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Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
Spermatogenesis01:22

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair growth — and...
Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
Oogenesis01:22

Oogenesis

Oogenesis,  the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...

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Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
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Estrogens: a new player in spermatogenesis.

Serge Carreau1, Dorothée Silandre, Camille Bois

  • 1University-CAEN, France. serge.carreau@unicaen.fr

Folia Histochemica Et Cytobiologica
|April 15, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Aromatase, an enzyme crucial for estrogen production, plays a vital role in sperm development and function. Reduced aromatase activity in sperm is linked to decreased motility and abnormal morphology, suggesting its importance in male fertility.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The mammalian testis has dual functions: sperm production and steroid synthesis, with estrogens being key steroid end products.
  • Aromatase, encoded by the cyp19 gene, catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens.
  • Estrogen synthesis and aromatase activity are found in various testicular cells, including Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and germ cells across different species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and activity of aromatase in human ejaculated spermatozoa and immature germ cells.
  • To determine the correlation between aromatase gene expression, activity, and sperm quality parameters (motility, morphology).
  • To elucidate the role of locally produced estrogens via aromatase in spermatogenesis and sperm function.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of aromatase messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and enzyme activity in different sperm fractions (motile vs. immotile) and patient groups (normospermic, asthenoteratozoospermic, teratozoospermic).
  • Statistical correlation analysis between the aromatase/GAPDH ratio and sperm morphology parameters.
  • Review of existing literature on aromatase deficiency and its effects on male reproductive function.

Main Results:

  • Biologically active aromatase and estrogen receptors are present in human ejaculated spermatozoa and immature germ cells.
  • Aromatase mRNA levels and activity are significantly reduced in immotile sperm fractions and in patients with asthenoteratozoospermia and teratozoospermia.
  • A strong negative correlation exists between the aromatase/GAPDH ratio and the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, particularly those with microcephaly and acrosome malformations.

Conclusions:

  • Estrogens produced locally by aromatase in the testis are physiologically relevant for regulating spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis.
  • Aromatase plays a critical role in the acquisition of sperm motility and maintaining normal sperm morphology.
  • Decreased aromatase expression and activity in sperm are associated with impaired male fertility.