Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept
The mammalian testis serves two main functions: production of spermatozoa and synthesis of steroids; among them estrogens are the end products obtained from the irreversible transformation of androgens by a microsomal enzymatic complex named aromatase. The aromatase is encoded by a single gene (cyp1...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica
2007-06-01
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| Series: | Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2007000600003 |
| _version_ | 1818022748006383616 |
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| author | S. Carreau D. Silandre S. Bourguiba K. Hamden L. Said S. Lambard I. Galeraud-Denis C. Delalande |
| author_facet | S. Carreau D. Silandre S. Bourguiba K. Hamden L. Said S. Lambard I. Galeraud-Denis C. Delalande |
| author_sort | S. Carreau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mammalian testis serves two main functions: production of spermatozoa and synthesis of steroids; among them estrogens are the end products obtained from the irreversible transformation of androgens by a microsomal enzymatic complex named aromatase. The aromatase is encoded by a single gene (cyp19) in humans which contains 18 exons, 9 of them being translated. In rats, the aromatase activity is mainly located in Sertoli cells of immature rats and then in Leydig cells of adult rats. We have demonstrated that germ cells represent an important source of estrogens: the amount of P450arom transcript is 3-fold higher in pachytene spermatocytes compared to gonocytes or round spermatids; conversely, aromatase activity is more intense in haploid cells. Male germ cells of mice, bank voles, bears, and monkeys express aromatase. In humans, we have shown the presence of a biologically active aromatase and of estrogen receptors (alpha and ß) in ejaculated spermatozoa and in immature germ cells in addition to Leydig cells. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the amount of P450arom transcripts is 30% lower in immotile than in motile spermatozoa. Alterations of spermatogenesis in terms of number and motility of spermatozoa have been described in men genetically deficient in aromatase. These last observations, together with our data showing a significant decrease of aromatase in immotile spermatozoa, suggest that aromatase could be involved in the acquisition of sperm motility. Thus, taking into account the widespread localization of aromatase and estrogen receptors in testicular cells, it is obvious that, besides gonadotrophins and androgens, estrogens produced locally should be considered to be physiologically relevant hormones involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T03:33:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03bae53a643a46548de1f630be6ac27e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0100-879X 1414-431X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T03:33:21Z |
| publishDate | 2007-06-01 |
| publisher | Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-03bae53a643a46548de1f630be6ac27e2022-12-22T02:03:45ZengAssociação Brasileira de Divulgação CientíficaBrazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research0100-879X1414-431X2007-06-0140676176810.1590/S0100-879X2007000600003Estrogens and male reproduction: a new conceptS. CarreauD. SilandreS. BourguibaK. HamdenL. SaidS. LambardI. Galeraud-DenisC. DelalandeThe mammalian testis serves two main functions: production of spermatozoa and synthesis of steroids; among them estrogens are the end products obtained from the irreversible transformation of androgens by a microsomal enzymatic complex named aromatase. The aromatase is encoded by a single gene (cyp19) in humans which contains 18 exons, 9 of them being translated. In rats, the aromatase activity is mainly located in Sertoli cells of immature rats and then in Leydig cells of adult rats. We have demonstrated that germ cells represent an important source of estrogens: the amount of P450arom transcript is 3-fold higher in pachytene spermatocytes compared to gonocytes or round spermatids; conversely, aromatase activity is more intense in haploid cells. Male germ cells of mice, bank voles, bears, and monkeys express aromatase. In humans, we have shown the presence of a biologically active aromatase and of estrogen receptors (alpha and ß) in ejaculated spermatozoa and in immature germ cells in addition to Leydig cells. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the amount of P450arom transcripts is 30% lower in immotile than in motile spermatozoa. Alterations of spermatogenesis in terms of number and motility of spermatozoa have been described in men genetically deficient in aromatase. These last observations, together with our data showing a significant decrease of aromatase in immotile spermatozoa, suggest that aromatase could be involved in the acquisition of sperm motility. Thus, taking into account the widespread localization of aromatase and estrogen receptors in testicular cells, it is obvious that, besides gonadotrophins and androgens, estrogens produced locally should be considered to be physiologically relevant hormones involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2007000600003AromataseEstrogensEstrogen receptorsMale germ cellsFertilityMammals |
| spellingShingle | S. Carreau D. Silandre S. Bourguiba K. Hamden L. Said S. Lambard I. Galeraud-Denis C. Delalande Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research Aromatase Estrogens Estrogen receptors Male germ cells Fertility Mammals |
| title | Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept |
| title_full | Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept |
| title_fullStr | Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept |
| title_short | Estrogens and male reproduction: a new concept |
| title_sort | estrogens and male reproduction a new concept |
| topic | Aromatase Estrogens Estrogen receptors Male germ cells Fertility Mammals |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2007000600003 |
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