Editing Leydig cell (section)

==Androgen production==
Leydig cells release a class of [[hormones]] called [[androgens]] (19-carbon [[steroid]]s).<ref name=":0" /> They secrete [[testosterone]], [[androstenedione]] and [[dehydroepiandrosterone]] (DHEA), when stimulated by the [[luteinizing hormone]] (LH), which is released from the [[anterior pituitary]] in response to [[Gonadotropin-releasing hormone|gonadotropin releasing hormone]] which in turn is released by the [[hypothalamus]].<ref name=":0" />

LH binds to its receptor ([[Luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor|LHCGR]]) which is a [[G protein-coupled receptor|G-protein coupled receptor]] and consequently increases the production of [[Cyclic adenosine monophosphate|cAMP]].<ref name=":0" /> cAMP, in turn through [[protein kinase A]] activation, stimulates cholesterol translocation from intracellular sources (primarily the [[Cell membrane|plasma membrane]] and intracellular stores) to the mitochondria, firstly to the [[Mitochondrion#Outer membrane|outer mitochondrial membrane]] and then cholesterol needs to be translocated to the [[inner mitochondrial membrane]] by [[steroidogenic acute regulatory protein]], which is the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis. This is followed by [[pregnenolone]] formation from the translocated cholesterol via the [[cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme]], which is found in the inner mitochondrial membrane, eventually leading to testosterone synthesis and secretion by Leydig cells.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Zirkin|first1=Barry R|last2=Papadopoulos|first2=Vassilios|date=July 2018|title=Leydig cells: formation, function, and regulation|journal=Biology of Reproduction|volume=99|issue=1|pages=101–111|doi=10.1093/biolre/ioy059|issn=0006-3363|pmc=6044347|pmid=29566165}}</ref>

In rats, [[prolactin]] (PRL) increases the response of Leydig cells to LH by increasing the number of LH receptors expressed on Leydig cells.<ref name="Steinbach">{{Cite book|last1=Steinbach|first1=Thomas J.|last2=Patrick|first2=Daniel J.|last3=Cosenza|first3=Mary Ellen|title=Toxicologic Pathology for Non-Pathologists |date=2019|publisher=Springer Nature|isbn=978-1-49-399777-0|page=1124|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lya7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA419}}</ref>