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Estrogen Action in Males

Insights Through Mutations in Aromatase and Estrogen-Receptor Genes

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Androgens in Health and Disease

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

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Abstract

Testosterone (T) exerts a wide range of effects that span many life stages and are absolutely critical for successful reproduction in male vertebrates. For instance, T secreted by the embryonic and/or neonatal testes plays a critical role in sexual differentiation of internal and external genitalia (1) accessory sex structures (2), and organization of the central nervous system (CNS) (3) Pubertal increases in T play critical roles in pubertal maturation (4) and T continues to play critical roles in activation of sex behaviors (5) regulation of the hypothalamic—pituitary—gonadal axis (6) and stimulation of peripheral reproductive structures in adult males (2). In addition, it has become more widely accepted that T also plays critical roles in nonreproductive effects such as bone growth and expression of renal and hepatic enzymes.

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Lindzey, J., Korach, K.S. (2003). Estrogen Action in Males. In: Bagatell, C.J., Bremner, W.J. (eds) Androgens in Health and Disease. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-388-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-388-0_5

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-314-5

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