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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| ==Pathophysiology== | | ==Pathophysiology== |
| Gonads have two functions: to produce [[hormone]]s ([[testosterone]], [[estradiol]], [[antimullerian hormone]], [[progesterone]], [[inhibin|inhibin B]]), [[activin]] and to produce [[gamete]]s ([[Ovum|egg]]s or [[Spermatozoon|sperm]]). Deficiency of sex hormones can result in defective primary or secondary sexual development, or withdrawal effects (e.g., premature [[menopause]]) in adults. Defective egg or sperm development results in [[infertility]]. The term hypogonadism is usually applied to permanent rather than transient or reversible defects, and usually implies deficiency of reproductive hormones, with or without [[fertility]] defects. The term is less commonly used for infertility without hormone deficiency.
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| ;Steroid use
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| Hypogonadism may be induced by chronic use of [[anabolic steroid|anabolic/androgenic steroids]] (AAS). The negative-feedback system of the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis]] (HPTA) shuts down pituitary production of gonadotropins after extended exposure to AAS. This has been documented both in patients receiving AAS for legitimate medical reasons such as [[AIDS]] or [[cancer]] as well as athletes using AAS illicitly.
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| Hypogonadism may persist for some time after steroid use is discontinued.
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| ==References== | | ==References== |