• PMID: 18082732
• Gene Name: HSD3B2
• Condition: Male infertility, Spermatogenic failure, Sertoli- cell only syndrome
• Association: Increased testicular GnRH transcripts, steroidogenic enzyme transcripts, and ITT levels are associated with spermatogenic failurein infertile men. Testicular GnRH is involved in the regulation of human spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.
• Population size: 34
• Population details: 34 azoospermic men
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Associated genes: GnRH-I, GnRH-II, GnRH-R, CYP11A1, HSD3B2
• Other associated phenotypes: Male infertility

Transcripts of testicular gonadotropin-releasing hormone, steroidogenic enzymes, and intratesticular testosterone levels in infertile men

Lin YM, Poon SL, Choi JH, Lin JS, Leung PC, Huang BM.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of testicular GnRH and steroidogenic enzymes and their correlations with intratesticular T levels (ITT) and serum hormonal parameters in infertile men. DESIGN: Prospective case study. SETTING: University reproductive laboratory and clinics. PATIENT(S): Thirty-four azoospermic men. INTERVENTION(S): The mRNA transcript levels of GnRH-I, GnRH-II, GnRH-R, and five steroidogenic enzymes in the testes of azoospermic men were determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The ITT level was determined by radioimmunoassay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Transcript levels of genes and ITT determination. RESULT(S): The mRNA transcript levels of GnRH-I, GnRH-II, GnRH-R, cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), and 3beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme (HSD3B2) as well as the ITT levels were significantly increased in patients with spermatogenic failure, especially in men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome. GnRH-I and -II mRNA transcript levels positively correlated with HSD3B2 mRNA transcript levels, ITT levels, and serum FSH levels. CONCLUSION(S): Increased testicular GnRH transcripts, steroidogenic enzyme transcripts, and ITT levels are associated with spermatogenic failure in infertile men. Testicular GnRH is involved in the regulation of human spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. FAU - Lin, Yung Ming AU - Lin YM AD - Department of Urology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. FAU - Poon, Song Ling AU - Poon SL FAU - Choi, Jung Hye AU - Choi JH FAU - Lin, Johnny Shinn Nan AU - Lin JS FAU - Leung, Peter C K AU - Leung PC