Yan Y C, Sun Y P, Zhang M L
Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
Arch Androl. 1998 Mar-Apr;40(2):133-46. doi: 10.3109/01485019808987936.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a cytokine that promotes cell proliferation, regulates tissue differentiation, and modulates organogenesis. Although a rich source of EGF is the submaxillary gland, many tissues produce this cytokine, including the testis. Leydig cells are the principal source of EGF in the testis. On attainment of sexual maturation the germ cells, primarily spermatocytes and round spermatids, form EGF with the onset of spermatogenesis. EGF appears to be involved in the development of the testis and in spermatogenesis. The expression of the EGF gene in rat testis was determined by the application of the RT-PCR method and testis RNA as substrate. The results suggest that EGF produced by Leydig cells and germ cells may modulate spermatogenesis as an autocrine and/or paracrine factor.
表皮生长因子（EGF）是一种细胞因子，可促进细胞增殖、调节组织分化并调控器官形成。尽管颌下腺是EGF的丰富来源，但包括睾丸在内的许多组织都会产生这种细胞因子。睾丸间质细胞是睾丸中EGF的主要来源。在达到性成熟时，生殖细胞，主要是精母细胞和圆形精子细胞，随着精子发生的开始而形成EGF。EGF似乎参与睾丸的发育和精子发生。应用逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）方法并以睾丸RNA为底物，测定了大鼠睾丸中EGF基因的表达。结果表明，睾丸间质细胞和生殖细胞产生的EGF可能作为自分泌和/或旁分泌因子调节精子发生。
