MCAT Question of the Day


  • Q:

    Feedback loops are incredibly important for hormonal regulation within the body. One common loop is through the hypothalamic → anterior pituitary → target gland pathway. A hormone is released from the hypothalamus, travels to the anterior pituitary and stimulates secretion of a trophic hormone. This is followed by activation of a target gland which releases the target hormone. This hormone can have widespread effects throughout the body.

    The target hormone usually has inhibitory effects on hypothalamic as well as anterior pituitary secretions. One pathway which uses this is the pathway through which testosterone is released. GnRH released from the hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary release of LH. LH acts on Leydig cells in the male testes which secrete testosterone. Often, athletes take excess testosterone supplements in order to gain muscle mass. Which of the following would be an expected effect of taking such supplements?


     

    A

    Decreased overall testosterone levels in the body

    B

    Increased GnRH release

    C

    Increased FSH release from the hypothalamus

    D

    Decreased LH release from the anterior pituitary



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