Testosterone. From Basic to Clinical Aspects

1. The Cultural and Medical History of the Testes and Testosterone: From Antiquity to Modern Times
2. Androgen Receptor in Health and Disease
3. Physiology of Male Gonadotropic Axis and Disorders of Sex Development
4. Utility and Limitations in Measuring Testosterone
5. Male Puberty: What Is Normal and Abnormal?
6. Gynecomastia
7. Hypogonadotropic and Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism
8. Functional Hypogonadism: Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Testosterone
9. Male Hypogonadism and Aging: An Update
10. Male Hypogonadism and Traumatic Brain Injury
11. Male Hypogonadism and Fertility
12. Anabolic Steroid-Induced Hypogonadism
13. Testosterone Therapy: Oral Androgens
14. Testosterone Therapy: Transdermal Androgens
15. Testosterone Therapy: Injectable Androgens
16. Benefits and Adverse Events of Testosterone Therapy
17. Testosterone and Sexual Function
18. Testosterone Therapy and Prostate Cancer
19. Testosterone and Cardiovascular Effects
20. Androgens and Women
21. Transgender Adult Males and Testosterone Hormone Therapy
22. Influence of Endocrine Disruptors on Male Reproductive Tract
23. Testosterone Misuse and Abuse

Even though research on testosterone is increasing, there is still much controversy regarding its physiology and clinical use. This book provides a broad overview on testosterone, from its basic features to the most recent evidence of clinical applicability. In addition, specific conditions in which testosterone play a pivotal role are discussed in detail, such as hypogonadism, misuse and abuse, puberty, cardiovascular effects and testosterone therapy. The testes are vital organs for reproduction of the human species, besides being the main source of testosterone production in men. Although not essential for survival, these singular structures represent the essence of male biological function. Testosterone is the most important testicular androgen in men. Low serum testosterone levels are associated with cardiovascular morbidity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and mortality. Also, there is increasing evidence that serum testosterone is a major biomarker status of men's health in general. Hypogonadism in a male refers to a decrease in one or both of the two major functions of the testes: sperm production or testosterone production. These abnormalities can result from disease of the testes (primary hypogonadism) or disease of the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary hypogonadism). Currently, the clinical features of male hypogonadism are sufficiently well-recognized, the causes are well-known, and the tests of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis are accurate enough for the diagnosis in most patients. Testosterone, the focus hormone of this book, is used in different forms and routes of administration. Several authors unravel its peculiarities and assist in choosing the most suitable form in each case, as well as the possible risks of its misuse or even abuse in men and women, seeking alternatives to help patients in this situation.