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Endocrinology
Article
Data sources: UnpayWall
Endocrinology
Article . 2005 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
Endocrinology
Article . 2005
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Testosterone Replacement Therapy Induces Spermatogenesis and Partially Restores Fertility in Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Knockout Mice

Authors: Tomi, Pakarainen; Fu-Ping, Zhang; Sari, Mäkelä; Matti, Poutanen; Ilpo, Huhtaniemi;

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Induces Spermatogenesis and Partially Restores Fertility in Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Knockout Mice

Abstract

Testosterone (T) is essential for spermatogenesis, fertility, and maintenance of the male phenotype. We analyzed in hypogonadal LH receptor knockout (LuRKO) male mice whether T treatment can restore their phenotype, spermatogenesis, and fertility. In LuRKO mice, spermatogenesis is arrested at round spermatids, adult-type Leydig cells are absent, T production is dramatically decreased, the animals are cryptorchid, and their accessory sex organs are atrophic. T replacement therapy from 21 d of life for 60 or 120 d in LuRKO mice induced a male phenotype macroscopically indistinguishable from that of wild-type littermates as well as full spermatogenesis and testicular descent. Thus, the absence of LH-dependent prepubertal androgen priming is not necessary for subsequent maturation of the male phenotype. Conspicuously, some abnormalities remained in epididymal histology after T treatment despite normal expression of several epididymis-specific genes in caput epididymis. The mice displayed normal mating behavior, although at lower frequency than wild-type controls. The spermatozoa were able to fertilize oocytes, but their impaired passage from epididymis to uterus was apparent. The mice remained subfertile, because only 9% of all breedings resulted in pregnancy, and only two of 13 mice (15%) were fertile. Moreover, inflammation in epididymides and prostate was found in many T-treated LuRKO mice, which probably impaired sperm transport and contributed to their high rate of subfertility. In conclusion, T replacement initiated prepubertally only partially restores the fertility of LuRKO mice, even though most features of the male phenotype recover. Full fertility may require higher and/or earlier postnatal T exposure or production of other Leydig cell factors lacking in this model.

Keywords

Epididymis, Male, Mice, Knockout, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Body Weight, Organ Size, Genitalia, Male, Receptors, LH, Disease Models, Animal, Mice, Androgens, Sperm Motility, Animals, Testosterone, RNA, Messenger, Spermatogenesis, Infertility, Male

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citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
111
Top 10%
Top 10%
Top 10%
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