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Mise au point Estrogènes et reproduction chez le mâle

Estrogens and male reproduction

Andrologie volume 10, pages 141–147 (2000)Cite this article

Resume

L’aromatase est l’enzyme terminale qui catalyse irréversiblement la transformation des androgènes en estrogènes. Outre les cellules somatiques du testicule, la mise en évidence d’une source supplémentaire d’estrogènes dans les cellules germinales, associée à la présence de récepteurs spécifiques (ERα et ERβ), plaide fortement en faveur d’un rôle physiologique pour ces hormones femelles dans la régulation des fonctions testiculaires chez certains mammifères. De fait chez la souris et chez l’homme, une déficience en aromatase est mise en cause en particulier dans les anomalies osseuses souvent associées à une stérilité. En conséquence, la régulation des fonctions testiculaires fait non seulement intervenir les gonadotrophines et les androgènes mais l’estradiol (ou le rapport androgène/ estrogène) semble de plus en plus concerné, en agissant soit directement soit par l’intermédiaire des cellules somatiques, dans la production et la maturation du spermatozoïde.

Abstract

Aromatase is the terminal enzyme responsible for estrogen biosynthesis. Besides somatic cells, the aromatase gene expression and its transduction in a fully active protein in germ cells of rodent testes in one hand, the widespread distribution of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) in the genital tract of the male in an other hand, are clearly in favour of a physiological role for estrogens in the regulation of mammalian testicular functions. In mouse and man, the aromatase deficiency is associated with severe bone maturation problems and sterility. Therefore, together with gonadotrophins and androgens, estrogens (or the balance androgens/estrogens) likely play a physiological role (either directly or via testicular somatic cells) in maintenance of male gonadal functions and obviously, several steps are concerned especially the spermatid production (both in terms of quality and number) and epididymal sperm maturation.

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  1. Laboratoire Biochimie-IRBA, UPRES EA 2608, Université, 14032, Caen

    S. Carreau

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Carreau, S. Mise au point Estrogènes et reproduction chez le mâle. Androl. 10, 141–147 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03034365

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Basic and Clinical Andrology

ISSN: 2051-4190