| First Author | Nelson VL | Year | 2017 |
| Journal | Biomed Res Int | Volume | 2017 |
| Pages | 3756089 | PubMed ID | 28357399 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:315599 | Mgi Id | MGI:6829351 |
| Doi | 10.1155/2017/3756089 | Citation | Nelson VL, et al. (2017) Loss of PI3K p110alpha in the Adipose Tissue Results in Infertility and Delayed Puberty Onset in Male Mice. Biomed Res Int 2017:3756089 |
| abstractText | Deletion of PI3K catalytic subunit p110alpha in adipose tissue (aP2-Cre/p110alpha(flx/flx), alpha-/- hereafter) results in increased adiposity, glucose intolerance, and liver steatosis. Because this endocrine organ releases hormones like leptin, which are important in reproductive physiology, we investigated the reproductive phenotype of alpha-/- males. Compared to controls, alpha-/- males displayed delayed onset of puberty accompanied by a reduction in plasma LH levels and testicular weight. At postnatal day 30, alpha-/- mice exhibited normal body weight but elevated fasted plasma leptin levels. Testicular leptin gene expression was increased, whereas expression of the cholesterol transporter StAR and of P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme was decreased. Adult alpha-/- males were infertile and exhibited hyperandrogenemia with normal basal LH, FSH, and estradiol levels. However, neither sperm counts nor sperm motility was different between genotypes. The mRNA levels of leptin and of 17-beta-dehydrogenase 3, and enzyme important for testosterone production, were significantly higher in the testis of adult alpha-/- males. The mRNA levels of ERalpha, an important regulator of intratesticular steroidogenesis, were lower in the testis of adult and peripubertal alpha-/- males. We propose that chronic hyperleptinemia contributes to the negative impact that disrupting PI3K signaling in adipocytes has on puberty onset, steroidogenesis, and fertility in males. |
