A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal

Testis development




AuthorsMäkelä Juho-Antti, Koskenniemi Jaakko J., Virtanen Helena E., Toppari Jorma

PublisherEndocrine Society

Publication year2019

JournalEndocrine Reviews

Journal name in sourceEndocrine reviews

Journal acronymEndocr Rev

Volume40

Issue4

First page 857

Last page905

Number of pages49

ISSN0163-769X

eISSN1945-7189

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1210/er.2018-00140


Abstract
Production of sperm and androgens is the main function of the testis. This depends on normal development of both testicular somatic cells and germ cells. Genetic program initiated from the Y chromosome gene SRY (sex-determining region Y) directs somatic cell specification to Sertoli cells that orchestrate further development. They first guide fetal germ cell differentiation towards spermatogenic destiny, and then take care of the full service to spermatogenic cells during spermatogenesis. The number of Sertoli cells sets the limits of sperm production. Leydig cells secrete androgens that determine masculine development. Testis development does not depend on germ cells, i.e. testicular somatic cells also develop in the absence of germ cells, and the testis can produce testosterone normally to induce full masculinization in these men. In contrast, spermatogenic cell development is totally dependent on somatic cells. Here we review germ cell differentiation from primordial germ cells to spermatogonia and development of the supporting somatic cells. Testicular descent to scrota is necessary for normal spermatogenesis, and cryptorchidism is the most common male birth defect. This is a mild form of disorder of sex differentiation (DSD). Multiple genetic reasons for more severe forms of DSD have been revealed during the last decades, and these are described along the description of molecular regulation of testis development.



Last updated on 2025-10-03 at 12:32