[Testicular aromatase]

The cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) is the terminal enzyme involved in the irreversible transformation of androgens into estrogens. The P450arom plays a role in development, reproduction, sexual differentiation and behaviour, but also in bone and lipid metabolisms, brain functions and diseases such as breast and testicular tumors. Besides testicular somatic cells, where the aromatase gene is expressed via promoter II and I.4, this gene is transduced in a fully active protein in rat germ cells providing evidences for an additional site of estrogen production within the male gonad of rodents (our results and these in the literature). In addition we provided evidence for the expression of P450arom in ejaculated human spermatozoa. Together with the widespread distribution of estrogen receptors (ER alpha and ER beta) in various testicular cells as well as in the other parts of the genital tract, these data suggest a physiological role for these female hormones in the regulation of spermatogenesis especially in the postmeiotic steps.