Sperm, a source of estrogen

Environmental Health Perspectives
R A HessJ M Bahr

Abstract

This review article discusses a novel nontraditional site of estrogen synthesis and the potential targets of estrogen action within the male reproductive system. Our laboratories have recently demonstrated that developing spermatids in several species contain aromatase, the cytochrome P450 enzyme responsible for converting androgens into estrogens. The enzyme was localized by immunocytochemistry and the protein's presence was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization were used to corroborate the presence of mRNA for aromatase. It appears that the aromatase message precedes the synthesis of the protein, and the protein remains in the spermatids several days after the message disappears. The enzyme is located along the tail of newly released sperm and is active in the epididymal sperm as well as in the developing germ cells of the testis. This unique discovery is the basis for our overall hypothesis that estrogen, synthesized by sperm, plays a role in the regulation of epididymal function proportional to the number of sperm being transported. The presence of an estrogen source within the ductal lumen is of special importance to the study of epididymal function because the regulatory mech...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 21, 2014·Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition·Shigekazu TakemuraYukiko Minamiyama
Aug 9, 2003·Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E·Rex A Hess
Oct 12, 2010·Biology of Reproduction·Avenel JosephRex A Hess
Mar 23, 2011·Asian Journal of Andrology·Balasubramanian Srilatha, P Ganesan Adaikan
Jun 19, 2001·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·R A HessJ Bahr
May 2, 2002·The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·Michaela LuconiElisabetta Baldi
Mar 20, 2012·Cell and Tissue Research·Clémence BelleannéeRobert Sullivan
Jan 5, 2011·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Rosanna ChianeseGilda Cobellis
Jan 18, 2011·Journal of Environmental Sciences (China)·Yiyan Li, Edward P C Lai
Oct 29, 2010·Veterinary Medicine International·Julieta CaballeroRobert Sullivan
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Sep 15, 2012·Molecular Nutrition & Food Research·Francesca De AmicisSaveria Aquila
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Feb 16, 2017·Annual Review of Animal Biosciences·Janice M Bahr
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Apr 26, 2017·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Pavla DostalovaKaterina Dvorakova-Hortova
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