| Relaxin and related peptides in male reproduction. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18161481 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The relaxin hormone is renowned for its function in pregnancy, parturition and other aspects of female reproduction. At the same time, the role of relaxin in male reproduction is still debated. Relaxin is prominently expressed in prostate and its receptors are found in several male reproductive organs; however, the data indicative of its contribution to differentiation and functioning of prostate or testis are contradictory. Prostate relaxin is a main source of this peptide in the seminal plasma. The relaxin effects on sperm motility and fertilization have been reported. The expression of other relaxin related peptides, such as INSL5 and INSL6 was described in testis; yet, currently there are no experimental data to pinpoint their biological functions. The other member of relaxin peptide family, insulin-like 3 peptide (INSL3), is a major player in male development. The INSL3 peptide is expressed in testicular fetal and adult Leydig cells and is directly responsible for the process of abdominal testicular descent (migration of the testes towards the scrotum during male development). Genetic targeting of the Insl3 gene or INSL3 GPCR receptor Lgr8/Rxfp2 causes high intra-abdominal cryptorchidism due to a differentiation failure of testicular ligaments, the gubernacula. Several mutations of these two genes rendering nonfunctional proteins have been described in human patients with testicular maldescent. Thus, in this chapter we review the data related to the expression and function of relaxin and related peptides in male reproduction. |
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Authors:
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Alexander I Agoulnik |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Advances in experimental medicine and biology Volume: 612 ISSN: 0065-2598 ISO Abbreviation: Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. Publication Date: 2007 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-12-28 Completed Date: 2008-02-01 Revised Date: 2010-12-03 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0121103 Medline TA: Adv Exp Med Biol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 49-64 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. agoulnik@bcm.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Female Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology Humans Insulin / genetics, metabolism* Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics, metabolism* Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics, metabolism* Leydig Cells / cytology, metabolism Male Mice Peptide Hormones / genetics, metabolism* Pregnancy Prostate / cytology, embryology, metabolism Proteins / genetics, metabolism* Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled Relaxin / genetics, metabolism* Reproduction / physiology* |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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R01 HD037067-10/HD/NICHD NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/INSL6 protein, human; 0/Insl5 protein, mouse; 0/Insl6 protein, mouse; 0/Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; 0/Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; 0/Leydig insulin-like protein; 0/Peptide Hormones; 0/Proteins; 0/RXFP2 protein, human; 0/Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; 11061-68-0/Insulin; 9002-69-1/Relaxin |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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