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Ingénierie génétique et spermatogenèse

Genetic engineering and spermatogenesis

Andrologie volume 10, pages 274–278 (2000)Cite this article

Resume

L’ingéniérie génétique permet une analyse fonctionnelle des gènes impliqués dans la spermatogenèse. Dans de nombreux cas, l’atteinte de la spermatogenèse a été fortuite, confirmant la grande sensibilité de cette fonction vis à vis des altérations génétiques. Les études ont déjà portées sur près de cent de ces gènes et ont permis entre autres: l’étude des facteurs impliqués dans la méiose, communs ou non aux deux sexes, et leurs rapports éventuels avec le cancer et l’apoptose; de faire un premier tri entre les facteurs qui peuvent être impliqués dans des stérilités et ceux qui peuvent être compensés par redondance génétique; la dissection de mécanismes de la spermiogenèse; l’analyse des processus impliqués dans la réponse au choc thermique et la barrière hémato-testiculaire. Les résultats s’étendent à d’autres niveaux de la biologie de la reproduction pour les deux sexes, et laissent apparaître des maladies pouvant être associées à une stérilité masculine. Les données montrent aussi l’importance des dissociations entre le génotype et le phénotype des spermatozoïdes et soulèvent la question de différences fonctionnelles interspécifiques de gènes homologues.

Abstract

The knowledge of mammal spermatogenesis takes great advantage of the powerful method of functional analysis by genetic engineering. This method allows to study the factors implicated in meiosis depending on the sex and their possible relationships with tumorigenesis and apoptosis. It can be distinguished the factors possibly involved in sterilities and those that can be compensated by genetic redundancy. The mechanisms of spermiogenesis can be dissected, as can be those of the heat shock response and the hemato-testicular barrier. Data extent to the biology of reproduction at various levels in both sexes and to the question of sterility-associated diseases. Knock-out mice also show the importance of the male germ cell genotype/phenotype dissociation in hemizygous. As an experimental approach, the method knows some limitations such as the differences between species in the function and expression of homologous genes. The unexpected failures of spermatogenesis found in many cases supports the notion that spermatogenesis is very sensitive to genetic damages and show that many genes have to be investigated.

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  1. Inserm U25, Hôpital Necher, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75743, Paris Cedex 15

    D. Escalier

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Escalier, D. Ingénierie génétique et spermatogenèse. Androl. 10, 274–278 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03034748

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Basic and Clinical Andrology

ISSN: 2051-4190