A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Constitutively active follicle-stimulating hormone receptor enables androgen-independent spermatogenesis
Authors: Oduwole OO, Peltoketo H, Poliandri A, Vengadabady L, Chrusciel M, Doroszko M, Samanta L, Owen L, Keevil B, Rahman NA, Huhtaniemi IT
Publisher: AMER SOC CLINICAL INVESTIGATION INC
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
Journal acronym: J CLIN INVEST
Volume: 128
Issue: 5
First page : 1787
Last page: 1792
Number of pages: 6
ISSN: 0021-9738
eISSN: 1558-8238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI96794
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/31402959
Spermatogenesis is regulated by the 2 pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This process is considered impossible without the absolute requirement of LH-stimulated testicular testosterone (T) production. The role of FSH remains unclear because men and mice with inactivating FSH receptor (FSHR) mutations are fertile. We revisited the role of FSH in spermatogenesis using transgenic mice expressing a constitutively strongly active FSHR mutant in a LH receptor-null (LHR-null) background. The mutant FSHR reversed the azoospermia and partially restored fertility of Lhr(-/-) mice. The finding was initially ascribed to the residual Leydig cell T production. However, when T action was completely blocked with the potent antiandrogen flutamide, spermatogenesis persisted. Hence, completely T-independent spermatogenesis is possible through strong FSHR activation, and the dogma of T being a sine qua non for spermatogenesis may need modification. The mechanism for the finding appeared to be that FSHR activation maintained the expression of Sertoli cell genes considered androgen dependent. The translational message of our findings is the possibility of developing a new strategy of high-dose FSH treatment for spermatogenic failure. Our findings also provide an explanation of molecular pathogenesis for Pasqualini syndrome (fertile eunuchs; LH/T deficiency with persistent spermatogenesis) and explain how the hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis has shifted from FSH to T dominance during evolution.
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