Six Decades of Research on Human Fetal Gonadal Steroids |
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Authors: | Stphane Connan-Perrot Thibaut Lger Pauline Lelandais Christle Desdoits-Lethimonier Arthur David Paul A Fowler Sverine Mazaud-Guittot |
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Affiliation: | 1.Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France; (S.C.-P.); (P.L.); (C.D.-L.); (A.D.);2.Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), CEDEX, 35306 Fougères, France;3.Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; |
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Abstract: | Human fetal gonads acquire endocrine steroidogenic capabilities early during their differentiation. Genetic studies show that this endocrine function plays a central role in the sexually dimorphic development of the external genitalia during fetal development. When this endocrine function is dysregulated, congenital malformations and pathologies are the result. In this review, we explain how the current knowledge of steroidogenesis in human fetal gonads has benefited from both the technological advances in steroid measurements and the assembly of detailed knowledge of steroidogenesis machinery and its expression in human fetal gonads. We summarise how the conversion of radiolabelled steroid precursors, antibody-based assays, mass spectrometry, ultrastructural studies, and the in situ labelling of proteins and mRNA have all provided complementary information. In this review, our discussion goes beyond the debate on recommendations concerning the best choice between the different available technologies, and their degrees of reproducibility and sensitivity. The available technologies and techniques can be used for different purposes and, as long as all quality controls are rigorously employed, the question is how to maximise the generation of robust, reproducible data on steroid hormones and their crucial roles in human fetal development and subsequent functions. |
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Keywords: | detection quantification testis ovary steroidogenesis androgens estrogens human fetal |
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