Leydig cell apoptosis and its regulation.
- Author:
Shuang-Hu YUAN
1
;
Si-Fan XU
Author Information
1. Department of Physiology, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China. yuanshuanghu@sina.com
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Animals;
Apoptosis;
Caspase 3;
Caspases;
physiology;
Humans;
Leydig Cells;
cytology;
Male;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2;
physiology;
Stem Cell Factor;
physiology;
bcl-X Protein
- From:
National Journal of Andrology
2003;9(3):218-225
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Apoptosis is necessary for the development and maturation of Leydig cells. However, increased apoptosis results the decline of testosterone production, which may increase germ cell apoptosis and the possibility of infertility. There are several aspects contributing to Leydig cell apoptosis such as ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS), glucocorticoid, developmental stage and some hormones including FSH, LH/hCG and testosterone. A number of genes are involved in the regulation of Leydig cells apoptosis. It was reported that SCF/c-kit, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl inhibited the apoptosis while caspase-3, Fas, Bax and clusterine stimulated it.
