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Current Aspects of Autocrine and Paracrine Regulation of Spermatogenesis

  • Chapter
Tissue Renin-Angiotensin Systems

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 377))

Abstract

The testis is composed of the convoluted seminiferous tubules embedded in a connective tissue matrix, named interstitium. The seminiferous tubule comprises the germ cells in various developmental phases, the nonproliferating Sertoli cells and the peritubular cells, which surround the Sertoli cells and germ cells. Germ cells that are continuously renewed and Sertoli cells that cease to divide during pubertal development, form the seminiferous epithelium. The primary function of the seminiferous tubules is the production of spermatozoa. The interstitium contains interspersed blood and lymphatic vessels, nerves, fibrobastic cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, more rarely mast cells and the Leydig cells. The primary function of the Leydig cells is to produce testosterone (see Huhtaniemi and Toppari, this book). This hormone is essential for the differentiation of the embryonic male reproductive organs, the sexualization of the hypothalamus and brain, in formation of the accessory sex organs. It is also crucial for the regulation of sexual behavior and accessory sex organs and of spermatogenesis. On Figure 1, a schematic representation of the testicular organization is presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. G.E.R.M., INSERM U.435, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042, Rennes Cedex, Bretagne, France

    Bernard Jégou & Charles Pineau

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  1. Bernard Jégou
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  2. Charles Pineau
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Hormone and Fertility Research, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Amal K. Mukhopadhyay Ph.D.

  2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Mohan K. Raizada Ph.D.

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Jégou, B., Pineau, C. (1995). Current Aspects of Autocrine and Paracrine Regulation of Spermatogenesis. In: Mukhopadhyay, A.K., Raizada, M.K. (eds) Tissue Renin-Angiotensin Systems. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 377. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0952-7_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0952-7_5

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