title: [Hepatocyte growth factor and male reproduction].
abstract: The hepatocyte growth factor ( HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor, which produces multiple biological effects by binding to the c-Met acceptor. This article reviews the biological properties of HGF, particularly those correlated with male reproduction, including its abilities to promote testis embryonic development, spermatogenesis, and testosterone synthesis of Leydig cells. HGF may provide a new insight into the treatment of male hypogonadism and infertility.
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Qing-hu
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D047108:Embryonic Development; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met