Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...

The Thyroid Gland

The Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and covers the anterior surface of the trachea. The gland has two lateral lobes connected by a thin tissue mass called the isthmus. Internally, each lobe comprises many small spherical structures known as thyroid follicles, surrounded by a network of blood vessels.
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...

Infertility in Males

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Effect of Active Insulin Time and Glycemic Targets on Automatic Correction Bolus Delivery.

Journal of diabetes science and technology·2026

Same author

Advancing paternal age: Effects on sperm quality and offspring health.

Maturitas·2026

Same author

Effect of breastfeeding on cardiometabolic risk in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Journal of endocrinological investigation·2026

Same author

Mid-pregnancy serum chemerin levels predict persistence of postpartum hypertension in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

European journal of endocrinology·2026

Same author

Treatment with long-acting growth hormone: effectiveness and safety.

Frontiers in endocrinology·2026

Same author

Beyond weight loss: How metabolism in human adipocytes is shaped by GLP-1R agonists and dual GIPR/GLP-1R agonists.

Pharmacological research·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Impact of thyroid disease on testicular function.

Sandro La Vignera¹, Roberto Vita², Rosita A Condorelli³

¹Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Policlinico "G. Rodolico", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy. sandrolavignera@unict.it.

|April 22, 2017

Summary

Thyroid hormone imbalances, including thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism, significantly impact male reproductive health and fertility. Recognizing and treating these thyroid conditions is crucial for infertile patients.

Keywords:

Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism Infertility Testis Thyroid Thyrotoxicosis

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: In Vivo Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Disruption Using the THAI Mouse Model

Author Spotlight: In Vivo Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Disruption Using the THAI Mouse Model

Published on: October 6, 2023

Author Spotlight: Integrating Ultrasound Imaging with Biochemical Markers for Thyroid Disease Diagnosis

Author Spotlight: Integrating Ultrasound Imaging with Biochemical Markers for Thyroid Disease Diagnosis

Published on: February 9, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Author Spotlight: In Vivo Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Disruption Using the THAI Mouse Model

Author Spotlight: In Vivo Assessment of Thyroid Hormone Disruption Using the THAI Mouse Model

Published on: October 6, 2023

Author Spotlight: Integrating Ultrasound Imaging with Biochemical Markers for Thyroid Disease Diagnosis

Author Spotlight: Integrating Ultrasound Imaging with Biochemical Markers for Thyroid Disease Diagnosis

Published on: February 9, 2024

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Reproductive Medicine
Andrology

Background:

Thyroid hormone receptors are present in human testicular cells, contradicting earlier beliefs of unresponsiveness.
Thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism demonstrably affect testicular function and overall fertility.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the impact of thyroid dysfunction on male reproductive health.
To highlight the association between thyroid disease and infertility.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on thyroid hormone effects on testicular function.
Analysis of hormonal and sperm parameters in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients.
Examination of thyroid hormone's role in testicular cell proliferation, steroidogenesis, and redox status.

Main Results:

Hyperthyroidism is linked to increased SHBG, decreased testosterone, and impaired sperm parameters (astheno-, oligo-, terato-zoospermia), alongside sexual disturbances.
Hypothyroidism presents with opposite hormonal changes compared to hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid hormone influences testicular cell differentiation, steroidogenesis, sperm motility, and redox balance.

Conclusions:

A significant portion of infertile individuals may have undiagnosed thyroid disease (thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism).
Effective management of infertility linked to thyroid dysfunction requires multidisciplinary collaboration among specialists.