[The participation of apoptosis in the development and function of the male gonad]

The normal development and function of the male and female gonads is characterized by a massive cell decrease in which apoptosis plays a key role. This event is a controlled program of cell death, fundamental for development and homeostasis. In the male gonad up to 75% of the germinal cells undergo this process, probably as a mechanism to eliminate the germinal cells incompatible with the preservation of the species. It has been demonstrated the participation of the transforming growth factors beta 1 and beta 2, as well as the role of the Fas system, polypeptide and steroidal hormones in the regulation of this process. The study of apoptosis in physiological and pathological events among insects, nematodes and mammals has allowed to understand the role of genes, endonucleases and the deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation as part of the molecular mechanisms involved in this event. In this paper were analyzed the molecular mechanisms mentioned above, during different stages of the development and function of the male gonad.