Neuroendocrinology and Impotence

Excerpt

Impotence—erectile dysfunction is the preferred term—is a poorly understood, common medical problem that may result from psychogenic, vascular, neurologic, or hormonal disorders. Several new studies have encouraged a more hopeful outlook for patients with impotence. Providing the basis of this optimism are recent developments that allow a better understanding of the role of a hypothalamic hormone that controls pituitary gonadal function.

The testicle possesses two functional units. The seminiferous tubules are responsible for spermatogenesis and fertility, and the Leydig cell is responsible for the production of testosterone and potency. One pituitary gonadotropin, follicle stimulating hormone, stimulates spermatogenesis; luteinizing hormone stimulates