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M Wagner, Thyroid Section, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
S Magaginin, Thyroid Section, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
A Maia, INTERNAL MEDICINE, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil
Correspondence: Ana Luiza Maia, Email: almaia{at}ufrgs.br
Abstract
Thyroid hormone is a critical regulator of growth, development and metabolism in virtually all tissues, and altered thyroid status affects many organs and systems. Although for many years testis has been regarded as a thyroid hormone unresponsive organ, it is now evident that thyroid hormone plays an important role in testicular development and function. A considerable amount of data shows that thyroid hormone influences steroidogenesis as well as spermatogenesis. The involvement of triiodothyronine (T3) in the control of Sertoli cell proliferation and functional maturation is widely accepted, as well as its role in postnatal Leydig cell differentiation and steroidogenesis. The presence of thyroid hormone receptors in testicular cells throughout development and in adulthood implies that T3 may act directly on these cells to bring about its effects. Several recent studies have employed different methodologies and techniques in an attempt to understand the mechanisms underlying thyroid hormone effects on testicular cells. The current review aims at presenting an updated picture of the recent advances of our knowledge regarding the role of thyroid hormones in male gonadal function.
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