Testis Development

Abstract Production of sperm and androgens is the main function of the testis. This depends on normal development of both testicular somatic cells and germ cells. A genetic program initiated from the Y chromosome gene sex-determining region Y (SRY) directs somatic cell specification to Sertoli cells...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Endocrine reviews 2019-08, Vol.40 (4), p.857-905
Main Authors: Mäkelä, Juho-Antti, Koskenniemi, Jaakko J, Virtanen, Helena E, Toppari, Jorma
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Androgens
Animals
Birth defects
Care and treatment
Cell differentiation
Chromosomes
Congenital defects
Cryptorchidism
Diagnosis
Differentiation (biology)
Fetuses
Genetic research
Germ cells
Health aspects
Humans
Leydig cells
Male
Men
Mice
Pseudohermaphroditism
Sertoli cells
Sex
Sex differentiation
Sex differentiation disorders
Signal Transduction
Somatic cells
Sperm
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogonia
Stem Cells - physiology
Testes
Testis - growth & development
Testis - metabolism
Testis - physiology
Testosterone
Transcription factors
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Summary:Abstract Production of sperm and androgens is the main function of the testis. This depends on normal development of both testicular somatic cells and germ cells. A genetic program initiated from the Y chromosome gene sex-determining region Y (SRY) directs somatic cell specification to Sertoli cells that orchestrate further development. They first guide fetal germ cell differentiation toward spermatogenic destiny and then take care of the full service to spermatogenic cells during spermatogenesis. The number of Sertoli cells sets the limits of sperm production. Leydig cells secrete androgens that determine masculine development. Testis development does not depend on germ cells; that is, testicular somatic cells also develop in the absence of germ cells, and the testis can produce testosterone normally to induce full masculinization in these men. In contrast, spermatogenic cell development is totally dependent on somatic cells. We herein review germ cell differentiation from primordial germ cells to spermatogonia and development of the supporting somatic cells. Testicular descent to scrota is necessary for normal spermatogenesis, and cryptorchidism is the most common male birth defect. This is a mild form of a disorder of sex differentiation. Multiple genetic reasons for more severe forms of disorders of sex differentiation have been revealed during the last decades, and these are described along with the description of molecular regulation of testis development.
ISSN:0163-769X
1945-7189
DOI:10.1210/er.2018-00140