雌激素受体在雄性生殖系统中的分布及其对雄性生殖的作用

Distribution and Effects of Estrogen Receptors in Male Reproductive System

与雄激素一样,雌激素对雄性生殖也起重要调控作用。雌激素与雌激素受体(ER)结合后,产生基因组效应或非基因组效应。ER包括ERα和ERβ。在雄性生殖系统包括睾丸、附睾、前列腺及阴茎中均有ER分布。ERα基因敲除小鼠精子发生过程明显受损,而ERβ基因敲除后小鼠精子发生仍可维持正常,提示两种ER亚型对精子发生的作用不同。ERα和ERβ还可能存在相互补偿作用。

Estrogen plays an important role in the regulation of male reproduction. Through binding with the estrogen receptor （ER）, estrogen produces genomie and non-genomie effects. Estrogen receptors include ERα and ERβ which distribute in the male reproductive system including the testis, epididymis, prostate and penis. The spermatogenesis is impaired in mice with ERα gene knockout ; however, it remains normal in mice with ERβ gene knockout. This phenomenon suggests that the two subtypes of ER play different roles in spermatogenesis. Moreover, ERα or ERβ may also act as a substitute of another.