Effect of FSH on testicular morphology and spermatogenesis in gonadotrophin-deficient hypogonadal mice lacking androgen receptors

O'Shaughnessy, P.J. , Monteiro, A., Verhoeven, G., De Gendt, K. and Abel, M.H. (2010) Effect of FSH on testicular morphology and spermatogenesis in gonadotrophin-deficient hypogonadal mice lacking androgen receptors. Reproduction, 139(1), pp. 177-184. (doi: 10.1530/REP-09-0377)

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Abstract

FSH and androgen act to stimulate and maintain spermatogenesis. FSH acts directly on the Sertoli cells to stimulate germ cell number and acts indirectly to increase androgen production by the Leydig cells. In order to differentiate between the direct effects of FSH on spermatogenesis and those mediated indirectly through androgen action, we have crossed hypogonadal (hpg) mice, which lack gonadotrophins, with mice lacking androgen receptors (AR) either ubiquitously (ARKO) or specifically on the Sertoli cells (SCARKO). These hpg.ARKO and hpg.SCARKO mice were treated with recombinant FSH for 7 days and testicular morphology and cell numbers were assessed. In untreated hpg and hpg.SCARKO mice, germ cell development was limited and did not progress beyond the pachytene stage. In hpg.ARKO mice, testes were smaller with fewer Sertoli cells and germ cells compared to hpg mice. Treatment with FSH had no effect on Sertoli cell number but significantly increased germ cell numbers in all groups. In hpg mice, FSH increased the numbers of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and induced round spermatid formation. In hpg.SCARKO and hpg.ARKO mice, in contrast, only spermatogonial and spermatocyte numbers were increased with no formation of spermatids. Leydig cell numbers were increased by FSH in hpg and hpg.SCARKO mice but not in hpg.ARKO mice. Results show that in rodents 1) FSH acts to stimulate spermatogenesis through an increase in spermatogonial number and subsequent entry of these cells into meiosis, 2) FSH has no direct effect on the completion of meiosis and 3) FSH effects on Leydig cell number are mediated through interstitial ARs

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Animals Cell Count deficiency development Follicle Stimulating Hormone genetics Gonadotropins Hypogonadism Leydig Cells Male Meiosis metabolism Mice Organ Size Organ Specificity pathology pharmacology physiology physiopathology Proteins Receptors,Androgen Recombinant Proteins Research Seminal Vesicles Sertoli Cells Species Specificity Spermatids Spermatocytes Spermatogenesis Spermatogonia Spermatozoa Testis Testosterone veterinary
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Monteiro, Dr Ana and O'Shaughnessy, Professor Peter
Authors: O'Shaughnessy, P.J., Monteiro, A., Verhoeven, G., De Gendt, K., and Abel, M.H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Reproduction
ISSN:1470-1626

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