Endocrine Abstracts

Specific ablation of the androgen receptor (AR) in selected target cells prevents the major developmental defects inherent to generalised AR inactivation (Tfm, ARKO) and allows a detailed analysis of the contribution of defined cells and molecular pathways to more complex effects of androgens. We successfully applied this approach in the study of the role of androgens in the control of spermatogenesis, by developing a Cre/loxP-based mouse model with a Sertoli cell (SC)-selecti...

Spermatogenesis is a complex process involving interactions between the somatic cells (Sertoli, Leydig, peritubular) and germ cells within the adult testis. Androgens are key regulators of spermatogenesis and intra-testicular concentrations of testosterone (T), produced by the Leydig cells, are higher than that in blood. Androgen action is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR), an X-chromosome-encoded, ligand-activated, transcription factor. The mechanisms by which androgens ...

Fetal events can affect adult testosterone levels but how this occurs is unknown, as adult Leydig cells (ALC) do not differentiate until puberty. Qin et al. 2008 (PLos ONE) identified that chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is essential postnatally for ALC development. We hypothesized that: i) COUP-TFII+ non-Leydig interstitial cells are progenitors for ALC and are present in the fetal testis, ii) these ‘pr...