Checking the Pulse of Vitamin A Metabolism and Signaling during Mammalian Spermatogenesis

Journal of Developmental Biology

Travis Kent¹ 

[1] id="af1-jdb-02-00034">School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; E-Mail: [e-mail].e

关键词: retinoic acid;    Vitamin A;    testis;    spermatogenesis;    pulse;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jdb2010034

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Vitamin A has been shown to be essential for a multitude of biological processes vital for mammalian development and homeostasis. Its active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), is important for establishing and maintaining proper germ cell development. During spermatogenesis, the germ cells orient themselves in very distinct patterns, which have been organized into stages. There is evidence to show that, in the mouse, RA is needed for many steps during germ cell development. Interestingly, RA has been implicated as playing a role within the same two Stages: VII and VIII, where meiosis is initiated and spermiation occurs. The goal of this review is to outline this evidence, exploring the relevant players in retinoid metabolism, storage, transport, and signaling. Finally, this review will provide a potential model for how RA activity is organized across the murine stages of the spermatogenic cycle.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.