title: [Desert hedgehog regulates the proliferation and differentiation of Leydig cells: an update].
abstract: Hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating the development of endocrine glands. Desert hedgehog (Dhh) has become a recent focus for its regulation of testis development, especially of Leydig cells. Dhh, as a Sertoli cell product, regulates the proliferation and differentiation of Leydig cell lineage and functions to secrete testosterone through a paracrine signaling mechanism. Testosterone, as the most important sex hormone of the male, plays a critical role in testis development, spermatogenesis and maintenance of normal masculinization. Therefore, normal Dhh signaling pathway ensures normal spermatogenic function. Researches on the Hedgehog signaling pathway in the testis have a potential significance for studying the pathophysiological mechanisms of androgen deficiency and dyszoospermia, as well as for the clinical treatment of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology/Laboratory of Sperm Development and Genetics, Shanghai Institute of Andrology/ Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China. zoushashash@126.com
authors.forename: Sha-Sha
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D053823:Hedgehog Proteins