Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jan 2018)

Aldosterone Blocks Rat Stem Leydig Cell Development In Vitro

  • Jingwei Zhang,
  • Bisheng Huang,
  • Guanghui Hu,
  • Xiangcheng Zhan,
  • Tiancheng Xie,
  • Saiyang Li,
  • Xiaolu Zhang,
  • Huitao Li,
  • Ren-Shan Ge,
  • Yunfei Xu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00004
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Aldosterone (ALDO) is a primary endogenous mineralocorticoid, appearing as the main hormone controlling sodium and water homeostasis. Its emerging role in the development of many organs has gained interest over the past few years. In the testis, Leydig cells contain mineralocorticoid receptors and ALDO stimulates androgen synthesis via the mineralocorticoid receptors in rat adult Leydig cells. Although ALDO pharmacologically promoted the Leydig cell function, its role in Leydig cell development was unclear. In the present study, we investigated effects of ALDO on rat stem Leydig cell (SLC) proliferation and differentiation. Using an in vitro culture system of the seminiferous tubules from Leydig cell-depleted testis and EdU (a modified thymidine analog) incorporation into the SLC for flurorescent labeling to judge its DNA synthesis and measurement of medium testosterone production, steroidogenesis-related gene and protein expression, we found that: (1) ALDO suppressed EdU incorporation into SLCs at 100 nM via mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated mechanism and (2) ALDO reduced Leydig cell number. In conclusion, ALDO pharmacologically blocked rat SLC development.

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