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  • Estrogènes et Reproduction chez lie Mâle
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Oestrogènes et reproduction masculine

Estrogens and male reproduction

Resume

Le rôle des œstrogènes dans la fonction reproductive chez le mâle est devenu plus clair dans la dernière décennie. Durant ces années, l’étude des effets de la testostérone, des œstrogènes ou d’un inhibiteur de l’aromatase chez les hommes hypogonadiques a fourni une première preuve des effets des œstrogènes sur la régulation de la sécrétion des gonadotrophines. Parallèlement, le développement d’une lignée de souris mâles transgéniques dépourvues soit du récepteur α aux œstrogènes, soit du récepteur β aux œstrogènes, soit du gène de l’aromatase, a permis d’apporter des preuves supplémentaires non seulement du rôle des œstrogènes dans la régulation de la sécrétion des gonadotrophines, mais aussi des effets des œstrogènes sur la fonction et le développement testiculaires.

Une confirmation de ces actions des œstrogènes est venue de l’observation de mutations survenant naturellement et touchant le récepteur aux œstrogènes et le gène de l’aromatase chez l’homme. A partir de ces données, on a démontré que les œstrogènes sont des régulateurs majeurs de la sécrétion des gonadotrophines en agissant à la fois aux niveaux pituitaire et hypothalamique. La présence, dans les structures reproductives de l’homme, des récepteurs α et β aux œstrogènes, et de l’aromatase indique l’existence de rôles pour ces hormones femelles à ce niveau. Quoiqui’il en soit, le rôle précis des œstrogènes dans le développement et la fonction testiculaires ainsi que dans la régulation de la spermatogénèse humaine, n’est pas à ce jour précisément élucidée.

Abstract

The role of estrogen on male reproductive function has become clearer in the last decade. During these years the study of the effect of testosterone, estrogen or an aromatase inhibitor in hypogonadal men provided a first evidence of the effects of estrogens in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion. At the same time, the development of a line of transgenic male mice lacking estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor β or aromatase gene provided further evidence about the role of estrogens not only in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion, but also on the effects of estrogens on testicular function and development. A confirmation of these actions of estrogens came from the observation of naturally occurring mutations of the estrogen receptor and of the aromatase gene in human males. Based on these data it has been demonstrated that estrogens are major regulators of gonadotropin secretion acting both at pituitary and hypotalamic level. The presence in the human reproductive structures of estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor β and the aromatase enzyme indicates the existence of receptor α, estrogen receptor β or aromatase estrogen actions at this level. Anyway, the precise role of estrogens in testicular development and function and on the regulation of human spermatogenesis has not yet been precisely clarified.

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Correspondence to Cesare Carani.

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Rochira, V., Fabbi, M., Valassi, E. et al. Oestrogènes et reproduction masculine. Androl. 13, 51–56 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03034409

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