Leydig cell apoptosis and its regulation
Yuan, S.-H.; Xu, S.-F.
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 9(3): 218
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1009-3591 PMID: 12861841 Document Number: 554530
Apoptosis is necessary for the development and maturation of Leydig cells. However, increased apoptosis results the decline of testosterone production, which may increase germ cell apoptosis and the possibility of infertility. There are several aspects contributing to Leydig cell apoptosis such as ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS), glucocorticoid, developmental stage and some hormones including FSH, LH/hCG and testosterone. A number of genes are involved in the regulation of Leydig cells apoptosis. It was reported that SCF/c-kit, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl inhibited the apoptosis while caspase-3, Fas, Bax and clusterine stimulated it.