1
|
Abstract
Puberty is characterized by major changes in the anatomy and function of reproductive organs. Androgen activity is low before puberty, but during pubertal development, the testes resume the production of androgens. Major physiological changes occur in the testicular cell compartments in response to the increase in intratesticular testosterone concentrations and androgen receptor expression. Androgen activity also impacts on the internal and external genitalia. In target cells, androgens signal through a classical and a nonclassical pathway. This review addresses the most recent advances in the knowledge of the role of androgen signaling in postnatal male sexual development, with a special emphasis on human puberty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo A Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET - FEI - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, C1121ABG Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Walker WH. Androgen Actions in the Testis and the Regulation of Spermatogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:175-203. [PMID: 34453737 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. In this review, topics related to testosterone control of spermatogenesis are covered including testosterone production and levels in the testis, classical and nonclassical testosterone signaling pathways, cell- and temporal-specific expression of the androgen receptor in the testis and autocrine and paracrine signaling of testis cells in the testis. Also discussed are the contributions of testosterone to testis descent, the blood-testis barrier, control of gonocyte numbers and spermatogonia expansion, completion of meiosis and attachment and release of elongaed spermatids. Testosterone-regulated genes identified in various mouse models of idsrupted Androgen receptor expression are discussed. Finally, examples of synergism and antagonism between androgen and follicle-stimulating hormone signaling pathways are summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William H Walker
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
da Rosa LA, Escott GM, Simonetti RB, da Silva JCD, Werlang ICR, Goldani MZ, de Fraga LS, Loss EDS. Role of non-classical effects of testosterone and epitestosterone on AMH balance and testicular development parameters. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 511:110850. [PMID: 32387527 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone (T) and its 17-α epimer, epitestosterone (EpiT), are described as having non-classical effects in addition to their classical androgen actions via the intracellular androgen receptor (iAR). The actions of these androgens play an essential role in triggering factors that shift Sertoli cells from the proliferation phase to the maturation phase. This process is essential for successful spermatogenesis and normal fertility. The aim of this work was to investigate the difference between T and EpiT effects in normal and in chemically castrated Wistar rats. We also tested the effects of these hormones when the iAR-dependent pathways were inhibited by the antiandrogen flutamide. Rats were chemically castrated on postnatal day (pnd) 5 using EDS, a cytotoxic agent that promotes apoptosis of Leydig cells, reducing androgen levels. Then, animals received replacement with T or EpiT and were treated or not with flutamide from pnd 6 to pnd 13 or 20 and were euthanized on pnd 14 and 21. Animals treated with EpiT and flutamide had lower body weight overall. Epididymis weight was also reduced in animals treated with EpiT and flutamide. Flutamide per se reduced epididymis weight at both ages (pnd 14 and 21). Testicular weight and the testicular/body weight ratio were reduced in EDS animals, and flutamide further reduced this weight in animals which received T replacement. EDS administration reduced mRNA levels of both AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) and its receptor, AMHR2, at pnd 14. In the testes of flutamide-treated animals, EpiT reduced AMH, and both T and EpiT replacement diminished AMHR2 mRNA expression also on pnd 14. EDS decreased iAR expression, and androgen replacement did not change this effect on pnd 21. In rats receiving flutamide, only those also receiving T and EpiT replacement exhibited decreased iAR expression. An increase in connexin 43 expression was observed in animals treated with EpiT without flutamide, whereas in rats treated with flutamide, both hormones were ineffective to increase connexin 43 expression reduced by EDS. Our results suggest that EpiT has an antiandrogen effect on androgen-sensitive tissues such as the epididymis. Nonetheless, the effects of T and EpiT on testicular development parameters are similar. Both hormones may act through their iAR-independent non-classical pathway, regulating AMH and AMHR2, as well as iAR expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Abreu da Rosa
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Pediatria Translacional/Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente (NESCA)/Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Monteiro Escott
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas: Endocrinologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Rajla Bressan Simonetti
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Jessica Caroline Dias da Silva
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Isabel Cristina Ribas Werlang
- Laboratório de Pediatria Translacional/Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente (NESCA)/Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Zubaran Goldani
- Laboratório de Pediatria Translacional/Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente (NESCA)/Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Luciano Stürmer de Fraga
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Eloísa da Silveira Loss
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
do Nascimento MAW, Cavalari FC, Staldoni de Oliveria V, Gonçalves R, Menegaz D, da Silveira Loss E, Silva FRMB. Crosstalk in the non-classical signal transduction of testosterone and retinol in immature rat testes. Steroids 2020; 153:108522. [PMID: 31622614 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2019.108522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of the interaction between testosterone and retinol on the rapid responses of cultured Sertoli cells obtained from 10-day-old immature rat testes. Non-classical actions of testosterone and retinol were investigated, and the activities of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VDCC) and voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv) were determined by measuring 45Ca2+ influx in whole testis. Additionally, the effects of testosterone and retinol on these channels were studied in primary culture of Sertoli cells using the patch-clamp technique. 45Ca2+ influx was used to observe a dose-response curve on tissues treated with retinol and/or testosterone for 2 min (10-12, 10-9 and 10-6 M and 10-9 and 10-6 M), and a concentration of 10-6 M was selected to investigate the mechanism of action of testosterone and retinol on rapid responses. Participation of the L-VDCC and Kv channels was investigated using nifedipine and tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) inhibitors, respectively. Both, testosterone and retinol act through non-classical mechanisms, stimulating 45Ca2+ influx in immature rat testes. The response to testosterone was abolished by nifedipine and TEA, whereas the effects of retinol were partially blocked by nifedipine and completely inhibited by TEA. Retinol amplified the testosterone-induced effect on 45Ca2+ influx in the testes, suggesting a crosstalk between rapid responses (calcium influx) and cell repolarization via activation of Kv channels. Whole-cell electrophysiology data demonstrated that testosterone and retinol increased voltage-dependent potassium currents (Kv) in Sertoli cells; inhibition of these responses by TEA confirmed the involvement of TEA-sensitive K+ channels in these effects. Taken together, we demonstrate, for the first time, crosstalk between testosterone and retinol that is mediated by a non-classical mechanism involving the L-VDCC-triggered cell depolarization and activation of repolarization by Kv currents in Sertoli cells. These ionic modulations play a physiological role in Sertoli cells and male fertility via stimulation of secretory activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Andressa Wessner do Nascimento
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Núcleo de Bioeletricidade Celular (NUBIOCEL), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Carvalho Cavalari
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Núcleo de Bioeletricidade Celular (NUBIOCEL), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Staldoni de Oliveria
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Renata Gonçalves
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Danusa Menegaz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Núcleo de Bioeletricidade Celular (NUBIOCEL), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Eloisa da Silveira Loss
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Núcleo de Bioeletricidade Celular (NUBIOCEL), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, CEP: 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cavalari FC, da Rosa LA, Escott GM, Dourado T, de Castro AL, Kohek MBDF, Ribeiro MFM, Partata WA, de Fraga LS, Loss EDS. Epitestosterone- and testosterone-replacement in immature castrated rats changes main testicular developmental characteristics. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 461:112-121. [PMID: 28870779 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Epitestosterone is the 17α-epimer of testosterone and has been described as an anti-androgen, since it inhibits the effects produced by testosterone and dihydrotestosterone via the nuclear androgen receptor (nAR). However, epitestosterone also displays an effect which is similar to the non-classical effect of testosterone, depolarizing the membrane potential of Sertoli cells and inducing a rapid Ca2+ uptake. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a treatment with epitestosterone on developmental parameters of immature rats. Animals were chemically castrated by using the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist cetrorelix and then received a replacement of 7 days with epitestosterone or testosterone. Replacement with either epitestosterone or testosterone restored the anogenital distance (AGD) and testicular weight which had been reduced by chemical castration. The immunocontent of nAR and the nAR-immunoreactivity were reduced by epitestosterone treatment in the testis of both castrated and non-castrated animals. Furthermore, testosterone was unable of changing the membrane potential of Sertoli cells through its non-classical action in the group of animals castrated and replaced with epitestosterone. In conclusion, in relation to the level of protein expression of nAR epitestosterone acts as an anti-androgen. However, it acts in the same way as testosterone when genital development parameters are evaluated. Moreover, in castrated rats epitestosterone suppressed the non-classical response of testosterone, changing the pattern of testosterone signalling via a membrane mechanism in Sertoli cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Carvalho Cavalari
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, PPG Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Sala 337, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Luciana Abreu da Rosa
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, PPG Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Sala 337, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Monteiro Escott
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, PPG Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Sala 337, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Tadeu Dourado
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, PPG Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Sala 337, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Alexandre Luz de Castro
- Centro Universitário Ritter dos Reis, UNIRITTER, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | | | - Maria Flávia Marques Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Interação Neuro-Humoral, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Wania Aparecida Partata
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia Comparada, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Luciano Stürmer de Fraga
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, PPG Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Sala 337, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Eloísa da Silveira Loss
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, PPG Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Sala 337, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ren X, Fu X, Zhang X, Chen S, Huang S, Yao L, Liu G. Testosterone regulates 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation and epididymal fat accumulation in mice through modulating macrophage polarization. Biochem Pharmacol 2017. [PMID: 28642037 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Low testosterone levels are strongly related to obesity in males. The balance between the classically M1 and alternatively M2 polarized macrophages also plays a critical role in obesity. It is not clear whether testosterone regulates macrophage polarization and then affects adipocyte differentiation. In this report, we demonstrate that testosterone strengthens interleukin (IL) -4-induced M2 polarization and inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced M1 polarization, but has no direct effect on adipocyte differentiation. Cellular signaling studies indicate that testosterone regulates macrophage polarization through the inhibitory regulative G-protein (Gαi) mainly, rather than via androgen receptors, and phosphorylation of Akt. Moreover, testosterone inhibits pre-adipocyte differentiation induced by M1 macrophage medium. Lowering of serum testosterone in mice by injecting a luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) peptide increases epididymal white adipose tissue. Testosterone supplementation reverses this effect. Therefore, our findings indicate that testosterone inhibits pre-adipocyte differentiation by switching macrophages to M2 polarization through the Gαi and Akt signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiao Ren
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China
| | - Xiaojian Fu
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China
| | - Xinhua Zhang
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China
| | - Shiqiang Chen
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China
| | - Shuguang Huang
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China
| | - Lun Yao
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China
| | - Guoquan Liu
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|