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Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis

Seminiferous tubular atrophy may involve indirectly the disruption of estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) function in efferent ductules of the testis. ESR1 helps to maintain fluid resorption by the ductal epithelium and the inhibition or stimulation of this activity in rodent species will lead to fluid accum...

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Autor principal: Hess, Rex A
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Taylor & Francis 2014
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4581051/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26413389
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/21565562.2014.979103
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author Hess, Rex A
author_facet Hess, Rex A
author_sort Hess, Rex A
collection PubMed
description Seminiferous tubular atrophy may involve indirectly the disruption of estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) function in efferent ductules of the testis. ESR1 helps to maintain fluid resorption by the ductal epithelium and the inhibition or stimulation of this activity in rodent species will lead to fluid accumulation in the lumen. If not resolved, the abnormal buildup of fluid in the head of the epididymis and efferent ductules becomes a serious problem for the testis, as it leads to an increase in testis weight, tubular dilation and seminiferous epithelial degeneration, as well as testicular atrophy. The same sequence of pathogenesis occurs if the efferent ductule lumen becomes occluded. This review provides an introduction to the role of estrogen in the male reproductive tract but focuses on the various overlapping mechanisms that could induce efferent ductule dysfunction and fluid backpressure histopathology. Although efferent ductules are difficult to find, their inclusion in routine histological evaluations is recommended, as morphological images of these delicate tubules may be essential for understanding the mechanism of testicular injury, especially if dilations are observed in the rete testis and/or seminiferous tubules. Signature Lesion: The rete testis and efferent ductules can appear dilated, as if the lumens were greatly expanded with excess fluid or the accumulation of sperm. Because the efferent ductules resorb most of the fluid arriving from the rete testis lumen, one of two mechanisms is likely to be involved: a) reduced fluid uptake, which has been caused by the disruption in estrogen receptor signaling or associated pathways; or b) an increased rate of fluid resorption, which results in luminal occlusion. Both mechanisms can lead to a temporary increase in testicular weight, tubular dilation and atrophy of the seminiferous tubules.
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spelling pubmed-45810512015-12-31 Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis Hess, Rex A Spermatogenesis Review Seminiferous tubular atrophy may involve indirectly the disruption of estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) function in efferent ductules of the testis. ESR1 helps to maintain fluid resorption by the ductal epithelium and the inhibition or stimulation of this activity in rodent species will lead to fluid accumulation in the lumen. If not resolved, the abnormal buildup of fluid in the head of the epididymis and efferent ductules becomes a serious problem for the testis, as it leads to an increase in testis weight, tubular dilation and seminiferous epithelial degeneration, as well as testicular atrophy. The same sequence of pathogenesis occurs if the efferent ductule lumen becomes occluded. This review provides an introduction to the role of estrogen in the male reproductive tract but focuses on the various overlapping mechanisms that could induce efferent ductule dysfunction and fluid backpressure histopathology. Although efferent ductules are difficult to find, their inclusion in routine histological evaluations is recommended, as morphological images of these delicate tubules may be essential for understanding the mechanism of testicular injury, especially if dilations are observed in the rete testis and/or seminiferous tubules. Signature Lesion: The rete testis and efferent ductules can appear dilated, as if the lumens were greatly expanded with excess fluid or the accumulation of sperm. Because the efferent ductules resorb most of the fluid arriving from the rete testis lumen, one of two mechanisms is likely to be involved: a) reduced fluid uptake, which has been caused by the disruption in estrogen receptor signaling or associated pathways; or b) an increased rate of fluid resorption, which results in luminal occlusion. Both mechanisms can lead to a temporary increase in testicular weight, tubular dilation and atrophy of the seminiferous tubules. Taylor & Francis 2014-12-31 /pmc/articles/PMC4581051/ /pubmed/26413389 http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/21565562.2014.979103 Text en © 2014 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The moral rights of the named author(s) have been asserted.
spellingShingle Review
Hess, Rex A
Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis
title Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis
title_full Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis
title_fullStr Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis
title_full_unstemmed Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis
title_short Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis
title_sort disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis
topic Review
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4581051/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26413389
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/21565562.2014.979103
work_keys_str_mv AT hessrexa disruptionofestrogenreceptorsignalingandsimilarpathwaysintheefferentductulesandinitialsegmentoftheepididymis