Function of Retinoic Acid in Development of Male and Female Gametes

Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, is necessary for many developmental processes in mammals. Much of the field of reproduction has looked toward retinoic acid as a key transcriptional regulator and catalyst of differentiation events. This review focuses on the effects of retinoic acid on male and female gamete formation and regulation. Within spermatogenesis, it has been well established that retinoic acid is necessary for the proper formation of the blood-testis barrier, spermatogonial differentiation, spermiation, and assisting in meiotic completion. While many of the roles of retinoic acid in male spermatogenesis are known, investigations into female oogenesis have provided differing results.

Automated summary

Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, plays important roles in the developmental processes of mammals, especially in spermatogenesis. It is crucial for the formation of the blood-testis barrier and spermatogonial differentiation, spermiation, and assisting in meiotic completion in male reproduction. However, research results on female oogenesis have shown varying outcomes.