Cyclooxygenase and prostaglandins in somatic cell populations of the testis

FRUNGIERI, MB; CALANDRA, RS; MAYERHOFER, A; MATZKIN, ME

REPRODUCTION

BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD

Lugar: Bristol; Año: 2015 vol. 149 p. 169 - 180

1470-1626

Prostaglandins (PGs) are synthesized through the action of the rate-limiting enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) and further specific enzymes.The development of Cox-deficient mice in the 1990s gave insights into the reproductive roles of PGs. Female Cox-knockout mice weresubfertile or infertile. Interestingly, fertility was not affected in male mice deficient in Cox, suggesting that PGs may not be critical for thefunctioning of the testis. However, this conclusion has recently been challenged by observations of important roles for PGs in bothphysiological and pathological processes in the testis. The two key somatic cell types in the testis, Leydig and Sertoli cells, express theinducible isoenzyme COX2 and produce PGs. Testicular COX2 expression in these somatic cells is regulated by hormonal input (FSH,prolactin (PRL), and testosterone) as well as by IL1b. PGs modulate steroidogenesis in Leydig cells and glucose uptake in Sertoli cells.Hence, the COX2/PG system in Leydig and Sertoli cells acts as a local modulator of testicular activity, and consequently may regulatespermatogenic efficiency. In addition to its expression in Leydig and Sertoli cells, COX2 has been detected in the seminiferous tubulewall, and in testicular macrophages and mast cells of infertile patients. These observations highlight the possible relevance of PGs intesticular inflammation associated with idiopathic infertility. Collectively, these data indicate that the COX2/PG system plays crucialroles not only in testicular physiology (i.e., development, steroidogenesis, and spermatogenesis), but more importantly in thepathogenesis or maintenance of infertility status in the male gonad. Further studies of these actions could lead to new therapeuticapproaches to idiopathic male infertility.Free German abstract: A German translation of this abstract is freely available at http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/149/4/R159/suppl/DC1.Free Spanish abstract: A Spanish translation of this abstract is freely available at http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/149/4/R159/suppl/DC2.