title: Psychological stress and the function of male gonads.
abstract: Stress is generally a natural phenomenon that affects behaviour, physiological processes, and neuroendocrine, neurochemical, neurological and immune responses. Many somatic and mental disorders are thought to result from chronic stress. Stress-induced gonadal dysfunction  is not restricted to humans, but is observed in all higher animals. Stress-induced gonadal dysfunction comprises disturbances of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and of spermatogenesis. Various stressors induce changes in the secretion of neurotransmitters and hormones, such as CRH, ADH, beta-endorphins, somatostatin, VIP, PRL, GH, TSH, dopamine, serotonin, neuropeptide Y, melatonin, ACTH, glucocorticosteroids, catecholamines and androgens. In acute stress, testicular function is principally modified by cytokines and fluctuating concentrations of gonadotropins, while in chronic stress, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and disruption of spermatogenesis of varying  severity, including spermatogenetic arrest, are observed. In spite of the decades-long interest in the relationships between psychological  stress and the function of male gonads, many questions in this area remain unanswered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University School of Physical Education, ul. Paderewskiego 35, Wroclaw, Poland. jozkow@gmail.com
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jóźków
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mędraś
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D006062:Gonadotropins