Lipocalin type prostaglandin D-synthase: which role in male fertility?
Lipocalin type prostaglandin-D-synthase (L-PGDS), also called beta-trace, is an extracellular protein very abundant in compartments beyond blood-tissue barriers, such as the cerebrospinal fluid, the aqueous humor, the amniotic fluid and the seminal fluid. In the latter fluid the major function of L-PGDS does not seem to be the synthesis of prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) from its precursor PGH(2), which is very unstable in aqueous solution. Instead, seminal L-PGDS, an important carrier of bile pigments, retinoids, thyroid hormones and essential fatty acids, would contribute to providing, beyond the blood-testis barrier, thyroid hormones and retinoids to the developing germ cells in the seminiferous tubules and the maturing spermatozoa in the epididymis.
Leone
Maria Grazia
MG
Department of Pharmacology of Natural Substances and General Physiology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Haq
Hanin Abdel
HA
Saso
Luciano
L
D001826:Body Fluids / Q000201:enzymology; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000502:physiology*; D054834:Lipocalins; D008297:Male; D012176:Retinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism
D054834:Lipocalins; D012176:Retinoids; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C022466:prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase