The hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis is subject to a variety of influences.
Impairment of gonadotrophin secretion may be the consequence of generalised diseases that affect the hypothalamus and pituitary (e.g. craniopharyngioma), or it may be an isolated deficiency in which secretion of LH and FSH is impaired; isolated hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism can be either congenital or, rarely, an acquired idiopathic defect.
See later:
ΓÇó Isolated Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism
ΓÇó Other Causes of Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism