Characterization of the testicular, epididymal and endocrine phenotypes in the Leuven Vdr-deficient mouse model: targeting estrogen signalling.

Abstract

Vitamin D is a key factor for calcium and bone homeostasis, but signalling through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) seems also to be important for testicular function. To test the functional role of vitamin D signalling we examined the male reproductive system of the Leuven Vdr-ablated (Vdr(-/-)) mice, previously established as a model for hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets. We investigated reproductive hormones, changes in gene expression and histological phenotype of eleven Vdr(-/-), eight Vdr(+/-) and nine Vdr(+/+) mice. Testicular and epididymal histology were grossly normal in Vdr(-/-) mice. Accordingly, no differences were found in serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH or testicular expression of Cyp19a1, Ersα, Cyp17a1, Star, Insl3, Inhbb, and Amh. However, a significantly lower ERβ expression was found in testis of Vdr(+/-) and Vdr(-/-) mice, conversely epididymal expressions of ERα and the estrogen-target gene Aqp9 were higher. In conclusion, vitamin D seems dispensable for murine spermatogenesis and sex hormone production, but aberrant estrogen-signalling may elicit some of the VDR-mediated effects on male reproduction.

• Authors: Martin Blomberg Jensen, Liesbet Lieben, John E Nielsen, Ariane Willems, Anne Jørgensen, Anders Juul, Jorma Toppari, Geert Carmeliet, Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
• Journal: Molecular and cellular endocrinology (Mol Cell Endocrinol) Vol. 377 Issue 1-2 Pg. 93-102 (Sep 05 2013) ISSN: 1872-8057 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 23850520 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Estrogens
• Gonadal Steroid Hormones
• Gonadotropins
• Receptors, Calcitriol
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Vitamin D
• Aromatase

Topics

• Aging (metabolism)
• Animals
• Aromatase (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Endocrine System (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Epididymis (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Estrogens (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Genetic Association Studies
• Gonadal Steroid Hormones (blood)
• Gonadotropins (blood)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Mutant Strains
• Phenotype
• Receptors, Calcitriol (deficiency, metabolism)
• Receptors, Estrogen (metabolism)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Testis (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Vitamin D (metabolism, pharmacology)