Characterization of the testicular, epididymal and endocrine phenotypes in the Leuven Vdr-deficient mouse model: Targeting estrogen signalling

: Jensen MB, Lieben L, Nielsen JE, Willems A, Jorgensen A, Juul A, Toppari J, Carmeliet G, Rajpert-De Meyts E

Publisher: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD

: 2013

: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

: MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY

: MOL CELL ENDOCRINOL

: 1-2

: 377

: 1-2

: 93

: 102

: 10

: 0303-7207

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2013.06.036

Vitamin D is a key factor for calcium and bone homeostasis, but signalling through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) seems also to be important for testicular function. To test the functional role of vitamin D signalling we examined the male reproductive system of the Leuven Vdr-ablated (Vdr(-/-)) mice, previously established as a model for hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets. We investigated reproductive hormones, changes in gene expression and histological phenotype of eleven Vdr(-/-), eight Vdr(+/-) and nine Vdr(+/+) mice. Testicular and epididymal histology were grossly normal in Vdr(-/-) mice. Accordingly, no differences were found in serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH or testicular expression of Cyp19a1, Ers alpha, Cyp17a1, Star, Insl3, Inhbb, and Amh. However, a significantly lower ER beta expression was found in testis of Vdr(+/-) and Vdr(-/-) mice, conversely epididymal expressions of ER alpha and the estrogen-target gene Aqp9 were higher. In conclusion, vitamin D seems dispensable for murine spermatogenesis and sex hormone production, but aberrant estrogen-signalling may elicit some of the VDR-mediated effects on male reproduction. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.