Vitamin D receptor and vitamin D metabolizing enzymes are expressed in the human male reproductive tract

BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human testis, and vitamin D (VD) has been suggested to affect survival and function of mature spermatozoa. Indeed, VDR knockout mice and VD deficient rats show decreased sperm counts and low fertility. However, the cellular response to VD is co...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2010-05, Vol.25 (5), p.1303-1311
Main Authors: Blomberg Jensen, Martin, Nielsen, John E., Jørgensen, Anne, Rajpert-De Meyts, Ewa, Kristensen, David Møbjerg, Jørgensen, Niels, Skakkebaek, Niels E., Juul, Anders, Leffers, Henrik
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase - genetics
25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase - metabolism
Adult
Animals
Base Sequence
Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase - genetics
Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase - metabolism
CYP
Cytochrome P450 Family 2
DNA Primers - genetics
Epididymis - metabolism
Gene Expression
Genitalia, Male - metabolism
Humans
hydroxylase
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Mice
Prostate - metabolism
Rats
Receptors, Calcitriol - metabolism
reproduction
RNA, Messenger - genetics
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Seminal Vesicles - metabolism
Spermatogenesis
Spermatozoa - metabolism
Steroid Hydroxylases - genetics
Steroid Hydroxylases - metabolism
testis
Testis - metabolism
Tissue Distribution
Vitamin D - metabolism
vitamin D receptor
Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human testis, and vitamin D (VD) has been suggested to affect survival and function of mature spermatozoa. Indeed, VDR knockout mice and VD deficient rats show decreased sperm counts and low fertility. However, the cellular response to VD is complex, since it is not solely dependent on VDR expression, but also on cellular uptake of circulating VD and presence and activity of VD metabolizing enzymes. Expression of VD metabolizing enzymes has not previously been investigated in human testis and male reproductive tract. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the expression of VDR, VD activating (CYP2R1, CYP27A1, CYP27B1) and inactivating (CYP24A1) enzymes in the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle (SV), prostate and spermatozoa. METHODS Tissue samples were obtained after orchiectomy (testis n = 13; epididymis n = 7), prostatectomy (prostate n = 5 and SVs n = 3) and semen samples obtained after ejaculation (n = 13). mRNA was detected with RT–PCR and expression of proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS VDR and VD metabolizing enzymes were concomitantly expressed in round and elongated spermatids, vesicles within the caput epididymis, and glandular epithelium of cauda epididymis, SV and prostate. The expression pattern in ejaculated spermatozoa varied, although, concomitant expression of VDR, CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 was observed in neck and midpiece in a subpopulation of mature spermatozoa. CONCLUSION On the basis of the marked expression of VDR and the VD metabolizing enzymes in human testis, ejaculatory tract and mature spermatozoa, we suggest that VD is important for spermatogenesis and maturation of human spermatozoa.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/deq024