Evaluation of Ex Vivo Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Responsiveness of Human Fetal Testis

Abstract

Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs), commonly occurring in males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, may arise from chronic stimulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)–sensitive cells in the testes. It is not yet established whether the human fetal testis (HFT) is responsive to ACTH. To investigate this, we cultured HFT tissue with and without ACTH for up to 5 days, and quantified adrenal steroid hormones and expression of adrenal steroidogenic enzymes. Fetal testis and adrenal tissue produced high levels of testosterone and cortisol, respectively, indicating viability. In contrast to fetal adrenal tissues, the expression of ACTH receptor MC2R was either absent or expressed at extremely low levels in ex vivo HFT tissue and no clear response to ACTH in gene expression or steroid hormone production was observed. Altogether, this study suggests that the HFT is unresponsive to ACTH, which would indicate that a TART does not arise from fetal testicular cells chronically exposed to ACTH in utero.

Overview publication

TitleEvaluation of Ex Vivo Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Responsiveness of Human Fetal Testis
DateNovember 2nd, 2023
Issue nameEndocrinology
Issue numberv164.12
DOI10.1210/endocr/bqad165
AuthorsSchröder MAM, Greenald D, Lodewijk R, van Herwaarden AE, Span PN, Sweep FCGJ, Mitchell RT & Claahsen-van der Grinten HL
MTGsMTG1
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