Genetic ablation of androgen receptor signaling in fetal Leydig cell lineage affects Leydig cell functions in adult testis

摘要: It is commonly accepted that androgen-producing fetal Leydig cells (FLC) are substituted by adult (ALC) during perinatal testis development. The mechanisms influencing this process unclear. We used mice with a retinoid acid receptor 2 promoter–Cre recombinase transgene (Rarb-cre) expressed in embryonic FLC precursors, but not postnatal testis, and dual fluorescent Cre reporter to label ALC vivo. All newborn had the recombinant, whereas majority of LC nonrecombinant reporter. Primary cultures from either recombinant (20%) or (80%) cells, demonstrating survive their ontogeny distinct ALC. Conditional inactivation androgen (AR) allele using Rarb-cre resulted 50% increase AR-negative testis. mutant males became infertile age, all older showing signs incomplete differentiatio...