松弛素样因子与生殖

Relaxin-like factor and reproduction

松弛素样因子(RLF)是胰岛素胰岛素样生长因子松弛素(insulinIGFrelaxin)家族中的新成员,主要在雄性和雌性的生殖腺中产生。敲除该基因或其受体的雄性小鼠,将导致睾丸下降障碍及隐睾症,在成熟睾丸中RLF的表达是Leydig细胞分化成熟的标志,在青春期前或变形、肥大的Leydig细胞则弱表达。对于雌性,RLF主要在卵巢小的窦状卵泡、卵泡膜细胞及性周期和妊娠的黄体中产生,敲除RLF基因的雌性小鼠的动情周期延长,RLF可能参与优势卵泡的选择。

The relaxin-like factor (RLF), which is the product of the reproductive gland of male and female, is a new member of the insulin-IGF-relaxin family. Knockout of RLF or its receptor gene in male mouse will lead to cryptorchidism or testicular descent failure. In the adult testis, RLF expression is a good marker for fully differentiated adult-type Leydig cells, but it is only weakly expressed in prepubertal immature Leydig cells or in the Leydig cells that have become hypertrophic or transformed. RLF is also produced by female tissues, particularly in the follicular theca cells, small antral follicles and the corpus luteum in the cycle and pregnancy. RLF gene knockout female mice have the altered estrous cycles. RLF may be involved in the dominant follicle selection.