Research advances on the role of bile acids in testicular spermatogenic function
10.3760/cma.j.cn101441-20250217-00071
- VernacularTitle:胆汁酸代谢与睾丸生精功能的研究进展
- Author:
Shuyan CHEN
1
;
Zhicong CHEN
1
;
Geng AN
1
Author Information
1. 广州医科大学附属第三医院妇产科生殖医学中心 广东省产科重大疾病重点实验室 广东省妇产疾病临床医学研究中心 粤港澳母胎医学高校联合实验室，广州 510150
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Bile acids and salts;
Spermatogenesis;
Infertility, male;
Testicular hormones;
Testicular function;
Bile acid receptors
- From:
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception
2025;45(7):663-671
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Bile acids (BAs), as critical signaling molecules, dynamically regulate testicular function through the BA-testis axis. This review focuses on the intricate relationship between BAs homeostasis and testicular spermatogenesis and endocrine function, revealing the dual roles of BAs and their receptors in male reproductive health: toxic BAs (such as cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid) inhibit testosterone synthesis and disrupt blood-testis barrier integrity via activating FXRα/TGR5 signaling pathways, whereas beneficial BAs [such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid] exert protective effects by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress, exerting antioxidant effects, and maintaining cell membrane stability. This review comprehensively analyzes the regulatory network of the BA-testis axis in male reproductive health, discusses the limitation of the lack of human data in current research, and further proposes the potential diagnostic value of BAs profiling, as well as the translational potential of UDCA and its derivatives in clinical interventions.
