There exist gonadotrophins-releasing hormones in the hypothalamus in the brain. When puberty begins at about age 10 for males, the hypothalamus secretes the gonadotropin luteinizing hormones which then stimulate the pituitary gland in the brain to secrete the follicle-stimulating hormone. The released gonadotrophins are released from the brain and transported through the blood into the Sertoli cells in the testes to begin facilitating the production of sperm (Molnar & Gair, n.d). During this time hormone testosterone is released in the testes which inhibits the production of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones in the brain. This process is known as negative feedback.
A negative feedback process occurs when there is an increase in levels of testosterone in the brain, preventing the secretion of gonadotrophins (Molnar & Gair, n.d). The Sertoli cells will produce a hormone called inhibin. The hormone will stop the production of the gonadotrophins responsible for the production of sperm. When sperm count reduces, the Sertoli cells stop releasing inhibin, and more sperm are produced.
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The hormone testosterone is also responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males. The secondary characteristics which will happen at any time during adolescence include enlargement of the testes and scrotum, enlargement of the penis, deepening of the voice, growth of hair on the face, under armpits, and the pubic region near the genitals (Molnar & Gair, n.d). There will be an increase in muscle mass and bone density. The hormone is also responsible for the onset of sex drive. During this time, you will experience occasional ejaculation at night which is commonly referred to as ‘wet dreams.’ The secondary characteristics will last until later in adulthood. Fertility occurs later in adolescence. Some of the secondary sexual characteristics such as the growth of facial hair appear at different ages for different people.
References
Molnar, C. and Gair, J. (“n.d”). Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction. Retrieved 9th August 2019 from https://opentextbc.ca/biology/chapter/24-4-hormonal-control-of-human-reproduction/
