O'Shaughnessy P J, Morris I D, Huhtaniemi I, Baker P J, Abel M H
Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Glasgow, UK.
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2009 Jul 10;306(1-2):2-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.11.005. Epub 2008 Nov 18.
Development and maintenance of the male phenotype and establishment of fertility are all dependent upon the activity of the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells of the testis. This review examines the regulation and function of these cell during fetal and post-natal development. Fetal Leydig cells are sensitive to both luteinising hormone (LH) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) but Leydig cell function appears normal in fetal mice lacking both hormones or their receptors. Post-natally, the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells are reliant upon the pituitary gonadotrophins. Leydig cells are critically dependent on LH but follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), presumably acting through the Sertoli cell, can also affect Leydig cell function. Testosterone secreted by the Leydig cells acts with FSH to stimulate Sertoli cell activity and spermatogenesis. Study of animals lacking FSH-receptors and androgen-receptors shows that both hormones can act to maintain the meiotic germ cell population but that androgens are critical for completion of meiosis.
雄性表型的发育与维持以及生育能力的建立均依赖于睾丸支持细胞和间质细胞的活性。本综述探讨了这些细胞在胎儿期和出生后发育过程中的调控与功能。胎儿间质细胞对促黄体生成素（LH）和促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）均敏感，但在缺乏这两种激素或其受体的胎儿小鼠中，间质细胞功能似乎正常。出生后，支持细胞和间质细胞依赖于垂体促性腺激素。间质细胞严重依赖LH，但促卵泡激素（FSH）可能通过支持细胞发挥作用，也会影响间质细胞功能。间质细胞分泌的睾酮与FSH共同作用，刺激支持细胞活性和精子发生。对缺乏FSH受体和雄激素受体的动物研究表明，这两种激素均可维持减数分裂生殖细胞群体，但雄激素对于减数分裂的完成至关重要。
