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Animal reproduction science2008; 107(3-4); 179-196; doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.05.004

Regulation of testicular function in the stallion: an intricate network of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine systems.

Roser, JF

Abstract: It is well established in many mammalian species, including the horse that normal testicular function is dependent upon a functional hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, which involves classic feedback mechanisms. The major HPT hormones involved in the stallion are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estrogens (Es) and inhibin (INH). Although prolactin (PRL) fluctuates with season in the stallion and both PRL and thyroid hormone (TH) affect reproduction in other male species, their effects on stallion reproduction have not been elucidated. Growth hormone (GH) in the stallion may be involved in sperm motility, production and secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and LH-induced testosterone release. The action of these hormones and the products involved for normal spermatogenesis require cell to cell communication within the testis. The somatic cell types, Leydig, Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells, all support germ cell development, maturation and release into the seminiferous tubule lumen. The cell to cell crosstalk involves an intricate network of paracrine-autocrine systems that support the endocrine input to modulate cell function. In other male species, researchers have demonstrated the reproductive effects of such paracrine-autocrine factors as IGF-1, transferrin, androgens, estrogens, inhibin, insulin like peptide 3 (INSL3), beta-endorphin and oxytocin. The specific nature and relative contribution of these various factors on testicular function in fertile and subfertile stallions are under investigation. This review summarizes current information regarding the nature of the multiple endocrine-paracrine-autocrine systems that may be necessary for normal testicular function in the stallion.

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Publication Date: 2008-05-09 PubMed ID: 18571346DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.05.004Google Scholar: Lookup

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This research article explores the complex mechanisms involved in regulating testicular function in stallions — specifically, the interactions of different hormones, cells, and systems. It delves into the primary hormones involved and their impacts, scrutinizes the role of prolactin and thyroid hormones that are yet to be defined clearly, and investigates the potential influence of growth hormone. The study also underlines the need for efficient inter-cellular communication for proper spermatogenesis and examines how various factors may contribute to overall testicular function.

The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis is a crucial biological system that guides normal testicular function in mammals, including horses. It functions through a feedback mechanism.
Main hormones guiding this process in stallions are the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estrogens (Es), and inhibin (INH).

Potential Role of Prolactin (PRL) and Thyroid Hormone (TH)

While prolactin levels in stallions change with seasons and thyroid hormones affect reproduction in other male species, the exact role they play in stallion reproduction remains a mystery.
The research article aims to delve into the potential effects of these hormones on stallion reproductive processes.

Significance of Growth Hormone (GH)

Growth hormone in stallions might play a critical role in sperm motility, production and secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and LH-induced testosterone release.
The study aims to explore the action and implications of these hormones on normal spermatogenesis.

Cell To Cell Interaction and Paracrine-Autocrine Systems

The different cells involved in the testis, namely Leydig, Sertoli, and peritubular myoid cells, play a vital role in germ cell development, maturation and release into the seminiferous tubule lumen.
The study underscores that cell to cell communication within the testis is crucial and depends on a complex network of paracrine-autocrine systems that work in tandem with the endocrine input to control cell function.
A wide range of factors, such as IGF-1, transferrin, androgens, estrogens, inhibin, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), beta-endorphin and oxytocin, have been found to be involved in this communication and support reproductive processes in male species.

Testicular Function in Fertile and Subfertile Stallions

The study also investigates how the interaction of various factors could affect testicular function in both fertile and subfertile stallions.
The researchers aim is to understand the relative contribution of these different factors to testicular function.

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APA

Roser JF. (2008). Regulation of testicular function in the stallion: an intricate network of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine systems. Anim Reprod Sci, 107(3-4), 179-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.05.004

Publication

Animal reproduction science

ISSN: 0378-4320

NlmUniqueID: 7807205

Country: Netherlands

Language: English

Volume: 107

Issue: 3-4

Pages: 179-196

Researcher Affiliations

Roser, Janet F

Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States. jfroser@ucdavis.edu

MeSH Terms

Animals
Autocrine Communication / physiology
Endocrine System / physiology
Fertility / physiology
Homeostasis / physiology
Horses / physiology
Male
Models, Biological
Paracrine Communication / physiology
Testis / physiology

Citations

This article has been cited 19 times.

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