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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-5-17
pubmed:abstractText
The role of androgens in the proliferation and maturation of Sertoli cells (SC) and the development of their capacity to support spermatogenesis remains poorly understood. We evaluated these functions in complete androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) and SC-selective androgen receptor knockout (SCARKO) mice. Compared with controls, ARKO mice exhibited a progressive reduction in SC number/testis, whereas SCARKOs showed minor changes, suggesting that androgen effects on SC number are not mediated via direct action on SCs. Immunoexpression of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), p27(kip1), GATA-1, and sulfated glycoprotein-2, which changes according to SC maturational status, occurred normally in ARKOs and SCARKOs. Functional capacity of SCs to support spermatogonia was similar in SCARKOs and controls, whereas ARKOs showed reduced capacity with age. SC capacity to support total germ cells revealed major deficits in ARKO and SCARKO adults, particularly with respect to postmeiotic germ cells. Using quantitative RT-PCR, the expression of SC markers was compared in d 50 testes. In ARKOs, expression of Pem, fatty acid binding protein, platelet-derived growth factor-A, and transferrin were all significantly reduced, whereas FSH receptor and AMH were increased. In SCARKOs, there were modest reductions in expression of cystatin-related gene highly expressed in testis and epididymis (cystatin-TE) and claudin-11, whereas expression of Pem, fatty acid binding protein, and platelet-derived growth factor-A was markedly reduced, highlighting these as potentially androgen-regulated SC genes that merit further study. In conclusion, androgen action is not required for maturation-dependent changes in immunoexpression of the SC markers AMH, p27(kip1), GATA-1, and sulfated glycoprotein-2 but is essential for expression of other SC genes, the attainment of normal SC number, and the support of meiotic and postmeiotic germ cell development.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0013-7227
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
146
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2674-83
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-9-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
The role of androgens in sertoli cell proliferation and functional maturation: studies in mice with total or Sertoli cell-selective ablation of the androgen receptor.
pubmed:affiliation
Onderwijs en Navorsing, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49 bus 902, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't