Abstract
The testis in mammals has to perform three principal functions. Firstly, it is the place where the male gametes are generated from undifferentiated stem cells (spermatogonia), through regulated processes of proliferation and reduction division. There is a continuous production of haploid nuclei enclosed within highly specialized transport systems (spermatozoa) capable of conveying the haploid nucleus through a relatively inimical environment (the female tract) to undergo specific nuclear fusion with the female gamete. Secondly, the testis is the organ producing the male sex steroid hormone, testosterone (and other hormones) in a regulated fashion (e.g. negative feedback through the pituitary-gonadal axis) to provide an appropriate gender-specific environment for the correct development and management of other organ systems. Thirdly, the testis is the principal organ of evolution, where small changes in the inherited genome are tolerated (encouraged) during spermatogenesis in order to provide individual variation and hence potential species adaptation. This function requires an organ-specific regulation of DNA replication, recombination and repair.
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Ivell, R., Spiess, AN. (2002). Analysing Differential Gene Expression in the Testis. In: Rommerts, F.F.G., Teerds, K.J. (eds) Testicular Tangrams. Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop, vol 9. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-05066-8_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-05066-8_8
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