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Fig. 2. Since mucuna is a rich source of L-DOPA, its administration leads to increased L-DOPA levels, which may further stimulate GnRH after crossing the blood-brain barrier (Ahmad et al., 2008; Shukla et al., 2009). In the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, GnRH will further stimulate the production of FSH and LH at the anterior pituitary, which will further stimulate Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, respectively. FSH will enhance spermatogenesis and LH testosterone levels. Testosterone may also influence spermatogenesis due to binding at the nuclear androgen receptor site at Sertoli cells (Cooke and Saunders, 2002; Foresta et al., 2008). The administration of mucuna may also increase testosterone levels by reducing prolactin levels (Ahmad et al., 2008). The intake of L-DOPA from mucuna may increase dopamine levels, which would inhibit prolactin synthesis. Prolactin has been reported to decrease testosterone production through negative feedback of GnRH (Marques et al., 2000). 


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