Roles of thyroid and leptin hormones and their crosstalk in male reproductive functions: an updated review.

PURPOSE: This review aims to provide updated information regarding the role of thyroid and leptin hormones and their crosstalk in affecting the male reproductive function in hypothyroid and obesity conditions.

METHOD: A wide literature search was made using online search engines on published articles using keywords including thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism, leptin hormone, hyperleptinemia, obesity, the relationship between thyroid and leptin hormones and male reproduction, and hypothyroidism, obesity, and male reproduction.

RESULTS

All information pertaining thyroid and leptin hormone effects on male reproduction, hypothyroidism, hyperleptinemia, and obesity effect on male fertility as well as the related molecular mechanisms are obtained.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid and leptin hormones individually play a significant role in male reproduction. Alterations of these hormones' levels could adversely affect the male reproductive functions. PI3K/AKT signaling was found to be the major signaling pathway involved in mediating the effect of both hormones on male reproduction. Impaired crosstalk between the two hormones may occur in hypothyroidism with obesity which would contribute towards male reproductive dysfunction.