About this Research Topic
Male hypogonadism can be characterized by complete or partial incapacity of the testis to produce physiological concentrations of testicular hormones and/or functionally adequate concentrations of spermatozoa. Hypogonadism is an end-point of heterogeneous disorders that encompasses molecular, metabolic, genetic and clinical characteristics influenced by nutritional and environmental influences. Its role spectrum is poorly understood so far.
Based on the level of abnormalities, male hypogonadism may be classified into primary (testicular causes) or secondary (hypothalamic or pituitary causes) resulting in a long-lasting or progressive dysfunction. It can also result from defects affecting simultaneously the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis mainly caused by potentially reversible conditions that suppress gonadotropins. The distinction of different types of hypogonadism has important role to etiological investigation and therapeutic approach.
This Research Topic will welcome studies on male hypogonadism that reveal the most diverse underlying mechanisms of different features of this hormonal disorder in its various classifications, including seminal aspects related to testosterone and hormonal imbalances. A wide-range of hypogonadism-related controversial issues will be assessed.
Researches based on differential diagnosis of constitutional delay of growth and puberty and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in boys will provide advances in clinical and genetic tests for distinguishing both conditions. Insights of translational approach of functional hypogonadism-related infertility focusing on environmental factors and epigenetic damages will elucidate obscure aspects of male late-onset hypogonadism and infertility. Despite of growing number of genes related to congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) with or without smell abnormalities, novel insights on genetic basis will provide additional knowledge of clinical and molecular domains.
The contribution of clinical care of adolescents with primary hypogonadism (e.g. Klinefelter syndrome) will provide data to improve fertility preservation in these patients. This collection of peer-reviewed articles will bring in a broad-range manner new insights on the management of male hypogonadism in different stages of life, mainly considering the translational knowledge. We will propose new treatment frontiers breaking old dogmas and paradigms cemented through wrongful misconceptions.
Based on the level of abnormalities, male hypogonadism may be classified into primary (testicular causes) or secondary (hypothalamic or pituitary causes) resulting in a long-lasting or progressive dysfunction. It can also result from defects affecting simultaneously the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis mainly caused by potentially reversible conditions that suppress gonadotropins. The distinction of different types of hypogonadism has important role to etiological investigation and therapeutic approach.
This Research Topic will welcome studies on male hypogonadism that reveal the most diverse underlying mechanisms of different features of this hormonal disorder in its various classifications, including seminal aspects related to testosterone and hormonal imbalances. A wide-range of hypogonadism-related controversial issues will be assessed.
Researches based on differential diagnosis of constitutional delay of growth and puberty and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in boys will provide advances in clinical and genetic tests for distinguishing both conditions. Insights of translational approach of functional hypogonadism-related infertility focusing on environmental factors and epigenetic damages will elucidate obscure aspects of male late-onset hypogonadism and infertility. Despite of growing number of genes related to congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) with or without smell abnormalities, novel insights on genetic basis will provide additional knowledge of clinical and molecular domains.
The contribution of clinical care of adolescents with primary hypogonadism (e.g. Klinefelter syndrome) will provide data to improve fertility preservation in these patients. This collection of peer-reviewed articles will bring in a broad-range manner new insights on the management of male hypogonadism in different stages of life, mainly considering the translational knowledge. We will propose new treatment frontiers breaking old dogmas and paradigms cemented through wrongful misconceptions.
Keywords: Male hypogonadism, Genetics, Epigenetics, Fertility, Management
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