Li Dongmei, Han Xiaodong
Laboratory of Immunology and Reproductive Biology, Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China.
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2004 Mar;10(3):211-4.
One third of estrogens in the male are from the testis and the others from outside the testis. Aromatase P450 (CYP19) is an enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Estrogens regulate cell function via specific receptors--estrogen receptors (ER) which include ER alpha and ER beta. It has been found that the role of estrogens in male reproduction is complex and important, particularly during the neonatal life. Males lacking ER alpha are completely infertile because ER alpha-induced estrogens regulate the reabsorption of luminal fluid in the head of the epididymis and disruption of this essential function causes sperm to enter the epididymis diluted, rather than concentrated, resulting in infertility. Whereas males lacking aromatase or ER beta are fully fertile. Therefore, it is concluded that ER alpha, but not aromatase or ER beta, is essenitial for normal male fertility.
男性体内三分之一的雌激素来自睾丸，其余来自睾丸外。芳香化酶P450（CYP19）是一种负责将雄激素转化为雌激素的酶。雌激素通过特定受体——雌激素受体（ER）调节细胞功能，雌激素受体包括ERα和ERβ。研究发现，雌激素在男性生殖中起着复杂而重要的作用，尤其是在新生儿期。缺乏ERα的男性完全不育，因为ERα诱导的雌激素调节附睾头部管腔液的重吸收，而这一重要功能的破坏会导致精子进入附睾时被稀释而非浓缩，从而导致不育。而缺乏芳香化酶或ERβ的男性则完全可育。因此，可以得出结论，对于正常男性生育能力而言，ERα是必需的，而芳香化酶或ERβ则不是。
