Oestradiol-17ß is a local factor inducing the early stage of spermatogenesis in mouse testes.

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of testicular oestradiol-17ß (E2 ) on spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial development and spermatogenic gene expression in testicular germ cells were investigated using an in vitro culture system supplemented with E2 . E2 stimulated spermatocytogenic development of cultured testicular germ cells regardless of the addition of follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone to the culture medium. E2 also induced the expression of genes encoding synaptonemal complex protein 1 and protamine 1, proteins required for spermatogenesis. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that E2 is a spermatocytogenic factor that acts via the stimulation of spermatogenic gene expression.