Endocrine Abstracts

In the last years estrogens have emerged as important regulators in male reproductive function. Spermatogenesis depends on the tight control of germ cell apoptosis and several studies indicated estrogens as playing a role in this process. The stem cell factor (SCF), a membrane-bound cytokine, and its receptor (c-kit), and the Fas ligand (FasL)/Fas receptor (FasR) system are powerful mechanisms controlling germ cell proliferation and apoptosis through the direct membrane commun...