To determine:
The hypothetical drug that blocked the receptors for FSH and LH would be useful in men.
Introduction:
The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) are the gonadotropin hormones that are secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. They regulate and control the development, puberty, growth, and reproductive events of the body. In both females and males, the FSH and LH stimulate the maturation of the primordial germ cells.
Explanation of Solution
Yes, a hypothetical drug that blocked the receptors for FSH and LH would be useful in males. In human males, the sexual maturation or puberty is marked by the release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) secreted from the hypothalamus. The GnRH triggers the secretion of the LH and FSH from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. LH incites the Leydig cells to produce the testosterone, and FSH that works with testosterone to incite spermatogenesis (sperm formation).
So, if a hypothetical drug blocks the receptor for FSH and LH, it will reduce the production of testosterone and the spermatogenesis, which in turn may be used as a potent contraceptive method.
To determine:
The mechanism of action of a hypothetical drug that blocked the receptors for FSH and LH.
Introduction:
FSH receptors are found on the surface of the Sertoli cells and spermatogonia whereas, the LH receptors are found only on the Leydig cells. The activation of the LH receptors stimulates the production of the androgen hormone. The activation of the FSH receptors stimulates the Sertoli cells to produce the testosterone hormone.
Explanation of Solution
The mechanism of action of a drug that blocked the FSH and LH receptor, can be explained by drug-receptor binding mechanism. Drug-receptor binding involves several types of bonds such as ionic, hydrogen, covalent and Van Der Waals force. So, a drug that blocked the receptors of the FSH and LH, will result in the blocking of the sperm formation and testosterone production.
To determine:
The side effects of a drug that blocked the FSH and LH receptors.
Introduction:
The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) are the gonadotropin hormones that are secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. FSH receptors are found on the surface of the Sertoli cells and spermatogonia. Whereas, the LH receptors are found only on the Leydig cells.
Explanation of Solution
The side effects of the drug that blocked the FSH and LH receptors are.
The reduction in testosterone would have a feminizing influence on the male body and male libido.
Sexual desire and performance would be greatly reduced.
Hence, if a hypothetical drug blocked the receptor for FSH and LH, it will reduce the production of testosterone and the spermatogenesis. This approach may be used as a potent contraceptive method but it will greatly reduced the sexual desire and performance.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 42 Solutions
Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- Standalone Access Card -- for Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology (11th Edition)
- Match each hormone with its effect. oxytocin a. growth of facial hair testosterone b. uterus contracts LH c. LH, FSH are released GnRH d. surge causes ovulation FSH e. follicle develops HCG f. milk is produced prolactin g. corpus luteum is maintainedarrow_forwardSperm are produced in the _______. a. scrotum b. seminal vesicles c. seminiferous tubules d. prostate glandarrow_forwardWhich hormone causes FSH and LH to be released? a. testosterone b. estrogen c. GnRH d. progesteronearrow_forward
- Figure 43.15 Which of the following statements about hormone regulation of the female reproductive cycle is false? LH and FSH are produced in the pituitary, and estradiol and progesterone are produced in the ovaries. Estradiol and progesterone secreted from the corpus luteum cause the endometrium to thicken. Both progesterone and estradiol are produced by the follicles. Secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus is inhibited by low levels of estradiol but stimulated by high levels of estradiol.arrow_forwardBesides producing gametes (sperm and eggs), the primary male and female reproductive organs also produce sex hormones. The _____ and the pituitary gland control secretion of both.arrow_forwardFigure 18.12 Which of the following statements about the male reproductive system is false? a. The vas deferens carries sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicles. b. The ejaculatory duct joins the urethra. c. Both the prostate and the bulbourethral glands produce components of the semen. d. The prostate gland is located in the testes.arrow_forward
- How Is Sex Determined? The absence of a Y chromosome in an early embryo causes the: a. embryonic testis to become an ovary b. Wolffian duct system to develop c. Mllerian duct system to degenerate d. indifferent gonad to become an ovary e. indifferent gonad to become a testisarrow_forwardWatch this video (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/ovulation) to observe ovulation and its initiation in response to the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland. What specialized structures help guide the oocyte from the ovary into the uterine tube?arrow_forwardFigure 43.8 Which of the following statements about the male reproductive system is false? The vas deferens carries sperm from the testes to the penis. Sperm mature in seminiferous tubules in the testes. Both the prostate and the bulbourethral glands produce components of the semen. The prostate gland is located in the testes.arrow_forward
- Match each term with the most suitable description. ___epididymis a. conveys oocyte to uterus ___vas deferens b. can be inflated by blood ___vagina c. where sperm mature ___seminal vesicle d. target of vasectomy ___penis e. main contribution to semen ___oviduct f. sheds lining monthly ___uterus g. birth canalarrow_forwardCompared to separate sexes and assuming self-fertilizing is not possible, what might be one advantage and one disadvantage to hermaphroditism?arrow_forward
- Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168130Author:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark WomblePublisher:OpenStax CollegeHuman Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage LearningConcepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College