The nursing instructor teaches student nurses about male reproductive function and the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The instructor evaluates learning has occurred when the students make which statement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), secreted by the pituitary gland, targets Sertoli cells in the testes to stimulate spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production, making it a key regulator of male fertility. Androgen production, primarily testosterone, is governed by luteinizing hormone (LH), not FSH, though both hormones collaborate in reproductive function. Testosterone synthesis occurs in Leydig cells under LH's influence, not FSH, which focuses on supporting sperm maturation rather than hormone production. Progesterone, while present in trace amounts in males, isn't regulated by FSH, as it's more relevant to female reproductive cycles. The specificity of FSH's role in spermatogenesis distinguishes it from broader hormonal regulation, ensuring students grasp its targeted action in the seminiferous tubules, critical for understanding male reproductive physiology and distinguishing it from LH's testosterone-driven effects.