Costagliola Anna, Montano Luigi, Langella Emilia, Lombardi Renato, Squillacioti Caterina, Mirabella Nicola, Liguori Giovanna
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Andrology Unit of the "San Francesco d'Assisi" Hospital-ASL Salerno, EcoFoodFertility Project Coordination Unit, Oliveto Citra, 84020 Salerno, Italy.
Vet Sci. 2024 Mar 15;11(3):131. doi: 10.3390/vetsci11030131.
Orexins A (OXA) and B (OXB) and their specific receptors, receptor 1 (OX1R) and 2 (OX2R) for orexins, are hypothalamic peptides involved in orchestrating several functions in the central nervous system and peripheral organs, including sleep, excitement, nutrition, reward, circadian rhythm, anxiety, cognition, and reproduction. The aim of this narrative review is, in particular, to speculate the role of orexins in the male genital tract of animal species and human beings. The experimental evidence collected in recent years assumed that in the testes of the animal species here described, orexins are directly involved in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis regulation. In the epididymis, these peptides are locally synthesized, thus suggesting their role governing the fertilizing capability of the immature male gamete. In addition to playing a physiological role, orexins are involved in numerous inflammatory and/or neoplastic pathologies too. The expression of the orexinergic system in prostate cancer suggests that they might play a potential therapeutic function. Overall, the future directions of this literature review allow us to hypothesize a role of the orexinergic complex not only as a marker for the diagnosis of certain tumors affecting the male genital tract but also for the treatment of hypo/infertility condition.
食欲素A（OXA）和B（OXB）及其特异性受体，即食欲素受体1（OX1R）和2（OX2R），是下丘脑肽，参与协调中枢神经系统和外周器官的多种功能，包括睡眠、兴奋、营养、奖赏、昼夜节律、焦虑、认知和生殖。本叙述性综述的目的尤其在于推测食欲素在动物和人类雄性生殖道中的作用。近年来收集的实验证据表明，在所描述的动物物种的睾丸中，食欲素直接参与类固醇生成和精子发生的调节。在附睾中，这些肽是局部合成的，这表明它们在控制未成熟雄配子的受精能力方面发挥作用。除了发挥生理作用外，食欲素还参与许多炎症和/或肿瘤性疾病。食欲素能系统在前列腺癌中的表达表明它们可能发挥潜在的治疗作用。总体而言，这篇文献综述的未来方向使我们能够推测，食欲素能复合体不仅可作为诊断某些影响雄性生殖道的肿瘤的标志物，还可用于治疗少精/不育症。
