The male reproductive system consists of the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary gland, and the testes. Alcohol can interfere with the function of each of these components, thereby causing impotence, infertility, and reduced male secondary sexual characteristics. In the testes, alcohol can adversely affect the Leydig cells, which produce and secrete the hormone testosterone. Studies found that...

Besides somatic cells, aromatase gene expression and its transduction in an active protein in germ cells provides evidence of an additional site for estrogen production within testes of some mammals. Together with the widespread distribution of estrogen receptors in testicular cells, these data illuminate the hormonal regulation of male reproductive function