| Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17581673 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The mammalian testis serves two main functions: production of spermatozoa and synthesis of steroids; among them estrogens are the end products obtained from the irreversible transformation of androgens by a microsomal enzymatic complex named aromatase. The aromatase is encoded by a single gene (cyp19) in humans which contains 18 exons, 9 of them being translated. In rats, the aromatase activity is mainly located in Sertoli cells of immature rats and then in Leydig cells of adult rats. We have demonstrated that germ cells represent an important source of estrogens: the amount of P450arom transcript is 3-fold higher in pachytene spermatocytes compared to gonocytes or round spermatids; conversely, aromatase activity is more intense in haploid cells. Male germ cells of mice, bank voles, bears, and monkeys express aromatase. In humans, we have shown the presence of a biologically active aromatase and of estrogen receptors (alpha and ss) in ejaculated spermatozoa and in immature germ cells in addition to Leydig cells. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the amount of P450arom transcripts is 30% lower in immotile than in motile spermatozoa. Alterations of spermatogenesis in terms of number and motility of spermatozoa have been described in men genetically deficient in aromatase. These last observations, together with our data showing a significant decrease of aromatase in immotile spermatozoa, suggest that aromatase could be involved in the acquisition of sperm motility. Thus, taking into account the widespread localization of aromatase and estrogen receptors in testicular cells, it is obvious that, besides gonadotrophins and androgens, estrogens produced locally should be considered to be physiologically relevant hormones involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. |
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Authors:
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S Carreau; D Silandre; S Bourguiba; K Hamden; L Said; S Lambard; I Galeraud-Denis; C Delalande |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas médicas e biológicas / Sociedade Brasileira de Biofísica ... [et al.] Volume: 40 ISSN: 0100-879X ISO Abbreviation: Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. Publication Date: 2007 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-06-21 Completed Date: 2008-02-06 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8112917 Medline TA: Braz J Med Biol Res Country: Brazil |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 761-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Biochemistry, University of Caen, Caen, France. serge.carreau@unicaen.fr |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Aromatase / genetics, physiology* Estrogen Receptor alpha / physiology Estrogen Receptor beta / physiology Estrogens / biosynthesis*, genetics Gene Expression Regulation Humans Male Reproduction / physiology* Spermatogenesis / physiology Spermatozoa / chemistry, enzymology Testis / cytology, metabolism*, physiology |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Estrogen Receptor alpha; 0/Estrogen Receptor beta; 0/Estrogens; EC 1.14.14.1/Aromatase |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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