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Li L, Lin W, Wang Z, Huang R, Xia H, Li Z, Deng J, Ye T, Huang Y, Yang Y. Hormone Regulation in Testicular Development and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5805. [PMID: 38891991 PMCID: PMC11172568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The testes serve as the primary source of androgens and the site of spermatogenesis, with their development and function governed by hormonal actions via endocrine and paracrine pathways. Male fertility hinges on the availability of testosterone, a cornerstone of spermatogenesis, while follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) signaling is indispensable for the proliferation, differentiation, and proper functioning of Sertoli and germ cells. This review covers the research on how androgens, FSH, and other hormones support processes crucial for male fertility in the testis and reproductive tract. These hormones are regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis, which is either quiescent or activated at different stages of the life course, and the regulation of the axis is crucial for the development and normal function of the male reproductive system. Hormonal imbalances, whether due to genetic predispositions or environmental influences, leading to hypogonadism or hypergonadism, can precipitate reproductive disorders. Investigating the regulatory network and molecular mechanisms involved in testicular development and spermatogenesis is instrumental in developing new therapeutic methods, drugs, and male hormonal contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Wanqing Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Zhaoyang Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Rufei Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Huan Xia
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Ziyi Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Jingxian Deng
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Tao Ye
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
| | - Yadong Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangzhou 510632, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.L.); (W.L.); (Z.W.); (R.H.); (H.X.); (Z.L.); (J.D.); (T.Y.)
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangzhou 510632, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Esteves SC, Humaidan P, Ubaldi FM, Alviggi C, Antonio L, Barratt CLR, Behre HM, Jørgensen N, Pacey AA, Simoni M, Santi D. APHRODITE criteria: addressing male patients with hypogonadism and/or infertility owing to altered idiopathic testicular function. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 48:103647. [PMID: 38367592 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Can a novel classification system of the infertile male - 'APHRODITE' (Addressing male Patients with Hypogonadism and/or infeRtility Owing to altereD, Idiopathic TEsticular function) - stratify different subgroups of male infertility to help scientists to design clinical trials on the hormonal treatment of male infertility, and clinicians to counsel and treat the endocrinological imbalances in men and, ultimately, increase the chances of natural and assisted conception? DESIGN A collaboration between andrologists, reproductive urologists and gynaecologists, with specialization in reproductive medicine and expertise in male infertility, led to the development of the APHRODITE criteria through an iterative consensus process based on clinical patient descriptions and the results of routine laboratory tests, including semen analysis and hormonal testing. RESULTS Five patient groups were delineated according to the APHRODITE criteria; (1) Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (acquired and congenital); (2) Idiopathic male infertility with lowered semen analysis parameters, normal serum FSH and normal serum total testosterone concentrations; (3) A hypogonadal state with lowered semen analysis parameters, normal FSH and reduced total testosterone concentrations; (4) Lowered semen analysis parameters, elevated FSH concentrations and reduced or normal total testosterone concentrations; and (5) Unexplained male infertility in the context of unexplained couple infertility. CONCLUSION The APHRODITE criteria offer a novel and standardized patient stratification system for male infertility independent of aetiology and/or altered spermatogenesis, facilitating communication among clinicians, researchers and patients to improve reproductive outcomes following hormonal therapy. APHRODITE is proposed as a basis for future trials of the hormonal treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil.; Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.; Faculty of Health, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark..
| | - Peter Humaidan
- Fertility Clinic at Skive Regional Hospital, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Filippo M Ubaldi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Leen Antonio
- Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Medicine Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Allan A Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
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3
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Nie P, Wen S, Wang M, Xu H. Exploration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 ameliorated the alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction based on metabolome analysis. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 185:114463. [PMID: 38244668 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The decline in male sperm quality caused by multiple factors has become a widespread concern. Alcohol excessive consumption is one of the factors that induce testicular dysfunction. Testicular dysfunction caused by alcohol abuse is related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Probiotics can ameliorate alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction. However, the specific mechanism is not explicit. This study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism by which Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 ameliorates the alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction. The model of alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction in C57B/6 male mice was established according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 supplementation was orally administered to mice during the experiment. The results showed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 promoted androgen production, reduced testis inflammation, and improved testis antioxidant capacity, thereby improving sperm quality and sperm motility and ultimately ameliorating alcohol-induced testicular disorder. Three key metabolite pathways and six key metabolites were identified by metabolome analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330047, PR China
| | - Siyue Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330047, PR China
| | - Mengqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330047, PR China
| | - Hengyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330047, PR China; International Institute of Food Innovation Co., Ltd., Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330200, PR China.
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Romeo M, Donno V, Spaggiari G, Granata ARM, Simoni M, La Marca A, Santi D. Gonadotropins in the Management of Couple Infertility: Toward the Rational Use of an Empirical Therapy. Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:258-266. [PMID: 38158195 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Although epidemiology shows that both men and woman can experience infertility, the female partner usually experiences most of the diagnostic and therapeutic burden. Thus, management of couple infertility is a unique example of gender inequality. The use of exogenous gonadotropins in assisted reproductive technology (ART) to induce multifollicular growth is well consolidated in women, but the same is not done with the same level of confidence and purpose in infertile men. Indeed, the treatment of idiopathic male infertility is based on an empirical approach that involves administration of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in dosages within the replacement therapy range. This treatment has so far been attempted when the endogenous FSH serum levels are within the reference ranges. According to the most recent evidence, a "substitutive" FSH administration may not be effective enough, while a stimulatory approach could boost spermatogenesis over its basal levels without adverse extragonadal effects. This article aims to describe the rationale behind the empirical application of gonadotropins in couple infertility, highlighting the need for a change in the therapeutic approach, especially for the male partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilina Romeo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Valeria Donno
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giorgia Spaggiari
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio R M Granata
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio La Marca
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical Specialties, Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
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5
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Foran D, Chen R, Jayasena CN, Minhas S, Tharakan T. The use of hormone stimulation in male infertility. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 68:102333. [PMID: 36580771 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Infertility affects 15% of couples worldwide and in approximately 50% of cases the cause is secondary to an abnormality of the sperm. However, treatment options for male infertility are limited and empirical use of hormone stimulation has been utilised. We review the contemporary data regarding the application of hormone stimulation to treat male infertility. There is strong evidence supporting the use of hormone stimulation in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism but there is inadequate evidence for all other indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Foran
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Runzhi Chen
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Channa N Jayasena
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Urology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tharu Tharakan
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Urology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Male infertility and gonadotropin treatment: What can we learn from real-world data? Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 86:102310. [PMID: 36682942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.102310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin therapy to treat specific male infertility disorders associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is evidence-based and effective in restoring spermatogenesis and fertility. In contrast, its use to improve fertility in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia remains controversial, despite being widely practiced. The existence of two major inter-related pathways for spermatogenesis, including FSH and intratesticular testosterone, provides a rationale for empiric hormone stimulation therapy in both eugonadal and hypogonadal males with idiopathic oligozoospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia. Real-world data (RWD) on gonadotropin stimulating for these patient subsets, mainly using human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone, accumulated gradually, showing a positive therapeutic effect in some patients, translated by increased sperm production, sperm quality, and sperm retrieval rates. Although more evidence is needed, current insights from RWD research indicate that selected male infertility patients might be managed more effectively using gonadotropin therapy, with potential gains for all parties involved.
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7
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Bhattacharya I, Dey S, Banerjee A. Revisiting the gonadotropic regulation of mammalian spermatogenesis: evolving lessons during the past decade. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1110572. [PMID: 37124741 PMCID: PMC10140312 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1110572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a multi-step process of male germ cell (Gc) division and differentiation which occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes under the regulation of gonadotropins - Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH). It is a highly coordinated event regulated by the surrounding somatic testicular cells such as the Sertoli cells (Sc), Leydig cells (Lc), and Peritubular myoid cells (PTc). FSH targets Sc and supports the expansion and differentiation of pre-meiotic Gc, whereas, LH operates via Lc to produce Testosterone (T), the testicular androgen. T acts on all somatic cells e.g.- Lc, PTc and Sc, and promotes the blood-testis barrier (BTB) formation, completion of Gc meiosis, and spermiation. Studies with hypophysectomised or chemically ablated animal models and hypogonadal (hpg) mice supplemented with gonadotropins to genetically manipulated mouse models have revealed the selective and synergistic role(s) of hormones in regulating male fertility. We here have briefly summarized the present concept of hormonal control of spermatogenesis in rodents and primates. We also have highlighted some of the key critical questions yet to be answered in the field of male reproductive health which might have potential implications for infertility and contraceptive research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrashis Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Science, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
- *Correspondence: Arnab Banerjee, ; Indrashis Bhattacharya,
| | - Souvik Dey
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Arnab Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa, India
- *Correspondence: Arnab Banerjee, ; Indrashis Bhattacharya,
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Dwyer AA, Stamou M, McDonald IR, Anghel E, Cox KH, Salnikov KB, Plummer L, Seminara SB, Balasubramanian R. Reversible hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in men with the fertile eunuch/Pasqualini syndrome: A single-center natural history study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1054447. [PMID: 36407308 PMCID: PMC9666691 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1054447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder characterized by disrupted puberty and infertility. In most cases, HH is abiding yet 10-15% undergo reversal. Men with HH and absent and partial puberty (i.e., testicular volume <4mL and >4mL respectively) have been well-studied, but the rare fertile eunuch (FE) variant remains poorly characterized. This natural history study of 240 men with HH delineates the clinical presentation, neuroendocrine profile, rate of reversal and genetics of the FE variant. We compared three HH groups: FE (n=38), absent puberty (n=139), and partial puberty (n=63). The FE group had no history of micropenis and 2/38 (5%) had cryptorchidism (p<0.0001 vs. other groups). The FE group exhibited higher rates of detectable gonadotropins, higher mean LH/FSH levels, and higher serum inhibin B levels (all p<0.0001). Neuroendocrine profiling showed pulsatile LH secretion in 30/38 (79%) of FE men (p<0.0001) and 16/36 (44%) FE men underwent spontaneous reversal of HH (p<0.001). The FE group was enriched for protein-truncating variants (PTVs) in GNRHR and FGFR1 and 4/30 (13%) exhibited oligogenic PTVs. Findings suggest men with the FE variant exhibit the mildest neuroendocrine defects of HH men and the FE sub-type represents the first identified phenotypic predictor for reversible HH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A. Dwyer
- Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maria Stamou
- Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Isabella R. McDonald
- Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ella Anghel
- Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Department of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Kimberly H. Cox
- Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kathryn B. Salnikov
- Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lacey Plummer
- Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Stephanie B. Seminara
- Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ravikumar Balasubramanian
- Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Zhao Y, Li XN, Zhang H, Cui JG, Wang JX, Chen MS, Li JL. Phthalate-induced testosterone/androgen receptor pathway disorder on spermatogenesis and antagonism of lycopene. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 439:129689. [PMID: 36104915 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility is an attracting growing concern owing to decline in sperm quality of men worldwide. Phthalates, in particular to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) or its main metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), affect male reproductive development and function, which mainly accounts for reduction in male fertility. Lycopene (LYC) is a natural antioxidant agent that has been recognized as a possible therapeutic option for treating male infertility. Testosterone (T)/androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway is involved in maintaining spermatogenesis and male fertility. How DEHP causes spermatogenesis disturbance and whether LYC could prevent DEHP-induced male reproductive toxicity have remained unclear. Using in vivo and vitro approaches, we demonstrated that DEHP caused T biosynthesis reduction in Leydig cell and secretory function disorder in Sertoli cell, and thereby resulted in spermatogenic impairment. Results also showed that MEHP caused mitochondrial damage and oxidative damage, which imposes a serious threat to the progress of spermatogenesis. However, LYC supplement reversed these changes. Mechanistically, DEHP contributed to male infertility via perturbing T/AR signaling pathway during spermatogenesis. Overall, our study reveals critical role for T/AR signal transduction in male fertility and provides promising insights into the protective role of LYC in phthalate-induced male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Xue-Nan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jia-Gen Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jia-Xin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Ming-Shan Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jin-Long Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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Abstract
Rates of unplanned pregnancies are high globally, burdening women and families. Efforts to develop male contraceptive agents have been thwarted by unacceptable failure rates, side effects and a dearth of pharmaceutical industry involvement. Hormonal male contraception consists of exogenous androgens which exert negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and suppress gonadotropin production. This in turn suppresses testicular testosterone production and sperm maturation. Addition of a progestin suppresses spermatogenesis more effectively in men. Contraceptive efficacy studies in couples have shown male hormonal methods are effective and reversible, but also may come with side effects related to sexual desire, acne and serum cholesterol and inconvenient methods of dosing and delivery. Recently, novel androgens as potential contraceptive agents are being evaluated in early clinical trials and look to overcome these drawbacks. Here we summarize landmark studies of prototype male hormonal contraceptives, showcasing recent advances and future prospects in this important area of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthi Thirumalai
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Stephanie T Page
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Deiktakis EE, Ieronymaki E, Zarén P, Hagsund A, Wirestrand E, Malm J, Tsatsanis C, Huhtaniemi IT, Giwercman A, Giwercman YL. Impact of add-back FSH on human and mouse prostate following gonadotropin ablation by GnRH antagonist treatment. Endocr Connect 2022; 11:EC-21-0639. [PMID: 35575351 PMCID: PMC9254324 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During androgen ablation in prostate cancer by the standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment, only luteinizing hormone (LH) is permanently suppressed while circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) rebounds. We explored direct prostatic effects of add-back FSH, after androgen ablation with GnRH antagonist, permanently suppressing both gonadotropins. METHODS The effects of recombinant human (rFSH) were examined in mice treated with vehicle (controls), GnRH antagonist degarelix (dgx), dgx + rFSH, dgx + flutamide, or dgx + rFSH + flutamide for 4 weeks. Prostates and testes size and expression of prostate-specific and/or androgen-responsive genes were measured. Additionally, 33 young men underwent dgx-treatment. Seventeen were supplemented with rFSH (weeks 1-5), and all with testosterone (weeks 4-5). Testosterone, gondotropins, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and inhibin B were measured. RESULTS In dgx and dgx + flutamide treated mice, prostate weight/body weight was 91% lower than in controls, but 41 and 11%, respectively, was regained by rFSH treatment (P = 0.02). The levels of seminal vesicle secretion 6, Pbsn, Nkx3.1, beta-microseminoprotein, and inhibin b were elevated in dgx + rFSH-treated animals compared with only dgx treated (all P < 0.05). In men, serum inhibin B rose after dgx treatment but was subsequently suppressed by testosterone. rFSH add-back had no effect on PSA levels. CONCLUSIONS These data provide novel evidence for the direct effects of FSH on prostate size and gene expression in chemically castrated mice. However, in chemically castrated men, FSH had no effect on PSA production. Whether FSH effects on the prostate in humans also require suppression of the residual adrenal-derived androgens and/or a longer period of rFSH stimulation, remains to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftherios E Deiktakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Ieronymaki
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Peter Zarén
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Agnes Hagsund
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Elin Wirestrand
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Johan Malm
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Christos Tsatsanis
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ilpo T Huhtaniemi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, UK
| | - Aleksander Giwercman
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Malmö University Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Malmö, Sweden
- Correspondence should be addressed to Y L Giwercman:
| | - Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Correspondence should be addressed to Y L Giwercman:
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12
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Abstract
Male infertility contributes to 50% of all cases of infertility. The main cause is low quality and quantity of sperm. In humans, spermatogenesis starts at the beginning of puberty and lasts lifelong. It is under the control of FSH and testicular androgens, and mainly testosterone (T), and therefore requires a normal gonadotroph axis, intratesticular T production by Leydig cells and functional androgen receptors (ARs) within testicular Sertoli cells. Various clinical cases illustrate the roles of T in human spermatogenesis. Men with complete congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) are usually azoospermic. Treatment by exogenous testosterone injection and FSH is not able to produce sperm. However, combined treatment with FSH and hCG is effective. This example shows that intratesticular T plays a major role in spermatogenesis. Furthermore, testicular histology of men with LH receptor mutations shows Leydig cell hypoplasia/agenesis/dysplasia with conserved Sertoli cell count. The sperm count is reduced, as in males with partial inactivating mutation of the androgen receptor. Some protocols of hormonal male contraception or exogenous androgen abuse induce negative feedback in the hypothalamic pituitary axis, decreasing FSH, LH and T levels and inducing sperm defects and testicular atrophy. The time to recovery after cessation of drug abuse is around 14 months for sperm output and 38 months for sperm motility. In summary, abnormal androgen production and/or AR signaling impairs spermatogenesis in humans. The minimal level of intratesticular T for normal sperm production is a matter of debate. Interestingly, some animal models showed that completely T-independent spermatogenesis is possible, potentially through strong FSH activation. Finally, recent data suggest important roles of prenatal life and minipuberty in adult spermatogenesis.
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13
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Peng T, Liao C, Ye X, Chen Z, Lan Y, Fu X, An G. Gonadotropins treatment prior to microdissection testicular sperm extraction in non-obstructive azoospermia: a single-center cohort study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:61. [PMID: 35365173 PMCID: PMC8973804 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00934-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in combination with ICSI can make paternity possible for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. Testicular sperm can be successfully retrieved in nearly half of NOA patients. Nevertheless, not many convincing protocols are established to improve sperm retrieval rate (SRR). The goal of this study was to evaluate whether gonadotropins therapy before micro-TESE could improve sperm retrieval rate and affect the ICSI outcomes in non-obstructive azoospermia patients with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included a total of 569 non-obstructive azoospermia men who underwent micro-TESE with or without 3-month of preoperative hCG / hCG plus highly purified urinary FSH (uFSH) between January 2016 and December 2019. The primary outcome was the sperm retrieval rate of micro-TESE. RESULTS Sperm was found in 27 patients among 395 NOA men who accepted preoperative gonadotropins treatment (6.8%, 27/395) in post-treatment semen analysis for ICSI. One hundred forty nine out of 542 patients could successfully obtain enough sperm for ICSI through the micro-TESE (overall SRR = 27.5%). There was a statistically significant difference in the SRR between the preoperative gonadotropins treatment and non-gonadotropins treatment groups (31.2%, 115/368 vs. 19.5%, 34/174, P = 0.006). In the multivariable analysis with IPTW according to the propensity score, there was a significant association between preoperative gonadotropins treatment and the SRR (OR, 1.59; 95% CI: 1.02-2.52; P = 0.042). No differences in the clinical pregnancy rate, live birth delivery rate, or miscarriage rate were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION Preoperative gonadotropins therapy seems to have a role in improving SRR in NOA patients with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. We found that gonadotropins therapy had no effect on ICSI clinical outcomes and live birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianwen Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong, China
| | - Chen Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhicong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Lan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong, China
| | - Geng An
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong, China.
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14
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Guan X, Ji M, Wen X, Huang F, Zhao X, Chen D, Shao J, Wang J, Xie J, Tian J, Lin H, Duan P, Zirkin BR, Su Z, Chen H. Single-cell RNA sequencing of adult rat testes after Leydig cell elimination and restoration. Sci Data 2022; 9:106. [PMID: 35338159 PMCID: PMC8956705 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01225-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is an efficient, complex, and highly organized proliferation and differentiation process that relies on multiple factors including testosterone produced by the Leydig cells. Although the critical role played by testosterone in spermatogenesis is well recognized, the mechanism by which it works is still not completely understood, partially due to the inability to specifically and precisely monitor testosterone-dependent changes within developing germ cells. Here we present single-cell RNA sequencing data from10,983 adult rat testicular cells after the rats were treated with ethanedimethanesulfonate, which temporarily eliminates Leydig cells. The elimination and recovery of Leydig cells represented a complete testosterone depletion and restoration cycle. The dataset, which includes all developing germ cells from spermatogonia to spermatozoa, should prove useful for characterizing developing germ cells, their regulatory networks, and novel cell-specific markers. The dataset should be particularly useful for exploring the effects of the androgen environment on the regulation of spermatogenesis. As this is the first single-cell RNA-Seq dataset for rat testes, it can also serve as a reference for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoju Guan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Minpeng Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Fu Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Xingyi Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Jingjing Shao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Jiexia Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Jiajia Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Jing Tian
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Han Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Ping Duan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China
| | - Barry R Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States of America
| | - Zhijian Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Haolin Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China. .,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China.
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15
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Tharakan T, Corona G, Foran D, Salonia A, Sofikitis N, Giwercman A, Krausz C, Yap T, Jayasena CN, Minhas S. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:609-628. [PMID: 35526153 PMCID: PMC9434299 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of hormonal therapy in stimulating spermatogenesis in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and either normal gonadotrophins or hypergonadotropic hypogonadism prior to surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) is controversial. Although the European Association of Urology guidelines state that hormone stimulation is not recommended in routine clinical practice, a significant number of patients undergo empiric therapy prior to SSR. The success rate for SSR from microdissection testicular sperm extraction is only 40–60%, thus hormonal therapy could prove to be an effective adjunctive therapy to increase SSR rates. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the SSR rates in men with NOA (excluding those with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) receiving hormone therapy compared to placebo or no treatment. The secondary objective was to compare the effects of hormonal therapy in normogonadotropic and hypergonadotropic NOA men. SEARCH METHODS A literature search was performed using the Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Clinicaltrials.gov databases from 01 January 1946 to 17 September 2020. We included all studies where hormone status was confirmed. We excluded non-English language and animal studies. Heterogeneity was calculated using I2 statistics and risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools. We performed a meta-analysis on all the eligible controlled trials to determine whether hormone stimulation (irrespective of class) improved SSR rates and also whether this was affected by baseline hormone status (hypergonadotropic versus normogonadotropic NOA men). Sensitivity analyses were performed when indicated. OUTCOMES A total of 3846 studies were screened and 22 studies were included with 1706 participants. A higher SSR rate in subjects pre-treated with hormonal therapy was observed (odds ratio (OR) 1.96, 95% CI: 1.08–3.56, P = 0.03) and this trend persisted when excluding a study containing only men with Klinefelter syndrome (OR 1.90, 95% CI: 1.03–3.51, P = 0.04). However, the subgroup analysis of baseline hormone status demonstrated a significant improvement only in normogonadotropic men (OR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.10–4.14, P = 0.02) and not in hypergonadotropic patients (OR 1.73, 95% CI: 0.44–6.77, P = 0.43). The literature was at moderate or severe risk of bias. WIDER IMPLICATIONS This meta-analysis demonstrates that hormone therapy is not associated with improved SSR rates in hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. While hormone therapy improved SSR rates in eugonadal men with NOA, the quality of evidence was low with a moderate to high risk of bias. Therefore, hormone therapy should not be routinely used in men with NOA prior to SSR and large scale, prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to validate the meta-analysis findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharu Tharakan
- Correspondence address. Department of Urology, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK. Tel: +44-020-3311-1234; E-mail:
| | - Giovanni Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl Bologna Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniel Foran
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Department of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Urology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Nikolaos Sofikitis
- Department of Urology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University Hospital of Careggi (AOUC), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Tet Yap
- Department of Urology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
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16
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The Roles of Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Testosterone in Spermatogenesis and Folliculogenesis Revisited. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312735. [PMID: 34884539 PMCID: PMC8658012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis and folliculogenesis involve cell–cell interactions and gene expression orchestrated by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH regulates the proliferation and maturation of germ cells independently and in combination with LH. In humans, the requirement for high intratesticular testosterone (T) concentration in spermatogenesis remains both a dogma and an enigma, as it greatly exceeds the requirement for androgen receptor (AR) activation. Several data have challenged this dogma. Here we report our findings on a man with mutant LH beta subunit (LHβ) that markedly reduced T production to 1–2% of normal., but despite this minimal LH stimulation, T production by scarce mature Leydig cells was sufficient to initiate and maintain complete spermatogenesis. Also, in the LH receptor (LHR) knockout (LuRKO) mice, low-dose T supplementation was able to maintain spermatogenesis. In addition, in antiandrogen-treated LuRKO mice, devoid of T action, the transgenic expression of a constitutively activating follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mutant was able to rescue spermatogenesis and fertility. Based on rodent models, it is believed that gonadotropin-dependent follicular growth begins at the antral stage, but models of FSHR inactivation in women contradict this claim. The complete loss of FSHR function results in the complete early blockage of folliculogenesis at the primary stage, with a high density of follicles of the prepubertal type. These results should prompt the reassessment of the role of gonadotropins in spermatogenesis, folliculogenesis and therapeutic applications in human hypogonadism and infertility.
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17
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Long-Term Maintenance of Viable Adult Rat Sertoli Cells Able to Establish Testis Barrier Components and Function in Response to Androgens. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092405. [PMID: 34572053 PMCID: PMC8467871 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A protocol for the isolation and long-term propagation of adult rat Sertoli cells (SCs) using conditional reprogramming (CR) was developed and the formation of tight junctions as an in vitro model for the blood testis barrier (BTB) was studied. Three pure primary SC lines were isolated successfully and maintained for several months without significant changes in expression levels of SC-typical markers such as SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), transferrin, clusterin, androgen receptor (AR), and GATA binding protein 1 (GATA1). In addition to AR expression, the tight junction proteins, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and the junctional adhesion molecule-3 (JAM-3), were upregulated and the SC barrier integrity was enhanced by testosterone. Peritubular/myoid cells did not increase the tightness of the SC. The cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), and transforming growth factor beta-3 (TGF-β3), negatively affected the tightness of the SC barrier. We have established a protocol for the isolation and long-term propagation of highly pure primary adult rat SCs, which are able to respond to androgen treatments, to form tight junctions and to maintain the mRNA expression of SC-specific genes. By applying this new method, adult SCs can now be analyzed in more detail and might serve as an in vitro model for the study of many SC functions.
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18
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Bhattacharya I, Sharma SS, Sarkar H, Gupta A, Pradhan BS, Majumdar SS. FSH mediated cAMP signalling upregulates the expression of Gα subunits in pubertal rat Sertoli cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 569:100-105. [PMID: 34237428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.06.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) acts via FSH-Receptor (FSH-R) by employing cAMP as the dominant secondary messenger in testicular Sertoli cells (Sc) to support spermatogenesis. Binding of FSH to FSH-R, results the recruitment of the intracellular GTP binding proteins, either stimulatory Gαs or inhibitory Gαi that in turn regulate cAMP production in Sc. The cytosolic concentration of cAMP being generated by FSH-R thereafter critically determines the downstream fate of the FSH signalling. The pleiotropic action of FSH due to differential cAMP output during functional maturation of Sc has been well studied. However, the developmental and cellular regulation of the Gα proteins associated with FSH-R is poorly understood in Sc. In the present study, we report the differential transcriptional modulation of the Gα subunit genes by FSH mediated cAMP signalling in neonatal and pubertal rat Sc. Our data suggested that unlike in neonatal Sc, both the basal and FSH/forskolin induced expression of Gαs, Gαi-1, Gαi-2 and Gαi-3 transcripts was significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulated in pubertal Sc. Further investigations involving treatment of Sc with selective Gαi inhibitor pertussis toxin, confirmed the elevated expression of Gi subunits in pubertal Sc. Collectively our results indicated that the high level of Gαi subunits serves as a negative regulator to optimize cAMP production in pubertal Sc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrashis Bhattacharya
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India; Dept. of Zoology, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, 246174, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Souvik Sen Sharma
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India; National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, 500 032, Telangana, India
| | - Hironmoy Sarkar
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India; Department of Microbiology, Raiganj University, West Bengal, 733134, India
| | - Alka Gupta
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Bhola Shankar Pradhan
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Subeer S Majumdar
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India; National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, 500 032, Telangana, India.
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19
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Jonas KC, Rivero Müller A, Oduwole O, Peltoketo H, Huhtaniemi I. The Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Knockout Mouse as a Tool to Probe the In Vivo Actions of Gonadotropic Hormones/Receptors in Females. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6144965. [PMID: 33605422 PMCID: PMC8171189 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models with altered gonadotropin functions have provided invaluable insight into the functions of these hormones/receptors. Here we describe the repurposing of the infertile and hypogonadal luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) knockout mouse model (LuRKO), to address outstanding questions in reproductive physiology. Using crossbreeding strategies and physiological and histological analyses, we first addressed the physiological relevance of forced LHR homomerization in female mice using BAC expression of 2 ligand-binding and signaling deficient mutant LHR, respectively, that have previously shown to undergo functional complementation and rescue the hypogonadal phenotype of male LuRKO mice. In female LuRKO mice, coexpression of signaling and binding deficient LHR mutants failed to rescue the hypogonadal and anovulatory phenotype. This was apparently due to the low-level expression of the 2 mutant LHR and potential lack of luteinizing hormone (LH)/LHR-dependent pleiotropic signaling that has previously been shown at high receptor densities to be essential for ovulation. Next, we utilized a mouse model overexpressing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) with increased circulating "LH/hCG"-like bioactivity to ~40 fold higher than WT females, to determine if high circulating hCG in the LuRKO background could reveal putative LHR-independent actions. No effects were found, thus, suggesting that LH/hCG mediate their gonadal and non-gonadal effects solely via LHR. Finally, targeted expression of a constitutively active follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) progressed antral follicles to preovulatory follicles and displayed phenotypic markers of enhanced estrogenic activity but failed to induce ovulation in LuRKO mice. This study highlights the critical importance and precise control of functional LHR and FSHR for mediating ovarian functions and of the potential repurposing of existing genetically modified mouse models in answering outstanding questions in reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Carol Jonas
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, King’s College London,
London SE1 1UL, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism,
Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12
0NN, UK
- Correspondence: Dr Kim Jonas, Department of Women and Children’s Health, King’s College London,
London SE1 1UL, UK; Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of
Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
; or Prof. Ilpo Huhtaniemi, Institute of Reproductive and
Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial
College London, London, W12 0NN, UK; Institute for Biomedicine, Department of Physiology,
University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Adolfo Rivero Müller
- Institute for Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, University of
Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of
Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Olayiwola Oduwole
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism,
Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12
0NN, UK
| | - Hellevi Peltoketo
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism,
Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12
0NN, UK
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and Tumour Biology, Cancer and Translational
Medicine Research Unit, Biocenter Oulu and University of Oulu,
90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism,
Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12
0NN, UK
- Institute for Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, University of
Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
- Correspondence: Dr Kim Jonas, Department of Women and Children’s Health, King’s College London,
London SE1 1UL, UK; Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of
Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
; or Prof. Ilpo Huhtaniemi, Institute of Reproductive and
Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial
College London, London, W12 0NN, UK; Institute for Biomedicine, Department of Physiology,
University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland.
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Abstract
Gonadotropins are glycoprotein sex hormones regulating development and reproduction and bind to specific G protein–coupled receptors expressed in the gonads. Their effects on multiple signaling cascades and intracellular events have recently been characterized using novel technological and scientific tools. The impact of allosteric modulators on gonadotropin signaling, the role of sugars linked to the hormone backbone, the detection of endosomal compartments supporting signaling modules, and the dissection of different effects mediated by these molecules are areas that have advanced significantly in the last decade. The classic view providing the exclusive activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and the steroidogenic pathway by these hormones has been expanded with the addition of novel signaling cascades as determined by high-resolution imaging techniques. These new findings provided new potential therapeutic applications. Despite these improvements, unanswered issues of gonadotropin physiology, such as the intrinsic pro-apoptotic potential to these hormones, the existence of receptors assembled as heteromers, and their expression in extragonadal tissues, remain to be studied. Elucidating these issues is a challenge for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
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21
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Oduwole OO, Poliandri A, Okolo A, Rawson P, Doroszko M, Chrusciel M, Rahman NA, Serrano de Almeida G, Bevan CL, Koechling W, Huhtaniemi IT. Follicle-stimulating hormone promotes growth of human prostate cancer cell line-derived tumor xenografts. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21464. [PMID: 33724574 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002168rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemical castration in prostate cancer can be achieved with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists. Their effects differ by the initial flare of gonadotropin and testosterone secretion with agonists and the immediate pituitary-testicular suppression by antagonists. While both suppress luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) initially, a rebound in FSH levels occurs during agonist treatment. This rebound is potentially harmful, taken the expression of FSH receptors (R) in prostate cancer tissue. We herein assessed the role of FSH in promoting the growth of androgen-independent (PC-3, DU145) and androgen-dependent (VCaP) human prostate cancer cell line xenografts in nude mice. Gonadotropins were suppressed with the GnRH antagonist degarelix, and effects of add-back human recombinant FSH were assessed on tumor growth. All tumors expressed GnRHR and FSHR, and degarelix treatment suppressed their growth. FSH supplementation reversed the degarelix-evoked suppression of PC-3 tumors, both in preventive (degarelix and FSH treatment started upon cell inoculation) and therapeutic (treatments initiated 3 weeks after cell inoculation) setting. A less marked, though significant FSH effect occurred in DU145, but not in VCaP xenografts. FSHR expression in the xenografts supports direct FSH stimulation of tumor growth. Testosterone supplementation, to maintain the VCaP xenografts, apparently masked the FSH effect on their growth. Treatment with the LH analogue hCG did not affect PC-3 tumor growth despite their expression of luteinizing hormone/choriongonadotropin receptor. In conclusion, FSH, but not LH, may directly stimulate the growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer, suggesting that persistent FSH suppression upon GnRH antagonist treatment offers a therapeutic advantage over agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayiwola O Oduwole
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ariel Poliandri
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Anthony Okolo
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Phil Rawson
- Central Biomedical Services, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Milena Doroszko
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Nafis A Rahman
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Charlotte L Bevan
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Wolfgang Koechling
- Non-Clinical Development, Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ilpo T Huhtaniemi
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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22
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Caroppo E, Colpi GM. Hormonal Treatment of Men with Nonobstructive Azoospermia: What Does the Evidence Suggest? J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10030387. [PMID: 33498414 PMCID: PMC7864204 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10030387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormonal stimulation of spermatogenesis prior to surgery has been tested by some authors to maximize the sperm retrieval yield in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. Although the rationale of such an approach is theoretically sound, studies have provided conflicting results, and there are unmet questions that need to be addressed. In the present narrative review, we reviewed the current knowledge about the hormonal control of spermatogenesis, the relationship between presurgical serum hormones levels and sperm retrieval rates, and the results of studies investigating the effect of hormonal treatments prior to microdissection testicular sperm extraction. We pooled the available data about sperm retrieval rate in patients with low vs. normal testosterone levels, and found that patients with normal testosterone levels had a significantly higher chance of successful sperm retrieval compared to those with subnormal T levels (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.08–2.45, p = 0.02). These data suggest that hormonal treatment may be justified in patients with hypogonadism; on the other hand, the available evidence is insufficient to recommend hormonal therapy as standard clinical practice to improve the sperm retrieval rate in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Caroppo
- Asl Bari, PTA “F Jaia”, Andrology Outpatients Clinic, 70014 Conversano (BA), Italy
- Correspondence:
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23
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Walker WH. Androgen Actions in the Testis and the Regulation of Spermatogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:175-203. [PMID: 34453737 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. In this review, topics related to testosterone control of spermatogenesis are covered including testosterone production and levels in the testis, classical and nonclassical testosterone signaling pathways, cell- and temporal-specific expression of the androgen receptor in the testis and autocrine and paracrine signaling of testis cells in the testis. Also discussed are the contributions of testosterone to testis descent, the blood-testis barrier, control of gonocyte numbers and spermatogonia expansion, completion of meiosis and attachment and release of elongaed spermatids. Testosterone-regulated genes identified in various mouse models of idsrupted Androgen receptor expression are discussed. Finally, examples of synergism and antagonism between androgen and follicle-stimulating hormone signaling pathways are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Walker
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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24
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Guo Y, Wu Y, Shi J, Zhuang H, Ci L, Huang Q, Wan Z, Yang H, Zhang M, Tan Y, Sun R, Xu L, Wang Z, Shen R, Fei J. miR-29a/b1 Regulates the Luteinizing Hormone Secretion and Affects Mouse Ovulation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:636220. [PMID: 34135859 PMCID: PMC8202074 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.636220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
miR-29a/b1 was reportedly involved in the regulation of the reproductive function in female mice, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. In this study, female mice lacking miR-29a/b1 showed a delay in vaginal opening, irregular estrous cycles, ovulation disorder and subfertility. The level of luteinizing hormone (LH) was significantly lower in plasma but higher in pituitary of mutant mice. However, egg development was normal in mutant mice and the ovulation disorder could be rescued by the superovulation treatment. These results suggested that the LH secretion was impaired in mutant mice. Further studies showed that deficiency of miR-29a/b1 in mice resulted in an abnormal expression of a number of proteins involved in vesicular transport and exocytosis in the pituitary, indicating the mutant mice had insufficient LH secretion. However, the detailed mechanism needs more research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Lab, Animal Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Youbing Wu
- Shanghai Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahao Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Zhuang
- Shanghai Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Ci
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Huang
- Shanghai Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhipeng Wan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengjie Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yutong Tan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruilin Sun
- Shanghai Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
| | - Leon Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- Department of Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruling Shen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Lab, Animal Research Center, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jian Fei, ; Ruling Shen,
| | - Jian Fei
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Model Organisms, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jian Fei, ; Ruling Shen,
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25
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Gisela S B, M Virginia A, Gabriela A A, M Virginia T, Enrique H L, Laura K, Véronica L B. Androgen receptor and uterine histoarchitecture in a PCOS rat model. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110973. [PMID: 32781251 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperandrogenemia and uterine abnormalities. Our aim was to investigate the uterine effects of PCOS that are mediated through the androgen receptor (AR). After weaning, female rats were treated with sesame oil (Control), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), or DHEA + flutamide (FLU, an AR antagonist) for 20 consecutive days. On postnatal day 41, serum, ovarian and uterine tissues were collected. DHEA and DHEA + FLU rats showed increased testosterone levels. DHEA rats showed increased epithelial height, glandular density, subepithelial stroma and myometrial thickness, associated with decreased nuclei density. These rats also showed increased uterine water content, with decreased aquaporin (AQP) 3, 7 and 8 expression in the uterine epithelium and increased AQP8 expression in the myometrium. DHEA rats also showed decreased uterine collagen remodeling, decreased cell proliferation in the subepithelial stroma, and increased apoptosis in the luminal and glandular epithelium and in the myometrium. They also showed an increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 and a decrease in phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase. The uterine stroma of DHEA rats showed no changes in progesterone receptor or estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and increased AR expression. DHEA + FLU rats showed a smaller increase in the myometrial thickness, an increase in the uterine water content without AQP8 induction and a smaller decrease in collagen remodeling. These rats also showed no apoptosis induction and decreased proliferation in the myometrium, decreased ERα in the subepithelial stroma and myometrium and no modifications in AR. Our results demonstrate that the uterine cell turnover and collagen remodeling in DHEA rats are regulated through AR, directly or indirectly associated with ERα expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bracho Gisela S
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Acosta M Virginia
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Altamirano Gabriela A
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Patología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Tschopp M Virginia
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luque Enrique H
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Patología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Kass Laura
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Patología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Bosquiazzo Véronica L
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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26
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The importance of follicle-stimulating hormone in the prepubertal and pubertal testis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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27
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Simoni M, Brigante G, Rochira V, Santi D, Casarini L. Prospects for FSH Treatment of Male Infertility. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5831300. [PMID: 32374828 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Despite the new opportunities provided by assisted reproductive technology (ART), male infertility treatment is far from being optimized. One possibility, based on pathophysiological evidence, is to stimulate spermatogenesis with gonadotropins. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We conducted a comprehensive systematic PubMed literature review, up to January 2020, of studies evaluating the genetic basis of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) action, the role of FSH in spermatogenesis, and the effects of its administration in male infertility. Manuscripts evaluating the role of genetic polymorphisms and FSH administration in women undergoing ART were considered whenever relevant. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS FSH treatment has been successfully used in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, but with questionable results in idiopathic male infertility. A limitation of this approach is that treatment plans for male infertility have been borrowed from hypogonadism, without daring to overstimulate, as is done in women undergoing ART. FSH effectiveness depends not only on its serum levels, but also on individual genetic variants able to determine hormonal levels, activity, and receptor response. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta (FSHB) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) genes have been described, with some of them affecting testicular volume and sperm output. The FSHR p.N680S and the FSHB -211G>T variants could be genetic markers to predict FSH response. CONCLUSIONS FSH may be helpful to increase sperm production in infertile men, even if the evidence to recommend the use of FSH in this setting is weak. Placebo-controlled clinical trials, considering the FSHB-FSHR haplotype, are needed to define the most effective dosage, the best treatment length, and the criteria to select candidate responder patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE), Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Giulia Brigante
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Rochira
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Livio Casarini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
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28
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Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) Action on Spermatogenesis: A Focus on Physiological and Therapeutic Roles. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9041014. [PMID: 32260182 PMCID: PMC7230878 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9041014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human reproduction is regulated by the combined action of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH) on the gonads. Although FSH is largely used in female reproduction, in particular in women attending assisted reproductive techniques to stimulate multi-follicular growth, its efficacy in men with idiopathic infertility is not clearly demonstrated. Indeed, whether FSH administration improves fertility in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the therapeutic benefit in men presenting alterations in sperm production despite normal FSH serum levels is still unclear. In the present review, we evaluate the potential pharmacological benefits of FSH administration in clinical practice. METHODS This is a narrative review, describing the FSH physiological role in spermatogenesis and its potential therapeutic action in men. RESULTS The FSH role on male fertility is reviewed starting from the physiological control of spermatogenesis, throughout its mechanism of action in Sertoli cells, the genetic regulation of its action on spermatogenesis, until the therapeutic options available to improve sperm production. CONCLUSION FSH administration in infertile men has potential benefits, although its action should be considered by evaluating its synergic action with testosterone, and well-controlled, powerful trials are required. Prospective studies and new compounds could be developed in the near future.
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Inhalation of welding fumes reduced sperm counts and high fat diet reduced testosterone levels; differential effects in Sprague Dawley and Brown Norway rats. Part Fibre Toxicol 2020; 17:2. [PMID: 31924220 PMCID: PMC6954601 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-019-0334-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have shown that inhalation of welding fumes may induce pulmonary and systemic inflammation and organ accumulation of metal, to which spermatogenesis and endocrine function may be sensitive. Also obesity may induce low-grade systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects on sperm production of inhaled metal nanoparticles from stainless steel welding, and the potential exacerbation by intake of a high fat diet. Both the inbred Brown Norway and the outbred Sprague Dawley rat strains were included to study the influence of strain on the detection of toxicity. Rats were fed regular or high fat (HF) diet for 24 weeks and were exposed to 20 mg/m3 of gas metal arc-stainless steel (GMA-SS) welding fumes or filtered air for 3 h/day, 4 days/week for 5 weeks, during weeks 7–12. Outcomes were assessed upon termination of exposure (week 12) and after recovery (week 24). Results At week 12, the GMA-SS exposure induced pulmonary inflammation in both strains, without consistent changes in markers of systemic inflammation (CRP, MCP-1, IL-6 and TNFα). GMA-SS exposure lowered daily sperm production compared to air controls in Sprague Dawley rats, but only in GMA-SS Brown Norway rats also fed the HF diet. Overall, HF diet rats had lower serum testosterone levels compared to rats on regular diet. Metal content in the testes was assessed in a limited number of samples in Brown Norway rats, but no increase was obsedrved. At week 24, bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts had returned to background levels for GMA-SS exposed Sprague Dawley rats but remained elevated in Brown Norway rats. GMA-SS did not affect daily sperm production statistically significantly at this time point, but testicular weights were lowered in GMA-SS Sprague Dawley rats. Serum testosterone remained lowered in Sprague Dawley rats fed the HF diet. Conclusion Exposure to GMA-SS welding fumes lowered sperm production in two strains of rats, whereas high fat diet lowered serum testosterone. The effect on sperm counts was likely not mediated by inflammation or lowered testosterone levels. The studied reproductive outcomes seemed more prone to disruption in the Sprague Dawley compared to the Brown Norway strain.
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30
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Simoni M, Santi D. FSH treatment of male idiopathic infertility: Time for a paradigm change. Andrology 2020; 8:535-544. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology Department of Medical Specialties Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria of Modena Modena Italy
- BIOS INRA CNRS IFCE Université de Tours Nouzilly France
| | - Daniele Santi
- Unit of Endocrinology Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology Department of Medical Specialties Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria of Modena Modena Italy
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31
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Zhang G, Cui R, Kang Y, Qi C, Ji X, Zhang T, Guo Q, Cui H, Shi G. Testosterone propionate activated the Nrf2-ARE pathway in ageing rats and ameliorated the age-related changes in liver. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18619. [PMID: 31819135 PMCID: PMC6901587 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55148-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the protective efficacy of testosterone propionate (TP) on age-related liver changes via activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway in aged rats. Aged rats received subcutaneous injections of TP (2 mg/kg/d, 84 days). Oxidative stress parameters and the expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b), Kelch-like ECH associating protein-1 (Keap1), Nrf2, haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) in liver tissues were examined to check whether the Nrf2-ARE pathway was involved in the age-related changes in liver. Our results showed that TP supplementation alleviated liver morphology, liver function and liver fibrosis; improved oxidative stress parameters; and increased the expression of STAT5b, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 and decreased the expression of Keap1 in the liver tissues of aged rats. These results suggested that TP increased the expression of STAT5b, and then activated the Nrf2-ARE pathway and promoted antioxidant mechanisms in aged rats. These findings may provide new therapeutic uses for TP in patients with age-related liver changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China.,Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Rui Cui
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Yunxiao Kang
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Chunxiao Qi
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoming Ji
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Tianyun Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Qiqing Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Huixian Cui
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China.,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China
| | - Geming Shi
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China. .,Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China. .,Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, P.R. China.
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Safian D, Bogerd J, Schulz RW. Regulation of spermatogonial development by Fsh: The complementary roles of locally produced Igf and Wnt signaling molecules in adult zebrafish testis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 284:113244. [PMID: 31415728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a cellular developmental process characterized by the coordinated proliferation and differentiation activities of somatic and germ cells in order to produce a large number of spermatozoa, the cellular basis of male fertility. Somatic cells in the testis, such as Leydig, peritubular myoid and Sertoli cells, provide structural and metabolic support and contribute to the regulatory microenvironment required for proper germ cell survival and development. The pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) is a major endocrine regulator of vertebrate spermatogenesis, targeting somatic cell functions in the testes. In fish, Fsh regulates Leydig and Sertoli cell functions, such as sex steroid and growth factor production, processes that also control the development of spermatogonia, the germ cell stages at the basis of the spermatogenic process. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of mechanisms used by Fsh to regulate the development of spermatogonia. This involves discussing the roles of insulin-like growth factor (Igf) 3 and canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways. We will also discuss how these locally active regulatory systems interact to maintain testis tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Safian
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Utrecht, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Bogerd
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Utrecht, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rüdiger W Schulz
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Utrecht, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands; Reproduction and Developmental Biology Group, Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
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Crespo D, Assis LHC, van de Kant HJG, de Waard S, Safian D, Lemos MS, Bogerd J, Schulz RW. Endocrine and local signaling interact to regulate spermatogenesis in zebrafish: follicle-stimulating hormone, retinoic acid and androgens. Development 2019; 146:dev.178665. [PMID: 31597660 DOI: 10.1242/dev.178665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) is crucial for mammalian spermatogonia differentiation, and stimulates Stra8 expression, a gene required for meiosis. Certain fish species, including zebrafish, have lost the stra8 gene. While RA still seems important for spermatogenesis in fish, it is not known which stage(s) respond to RA or whether its effects are integrated into the endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis. In zebrafish, RA promoted spermatogonia differentiation, supported androgen-stimulated meiosis, and reduced spermatocyte and spermatid apoptosis. Follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) stimulated RA production. Expressing a dominant-negative RA receptor variant in germ cells clearly disturbed spermatogenesis but meiosis and spermiogenesis still took place, although sperm quality was low in 6-month-old adults. This condition also activated Leydig cells. Three months later, spermatogenesis apparently had recovered, but doubling of testis weight demonstrated hypertrophy, apoptosis/DNA damage among spermatids was high and sperm quality remained low. We conclude that RA signaling is important for zebrafish spermatogenesis but is not of crucial relevance. As Fsh stimulates androgen and RA production, germ cell-mediated, RA-dependent reduction of Leydig cell activity may form a hitherto unknown intratesticular negative-feedback loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Crespo
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Luiz H C Assis
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Henk J G van de Kant
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Sjors de Waard
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Diego Safian
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Moline S Lemos
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jan Bogerd
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Rüdiger W Schulz
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands .,Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen NO-5817, Norway
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Schulz RW, Taranger GL, Bogerd J, Nijenhuis W, Norberg B, Male R, Andersson E. Entry into puberty is reflected in changes in hormone production but not in testicular receptor expression in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019; 17:48. [PMID: 31226998 PMCID: PMC6588918 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-019-0493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Puberty in male Atlantic salmon in aquaculture can start as early as after the first winter in seawater, stunts growth and entails welfare problems due to the maturation-associated loss of osmoregulation capacity in seawater. A better understanding of the regulation of puberty is the basis for developing improved cultivation approaches that avoid these problems. Our aim here was to identify morphological and molecular markers signaling the initiation of, and potential involvement in, testis maturation. METHODS In the first experiment, we monitored for the first time in large Atlantic salmon males several reproductive parameters during 17 months including the first reproductive cycle. Since testicular growth accelerated after the Winter solstice, we focused in the second experiment on the 5 months following the winter solstice, exposing fish from February 1 onwards to the natural photoperiod (NL) or to continuous additional light (LL). RESULTS In the first experiment, testis weight, plasma androgens and pituitary gonadotropin transcript levels increased with the appearance of type B spermatogonia in the testis, but testicular transcript levels for gonadotropin or androgen receptors did not change while being clearly detectable. In the second experiment, all males kept under NL had been recruited into puberty until June. However, recruitment into puberty was blocked in ~ 40% of the males exposed to LL. The first morphological sign of recruitment was an increased proliferation activity of single spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. Irrespective of the photoperiod, this early sign of testis maturation was accompanied by elevated pituitary gnrhr4 and fshb and testicular igf3 transcript levels as well as increased plasma androgen levels. The transition into puberty occurred again with stable testicular gonadotropin and androgen receptor transcript levels. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity to reproductive hormones is already established before puberty starts and up-regulation of testicular hormone receptor expression is not required to facilitate entry into puberty. The increased availability of receptor ligands, on the other hand, may result from an up-regulation of pituitary Gnrh receptor expression, eventually activating testicular growth factor and sex steroid release and driving germ and Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger W Schulz
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, P.O.Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geir Lasse Taranger
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, P.O.Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Bogerd
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Nijenhuis
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Birgitta Norberg
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, P.O.Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rune Male
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eva Andersson
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, P.O.Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway.
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The initiation of puberty in Atlantic salmon brings about large changes in testicular gene expression that are modulated by the energy status. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:475. [PMID: 31185904 PMCID: PMC6558769 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5869-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background When puberty starts before males reach harvest size, animal welfare and sustainability issues occur in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture. Hallmarks of male puberty are an increased proliferation activity in the testis and elevated androgen production. Examining transcriptional changes in salmon testis during the transition from immature to maturing testes may help understanding the regulation of puberty, potentially leading to procedures to modulate its start. Since differences in body weight influence, via unknown mechanisms, the chances for entering puberty, we used two feed rations to create body weight differences. Results Maturing testes were characterized by an elevated proliferation activity of Sertoli cells and of single undifferentiated spermatogonia. Pituitary gene expression data suggest increased Gnrh receptor and gonadotropin gene expression, potentially responsible for the elevated circulating androgen levels in maturing fish. Transcriptional changes in maturing testes included a broad variety of signaling systems (e.g. Tgfβ, Wnt, insulin/Igf, nuclear receptors), but also, activation of metabolic pathways such as anaerobic metabolism and protection against ROS. Feed restriction lowered the incidence of puberty. In males maturing despite feed restriction, plasma androgen levels were higher than in maturing fish receiving the full ration. A group of 449 genes that were up-regulated in maturing fully fed fish, was up-regulated more prominently in testis from fish maturing under caloric restriction. Moreover, 421 genes were specifically up-regulated in testes from fish maturing under caloric restriction, including carbon metabolism genes, a pathway relevant for nucleotide biosynthesis and for placing epigenetic marks. Conclusions Undifferentiated spermatogonia and Sertoli cell populations increased at the beginning of puberty, which was associated with the up-regulation of metabolic pathways (e.g. anaerobic and ROS pathways) known from other stem cell systems. The higher androgen levels in males maturing under caloric restriction may be responsible for the stronger up-regulation of a common set of (449) maturation-associated genes, and the specific up-regulation of another set of (421) genes. The latter opened regulatory and/or metabolic options for initiating puberty despite feed restriction. As a means to reduce the incidence of male puberty in salmon, however, caloric restriction seems unsuitable. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5869-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Busch AS, Tüttelmann F, Cremers JF, Schubert M, Nordhoff V, Schüring AN, Zitzmann M, Gromoll J, Kliesch S. FSHB -211 G>T Polymorphism as Predictor for TESE Success in Patients With Unexplained Azoospermia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:2315-2324. [PMID: 30668782 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-02249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) followed by assisted reproductive techniques often remains the only therapeutic option for men with azoospermia due to spermatogenic failure. Reproductive parameters, such as gonadotropin levels and testicular volume or histopathology, contribute to the prediction of sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in TESE. However, there is an eminent lack of noninvasive predictive factors for TESE outcome. OBJECTIVE To clarify the impact of three common genetic variants affecting FSH and its cognate receptor on testicular histopathology patterns and SRR in TESE. DESIGN We evaluated the association of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) FSHB -211G>T (rs10835638), FSHR -29G>A (rs1394205), and FSHR c.2039A>G (rs6166) with testicular histopathology and SRR in patients with azoospermia. SETTING Tertiary referral center for andrology. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Men (n = 1075) with azoospermia who underwent TESE (grouped by clinical pathologies). INTERVENTION(S) All participants underwent TESE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Testicular histopathology, SRR, and reproductive hormone levels. RESULTS FSHB -211G>T was significantly associated with reduced chances of sperm retrieval in patients with unexplained azoospermia. Indicating an additional mechanism, the association of the SNP with SSR could not be solely attributed to decreased FSH levels. CONCLUSION A common genetic factor was significantly associated with SRR in TESE. In perspective, a calculator or score including the noninvasive parameters FSH level, testicular volume, and FSHB haplotype should be considered to estimate the chances for sperm retrieval in men with azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Siegfried Busch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude D11, Münster, Germany
- Department of Growth and Reproduction & International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg, Münster, Germany
| | - Jann-Frederik Cremers
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
| | - Maria Schubert
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
| | - Verena Nordhoff
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude D11, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas N Schüring
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UKM Fertility Center, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Gebäude, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Zitzmann
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
| | - Jörg Gromoll
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude D11, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University of Münster, EAA Training Center, Albert Schweitzer Campus, Germany
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Bhattacharya I, Basu S, Pradhan BS, Sarkar H, Nagarajan P, Majumdar SS. Testosterone augments FSH signaling by upregulating the expression and activity of FSH-Receptor in Pubertal Primate Sertoli cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 482:70-80. [PMID: 30579957 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The synergistic actions of Testosterone (T) and FSH via testicular Sertoli cells (Sc) regulate male fertility. We have previously reported that the actions of these hormones (T and FSH) in infant monkey testes are restricted only to the expansion of Sc and spermatogonial cells. The robust differentiation of male Germ cells (Gc) occurs after pubertal maturation of testis. The present study was aimed to investigate the molecular basis of the synergy between T and FSH action in pubertal primate (Macaca mulatta) Sc. Using primary Sc culture, we here have demonstrated that T (but not FSH) downregulated AMH and Inhibin-β-B (INHBB) mRNAs in pubertal Sc. We also found that, prolonged stimulation of T in pubertal Sc significantly elevated the expression of genes involved in FSH signaling pathway like FSH-Receptor (FSHR), GNAS and RIC8B, and this was associated with a rise in cAMP production. T also augmented FSH induced expression of genes like SCF, GDNF, ABP and Transferrin (TF) in pubertal Sc. We therefore conclude that T acts in synergy with FSH signaling in pubertal Sc. Such a coordinated network of hormonal signaling in Sc may facilitate the timely onset of the first spermatogenic wave in pubertal primates and is responsible for quantitatively and qualitatively normal spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrashis Bhattacharya
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India; Primate Research Center, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India; Department of Zoology and Biotechnology, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Campus, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sayon Basu
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Bhola Shankar Pradhan
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Hironmoy Sarkar
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India; Department of Microbiology, Raiganj University, Raiganj, West Bengal, India
| | - Perumal Nagarajan
- Primate Research Center, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Subeer S Majumdar
- Cellular Endocrinology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India; Primate Research Center, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India; National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
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Dizeyi N, Trzybulska D, Al-Jebari Y, Huhtaniemi I, Lundberg Giwercman Y. Cell-based evidence regarding the role of FSH in prostate cancer. Urol Oncol 2019; 37:290.e1-290.e8. [PMID: 30611646 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Conversion of androgen-responsive prostate cancer (CaP) to castration-resistant CaP is associated with an acceleration of the disease that often requires treatment modalities other than androgen deprivation therapy only. Recently, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) has been shown to play a role in CaP growth, and clinical data showed that high serum concentration of FSH in chemically castrated CaP patients was associated with a shorter time of progression to castration-resistant CaP. In this study, we sought to investigate if FSH could have direct effects on CaP cells, possibly through the androgen receptor and androgen receptor regulated genes, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS The human CaP cell lines PC-3, LNCaP and C4-2, and nonmalignant PNT1A cells, were utilized to investigate the effects of FSH. qPCR, Western blotting analysis, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymetoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium assays were performed in order to analyze the FSH effects. RESULTS The FSH receptor was present in all cell lines except PNT1A. FSH significantly increased PSA mRNA (P < 0.01) and protein (P < 0.03) levels in C4-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In LNCaP cells, FSH also increased PSA protein level, although to a lesser extent than in C4-2 cells, and the expression was reduced by the antiandrogen enzalutamide. In PC-3 cells, FSH was shown to increase their proliferation (P < 0.03) and β-catenin expression. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that FSH may have a direct effect in CaP in an androgen-depleted environment. However, further research is needed to understand the significance of direct FSH action in the maintenance of CaP growth at the different phases of transition from androgen dependence to androgen independence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishtman Dizeyi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Molecular Genetic Reproductive Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Dorota Trzybulska
- Department of Translational Medicine, Molecular Genetic Reproductive Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Yahia Al-Jebari
- Department of Translational Medicine,Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman
- Department of Translational Medicine, Molecular Genetic Reproductive Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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McDonald R, Sadler C, Kumar TR. Gain-of-Function Genetic Models to Study FSH Action. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:28. [PMID: 30792692 PMCID: PMC6374295 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a pituitary-derived gonadotropin that plays key roles in male and female reproduction. The physiology and biochemistry of FSH have been extensively studied for many years. Beginning in the early 1990s, coincident with advances in the then emerging transgenic animal technology, and continuing till today, several gain-of-function (GOF) models have been developed to understand FSH homeostasis in a physiological context. Our group and others have generated a number of FSH ligand and receptor GOF mouse models. An FSH GOF model when combined with Fshb null mice provides a powerful genetic rescue platform. In this chapter, we discuss different GOF models for FSH synthesis, secretion and action and describe additional novel genetic models that could be developed in the future to further refine the existing models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary McDonald
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, IL, United States
- Integrated Physiology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAurora, IL, United States
| | - Carolyn Sadler
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, IL, United States
| | - T. Rajendra Kumar
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, IL, United States
- Integrated Physiology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAurora, IL, United States
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAurora, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: T. Rajendra Kumar
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Szymańska K, Kałafut J, Rivero-Müller A. The gonadotropin system, lessons from animal models and clinical cases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 70:561-587. [PMID: 30264954 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4784.18.04307-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review article centers upon family of gonadotropin hormones which consists of two pituitary hormones - follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) as well as one non-pituitary hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secreted by placenta, and their receptors. Gonadotropins play an essential role in proper sexual development, puberty, gametogenesis, maintenance of pregnancy and male sexual differentiation during the fetal development. They belong to the family of glycoprotein hormones thus they constitute heterodimeric proteins built of common α subunit and hormone-specific β-subunit. Hitherto, several mutations in genes encoding both gonadotropins and their receptors have been identified in humans. Their occurrence resulted in a number of different phenotypes including delayed puberty, primary amenorrhea, hermaphroditism, infertility and hypogonadism. In order to understand the effects of mutations on the phenotype observed in affected patients, detailed molecular studies are required to map the relationship between the structure and function of gonadotropins and their receptors. Nonetheless, in vitro assays are often insufficient to understand physiology. Therefore, several animal models have been developed to unravel the physiological roles of gonadotropins and their receptors.
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Huhtaniemi I. MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis: mutant mice challenging old paradigms. Eur J Endocrinol 2018; 179:R143-R150. [PMID: 29959220 DOI: 10.1530/eje-18-0396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The two pituitary gonadotrophins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and in particular LH-stimulated high intratesticular testosterone (ITT) concentration, are considered crucial for spermatogenesis. We have revisited these concepts in genetically modified mice, one being the LH receptor (R)-knockout mouse (LuRKO), the other a transgenic mouse expressing in Sertoli cells a highly constitutively active mutated Fshr (Fshr-CAM). It was found that full spermatogenesis was induced by exogenous testosterone treatment in LuRKO mice at doses that restored ITT concentration to a level corresponding to the normal circulating testosterone level in WT mice, ≈5 nmol/L, which is 1.4% of the normal high ITT concentration. When hypogonadal LuRKO and Fshr-CAM mice were crossed, the double-mutant mice with strong FSH signaling, but minimal testosterone production, showed near-normal spermatogenesis, even when their residual androgen action was blocked with the strong antiandrogen flutamide. In conclusion, our findings challenge two dogmas of the hormonal regulation of male fertility: (1) high ITT concentration is not necessary for spermatogenesis and (2) strong FSH stimulation can maintain spermatogenesis without testosterone. These findings have clinical relevance for the development of hormonal male contraception and for the treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, UK
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Rossitto M, Marchive C, Pruvost A, Sellem E, Ghettas A, Badiou S, Sutra T, Poulat F, Philibert P, Boizet-Bonhoure B. Intergenerational effects on mouse sperm quality after in utero exposure to acetaminophen and ibuprofen. FASEB J 2018; 33:339-357. [PMID: 29979629 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800488rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and analgesic drugs, such as N-acetyl- p-aminophenol (APAP; acetaminophen, paracetamol), are widely used by pregnant women. Accumulating evidence has indicated that these molecules can favor genital malformations in newborn boys and reproductive disorders in adults. However, the consequences on postnatal testis development and adult reproductive health after exposure during early embryogenesis are still unknown. Using the mouse model, we show that in utero exposure to therapeutic doses of the widely used APAP-ibuprofen combination during the sex determination period leads to early differentiation and decreased proliferation of male embryonic germ cells, and early 5-methylcytosine and extracellular matrix protein deposition in 13.5 d postcoitum exposed testes. Consequently, in postnatal testes, Sertoli-cell maturation is delayed, the Leydig-cell compartment is hyperplasic, and the spermatogonia A pool is decreased. This results in a reduced production of testosterone and in epididymal sperm parameter defects. We observed a reduced sperm count (19%) in utero-exposed (F0) adult males and also a reduced sperm motility (40%) in their offspring (F1) when both parents were exposed, which leads to subfertility among the 6 mo old F1 animals. Our study suggests that the use of these drugs during the critical period of sex determination affects the germ-line development and leads to adverse effects that could be passed to the offspring.-Rossitto, M., Marchive, C., Pruvost, A., Sellem, E., Ghettas, A., Badiou, S., Sutra, T., Poulat, F., Philibert, P., Boizet-Bonhoure, B. Intergenerational effects on mouse sperm quality after in utero exposure to acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moïra Rossitto
- Institute of Human Genetics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Candice Marchive
- Institute of Human Genetics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Alain Pruvost
- Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunoanalyse (SPI), Small Molecules Analysis by Mass Spectrometry (SMArt-MS), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Eli Sellem
- Research and Development Department, Allice, Biology of Reproduction, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) Domaine de Vilvert, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Aurélie Ghettas
- Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunoanalyse (SPI), Small Molecules Analysis by Mass Spectrometry (SMArt-MS), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Stéphanie Badiou
- Département de Biochimie et d'Hormonologie, Hopital Lapeyronie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Montpellier; PhyMedExp, INSERM Unité 1046, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9214, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Thibault Sutra
- Département de Biochimie et d'Hormonologie, Hopital Lapeyronie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Montpellier; PhyMedExp, INSERM Unité 1046, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9214, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Philibert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Département de Biochimie et d'Hormonologie, Hopital Lapeyronie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Montpellier; PhyMedExp, INSERM Unité 1046, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9214, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Brigitte Boizet-Bonhoure
- Institute of Human Genetics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Hejmej A, Bilinska B. The effects of flutamide on cell-cell junctions in the testis, epididymis, and prostate. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 81:1-16. [PMID: 29958919 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize recent findings on the effect of the anti-androgen flutamide on cell-cell junctions in the male reproductive system. We outline developmental aspects of flutamide action on the testis, epididymis, and prostate, and describe changes in junction protein expression and organization of junctional complexes in the adult boar following prenatal and postnatal exposure. We also discuss findings on the mechanisms by which flutamide induces alterations in cell-cell junctions in reproductive tissues of adult males, with special emphasis on cytoplasmic effects. Based on the results from in vivo and in vitro studies in the rat, we propose that flutamide affects the expression of junction proteins and junction complex structure not only by inhibiting androgen receptor activity, but equally important by modulating protein kinase-dependent signaling in testicular cells. Additionally, results from studies on prostate cancer cell lines point to a role for the cellular molecular outfit in response to flutamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hejmej
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Barbara Bilinska
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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Oduwole OO, Peltoketo H, Huhtaniemi IT. Role of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Spermatogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:763. [PMID: 30619093 PMCID: PMC6302021 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a concerted sequence of events during maturation of spermatogonia into spermatozoa. The process involves differential gene-expression and cell-cell interplay regulated by the key endocrine stimuli, i.e., follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated testosterone. FSH affects independently and in concert with testosterone, the proliferation, maturation and function of the supporting Sertoli cells that produce regulatory signals and nutrients for the maintenance of developing germ cells. Rodents are able to complete spermatogenesis without FSH stimulus, but its deficiency significantly decreases sperm quantity. Men carrying loss-of-function mutation in the gene encoding the ligand (FSHB) or its receptor (FSHR) present, respectively, with azoospermia or suppressed spermatogenesis. Recently, the importance of high intratesticular testosterone concentration for spermatogenesis has been questioned. It was established that it can be completed at minimal intratesticular concentration of the hormone. Furthermore, we recently demonstrated that very robust constitutive FSHR action can rescue spermatogenesis and fertility of mice even when the testosterone stimulus is completely blocked. The clinical relevance of these findings concerns a new strategy of high-dose FSH in treatment of spermatogenic failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayiwola O. Oduwole
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hellevi Peltoketo
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and Tumor Biology, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ilpo T. Huhtaniemi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Ilpo T. Huhtaniemi
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Ulloa-Aguirre A, Zariñán T, Jardón-Valadez E, Gutiérrez-Sagal R, Dias JA. Structure-Function Relationships of the Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:707. [PMID: 30555414 PMCID: PMC6281744 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) plays a crucial role in reproduction. This structurally complex receptor is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily of membrane receptors. As with the other structurally similar glycoprotein hormone receptors (the thyroid-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone-chorionic gonadotropin hormone receptors), the FSHR is characterized by an extensive extracellular domain, where binding to FSH occurs, linked to the signal specificity subdomain or hinge region. This region is involved in ligand-stimulated receptor activation whereas the seven transmembrane domain is associated with receptor activation and transmission of the activation process to the intracellular loops comprised of amino acid sequences, which predicate coupling to effectors, interaction with adapter proteins, and triggering of downstream intracellular signaling. In this review, we describe the most important structural features of the FSHR intimately involved in regulation of FSHR function, including trafficking, dimerization, and oligomerization, ligand binding, agonist-stimulated activation, and signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Ulloa-Aguirre
- Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Alfredo Ulloa-Aguirre
| | - Teresa Zariñán
- Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Jardón-Valadez
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Lerma, Lerma, Mexico
| | - Rubén Gutiérrez-Sagal
- Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - James A. Dias
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
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