title: Mechanisms of hormonal regulation of sertoli cell development and proliferation: a key process for spermatogenesis.
abstract: In adulthood, the main function of the testes is the production of male gametes. In this process, Sertoli cells are essential for sustained spermatogenesis, providing the developing germ cells with the physical and nutritional support required. The total number of Sertoli cells in adulthood determines the daily gamete production, since Sertoli cells can support only a limited number of developing germ cells. Considering that Sertoli cell proliferation only occurs during the immature period, proper development and proliferation of the Sertoli cells during the proliferative phase are crucial to male reproductive health in adulthood. The proliferation process of the Sertoli cells is finely regulated by an assortment of hormonal and paracrine/autocrine factors, which regulate the rate and extent of proliferation. In the present review, we discuss the most important hormonal and paracrine factors involved in the regulation of Sertoli cell proliferation, as well as the signaling mechanisms by which they exert their effects.
authors.forename: Gustavo M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Escott
authors.forename: Luciana A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: da Rosa
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Endocrinologia Experimental e Eletrofisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Basicas da Saude, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul., Rua Sarmento Leite 500, sala 212, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, CEP: 90050- 170. eloss@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Eloisa da Silveira
authors.initials: Eda S
authors.lastname: Loss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019898:Autocrine Communication; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D011972:Receptor, Insulin