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Mary L, Fradin M, Pasquier L, Quelin C, Loget P, Le Lous M, Le Bouar G, Nivot-Adamiak S, Lokchine A, Dubourg C, Jauffret V, Nouyou B, Henry C, Launay E, Odent S, Jaillard S, Belaud-Rotureau MA. Role of chromosomal imbalances in the pathogenesis of DSD: A retrospective analysis of 115 prenatal samples. Eur J Med Genet 2023; 66:104748. [PMID: 36948288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2023.104748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Differences of sex development (DSDs) are a group of congenital conditions characterized by a discrepancy between chromosomal, gonadal, and genital sex development of an individual, with significant impact on medical, psychological and reproductive life. The genetic heterogeneity of DSDs complicates the diagnosis and almost half of the patients remains undiagnosed. In this context, chromosomal imbalances in syndromic DSD patients may help to identify new genes implicated in DSDs. In this study, we aimed at describing the burden of chromosomal imbalances including submicroscopic ones (copy number variants or CNVs) in a cohort of prenatal syndromic DSD patients, and review their role in DSDs. Our patients carried at least one pathogenic or likely pathogenic chromosomal imbalance/CNV or low-level mosaicism for aneuploidy. Almost half of the cases resulted from an unbalanced chromosomal rearrangement. Chromosome 9p/q, 4p/q, 3q and 11q anomalies were more frequently observed. Review of the literature confirmed the causative role of CNVs in DSDs, either in disruption of known DSD-causing genes (SOX9, NR0B1, NR5A1, AR, ATRX, …) or as a tool to suspect new genes in DSDs (HOXD cluster, ADCY2, EMX2, CAMK1D, …). Recurrent CNVs of regulatory elements without coding sequence content (i.e. duplications/deletions upstream of SOX3 or SOX9) confirm detection of CNVs as a mean to explore our non-coding genome. Thus, CNV detection remains a powerful tool to explore undiagnosed DSDs, either through routine techniques or through emerging technologies such as long-read whole genome sequencing or optical genome mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mary
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France; Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset, UMR_S, 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France.
| | - M Fradin
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre de Référence Anomalies Du Développement, CLAD Ouest, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - L Pasquier
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre de Référence Anomalies Du Développement, CLAD Ouest, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France; Université de Rennes, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement), CNRS UMR 6290, INSERM ERL 1305, Rennes, France
| | - C Quelin
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre de Référence Anomalies Du Développement, CLAD Ouest, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - P Loget
- Service D'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - M Le Lous
- Unité de Médecine Fœtale, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - G Le Bouar
- Unité de Médecine Fœtale, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - S Nivot-Adamiak
- Service D'endocrinologie Pédiatrique, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - A Lokchine
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France
| | - C Dubourg
- Université de Rennes, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement), CNRS UMR 6290, INSERM ERL 1305, Rennes, France; Service de Génétique Moléculaire et Génomique, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, 35033, France
| | - V Jauffret
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France
| | - B Nouyou
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France
| | - C Henry
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France
| | - E Launay
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France
| | - S Odent
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre de Référence Anomalies Du Développement, CLAD Ouest, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France; Université de Rennes, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement), CNRS UMR 6290, INSERM ERL 1305, Rennes, France
| | - S Jaillard
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France; Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset, UMR_S, 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - M A Belaud-Rotureau
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, F-35033, Rennes, France; Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset, UMR_S, 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
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Lhb-/-Lhr-/- Double Mutant Mice Phenocopy Lhb-/- or Lhr-/- Single Mutants and Display Defects in Leydig Cells and Steroidogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415725. [PMID: 36555365 PMCID: PMC9779075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mouse, two distinct populations of Leydig cells arise during testis development. Fetal Leydig cells arise from a stem cell population and produce T required for masculinization. It is debated whether they persist in the adult testis. A second adult Leydig stem cell population gives rise to progenitor-immature-mature adult type Leydig cells that produce T in response to LH to maintain spermatogenesis. In testis of adult null male mice lacking either only LH (Lhb-/-) or LHR (Lhr-/-), mature Leydig cells are absent but fetal Leydig cells persist. Thus, it is not clear whether other ligands signal via LHRs in Lhb null mice or LH signals via other receptors in the absence of LHR in Lhr null mice. Moreover, it is not clear whether truncated LHR isoforms generated from the same Lhr gene promoter encode functionally relevant LH receptors. To determine the in vivo roles of LH-LHR signaling pathway in the Leydig cell lineage, we generated double null mutant mice lacking both LH Ligand and all forms of LHR. Phenotypic analysis indicated testis morpho-histological characteristics are identical among double null and single mutants which all showed poorly developed interstitium with a reduction in Leydig cell number and absence of late stage spermatids. Gene expression analyses confirmed that the majority of the T biosynthesis pathway enzyme-encoding mRNAs expressed in Leydig cells were all suppressed. Expression of thrombospondin-2, a fetal Leydig cell marker gene was upregulated in single and double null mutants indicating that fetal Leydig cells originate and develop independent of LH-LHR signaling pathway in vivo. Serum and intratesticular T levels were similarly suppressed in single and double mutants. Consequently, expression of AR-regulated genes in Sertoli and germ cells were similarly affected in single and double mutants without any evidence of any additive effect in the combined absence of both LH and LHR. Our studies unequivocally provide genetic evidence that in the mouse testis, fetal Leydig cells do not require LH-LHR signaling pathway and a one-to-one LH ligand-LHR signaling pathway exists in vivo to regulate adult Leydig cell lineage and spermatogenesis.
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Ivanova E, Vincel B, Verkauskas G, Hadziselimovic F. Gubernaculum and Epididymo-Testicular Descent: Review of the Literature. Acta Med Litu 2022; 29:201-210. [PMID: 37733393 PMCID: PMC9799001 DOI: 10.15388/amed.2022.29.2.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is a common disorder in boys that has been widely studied both experimentally and clinically. The role of the gubernaculum, a mesenchymal tissue extending from the fetal testis and epididymis to the developing scrotum, is still unclear. Even the name is debated: 'gubernaculum epididymis' or 'gubernaculum testis'. This review does not aim to provide a global overview of competing theories on testicular descent, but focuses on the role of the gubernaculum in epididymo-testicular descent. We identified four major pitfalls of gubernaculum research: the role of the gubernaculum, of insulin-like peptide 3, anti-Müllerian hormone, and androgens. The major critical issues were that the gubernaculum plays a guiding role for the epididymis, descending prior to the testis and expanding the inguinal canal; insulin-like peptide 3 is not as important for the process of descent in humans as the rate of insulin-like peptide 3 mutations is low; anti-Müllerian hormone plays no significant role in epididymo-testicular descent; androgens and gonadotropins play a crucial role in epididymo-testicular descent. The role of the epididymis in the complex process of gubernaculum, epididymis, and testis migration is underestimated and should be included in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beata Vincel
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Institute for Cryptorchidism Research, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum, Liestal, Switzerland
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Hadziselimovic F, Verkauskas G, Stadler M. A novel role for CFTR interaction with LH and FGF in azoospermia and epididymal maldevelopment caused by cryptorchidism. Basic Clin Androl 2022; 32:10. [PMID: 35725394 PMCID: PMC9210799 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00160-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism occurs frequently in children with cystic fibrosis. Among boys with cryptorchidism and abrogated mini-puberty, the development of the epididymis and the vas deferens is frequently impaired. This finding suggests that a common cause underlies the abnormal development of Ad spermatogonia and the epididymis. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an ATP-binding cassette transporter protein that acts as a chloride channel. The CFTR gene has been associated with spermatogenesis and male fertility. In boys with cryptorchidism, prepubertal hypogonadotropic hypogonadism induces suboptimal expression of the ankyrin-like protein gene, ASZ1, the P-element induced wimpy testis-like gene, PIWIL, and CFTR. The abrogated expression of these gene leads to transposon reactivation, and ultimately, infertility. Curative gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment stimulates the expression of CFTR and PIWIL3, which play important roles in the development of Ad spermatogonia and fertility. Furthermore, GnRHa stimulates the expression of the epididymal androgen-sensitive genes, CRISP1, WFDC8, SPINK13, and PAX2, which thereby promotes epididymal development. This review focuses on molecular evidence that favors a role for CFTR in cryptorchidism-induced infertility. Based on information available in the literature, we interpreted our RNA-Seq expression data obtained from samples before and after randomized GnRHa treatment in boys with bilateral cryptorchidism. We propose that, in boys with cryptorchidism, CFTR expression is controlled by luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Moreover, CFTR regulates the activities of genes that are important for fertility and Wolffian duct differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Children's Day Care Center Liestal, 4410, Liestal, Schweiz, Switzerland.
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Liu Z, Wang H, Larsen M, Gunewardana S, Cendali FI, Reisz JA, Akiyama H, Behringer RR, Ma Q, Hammoud SS, Kumar TR. The solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is regulated by LH/androgen and required for cystine/glutathione homeostasis in mouse Sertoli cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 549:111641. [PMID: 35398053 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates testosterone production from Leydig cells. Both LH and testosterone play important roles in spermatogenesis and male fertility. To identify LH - and testosterone - responsive transporter genes that play key roles in spermatogenesis, we performed large-scale gene expression analyses on testes obtained from adult control and Lhb knockout mice. We found a significant reduction in cystine/glutamate transporter encoding Slc7a11 mRNA in testes of Lhb null mice. We observed that Slc7a11/SLC7A11 expression was initiated pre-pubertally and developmentally regulated in mouse testis. Immunolocalization studies confirmed that SLC7A11 was mostly expressed in Sertoli cells in testes of control and germ cell-deficient mice. Western blot analyses indicated that SLC7A11 was significantly reduced in testes of mutant mice lacking either LH or androgen receptor selectively in Sertoli cells. Genetic and pharmacological rescue of Lhb knockout mice restored the testicular expression of Slc7a11 comparable to that observed in controls. Additionally, Slc7a11 mRNA was significantly suppressed upon Sertoli cell/testicular damage induced in mice by cadmium treatment. Knockdown of Slc7a11 in vitro in TM4 Sertoli cells or treatment of mice with sulfasalazine, a SLC7A11 inhibitor caused a significant reduction in intracellular cysteine and glutathione levels but glutamate content remained unchanged as determined by metabolomic analysis. Knockdown of Slc7a11 resulted in compensatory upregulation of other glutamate transporters belonging to the Slc1a family presumably to maintain intracellular glutamate levels. Collectively, our studies identified that SLC7A11 is an LH/testosterone-regulated transporter that is required for cysteine/glutathione but not glutamate homeostasis in mouse Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghui Liu
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Huizen Wang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Mark Larsen
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Sumedha Gunewardana
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Francesca I Cendali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Julie A Reisz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Haruhiko Akiyama
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Richard R Behringer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qianyi Ma
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - S Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - T Rajendra Kumar
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Lustofin S, Kamińska A, Brzoskwinia M, Cyran J, Kotula-Balak M, Bilińska B, Hejmej A. Nuclear and Membrane Receptors for Sex Steroids Are Involved in the Regulation of Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 Proteins in Rodent Sertoli Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042284. [PMID: 35216398 PMCID: PMC8876387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 (DSL) proteins, which serve as ligands for Notch receptors, mediate direct cell–cell interactions involved in the determination of cell fate and functioning. The present study aimed to explore the role of androgens and estrogens, and their receptors in the regulation of DSL proteins in Sertoli cells. To this end, primary rat Sertoli cells and TM4 Sertoli cell line were treated with either testosterone or 17β-estradiol and antagonists of their receptors. To confirm the role of particular receptors, knockdown experiments were performed. mRNA and protein expressions of Jagged1 (JAG1), Delta-like1 (DLL1), and Delta-like4 (DLL4) were analyzed using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Testosterone caused downregulation of JAG1 and DLL1 expression, acting through membrane androgen receptor ZRT- and Irt-like protein 9 (ZIP9) or nuclear androgen receptor (AR), respectively. DLL4 was stimulated by testosterone in the manner independent of AR and ZIP9 in Sertoli cells. The expression of all studied DSL proteins was upregulated by 17β-estradiol. Estrogen action on JAG1 and DLL1 was mediated chiefly via estrogen receptor α (ERα), while DLL4 was controlled via estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and membrane G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). To summarize, the co-operation of nuclear and membrane receptors for sex steroids controls DSL proteins in Sertoli cells, contributing to balanced Notch signaling activity in seminiferous epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Lustofin
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Alicja Kamińska
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Małgorzata Brzoskwinia
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Joanna Cyran
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Małgorzata Kotula-Balak
- Department of Anatomy and Preclinical Sciences, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Barbara Bilińska
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Anna Hejmej
- Department of EndocrinologyInstitute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (S.L.); (A.K.); (M.B.); (J.C.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Fortini F, Vieceli Dalla Sega F, Caliceti C, Lambertini E, Pannuti A, Peiffer DS, Balla C, Rizzo P. Estrogen-mediated protection against coronary heart disease: The role of the Notch pathway. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 189:87-100. [PMID: 30817989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen regulates a plethora of biological processes, under physiological and pathological conditions, by affecting key pathways involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, fate, survival and metabolism. The Notch receptors are mediators of communication between adjacent cells and are key determinants of cell fate during development and in postnatal life. Crosstalk between estrogen and the Notch pathway intervenes in many processes underlying the development and maintenance of the cardiovascular system. The identification of molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between these types of endocrine and juxtacrine signaling are leading to a deeper understanding of physiological conditions regulated by these steroid hormones and, potentially, to novel therapeutic approaches to prevent pathologies linked to reduced levels of estrogen, such as coronary heart disease, and cardiotoxicity caused by hormone therapy for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cristiana Caliceti
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lambertini
- Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Pannuti
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Daniel S Peiffer
- Oncology Research Institute, Loyola University Chicago: Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago: Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Cristina Balla
- Cardiovascular Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Rizzo
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Cotignola, RA, Italy; Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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Kelm NQ, Beare JE, Yuan F, George M, Shofner CM, Keller BB, Hoying JB, LeBlanc AJ. Adipose-derived cells improve left ventricular diastolic function and increase microvascular perfusion in advanced age. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202934. [PMID: 30142193 PMCID: PMC6108481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An early manifestation of coronary artery disease in advanced age is the development of microvascular dysfunction leading to deficits in diastolic function. Our lab has previously shown that epicardial treatment with adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) preserves microvascular function following coronary ischemia in a young rodent model. Follow-up studies showed intravenous (i.v.) delivery of SVF allows the cells to migrate to the walls of small vessels and reset vasomotor tone. Therefore we tested the hypothesis that the i.v. cell injection of SVF would reverse the coronary microvascular dysfunction associated with aging in a rodent model. Fischer 344 rats were divided into 4 groups: young control (YC), old control (OC), old + rat aortic endothelial cells (O+EC) and old + GFP+ SVF cells (O+SVF). After four weeks, cardiac function and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were measured via echocardiography, and hearts were explanted either for histology or isolation of coronary arterioles for vessel reactivity studies. In a subgroup of animals, microspheres were injected during resting and dobutamine-stimulated conditions to measure coronary blood flow. GFP+ SVF cells engrafted and persisted in the myocardium and coronary vasculature four weeks following i.v. injection. Echocardiography showed age-related diastolic dysfunction without accompanying systolic dysfunction; diastolic function was improved in old rats after SVF treatment. Ultrasound and microsphere data both showed increased stimulated coronary blood flow in O+SVF rats compared to OC and O+EC, while isolated vessel reactivity was mostly unchanged. I.v.-injected SVF cells were capable of incorporating into the vasculature of the aging heart and are shown in this study to improve CFR and diastolic function in a model of advanced age. Importantly, SVF injection did not lead to arrhythmias or increased mortality in aged rats. SVF cells provide an autologous cell therapy option for treatment of microvascular and cardiac dysfunction in aged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natia Q. Kelm
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jason E. Beare
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States of America
| | - Fangping Yuan
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Monika George
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Charles M. Shofner
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Bradley B. Keller
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - James B. Hoying
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Amanda J. LeBlanc
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
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Hadziselimovic F. On the descent of the epididymo-testicular unit, cryptorchidism, and prevention of infertility. Basic Clin Androl 2017; 27:21. [PMID: 29163975 PMCID: PMC5686796 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-017-0065-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review provides in-depth coverage of progress made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cryptorchidism, a frequent pathology first described in about 1786 by John Hunter. The first part focuses on the physiology, embryology, and histology of epididymo-testicular descent. In the last 20 years epididymo-testicular descent has become the victim of schematic drawings with an unjustified rejection of valid histological data. This part also includes discussion on the roles of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, fibroblast growth factors, Müllerian inhibiting substance, androgens, inhibin B, and insulin-like 3 in epididymo-testicular descent. The second part addresses the etiology and histology of cryptorchidism as well as the importance of mini-puberty for normal fertility development. A critical view is presented on current clinical guidelines that recommend early orchidopexy alone as the best possible treatment. Finally, by combining classical physiological information and the output of cutting-edge genomics data into a complete picture the importance of hormonal treatment in preventing cryptorchidism-induced infertility is underscored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum Liestal, Liestal, Switzerland
- Pediatrics at the University of Basel and Director of Cryptorchidism Research Institfigute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum, Bahnhofplatz 11, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
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Abstract
SummaryThe objective of the present study was to describe the frequency of the main racial traits of Morada Nova sheep and simulate the impact of this culling on the response to selection for birth weight. The data from sex, coat colour, hoof pigmentation, muzzle pigmentation, polled and cryptorchidism were collected individually at weaning from 385 Morada Nova sheep of the red variety, born between 2010 and 2012, which belonged to four different flocks in the state of Ceará, Brazil. To estimate the impact of culling of animals due to racial pattern on the genetic improvement of the Morada Nova population, the genetic gains in birth weight per generation were calculated considering the following different scenarios of culling due to racial pattern in a simulated population. The present results indicate that the most urgent step is flexibilization of the requirement of dark muzzles and hooves. The selection of Morada Nova sheep based on racial pattern has caused losses in the genetic gain for productive traits such as birth weight. Readaptation of the official racial pattern established for Morada Nova sheep is necessary so that the racial pattern is achieved and an adequate number of animals will be available for selection.
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Hadziselimovic F. Involvement of Fibroblast Growth Factors and Their Receptors in Epididymo-Testicular Descent and Maldescent. Mol Syndromol 2016; 6:261-7. [PMID: 27022326 DOI: 10.1159/000444033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Maldescent of the epididymo-testicular unit can occur as an isolated event or as a component of various syndromes. When part of a syndrome, crypto-epididymis is usually accompanied by other genital and/or extragenital features. Epididymis development is primarily regulated by androgens, and successful epididymo-testicular unit development and descent requires an intact hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The developing gonadotropin-releasing hormone system is essential for epididymo-testicular descent and is highly sensitive to reduced fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. Our understanding of the impact of FGFR1 in the process of epididymo-testicular descent has recently improved. At later stages of embryonic development, the undifferentiated epididymal mesenchyme is a specific domain for FGFR1 expression. The majority of individuals with syndromic crypto-epididymis, as well as individuals with isolated maldescent of the epididymo-testicular unit, exhibit some disturbance of FGF, FGFR1 and/or genes involved in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis regulation. However, the mechanisms underlying FGF dysregulation may differ between various syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Institute for Cryptorchidism Research, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum Liestal, Liestal, Switzerland
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- F Hadziselimovic
- Institute for Cryptorchidism Research, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum, Bahnhofplatz 11, 4410, Liestal, Switzerland,
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13
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Lin J, Zhu J, Li X, Li S, Lan Z, Ko J, Lei Z. Expression of genomic functional estrogen receptor 1 in mouse sertoli cells. Reprod Sci 2014; 21:1411-22. [PMID: 24615934 DOI: 10.1177/1933719114527355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
There is no consensus whether Sertoli cells express estrogen receptor 1 (Esr1). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence demonstrated that mouse Sertoli cell lines, TM4, MSC-1, and 15P-1, and purified primary mouse Sertoli cells (PSCs) contained Esr1 messenger RNA and proteins. Incubation of Sertoli cells with 17β-estradiol (E2) or ESR1 agonist stimulated the expression of an estrogen responsive gene Greb1, which was prevented by ESR inhibitor or ESR1 antagonist. Overexpression of Esr1 in MSC-1 enhanced E2-induced Greb1 expression, while knockdown of Esr1 by small interfering RNA in TM4 attenuated the response. Furthermore, E2-induced Greb1 expression was abolished in the PSCs isolated from Amh-Cre/Esr1-floxed mice in which Esr1 in Sertoli cells were selectively deleted. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that E2-induced Greb1 expression in Sertoli cells was mediated by binding of ESR1 to estrogen responsive elements. In summary, ligand-dependent nuclear ESR1 was present in mouse Sertoli cells and mediates a classical genomic action of estrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lin
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jia Zhu
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Xian Li
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Shengqiang Li
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Zijian Lan
- Division of Life Sciences, Alltech, Nicholasville, KY, USA
| | - Jay Ko
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zhenmin Lei
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
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Luteinizing hormone receptor deficiency increases the susceptibility to alkylating agent-induced lymphomagenesis in mice. Discov Oncol 2011; 1:256-64. [PMID: 21666843 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-010-0045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed a close link between luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) signaling and oncogenesis in gonadal and nongonadal tissues. To investigate whether genetic ablation of LH receptor (Lhr) affects the animal's oncogenic susceptibility, adult female wild-type (wt), heterozygous, and homozygous Lhr knockout (LhrKO) mice were intraperitoneally injected with an alkylating agent, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU, 50 mg/kg of body weight). The mice were sacrificed when they were short of breath or 10 months after the injection. The results showed that MNU induced non-Hodgkin's thymic and lymphonodus lymphomas in 70.6% and 100% of heterozygous and homozygous animals, respectively, compared with 35.7% in wt siblings. The tumor development was rapid; they were more aggressive and metastasized to the spleen, liver, and kidney in Lhr-deficient mice compared to wt siblings. All tumors were immunostained-positive for a T-cell specific marker, CD3, but not for a B-cell marker, CD22, suggesting that all the lymphomas arose from T-cells, which are known to be LH/hCG receptor-positive. There was no rearrangement of the Lhr gene locus or differences in thymic cell proliferation among the genotypes. However, apoptosis was lower in the Lhr-deficient thymuses. The thymic Bcl-2 levels were elevated and caspase-3 activation was reduced in Lhr heterozygous and homozygous animals. In conclusion, MNU induced a higher incidence and an earlier onset of aggressive lymphomas in LhrKO animals, which may be associated with a reduction in apoptosis of thymocytes.
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15
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The development and anatomy of the gubernaculum in Hoxa11 knockout mice. J Pediatr Surg 2011; 46:387-92. [PMID: 21292093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gubernaculum is central to testicular descent, with recent evidence suggesting that it elongates to the scrotum like a limb bud. Homeobox (Hox) genes involved in limb bud outgrowth are expressed within the gubernaculum. Mice with homozygous Hoxa11 gene deletions have bilateral cryptorchidism. This study investigated the precise anatomical effects of Hoxa11 mutation on the mouse gubernaculum. METHODS The pelvises of postnatal mice (n = 46; days 1-10) with Hoxa11 knockout (n = 19), heterozygotes (n = 11), and wild-type (n = 16) mice were serially sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemistry was performed for the presence of desmin. RESULTS Hoxa11 mutant mice had intraabdominal cryptorchid testes and highly convoluted vas deferentia. The gubernacular bulbs were abnormal, with no "outgrowth" and persistence of the prenatal "swelling reaction." Desmin immunostaining revealed the lack of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells usually seen as a "swirl" within the bulb and decreased formation of cremaster muscle. CONCLUSIONS Hoxa11 may be involved in forming the growth center seen as the "swirl" of mesenchyme within the gubernacular bulb, consistent with these cells being required for gubernacular elongation during testicular descent. Hoxa11 mutations may well contribute to failure of gubernacular migration in boys with cryptorchidism.
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16
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Yuan FP, Li X, Lin J, Schwabe C, Büllesbach EE, Rao CV, Lei ZM. The role of RXFP2 in mediating androgen-induced inguinoscrotal testis descent in LH receptor knockout mice. Reproduction 2010; 139:759-69. [PMID: 20154177 DOI: 10.1530/rep-09-0518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
LH receptor knockout (LhrKO) male mice exhibit a bilateral cryptorchidism resulting from a developmental defect in the gubernaculum during the inguinoscrotal phase of testis descent, which is corrected by testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the roles of the androgen receptor (AR) and RXFP2 signals in regulation of gubernacular development in LhrKO animals. This study demonstrated that AR and RXFP2 proteins were expressed in the gubernaculum during the entire postnatal period. TRT normalized gubernacular RXFP2 protein levels inLhrKO mice. Organ and primary cell cultures of gubernacula showed that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) upregulated the expression of Rxfp2 which was abolished by the addition of an AR antagonist, flutamide. A single s.c. testosterone injection also led to a significant increase in Rxfp2 mRNA levels in a time-dependent fashion in LhrKO animals. DHT, natural and synthetic insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), or relaxin alone did not affect proliferation of gubernacular mesenchymal cells, while co-treatments of DHT with either INSL3 or relaxin resulted in an increase in cell proliferation, and they also enhanced the mesenchymal cell differentiation toward the myogenic pathway, which included a decrease in a mesenchymal cell marker, CD44 and the expression of troponin. These effects were attenuated by the addition of flutamide, siRNA-mediated Rxfp2 knockdown, or by an INSL3 antagonist. Co-administration of an INSL3 antagonist curtailed TRT-induced inguinoscrotal testis descent in LhrKO mice. Our findings indicate that the RXFP2 signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating androgen action to stimulate gubernaculum development during inguinoscrotal testis descent.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, School of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA
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17
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Kojima Y, Mizuno K, Kohri K, Hayashi Y. Advances in molecular genetics of cryptorchidism. Urology 2009; 74:571-8. [PMID: 19589567 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2009.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Revised: 04/07/2009] [Accepted: 04/13/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital disorder in boys; one major complication of this disorder is male infertility. Androgens are key hormones to complete testicular descent; therefore, impaired fetal androgen action can result in this anomaly; its molecular etiology, however, remains unknown. Recent molecular approaches might provide an opportunity to identify not only candidate genes but also several predictive markers of future fertility. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent insight into the genetic pathway of testicular descent and the molecular etiology of isolated cryptorchidism, and discuss the prospects of treatment to achieve future fertility in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Kojima
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
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18
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Foresta C, Zuccarello D, Garolla A, Ferlin A. Role of hormones, genes, and environment in human cryptorchidism. Endocr Rev 2008; 29:560-80. [PMID: 18436703 DOI: 10.1210/er.2007-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is the most frequent congenital birth defect in male children (2-4% in full-term male births), and it has the potential to impact the health of the human male. In fact, although it is often considered a mild malformation, it represents the best-characterized risk factor for reduced fertility and testicular cancer. Furthermore, some reports have highlighted a significant increase in the prevalence of cryptorchidism over the last few decades. Etiology of cryptorchidism remains for the most part unknown, and cryptorchidism itself might be considered a complex disease. Major regulators of testicular descent from intraabdominal location into the bottom of the scrotum are the Leydig-cell-derived hormones testosterone and insulin-like factor 3. Research on possible genetic causes of cryptorchidism has increased recently. Abundant animal evidence supports a genetic cause, whereas the genetic contribution to human cryptorchidism is being elucidated only recently. Mutations in the gene for insulin-like factor 3 and its receptor and in the androgen receptor gene have been recognized as causes of cryptorchidism in some cases, but some chromosomal alterations, above all the Klinefelter syndrome, are also frequently involved. Environmental factors acting as endocrine disruptors of testicular descent might also contribute to the etiology of cryptorchidism and its increased incidence in recent years. Furthermore, polymorphisms in different genes have recently been investigated as contributing risk factors for cryptorchidism, alone or by influencing susceptibility to endocrine disruptors. Obviously, the interaction of environmental and genetic factors is fundamental, and many aspects have been clarified only recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Foresta
- University of Padova, Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Clinical Pathology and Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy.
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Anand-Ivell R, Ivell R, Driscoll D, Manson J. Insulin-like factor 3 levels in amniotic fluid of human male fetuses. Hum Reprod 2008; 23:1180-6. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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20
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Virtanen HE, Cortes D, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Ritzén EM, Nordenskjöld A, Skakkebaek NE, Toppari J. Development and descent of the testis in relation to cryptorchidism. Acta Paediatr 2007; 96:622-7. [PMID: 17462055 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00244.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The testis descends in two phases. Animal studies suggest, that the transabdominal descent of the testis depends on the insulin-like hormone 3 (INSL3). Androgens are important in the inguinoscrotal testicular descent in animals and humans. In general, the cause of cryptorchidism is unknown and the aetiology is possibly multifactorial. Histological changes in cryptorchid testes demonstrate disturbed development. CONCLUSION Since testicular descent is regulated by testis-derived hormones, cryptorchidism may reflect a functional defect of the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena E Virtanen
- Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
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