Androgens in the Feedback Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion in Men: Effects of Administration of Dihydrotestosterone to Eugonadal and Agonadal Subjects and of Spironolactone to Eugonadal Subjects*

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Abstract
To study the role of androgens in the feedback regulation of gonadotropin secretion, the effects of administration of dihydrotestosterone undecanoate (DHTU) and of spironolactone were measured. Basal and LHRH stimulated LH[luteinizing hormone]/FSH levels were determined in: 6 eugonadal men, before and after 6 wk DHTU 120 mg/day and 6 agonadal subjects after 12 wk DHTU 120 mg/day . The results with the above agonadol subjects were compared to those of 6 agonadal subjects without sex steroid treatment and 6 eugonadal subjects studied before and after 6-wk administration of spironolactone. In the 2 groups of eugonadal subjects, administration of either DHTU or spironolactone had no effect on basal and LHRH-stimulated gonadotropin levels. A clear but modest suppression was observed in agonadal subjects. Possibly DHT exerts some suppressive effect on gonadotropin secretion in the absence of other testicular products (estradiol, testosterone, inhibin), known to play a role in the negative feedback regulation. It seems unlikely that in the eugonadal male circulating DHT has an important role in the feedback regulation of gonadotropin secretion.