17beta-estradiol stimulates proliferation of spermatogonia in experimental cryptorchid mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether estrogen stimulates the proliferation of spermatogonia or induces spermatogenesis in cryptorchid mice.


METHODS
Mice were surgically rendered cryptorchid, then treated with different doses of 17beta-estradiol (E2) s.c. once a day. Mice were killed at sexual maturity (45 days of age), and histological analysis and immunofluorescence were performed. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured.


RESULTS
Low doses of E2 had no notable effect on spermatogonia, but at higher doses, E2 stimulated the proliferation of spermatogonia.


CONCLUSIONS
E2 has a dose-related mitogenic effect on spermatogonia.
Li
En-Zhong
EZ
Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.
Li
De-Xue
DX
Zhang
Shi-Qing
SQ
Wang
Chang-Yong
CY
Zhang
Xue-Ming
XM
Lu
Jing-Yan
JY
Duan
Cui-Mi
CM
Yang
Xiang-Zhong
XZ
Feng
Li-Xin
LX
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone