Hormonal status of male reproductive system: androgens and estrogens in the testis and epididymis. In vivo and in vitro approaches.

The purpose of this article was to summarize our results on the role of androgens and estrogens in human, rodent and equine testes and epididymides, in both, physiological and patological conditions, obtained in the space of the Solicited Project (084/PO6/2002) financially supported by the State Committee for Scientific Research during the last three years. Testosterone produced by Leydig cells of the testes is clearly the major androgen in the circulation of men and adult males of most mammalian species. However, androgen metabolites make up a significant fraction of total circulating steroids.

Aromatization and antioxidant capacity in the testis of seasonally breeding bank voles: Effects of LH, PRL and IGF-I.

Aromatization and antioxidant strategies in the male gonads are important processes, which are involved in control of normal fertility. The objective of this study was to show whether luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) as well as the length of photoperiod are able to exert an effect on aromatase expression, steroid hormone levels, and antioxidant concentrations in testes of bank voles, seasonally breeding rodents. Mature bank voles that were kept under short light cycles or long light cycles served as the animal model.

Dose- and photoperiod-dependent effects of 17beta-estradiol and the anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 on testicular structure, acceleration of spermatogenesis, and aromatase immunoexpression in immature bank voles.

It has been known that administration of estrogens or deficiency of estrogens can affect development and/or maintenance of male gonadal functions. These hormones are able to control germ cell development, and especially spermatid production and epididymis sperm maturation. The aim of the present study was to show the effects of 17beta-estradiol and a pure anti-estrogen, ICI 182,780, on the bank vole testis.

Hormonal regulation of oestrogen formation by Leydig cells in vitro: immunocytochemical approach.

The ability of the testis to convert androgens into oestrogens is related to the presence of a microsomal enzyme, aromatase, in testicular cells. The aim of this study was to show whether the supplementation of culture media with LH or an aromatase inhibitor could affect the process of aromatisation in Leydig cells of the bank vole in vitro. This was investigated by means of immunocytochemistry and radioimmunological assays.

Androgen aromatization in cryptorchid mouse testis.

Estrogens play an important role in germ cell development. Therefore, we have studied expression patterns of aromatase that converts testosterone into estrogens in 2 recombinant inbred mouse strains that differ in efficiency of spermatogenesis. In order to show whether germ cells are a target for estrogens, estrogen receptors (ER)alpha and beta were localized as well.

The compounds from the hollyhock extract (Althaea rosea Cav. var. nigra) affect the aromatization in rat testicular cells in vivo and in vitro.

Among medicinal plants, extract from the hollyhock flowers is a source of antocyanides and flavonoids. The latter compounds belong, among others, to phytoestrogens (plant-derived dietary estrogens). The important role of estrogens in the testis is now well documented, and phytoestrogens, which may act as estrogen agonists or estrogen antagonists can also alter the reproductive function of the male.