Progesterone, as a female hormone, plays an important role in the physiological function and pregnancy maintenance in women. Recent studies show that progesterone and its receptor are also involved in male reproduction, and its receptor mRNA exists in male sexual glands. It is believed that progesterone, binding to its receptor, can regulate spermatogenesis and improve the fertilization of sperm, while the sperm from those with oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratospermia or unexplained infertility exhibit a low fertility due to the deficient expression of the progesterone receptor and insensitive reaction to progesterone. This review focuses on the progress in the studies of progesterone and its receptor in male reproduction.
Fertility ; Humans ; Male ; Progesterone ; physiology ; Receptors, Progesterone ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Testis ; metabolism

Plasminogen activator(PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI) are involved in many physiological or pathological events. The Sertoli cells, the important elements within the seminiferous epithelium, are thought to play a key role in spermatogenesis. The Sertoli cells secrete PA and PAI. The levels of them are modulated by hormonal and cell-mediated influences. They play a fundamental role in the maintenance of spermatogenesis, sperm motility and fertilization.
Humans ; Male ; Plasminogen Activators ; metabolism ; physiology ; Plasminogen Inactivators ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sertoli Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Testis ; cytology

Carnitines are important conditionally essential nutrients in the organism, with extensive physiological functions, and highly concentrated in the epididymis and sperm. Carnitines play an important role not only in initiating sperm motility, promoting sperm maturation and enhancing sperm fertilizing, but also in regulating Sertoli cell function, protecting sperm against oxidative damage, reducing apoptosis of spermatogenic cell and inhibiting sperm aggregation. Accordingly, the objective of this review is to summarize the multifunctional roles of carnitine in male reproduction.
Animals ; Carnitine ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Maturation ; physiology ; Sperm Motility ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Testis ; physiology

Spermatogenesis is a complex process regulated by endocrine and testicular paracrine/autocrine factors. Gonadotropins are involved in the regulation of several testicular paracrine factors, mainly of the IL-1 family and testicular hormones. Testicular cytokines and growth factors (such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF, IFN-gamma, LIF and SCF) were shown to affect both the germ cell proliferation and the Leydig and Sertoli cells functions and secretion. Cytokines and growth factors are produced by immune cells and in the interstitial and seminiferous tubular compartments by various testicular cells, including Sertoli, Leydig, peritubular cells, spermatogonia, differentiated spermatogonia and even spermatozoa. Corresponding cytokine and growth factor receptors were demonstrated on some of the testicular cells. These cytokines also control the secretion of the gonadotropins and testosterone in the testis. Under pathological conditions the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are increased and negatively affected spermatogenesis. Thus, the expression levels and the mechanisms involved in the regulation of testicular paracrine/autocrine factors should be considered in future therapeutic strategies for male infertility.
Animals ; Cytokines ; physiology ; Growth Substances ; physiology ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Sertoli Cells ; cytology ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; physiology

Actin can be found in all kinds of eukaryotic cells, maintaining their shapes and motilities, while its dynamics in sperm cells is understood less than their nonmuscle somatic cell counterparts. Spermatogenesis is a complicated process, resulting in the production of mature sperm from primordial germ cell. Significant structural and biochemical changes take place in the seminiferous epithelium of the adult testis during spermatogenesis. It was proved that all mammalian sperm contain actin, and that F-actin may play an important role during spermatogenesis, especially in nuclear shaping. Recently a new model for sperm head elongation based on the acrosome-acroplaxome-manchette complex has been proposed. In Drosophila, F-actin assembly is supposed to be very crucial during individualization. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the structure, function, and regulation characteristics of actin cytoskeleton, and a summary of the current status of research of actin-based structure and movement is also provided, with emphasis on the role of actins in sperm head shaping during spermiogenesis and the cell junction dynamics in the testis. Research of the Sertoli ectoplasmic specialization is in the spotlight, which is a testis-specific actin-based junction very important for the movement of germ cells across the epithelium. Study of the molecular architecture and the regulating mechanism of the Sertoli ectoplasmic specialization has become an intriguing field. All this may lead to a new strategy for male infertility and, at the same time, a novel idea may result in devising much safer contraception with high efficiency. It is hoped that the advances listed in this review would give developmental and morphological researchers a favorable investigating outline and could help to enlarge the view of new strategies and models for actin dynamics during spermatogenesis.
Acrosome ; physiology ; Actins ; chemistry ; physiology ; Animals ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intercellular Junctions ; physiology ; Male ; Sertoli Cells ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Sperm Motility ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; cytology ; physiology

OBJECTIVESThe investigation of the testicular volume, the penis length and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were taken in 289 adolescent males to provide the valuable data for andrology.

METHODSThe adolescent males were grouped according to their age. The testicular volume was measured with testicular model and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were determined by immunoenzymetric assay.

RESULTSThe male sexual development was rapid from age 11 to 16 and close to that of adult at age 18. Serum PRL of adolescent males was higher than that of adult males.

CONCLUSIONSThe age 11 to 16 is a period of rapid growth in sexual maturation. PRL may play an important role in sexual maturation.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; physiology ; Testis ; physiology

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the development and the health of reproductive organs of male children and juvenile between the Meng and the Han nationality in the Meng nationality area.

METHODSMale juvenile(4-18 years old) of the Meng nationality (n = 2,315) and the Han nationality (n = 2,832) were divided into four age groups. Height, weight, length and perimeter of penis, volume of left and right testis and reproductive organs illness were examined.

RESULTSIn 13-18 years group, the developmental speed of reproductive organs was faster in Mongolia male juvenile than that in the Han nationality (P < 0.02). After 13 years old, the developmental speed of reproductive organs of male living in town is faster than that in the country (P < 0.05). Illness of male reproductive organs was common such as hernia, varicocle etc.

CONCLUSIONSThere was difference of developmental status and the prevalence rate of reproductive organs of male children and juvenile between the Meng and the Han nationality.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; ethnology ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; physiology ; Testis ; physiology

Doppel protein (abbreviation Dpl) is a newly recognized Glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI) anchored and highly glycosylated protein, which is similar to prion protein (PrP) in the chemical structure. The encoding gene of Dpl named PRND locates at the downstream of the prion protein gene (PRNP). These two proteins are different in physiological functions. The expression of Dpl focuses on testis tissue at the adult, and takes an important role in maintaining sperm integrality, normal fertility, and motion ability. We reviewed the biological characters, physiological functions of Dpl and its effects on male reproduction in order to provide theory guidance for the study on physiological function and male reproduction controlling.
Animals ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; Humans ; Male ; Prions ; metabolism ; physiology ; Reproduction ; physiology ; Testis ; growth & development ; metabolism

The two-dimensional model of cell culture is an important method in the study of testicular development and spermatogenesis but can not effectively mimic and regulate the testicular microenvironment and the whole process of spermatogenesis due to the lack of relevant cell factors and the disruption of a three-dimensional spatial structure. In the past 20 years, the development and optimization of the in vitro model such as testis organotypic culture and in vivo model such as testis transplantation achieved a transformation from two- to three-dimension. The maintenance and optimization of the testicular niche structure could mimic the testicular microenvironment and cell types including Leydig, Sertoli and germ cells, which showed similar biological behaviors to those in vivo. Besides, the cell suspension or tissue fragment floats in the gas-liquid interface so that the development of somatic and germ cells is well maintained in vitro whilst the feedback linkage between grafted testis tissue and hypothalamus-pituitary of the host rebuilt in the in vitro model provides an endocrinological basis for spermatogenesis, which serves as an effective methodology to better understand the organogenesis and development of the testis as well as testicular function regulation, advancing the concept of treatment of male infertility. Al- though each of the methods may have its limitations, the progress in the processing, freezing, thawing, and transplantation of cells and tissues will surely promote their clinical application and present their value in translational medicine.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Germ Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; growth & development

The study examined the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and signaling pathways of inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1), RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6) in apoptosis of mouse testicular cells treated with low-dose radiation (LDR). In the dose-dependent experiment, the mice were treated with whole-body X-ray irradiation at different doses (25, 50, 75, 100 or 200 mGy) and sacrificed 12 h later. In the time-dependent experiment, the mice were exposed to 75 mGy X-ray irradiation and killed at different time points (3, 6, 12, 18 or 24 h). Testicular cells were harvested for experiments. H(2)O(2) and NO concentrations, and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity were detected by biochemical assays, the calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) by flow cytometry using fluo-3 probe, and GRP78 mRNA and protein expressions by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The mRNA expressions of S-XBP1, JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP were measured by qRT-PCR, and the protein expressions of IRE1α, S-XBP1, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF6 p50, p-JNK, pro-caspase-12, cleaved caspase-12 and CHOP by Western blotting. The results showed that the concentrations of H2O2 and NO, the mRNA expressions of GRP78, S-XBP1, JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP, and the protein expressions of GRP78, S-XBP1, IRE1α, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF6 p50, p-JNK, pro-caspase-12, cleaved caspase-12 and CHOP were significantly increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner after LDR. But the [Ca(2+)]i and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were significantly decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It was concluded that the ERS, regulated by IRE1, PERK and ATF6 pathways, is involved in the apoptosis of testicular cells in LDR mice, which is associated with ERS-apoptotic signaling molecules of JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Male ; Mice ; Radiation ; Testis ; physiology ; radiation effects