Jones M E, Simpson E R
Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Clayton 3168, Australia.
Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Sep;14(3):505-16. doi: 10.1053/beem.2000.0094.
The role of oestrogens in male reproductive physiology is rapidly being redefined. While cases of oestrogen deficiency or insensitivity are rare among humans, insights are being gained from the development of mouse models in which oestrogen action has been abolished. Four knockout mouse models are currently available. The three oestrogen receptor knockout models-the oestrogen receptor-alpha (alphaERKO), -beta (betaERKO) and -alphabeta (alphabetaERKO) double knockout mice-are providing valuable information on the loss of action of oestrogen receptors and the way in which either or both isoforms of the receptor are employed in any given action. On the other hand, the generation of the aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse has produced animals unable to synthesize endogenous oestrogen. Fundamental perturbations that affect male fertility in these models include a disruption of testis morphology, an arrest of spermatogenesis at the stage of early spermiogenesis, a reduction in sperm concentration, motility and the ability to fertilize, severe dilatation of the efferent ductules and significant alterations to the normal hormone profile. The continuing accumulation of evidence from these animal models demonstrates that oestrogen plays an essential and direct role in the development and maintenance of male fertility.
雌激素在男性生殖生理学中的作用正在迅速被重新定义。虽然雌激素缺乏或不敏感的病例在人类中很少见，但从雌激素作用已被消除的小鼠模型的研究中获得了一些见解。目前有四种基因敲除小鼠模型。三种雌激素受体敲除模型——雌激素受体α（αERKO）、β（βERKO）和αβ（αβERKO）双敲除小鼠——正在提供有关雌激素受体作用丧失以及在任何特定作用中使用受体的一种或两种异构体方式的有价值信息。另一方面，芳香化酶敲除（ArKO）小鼠的产生得到了无法合成内源性雌激素的动物。这些模型中影响男性生育能力的基本干扰包括睾丸形态的破坏、精子发生在早期精子形成阶段的停滞、精子浓度、活力和受精能力的降低、输出小管的严重扩张以及正常激素谱的显著改变。来自这些动物模型的证据不断积累，表明雌激素在男性生育能力的发展和维持中起着至关重要的直接作用。
