Abstract
The role of oestrogens in male reproductive tract physiology has for a long time been a subject of debate. The testis produces significant amounts of oestrogenic hormones, via aromatase, and oestrogen receptors (ERs) a (ESR1) and ERß (ESR2) are selectively expressed in cells of the testis as well as the epididymal epithelium, depending upon species. This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the presence and activity of aromatase and ERs in testis and sperm and the potential roles that oestrogens may have in mammalian spermatogenesis. Data show that physiology of the male gonad is in part under the control of a balance of androgens and oestrogens, with aromatase serving as a modulator.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1517-1535 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |
| Volume | 365 |
| Issue number | 1546 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 27 2010 |
Keywords
- Germ cell
- Oestrogen
- Oestrogen receptor
- Spermatogenesis
- Testis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)