Journal
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Volume 16, Issue 2, Pages 80-86Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gap070
Keywords
androgen; estrogen ratio; aromatase inhibitors; estrogen excess; aromatase overexpression; transgenic mice
Funding
- Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST) [2009CB941701]
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [30671506]
- Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Council [7082052]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
In recent years the emerging importance of estrogen signaling in males in addition to its major role in the female reproductive system became highlighted. Aromatase is the key enzyme for synthesis of estrogens from androgens and is responsible for controlling the androgen/estrogen ratio. Inhibition of aromatase gene expression can be achieved in different ways and is important for the treatment of several estrogen-dependent diseases, such as breast cancer in females or gynecomastia/breast cancer in males, or for non-tumorigenic conditions like precocious puberty and the induction of ovulation. The inhibition of aromatase could also serve as a tool for studying the role of estrogens during development or adulthood. Using transgenic models, we are able to analyze in more detail the involvement of aromatase in the molecular mechanisms underlying the essential balance of the androgen/estrogen ratio. In this review we focus on male phenotype characterization in the aromatase overexpressing transgenic murine models and how these models can further serve as a tool for aromatase inhibitor research.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available