Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Dr Rod Mitchell, Wellcome Trust Clinical Fellow at the University of Edinburgh; and Professor Lee Smith, Chair of Genetic Endocrinology, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh discuss the hormone testosterone and its importance for male health and wellbeing.

Development of the male reproductive system, secondary sexual characteristics and male fertility all depend on testosterone. A combination of genetic and environmental influences that result in a failure of testosterone production, or its ability to work in a baby before it is born, may make a man more likely to experience a reproductive health disorder. These conditions can arise from birth or become apparent later in life. Problems with testosterone during puberty or in adult life can impact male fertility and wider male health. Recently, a number of environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals have been implicated in the development of these disorders; we will discuss current evidence for how chemical exposure might influence male reproductive health. The talk will also cover the science behind production and action of testosterone and how this knowledge might be used to develop strategies improve male health.