| Androgen action via testicular arteriole smooth muscle cells is important for Leydig cell function, vasomotion and testicular fluid dynamics. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21049031 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Regulation of blood flow through the testicular microvasculature by vasomotion is thought to be important for normal testis function as it regulates interstitial fluid (IF) dynamics which is an important intra-testicular transport medium. Androgens control vasomotion, but how they exert these effects remains unclear. One possibility is by signalling via androgen receptors (AR) expressed in testicular arteriole smooth muscle cells. To investigate this and determine the overall importance of this mechanism in testis function, we generated a blood vessel smooth muscle cell-specific AR knockout mouse (SMARKO). Gross reproductive development was normal in SMARKO mice but testis weight was reduced in adulthood compared to control littermates; this reduction was not due to any changes in germ cell volume or to deficits in testosterone, LH or FSH concentrations and did not cause infertility. However, seminiferous tubule lumen volume was reduced in adult SMARKO males while interstitial volume was increased, perhaps indicating altered fluid dynamics; this was associated with compensated Leydig cell failure. Vasomotion was impaired in adult SMARKO males, though overall testis blood flow was normal and there was an increase in the overall blood vessel volume per testis in adult SMARKOs. In conclusion, these results indicate that ablating arteriole smooth muscle AR does not grossly alter spermatogenesis or affect male fertility but does subtly impair Leydig cell function and testicular fluid exchange, possibly by locally regulating microvascular blood flow within the testis. |
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Authors:
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Michelle Welsh; Richard M Sharpe; Lindsey Moffat; Nina Atanassova; Philippa T K Saunders; Sigrid Kilter; Anders Bergh; Lee B Smith |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2010-10-26 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: PloS one Volume: 5 ISSN: 1932-6203 ISO Abbreviation: PLoS ONE Publication Date: 2010 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-11-04 Completed Date: 2011-03-07 Revised Date: 2011-08-01 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101285081 Medline TA: PLoS One Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: e13632 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Androgens
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physiology* Animals Arterioles / physiology* Base Sequence DNA Primers Immunohistochemistry Male Mice Mice, Knockout Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiology* Receptors, Androgen / genetics, physiology Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Testis / blood supply* Transcription, Genetic |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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U.1276.00.002.00003.01 (85841)//Medical Research Council; WBS U.1276.00.002.0003.01//Medical Research Council |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Androgens; 0/DNA Primers; 0/Receptors, Androgen |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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