Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function

Growth hormone (GH), which is commonly considered to be a promoter of growth and development, has direct and indirect effects on adult gonads that influence reproduction and sexual function of humans and nonhumans. GH receptors are expressed in adult gonads in some species including humans. For male...

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Main Authors: Xin-Yi Zhou, Jia-Ni Ma, Ya-Yin Shen, Xue-Rui Xie, Wei Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-01-01
Series:International Journal of Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/7492696
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author Xin-Yi Zhou
Jia-Ni Ma
Ya-Yin Shen
Xue-Rui Xie
Wei Ren
author_facet Xin-Yi Zhou
Jia-Ni Ma
Ya-Yin Shen
Xue-Rui Xie
Wei Ren
author_sort Xin-Yi Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Growth hormone (GH), which is commonly considered to be a promoter of growth and development, has direct and indirect effects on adult gonads that influence reproduction and sexual function of humans and nonhumans. GH receptors are expressed in adult gonads in some species including humans. For males, GH can improve the sensitivity of gonadotropins, contribute to testicular steroidogenesis, influence spermatogenesis possibly, and regulate erectile function. For females, GH can modulate ovarian steroidogenesis and ovarian angiogenesis, promote the development of ovarian cells, enhance the metabolism and proliferation of endometrial cells, and ameliorate female sexual function. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is the main mediator of GH. In vivo, a number of the physiological effects of GH are mediated by GH-induced hepatic IGF-1 and local IGF-1. In this review, we highlight the roles of GH and IGF-1 in adult human gonads, clarify potential mechanisms, and explore the efficacy and the risk of GH supplementation in associated deficiency and assisted reproductive technologies. Besides, the effects of excess GH on adult human gonads are discussed as well.
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spelling doaj-art-ddecbc60ee6c4d29a5dd0efabbd75ef52025-08-20T02:21:34ZengWileyInternational Journal of Endocrinology1687-83452023-01-01202310.1155/2023/7492696Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual FunctionXin-Yi Zhou0Jia-Ni Ma1Ya-Yin Shen2Xue-Rui Xie3Wei Ren4Department of EndocrinologyDepartment of EndocrinologyDepartment of EndocrinologyDepartment of EndocrinologyDepartment of EndocrinologyGrowth hormone (GH), which is commonly considered to be a promoter of growth and development, has direct and indirect effects on adult gonads that influence reproduction and sexual function of humans and nonhumans. GH receptors are expressed in adult gonads in some species including humans. For males, GH can improve the sensitivity of gonadotropins, contribute to testicular steroidogenesis, influence spermatogenesis possibly, and regulate erectile function. For females, GH can modulate ovarian steroidogenesis and ovarian angiogenesis, promote the development of ovarian cells, enhance the metabolism and proliferation of endometrial cells, and ameliorate female sexual function. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is the main mediator of GH. In vivo, a number of the physiological effects of GH are mediated by GH-induced hepatic IGF-1 and local IGF-1. In this review, we highlight the roles of GH and IGF-1 in adult human gonads, clarify potential mechanisms, and explore the efficacy and the risk of GH supplementation in associated deficiency and assisted reproductive technologies. Besides, the effects of excess GH on adult human gonads are discussed as well.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/7492696
spellingShingle Xin-Yi Zhou
Jia-Ni Ma
Ya-Yin Shen
Xue-Rui Xie
Wei Ren
Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function
International Journal of Endocrinology
title Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function
title_full Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function
title_fullStr Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function
title_short Effects of Growth Hormone on Adult Human Gonads: Action on Reproduction and Sexual Function
title_sort effects of growth hormone on adult human gonads action on reproduction and sexual function
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/7492696
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