Excess use of steroids generally artifical androgens an caus

Excess use of steroids (generally artifical androgens) an cause sterility and loss of sex drive in men. Explain why this would occur.

Solution

The use of steroids/artificial androgens can lead to a perceived high level of testosterone by the hypothalamus, resulting in reduced luteinising hormone secretion from the pituitary gland and, in turn, a decrease in the amount of testosterone produced within the testes, while artificial testosterone levels remain high. Hypothalamus directs the pituitary gland to produce LH and LH directs the testes to produce testosterone. The levels of testosterone are controlled by negative feedback mechanism. High levels of testosterone inhibits LH secretion. In men, prolonged exposure to steroids results in infertility, a decreased sex drive, shrinking of the testes and gyenacomastia. After prolonged exposure to artificial androgens, the testes produces very low testosterone and results in reduction of libido.