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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: JOE-08-0218v1 199/3/351    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Wagner, M. S. Articles by Maia, A. L. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wagner, M. S. Articles by Maia, A. L.

Endocrine Division, Thyroid Section, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-033, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

(Correspondence should be addressed to A L Maia; Email: almaia{at}ufrgs.br)

Thyroid hormone is a critical regulator of growth, development, and metabolism in virtually all tissues, and altered thyroid status affects many organs and systems. Although for many years testis has been regarded as a thyroid hormone unresponsive organ, it is now evident that thyroid hormone plays an important role in testicular development and function. A considerable amount of data show that thyroid hormone influences steroidogenesis as well as spermatogenesis. The involvement of tri-iodothyronine (T₃) in the control of Sertoli cell proliferation and functional maturation is widely accepted, as well as its role in postnatal Leydig cell differentiation and steroidogenesis. The presence of thyroid hormone receptors in testicular cells throughout development and in adulthood implies that T₃ may act directly on these cells to bring about its effects. Several recent studies have employed different methodologies and techniques in an attempt to understand the mechanisms underlying thyroid hormone effects on testicular cells. The current review aims at presenting an updated picture of the recent advances made regarding the role of thyroid hormones in male gonadal function.