Graf K M, Dias J A, Griswold M D
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-4660, USA.
J Androl. 1997 Mar-Apr;18(2):174-85.
The presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone is considered critical for the maintenance of spermatogenesis in the rat. However, the role and importance of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis has been a subject of debate for some time. The objective of this study was to examine the role of FSH and LH in vivo in the developing and adult rat by inducing an autoimmune reaction against the receptors to these gonadotropins. Sperm numbers were reduced in animals immunized against either the FSH or LH receptor (FSHR/LHR). In animals immunized against both FSHR and LHR there was also a significant reduction in sperm number although spermatogenesis was never completely ablated. These results were seen in male rats immunized either prepubertally (18 days of age) or as adults (80 days of age). To examine the requirements for FSH in early postnatal-testicular development, pregnant females were also immunized against either FSHR, LHR, or both of the receptors, and the male offspring were examined at 30 days of age. Again, germ-cell number was decreased with the greatest effect in those pups whose mothers were immunized against both FSHR and LHR. Radioligand-receptor-binding assays revealed that the antibody produced in the rats against FSHR was able to compete with FSH for binding sites in receptor-membrane preparations. Therefore, the mechanism of disruption of spermatogenesis is probably due to suppression of hormone to receptor binding. The results of this study support a role for FSH in spermatogenesis not only during neonatal and early postnatal development but also in the adult animal.
促黄体生成素（LH）和睾酮的存在被认为对维持大鼠的精子发生至关重要。然而，促卵泡激素（FSH）在精子发生起始和维持中的作用及重要性在一段时间内一直是争论的焦点。本研究的目的是通过诱导针对这些促性腺激素受体的自身免疫反应，来研究FSH和LH在发育中和成年大鼠体内的作用。针对FSH或LH受体（FSHR/LHR）免疫的动物精子数量减少。针对FSHR和LHR两者免疫的动物，精子数量也显著减少，尽管精子发生从未完全消失。在青春期前（18日龄）或成年期（80日龄）免疫的雄性大鼠中均观察到这些结果。为了研究出生后早期睾丸发育中FSH的需求，还对怀孕雌性动物针对FSHR、LHR或两种受体进行免疫，并在30日龄时检查雄性后代。同样，生殖细胞数量减少，其中母亲针对FSHR和LHR两者免疫的幼崽受影响最大。放射性配体-受体结合试验表明，大鼠体内产生的针对FSHR的抗体能够与FSH竞争受体膜制剂中的结合位点。因此，精子发生破坏的机制可能是由于激素与受体结合的抑制。本研究结果支持FSH不仅在新生儿期和出生后早期发育阶段，而且在成年动物的精子发生中发挥作用。
