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Morenas R, Singh D, Hellstrom WJG. Thyroid disorders and male sexual dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 2024; 36:333-338. [PMID: 37752332 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-023-00768-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Though early research suggested that thyroid hormones were not involved with the testes, male spermatogenesis, or erectile function, investigations on this topic over the past few decades have increased and shed new light. A literature review of studies conducted between 1963 and 2022 regarding male sexual dysfunction (SD) and thyroid disorders was performed to define the diagnostic consideration, pathophysiology, and management of SD secondary to thyroid dysregulation. This article provides evidence and interpretation of prior clinical and preclinical studies and contextualizes these studies for clinical practice. Clinical manifestations of SDs included erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction, impaired spermatogenesis, and disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Our aim of this communication was to perform a literature review detailing the impact of thyroid disorders on male SD. We hope to provide a framework for practicing urologists, endocrinologists, or general practitioners when evaluating patients with concurrent thyroid and male SD. It is important to recognize that thyroid disorders can be an important part of the pathophysiology of male SD in patients. Future research studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Morenas
- Department of Urology, Section of Andrology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Danish Singh
- Department of Urology, Section of Andrology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Wayne J G Hellstrom
- Department of Urology, Section of Andrology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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2
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Shi T, Xu LL, Chen L, He J, Wang YK, Chen F, Chen Y, Giesy JP, Wang YT, Wu QH, Xu WL, Chen J, Xie P. Acute exposure to microcystins affects hypothalamic-pituitary axes of male rats. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120843. [PMID: 36509348 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microcystins (MCs) produced by some cyanobacteria can cause toxicity in animals and humans. In recent years, growing evidence suggests that MCs can act as endocrine disruptors. This research systematically investigated effects of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on endocrine organs, biosynthesis of hormones and positive/negative feedback of the endocrine system in rats. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were acutely administrated MC-LR by a single intraperitoneal injection at doses of 45, 67.5 or 90 μg MC-LR/kg body mass (bm), and then euthanized 24 h after exposure. In exposed rats, histological damage of hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, testis and thyroid were observed. Serum concentrations of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT), expressions of genes and proteins for biosynthesis of hormones were lesser, which indicated an overall suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Along the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, lesser concentrations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and testosterone (T), but greater concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were observed. Except for greater transcription of cyp19a1 in testes, transcriptions of genes and proteins for T and E2 biosynthesis along the HPG axis were lesser. As for the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, after MCs treatment, greater concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), but lesser concentrations of free tri-iodothyronine (fT3) were observed in serum. Concentrations of free tetra-iodothyronine (fT4) were greater in rats dosed with 45 μg MCs/kg, bm, but lesser in rats dosed with 67.5 or 90 μg MCs/kg, bm. Transcripts of genes for biosynthesis of hormones and receptors along the HPT axis and expressions of proteins for biosynthesis of tetra-iodothyronine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) in thyroid were significantly altered. Cross-talk among the HPA, HPG and HPT axes probably occurred. It was concluded that MCs caused an imbalance of positive and negative feedback of hormonal regulatory axes, blocked biosynthesis of key hormones and exhibited endocrine-disrupting effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Shi
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lin-Lin Xu
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China; Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jun He
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ye-Ke Wang
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Integrative Biology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1129 Farm Lane Road, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Environmental Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76706, USA
| | - Yu-Ting Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Qian-Hui Wu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Wen-Li Xu
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Ping Xie
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China; Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
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Miyaso H, Nagahori K, Takano K, Omotehara T, Kawata S, Li ZL, Kuramasu M, Wu X, Ogawa Y, Itoh M. Neonatal maternal separation causes decreased numbers of sertoli cell, spermatogenic cells, and sperm in mice. Toxicol Mech Methods 2020; 31:116-125. [PMID: 33100103 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2020.1841865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal maternal separation is an experimental model used to evaluate the effects of toxic stress in neonates, or early life stress. Although various physiological and psychological stresses during childhood have been reported, the effects of neonatal maternal separation on the male reproductive system remain unclear. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effects of neonatal maternal separation on the male reproductive system. In neonatal male ICR mice, maternal separation was performed for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours/day, from postnatal day 1 to 10. At 10 weeks of age, the neonatal maternal separation mice exhibited decreases in both testicular weight and epididymal sperm number, along with various testicular morphological changes involving germ cells, Sertoli cells, and interstitial cells. Notably, neonatal maternal separation mice showed decreased numbers of Sertoli cells. Animals subjected to 0.5-, 1-, and 2-h/day neonatal maternal separation exhibited decreases in serum levels of testosterone but not in those of gonadotropin (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone). Together, these data showed that neonatal maternal separation in male mice causes decreased Sertoli cell numbers following puberty, resulting in subsequent decreased spermatogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenobu Miyaso
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Nagahori
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaiya Takano
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Shinichi Kawata
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhong-Lian Li
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kuramasu
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xi Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Ogawa
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Itoh
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Qiu L, Chen M, Wang X, Qin X, Chen S, Qian Y, Liu Z, Cao Q, Ying Z. Exposure to Concentrated Ambient PM2.5 Compromises Spermatogenesis in a Mouse Model: Role of Suppression of Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonads Axis. Toxicol Sci 2019; 162:318-326. [PMID: 29165613 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies link ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution to abnormalities in the male reproductive system. However, few toxicological studies have investigated this potentially important adverse effect of PM2.5 pollution. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed the effects of PM2.5 exposure on spermatogenesis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in a murine model. Fourteen male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a 4-month exposure to filtered air or concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP). Their sperm count, testicular histology, spermatogenic parameters, and the major components of HPG axis were assessed. Exposure to CAP significantly reduced sperm count in the epididymis. This was accompanied by Sertoli cell vacuolization, immature germ cell dislocation, and decreases in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids of stage VII seminiferous tubules, suggesting a marked impairment of spermatogenesis in these mice. This impairment of spermatogenesis appeared to be attributable to a suppression of HPG axis subsequent to CAP exposure-induced hypothalamic inflammation, as exposure to CAP significantly increased TNFα and IL1b mRNA levels and meanwhile decreased gonadotropin-releasing hormone mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Moreover, CAP exposure significantly reduced circulating testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone, testicular testosterone and mRNA expression of follicle-stimulating hormone target gene SHBG and luteinizing hormone target genes P450scc, 17βHSD, and StAR. The present data demonstrate that exposure to ambient PM2.5 impairs spermatogenesis in murine model, raising the concern over effects of ambient PM2.5 pollution on the male reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianglin Qiu
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.,School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, P.R. China
| | - Minjie Chen
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.,Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoke Wang
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.,School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Qin
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.,The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Sufang Chen
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.,Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yingyun Qian
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, P.R. China
| | - Zhenzhen Liu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, P.R. China
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21210
| | - Zhekang Ying
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.,Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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Hernandez A. Thyroid Hormone Role and Economy in the Developing Testis. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2018; 106:473-500. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Fattahi A, Latifi Z, Ghasemnejad T, Nejabati HR, Nouri M. Insights into in vitro spermatogenesis in mammals: Past, present, future. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:560-575. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Fattahi
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Zeinab Latifi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Tohid Ghasemnejad
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Nejabati
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
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7
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Romano RM, Gomes SN, Cardoso NCS, Schiessl L, Romano MA, Oliveira CA. New insights for male infertility revealed by alterations in spermatic function and differential testicular expression of thyroid-related genes. Endocrine 2017; 55:607-617. [PMID: 27066791 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-0952-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The impact of thyroid hormone (TH) disorders on male reproductive biology has been a controversial issue for many years. Recently, we reported that hypothyroid male rats have a disruption of the seminiferous epithelium, which may compromise spermatogenesis. To improve the understanding of the reproductive pathogenesis of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, male Wistar rats that developed these dysfunctions in adulthood were used as an experimental model. We evaluated the sperm production, reserves, transit time, morphology, and functionality (acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity), and the testicular expression of the TH receptors (Thra1 and Thra2, Thrb1, and Thrb2), deiodinases (Dio2 and Dio3), and the Mct8 transporter (Slc16a2) were assessed by reverse transcription followed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results were evaluated statistically by ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (P < 0.05). Hypothyroidism decreased the total and daily sperm productions and increased the sperm transit time through the epididymis, while the sperm functionality was reduced in both thyroid dysfunctions. Regarding the modulation of gene expression in the testis, hypothyroidism increased the expression of Thra1 and decreased the expression of Dio3, and hyperthyroidism increased the expression of Slc16a2. The observed alterations in spermatic production and function and in the expression of the TH receptor, deiodinase, and the TH transporter are suggestive of TH participation in spermatogenesis in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Marino Romano
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Centro-Oeste, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, Guarapuava, Parana, 85040-080, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Sao Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - Samantha Nascimento Gomes
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Centro-Oeste, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, Guarapuava, Parana, 85040-080, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Carolina Scandolara Cardoso
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Centro-Oeste, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, Guarapuava, Parana, 85040-080, Brazil
| | - Larissa Schiessl
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Centro-Oeste, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, Guarapuava, Parana, 85040-080, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurelio Romano
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Centro-Oeste, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, Guarapuava, Parana, 85040-080, Brazil
| | - Claudio Alvarenga Oliveira
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Sao Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil
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Marchlewska K, Slowikowska-Hilczer J, Walczak-Jedrzejowska R, Oszukowska E, Filipiak E, Kula K. The long-term effects of FSH and triiodothyronine administration during the pubertal period on Connexin 43 expression and spermatogenesis efficiency in adult rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 323:256-65. [PMID: 25739512 DOI: 10.1002/jez.1919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and triiodothyronine (T3) are known regulatory factors of spermatogenesis initiation. Hyperstimulation of both hormones evokes regressional changes in connexin 43 expression and the seminiferous epithelium in young rats during testicular maturation. However, separate treatments with T3 reduce Sertoli cell number, which seems to be closely connected with the maturation of connexin 43 gap junctions. FSH elevates Sertoli cell number and function, but this effect may take place regardless of the presence of connexin 43-dependent intercellular communication. The aim of the study was to evaluate the later effects of such treatments. Newborn, male Wistar rats were divided randomly into experimental groups receiving daily subcutaneous injections of either 7.5 IU/animal FSH, or 100 mg/kg b.w. T3, or both substances or the same volume of vehicle (control group) until day 15 of life. The animals were sacrificed on day 50. Morphometric analysis and immunohistochemical reactions were performed using antibodies against Vimentin, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen and Connexin 43 in the testis. Sertoli cell count, efficiency of spermatogenesis, and hormonal pattern were examined. Disturbances in the connexin 43 expression reduced the number of Sertoli cells, the efficiency of spermatogenesis and impaired endocrine function of testes in adult rats treated with FSH and T3 during puberty. Stimulation with FSH alone increased Sertoli cell number, but was associated with a negative effect on cell-to-cell connexin 43-dependent communication, with a consequential reduction of spermatogenesis efficiency. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 256-265, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Marchlewska
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Castañeda Cortés DC, Langlois VS, Fernandino JI. Crossover of the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal/interrenal, -thyroid, and -gonadal axes in testicular development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:139. [PMID: 25221542 PMCID: PMC4145579 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides the well-known function of thyroid hormones (THs) for regulating metabolism, it has recently been discovered that THs are also involved in testicular development in mammalian and non-mammalian species. THs, in combination with follicle stimulating hormone, lead to androgen synthesis in Danio rerio, which results in the onset of spermatogenesis in the testis, potentially relating the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) gland to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes. Furthermore, studies in non-mammalian species have suggested that by stimulating the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), THs can be induced by corticotropin-releasing hormone. This suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal gland (HPA) axis might influence the HPT axis. Additionally, it was shown that hormones pertaining to both HPT and HPA could also influence the HPG endocrine axis. For example, high levels of androgens were observed in the testis in Odonthestes bonariensis during a period of stress-induced sex-determination, which suggests that stress hormones influence the gonadal fate toward masculinization. Thus, this review highlights the hormonal interactions observed between the HPT, HPA, and HPG axes using a comparative approach in order to better understand how these endocrine systems could interact with each other to influence the development of testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C. Castañeda Cortés
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad Nacional de San Martín y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Valerie S. Langlois
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Juan I. Fernandino
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad Nacional de San Martín y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Chascomús, Argentina
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10
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Flood DEK, Fernandino JI, Langlois VS. Thyroid hormones in male reproductive development: evidence for direct crosstalk between the androgen and thyroid hormone axes. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 192:2-14. [PMID: 23524004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 02/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) exert a broad range of effects on development in vertebrate species, demonstrating connections in nearly every biological endocrine system. In particular, studies have shown that THs play a role in sexual differentiation and gonadal development in mammalian and non-mammalian species. There is considerable evidence that the effects of THs on reproductive development are mediated through the female hormonal axis; however, recent findings suggest a more direct crosstalk between THs and the androgen axis. These findings demonstrate that THs have considerable influence in the sexual ontogeny of male vertebrates, through direct interactions with select sex-determining-genes and regulation of gonadotropin production in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis. THs also regulate androgen biosynthesis and signaling through direct and indirect regulation of steroidogenic enzyme expression and activity. Novel promoter analysis presented in this work demonstrates the potential for direct and vertebrate wide crosstalk at the transcriptional level in mice (Mus musculus), Western clawed frogs (Silurana tropicalis) and medaka (Oryzias latipes). Cumulative evidence from previous studies; coupled with novel promoter analysis suggests mechanisms for a more direct crosstalk between the TH and male reproductive axes across vertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana E K Flood
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, ON, Canada; Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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Walczak-Jędrzejowska R, Marchlewska K, Oszukowska E, Filipiak E, Słowikowska-Hilczer J, Kula K. Estradiol and testosterone inhibit rat seminiferous tubule development in a hormone-specific way. Reprod Biol 2013; 13:243-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Oluwole OA, Bartlewski PM, Hahnel A. Relationships of serum thyroid hormones and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations to Sertoli cell differentiation during the first wave of spermatogenesis in euthyroid ram lambs. Reprod Biol 2013; 13:150-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2013.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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