The pituitary gland
is at the base of the brain in vertebrates and controls
the endocrine system, which produces hormones. During
the synthesis of testosterone, the pituitary gland receives
luteinizing hormone releasing hormone or gonadotropin
releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, which monitors
the body’s testosterone. In response to the hypothalamus’s
signal, the pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone
or gonadotropin. Luteinizing hormone or gonadotropin
travels to the testicles and incites the production
of testosterone. During prostate cancer hormone therapy,
a LHRH or GnRH antagonist fills the pituitary glands
receptors and prevents the pituitary gland from ever
receiving the message from the hypothalamus. The LHRH
agonist that is also used in prostate cancer hormone
therapy fills in receptors, but incites a mass production
of testosterone, which results in hormone flare. Due
to the long biological half life of this agonist, however,
after 7 to 10 days, the flare subsides and the body’s
testosterone levels drop to castrate level.
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