Estrogen in the adult male reproductive tract: a review

Testosterone and estrogen are no longer considered male only and female only hormones. Both hormones are important in both sexes. It was known as early as the 1930's that developmental exposure to a high dose of estrogen causes malformation of the male reproductive tract, but the early formativ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproductive biology and endocrinology 2003-07, Vol.1 (1), p.52-52, Article 52
Main Author: Hess, Rex A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Body Water - metabolism
Epithelial Cells - metabolism
Estrogens - physiology
Fertility - physiology
Genitalia, Male - physiology
Humans
Ion Transport
Leydig Cells - physiology
Male
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Receptors, Estrogen - physiology
Review
Testis - metabolism
Vertebrates - physiology
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Summary:Testosterone and estrogen are no longer considered male only and female only hormones. Both hormones are important in both sexes. It was known as early as the 1930's that developmental exposure to a high dose of estrogen causes malformation of the male reproductive tract, but the early formative years of reproductive biology as a discipline did not recognize the importance of estrogen in regulating the normal function of the adult male reproductive tract. In the adult testis, estrogen is synthesized by Leydig cells and the germ cells, producing a relatively high concentration in rete testis fluid. Estrogen receptors are present in the testis, efferent ductules and epididymis of most species. However, estrogen receptor-alpha is reported absent in the testis of a few species, including man. Estrogen receptors are abundant in the efferent ductule epithelium, where their primary function is to regulate the expression of proteins involved in fluid reabsorption. Disruption of the alpha-receptor, either in the knockout (alphaERKO) or by treatment with a pure antiestrogen, results in dilution of cauda epididymal sperm, disruption of sperm morphology, inhibition of sodium transport and subsequent water reabsorption, increased secretion of Cl-, and eventual decreased fertility. In addition to this primary regulation of luminal fluid and ion transport, estrogen is also responsible for maintaining a differentiated epithelial morphology. Thus, we conclude that estrogen or its alpha-receptor is an absolute necessity for fertility in the male.
ISSN:1477-7827
1477-7827
DOI:10.1186/1477-7827-1-52