Use of Organ Culture to Study the Human Fetal Testis Development: Effect of Retinoic Acid

• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2005-2113
• Publication Date: 2006-04-18T21:26:29Z
• Authors: Romain Lambrot; Hervé Coffigny; Catherine Pairault; Anne-Claire Donna...; René Frydman; René Habert; Virginie Rouiller...
• Keywords: Organ culture

In human, the chronology of testicular development has been extensively studied, but factors implicated in onset and regulation gametogenesis steroidogenesis remain hardly known.To identify these factors, we developed an organ culture system for human fetal testes recovered during first trimester (6-12 wk) gestation. We aimed at investigating characteristics this by comparing vivo vitro steroidogenesis. Second, used to investigate effect on functions retinoic acid (RA), previously described as a regulator gonadal rodents.Organ proved be efficient tool studying early functions. Indeed, was able maintain satisfactory germ cells Leydig absence any added factor. For older fetuses, number decreased LH necessary steroidogenic activity. The addition 10(-6) m RA total testis all studied stages. This resulted from increase apoptosis, which slightly exceeded proliferation. However, had stimulatory function youngest fetuses over short period time increasing expression P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage, 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase, acute regulatory protein.Thus, appears potential both testis. Our is interesting effects various testis, particular hormone-disrupting chemicals.