Pauline Tartarin, Edith Guibert, Aminata Touré, Claire Ouiste, Jocelyne Leclerc, Nieves Sanz, Sylvain Brière, Jean-Louis Dacheux, Bernadette Delaleu, Judith R McNeilly, Alan S McNeilly, Jean-Pierre Brillard, Joëlle Dupont, Marc Foretz, Benoit Viollet, Pascal Froment
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, is present in metabolic tissues (muscle and liver) and has been identified as a modulator of the female reproductive functions. However, its function in the testis has not yet been clearly defined. We have investigated the potential role of AMPK in male reproduction by using transgenic mice lacking the activity of AMPK catalytic subunit α1 gene [α1AMPK knockout (KO)]. In the testis, the α1AMPK subunit is expressed in germ cells and also in somatic cells (Sertoli and Leydig cells)...
July 2012: Endocrinology