Modulators of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis for the control of spermatogenesis and sperm quality in vertebrates

147K

views

81

authors

19

articles

Modulators of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis for the control of spermatogenesis and sperm quality in vertebrates

147K

views

81

authors

19

articles

Editorial

18 August 2014

Modulators of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal Axis for the Control of Spermatogenesis and Sperm Quality in Vertebrates

Rosaria Meccariello

,

Silvia Fasano

,

Riccardo Pierantoni

and

Gilda Cobellis

8,370 views

19 citations

Editors

4

Rosaria Meccariello

University of Naples Parthenope

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Riccardo Pierantoni

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Impact

About

Spermatogenesis is a process highly conserved throughout vertebrate species and is mainly under hypothalamic-pituitary control. It occurs in the testis in a stepwise fashion so that committed spermatogonia develop into spermatocytes and enter meiosis to produce round spermatids. These undergo a morphological transformation (spermiogenesis) into mature spermatids (i.e.: spermatozoa), which are differentially released from Sertoli cells (spermiation) depending on the species. In mammals, further transformations are necessary to form mature spermatozoa, suitable for fertilization. Gonadotropins, mainly responsive to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, control spermatogenesis through specific receptors located at the gonadal level. However, besides the endocrine route, the chemical mediators may also act locally in the gonad. Indeed, it is documented that testis physiology, including steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, does not fully account for traditional endocrine control but an intragonadal network of autocrine and/or paracrine regulators also exists, whose activity, via cell-to-cell communication, regulates germ cell progression and development of qualitatively mature spermatozoa. Of note, a number of testicular modulators, such as gonadotropin releasing hormone, Kiss-peptin, endocannabinoids, has been early isolated in the brain and latest in the gonads. To fully understand precise mechanisms underlying the functional interaction of this intricate network, needless to say, it is crucially required to have detailed information about modulators and target cells.
Through synergy between the respective specializations of all the authors, this topic reviews emerging knowledge about neuroendocrine and local mediators controlling germ cell progression and maturation.

Spermatogenesis is a process highly conserved throughout vertebrate species and is mainly under hypothalamic-pituitary control. It occurs in the testis in a stepwise fashion so that committed spermatogonia develop into spermatocytes and enter meiosis to produce round spermatids. These undergo a morphological transformation (spermiogenesis) into mature spermatids (i.e.: spermatozoa), which are differentially released from Sertoli cells (spermiation) depending on the species. In mammals, further transformations are necessary to form mature spermatozoa, suitable for fertilization. Gonadotropins, mainly responsive to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, control spermatogenesis through specific receptors located at the gonadal level. However, besides the endocrine route, the chemical mediators may also act locally in the gonad. Indeed, it is documented that testis physiology, including steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, does not fully account for traditional endocrine control but an intragonadal network of autocrine and/or paracrine regulators also exists, whose activity, via cell-to-cell communication, regulates germ cell progression and development of qualitatively mature spermatozoa. Of note, a number of testicular modulators, such as gonadotropin releasing hormone, Kiss-peptin, endocannabinoids, has been early isolated in the brain and latest in the gonads. To fully understand precise mechanisms underlying the functional interaction of this intricate network, needless to say, it is crucially required to have detailed information about modulators and target cells.
Through synergy between the respective specializations of all the authors, this topic reviews emerging knowledge about neuroendocrine and local mediators controlling germ cell progression and maturation.

Download ebook

Share

Editors

Rosaria Meccariello

University of Naples Parthenope

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Riccardo Pierantoni

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Impact

146,964 Total views

104,618 Article views

35,326 Article downloads

7,020 Topic views

Published In

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Endocrinology

Experimental Endocrinology

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic