Endocrine Abstracts

Male fertility is controlled by complex interactions among the hypothalamus, pituitary, and testis. The major functions of the testis include production of spermatozoa (male gametes) and synthesis of testosterone. Testosterone is produced by the testicular Leydig cells and is responsible for the development of gonad, the attainment of puberty, and the maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics. It is also involved in the maintenance of of spermatogenesis and thus ensuring male fertility. Many studies have highlighted the complexity of the regulations of testicular homeostasis at both tissue and cellular levels. Among the involved molecular mechanisms, several nuclear receptors (NRs) have been identified as key regulators of testicular physiology. NRs are a family of transcription factors with a conserved structure that within testis control steroidogenesis and germ cell differentiation. Since several years, using both genetic and pharmacologic strategies, we have been implicated in the identification of the multiple roles of particular members of the NR superfamily. Here we will give an overview of our research highlighting the identification of a complex network showing the interactions of these NRs in the regulation of the exocrine and endocrine functions of the testis.