What is the Origin of Testicular Suppression?

The term combines the anatomical structure testicular with suppression, which means the act of inhibiting or subduing a function. The clinical use of suppression techniques dates back to early surgical castration, but modern suppression is achieved through targeted pharmaceutical agents. It is a cornerstone of endocrine therapy in male health.

What is the Mechanism of Testicular Suppression?

Suppression is most commonly achieved by administering exogenous testosterone or Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists. These agents exert potent negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to a profound reduction in the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). The resulting lack of gonadotropin stimulation directly inhibits the Leydig cells' ability to synthesize testosterone.

Testicular Suppression

Meaning

Testicular Suppression is the clinical state characterized by a pharmacologically induced or pathologically acquired reduction in the endocrine and exocrine functions of the testes, leading to diminished testosterone production and impaired spermatogenesis. The goal of therapeutic suppression is to lower circulating androgen levels, often utilized in the management of prostate cancer. This state mimics the effects of central hypogonadism.