swerdloff MD & Christina Wang MD

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA

    Ronald S. Swerdloff MD

  3. General Clinical Research Center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA

    Christina Wang MD

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  1. Ronald S. Swerdloff MD
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  2. Christina Wang MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA

    Anita H. Payne PhD

  2. Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY

    Matthew P. Hardy PhD

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© 2007 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Swerdloff, R.S., Wang, C. (2007). Clinical Evaluation of Leydig Cell Function. In: Payne, A.H., Hardy, M.P. (eds) The Leydig Cell in Health and Disease. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-453-7_30

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-453-7_30

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-754-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-453-7

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