Endocrine Abstracts

Androgen signalling plays a central role in the regulation of male reproduction. Androgens act predominantly by activating the classical intracellular androgen receptor (AR). In addition, alternative pathways may account for rapid effects of androgens via cytoplasmic or membrane-localized androgen receptor − ZIP9. In the testis, the main source of androgens, in particular testosterone, are Leydig cells. The proper synthesis of testosterone depends on the structural condi...

Somatic cells of the seminiferous epithelium, called Sertoli cells, play a key role in germ cell development and maintenance of proper course of spermatogenesis. Although androgens are considered the main regulators of Sertoli cell activity, recent studies indicate that their metabolites, estrogens, also influence Sertoli cell function. Estrogens, act mainly through nuclear estrogen receptors α and β (ERα, ERβ), however non-classical signaling via ...